Los Alamos photographer Samantha DAnna in her favorite place the outdoors. Courtesy photo

The Reeves Family traveled to Las Conchas for their photo shoot. Photo by Samantha DAnna Photography

Photographer Samantha DAnna and her client Paige chose Abiquiu Lake and its beautiful views for senior photos. Photo by Samantha DAnna Photography

Samantha DAnnas combined love of photography and the outdoors is leading her to a whole new way of running her business. Photo by Maire ONeill/losalamosreporter.com

BY MAIRE ONEILLmaire@losalamosreporter.com

Incorporating her love of natural light portrait photography with her love of the outdoors is local photographer Samantha DAnnas passion.

Since she opened her Los Alamos studio two years ago, she has actually found herself doing less and less inside work and shooting more and more outdoors.

Im a goofy, fun, real, adventurous, outdoor photographer, DAnna told the Los Alamos Reporter over a cup of coffee. Creating moments and laughter and capturing priceless memories excites me and makes me happy.

She said she learned from some wise people not to wait to follow her passion. During the last two years she realized that many of her clients chose her as their photographer because of how she incorporates the surrounding landscape into her photos and uses the natural light of the great outdoors.

I learned that Im not really a studio-based photographer which is why I have decided to give up my studio space. While I have been grateful for the opportunity to do studio work, I have been paying for a great studio space that I hardly ever use, DAnna said, adding that operating the studio space allowed her to learn more about the business side of her photography.

So, for 2020, she will be focusing on outdoor portraits mostly of couples.

My passion is couples, whether its their engagement photos, or perhaps an elopement or an intimate wedding, I believe couples are what I was meant to photograph. I also love photographing families and doing high school senior photos, DAnna said.

Closing her studio does not mean that she will no longer shoot indoor portraits.

If you want a lifestyle session inside your home, I love doing natural light indoor portraits, she said.

DAnna has already booked several out-of-state and in-state weddings and elopements for this year and says she cant wait to book more.

I want to spend my time outside with my clients having fun, playing in a river and goofing off. This is me, and this is my business, and I cant wait to see what this year brings, she said.

If youre wondering how to get a hold of Samantha DAnna Photography after Feb. 1, just go to her web page http://www.samanthadannaphotography.com/. Or you can email her at sdannaphotography@gmail.com or call her at (505) 257-0577.

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Passion For The Outdoors Moves Local Photographer In A New Direction - Los Alamos Reporter

Ring has just announced a few new smart light bulbs and solar power products at CES 2020 in Las Vegas.

Last year, Ring started this expansion into smart lighting. But now, it has a number of new products that really makes this a true expansion. Joining its outdoor light fixtures announced last year, Ring also has some new smart bulbs that can be used in existing fixtures. Ring has also announced solar-powered versions of its popular Floodlight, Steplight and Pathlight products.

Ring says that the new bulbs and solar lights will be available later this year. With no real date set.

So, A19 is the size bulb that just about every lighting fixture uses. There are a few that use something like a BR30, which is a floodlight, and then the smaller candle-like bulbs for some lamps. But the A19 is the most common light bulb out there.

Ring is selling both A19 and floodlight bulbs in this new product range. It says that these new bulbs are designed for "outdoor first" and will still work when the temperature drops as low as -4 degrees Fahrenheit. All the way up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. If you want to use these indoors, that should be no problem though, as they'll always work.

These bulbs are going to work like the early Philips Hue bulbs, and that means it needs a hub. The bulbs will need the Ring Smart Lighting Bridge for connectivity. These bulbs, as you might expect, are in a single color of white. They are not tuneable either. But that should be fine. Seeing as these sell for just $14.99, with the floodlight being $24.99. That's much cheaper than the other smart bulbs out there.

This should come as no surprise really, but Ring says that there is no difference between the solar and the battery-powered products that were announced today. So the Solar Steplight, Pathight and Floodlight will all be the same, but now you don't need to charge them if you get enough sunlight.

Ring did release prices for these. The Solar Steplight is going to be $29.99, the Solar Pathlight is $39.99 and the Solar Floodlight is $89.99. Again, these will be available later this year, with Ring not penciling in a time-frame for these products. But given the wording in the press release, it's safe to say that these won't be available until the second half of the year.

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Ring Just Announced Its First Smart Light Bulbs At CES 2020 - Android Headlines

Terrence Malick has one of the most intriguing and influential approaches to cinematic storytelling of any director working today. His process is also one that has evolved over the years. In the 38 years prior to The Tree of Life, he has made only four feature films. In the eight years since 2011, the 76-year old director has released four more features, along with a documentary, Voyage of Time.

And since Malick doesnt do interviews, his close collaborators are tasked with explaining his process. IndieWire recently sat down with the two lead actors on his most recent film A Hidden Life, Valerie Pachner and August Diehl, and the films cinematographer Jrg Widmer. While this was the first Malick project for Widmer as cinematographer, he was the steadicam operator and second unit cinematographer under Emmanuel Lubezki on all of Malicks films dating back to 2005s The New World.

Malick cast Pachner early on, but spent a year after that trying to find the man who would play her husband, Franz Jgersttter (Diehl), the Austrian farmer who refused to fight alongside the Nazis in World War II. The following observations, excerpted from separate interviews with Widmer and the films stars, have been condensed and edited.

Reiner Bajo

Pachner: Once Terry found and cast August, then that was it we saw each other again during the shoot. There was no rehearsing. You just really had to jump into it. What helped was you have all these outer things like the farm, the actual farm work, you have the kids.

Diehl: It was a huge, long preparation, most of which was learning these tools that farmers dont use anymore. Looking back it was very much like living on a farm, working all day, doing real farm work, and being filmed.

Pachner: That was really such an important part of the film the physicality of it, which was intense. The scenes just happen in between. Milking the cow and youre talking. It was really hard work, but it also helped. It made you forget about acting. You really were like, Okay, I have to get this thing done, and whats the cow doing?

Diehl: There was a script. We knew the whole narrative, it was written down. It was nicely written, I remember, but it was also thin. It was helpful to have it at the beginning, but later on we didnt use it so much anymore. It was more the guideline. We put it away after a few weeks, because we were not shooting scene 106B, or whatever. It was more moments.

Widmer: This film follows a storyline, but its about exploring this humanity. You have many different options of how to capture that, and the way Terry does it is by letting the scene flow.

Pachner: Its more like you sort of walk through the storyline. It was not like, Oh, this is now that specific aspect of the story.

Diehl: Most of the time it was more or less clear which phase of the story we were filming.

Pachner: A few scenes were scripted and were used in the film. In the morning, Terry sometimes would send actors new lines. Then there were moments where we could come up with our own lines. Just things happened, some dialogue scenes happened.

August Diehl in A Hidden Life

Fox Searchlight Pictures

Widmer: They say their lines, but the moments between the lines are important its this whole feeling that happens and its really magic how it happens. Its an interesting experience.

It didnt really matter if the best takes had the actors lines or not, they were added in voiceover. It was just to find good expressions, good emotions, to find also right movements, for example the hands touching, and create emotions.

Diehl: Terry has a certain thing: He likes when people are moving. I remember we were never standing still.

Pachner: You keep moving, never stop. That was the rule.

Widmer: If they move, I can move. There are hardly any shots that are static maybe, sometimes a landscape, because nature stays where it is. Whatever happens on Earth, nature doesnt care too much. [laughs]

Diehl: The movement was something that Valerie and I found together, that came very much from us. Terry encouraged you to be completely leading the camera and take over.

Valerie Pachner and August Diehl A Hidden Life

Fox Searchlight Pictures

Pachner: They are dairy farmers, theyre people of not many words, and that really helped us also to find this very strong nonverbal connection.

When Widmer worked with Malick and Lubezki on The Tree of Life, they relied on only two or three wide lenses. (Widmer joked that they sent their longest lens, a 35mm, home the first week of production on The Tree of Life.) Yet early in shooting A Hidden Life, the cinematographer and director settled on going even wider relying heavily on a 12mm lens, and never going longer than a 16mm lens.

Widmer: We got closer to the actors because of the focal length. The wider lens gives you the chance to have close-ups even if they are six inches away. Then you can quickly pull back, just a little bit, and you have an over-the-shoulder shot, which if youre on a long lens [that same type of transition between shots] would require an enormous amount movement. But with the wider lens, you can get to new positions and compositions easily.

When actors move their hands and touch each other, you can follow the hand, and then you come back to a close-up, so if its all in the movement it looks so natural. Its like the flow of water. Its really a very immediate way of telling a story. So you can totally react to whatever they do.

Pachner: Terry would interrupt while youre doing the scene. Its just him whispering something, which sometimes could be surprising.

Widmer: The good thing about the short lenses is I was always close to the actor, so I hear what Terrys saying, which gave me the opportunity to react. So if he said, There are townspeople coming who are mad at you, then I made sure to see their faces as they react when people spit at them, or things like this.

Pachner: There was a constant change within a single take. The takes were often 20 minutes or longer.

Widmer: Song to Song and Knight of Cups [Malicks last two films] were shot on film, and when it came to nighttime scenes, we changed to digital. This one was entirely digital for the first time. When we shot some tests Terry was quite convinced digital would work and for good reason, it looked good.

It helped him extend the length of the scenes and this is really an exciting experience, because the actors would usually stop after two to four minutes, and the scene is done. They could go again and keep experiencing, explore what they wanted to do. Its about harvesting, its about interacting with the kids, its about interacting with the people and also in the prison scenes the scene could go on forever as you wait for the moment when it happens. Its just like magic that you see that something is different and you just try to catch these moments, which are so important for this movie.

Pachner: [Malick] has a certain texture of the film in mind. And then hes just looking to get all those elements, as many parts of it as he can. He would always say, Its like catching fish. So he was like, You could pick the right moments where something special happened.

So you have this freedom to explore, and Jrg really follows you. But there are also very clear visual rules that Terry has, like always keep moving, but also not to be on the same plane. You should have depth. Terry has his visual style that you have to follow as an actor, too. And you know if you dont follow it, this take is not going to end up in the movie.

The Tree of Life

Snap Stills/Shutterstock

Widmer: On Tree of Life, there were the dogma that Chivo [Lubezki] and Terry established, which they set up for the camera movements, but also for the lighting. The rule was to stay in the so-called z-axis, so you have movement which is always towards the sun, or away from the sun, and the actors move on this path, and theres some restrictions for them. This was still a little bit the case on A Hidden Life because it gives you such a flow in the camera movement, but this time we moved more freely. If something happens and you have to pan, then this is now an option.

In Texas [where Tree of Life, and Song to Song shot], you have sunlight every day and predictable sunlight. You could say, In the morning, we shoot east, because the light is coming in the parlor window, and at lunch we shoot south, and in the evening we shoot the kitchen because the light would come in there.

In Europe, we had to deal with clouds and bad weather, which you should embrace if you do a movie like this, but with Terry, its very easy because hes so technically interested and artistically involved that you can find positions where you can handle this. We had to change the rules a little bit because nothing is as predictable as the Texas sun, so you had to find solutions, including, when absolutely necessary, adding a little bit of lighting.

Pachner: In a way, we had to do the lighting on our own. There was no artificial lighting, so especially when we were shooting inside, he would always say, Search the light. So we had to be aware of where the light from the window was coming, and you know if you dont get that right, its not going to end up in the movie. So you had to be acting, and at the same time also sort of think about the light.

Widmer: When there was a chance to get the sunlight in the windows, we were always in the right position, and if not, we tried to play the scene close to the windows or to embrace what we had, or enhance the contrast by making the camera side darker, giving the image a bit of depth.

We prepared for a scenes to move between the outdoors and indoors. We had a very small crew of people following with white boards, or with black duvetyne. Even if we went into a building while we played the scene, we were able to handle these situations by brightening, or darkening, but we had to be flexible because we were moving a lot and with the wide lenses you see everything.

And because we are in the digital world, instead of changing film stock, we changed cameras. We had one prepared for high light and we had one prepared for low light. The high light [camera] gives you more latitude in the skies and the low light [camera] gives you more definition in the dark. It was also important we could go from slider to steadicam to handheld in just a fraction of a minute, so we prepared for everything.

Pachner: Everyone on set was working in the same sort of mindset that Terry has, or that his work needs.

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Working with Malick: Inside the Dance Between Camera, Actor, and Light in A Hidden Life - IndieWire

From asking Alexa or Google to turn on your lights with the best smart bulbs to asking Apples Siri to turn off your TV with our favorite smart plug, smart home products can make life so much easier.

As you think about your resolutions for 2020, simplifying your life with the help of our favorite smart home products should be at the top of your list. Because, in addition to smart assistants, you can control the best smart home products from the gadgets companion app on your compatible smartphone or tablet wherever you are. (Yes, its really that easy.)

Weve put these products through the wringertesting the ins and outs of how they work. So, you can rest assured that these are the 15 very best smart products to make 2020 your easiest year yet.

Credit: Reviewed / Jonathan Chan

During our cleaning tests, the Eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 30C picked up, on average, over 10 grams of dirt.

The Eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 30C is the best smart robot vacuum you can get for the money. Its got great suction that is on par with a light cleaning from a regular vacuum, and it works with Amazons Alexa and Google Assistant. Plus, its one less chore you have to worry about.

Get the Eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 30C on Amazon for $291.99

Credit: Reviewed / Nick Schmiedicker

The only downside is that unlike some other smart bulbs, the Hue bulbs do require a hub in order to work.

New to smart bulbs? The Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance Starter Kit are the best smart light bulbs you can buy and theyre great for beginners. These bulbs are easy to set up, come with a robust suite of features, and integrate with an intuitive app all while playing nice with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri. Once you throw in the additional rainbow of possible light colors (up to 16 million), these are without a doubt the best smart bulbs to make your life easier.

Get the Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance Starter Kit (generation 3) on Amazon for $196.22

Credit: Reviewed / Sarah Kovac

We love that we could see at a glance whether both outlets are turned on thanks to prominent indicator lights.

An outdoor smart plug might seem excessive, but if youve got string lights on your patio or any other sort of outdoor set up that requires power, then youll appreciate that our favorite outdoor smart plug can be controlled via an app, so you dont have to worry about plugging anything in. It stands up to the outdoor elements, and its easy to use with two separate plugs that can be controlled independently.

Get the Meross MSS620 Smart Outdoor Plug on Amazon for $21.99

Credit: Reviewed / Daniel Wroclawski

These dimmers fade on and off, instead of immediately turning on and off like regular light switches.

One of the coolest features about our favorite in-wall smart dimmer, the Lutron Casta Wireless Smart Lighting Starter Kit, is that the lights automatically adjust as the seasons change, meaning you won't come home to a dark house after work.

And, unlike every other smart dimmer we tested, Lutron also offers the only dimmer that doesn't require a neutral power line, something that isn't common in the electrical wiring of older homes. This switch is compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant.

Get the Lutron Casta Wireless Smart Lighting Starter Kit on Amazon for $99.95

Credit: Amazon

The third-generation Echo is the perfect blend of affordability and versatility.

Start the year off right with our favorite Echo speaker, the Echo (third-generation). The Alexa-enabled device can help you keep track of your schedule, check the weather, get commute times, read headlines, play music, and more.

Get the Echo (third-generation) on Amazon for $89.99

Credit: Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar

A leak detector should be reliable, easy-to-use, and able to do its job despite being completely submerged in water; the Honeywell Lyric easily ticks all of these boxes.

Leaky pipes can cause major headaches for homeowners. Do yourself a favor to avoid frozen or cracked pipes before it becomes a problem with our favorite smart water leak detector, the Honeywell Lyric WiFi Water Leak and Freeze Detector. The detector works over WiFi for easy setup, doesn't need a hub, and should last up to three years on AA batteries.

Get the Honeywell Lyric WiFi Water Leak and Freeze Detector at Home Depot for $58.69

Credit: Reviewed / Ben Keough

The video itself is the highest quality you can get from a smart security camera, with 1080p recording and excellent night vision.

From long workdays to family vacations, our favorite outdoor smart security camera, Google Nest Cam, can help you see whats happening at home when youre away. When coupled with a Nest Aware subscription, the camera can differentiate between people and pets, create clips that you can share, and can store video to the cloud.

Get the Google Nest Outdoor Cam at Walmart for $199

Credit: Logitech

Logitech continues to dominate the indoor camera market.

Wonder what your dog does all day while youre away? You can check in on your four-legged best friend with our favorite indoor smart security camera, the Logitech Circle 2. We love the Logitech Circle 2 for its easy setup, wire-free convenience, free 24-hour cloud storage, and well-designed app with its clever Daily Brief feature that creates a montage of the days events. It works with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant.

Get the Logitech Circle 2 at Lowes for $44.99

Credit: Reviewed / Daniel Wroclawski

The switch is responsive, works with Alexa and Google Assistant, and offers three-way switch compatibility.

Much like smart bulbs and smart dimmers, you can control your lights at home remotely using our favorite smart in-wall switch. This set works with Google and Alexa. A smart switch is also a good idea if you want to give the appearance that youre at home (like turning the lights on and off at certain times), even when youre not there.

Get the Leviton Decora Smart WiFi Switch on Amazon for $44.85

Credit: Reviewed / Ben Keough

The plug tracks energy usage and will even help estimate how much the device youve got plugged in will add to your electricity bill, but it doesnt provide real-time monitoring, like some of the fancier models we tested.

Sometimes its hard to remember to turn off the TV or unplug hot hair tools like a curling iron when youre in a rush. However, you probably dont want to leave these gadgets running when youre not at home. With our best value smart plug by Eufy, you can shut off whatever is plugged in from anywhere using the EufyHome app. This plug also offers energy monitoring, scheduling routines, and seamless integration with Alexa and Google Assistant.

Get the Eufy Smart Plug on Amazon for $13.79 with on-page coupon

Credit: Sensi

We tested the Sensi Touch with Siri, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa, and each one instantly updated both the app and the thermostat itself.

Sometimes its the little things that make the biggest difference, like being able to turn on the heat on a cold winter morning or adjusting the air conditioning while youre on vacation. You can do just that with our favorite smart thermostat, the Emerson Sensi Touch WiFi Thermostat. Nest and Honeywell may be better known smart thermostat brands, but the Emerson Sensi Touch WiFi Thermostat had the least stressful installation process, a helpful app, and functionality across multiple smart assistants.

Get the Emerson Sensi Touch WiFi Thermostat on Amazon for $120.98

Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser

It takes about five minutes to set up the Nest Protect, and the process is impressively thorough, asking you for the detector location, as well as your self-testing and night light preferences.

The new year is a good time to check in on your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace them with the best smart smoke and carbon monoxide detector on the market: the Nest Protect Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarm. It sends push notifications when it senses smoke or carbon monoxide and offers voice alerts, which are helpful in the event of an emergency because the detector can give you specific alerts like, Theres smoke detected in the hallway.

Get the Nest Protect Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarm on Amazon for $119

Credit: Reviewed / Sarah Kovac

The Schlage Encode is a solid, easy-to-use smart lock.

Tired of carrying around a heavy set of keys in your pocket or purse? You need the best smart lock, so you can ditch your keys, and avoid getting locked out of the house. The Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt can store and remember up to 100 permanent, temporary, or recurring passcodes for everyone to use. And, it works with Alexa and Google Assistant.

Get the Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt on Amazon for $205.88

Credit: Reviewed / Flo Ion

The second-generation Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller is currently topping our list because it offers a ton of easy to use options and isn't intimidating to install.

The second-generation Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller is currently our favorite smart sprinkler controller because it offers a ton of easy to use options and isn't intimidating to install. The sprinkler gives you the ability to set a watering schedule, and comes with a Weather Intelligence feature that enables the sprinkler system to automatically skip a session if rain or excessive wind is underway. It works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apples Siri.

Get the Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller on Amazon for $229

Credit: Google

The Google Nest Hello is an easy-to-use doorbell that can recognize familiar faces, sends immediate alerts over data and WiFi, and never lost its connection during our tests.

Our top pick for smart doorbells is the Google Nest Hello Smart WiFi Video Doorbell. It excels at delivering alerts right away from over WiFi when youre at home or cellular data when youre out and about. This doorbell also offers the best video and audio quality of any doorbell we tested, facial recognition alerts for familiar faces, package delivery notifications, and more useful features that will make you feel secure.

Get the Google Nest Hello at Walmart for $229

The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest deals, product reviews, and more.

Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

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The 15 best smart home gadgets of 2020 - Reviewed

While many questions remain around exactly what role vertical farming will play in the future of agriculture, there are a few things we can count on with certainty. These indoor farms will become more and more automated over time, as well as modular. They will also be more user-friendly to the average consumer or small business, something evident by the number of indoor farming offerings at CES 2020 this week.

Among those offerings is the Planty Cube, a smart hydroponic indoor farm made by a Seoul, South Korea-based IoT company called n.thing. The grow system is modular enough to work in a number of different settings, from an apartment to a cafeteria, and automated enough that pretty much anyone can operate it.

Like other vertical farms out there, the Planty Cube environment contains rows and shelves of planters stacked inside a shipping container. Plants rely not on soil and human hands cultivating them, but instead on a computerized system that delivers the right recipe of nutrients, water, and light from LEDs to help photosynthesis. Humans have little involvement with the actual plants during the grow process. Most of the work on the farm, such as adjusting the LEDs, controlling temperature and humidity, and monitoring plant health, is done by the Planty Cube system, which uses sensors to collect data on the plants and can be controlled remotely by a smartphone.

Leo Kim, n.things CEO, came up with the idea for the farm after creating an IoT-enabled smart pot called Planty. From there, the company developed the Planty Square, a modular system made up of multiple capsules called Pickcells, each roughly two inches in width, length, and depth, that contain the seeds of each plant. Users can connect multiple Squares (like a Lego block, says Kim) to grow larger crops, and enough of these put together make up the Planty Cube farm.

The Planty Cube system relies heavily on data from farming logs, which are fed back into a database known as the CUBE Cloud and analyzed with AI to help farmers determine optimal growing conditions for each crop. As the user adds more Squares to the farm with new and different crops, this real time, cloud-based system makes it easier for the user to manage the overall farm, even remotely.

While a number of companies now operate automated vertical farms that grow leafy greens, most of these (Kalera, Plenty, Intelligent Growth Systems) are better suited to large warehouse settings that produce millions of heads of lettuce. Planty Cubes modular and user-friendly nature make it a more apt candidate for places like schools, hospital cafeterias, and university dining halls all locations that would benefit from having freshly harvested greens onsite.

Planty Cube nabbed a Best of Innovation award for CES this year. If youre currently milling about the show floor in Vegas, drop by n.things booth to see the Planty Cube in action.

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CES 2020: The Planty Cube Aims to Make Vertical Farming More Modular and Automated - The Spoon

Indoor recreational facilities and offices could soon move into Red Deers Riverside Light Industrial Park, which was made into a multi-use district by city council Monday.

Council was told Riverside Light Industrial Parks smaller sized lots work well for various uses, beyond light industries, and some landowners wanted to see some land use flexibility in this area.

New uses approved Monday include offices for small-scale or start-up businesses, an indoor recreational facility, an industrial/training facility, a microbrewery, and some retail sales of products produced or packaged on site.

Planning services director Tara Lodewyk said other municipalities, including Red Deer County, have mixed-use areas, so the change would allow Red Deer to become more competitive.

Not everyone has happy with the mixed-use proposal, with some Riverside business owners writing about their concerns that noise and traffic from existing industries might become issues for new office-type businesses.

But others felt the city wasnt going far enough.

At Mondays public hearing, council heard from property owner Dwayne Janzen, who wanted C-4 zoning for this area. This would allow him to lease to a private kindergarten to Grade 5 school.

However, Lodewyk said C-4 contains many uses not contemplated for this area by city staff. Janzen was told he could instead still seek the schools approval as a discretionary use.

Lodewyk added that going from I-1 to C-4 would mean many existing light industries would not be allowed to expand or rebuild. These existing businesses would effectively become legal non-conforming which would not be fair to these companies.

Red Deer Co-ops director of finance Mark Music favoured the change, saying his home and garden centre needs to expand its office area and hoped to do this in Riverside Industrial Park rather than going elsewhere.

Making the industrial park a mixed-use district was approved by most of council. Only Coun. Frank Wong was opposed out of concern about the effect of the transition on a very popular light industrial park. (Coun. Lawrence Lee was absent).

Individual properties will not automatically be rezoned. Council was told the next step will be meeting with property owners and discussing what new uses they are open to.

Coun. Dianne Wyntjes supported being more flexible and accommodating. Existing businesses dont want to be squeezed out, by others move in, so somewhere we have to find that sweet spot, she added.

lmichelin@reddeeradvocate.comLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter

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Red Deer's Riverside Light Industrial Park will become a mixed-use area - Red Deer Advocate

The truth is not numerous people have the vision to initiate preventative actions concerning cellar water damage, leakages, and flooding, and foundation uprightness. That is the purpose why it is amplest to ask advice from an expert when you eventually accept the fact that you want help. The condition may have already declined, and the only appropriate response can save your house from slipping into decay around you.There are lots of Do-It-Yourself renovation models for jobs like vault clean up and water removal on your own. With no knowledge or training, it is suggested that you converse with your local alleged bunker waterproofing contractors to get the best outcomes. Asking an expert will end up preserving excess of money for you in the long run.

Emergency Services

Its crucial to find a basement repair contractor who is accessible 24 hours a day and seven days a week. A basement flooded with water needs urgent care. The humid conditions will quickly give a lift to mildew and mold. A parasite infestation can grow abruptly within 24 to 48 hours of water contamination. An excellent contractor has to volunteer crisis services for such a situation. You do not fancily mildew settling in, and you do not yearn for constant water damage either.You might get across many firms that want you to wait in order to strike a reply team. There are many more popular firms that will be at your doorstep in no time at all. Pick your contractor well as it could be the discrepancy between a quick fix or the need for much more comprehensive repair work that will be more costly as well as time-consuming.

Basement Water Extraction

Aleaky basementneeds to be dealt with immediately. A flooded basement will need more money and more expertise to repair. Get a contractor who is well versed in administering with all features of basement repair including, complete and thorough basement water removal.

Water extraction will need intelligent tools and equipment. Flooding in confined, small spaces like basements needs the expertise of a known basement water extraction services and contractor. With an approved contractor, you can be sure they will have the precise equipment. A wet/dry vacuum will not be able to manage something like this. Its best left to a professional.

To hire the best waterproofing I would recommend to hire Lees Summit MO Foundation Repair. They are the best waterproofing company I know and personally use.

Depending on the origin of the water, water extraction will grow all the more critical. If the water is clear but left standing, the infection can occur. Sewerage, being backed up can be very critical to the inhabitants of the home as well as the structural integrity of the house.

Complete Waterproofing Services

You will need to seek the services of a competent and impeccable professional contractor, not just to clean up the existing mess, but also to prevent similar problems in the future. Entire basement waterproofing is fundamental to home remodeling to any home.

Pick a reputable professional basement repair and waterproofing contractor immediately!https://smartfoundationsystems.com/Repair And Basement Waterproofing. Visit them online for a free basement.

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What Are the Solutions To Stop Water Leakage - - VENTS Magazine

Sooner or later, most homeowners decide they're ready to take on a renovation project. We tend to think about renovations in terms of bathrooms, kitchens or possibly living areas. The truth is, you can renovate any part of your home that seems to need it. Often, the area that needs it most is the garage.

Garage renovations are more common than you might think, and they can really pay off -- both in terms of your day-to-day life as well as the value you get when selling your house.

Before embarking on a garage renovation, make sure you're going about it wisely.

Here are seven things to think about before remodeling your garage:

-- Are you turning your garage into a room, or keeping it as a garage?

-- How will you use the space?

-- What kind of storage solutions do you need?

-- What about the aesthetics?

-- Can you handle the project on your own, or should you call in the pros?

-- How much will it cost?

-- What will you do while the remodel is happening?

[Read: 7 Reasons Why Renovating Is Better Than Buying a New Home.]

Are You Turning Your Garage Into a Room, or Keeping It As a Garage?

Fundamentally, you'll need to decide what you're going to use the space for. It's not uncommon for homeowners to decide they need an extra bedroom or living room and can live without a garage. Thus, they convert their garage into a proper room. That's one way to go, but you may also decide that you just want a nicer garage, with better storage options in addition to space to keep a car.

How Will You Use the Space?

Even if we assume you're going to use your garage as a garage, there are still some important decisions to make about how the area will be utilized. Will you keep your vehicle in the garage? Lawn equipment? Many people want to be able to keep overflow of household items that don't fit in closets or the basement in the garage, like holiday decorations. The garage is also a popular location to set up a workbench area for hobbies or home improvement work.

What Kind of Storage Solutions Do You Need?

Most garages are used primarily for storage, and sometimes that might mean upgrading your shelving. This is especially true if have you a lot of items to store, and need to take advantage of the vertical space the garage offers. Consider any shelving upgrades that need to be made in order for you to achieve your garage renovation goals. If you are remodeling your garage to sell, the more storage solutions you have available, the more attractive it will be to buyers.

[Read: How to Winterize a House]

What About the Aesthetics?

It's not unreasonable for you to want your garage to look presentable, especially if you have plans to sell your house any time soon. As such, your remodeling effort might mean painting the walls, replacing the floor or even having a new garage door installed.

Can You Handle the Project on Your Own, or Should You Call in the Pros?

Depending on the scope of your garage remodel, it may or may not make sense to handle it on a do-it-yourself basis. Certainly, if all you're doing is reorganizing, perhaps painting the walls or adding some shelves, then you can probably do it on your own. For something as ambitious as a garage door installation or a room conversion that requires insulation and new walls, you'll likely want to recruit a professional renovation team. Be sure to work with contractors who have experience doing the kind of work you need.

How Much Will It Cost?

Any time you renovate your home, cost is going to be a factor. Hopefully, you'll recoup your investment when it comes time to sell your home. Regardless, be sure you get some reasonable estimates about the anticipated expense, and that you have your payment ready to go.

[See: 15 Mudroom Ideas for Your Home]

What Will You Do While the Remodel Is Happening?

If you have a remodeling project that takes more than a day or two, then you'll probably need to find space to temporarily keep all the items that are normally kept in the garage. Your car may have to stay in the driveway, a lawnmower and other yard tools may have to stay on the back patio and more fragile stored items should be brought into the house. This can present an inconvenience, and while it's not an insurmountable issue, it's definitely something to think about before your remodeling effort is underway.

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7 Things to Consider Before Starting a Garage Renovation - Yahoo Finance

A living room has many functions to fulfill in your home. Its the place where we engage our guests. Its where we play games and socialize. Its the room where we unwind and spend quality time with our beloved ones. Some living rooms are used for eating, homework or watching television.

However, like many homeowners commit mistakes while selling a house, they make mistakes when it comes to revamping a living room. Some opt for unnecessary massive changes. Some are not aware of the expenses. Some choose the wrong contractors.

That being said, if you manage the renovation smoothly, it can be a great investment you make in your home. So before opting for a remodeling, go through this list of top living room renovation mistakes you should avoid.

When you opt for professional help, one of the first things you need to do is get estimates from a handful ofremodeling contractors. Once you get the quote, it can be tempting to choose the lowest one to save some money. But that low cost is less likely to give you quality work. A contractor may be cutting corners or utilizing low-quality materials.

Always look for the common numbers on all estimates. If theres a number that keeps occurring, this likely the real cost. If you feel caught between the two same options, choose the one whom you feel most comfortable with.

Many of us might think to do it on their own to save money, thanks to the renovation shows on TV and DIY blogs on the Internet. But renovation is a complicated task, requiring skills and experience. You might end up with a stained floor if you paint the walls inappropriately. You might damage the walls in order to install some shelves over there. The guesswork can put you in trouble and mess. Therefore, it is better if you leave remodeling jobs to professionals.

What to do with this old furniture? This thing bothers us when it comes to deciding upon the living room furniture. Its okay if you can afford new furniture. Otherwise, you can revamp your living room furniture rather than tossing them into the trash. You can give them a whole new look with some nice upholstery. Moreover, paint can give them a fresh lease of life.

Lets admit it. Sometimes we take a backseat and let others decide for our home renovation. A designer might not agree with your way of remodeling. Then there is a store employee who comes up with their own idea. Or your friend criticizes your choice of colors. Although some of these ideas might be right, dont let them steer you towards something thats not what your heart is set on.

Also, you shouldnt let the frustration caused by the project delays to accept undesired changes.

You can source design ideas from the issues of Interior Design, Dwell and Architectural Digest. However, a magazine-idea cant replace professional help. Interior design for your living room goes beyond what rug would look great with what sofa. Its all about building a functional and attractive space that can fit your lifestyle.

What is the optimal design solution if your living room is always packed with people? Is it possible to achieve a chick living room with limited resources? How to create a spacious room with low ceilings?

A professional designer also helps you fixing or downplaying the unattractive elements of your room and accentuating its attractive features.

A renovation might be looking simple and under your budget on the paper. However, you should be ready for unexpected costs. Maybe the contractor digs through the walls just to find damaged electrical wires. Or there might be termite damage behind the TV cabinet. What about those structural water damages that are hidden until you tear into your walls and floor?

The older the property, the complicated the job and the more walls or ceiling youll be digging through, the greater the risk of ending up with hidden problems that can ambush your renovation budget.

Therefore, set aside at 10-15% more than the estimate you have got from your contractor. If you cant afford to put some money into a reserve, see if you can get the work done with less expensive materials.

Make sure to have a thorough, written plan from your contractor before you start work. The plan should include everything, from project summary, architects plan, designers plan, deadline and details like tile and paint. This plan will keep you on the top as well as help you avoid unexpected service charges later.

So these are some living room remodeling mistakes you should avoid. What do you think? Drop your opinion to the comment box given below.

Author Bio: Jennifer is an editor and author at nyrentownsell A leading real estate company in New York.

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7 Mistakes To Avoid While Renovating Your Living Room - RecentlyHeard.com

Whether you're renovating so you can sell your home for top dollar in the future or are flipping a house for a near-term profit, it's important to identify the home renovations with the best return on investment. The following home improvement projects run the gamut from moderately expensive to very costly, but according to Remodeling Magazine's annual Cost vs. Value report, here's where it pays to put your money.

Anyone with an older garage knows all too well that older doors can stick, jam, or just plain look banged-up and unsightly. The average garage door replacement job costs $3,611, and the average cost recouped for that project is $3,520, representing 97.5% of that initial investment. That's a pretty good deal.

While you can replace a garage door yourself, you may be better off hiring a contractor, especially if you're not experienced with that sort of task. Because garage doors are heavy, cumbersome, and tension-loaded, the risk of injury is somewhat high if you're installing one solo.

The nicer your home's exterior, the more curb appeal it will have, and that's something potential buyers are apt to notice and appreciate. The average cost to install manufactured stone veneer (which is fake stone thats made to look like the real thing -- more expensive natural stone) is $8,907, though your home's size will play a big role in determining your total expense. The average amount recouped for this project, meanwhile, is $8,449, representing 94.9% of your initial investment. Generally, this sort of project is something youll need a contractor for unless youre experienced in doing it yourself.

One of the most important home improvement projects you can make is updating your kitchen. Many buyers consider the kitchen the heart of the home, and sinking money into new countertops, nice-looking cabinetry, and energy-efficient appliances could spell the difference between commanding top dollar for your home when it's time to sell or getting less money for it.

The average cost of a mid-range kitchen remodel is $22,507, of which you'll recoup $18,123, or 80.5%. If you're flipping a house, it definitely pays to focus on updating its kitchen, and if you're renovating a home you still plan to live in, a kitchen overhaul could not only be a great return on investment, but be a source of enjoyment for you for years.

Keep in mind that you may be able to tackle certain components of a kitchen remodel yourself. For example, if youre refacing cabinets rather than replacing them, thats work you can do somewhat easily. The same holds true for installing new cabinet hardware. But when it comes to hauling and hooking up appliances or replacing countertops, you may want to hire a professional.

Outdoor living tends to be important to buyers, which is why a wooden deck addition is something worth considering for your home or a home youre flipping. The average cost of putting one on is $13,333, while the average recoup is $10,083, representing 75.6% of the cost.

That said, wooden decks are harder to maintain than decks made of composite material, and while they're cheaper to install, you'll need to weigh those savings against the potential work involved if you're doing home renovations on a property you still intend to live in. If you're flipping a home, consider that a composite deck could be a selling point to buyers who don't want a maintenance-heavy property.

Keep in mind that composite decks have a lower recoup value, percentage-wise, than wooden decks. The average cost to install one is $19,150, with a recoup percentage of 69.1% -- still a decent return on investment, but not as high as that of wooden decks.

Installing a deck is something you can do yourself if youre handy, but an elevated deck may be a job best left for professionals. And remember, there are always weather-related constraints to contend with when dealing with outdoor projects, so keep that in mind when making your decision.

Earlier, we talked about the importance of curb appeal. If your home's siding is damaged and worn, replacing it could be a smart financial move. The average cost to do so is $16,036, of which you'll recoup $12,119, on average, representing 75.6% of your initial outlay. Though its possible to replace siding yourself, it can be a time- and labor-intensive job, so you may want to consider outsourcing it.

Whether you're renovating a home you'd like to continue living in or are fixing up a home to sell quickly, it's important to understand which updates offer the best return on investment. As such, the above upgrades may be the best way to spend your money if your goal is to command top dollar for that property, whether immediately or in the future.

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Home Renovations With the Best Return on Investment - Motley Fool