Washington DC (PRWEB) April 28, 2012

Maryland Granite Countertops has made some significant changes to the way customers interact with the leading fabricator of granite countertops in the Washington DC metropolitan areas website. In addition to upgrading their photo galleries to increase your imagination when exploring different designs, they have added a news and blogs page which is constantly being updated with news and trends relevant to the granite countertops industry.

Customers want more ideas; more variety; better quality; excellent service; and of course the inevitable special one on one attention and we want to give this to our clients says owner of Maryland Granite Countertops.

With the economy the way it is still hurting people are taking advantage of housing prices and investing in their new homes. Houses are very affordable right now, and you can find a home for up to 50% or more of its original value. This leaves home owners with plenty of money to spend remodeling and tweaking their new homes to the way they dreamed of, and we want to help them imagine the perfect home to live in through our online tools says chief marketing officer at Maryland Granite.

Kitchen countertops are one of the most common remodeling jobs for new and especially first time home owners. I dont know why the phenomenon laughs Rick from Maryland Granite but this is just how it works; people just want to have a beautiful looking kitchen this may prove that house wives are after all in charge in the house smiles Rick

Maryland Granite is located in Beltsville Maryland right outside the 495 Beltway that surrounds our capital city. Leaders in the natural stone industry with over 15 years of solid strong reputation, they have been able to gain an edge on the manufacturing and fabrication of countertops. You can reach them at 301-605-1168 ###

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Maryland Granite Announces Major Revamp

Photo by Jason Palmer

BELOW: Lynn Moran, seen in this file photo from 2010, has added her aesthetic to this weekend's Decorator Show House, 2101 Avondale. The event benefits Faith Refuge for Women. Times Record News file photos

Photo by Times Record News file art

LEFT: Merrill Sweatt of M. Lynne Designs is one of 17 designers and businesses participating in the Decorator Show House this weekend.

Some people have interior motives, particularly the organizers of the Decorator Show House, where those with interior design cachet have culled their creative skills to put together some spectacularly decorated rooms.

Seventeen interior designers, furniture stores, landscape designers, arts organizations and other businesses have the run of the house, so to speak, and have put together several spaces at the Decorator Show House, 2101 Avondale, corner of Avondale and Harrison

The Country Club home, owned by Susan Saied, is open for viewing for three days, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

"They painted about five or six rooms and it just looks fabulous," said Shirley Craft, co-chairwoman of the show house with Kris Gossom. "We're real excited about it."

Craft on Tuesday was at the home, where designers were busy bringing in and setting up furniture, rugs, artwork and other decorative items to convey as best they can their particular aesthetic, whether whimsical, like the very colorful painted furniture of Merrill Sweatt of M. Lynne Designs; fun, like the items from the Polka Dot Penguin; sophisticated, like the work of Lynn Moran Interiors; or creative, like the work of Wichita Falls artist Pamela Moller.

This is the second year for the Decorator Show House.

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With 17 designers, more than a touch ofstyle

-All Dates- Today Tomorrow This Weekend This Week -------------------- Saturday, April 28 Sunday, April 29 Monday, April 30 Tuesday, May 1 Wednesday, May 2 Thursday, May 3 Friday, May 4 Saturday, May 5 Sunday, May 6 Monday, May 7 Tuesday, May 8 Wednesday, May 9 Thursday, May 10 Friday, May 11 Saturday, May 12 Sunday, May 13 Monday, May 14 Tuesday, May 15 Wednesday, May 16 Thursday, May 17 Friday, May 18 Saturday, May 19 Sunday, May 20 Monday, May 21 Tuesday, May 22 Wednesday, May 23 Thursday, May 24 Friday, May 25 Saturday, May 26 Sunday, May 27 Monday, May 28 -All Event Categories- ARTS AGENDA Classical Music Comedy Film Museums Readings & Signings Spoken Word Theater/Dance/Performance Art Visual Arts COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS Benefits & Fundraisers Clubs & Organizations Family Festivals/Events Gay & Lesbian Health & Fitness Holiday Lectures & Seminars Nightlife Sex & Love Singles Sports & Recreation Support Groups Volunteers/Public Life FOOD & DRINK Culinary Wine/Cocktails MUSIC EVENTS Acoustic Americana Bluegrass Blues Classical Concert Country Covers Dancing DJ/Electronica Ethnic/World Experimental Folk General Hip-Hop Jazz Karaoke Metal Open Jam/Drum Circle Open Mic Party Pop R&B/Soul Record Release Rock Spiritual Variety -All Dates- Today Tomorrow This Weekend This Week -------------------- Saturday, April 28 Sunday, April 29 Monday, April 30 Tuesday, May 1 Wednesday, May 2 Thursday, May 3 Friday, May 4 Saturday, May 5 Sunday, May 6 Monday, May 7 Tuesday, May 8 Wednesday, May 9 Thursday, May 10 Friday, May 11 Saturday, May 12 Sunday, May 13 Monday, May 14 Tuesday, May 15 Wednesday, May 16 Thursday, May 17 Friday, May 18 Saturday, May 19 Sunday, May 20 Monday, May 21 Tuesday, May 22 Wednesday, May 23 Thursday, May 24 Friday, May 25 Saturday, May 26 Sunday, May 27 Monday, May 28 -All Neighborhoods- General Charlotte Area NORTH CHARLOTTE Concord/Kannapolis Dilworth Lake Norman Midtown North Charlotte/University Uptown EAST SIDE East Charlotte Elizabeth NoDa Plaza-Midwood SOUTH CHARLOTTE Ballantyne Matthews/Southeast Charlotte Myers Park Pineville/Hwy 51 South Charlotte South End SouthPark/Cotswold WEST CHARLOTTE Gastonia Westside SOUTH CAROLINA Fort Mill Rock Hill

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'Not your father's Park Lanes': Charlotte landmark transforms into 'entertainment destination'

What will happen to the basement salon at the Dorsa Lofts has yet to be determined and preservation of its curvy wall, stylized plaster cloud and other art moderne traits is not assured.

That's the word today from the broker marketing the downtown space for the new owner, a businessman from Columbia, Mo. Lord Partners broker Starion (Ronny) Cuka says preservation of the 1940s space is a hope but that the new tenant will have much to say about becomes of the place.

The building dates from 1899 but a remodeling for the Dorsa Co. in 1946 produced an art moderne facade, lobby and adjoining basement salon where the company showed its latest women's fashions to apparel buyers. Lofts occupy most of the building now but the old Dorsa lobby and basement area remain vacant and largely intact.

Most remarkable is the small basement, which features a curvy staircase and a tiny stage. The salon is a mess and some wall plaster has water damage but the swoopy, art moderne characteristics remain visible.

Kerry Chao, who owns frozen yogurt shops in Columbia and Creve Coeur, recently bought the empty Dorsa space on Washington Avenue downtown. Abrochure touts the space's possibility as a restaurant and highlights the salon's stage as a potential performance spot.

Cuka says Chao has no plan for a frozen yogurt shop in the space and is ready to listen to a variety of ideas for the 7,500-square-foot location. The cost of preserving the art moderne features will be a factor, Cuka adds.

While the new owner understands the art moderne appeal of the space, what happens to it will largely be determined by a new tenant, Cuka says.

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New tenant could determine fate of Dorsa features

ATLANTA - Acuity Brands, Inc., (NYSE: AYI; "Company"), a market leader in innovative energy-efficient lighting and control solutions, is pleased to announce the addition of wireless capabilities to its award-winning nLiGHT network lighting control technology. The nWiFi(TM) solution from Sensor Switch uses existing WiFi network infrastructure to further simplify control installation and reduce hardware costs.

The nWiFi solution adds conventional WiFi technology (802.11n) to nLight devices, such as occupancy sensors and relays, enabling them to seamlessly communicate with both wired and wireless nLiGHT lighting control zones. Additionally, nWiFi devices can directly communicate to locally wired nLight devices through CAT-5 cables. Already installed in multiple locations, the nWiFi solution has proven a robust addition to the wired nLiGHT network, leveraging the wide-spread industry knowledge around the 802.11 protocol.

"The addition of nWiFi makes nLight unique, integrating both wired and wireless lighting controls to meet the diverse requirements of any project," said Ben Hahn, Acuity Brands Lighting Vice President and Value Stream Leader for Sensor Switch. "This hybrid approach simplifies installation, reduces labor costs and expands intelligent lighting control possibilities to areas such as renovation and high bay applications that traditionally have been challenging."

"The application of WiFi is widespread, trusted, and growing, making it the ideal technology for wireless networked lighting controls," said Steve Lydecker, Acuity Brands Lighting Senior Vice President and General Manager, Controls and Systems. "The nWiFi product line takes full advantage of this evolution and demonstrates our continued commitment to our customers through the development of innovative, cost-effective and technology-driven solutions that meet their needs."

A digital architecture and networking technology that cost-effectively integrates time-based, daylight-based, sensor-based and manual lighting controls, the nLiGHT system is designed to function in an individual room or networked together across an entire facility or campus. Easy-to-use and easy-to-install, the nLiGHT system significantly cuts energy consumption while enhancing user and occupant convenience. nLiGHT intelligence is also embedded in LED luminaires from Lithonia Lighting -- offering a complete and customizable lighting solution with integrated controls.

For more information about Acuity Brands line of lighting and controls solutions, please visit Acuity Brands and Sensor Switch on the web.

About Acuity Brands Acuity Brands, Inc. is a North American market leader and one of the world's leading providers of lighting solutions for both indoor and outdoor applications. With fiscal year 2011 net sales of $1.8 billion, Acuity Brands employs approximately 6,000 associates and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia with operations throughout North America, and in Europe and Asia. The company's lighting solutions are sold under various brands, including Lithonia Lighting, Holophane, Peerless, Gotham, Mark Architectural Lighting(TM), Winona Lighting, Healthcare Lighting, Hydrel, American Electric Lighting, Carandini, Antique Street Lamps(TM), Tersen, Sunoptics, Sensor Switch, Lighting Control & Design(TM), Synergy Lighting Controls, Pathway Connectivity(TM), Dark to Light, ROAM, RELOC Wiring Solutions, and Acculamp.

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Network Lighting Control System offers Wi-Fi capabilities.

The long-stalled North Point development is asking for more freedom to build its tall buildings close together. The developers have petitioned the city to adjust the areas with various height restrictions and ease up the space required between two buildings, as well as changes to parking requirements.

We can also add more open space and create a brand new retail plaza, said developer Tom OBrien, making his case to the City Council, which along with the Planning Board has a say in rezoning. So far, the council seems eager to accommodate development of the land between Lechmere and Charlestown.

Im glad to see its going to be developed. It did sit as a, I dont want to say distressed area for a very long amount of time, said Councilor Denise Simmons. They have made a commitment to continue to meet with the community.

The project to develop old Boston & Maine Railroad land into condos, commercial, lab and retail space has been in the works for about a decade and is partially complete. Work came to a halt, however, as the developer and the railroad became locked in lawsuits and the developer went bankrupt.

When a developer owned in part by former Los Angeles Lakers star Magic Johnson bought into the project about two years ago, a previous agreement for the developer to rebuild Lechmere Station was scrapped.

In a brief interview, OBrien, whose The HYM Investment Group represents Canjon-Johnson Urban Funds, said that the deal between the MBTA and the developer was rewritten as the scope of the MBTAs plans for Lechmere changed to include a potential Green Line Extension.

OBrien denied the widespread claim that a station rebuild was too expensive for the developer. He said the right-of-way the railroad is providing to the Green Line plus about $15 million is lucrative.

The previous developer had agreed to build that station in exchange for the property where the current station is located, said OBrien. The needs of the MBTA changed The T and we agreed on a different swap.

OBrien told the council the 45 acre property is permitted for 5.2 million square feet of mixed-use development. The amendments would allow for 150-foot to 200-foot developments along the Gilmore Bridge to Charlestown, according to a letter accompanying the changes.

Its been a project that has languished for a number of years here in Cambridge, said OBrien. He said he wanted residential construction to start later this year.

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North Point seeks changes to zoning for stalled development

One of the leading construction companies in Northern California, TRICORP HEARN Construction combines vast and diverse expertise from three founders, Tony Moayed, Steve Hunter and Ken Cohen. The owners bring experience in all phases of pre-construction and construction management, with the company winning many awards including 2006 General Contractor of the Year by the American Subcontractors Association, and was named Sacramentos Fastest Growing Company in 2007.

TRICORP HEARNs success is based on the company's business philosophy which is committed to a relationship driven, collaborative approach that puts the emphasis on client's needs. The company's guiding principles are to ensure unwavering excellence by building a culture based on the following core values: Integrity, Leadership Commitment and Progressiveness.

The company has diverse experience in public and private sectors ranging from small tenant improvements to multi-million dollar ground-up projects in California. The company serves a wide array of industries and markets including multi-family, hospitality, medical, education, government, winery, industrial, tenant Improvement, office and retail.

Specialties:

General Contracting, Pre-Construction Services, Construction Management, Program Planning

Company:

Headquarters Address:

Gold River, CA 95670

Main Telephone:

916-779-8010

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Company Profile for Tricorp Hearn Construction

'The heart kauri, totara and black pine' LIZ MCDONALD

DEAN KOZANIC/Fairfax NZ

COMFORT ZONE: Frank Helps back home in Akaroa after his farmhouse was handed back after six months of earthquake repairs.

Of all Frank Helps' 100th birthday presents, this must be the best.

His historic Akaroa farmhouse home for nearly his whole life and shattered in the September 2010 earthquake has been handed back after six months of repairs.

The handover has come just in time for his birthday today, to be celebrated at the house with 70 friends and family coming from as far as Australia.

Helps was home alone when the early-morning quake brought three chimneys crashing through his ceilings.

"I went and put my feet on the floor but changed my mind and got back into bed," he said.

Unscathed but in shock, Helps was moved to the nearby Pompallier House rest home the same day, and when repairs began he kept a close eye on proceedings.

"I knew it could be repaired because the structure is so strong, with the heart kauri, totara and black pine," he said.

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Owner home for 100th birthday

Two of the towers on the Orchard Estate

by Jessica Earnshaw , Reporter Saturday, April 28, 2012 4:00 PM

Council tenants and leaseholders on a Woodford Green estate could benefit from 11million to help save energy and money.

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The multi-million pound proposal, backed by Redbridge Councils cabinet on Tuesday, would see 617 homes in the tower blocks and maisonettes on the Orchard Estate receive energy-efficiency works funded by power companies through the governments Community Energy-Saving Programme.

The improvements will include thermal cladding and window replacement to keep heat in and swapping a communal heating system with a modern system.

Costs

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Woodford Green estate could be in line for £11million spending spree

TRIPOLI, Libya Members of Libya's interim ruling council are trying to work out the makeup of a new government after deciding to remove the country's Cabinet just five months after it took office, members said Friday.

Leadership of the National Transitional Council appeared hesitant and shaken, as it failed to come up with an official announcement over the ouster of the Cabinet. The council's spokesman, Mohammed al-Hareizi, denied that the NTC had sacked the government, while other members said the decision has been made but it is pending an agreement on replacing the Cabinet.

The back-and-forth indicated the confusion in Libya's decision-making and power struggles among different groups ahead of the country's first national elections, a major landmark in the transition after the fall last year of longtime leader Moammar Gadhafi. The election is to choose a 200-member assembly tasked with forming a new government and write a new constitution.

Both the NTC and el-Keib's government have faced persistent criticism that they have been ineffective in tackling the multiple troubles facing the deeply divided nation and the two sides have traded accusations over who is to blame.

Two members of the NTC, Fathi Baja and Moussa al-Kouni, told The Associated Press on Thursday that the council had voted to remove the government during a meeting the day before. But, they said, the council did not intend to make the decision public until a replacement was decided. Baja said 56 of the council's 72 members attended and most of them supported the no-confidence motion.

"There is an agreement inside the council to oust el-Keib government," he said.

NTC spokesman al-Hareizi described the report as "baseless" in a brief statement carried on the official news agency LANA.

Al-Amin Belhaj, another NTC member and a leading member of the Muslim Brotherhood, said the council will meet on Sunday to finalize the extent of the government reshuffle, suggesting that part of the Cabinet could be retained. He said a formal vote had not been held Wednesday. Another member Ahmed al-Abbar described the upcoming meeting on Sunday as "decisive."

A witness who attended Wednesday's meeting told AP that members made a show of hands that reflected a strong majority calling for removing the government. But there were sharp divisions over who would replace el-Keib, said the witness, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject.

Islamists in the council support Mustafa Abu-Shakour, el-Keib's deputy. Others oppose appointing a senior member of a Cabinet they say has failed, suggesting Labor Minister Mustafa al-Rajbani instead, according to Baja.

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Libya's ruling council to hold talks over new Cabinet makeup