Prime Minister John Key has criticised Labour for doing a "behind the bike sheds" deal by encouraging its voters to back Winston Peters in Northland.

The New Zealand First leader is polling neck and neck with National candidate Mark Osborne in the Northland by-election, well ahead of Labour's Willow-Jean Prime on 20 per cent.

* Little hints at Northland by-election tactics * National's Northland candidate focuses on job

Labour leader Andrew Little responded to the Q+A Colmar Brunton poll result with a thinly veiled play to get Northland's Labour voters to back Mr Peters.

"Those who want to support Willow-Jean, they'll carry on supporting her," Mr Little said on Sunday.

"Those who can see the opportunity to make a difference, they'll cast their vote accordingly."

John Key has criticised Labour for doing a "behind the bike sheds" deal by encouraging its voters to back Winston Peters in Northland. Photo: Getty

"Of course Andrew Little is doing that," he told TVNZ's Breakfast on Monday.

"These guys always criticise us but when the going gets tough Andrew Little's message is not that subtle. It's vote for Winston Peters, don't vote for Labour.

"Labour's going to come a terrible, terrible third because they're not even trying."

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Labour's 'behind the bike sheds' deal: PM

Joanne Richard, Special to QMI Agency Mar 9, 2015

, Last Updated: 10:03 AM ET

Women are not acing lifes balancing act.

No surprise, say experts. How can women feel balanced when our society places so much on their shoulders and then expects them to walk around and deal with it all - on stilettos no less?! says Susie Orman Schnall, mother of three young boys and author of the soon-to-be-released The Balance Project: A Novel.

Many women are struggling trying to do it all, have it all, and Make It Happen, which happens to be the theme of International Womens Day on March 8 and promotes womens equality and advancement.

But things are not equal on the home or work front, so personal balance is not happening. A new BMO study released in honour of International Womens Day 2015 indicates that fewer than half of Canadian women feel theyve achieved work-life balance. Only 31% say they get the needed support at home to attain home/work balance.

Women take on the lions share of household responsibilities, whether it is acting as primary caregiver for the children, doing housework or generally playing the role of chief operating officer of the family, says Julie Barker-Merz, spokesperson for BMO. Our study clearly indicates that many women are struggling with balancing their home and work lives and are seeking the active support of their spouses, children and employers in helping them do so.

Life is a tightrope for many working women, and they struggle to get a flawless grip on this unrealistic and unhealthy high wire act. Being the perfect mother and the perfect employee cant be achieved simultaneously without something falling through the cracks, says Schnall.

Feeling balanced is virtually impossible because of the prevailing reality of what most women actually have to contend with on a daily basis and the pressures that they are under from demanding bosses/industries, relentless social media, 24/7 connectivity, home/family life - lets face it, most women will always take on the lions share at home - and their own expectations of themselves to lead vibrant, successful, happy lives... Its almost laughable!

Schnall has interviewed countless working women for The Balance Project, an online interview series she founded. The goal is to feature authentic voices to show that all women are making sacrifices, that all women struggle, and that women arent alone facing the challenge of trying to juggle work, family, and self.

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International Women's day sheds light on reality

Close to twenty Greene and Madison County Residents congregated at the PVCC Eugene Giuseppe Center in Stanardsville last Thursday evening to discuss strategies to protect local streams and rivers.

Representatives from a number of agenciesRappahannock Rapidan Regional Commission (RRRC), Blue Ridge Emergency Services (BRES), Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD)came to speak to concerned residents regarding an implantation plan for the Upper Rapidan Watershed. Affected rivers and stream stretch across Madison, Orange, Greene and Albemarle Counties.

The [DEQ] has measured excessive fecal bacteria levels, BRES president and CEO Byron Petrauskas said, noting high levels found in Rippin Run, Blue Run, Marsh Run, Beautiful Run, Popular Run and the Rapidan River. High levels result from feces from warm-blooded animals, which can contain various bacteria (such as E. Coli), parasites and viruses. Petrauskas said ingesting contaminated water could result in infection or diarrhea to more serious conditions such as ulcers, arthritis, chronic conditions or death.

First, the DEQ takes [water] samples and compares results to the bacteria count in the water quality standard, Petrauskas said. If 10.5 percent of samples exceed the bacteria water quality standard[the body of water] is considered impaired.

Once placed on this list, development of an implementation plan is required by law.

He said bacteria can source residentially from straight pipes (pipes which drain waste directly into watershed), failing septic systems, pet waste and residential land use runoff. Agriculturally, bacteria can source from direct defecation into rivers and streams by livestock and pasture and cropland runoff. Wildlife feces are also a factor.

General agricultural strategies or best management practices (BMP) to reduce bacterial contamination include excluding livestock from stream corridors using fencing, buffering or a setback, reforestation and rotational grazing. Residential strategies include eliminating straight pipes, repairing or replacing failing septic systems and hooking up to a sanitary sewer.

However, Petrauskas said before actions can be taken to lower bacteria levels, goals are set, cost and benefit calculations conducted and stakeholders are identified.

We want to get [these streams and rivers] off of the impaired water list, he said, noting strategies should strive lower bacteria levels to not exceed standard water quality. Milestones should be established to see how implementations are going and how the water quality is responding. He noted the SWCD and Virginia Department of Health track installations while the DEQ will continue to monitor bacteria levels.

But who is going to implement [the plan] and what are potential funding sources? Petrauskas asked. He said stakeholders can include local government, landowners, RRRC and SWCD on the local and regional levels, a number of state programs, federal agencies and programs including the United States Department of Agriculture, Clean Water Act, United States Fish and Wildlife Service and private sources. In the past 75 and 85 percent reimbursement was available for landowners willing to take initiative to fence off or protect stream and riverbanks and other agricultural BMPs on their property through a combination of federal, state, non-profit and private sourced funding. Culpeper SWCD district manager Greg Wichelns said 100 percent reimbursement is currently being offered through federal and state cost share programs.

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Many people say plan needed to improve Upper Rapidan water quality

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DENVER Theres still room at the inn, but less of it than ever before in Colorados hotels.

A resurgent economy brought a record number of guests to the states hotels in 2014. Along with healthy occupancy levels came the highest room rates ever recorded in Colorado.

Analysts say the industry is hitting on each of its three main cylinders: business travel, convention bookings and vacationing visitors.

2014 marked the fifth consecutive year of improvement for hotel operators since the market faltered during the recession of 2008-09.

Rising fundamentals also are helping bring the industry out of years of dormancy in which few new hotels were built. An estimated 1,700 rooms will be added in metro Denver in 2015. That 3.8 percent gain in inventory is the fastest growth spurt in 15 years.

The market is strong and I think well continue to see demand (for rooms) continue to increase in 2015, said Bob Benton of Robert S. Benton & Associates, co-author of the Rocky Mountain Lodging Report.

Colorado hotels reached an average occupancy rate in 2014 of 68.3 percent, according to the lodging report. The statewide average room rate was $135, an increase of 6 percent from 2013.

Metro Denvers room rates grew even faster, rising 8 percent to an average of $124.

The metro average rate belies an extremely healthy luxury hotel market in downtown Denver where its not unusual to see rates as high as $400 a night during peak weekday business travel periods.

Analysts say the addition of new hotel rooms in Denver may produce slightly lower occupancy rates but will not reverse the rise in prices for rooms.

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Demand sets record room rates, occupancies in state hotels

Published February 23, 2015

The O'Neill family recreated a school's Frozen-themed Valentine's Day dance for their daughter, Eliza, pictured with father Glenn.(Saving Eliza)

A South Carolina family who has been self-isolating for the past nine months due to their daughters rare condition brought the "Frozen"-themed Valentines Day school dance she was missing out on to their living room.

Eliza ONeill, 5, was diagnosed with Sanfilippo syndrome, type A, in 2013. Children with the disease lack an enzyme necessary for normal cellular function, which eventually causes a lethal buildup of a toxic material called heparin sulfate.

Patients eventually develop learning disabilities and behavior problems in addition to the pain and suffering that come with the diagnosis. Doctors told Elizas parents she will soon lose the ability to talk, walk and eat on her own.

Glenn and Cara ONeill, Elizas parents, decided to enter a self-imposed quarantine to protect Eliza from outside illnesses. They also dont want to risk Eliza building immunity to the AAV9 virus, which she will be given as part of a clinical trial they are anxiously awaiting to begin.

We have heard from other parents who have children with Sanfilippo that if their child gets sick at this critical age, it could accelerate their Sanfilippo symptoms, Cara, 40, told PEOPLE.

We think about how we are keeping our daughter at home during the days which could be the best she ever has, Glenn, 42, told the magazine. We cant take her to the zoo or the playground and she isnt in school with other kids.

The family also had to take Elizas older brother, 8-year-old Beckham, out of class.

I dont want her to have Sanfilippo anymore, he told PEOPLE. It messes up her brain and I want her brain to be normal.

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Family brings 'Frozen'-themed school dance to living room for daughter battling rare condition

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(Rendering courtesy Sage Hospitality)

BMC Investments and Sage Hospitality have started construction on a $70 million Cherry Creek hotel that will bring a new restaurant brand to Denver.

The 155-room hotel is being built on the site of the former Post Office at 245 Columbine St.

Sage Restaurant Group, an affiliate of the hotel company, will operate Departure Restaurant at the hotel. It marks the second location for the Asian-themed Departure; the first is in The Nines hotel in Portland, Ore.

The yet-unnamed hotel will have a roof deck pool and bar, and 6,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space.

The complex is expected to open in April 2016.

"This project will mirror the big changes that have been taking place in the Cherry Creek North neighborhood," said Walter Isenberg, president and CEO of Sage Hospitality.

A surge of new development is occurring in Cherry Creek, including condos, apartments, office buildings and retail space.

Steve Raabe: 303-954-1948, sraabe@denverpost.com or twitter.com/steveraabedp

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Denver developers Sage, BMC launch $70 million hotel in Cherry Creek

HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) -- Construction crews began tearing down a former Harrisonburg restaurant Monday. Crews say the former Shoney's Restaurant building will be completely gone in the next two days. The restaurant, including several other Shoney's in the Valley, closed up shop in April 2013.

Harman Realty said there are no plans yet for a new business coming to the location. They are currently seeking a business to build on the site.

They said they decided to bring down the building because it was expensive to keep up with maintenance and repair, including a hole in the roof.

Millard David Clark, who often ate at Shoney's, says it was a community spot.

"It is just a shame to see it go down because so many people met there," said Clark. "It was a good meeting spot. Our friends would come a lot and we'd meet them and we had parties and stuff here, it was just a real nice place."

Realtors say they eventually plan for a new business to move into the area.

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Crews Tear Down Former Shoney's

If youre planning to invest in some home improvements before you put your house on the market, choose your projects carefully.

Thats the takeaway from Remodeling Magazines annual Cost vs. Value Report, which compares construction costs with resale values for the most popular home-improvement projects.

In todays market, it makes sense to concentrate your spending on the things buyers see first.

Smaller exterior projects that boost curb appeal recoup more of their cost at sale time than big-ticket remodeling, such as additions, luxurious kitchen and bath overhauls.

In the West North Central region, which includes Minnesota, the project with the best return on investment was replacing an entry door. Homeowners who made that simple fix saw an 86 percent return, the report found.

Other projects with the highest payback included enhancing the exterior with manufactured stone veneer (82.2 percent return), vinyl siding replacement (81.5 percent) and wooden window replacement (80.6 percent).

The project with the lowest return (approximately 50 percent) was a master suite addition.

As a general rule, the simpler and lower-cost the project, the bigger its cost-value ratio. So, replacement projects such as door, window and siding upgrades tend to generate a higher return than remodeling projects.

And home-flippers beware: Theres not a single remodeling project that returns more money in home resale value than it costs to hire a pro to do the work, at least in our region.

Heres another note of caution: What buyers say theyre looking for in a home may not be what theyre willing to pay for.

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Will your remodeling project pay off?