Bulletin Board

A calendar of events relating to homes and gardens.

Church Hill Secret Gardens Symphony Tour: Eight homes and gardens open to view, with Richmond Symphony chamber ensembles performing in two of the gardens and six other locations in the St. John's Historic District on Church Hill, 12:30-5 p.m. today. $35; includes wine and cheese tastings. http://www.churchhill.org.

Rose Society Meeting: Richmond Rose Society presents Diana Klassy in a talk on "Integrated Pest Management and Using Pesticides Safely" at 2 p.m. today at Children's Hospital, 2924 Brook Road. Free. http://www.richmondrosesociety.com or (804) 330-2404.

Historic Garden Week: Nearby tours include Richmond's Ampthill/Wilton area on Tuesday; The Boulevard in Richmond, Wednesday; and Petersburg and Richmond's Three Chopt/Westhampton area Thursday. Costs vary; proceeds benefit Garden Club of Virginia's historic landmark and garden restoration projects. http://www.VAGardenweek.org or (804) 644-7776.

Native Plant Sale: Nursery- or garden-propagated native plants for sale noon-3 p.m. today, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and noon-3 p.m. April 29 at Virginia Living Museum, 524 J. Clyde Morris Blvd., Newport News. Free. http://www.thevlm.org or (757) 595-1900.

"Gardening Under Cover": Talk by Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Trades gardener Wesley Greene on time-tested methods of extending the growing season 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, 326 W. Francis St., Williamsburg. Admission by Colonial Williamsburg ticket or CW museums pass. (800) 447-8679.

Spring Garden Fest: Classes (registration required; $10 in advance), gardening advice, displays and chats with experts, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, 1851 Dickinson Road, Goochland. http://www.gpmga.org or (804) 556-5841.

Herbs Galore & More: 28th annual herb festival, with more than 40 plant vendors and sellers of products, plant swap, speakers, classes and more, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at Maymont,1800 Hampton St. $3, free to members; fees vary for classes, for which registration is required. http://www.maymont.org or 358-7166, ext. 310.

Electronics Recycling: Dispose of unwanted electronic items ($7 fee televisions, other items free) at Central Virginia Waste Management drop-off sites:

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Home and garden event calendar for April 22

20-04-2012 13:31 Customers Testimonial - Satisfied Customers talk about their Room Additions, Kitchen Remodeling, & Bathroom Remodeling with Lux Builders

Go here to read the rest:
Lux Builders

Saturday Conejo Valley Home Remodeling Show: Interior decorating, landscaping, pool and spa ideas and information from over 170 vendors, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission $4. Hyatt Westlake Plaza,880 S. Westlake Blvd., Westlake Village. 805-529-0760. http://www.conejovalleyhomeshow.com

Native Plant Week symposium: The California Native Plant Society and the Theodore Payne Foundation present a wildflower show, book and plant sale and demonstrations,9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Lectures: Anthony Valois discusses Wildflowers of the Santa Monica Mountains, 9:30-11 a.m.; Orchid Black discusses Easy Natives for the Garden, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.; Lili Singer discusses Native Plants and Pollinators Equal Bountiful Gardens, 2-3:30 p.m. Sepulveda Garden Center, 16633 Magnolia Blvd., Encino. http://www.cnps.org http://www.theodorepayne.org

Michaels: Body Art make-it-take-it, 1-3 p.m. Saturday (age 3 and older). Earth Day tote make-it-take-it, 1-3 p.m. Sunday. Some fees. Check website for participating locations. http://www.michaels.com

San Fernando Valley Chapter of the California Association of Nurseries and Garden Centers: Product Knowledge Night with vendors showing what's new for spring, 5 p.m. Meeting includes a barbecue, 6 p.m.; program, 7 p.m. Cost $5. Reservations required. West Valley Occupational Center, 6200 Winnetka Ave., Woodland Hills. 818-348-1091.

Tournament House tours: The former Wrigley Mansion and garden is open for guided tours by Tournament of Roses volunteers, 2 and 3 p.m. Thursdays through August. Free. 391 S. Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena. 626-449-4100. http://www.tournamentofroses.com

Ventura County Rose Society meeting: Members and guests bring three roses (in a jelly jar) and discuss how it performs in their garden, 7:30 p.m. Rose advice, 6:30 p.m. Ventura County Office of Education Conference Center, 5100 Adolfo Road, Camarillo. 818-337-9970 and 805-523-9003. http://www.venturarose.org

Green Thumb Nursery-Canoga Park: Stephanie Ripple discusses organic vegetable gardening, 10 a.m. April 28. She will be available for questions until 2 p.m. 21812 Sherman Way. 818-340-6400.

The Garden Conservancy's private garden tour in Pasadena: Self-guided tour of six gardens, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 29. Tickets $5 per garden; $25 for six. Begin tour at La Casita del Arroyo Garden, 177 S. Arroyo Blvd. 888-842-2442. http://www.opendaysprogram.org

Spring Plant Sale at the Huntington Botanical Gardens, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. April 29. Admission to sale is free; admission to the gardens $20; $15 seniors; $10 for students 12-18; $6 children 5-11. Huntington Botanical Gardens, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. 626-405-2100. http://www.Huntington.org

Westlake Village Garden Club garden tour: Self-guided tour of five gardens in the Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village area, 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. April 29. Tickets $20. Find ticket locations on the website. 805-437-6606. http://www.westlakevillagegardenclub.com

Read more here:
Homes & Gardens Calendar: Conejo Valley Remodeling Show, Native Plant Week, Organic vegetable gardening class and more

The final agreement related to the construction of a team track rail siding project off West Main Street has been approved.

This week, Washington City Council members unanimously approved a supplemental agreement with Union Pacific Railroad for the construction of improvements, including installation of a manual switch.

The city will pay $406,964 to Union Pacific for the railroads portion of the project. The city previously deposited $75,000 with the railroad last September which was applied toward the signal design work. That leaves a balance of $331,964, according to the agreement.

Darren Lamb, community and economic development director, said that 27 percent of the cost will be paid out of a federal Economic Development Administration grant the city received for the project.

Meanwhile, the general contractor, Kolb Grading, St. Charles, is close to completing grading and site work for the project which will include a 1,900-foot team track and a secure building/office on a 4.4-acre lot adjacent to the Canam Steel plant.

The team track will provide a secure facility where local industries and businesses can load and unload products and materials onto railroad cars and trucks.

Lamb said that Kolb expected to complete site work by the end of April.

Kolb was awarded the contract on a bid of $3.25 million earlier this year. Total cost of the project, including engineering fees and other expenses, is expected to be close to $4 million.

The contractor has until Sept. 30, 2012, to complete the facility.

In addition to a $962,701 EDA grant approved for the project, the city will receive an estimated $2,052,810 community development block grant through the Missouri Department of Economic Development. The citys share of the project cost is $786,063.30.

Link:
Washington OKs Agreement With Union Pacific for Work on Team Track

We are getting ready to replace our existing siding on our home in the next month or so, and I have a few questions.

Before investing in such a costly undertaking, Id like a few questions answered.

Is double hem mounting the best way to go?

Should we have 1/2 inch foam and Tyvek moisture barrier in combination? If not, which is more energy efficient?

Should all door and window openings have flashing?

Should the color of the siding go all the way through?

What thickness should the siding be?

As you can tell, Im a bit confused. Thanks.

A 10-year-old vinyl siding job shouldnt necessarily need replacement, unless its been damaged in some way.

Sun can bleach some and even the reflection from close-by Low-E windows can concentrate the suns heat and can warp sections Ive seen that. Weed whackers chop holes out of corner boards, and storms hurling tree limbs and hail create damage that might warrant replacement.

See the original post:
On the Level: The ins and outs of vinyl siding

WILLIAMSPORT - A Shamokin roofing company has been named as a defendant in a federal lawsuit brought by a former employee.

The suit, filed Tuesday in U.S. Middle District Court in Williamsport by Jason Deitz, of Shamokin, claims Budget Renovation and Roofing Inc. failed to pay overtime and did not list the correct number of hours worked on pay stubs, which would be violations of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and the Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act.

According to the complaint, the offenses occurred between April 17, 2009, and October 2011 while Deitz was working as a roofer. He had held the job since 2004. During that time period, Deitz said Budget employed 40 people who were paid an hourly wage. The plaintiff hopes to makes his case a collective action involving other employees.

Deitz said weekly pay stubs failed to list either the number of hours worked during the week or the hourly rates.

Contacted for comment about the suit, James Searls, president of Budget Renovation and Roofing, said Wednesday the jobs Deitz refers to include "rate jobs" where employees get paid a specific price for the work. The time sheets that show the number of hours worked are kept in the office, he said.

Deitz claims in his suit that he and the other workers regularly worked more than 40 hours per week, and estimated that he generally worked between 50 to 70 hours during a typical week.

Deitz questioned Searls on being paid overtime wages, to no satisfaction, according to the affidavit.

"In fact, on at least three occasions, Searls personally informed (Deitz) that (Budget) generally did not pay the overtime premium compensation," the affidavit reads.

Deitz believes he and other workers were not paid any compensation for many of their work hours, but "due to Budget's illegal failure to provide him and other workers with contemporaneous timekeeping and payroll data, the particulars of this allegation must await discovery."

Searls said he is aware of the suit and has legal representation working on it. He accused Deitz of "falsifying unemployment records and collecting illegally."

Go here to read the rest:
Ex-worker sues Shamokin roofing firm; president defends

After a lengthy debate, Denison City Council members on Tuesday evening voted to change the code to reflect the citys policy regarding roofing projects and permits.

The council voted 4-0 that a permit will not be required for roofing projects that involve one or two layers of shingles. Permits will be required if a metal roof is installed over two layers of shingles and if the roofing project involves repairs to or the replacement of the structural elements of the roof.

The council also voted to make the roofing permit fee $25. In the past, the permit fee was based on the value of the roofing project.

The reason the council entertained discussion on roofing permits is because a previous amendment to the code created a discrepancy between the citys policy and what the code actually states.

Building Inspector Martin Colgan pointed out that the city adopted the international residential code, which requires permits for any roofing project other than a simple repair, such as replacing a few shingles.

The debate about building permits involved comments about what is fair, and as the discussion illustrated, the definition of fair depends on ones profession and viewpoint.

Contractor Marcia Losh wanted to make sure that what the council decided would treat everyone fairly the licensed contractors and the property owners who roof their own houses.

Asked her view about permits, Losh responded, As long as its not a permit that is going to stop people from doing the work a costly permit - and the biggest thing is that everyone is treated the same.

Contractor Lyle Frazier commented that the local contractors will follow the city code but he is concerned that non-local companies that come into the community to moonlight on the weekends arent going to follow the rules.

Mayor Dennis Fineran, who said he has retired from contracting, stated he didnt believe permits are needed. He added the permit fees are passed on to the property owners that have the work done.

Excerpt from:
Roofing permit issues evolves into discussion of fairness

DALLAS, April 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Roofing Supply Group, LLC ("RSG" or the "Company"), a leading distributor of residential and non-residential roofing materials in the U.S., today announced a definitive agreement under which it is to be acquired from its current owner, The Sterling Group, by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC, a private equity firm. Terms were not disclosed.

RSG provides a complete offering of residential and commercial roofing materials and related supplies. Products include shingles, single-ply roofing, metal roofing, roll roofing, insulation, slate and tiles, nails and fasteners, cements and coatings and other complementary building materials. RSG's branch-based operating model includes 59 locations in 24 states throughout the West, Rocky Mountain, Northwest, Southwest, Southeast and Midwest regions of the U.S.

The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter. CD&R has obtained committed financing from Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co., Credit Suisse, and UBS Investment Bank. Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and Goldman, Sachs & Co. acted as financial advisors, and Debevoise & Plimpton LLP acted as legal advisor to CD&R. The Sterling Group was advised by Harris Williams in the transaction.

About Roofing Supply GroupFounded in 1981 and based in Dallas, TX, Roofing Supply Group is one of the largest wholesale distributors of roofing supplies and related materials in the United States. Through its network of 59 branches in 24 states, RSG provides one-step distribution services from roofing product manufacturers to roofing contractors and homebuilders. Each branch carries a complete line of roofing products for residential and commercial roofing, including composition asphalt shingles, underlayment, and associated ancillary products. For more information, please visit http://www.roofingsupplygroup.com.

About The Sterling GroupFounded in 1982, The Sterling Group is a private equity investment firm that targets controlling interests in basic manufacturing, distribution and industrial services companies. Typical enterprise values of these companies range from $100 million to $500 million. Sterling has sponsored the buyout of 41 platform companies and numerous add-on acquisitions for a total transaction value of approximately $9.5 billion. Currently, Sterling has $1.2 billion of committed capital under management through three funds. Current portfolio companies include North American Energy Partners, CST Industries, Roofing Supply Group, Universal Fiber Systems, Velcon Filters, Express, B&G Crane, Saxco International, Stackpole International and Liqui-Box. For more information, please visit http://www.sterling-group.com.

About Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLCFounded in 1978, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice is a private equity firm that has managed the investment of approximately $17 billion in 51 U.S. and European businesses. These investments represent an aggregate transaction value of over $80 billion and include leading distributors, such as Diversey, HGI Holdings, Sally Beauty, US Foods, Univar and VWR International, as well as building products businesses, such as HD Supply, NCI Building Systems, Atkore International, Rexel and WESCO. For more information, please visit http://www.cdr-inc.com.

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Roofing Supply Group, LLC, a Leading U.S. Roofing Material Distributor, to be Acquired by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice ...

PLANO -- One of the world's largest software companies is getting a little bit bigger.

Ericsson, the Swedish telecommunications giant whose North America headquarters are located in Plano, recently announced plans to add on to its campus in west Plano. The new additions will create new jobs and add tens of millions of dollars to the city's tax rolls.

The two-phase expansion will begin with the construction of a four-story, 200,000-square-foot building as well as two multilevel parking garages, said Sally Bane, the city's director of economic development. The property improvements total $17 million, with an additional $2.2 million in business personal property included.

The company will receive a tax abatement for 10 years totaling 50 percent of both the real property and business personal property. In return for the abatement, Ericsson agrees to retain, transfer or create at least 1,000 jobs at its Plano headquarters.

The first phase of construction is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2013, with the second phase following a year later.

Calls to Ericsson seeking comment were not returned.

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Software company expands headquarters: Company receives 10-year tax abatement from city

20-04-2012 12:39 The window glass that needs repair has been foggy and full of moisture in glass for years. Can you get the moisture in glass out and fix the fog? Hi, my name is Dennis McHugh and I'm an expert at solving problems related to home and business window and door repairs and replacement in St. Louis, Missouri. People often ask me if they can just clean foggy windows without having to replace them. The answer is some window glass yes, some window glass no. When the moisture in glass has been there for a long period of time, the moisture turns from a gas into a liquid. It condenses on the window glass surfaces between the panes and leaves deposits on the glass. As these deposits sit there, they become embedded into the pores of the window glass, and cannot be removed with cleaning solutions. Having gone through so many freezing cycles, the window glass often separates from the spacer, allowing more moisture into the space than our valves can disperse. When that much damage occurs to the window's glass, it's challenging to cure the problem with a cleaning process. Glass replacement then becomes the best option. There's no cure time with glass replacement; the view is restored immediately. By replacing the window's glass only, and not the entire frame of the window, it is possible for you to save money. Plus, from an environmentally friendly perspective, the window frames and materials are kept out of the landfills. For a free special report, visit ...

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Window Repair or Window Replacement? Foggy long time? - Video