A once bare and steep hillside in El Cerrito that used to attract hundreds of motorcycle riders and spectators in the 1920s is going to be the focus of a restoration project in coming weekends that will reopen a long lost path for hiking.

In El Cerrito's early days, the sparsely populated hillside around what is now Potrero Avenue and Blake Street was used for hill-climbing competitions by motorcycle clubs that proved to be a major draw.

You can see photos of those days -- and get an idea of how difficult the climb up Motorcycle Hill actually was -- online at http://bit.ly/KKXfs2 and http://bit.ly/LIDSoj.

According to Dave Weinstein of the group El Cerrito Trail Trekkers, the hill later had a trail that was popular in the 1970s but has "since been overgrown with Scotch broom (and some poison oak) and its route (has) become unclear."

The Trekkers plan to restore the trail at work parties May 19, when volunteers will meet between 7701 and 7705 Potrero Ave., and May 27, meeting at Blake and Navellier streets, to curtail the overgrowth and remove the invasive plants.

A final work party meeting at Blake and Navellier to actually reestablish the lost trail is set for June 2, which is National Trails Day.

The group will have some tools available for the work, or volunteers can bring their own.

"Once Motorcycle Hill Trail is restored, it will increase the length of the current route which can be followed through the

The Trail Trekkers was formed two years ago "to improve, promote and enjoy El Cerrito's wonderful system of public trails, steps and pathways."

To volunteer, contact Jenny Hammer at 510-524-1590 or jhammer13@earthlink.net.

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Chris Treadway: Restoration project planned for El Cerrito hillside

UNITED NATIONS Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Wednesday the United Nations wants an immediate restoration of the ousted government in Guinea-Bissau, which was overthrown by the military last month.

He told the General Assembly that he asked the U.N. envoy in Guinea-Bissau to work closely with the African Union, the West African regional group ECOWAS, and the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries to resolve the crisis.

"As international partners, we seek an immediate return to constitutional order," Ban said.

Guinea-Bissau was just weeks away from holding a presidential runoff election when soldiers attacked the front-runner's home and arrested him along with the country's interim president on April 12. No leader in nearly 40 years of independence has finished his time in office in Guinea-Bissau, a former Portuguese colony on Africa's western coast that has long been plagued by coups.

There are divisions among the key regional and international players on how to deal with the coup.

ECOWAS Commissioner Salamatu Hussaini-Suleiman, whose organization has taken the lead in mediating, told the Security Council on Monday that immediately restoring the constitutional order that existed before the coup could lead to civil war.

Following the coup, military leaders decided with 26 fringe parties to establish a National Transitional Council to rule the country for two years.

But ECOWAS the Economic Community of West African States rejected their agreement and instead demanded a 12-month transition that would include the coup leaders in key positions and culminate in a presidential election. ECOWAS leaders also authorized the deployment of a 600-strong standby force which Hussaini-Suleiman said "is imminent."

Guinea-Bissau's Foreign Minister Mamadu Saliu Djalo, who was out of the country when soldiers seized the presidency, warned the Security Council that the ECOWAS proposal may aggravate the country's problems and "legitimizes the coup d'etat by not endorsing the continuation of the electoral process for the second round of voting, nor the legitimate authorities serving until April 11."

He said the proposal goes against ECOWAS's "zero-tolerance" principle of coups.

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UN chief urges immediate restoration of government in Guinea-Bissau which was ousted in coup

Tinkernation Celebrates Why People Like to Tinker

INDIAN TRAIL, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Liquid Wrench announced today the launch of Tinkernation, an online editorial forum for and about Do-It-Yourself fanatics. The interactive site, found at Tinkernation.com, features stories from amateur and professional tinkerers around the country as they dive into DIY projects ranging from bicycle repair to home restoration.

There are plenty of good resources out there teaching HOW to build, repair and create but we couldnt find a forum dedicated to celebrating WHY. Tinkernation fills that void.

Tinkernation delivers fresh content weekly including a featured author; a story about ingenious or unique tinkering; answers to tough DIY questions; and a Weekend Challenge where readers submit stories about their first DIY project for a chance to win a prize.

The difference between Tinkernation and most other DIY blogs found on the Internet is its focus on the WHY behind DIY versus the HOW. In fact, many of the tinkerers featured on Tinkernation have blogs of their own, which Tinkernation encourages readers to follow.

Since we were founded in 1941, Liquid Wrench has gained a loyal following among people who are passionate about DIY, says Liquid Wrench Brand Manager Aaron Martin. There are plenty of good resources out there teaching HOW to build, repair and create but we couldnt find a forum dedicated to celebrating WHY. Tinkernation fills that void.

The first issue of Tinkernation features Joe Nocella, owner of 718 Cyclery, a Brooklyn bike shop whose unique approach to business put them on the map with a little help from the widely shared video called The Inverted Bike Shop. In addition to Joe, the inaugural team of featured authors and their blogs includes David Kramer, author of The Craftsman Bungalow; Cody Stringer, author of Cycle Like a Stringer; Heather, author of Just a Girl With a Hammer; Kristin Martin, author of Grease Girl; Mark Stoker of Pollys Parlour; Meryl Phillips, author of Picardy Project; and Tiffany, author of Camp 1899. The authors were found during an exhaustive online search of bloggers that were passionate about DIY in the auto/motorcycle/bicycle repair and restoration and home repair/restoration.

To follow Tinkernation, visit http://www.tinkernation.com.

About RSC

Headquartered in North Carolina for 88 years, Radiator Specialty Company is a leading producer of lubricants, chemicals and additives to the automotive, plumbing, hardware, industrial, appliance and export markets. LIQUID WRENCH, GUNK, MOTORMEDIC and TITE-SEAL are trademarks of RSC, 600 Radiator Road, Indian Trail, NC 28079, (866) WRENCH7 (866-973-6247), http://www.rscbrands.com.

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Liquid Wrench Launches Digital D.I.Y. Magazine

Restoration Hardware wants its new store in Bostons Back Bay to feature a company first: a restaurant furnished with its own products.

But the luxury home design chains plans, which call for an addition to the historic Museum of Natural History building at 234 Berkeley St., are meeting some resistance.

Restoration Hardware announced in September that it had leased the 1863 French Academic-style building most recently home for upscale clothier LouisBoston and would restore its original glory.

The restaurant, with its two gas fireplaces and chimneys, is proposed for the Boylston Street side of the building, in a basement-level addition designed in the style of 19th-century conservatory annexes, according to plans presented to the Back Bay Architectural Commission. The addition could be removed at a later date without compromising the building, according to the commission.

The operator would be Restoration Hardware, said Joseph P. Nevin Jr., principal at Bergmeyer Associates Inc. in Boston. This would be their first restaurant.

The commission has approved the restaurant in concept and the shape of the addition an arched entryway into a restaurant that sits at the sill line of the buildings windows. But it wants the company to look at alternate materials, preferably more glazed glass, for the structure thats now envisioned as a mix of glazed glass and black aluminum.

But the Neighborhood Association of the Back Bays Architecture Committee would prefer no addition at all.

(We) would prefer outdoor seating to the restaurant rather than having a structure in front of the building because its a significant historic building, said Susan Prindle, committee co-chairman.

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Restoration's fixing to serve food

Abuja The Presidency, Wednesday, reacted to reports making the rounds in the country that some of the present ministers are to be dropped to give way for new ones in a cabinet reshuffle being considered by President Goodluck Jonathan.

In a statement in Abuja, Special Adviser to the President on Communications, Dr Reuben Abati, said there is no truth in the reports and Nigerians should ignore same.

The statement read: "Contrary to recent speculations in the media about a so-called impending cabinet reshuffle, the Presidency wishes to state emphatically that there is no truth whatsoever in the said reports.

"President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has implicit confidence in the ability of the current crop of ministers to deliver and has no plan to undertake any replacement at the moment. There is also no truth in the alleged tension among ministers as a result of the rumoured imminent cabinet change.

"This is a calculated attempt to cause disaffection within the cabinet and divert the attention of members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) from their unwavering commitment to the implementation of the Transformation Agenda of the Jonathan Administration.

"The speculation about cabinet change is the handiwork of mischief makers who seem bent on frustrating the good intentions of the Federal Government to deliver on the campaign promises of President Jonathan. We advise the public to ignore the antics of these mischief makers."

Copyright 2012 Vanguard. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.

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Nigeria: No Plan to Sack Ministers - Presidency

Vanguard

President Goodluck Jonathan considers his new Cabinet.

The Presidency yesterday said there was no immediate plan to reshuffle the Federal cabinet, contrary to media reports that said about 10 ministers may be fired by the end of the month.

Reports suggest that President Goodluck Jonathan sent several names to the security agencies for clearance for ministerial appointments. At least 10 ministers were named to be among those likely to lose their positions in an impending cabinet shakeup.

"Contrary to recent speculations in the media about a so-called impending cabinet reshuffle, the Presidency wishes to state emphatically that there is no truth whatsoever in the said reports," Presidential spokesman Reuben Abati yesterday said in a statement yesterday.

He said Jonathan was satisfied with the performance of his ministers and so has no intension of sacking any of them.

"President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has implicit confidence in the ability of the current crop of ministers to deliver and has no plan to undertake any replacement at the moment.

"There is also no truth in the alleged tension among ministers as a result of the rumoured imminent cabinet change. This is a calculated attempt to cause disaffection within the cabinet and divert the attention of members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) from their unwavering commitment to the implementation of the Transformation Agenda of the Jonathan Administration.

"The speculation about cabinet change is the handiwork of mischief makers who seem bent on frustrating the good intentions of the Federal Government to deliver on the campaign promises of President Jonathan.

"We advise the public to ignore the antics of these mischief makers."

Originally posted here:
Nigeria: No Plan to Fire Ministers, Jonathan Says

Vanguard

President Goodluck Jonathan considers his new Cabinet.

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday dispelled media reports that he had concluded plans to sack some of his ministers in an impending cabinet reshuffle, saying the rumour making the rounds was a ploy to cause psychological disorder among his cabinet members.

To the contrary, he said, he still "has implicit confidence in the ability of the current crop of ministers to deliver and has no plan to undertake any replacement at the moment."

In a statement issued by his special adviser on media and publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the president implored Nigerians to ignore the antics of mischief makers.

The statement made available to LEADERSHIP reads in part: "Contrary to recent speculations in the media about a so-called impending cabinet reshuffle, the Presidency wishes to state emphatically that there is no truth whatsoever in the said reports.

"There is also no truth in the alleged tension among ministers as a result of the rumoured imminent cabinet change. This is a calculated attempt to cause disaffection within the cabinet and divert the attention of members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) from their unwavering commitment to the implementation of the Transformation Agenda of the Jonathan Administration."

Copyright 2012 Leadership. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.

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Nigeria: I Have No Plan to Sack Ministers - Jonathan

Vanguard

President Goodluck Jonathan considers his new Cabinet.

President Goodluck Jonathan has said he has no plans to reshuffle his cabinet as being speculated in the media, declaring his confidence in the ability of the current crop of ministers.

Jonathan, who said there was no truth in the speculations and further denied that there was any tension among his ministers, dismissed the rumour as an attempt to cause disaffection among members of his cabinet whom he charged not to be distracted.

A statement from the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, blamed "mischief makers" whose aim was to truncate the continued drive to keep delivering on "his campaign promises by his principal".

The statement read, "Contrary to recent speculations in the media about a so-called impending cabinet reshuffle, the Presidency wishes to state emphatically that there is no truth whatsoever in the said reports.

"President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has implicit confidence in the ability of the current crop of ministers to deliver and has no plan to undertake any replacement at the moment.

"There is also no truth in the alleged tension among ministers as a result of the rumoured imminent cabinet change. This is a calculated attempt to cause disaffection within the cabinet and divert the attention of members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) from their unwavering commitment to the implementation of the Transformation Agenda of the Jonathan Administration.

"The speculation about cabinet change is the handiwork of mischief makers who seem bent on frustrating the good intentions of the Federal Government to deliver on the campaign promises of President Jonathan.

"We advise the public to ignore the antics of these mischief makers".

The rest is here:
Nigeria: Jonathan Rules Out Cabinet Shake Up

10-05-2012 10:54 New housing costs have you overwhelmed? Why not spruce up your existing home with help from the experts? With the proper skills, tools and experience, we specialize in a wide range of remodeling and renovation services. We work with you to create an exciting design, then our experienced and knowledgeable crews work quickly to complete the job to your satisfaction, while maintaining a high standard of excellence. Whether you want to remodel a single room or your entire home, call us today.

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Always There Remodeling LLC - Video

DENVER (CBS4) A bill designed to protect homeowners when hiring a roofing company is on its way to Governor Hickenloopers office, but critics are spearheading an effort to get the measure vetoed. Their concern with the bill is the way it could be interpreted.

Colorados historic hail season makes the state ripe for roofing rip-offs. Colorado lawmakers have tried in the past to pass legislation that would protect consumers from fly-by-night operations that move through the state after a big storm.

We needed to do some Consumer Protection around this, said Sen. Lois Tochtrop, a Democrat from District 24.

Tochtrop sponsored Senate Bill 12-038, it passed through the House and Senate, getting support from both political parties. The bill requires a written contract between roofing companies and consumers. The contract is required to include the scope of work to be done, dates for the work and cost of the work. It also includes a rescission clause that allows consumers to cancel the contract with 72 hours and get a full refund of any money that has been paid. The bill also prohibits a contractor from paying, waiving, or rebating the consumers insurance deductible.

Its going to be a huge detriment to consumers, said Derek ODriscoll, a licensed public adjuster and a roofing contractor.

ODriscoll is among a growing number of people and groups opposing the legislation. Public adjusters, the Merlin Law Group, which is a Florida law firm specializing disputes between homeowners and insurance companies, and United Policyholders, which is a non-profit consumer advocacy group out of California, have all come out against Senate Bill 12-038. Their biggest concern is the way the bill is worded.

Some of the terminology, language and lack of language, really gives insurance adjusters a huge amount of control to determine scope of work and to deny legitimate estimates, ODriscoll said.

From the insurance industrys perspective, it doesnt give us any different kind of power. We just think it gives power back to the consumer when theyre in a situation being ripped off by an unscrupulous contractor, said Carole Walker, executive director of the Rocky Mountain Insurance Association.

The insurance industry, Colorado Roofers Association, the Colorado Roofing and Restoration Council, and the Subcontractors association are backing the bill. They believe it gives consumers some recourse in dealing with roofing contractors.

If I write an estimate, it differs from an insurance adjusters, it could be very different, as in he wants to replace one slope of a damaged roof, and I think the whole roof needs to be done. Traditionally, we would work that together, we would come to some kind of agreement. (Under SB 12-038) if he disagrees with me, and he denies the claim in part, during rescission window, they can put pressure on a consumer to use another contractor or to cancel their contract with me, ODriscoll explained.

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Roofing Regulation Causes Last Minute Controversy