Downtown Vancouver is undergoing an office tower construction boom, which will add a combined 1.2 million square feet of space and go a long way toward rectifying a shortage in the business core.

But all that construction bodes poorly for workers in neighbouring offices, who will have to put up with noise, dirt and other major disruptions for at least two years.

Oxford Properties Group, which is developing the 35-storey MNP Tower at 1021 West Hastings, is trying to make things easier for tenants in its surrounding office towers while the construction is underway.

Marta Jackson, vice-president of operations for Omni Warranty Corp, which leases a floor and a half of the Marine Building, at 355 Burrard, is particularly grateful for the 25 noise-cancelling Bose headphones that Oxford gave to her staff.

There was a time when it was really, really noisy, said Ms. Jackson, whose company provides after-market warranties for the auto industry. [The headphones] were fantastic and they let us keep them. You can listen to nothing or listen to music.

Some of the steps Oxford has implemented include modifying construction schedules around tenants client meetings, providing complimentary shoe shine stations to tackle dirt and dust, moving tenants to temporary office spaces when anticipating higher noise levels, and offering the Bose headphones to minimize disruptions during the work day.

Near is an understatement, added Jackson of her companys proximity to the construction activity. Literally, my office wall is immediately next to the building they just took down. Thats how close I am.

Theyve been very, very proactive in giving us notification of when the noise would happen, she said. There were four weeks of heavy drilling and, literally, our walls were vibrating.

They really tried to leave a solid window of quiet in the middle of the day. And that was an important thing for us, having the flexibility of a solid block for a full days work.

Derek Page, Oxford Properties director of real estate management for Vancouver, said that keeping tenants happy is very important during the construction stage. It [MNP Tower] is a great new addition, but the last thing we want is a shiny new tower with a bunch of unhappy tenants in our adjoining towers.

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Vancouver tower developer offers free shoe shines to workers in nearby offices

CINCINNATI, OH--(Marketwire -06/27/12)- Outdoor decks are perfect for summer lounging, but they may be paying the price for the colder and often wetter winter months with unsafe, unsightly damage. Handyman Connection, one of the largest home improvement specialty companies in North America, today released some pointers maintaining an attractive and secure outdoor deck.

"There are things you can do every month to keep a deck in great condition, but you still need to take advantage of the good weather of summer to do a thorough annual inspection and repair outdoor deck," says Jeff Wall of Handyman Connection.

Here are some suggestions for maintaining outdoor deck in good shape:

Weekly or Bi-Weekly Upkeep

Monthly Cleaning

Annual Maintenance

"With proper outdoor deck maintenance, there's no reason your deck can't hold up to the elements and look great for years," says Wall. "That's peace of mind, knowing you can enjoy your deck without worrying about how safe it is."

About Handyman ConnectionIn 1993, Handyman Connection (www.handymanconnection.com) became the first home improvement and repairs firm to offer franchises. The company specializes in small to medium home improvements, repairs and remodeling. The Handyman Connection has franchises throughout North America, each locally owned and operated and backed by the company. Company policy dictates that every handyman has at least 10 years of professional experience. Handyman Connection is a subsidiary of FS Brands a leader and innovator in franchising and in property management. FS Brands is a subsidiary of FirstService Corporation (FSRV) (FSV.TO), a globally diversified leader in real estate services. For more information, see http://www.firstservice.com.

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How to Keep Your Outdoor Deck in Top Form Using a Maintenance Schedule

A steam train bedecked in Cadburys colours today patrolled Sydneys railway lines as Saatchi & Saatchi filmed the next stage of the chocolate brands Joyville campaign.

The ad, being produced by Jungleboys, will go through a rapid turnaround and be aired on Sunday.

The stunt saw the train stop at three different stations in Sydneys CBD, presenting commuters with free chocolate at each stop.

The train was masterminded by experientialagency Wonder.The steam train is a 1916 locomotive express based at the the NSW Rail Transport Museum. Its makeover took12 months.

Ben Wicks, Cadburys GM of chocolate marketing told Mumbrella: The idea comes from the question how do we bring more joy to the world?Its all a bit gloomy and dim these days so how do we lighten up lives and make people smile? he said.

The Joyville Steam Train, follows the CadburyPurple Roundabout, andMarvellousCreations TV adsearlier this year.

Wicks said: We are bringing to life a mythical place where Cadbury Dairy Milk is made.Its a bit like chapters in a story. There are at least another two or three chapters to come.

The execution will be supported by a interactiveFacebookapp, where consumers can uploadtheirphotos and videos to a digital train.

The large scale experiential stunt follows similar ones earlier this year fromArnotts brandTim Tam,which put the snack on trees in Sydneys Martin Place, andLegowhich created a life size forest in the same spot.

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Cadbury decks out steam train for next phase of Joyville campaign

Hyderabad, June 28:

Decks have been cleared for the listing of Ybrant Digital on the Bombay Stock Exchange.

"The board of directors of Ybrant has taken cognisance of the amalgamation of Ybrant Digital and LGS Global as directed by the High Court of Andhra Pradesh," the company said here in a statement on Thursday.

The name of the amalgamated entity has been changed from LGS Global to Ybrant Digital. The face value of the share has been changed from Rs 10 to Rs 2.00 for accounting purposes. Trading of the stock LGS Global has been temporarily suspended due to the procedural reasons to accommodate the changes stated.

Ybrant, a privately held firm, has bought the BSE-listed software services company LGS Global last year. The statutory clearances from the court and stock exchange would pave the way for Ybrant to get listed on the BSE.

Ybrant recently bought Rs 1,500-crore business from Experian in May this year.

The new board of directors of the company include Mr Suresh Kumar Reddy M (Chairman and Managing Director), Mr Ramakrishna Vijay Kumar K (Executive Director) and Mr Vijay Bhasker Reddy M.

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Decks cleared for Ybrant Digital listing

PRINCETON N.J., June 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Vacation home owners and people buying homes that have been vacant for any period of time need to be alert to the possibility of an indoor mold problem, advised Jason Earle, founder of New Jersey mold inspection company 1-800-GOT-MOLD? .

Preventing mold problems in a home you're closing up, for any reason, is not difficult to do, Earle says. In an article on the company's website, http://www.1800gotmold.com, Earle offers instructions and advice on how to prepare a house for closure without inviting mold in as a guest.

"Nearly everyone can recall the distinctly musty odor of a vacation home left empty during the off season," Earle writes. "Few people give it much thought, but that specific odor is a surefire indicator of indoor mold growth, an unpleasant and unhealthy thing to have happening in a place where you intend to kick back and relax for a few days, weeks, or perhaps months.

"This is especially important if you or any of your fellow vacationers have asthma, allergies or sinus problems. While most people seem to think this simply comes with the territory, in reality it is completely avoidable."

Foreclosures

Adding to the importance of this issue is the current real estate market, which is flooded with foreclosures. A foreclosed home is highly likely to have been vacant for a long time before you as a bargain hunter find it. If you're lucky, the house won't have been gutted or vandalized and you can usually tell if this is the case by peeking in the windows.

However, you can't get a whiff of a mold problem from the outside. This requires at least a physical inspection and a good nose. It might also require a professional mold inspection and mold testing. Mold remediation is often a costly undertaking, and a house that's been closed up for a significant time can be so infested that it's cheaper to tear it down and build new than to remediate and repair it. This has a huge impact on your decision whether to risk buying it.

If you are seeking to buy a foreclosed home, find a way to get a thorough look at it, inside and out, before you make a deal.

It's important to know that it doesn't take much for a vacant house to develop a mold problem, Earle says. It doesn't require a roof or siding leak, a broken window or a plumbing failure. All it takes is humidity and condensation. So, a home that's left inadequately heated in winter or is not air-conditioned or dehumidified during warm weather can develop enough moisture to start the mold-growth cycle without any other defect.

In his blog at http://www.1800gotmold.com/blog, Earle writes: "When you close up a house, whether it's at the beach, in the mountains, or in a development, things start to happen that weren't happening when people were there. Humidity rises and falls with the weather, and when it rises it gives rise to mold growth in places you wouldn't expect in an occupied home.

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Beware of Mold Problems in Vacant Houses, Warns 1-800-GOT-MOLD? Founder

FORT WAYNE Higher-than-expected prices could delay needed sewer connections for homes with failing septic systems.

The Fort Wayne Board of Works on Wednesday opened bids for a septic elimination project in the Parkerdale neighborhood, but the only contractor interested in the work submitted a price far above what the city expected to pay.

Ironclad Excavating submitted a contract to do the work for $756,809 more than 50 percent above the citys estimate of $467,725.

Matthew Wirtz, with City Utilities, said part of the reason for the higher estimate is that contractors are busy with numerous jobs, reducing interest in this work, which he admitted will be dirty.

One bidder is never a good sign, he said.

The project is the second phase of eliminating potentially failing systems in the area that generally lies along St. Joe Road north of Rothman Road. It was to install more than a mile of sanitary sewer pipe and provide sewer service to 38 homes. The first phase was completed in 2004 and provided service to 120 homes.

The citys septic-relief policy calls for the city to pay a set amount of a project and leave homeowners to pay for the rest. That means if a project comes in much higher than expected, such as this Parkerdale contract, residents could end up paying much more for the service than expected.

Mary Jane Slaton, utility spokeswoman, said because there was only one bid for the work that was much higher than its estimate, the city will review the project and consider its options. She said the utility will evaluate the projects components, talk with affected residents and seek ways to reduce costs while providing reliable service.

The city has not determined how much it will dedicate to this project, but its guiding policy states that $3,200 a property will be provided. Under this scenario, the city would cover $121,600 of the total Parkerdale project cost. That means the citys estimate expected residents to pay about $9,100, but the proposed price would cost homeowners $16,700.

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Bid on septic tank switch tops city estimate

Higher-than-expected prices could delay needed sewer connections for homes with failing septic systems.

The Fort Wayne Board of Works on Wednesday opened bids for a septic elimination project in the Parkerdale neighborhood, but the only contractor interested in the work submitted a price far above what the city expected to pay.

Ironclad Excavating submitted a contract to do the work for $756,809 more than 50percent above the citys estimate of $467,725.

Matthew Wirtz, with City Utilities, said part of the reason for the higher estimate is that contractors are busy with numerous jobs, reducing interest in this work, which he admitted will be dirty.

One bidder is never a good sign, he said.

The project is the second phase of eliminating potentially failing systems in the area that generally lies along St. Joe Road north of Rothman Road. It was to install more than a mile of sanitary sewer pipe and provide sewer service to 38 homes. The first phase was completed in 2004 and provided service to 120 homes.

The citys septic-relief policy calls for the city to pay a set amount of a project and leave homeowners to pay for the rest. That means if a project comes in much higher than expected, such as this Parkerdale contract, residents could end up paying much more for the service than expected.

Mary Jane Slaton, utility spokeswoman, said because there was only one bid for the work that was much higher than its estimate, the city will review the project and consider its options. She said the utility will evaluate the projects components, talk with affected residents and seek ways to reduce costs while providing reliable service.

The city has not determined how much it will dedicate to this project, but its guiding policy states that $3,200 a property will be provided. Under this scenario, the city would cover $121,600 of the total Parkerdale project cost. That means the citys estimate expected residents to pay about $9,100, but the proposed price would cost homeowners $16,700.

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Septic tank project costs higher than expected

26-06-2012 23:04 This is a guided tour of the interior of the new sanctuary being constructed by the parishioners of Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Austin, Texas. Our new church will be dedicated by Bishop Joe Vásquez on Saturday, October 27, 2012, at 10:00 am.

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Guided tour of new St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church construction, Austin, TX - Video

Imagine doing construction all day long during this sizzling triple digit summer with no pay and being there because you want to.

Members of Kingwood United Methodist Church near Houston are working and sweating in Bryan on a mission trip to help people here.

Texas summers can be miserable to work in, but there are smiles on these faces.

Veronica Schmauch is part of the youth group for Kingwood United Methodist Church.

She's one of 90 people here in Bryan all week building wheelchair ramps, doing construction, and helping make life a little easier.

"It's been very fun and rewarding, but yeah the heat is definitely a factor. We are very hot out here," said Schmauch.

For 76-year-old homeowner Odessa May Thurman the new porch and ramp makes getting in and out of the house possible.

"Im just so thankful to the Lord about what they are doing for me because I'm pretty sickly now and I take a lot of medicine," she said.

"Most of them could be at home hanging out with their friends... Doing whatever they would do inside in the air conditioning. But they give up a week, the older kids are giving up a week of income," said Melanie Cheairs, Director of the United Methodist ARMY camp group.

The church brought in pop-up tents to try to beat the heat a little bit on the hottest week of the summer so far.

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Kingwood Church Making A Difference In Bryan Despite Triple Digit Heat

The Lackawanna County commissioners approved a property tax break Wednesday for a company that plans to build a 121-unit senior citizens apartment building in Scranton's Green Ridge neighborhood.

Under the tax break, which the Scranton School District and the city also have approved, for-profit Affordable Senior Housing Opportunities of New York Inc. will pay no property taxes for 10 years.

At a city council meeting several months ago, several city residents ripped the tax break, but company officials say the break will be large enough to pay the mortgage on the building and keep rents affordable.

The rents will range from $700 to $900 depending on whether someone will rent a one- or two-bedroom apartment, said attorney Frank Hoegen, who represented the company at the commissioners meeting.

The company plans to build a 115,000-square-foot, three-story "Green Ridge Senior Housing" building on 5.5 of 11.7 acres near the former Daron Northeast Block site at Dickson Avenue and Delaware Street.

The project is expected to cost between $10 million and $15 million, and create 200 construction jobs and five to 10 permanent jobs, Mr. Hoegen said. Neighbors long objected to noise and dust from Daron before it closed, but Mr. Hoegen said more than 200 signed a petition supporting the housing project.

"That's a really quiet area you're going to be building in so all of the neighbors are on board," Commissioner Patrick O'Malley said.

In other business, the commissioners:

- Voted to amend the county hotel tax ordinance to clarify that people who occupy hotel rooms must pay a 4 percent tax on the room for up to 30 days no matter how much longer they stay there.

- Hired Infocon Corp. of Ebensburg to put the county's criminal records online at a cost of $20,000, plus $250 a month. The commissioners also hired Infocon to install a system summoning prospective jurors for $1,000, plus $1,000 a day for training.

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Commissioners back tax break for senior housing