BY TINA SFONDELES and LEEANN SHELTON Staff Reporters June 14, 2014 1:42PM

Aerial view of the demolition of the Ontario St. bridge. | Lee Hogan/For Sun-Times Media

storyidforme: 67822663 tmspicid: 24145462 fileheaderid: 11917700

Updated: June 15, 2014 2:28AM

With demolition of the Ontario Street bridge over the Kennedy Expressway going faster than expected Saturday, highway officials said the massive road project will take just two weekends to finish, rather than the three that were planned.

The expressway was near-empty near the Loop Saturday, as a eared Carmaggedon appeared to have been averted.

Drivers were warned for weeks that the work would cause massive traffic backups. So they largely steered clear.

The removal of the Ontario Street bridge is proceeding so smoothly that we, in coordination with the city of Chicago, are taking advantage of the opportunity to condense this project into just two weekends, Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider said.

Traffic volume on the inbound Kennedy was about a third less than on a typical June weekend.

This weekends work affects Kennedy drivers heading into the city from the north.

Read more:
Massive Kennedy Expressway project going quicker than expected

CHARLESTON, W.Va. Demolition of chemical storage tanks at Freedom Industries the site of the Jan. 9 chemical leak that contaminated the drinking water supply of 300,000 West Virginians continues to be delayed as the company tries to get the necessary permits.

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection issued a statement Thursday saying the company is anticipating it will take a couple of weeks before demolition can begin, despite hope that the work would kick off this week.

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin ordered the tanks to be torn down two weeks after the leak, but that was stalled by Freedom Industrys bankruptcy proceedings. A bankruptcy judge must approve the companys financial transactions, and that approval was granted on Friday, the DEP statement noted.

Six fiberglass tanks have been torn down and 13 tanks remain at the Etowah River Terminal site along the Elk River in Charleston. The DEP is supposed to monitor the demolition to ensure all protocols are followed during the projected month-long process, according to the statement.

While the DEP says the tank demolition could potentially stir up the black licorice odor associated with MCHM, the coal-cleaning chemical that contaminated the areas water supply, there are safeguards to prevent further contamination during the process. These include a lined trenching system.

Its unclear how much the demolition and site remediation will cost. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Ronald Pearson allowed Freedom to file budgets that appear to contain projections of clean-up spending under seal, which means the public and the news media cant see them. The judge has the authority to do that, but Pearsons two-page order, dated April 14, does not explain how the budget documents fall within the types of records covered by those provisions of bankruptcy law.

DEP spokeswoman Kelly Gillenwater told the Gazette that publicizing Freedoms cleanup budget could cause contractors to use that budget information as a guideline for their bids instead of basing them on the true cost of the work.

After the tanks are removed, the site will be analyzed to determine how badly the soil and groundwater has been polluted. Freedom officials, the DEP and parties to the bankruptcy case will then decide what remediation work is necessary.

Read more:
Freedom Industries MCHM site cleanup still on hold

Demolition of the Centennial Pool complex to make way for a new playground will start next week.

The Christchurch Central Development Unit (CCDU) bought the complex from the Christchurch City Council as part of the recovery blueprint plan.

The site is earmarked for the Margaret Mahy Family Playground, which is being developed in the block bordered by Manchester, Armagh and Madras streets and Oxford Tce.

CCDU director Warwick Isaacs said the demolition was a big step for the playground's development and would allow construction work to begin later this year.

"We are creating what will be one of the most amazing playgrounds in New Zealand, and potentially the world, and we are all very excited about seeing it come to life," he said.

"It will have a huge range of play areas and equipment, and by virtue of bordering the east frame's residential area, I know it will quite quickly become a busy, popular place for children of all ages and their families."

The demolition would take about eight weeks, Isaacs said.

The sale of the pool was controversial. Earlier this year Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel said the council had looked at retaining the inner-city sport centre but was bound by the cost-sharing agreement with the Crown.

- The Press

More here:
Demolition of pool to get going next week

Submitted Priced at $1,595,000, Harbourside Custom Homes fully-furnished Aviano model in Fairgrove at Talis Park will showcase an interior by Clive Daniel Home. The great room floor plan, outdoor living area, and three-car garage offer 4,101 total square feet.

Talis Park announced that Harbourside Custom Homes has joined Sunwest Homes and Fox Custom Builders as a Participating Builder in the North Naples communitys Brightling neighborhood. Brightling is a single-loaded, In the Park neighborhood with south-facing homes on one side of the street overlooking the Sea Dwarf paspalum fairways of Talis Parks Greg Norman-Pete Dye designed golf course. Unobstructed views to the north include a Talis Park preserve and a golf course in an adjacent community.

Brightlings 2,600- to 3,400-square-foot residences feature Caribbean Colonial and Spanish Eclectic designs base-priced from $1.25 million that include three or four bedrooms, a study, formal dining rooms, island kitchens, master suites and outdoor living areas with swimming pools.

Harboursides entry into Brightling is the result of the homebuilders success in Talis Parks Fairgrove neighborhood and its participation as one of four builders in the communitys recently released Seneca neighborhood. To date, Harbourside has sold three furnished models and eight end-user new-build homes in Fairgrove. Harbourside currently has its Aviano furnished model residence under construction in Fairgrove and has started construction of its 3,658-square-foot Villa San Remo and 3,935-square-foot Casa Arianna models in Seneca.

Harbourside is slated to begin construction of its unfurnished Villa Adriana residence in Brightling in July. The 2,622-square-foot under air floor plan includes a wide gallery entry hallway leading to a great room with pocketing sliders that open to an outdoor living area with a pool, optional fireplace, and optional outdoor kitchen. The plan also features three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a study, and a three-car garage. A gourmet kitchen showcases a large island and pantry and is situated adjacent to an open dining area with sliders leading to the lanai. The Villa Adriana is priced at $1,240,000, with options and upgrades. The floor plan is base priced at $704,000.

Like Brightling, Fairgroves In the Park lifestyle offers golf course, water and preserve views. The neighborhood presents 24 south facing homes on just one side of the street. Italian Renaissance designs honor the more traditional view of Naples architecture and are joined by a Spanish Eclectic style that offers a perfect complement. Homes in Fairgrove by Harbourside and Iron Star Luxury Homes range from 3,100 to 4,000 square feet and are priced from $1.35 million. Just four buildable homesites remain available.

Priced at $1,595,000, Harboursides fully-furnished Aviano model in Fairgrove will showcase an interior by Clive Daniel Home. The great room floor plan, outdoor living area, and three-car garage offer 4,101 total square feet. The plan features three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a study, a formal dining room, and an island kitchen and breakfast nook. The outdoor living area includes a pool and spa with a screened colonnade surround and pavered deck, a fireplace, and a summer kitchen with a sink, under-counter refrigerator, granite countertops, a granite backsplash, and a gas grill.

Harbourside also has two furnished model residences under construction in Seneca, a recently released Talis Park neighborhood that will showcase 43 luxury residences offering the North Naples communitys hallmark In the Park living experience. Both models will feature interior designs by Bonita Springs-based Vogue Interiors.

Harboursides 3,935-square-foot Casa Arianna great room floor plan includes a wide gallery entry hallway, a formal dining room, a wet bar, a gourmet kitchen with a large island and a breakfast nook overlooking the outdoors, a study, a craft room, four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, an outdoor living area with an optional summer kitchen, an optional fireplace, pool and spa, a two-car garage, and a one-car garage. The great room and master bedroom open to a lanai overlooking Senecas spectacular views.

The 3,658-square-foot under air Villa San Remo Seneca model by Harbourside will feature a 29-by-20-foot great room, a formal dining room, a wet bar, a double-island gourmet kitchen and breakfast nook, a study, three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, an outdoor living area with a large covered terrace, gas fireplace, outdoor kitchen, pool and spa, and a three-car garage. The homes covered entry opens to a foyer and wide gallery hallway that provide a see-though view of the great room, outdoor living area and pool, and Senecas views. The great room, study, and master bedroom all open to the outdoor living area. Like the Casa Arianna, custom ceiling details will be found throughout the home.

Read more here:
Harbourside to build in Brightling at Talis Park

Michael Schaefer starting building homes when he was 18, a passion that turned from hobby to side-job to the fastest growing business in the Brazos Valley.

Schaefer Custom Homes took home the top spot at the Bryan Rotary Club and Newman 10 Business Performance Awards Wednesday for the fastest-growing company. The home building business, founded in 2005, has four employees and experienced a three-year sales growth of more than 447 percent.

"I still view my job as more of a hobby," Schaefer said, saying the award still hasn't sunk in yet. "I love what I'm doing so it's not really working, and I'm really excited to win an award like this."

Schaefer Custom Homes was one of a dozen small businesses honored by the Bryan Rotary Club for innovation, growth and lifetime achievement.

Schaefer spent more than 20 years teaching accounting and serving as a department head at Blinn College before leaving to dedicate more of his time to his home building. He serves as president of the local Home Builders Association, which he says is his way of giving back to the community now that he is no longer teaching. He likened teaching accounting to building a home.

"You start with basically nothing, no skills, and then you get to the point where students can read financial statements by the end of the semester," he said.

He was thankful to his parents for supporting his aspirations for home building from an early age.

The Bryan Rotary Club honored Startup Aggieland with the Research Valley Partnership's Commercialization Rising Star Award. Startup Aggieland is a small business incubator for enterprising Texas A&M students, and has launched more than 100 student ventures.

Stylecraft Builders, Inc. received the Anco Insurance Award for Lifetime Business Achievement. Stylecraft Builders builds about 500 homes every year in the area after starting in the state's worst recession.

Other Newman 10 Business Performance Award winners were:

Read this article:
Local businesses honored at Bryan Rotary Club and Newman 10 Business Awards

Providing valuable information to homeowners and prospective homebuyers so they can make informed decisions is a top priority of the Home Builders Association of Northwest Indiana (HBA) and theres no better way to find out whats new than meeting the members themselves.

Thats precisely what youll have the opportunity to do starting next Saturday during the Parade of Homes. From June 21-29, you can tour a great variety of homes throughout Lake and Porter counties during Northwest Indianas premier new construction open house event.

We are proud to present the highest quality builders offering you a wide variety of housing options with many exciting innovations and designs, HBA Executive Officer Vicky Gadd said. Parade visitors will also have an opportunity to win a Toshiba 50-inch 1080p LED HDTV by playing Parade Bingo.

Simply pick up a bingo card at any Parade home and have the card stamped as you visit 8 of the 37 locations. When you receive the final stamp, drop your card in the box for a chance to win. The drawing will be held on June 30th, and the winner will be notified by email.

This years Parade is brought to you by the efforts of a dedicated HBA committee that includes Jeff Brant, Julie Deal, Vicky Gadd, Steve Huff, Dean Jones, Kathy Keene, Ed Kelly, Hal Kemmerer, Palmer Myers, Paul Shinn, Jamie Sulcer, and Todd Olthof, as well as the generous support of platinum sponsor ENG Lending, gold sponsors NIPSCO, Meridian Title and Carter Lumber, and silver sponsor Fidelity National Title.

The HBA serves as an advocate for affordable housing and partners with local and state government to ensure high standards of construction and development are met while incorporating sensitivity to the natural surroundings that reflect our commitment to enhancing our communitys quality of life, according to Gadd.

In addition, consumers can feel confident in dealing with HBA members who must adhere to the association's strict standards of practice and principles of business integrity. When you work with a member of the HBA on any project - from building a new home or remodeling an existing home to updating or replacing fixtures and installing flooring or cabinetry, you can expect professional service and high-quality workmanship.

The 2014 Parade of Homes kicks off Saturday, June 21 and continues through Sunday, June 29. Homes will be open weekdays 4 - 7 p.m. and weekends 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. (except where noted). Admission is FREE. Look for the Parade of Homes guide featuring a detailed map plus descriptions of the following 37 homes presented by HBA members in The Times, at your local Strack and Van Til Food Market and online at nwi-paradeofhomes.com:

Lake County

Maintenance Free Homes

Go here to see the original:
Your First Step to Finding a New Home: The 31st Annual HBA Parade of Homes Starts June 21

WoodTrac Direct Mount Ceiling- Step 1- Create a 2 #39;x2 #39; Grid
This if the first of 3 videos detailing the WoodTrac Direct Mount Ceiling installation process. WoodTrac Direct Mount ceilings go over ceiling joists, drywal...

By: WoodTrac

Read the rest here:
WoodTrac Direct Mount Ceiling- Step 1- Create a 2'x2' Grid - Video

WoodTrac Direct Mount Ceiling- Step 2- Install Clips and Panels
WoodTrac Direct Mount Ceiling Installation- Step 2- Install Clips and Panels. WoodTrac Direct Mount ceilings go over ceiling joists, drywall, plaster etc. Vi...

By: WoodTrac

Read more from the original source:
WoodTrac Direct Mount Ceiling- Step 2- Install Clips and Panels - Video

Steam Carpet and Chair Wash Machine - SV 7000
http://www.temakmakina.com) +90 216 327 2300 (http://www.cleantem.com) carpet cleaning machine, washing machine, sofa, chairs, washing machine, steam engine, steam cleaning machines,...

By: volkan timur boranoglu

Read the original:
Steam Carpet and Chair Wash Machine - SV 7000 - Video

A One Carpet Cleaning las vegas
carpet cleaning las vegas we are at a one carpet cleaning want to clean your carpet/upholstery/grout in las vegas or henderson on north las vegas call us any time 702-795-3333.

By: Aonecarpetcleaning

Go here to read the rest:
A One Carpet Cleaning las vegas - Video