A general view shows Kensington Palace, what used to be the official residence of the late Princess Diana, in London, March 20, 2012.

Kensington Palace - part museum, part royal abode - is reopening to the public after a two-year, 12-million-pound ($19-million) makeover designed to give visitors a sense of what it is like to live in a centuries-old building that has witnessed both affairs of state and affairs of the heart.

Senior curator Joanna Marschner said she hopes the renovated building will shake up preconceptions about royal palaces, offering both the "big, glorious, golden rooms" that people expect, and a trove of more personal, revealing items - from Queen Victoria's baby shoes to Princess Diana's little black dress.

Tucked into Kensington Gardens, a public park in central London, Kensington Palace is a warm red-brick contrast to gray Buckingham Palace, Queen Elizabeth II's London home.

It was home to six British monarchs, including Victoria, who spent her childhood here, and now contains several royal "apartments" - actually Georgian houses, one of which William and Kate will move into next year.

It also has dozens of rooms that are open to the public. The public side of the palace reopens Monday, in time for a busy tourist season that includes the queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations in June and the summer Olympics.

Many visitors will head straight for a ground-floor display of dresses belonging to the palace's most famous recent occupant, Princess Diana. She lived here for 16 years after her marriage to Prince Charles in 1981. After her death in a Paris car crash in 1997, thousands of mourners came to leave flowers outside the palace gates.

Display cases hold garments including a black silk taffeta gown by Emanuel, a Versace cocktail dress and a fuchsia Catherine Walker gown, alongside sketches of the garments and photographs - all revealing, according to curator Deirdre Murphy, "Diana's evolving style and the important role fashion played in creating her public image."

Upstairs is an exhibition devoted to Victoria, the only British monarch before the current queen to reach 60 years on the throne.

It includes the room where she was born and the room where in 1837 she was informed, at age 18, that her uncle had died and she was queen.

Read more from the original source:
Kensington Palace opens after a $19 million makeover

The US Supreme Court Wednesday ruled unanimously in favor of an Idaho couple seeking to have their day in court to challenge an Environmental Protection Agency order that scuttled plans to build their dream home on a subdivided lot the EPA said was a federal wetland.

The couple, Chantell and Michael Sackett, had started to fill the home site with dirt and gravel to prepare for construction. But the EPA intervened, announcing that the property was a regulated wetland. Agency officials ordered the couple to restore the land to its original state or face up to $75,000 a day in fines.

The Sacketts disputed the EPAs wetland designation and filed a lawsuit to litigate the issue in federal court.

The EPA argued that the Sacketts lawsuit must be dismissed because the EPAs Clean Water Act compliance order did not amount to final agency action.

How much do you know about the US Constitution? A quiz.

A federal judge and the Ninth US Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with the EPA and threw the suit out. Facing bankrupting daily fines and no clear avenue for judicial review, the Sacketts took their case to the Supreme Court.

In a unanimous decision on Wednesday, the high court said the Sacketts are entitled to challenge the EPA order in federal court.

The Sacketts may bring a civil action [under the Administrative Procedure Act] to challenge the issuance of the EPAs order, Justice Antonin Scalia said in a statement from the bench announcing the decision. The APA provides for judicial review of final agency action for which there is no other adequate remedy in court, he said.

The justices did not rule that the couple may proceed with construction of their home on the disputed tract. Instead, the high court decision sets the stage for a federal judge to examine the EPA order. In effect, the Sacketts won the opportunity to present their case to a neutral judge.

We are very thankful to the Supreme Court for affirming that we have rights and that the EPA is not beyond the control of the courts and the Constitution, Mr. Sackett said in a written statement.

See the article here:
EPA wetlands order can be challenged by land owners, Supreme Court rules

Published: March. 21, 2012 at 4:43 PM

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, March 21 (UPI) -- Canada's Cabinet is expected to approve opening a project office to buy new fixed-wing search-and-rescue planes for the Canadian air force.

The $3.1 billion replacement plan, designed to replace air force C-115 Buffalos and older model C-130-H fixed-wing transport aircraft, has been delayed by controversy and bureaucratic infighting for nearly a decade.

Potential bidders were recently informed that a formal tender isn't expected until 2013, CBC News Nova Scotia reported.

Adding to the program's delays have been accusations that the air force had tilted the specifics of the acquisition program in favor of the C-27-J Spartan, built by the Italian company Alenia.

Should the Canadian air force want to procure C-27-J Spartans, a possible second-hand source could appear close by, as the U.S. Air Force recently announced that it intended to sell its Spartan transports, both existing and those scheduled for delivery.

The sale would be part of the recently announced U.S. Department of Defense budget cuts, but the C-27-J Spartan sale would need congressional approval.

Go here to read the rest:
Canada seeks new search-and-rescue planes

Prime Minister John Key has ruled out an independent inquiry into the privacy breach at ACC that's seen the resignation of Nick Smith from Cabinet.

He also won't rule out Dr Smith returning to the Cabinet in the future.

This follows a push from the opposition for a full inquiry.

Dr Smith's resigned his portfolios after admitting a second error of judgement in his handling of claims made on ACC by his friend, and former National Party official Bronwyn Pullar

Labour leader David Shearer says Dr Smith's resignation doesn't end the matter.

"We should have a full inquiry into this. I think the Government would hope that it was going to go away. I don't believe that it should. I think the public, and we all, deserve an explanation."

Mr Shearer wants to know why the Prime Minister didn't act earlier.

Should Dr Smith decide to quit politics altogether, Mr Shearer believes his party could win Nelson.

"Yes we definitely could have a good chance of winning that seat, we've held that seat in the past although that was some time ago. We would certainly have a decent crack at it," he says.

MPs have said Mr Key should have asked for Dr Smith's scalp much sooner than yesterday.

Here is the original post:
Key rules out independent inquiry into ACC

19-03-2012 21:55 What's this house got to do with the BEST Kirkland Roofing Company? That Roofing company is... http://www.proroofingnw.com Hi everyone! We're Pro Roofing Northwest of Kirkland, but most just know us as Pro Roofing. Check out our blog of Kirkland here http://www.proroofingnw.com We're a Kirkland-based roofing company and we think we are a lot different than most Kirkland roofing companies. Our office is right behind the Les Schwab tire in Totem Lake. Drop by anytime! We would be happy to see you. There are a thousand reasons why Pro Roofing of Kirkland IS a different kind of roofing company, but we know you're not going to want to sit through a long video while we list all the reason why we think we are so cool and so much different than all other Kirkland roofing companies. So we're going to have to jump to the "root of the point". You see... Pro Roofing IS better / different / unique because, put simply, we care more than all other Kirkland Roofing Contractors! We've often said how we just wish people could be a fly on the wall during one of our Roofing meetings. If you were THAT fly you would see just how hard we work on new ideas which bring efficiency to our job sites. You would see how we are on the cutting edge of technology in how we market our Kirkland Roofing Company, how we estimate for Asphalt Shingles, how we install composition roofing shingles, and provide roofing service to our Kirkland customers. You would also see how we focus on our Kirkland roofing production process ...

See the article here:
Kirkland Roofing Companies: Check this out to see THE BEST KIRKLAND ROOFING COMPANY! - Video

It's been an active day around the AFC North as far as free agency is concerned, with the top story being the Cincinnati Bengals signing running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis to a three-year deal.

Along with Michael Bush, Green-Ellis was one of two running backs the Bengals met with earlier this week.

The signing of Green-Ellis likely means that Bush will land with another team.

Green-Ellis, a former New England Patriot, isn't the most explosive runner on the free agent market, likely indicating that that role will be played by a back the Bengals pick up in next month's draft.

However, his third down and goal-line skills, reliable hands (he has yet to lose a fumble in his professional career) and pass-blocking abilities will make him an incredibly useful member of the Bengals' offense.

Green-Ellis rushed 181 times for 667 yards and 11 scores in 2011 and also caught nine passes for another 159 yards.

In other news around the division, the Cleveland Brownsonce incorrectly thought to have interest in Bengals free agent run-stopping linebacker Manny Lawsonhave met with former New York Giants middle linebacker Jonathan Goff, according to the Plain Dealer.

Goff was one of the numerous Giants defenders struck down with injuries last season, missing all of 2011 with a torn ACL.

The Plain Dealer reports that, if he signs, he would be as a depth addition only and would not start.

The Pittsburgh Steelers made two offseason roster additions today, adding tight end Wes Lyons and fullback Will Johnson.

Read more:
RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis Joins Bengals and AFC North Free Agency Notes

What the Buddenberg family's kitchen looks like now.

World-Herald reporter Roger Buddenberg and his wife are embarking on a major home remodeling project. He'll blog about the ups and downs, delays and accomplishments at omaha.com/living

* * *

---------------------------------------------The Smashing

March 21

The thing about demolition is, even when you know its coming, it still knocks you on your heels a bit.

The place where weve eaten with the kids, played cards with friends, watched TV, read the paper basically lived our life for 14 years is gone. Its now studs and subfloor, wires and ducts.

Weve crammed ourselves into the rest of the house, which wouldnt be so bad except for lacking a kitchen. Weve still got a working microwave and fridge, though, so well manage.

The dust ripping out drywall makes a lot of it is an issue but not as bad as I feared. So far. We chose our contractor partly on his record of cleaning up after himself each day, and hes done about as well as we could expect. Plastic walls, complete with zippers so you can step through, separate the dirty parts of the house from the "clean."

Weve had to make a lot of materials choices in a short time. Its still kind of a blur. Some little things are sure to change as we go along, but the contractor was insistent about having most choices made before demolition began. Otherwise he couldnt promise to stay on schedule.

Visit link:
Home remodeling blog: Smashing up our kitchen

Piedmont Henry Hospital President and Chief Executive Officer, Charles F. Scott

Piedmont Henry Hospital has announced that construction on a 60,000-square-foot office building in Stockbridge will begin this summer. The $11 million project will replace an eyesore abandoned building in a prime, highly visible location at the intersection of Eagles Landing Parkway and Rock Quarry Road, according to hospital president and chief executive officer Charles F. Scott.

The endeavor is part of a partnership with Ackerman Medical, an Atlanta-based real estate firm specializing in the medical community. It has been dubbed the Henry Physician Center.

The three-story, Class A building ... will serve as the new gateway to Piedmont Henry Hospital, said Fara Wilson, Ackermans Vice President of Marketing.

Once ground is broken, it is scheduled to open in early 2013, according to Wilson.

Scott said he is excited about bringing the facility to Henry County.

It will ... enable a few physician practices to relocate to this choice location, he said. This will enable their patients to more conveniently access all the services provided at Piedmont Henry Hospital.

Although the project was initiated prior to the hospitals affiliation with Piedmont Healthcare, Scott said Piedmont has supported the center throughout the affiliation talks, and has continued to do so since the affiliation went into effect.

The development of Henry Physician Center, which resulted from the recent merger of Piedmont Healthcare and Henry Medical Center, demonstrates Piedmont Healthcares deep commitment to meeting the expanding medical needs of Henry County residents, Scott said.

Henry Physician Center responds to the demand from growing physician practices seeking to locate on the new Piedmont Henry Hospital campus, said John A. Willig, of Ackerman Medical.

Read the original here:
Piedmont Henry to launch $11 million physician center

Hundreds of office workers will start moving into The Bow building in the next couple of weeks.

The lower floors of the massive office tower downtown are nearly ready so desks and other equipment for employees with Cenovus will be moved in soon.

The huge moving job will happen in stages.

Bill Christensen, of Mathews Development the company responsible for building the Bow said the carpets are in on the lower floors now. Coffee stations, photocopy rooms and washrooms are all ready to go.

The moving trucks will soon start bringing in office furniture and other equipment overnight, a process that will take weeks.

Christensen says up to 23 floors will be ready for employees with oil company Cenovus over the next few months.

Meanwhile, construction continues on the upper floors.

He says 1,000 construction workers are still on site, completing the upper floors for the other tenant, Encana, which wants to be in their new home by the end of the year.

Follow this link:
Office workers to start moving into The Bow building

A new village drought-driven water conservation campaign is all about flappers, not the kind seen on dance floors in the 1920s, but the essential mechanism in commodes across the nation.

Leaking toilet flappers account for about 10 percent of most wasted water, Ruidoso Utilities Director Randy Camp said Wednesday. "In our case, it's higher in the village, probably 15 percent, because we have so many second homes that go unattended for months at a time."

Under the new "Fix Your Flapper" push, when homeowners pay their bills at the water desk in Village Hall, clerks will distribute dye tablets that can be placed in a toilet tank and will indicate leakage if the water in the toilet bowl becomes colored, Camp explained to village councilors during their meeting earlier this month.

"The toilet receives the highest use in any household, about 20 percent, he said. "They can leak up to 200 gallons a day and that's a 6,000 gallon hit on a monthly water bill. A new flapper would pay for itself the first month."

The village remains in Phase IV water restrictions enacted last summer, he said.

"We're not going to pull out until something turns around," Camp said. "We're still in a prolonged drought."

During the council meeting, Councilor Jim Stoddard said while village officials are aware of the necessity of conserving water, especially this year with a light snowpack, "I don't think all our citizens are. I wonder if we can do a better job and explain why there

Village Manager Debi Lee said she met with Kerry Gladden of The Agency about a complete water conservation campaign to be called the "Water Wrangler Program." She will be handing out information to councilors about the campaign soon.

"There will be a lot of press releases, radio announcements, coloring contests in the schools to bring water conservation forward," she said.

In view of the limited snowmelt, Stoddard asked if water is bring diverted to Grindstone Reservoir from the Rio Ruidoso, while some significant flow is occurring. The river is the reservoir's only source to replenish the lake.

Read more here:
Fix your flapper