SCOTTS VALLEY Half a dozen volunteers sit at fold-out tables or lean against the countertops at campaign headquarters, cell phones pressed to their ears, their voices echoing against the hot pink walls that once housed a now-shuttered yogurt shop on Mount Hermon Road.

Members of Save Our Schools Scotts Valley have been in full-blown campaign mode for the last two months, after Scotts Valley Unified School District officials filed paperwork with the county elections office to place a parcel tax measure on the June 5 ballot. Their voices remain calm, but it's a facade that masks the urgency behind their message.

Their schools are depending on them, they only have four weeks left, and they need to reach as many of the 12,500 registered voters in the district's boundaries as possible.

If passed, the Measure K parcel tax would be in effect for three years starting July 1, tacking on an extra $48 to property tax bills each year with exemptions for contiguous parcels and anyone receiving Supplemental Security Income. It would raise up to $1 million through 2014-15, just enough to keep from having to lay off more teachers and cut more programs.

The state could cut more than $1 million out of next year's district budget, said campaign head Derek Timm, who has two daughters enrolled at Vine Hill Elementary School. If that happens, and we don't have a parcel tax, and the district doesn't come up with additional funding sources to help stabilize

It's not yet clear how much funding the district will receive from federal, state and local sources in 2012-13. But tentative figures presented in late March showed revenue of about $15 million, a drop of more than $2 million from this year.

That figure does not include income from a statewide, education-related tax initiative backed by Gov. Jerry Brown for November's general election. Vickie Clark, who heads the district's business office, has to prepare the budget as though the initiative will fail, triggering cuts of $370 in per-pupil spending.

So far, Timm said, voters have expressed support for Measure K. No one filed an opposition statement with the county elections division.

Only property owners will pay the tax, though the majority of them do not have school-aged children. Timm said many would support the measure because property values are higher in areas with good schools.

I think that's the big benefit that property owners can miss out on if they don't think about it in those terms, he said.

Read more:
Parcel tax supporters out in full force: Effort aims to garner support for Measure K

AVON Chamberlin Granite Co. of Torrington, CT, purveyors of monuments, granite countertops, kitchens and baths, has named John Yates, Certified Kitchen & Bath Designer, its new Senior Designer, to head up its brand new kitchen and bath showroom on Rte. 44 in Avon center. This new location is operating under the name, Chamberlin Kitchen & Bath LLC.

Opening the new showroom in Avon will greatly bolster our efforts to cater to Hartford Countys middle and higher-end kitchen and bath needs, noted Tyson Chamberlin, CEO of Chamberlin Kitchen & Bath. Johns thirty-four years of experience in the kitchen and bath industry will strongly benefit our design team, sales and services, he added.

Prior to joining Chamberlin Kitchen & Bath, Yates designed for Ducci Kitchens in Goshen, Platon Design Group in Englewood, NJ and before that he owned Maine Kitchen Design in Yarmouth, Maine for nearly ten years, where Yates designs were chosen to represent the state of Maine for the nationally recognized book, Leading Kitchen & Bath Designers. Originally from Springfield, MA, Yates was the lead designer for Kitchens by Chapdelaine in East Longmeadow, MA for more than sixteen years. During his many years at Chapdelaine, he became the top sales/designer in the Northeast for Plain & Fancy Cabinetry five years in a row. Ironically, and now coming full cycle, Yates has returned near to his old stomping grounds and Plain & Fancy is one of Chamberlins top cabinet lines.

Mr. Yates kitchen and bath designs have been displayed in numerous newspapers and magazines, both locally and nationally and, among other things, he earned a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology from American International College in Springfield, MA.

He and his wife, Eileen Kindl, live in New Hartford, CT.

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Torrington company expands into Avon

MEMPHIS, TN -

(WMC-TV) The renovation of the Vasco Smith Administration Building downtown is projected to cost Shelby County some $20 million.

But officials claim they're not trying to outfit it like a Cadillac.

"No sir," said County Engineer Tom Needham. "Not like a Cadillac at all."

Needham showed Action News 5 the plans and said added expense will be spared.

"Let's say more like a Chevrolet with leather," said Needham.

But one man familiar with the project e-mailed us his concerns about the costly countertops specified in the plans. They're to be made of a sustainable recycled glass material called Icestone. The architect calls for a pattern known as "snow flurry" to top reception counters in the lobby areas on all 11 floors.

"It could run from $85 to $150 dollars a square foot," said Needham.

That is significantly more than the quartz or granite countertops on display at Premier Countertops in Olive Branch.

"I would say your average pricing for granite is gonna be anywhere from $60 to $70 a square foot," said Carol Jameson. "And that's nice granite."

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Expensive countertops on taxpayers dime

Washington DC (PRWEB) April 28, 2012

Maryland Granite Countertops has made some significant changes to the way customers interact with the leading fabricator of granite countertops in the Washington DC metropolitan areas website. In addition to upgrading their photo galleries to increase your imagination when exploring different designs, they have added a news and blogs page which is constantly being updated with news and trends relevant to the granite countertops industry.

Customers want more ideas; more variety; better quality; excellent service; and of course the inevitable special one on one attention and we want to give this to our clients says owner of Maryland Granite Countertops.

With the economy the way it is still hurting people are taking advantage of housing prices and investing in their new homes. Houses are very affordable right now, and you can find a home for up to 50% or more of its original value. This leaves home owners with plenty of money to spend remodeling and tweaking their new homes to the way they dreamed of, and we want to help them imagine the perfect home to live in through our online tools says chief marketing officer at Maryland Granite.

Kitchen countertops are one of the most common remodeling jobs for new and especially first time home owners. I dont know why the phenomenon laughs Rick from Maryland Granite but this is just how it works; people just want to have a beautiful looking kitchen this may prove that house wives are after all in charge in the house smiles Rick

Maryland Granite is located in Beltsville Maryland right outside the 495 Beltway that surrounds our capital city. Leaders in the natural stone industry with over 15 years of solid strong reputation, they have been able to gain an edge on the manufacturing and fabrication of countertops. You can reach them at 301-605-1168 ###

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Maryland Granite Announces Major Revamp

HONOLULU -

Granite countertops, energy star appliances and an organic rooftop farm. Sounds like a new high rise development? No. It's a low-income housing apartment in Kalihi. And an example of future affordable housing projects done with private and public partnerships. Ceremonies today marked what could become a template for the future of affordable housing in the islands.

Seattle-based Vitus Group bought the Banyan Street Manor Apartments last May for $8.5 million and spent just over $3 million dollars to renovate the units.

"We didn't spend a ton of money, but what we did was work things wisely," said Makani Maeva, Director of Vitus Group.

And the result is a dream come true for 20-year resident Oceana Falaniko.

"My new refrigertor, that can hold more food." said Falaniko about her new appliances. "My new vanity mirror, when I open the lights it makes me feel like I'm in Hollywood."

Each of the 55 units now has energy saving appliances, solid wood kitchen cabinets and granite counters. On the outside the largest "living walls" in the state. Reducing building temperatures by up to 10-degrees. And the building built in 1976 is now the first affordable housing project to have a USDA certified organic rooftop farm. It also has a protected urban play area just for kids. Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle says he hopes to see more of this type of result from private and public partnerships.

"What happens when you have something like this is it comes into a community that had some problems in the past. It revitalizes it," said Mayor Peter Carlisle. "It takes into account the kind of halo effect of this type of investment can create."

And for Oceana, the improvements have changed her life.

" It's made this place more of a place that we can take pride in." Oceana commented. "Where it's not just a dwelling place or an apartment where you rent a hotel room. There's no meaning to it, this is my home."

Excerpt from:
Public housing getting modern renovations with private help

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. (WJBK) -- Kitchen upgrades are a popular home improvement project and many people want granite countertops. However, when those countertops are made, a lot of granite actually goes to waste. A local business owner has found a way to recycle it.

A typical work day for David Popp involves stamping tons of solid stone. He's the owner of EcoGranite in Farmington Hills, the first stone recycling business in metro Detroit and one of the first in the country.

Popp turns leftover granite from home construction projects into pavers, thin stone veneer and even gravel.

"It's stones brought from all over the world for its natural beauty to the United States, and then it's made into a countertop," he said. "About 40 percent of it just on a countertop production goes back to a landfill."

However, Popp figured out how to recycle it and reuse it instead. He said he couldn't stand to all this beautiful stone going to waste. It took him eight years to develop the right technique using heavy machinery to cut the granite into various perfect shapes.

His pavers start at $3.85 a square foot.

The company even recycles very small pieces. They grind them up into different grades of gravel.

"Everything that comes into the shop we try to make into a useable product," Popp explained.

So, where does all the heavy granite come from? Popp hauls tons and tons of it away for local companies free of charge in exchange for the use of the material.

He said granite is about three times stronger than a standard brick paver. The natural stone doesn't degrade and should last forever.

See the rest here:
Local Company Recycles Granite Waste

Q: My husband is building me a special room exclusively for laundry. This may sound crazy, but I always wanted a laundry area that looks like a showplace! I'm planning on nice cabinets, big windows and even a flat-screen TV. With all this going on, I don't want to install a plastic tub for my laundry sink. What's the latest trend in nice laundry sinks? -- Joanne, New York state

A: Laundry rooms are quickly becoming "second kitchens" in many homes. From the new colorful and stylish washer/dryer units to custom granite countertops, the true "laundry room" has arrived!

Included in such rooms are places for folding clothes, air-drying racks and large sinks for soaking delicate clothes. These new-style cast-iron laundry sinks are commonly called "utility sinks" and can be wall-mounted or self-rimming countertop sinks. Either way, they offer a classic design with an integrated back splash and/or apron to help control splashing. Because they are of enameled cast iron, these sinks also resist scratching and staining for years of beauty.

The faucet you choose will also enhance the beauty of your utility sink. Utility faucets are available in many different finishes, and feature ergonomic handles. So your new laundry sink and faucet will not only look nice, but it will feel nice as well. Master plumber Ed Del Grande is the author of "Ed Del Grande's House Call," the host of TV and Internet shows, and a LEED green associate. Visit eddelgrande.com or write eadelg@cs.com. Always consult local contractors and codes.

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Ask the Plumber: Going upscale with a laundry sink

The Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 Grill/Griddle features two reversible cooking plates with independent temperature controls.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner how you want it.

Appliances don't always cooperate with what's on the menu.

Kitchen countertops have become landscapes populated by quick and easy meal-makers that can provide an almost endless variety of food options. Still, despite the great abundance of options to choose from, that doesn't mean a particular appliance knows how to adjust to the situation. Unless, of course, it is adjustable.

The Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 Grill/Griddle (model number 38546) eliminates either/or choices by being able to be configured into exactly what is required for the meal. Featuring two separately reversible plates, the countertop appliance is capable of being all grill, all griddle, or a little of both.

Each half of the appliance has its own temperature control. The 180 square inches of cooking area are delineated by a center channel that collects grease into a tray underneath. Suitable for breakfast, lunch, and dinner operation, the versatile cooker makes it easy to prepare all ingredients with a minimum of hassle, from pancakes in the morning to grilled burgers at night. When it's all said and done, the nonstick cooking grids pop out and can be cleaned in the dishwasher, making it easy to get the grill and griddle combo ready to do it all again the next day.

See the article here:
Grill, griddle or both

Paint. Flooring. Household cleaners. Even cabinetry and countertops. We have learned how a lot of the things in your home can be made greener and more environmentally friendly. In this edition of Your Home we explore a few burgeoning developments in the green industry. First, we start with where you spend a good chunk of your night.

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Karen Totino, Green Conscience Owner said, We have a great selection of organic beds that are made from organic latex, cotton and wool. The difference is the natural materials but also that they are not treated with any chemicals.

If you're in the market for a new place to lay your head at night and want to do your small part for the environment, you can invest in green bedding and still get a mattress that is comfortable for you.

It's built with three layers and each layer can be soft, medium or firm so it is fully customizable and it also can be split on each side so each person can customize their bed.

While you may not have thought about using green and organic materials for your bedding, but you may have thought of re-doing your walls in a greener way. Well, here is a new product called clay plaster.

Totino said, It's a beautiful wall finish. A lot of people are struck by the aesthetic, the texture, but it's actually doing something for you while it is on the wall. It's absorbing moisture, it is constantly interacting with the environment, buffering the humidity. By stabilizing the humidity, we improve our indoor air quality, we're controlling mold and mildew.

Besides coming in a variety of colors, the clay plaster can also be uninstalled and easily fixed.

Most other plasters like lime plasters or gypsum plasters are very difficult to repair once you have a crack or is damaged. This is very simple to repair and very easy to clean, said Totino.

As with any home improvement product, you'll want to do your research to see what the best choice for your home is. For more information about green products, visit http://www.green-conscience.com, americanclay.com, and http://www.savvyrest.com.

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Your Home: Organic, green bedrooms

Is this sandwich worth $1 million? (Pillsbury.com) When you imagine whats entailed for a Pillsbury Bake-Off contestant to make it to the final round of 100, do countertops strewn with blue paper curlicues from crescent dinner roll packaging come to mind? Hours or years of testing, friends focus groups and lots of scribbling to determine the most delicious-sounding recipe title? Maybe a gingham apron?

Springfield resident Samantha Miller cops to none of that. Shes our hometown pick to root for this weekend, when shell make her Chicken Cacciatore-Cheese Bread Sandwiches at the 45th annual event, held again this year in Orlando, Fla. More than $1 million in cash and GE appliances are at stake.

Samantha Miller of Springfield, representing the Washington area in this years Pillsbury Bake-Off. (Pillsbury.com) Puerto Rican-born Miller, 43, is an Army wife and mother of two children, ages 9 and 11. She teaches in Fairfax Countys adult community education program and puts a meal on the table just about every night; convenience items are a regular part of her repertoire.

Shed watched a TV show about the famous cooking competition, which went into biennial mode after 1978. So it was in her head as she scanned her pantry and fridge for dinner ingredients one night last April, grabbing a tube of refrigerated French bread dough, a store-bought rotisserie chicken, canned tomatoes and chicken broth. Contest rules require at least one Pillsbury product (from a list of 11) and one product from a contest co-sponsor brand (10 to choose from; its not just about the giggling Doughboy any more).

I had planned to make a Mexican dish, she says, but I thought Italian might work better with the bread.

She topped the bread dough with mozzarella cheese and dried basil before it went in the oven, then made a sofrito and stirred in shredded chicken, Italian seasoning and thyme. She split the just-baked loaf lengthwise, spooned the filling over one half, then topped it with the half smothered in melty cheesy and cut the thing into portions. Served it with a fruit salad.

Her family liked it, so she uploaded it into the Dinner Made Easy category. Miller made the cut. It was the first time shed entered any kind of cooking contest. Since then, shes only made the recipe probably three or four times, she says. Once submitted, it cant be tweaked. Finalists have been kept in the loop via a Pillsbury portal online so they know what to expect in terms of setup.

Shes headed to Florida this weekend, flying solo, as it were, without family to cheer her on. Itll be like a little vacation for me, Miller says.

Whats her game plan for Sunday, the big cooking day, with cameras and interviews and Martha Stewart on hand to emcee? Ill make my dish two times for the judges, then one more time, maybe, Miller says. It tastes pretty good. But I worry that by the time the judges taste it, it might be cold. Most people are worried about that, I think. If she wins her category alone, she could receive $8,000 in cash and prizes.

Even sprinkled with first-timers fairy dust and facing a potential, pre-tax $50,000 for the next 20 years (which is how the winners $1 million gets allotted), Miller remains level-headed about her prospects. Last years winner was sweet: Mini Ice Cream Cookie Cups. Finalists recipes have been on the Pillsbury Web site for a while, and hers has thus far earned a rating of 2.5 stars (out of 5), with the following comment: An easy and delicious sandwich! It came together quickly and we all went back for seconds. I will definitely make this recipe again.

See the article here:
D.C. area finalist heads to Pillsbury Bake-Off