Monte Stewart VANCOUVER The Canadian Press Published Friday, Mar. 16, 2012 9:39PM EDT Last updated Saturday, Mar. 17, 2012 11:17AM EDT

The Vancouver Whitecaps are in their second MLS season, but have yet to achieve something that teams usually earn much sooner their first road win.

The Whitecaps will try to make amends for going winless on the road in 2011 when they meets Chivas USA on Saturday in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, Calif. Captain Jay DeMerit said the Whitecaps have to build on the momentum they developed while blanking the Montreal Impact 2-0 in their season opener last weekend.

We had a tough time getting that away monkey off our back last year, DeMerit said. So the mentality is to get that off our back as early as possible this year, so we can just get on with it and focus on one game at a time. If we can continue to keep the same attitude and do the things we did right last week, it should come fairly quickly.

The Whitecaps went 0-12-5 on the road last season and finished last overall with a 6-18-10 mark.

DeMerit and other returnees hoping the new attitude brought by first-year coach Martin Rennie will carry over away from home.

It's a fresh season, so you don't worry about those things too much, but as those things go on, then the pressure seems to mount, DeMerit said.

He said the Whitecaps allowed too many easy goals on the road in last season. Away from home, teams have to play a more compact, defensive-oriented style.

We have to get guys behind the ball and make sure we're solid at the back and as an 11 and then use our quality up front, he said after practice Friday. We know we can, but there's a formula that goes into that, and we didn't get that formula right enough last year.

The Whitecaps squandered leads at times on the road last season, when few of their players had MLS experience. DeMerit the core unit now experienced in the league's intricacies, but the club still has to play smarter.

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Whitecaps still looking for first road win

Conventional wisdom, as it relates to houses, is often too much convention and not enough wisdom.

Every year, somebody publishes a list of whichconventional home improvementswill give you the best (or theworst) return on your remodeling investment.

Remodel abathroom. Replace your siding. Dont build a swimming pool.Paint everything neutral colors.

Sit up straight. Get a haircut. Call your mother.

If return on investment (ROI) is why you bought a home, or why youre remodeling one, you can stop reading now. Because the rest of this article isnt for you.

Three, two, onestill here?

You invest in your home to improve livability first, not value. If you get more value in the process, consider it a bonus, but dont make ROI your prime directive.

Otherwise youll end up like the potential client that came into my office a few years ago with a three-page single-spaced typewritten (as in made with a typewriter) list of things he wanted in his house.

His list included this line: A large dining room, near the kitchen. Although we dont need or want a dining room. Why would he want to build a room he didnt need?

Because hes thinking of things to make the house valuable, instead of things to make it livable.

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Nine Unconventional Ways to Improve Your Home

Alberta Baptist Church, shown Thursday, is expected to be demolished starting this week. The building was one of 22 churches in Tuscaloosa County damaged or destroyed by the April 27 tornado.

TUSCALOOSA | Demolition is expected to begin this week on what remains of Alberta Baptist Church.

The building on University Boulevard was one of 22 churches damaged or destroyed by the April 27 tornado and one of the first to begin working with city planning officials to discuss reconstruction based on new building regulations and zoning requirements.

Church members said there were questions about whether to rebuild at all, relocate or even merge with another congregation. The church has been at 1761 University Blvd. E., a gateway to the Alberta community, for more than 90 years. Prayers and contemplation led to the congregation's decision to stay there.

It became obvious that we needed to be back in Alberta and Alberta needed us to be there, said John Matthews, who heads the church's long-range planning committee. This has been a disaster in every sense of the word, but it is an opportunity for a fresh start.

Although the building was destroyed, the church and its congregation are still strong, said building and grounds committee chairman Dan Turner.

In the days after the tornado, church members helped residents in Alberta find food, clothing and family members. Since then, church members have continued to provide assistance to the community from a trailer and tent in the church parking lot.

The congregation has been meeting at Open Door Baptist on McFarland Boulevard on Sundays.

We've had a wonderful ministry, Turner said. It's been a spiritual blessing to us.

The city's plans to improve the nearby Jaycee Park with an upgraded facility for the Boys and Girls Clubs of West Alabama, a BMX bicycle track, a playground, a baseball diamond and a three-court basketball gym will give the church an opportunity to be involved in those community activities, Matthews said.

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Building demolition will give Alberta church a fresh start

An engineer hired by a New Holland-area mega church distilled a 643-page traffic study in 45 minutes on March 13 at an East Earl Township supervisors meeting.

"We're not here for any approvals," said Bob Murphy, senior project manager for Larson Design Group, on behalf of Petra Christian Fellowship, which plans to expand its campus in four phases over the next 15 years at 565 Airport Road.

Murphy said PCF is preparing a secondary submission of preliminary plans. The original plan was proposed to the East Earl planning commission in March 2010.

PCF will submit the plan to the Earl and East Earl township planning commissions, who will make a recommendation to their respective township supervisors as to whether the conditional preliminary plans will move into final design.

"(PCF) anticipates submitting a final phase 2 plan in a few months," stated Murphy in an email. "Construction will hopefully begin by late 2012 or early 2013."

The first phase of the expansion was completed in 2011. The second phase is in its planning stage. Projected completion dates of the third and fourth phase projected completion dates are 2017 and 2027, respectively.

In the first phase, the church added 92 parking spaces to the original 448. Construction began in April 2011 and was completed in September of the same year.

In the plan's second phase, 55,739 square feet will be added to the original 61,400 square-foot facility. The church would add another 340 parking spaces, build a new classroom and subdivide 10 acres into six lots along Ranck Road to help pay for expansion costs.

The plan's third phase, Murphy said, would add an additional 36,689 square feet to the facility by constructing a gymnasium. Possible road work may be required to Airport Road as well.

In the plan's final phase, the church would add an additional 40,781 square feet to the facility by building a new chapel and narthex, doubling its seating capacity to 3,600, and expanding the church's sanctuary.

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New Holland church shares plans for expansion

An early morning fire Tuesday came close to completely destroying a family's home when an outside fire began to make its way into the house.

Roger Cantu, his wife, Michelle Seifert, and their children, Jasmine, 6, and Blake, 4, were sleeping when Seifert said she woke up at the same time some passersby began knocking at walls and windows to alert them of smoke coming from the rear of the home. The family escaped with no injuries.

Seifert said the fire happened in the corner of the kitchen -- the exact location of the family's only exit.

"We had to run the kids through the fire and smoke," she said. "It was pretty traumatizing."

"As soon as we opened that door, the flames went up," Cantu said.

Firefighters responded to the home in the 2900 block of Central Ave at 1:15 a.m. and had the fire controlled within an hour. Cantu said they had taken a hot log out of a smoker and placed it on top of a wall-mounted swamp cooler. He said they sat outside for an hour or two before going to bed, certain the log had cooled.

"About three or four hours later, it started back up," he said.

The home's roof and some exterior walls were destroyed, including the entire kitchen, and there is significant smoke and fire damage to the attic, he said. The rest of the home and the family's belongings appear to have a substantial amount of smoke damage. The home was not insured.

A report from the Caon City Area Fire Protection District states it appears that the wind rekindled the log and sparks blew into the woodpile below and started the fire. The report also says a smoke detector in the home did not have a battery and the house has no utility hook-ups, instead a 12-volt battery is used to power lights.

Cantu said he had been in the process of remodeling the home, but now he has some significant repairs that need to be done, including rebuilding the roof and some exterior walls before the weather turns cool again. He is unemployed, and Seifert is a full-time student.

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Tuesday fire damages family's home

CHURCH HILL, Tenn. --

An-indoor marijuana grow was uncovered yesterday in Hawkins County, police reported today.

According to information from the Hawkins County Sheriffs Department, officers went to a home on Carters Valley Road, Church Hill, on March 15 in reference to a narcotics investigation.

Residents of the home consented to a search. Reports state that the search revealed approximately nine marijuana plants growing, artificial lighting, fans, fertilizer and growth hormones. All of this was found in a bedroom closet and bathroom.

Further search of the home revealed three mason jars containing cultivated marijuana. Officers say they also found scales, pipes, small amount of suboxone and hydrocodone pills and a .380 automatic pistol.

Donald Eugene Pierce and Gertrude Allie Thompson were charged as a result of the investigation.

Donald Eugene Pierce, age 36, was charged with Manufacturing/Del/Sell Controlled Substance, Maintaining a Dwelling where Narcotics are Housed or Sold, Simple Possession or Casual Exchange, Possession of Schedule VI, Possession of drug Paraphernalia and Possession of a Firearm During a Felony. He is currently housed in the Hawkins County Jail under $20,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in Hawkins County General Session Court on March 28, 2012.

Gertrude Allie Thompson, age 47, is also charged with Manufacturing/Del/Sell Controlled Substance, Maintaining a Dwelling where Narcotics are Housed or Sold, Simple Possession or Casual Exchange, Possession of Schedule VI, Possession of drug Paraphernalia and Possession of a Firearm During a Felony. She is currently housed in the Hawkins County Jail under $20,000 bond. She is scheduled to appear in Hawkins County General Session Court on March 28, 2012.

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Indoor grow discovered in Church Hill; pair arrested

DALLAS, March 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --U.S. Home Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: USHS - News) today announced that on March 27, 2012 at 4:30 p.m. ET, management will hold a conference call to discuss its 2011 fourth quarter financial results. The financial results will be released following the close of trading on March 27, 2012.

Interested parties may access the call by calling 1-877-941-1427 from within the United States, or 1-480-629-9664 if calling internationally, approximately five minutes prior to the start of the call. A replay will be available through April 3, 2012 and can be accessed by dialing 1-877-870-5176 (U.S.) or 1-858-384-5517 (international), passcode 4523824.

This call is being web cast by ViaVid Broadcasting and can be accessed at U.S. Home Systems' website at http://www.ushomesystems.com. The web cast may also be accessed at ViaVid's website at http://viavid.net/dce.aspx?sid=000094E0. The web cast can be accessed until April 27, 2012 on either site. To access the web cast, you will need to have the Windows Media Player on your desktop. For the free download of the Media Player please visit:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/en/download/default.asp.

About U.S. Home Systems, Inc.

U.S. Home Systems, Inc. (www.ushomesystems.com) manufactures or procures, designs, sells and installs custom quality specialty home improvement products. The Company's product lines include kitchen cabinet refacing products utilized in kitchen remodeling, bathroom tub liners and wall surround products utilized in bathroom remodeling, and storage organization systems for closets and garages. The Company manufactures its own cabinet refacing products and bathroom cabinetry.

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U.S. Home Systems to Report 2011 Fourth Quarter Financial Results on March 27, 2012

On Saturday, March 24, the Farnsworth Art Museum will be presenting a panel discussion entitled The Homestead Architects. The architects and architectural designers participating in the panel discussion will present and discuss their re-envisions of a modern day homestead located in downtown Rockland.

Rockland, Maine (PRWEB) March 16, 2012

For the exhibition The Homestead Project, ten architectural firms have been asked to present their designs for a house on the same lot as the existing Homestead, one that meets the needs of a twenty-first century Farnsworth family. The architects and architectural designers participating in the panel discussion will present and discuss their re-envisions of a modern day homestead located in downtown Rockland.

The architects and architectural designers participating in the panel are:

The fee for the discussion is $8 for members and $10 for nonmembers. For more information or to make a reservation, please contact the museums Education department at 207-596-0949 or online at farnsworthmuseum.org/education.

After the discussion, the Farnsworths newest membership group, The Collective, will be hosting Art Trivia 101 with a Twist! at the future home of Fog Bar, 328 Main Street in Rockland. Those interested in reserving a spot for a team of up to 6 players should contact the Membership Department at 207-596-6256. The fee for the Trivia is as follows: Collective members play for free, Farnsworth members $5, nonmembers $10. This Collective event is sponsored by Bangor Savings Bank and Fog Bar.

The Homestead Project is made possible through the generous support of: A.E. Sampson & Son, Anonymous, Bench Dogs, Inc., Cold Mountain Builders, J.C. Stone Inc., Marvin Windows and Doors, Thos. Moser Fine Furniture, Tidewater Millwork, and Windsor Chairmakers. The primary media sponsor for the exhibition is Maine Home + Design.

David Troup Farnsworth Art Museum 207-596-6457 128 Email Information

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Farnsworth Presents a Panel Discussion: The Homestead Architects

Jennifer Preyss Originally published March 16, 2012 at midnight, updated March 16, 2012 at midnight IF YOU GO

WHAT: Restoration House Ministries 1,000 Women Strong Vendor Fair

WHEN: 1-4 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Faith Family Church, Connection Center, 2002 E. Mockingbird Lane, Victoria

COST: Free admission

MORE INFO: Faith Family Church, 361-573-2484

At Restoration House Ministries' 1,000 Women Strong Awareness Vendor Fair Saturday, ladies will have the opportunity to shop for a good cause.

More than a half-dozen vendors, including Mary Kay, Ooh La La Boutique, Silpada Jewelry, Scentsy, Gold Buying Girl and Stampin' Up!, have donated products to the event to raise money for Restoration House's faith-based Victoria home for women.

"They're all donated products. Everything that's sold at the event is donated to Restoration House for programs in the home, operational expenses and materials for the girls," said Jennifer Martinez, Restoration House public relations representative.

Restoration House is a 6-month-long self-admitted program for women struggling with teen pregnancy, drug and alcohol addictions, and abuse. Restoration House provides a safe place for the women to seek help, and recover from their struggles using biblical principles.

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Restoration House hosts vendor fair

SOURCE: SERVPRO Industries, Inc.

Disaster Recovery and Damage Restoration Franchisor Says Knowledge and Preparation Can Help Property Owners Weather Violent Storms

GALLATIN, TN--(Marketwire - Mar 16, 2012) - The announcement comes over your TV or radio: there's a storm headed your way. What can you do to help protect yourself, your family and your home?

According to SERVPRO, the answers to those questions lie in understanding the difference between a storm watch and a storm warning; in knowing where to seek shelter if you're caught by a storm; in taking precautions as storm season approaches to minimize the potential for storm-related property damage; and finally in knowing where to turn for prompt, professional help if your home or property does sustain damage.

"While violent storms can strike anytime, the return of warmer weather typically marks an increase in the threat of sudden, severe storms with their accompanying wind, rain, lightning and even hail," said Rick Isaacson, Executive Vice President of Servpro Industries, Inc. "Authorities issue a storm 'watch' when there is the potential for severe weather. A storm 'warning' means that the danger is imminent. We hope that the following tips* will give homeowners the information they need to help keep themselves, their family and their property safe when the first storm warning hits the airwaves."

The Basics

Before the Storm Hits

During the Storm -- In Your Home

During the Storm -- If You're Caught Outdoors

After the Storm

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Severe Storm Readiness Tips for Homeowners From SERVPRO(R)