VAN NUYS, CA--(Marketwire -06/11/12)- Caesarstone announces the launch of a "lifestyle" platform for their trade partners to connect with consumers. The Interior Collective will be an interactive site rich with compelling content and conversation that is centered on the inspiration of design. The site will feature various social media-driven photo and video contests on an ongoing basis for user-generated content. Submissions will highlight projects completed with Caesarstone, as well as consumer driven kitchen remodel ideas and wish lists.

"Caesarstone has always been committed to finding innovative ways to support our professional partners and the consumer we all serve. We take great pride in our ability to create a real opportunity for them to connect, share and participate in a meaningful way. We are thrilled to present The Interior Collective and we look forward to its growth, evolution and success," said Karen Schakarov, VP Marketing, Caesarstone USA.

The Interior Collective will launch with a contest geared towards design professionals. Beginning June 11, professionals will have the chance to login to the Interior Collective, submit a photo, name the color used in a past project and explain how Caesarstone enhanced the overall design for a chance to be featured in ELLE DECOR! Additionally, every week for three weeks, Caesarstone will give away an iPad to one lucky user just for submitting. You can enter the contest by visiting:

http://interiorcollective.com/contests

In addition to the contests there will be a fan engagement element encouraging community members to join the online conversation for chances to win subscriptions of Elle Dcor and House Beautiful.

About Caesarstone USA Caesarstone is the original quartz countertops and surfaces manufacturer. Caesarstone is headquartered in Southern California with sales divisions and major distribution centers in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Colorado, Miami, New York, Atlanta, St. Louis and Dallas. Caesarstone's Independent Distributors are located in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Philadelphia, North Carolina, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Arizona and Utah. Caesarstone's premium quartz countertops and surfaces complement any design, from traditional to contemporary, for both home and commercial applications. Caesarstone products are available through kitchen and bath retailers, fabricators, architects, designers, builders and distributors nationwide. Offering a Residential Lifetime Warranty, Caesarstone countertops and surfaces are nonporous, stain, scratch and heat resistant. Caesarstone has earned the respected Good Housekeeping Seal from the Good Housekeeping Research Institute and is in compliance with stringent international environmental standards including ISO 14001 (environmental management system), ISO 9002 (quality management standard), and NSF (public health and safety).

Using only sustainable materials, Caesarstone is GREENGUARD certified and is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). For more information about Caesarstone and its products, please visit the company's website at http://www.caesarstoneus.com, or call toll-free 877-9QUARTZ (877-978-2789).

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Caesarstone Launches New Interactive Site and Design Contest

Food-borne diseases strike one in six people in the United States each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Thats about 48 million illnesses, 128,000 hospitalizations, and 3,000 deaths annually. You cant see, smell or taste pathogens in food. So if youre not careful, they can spread throughout your kitchen, and if ingested they can make you sick. Heres what you can do to reduce your risk:

Wash your reusable grocery bags

Youre doing your part for the planet by toting your groceries home in a reusable bag. But research has found that if reusable bags arent washed regularly, they can harbor potentially harmful bacteria. Gerba says that increases the risk of contaminating the food they carry. It also makes it more likely that bacteria will be transferred to your hands and your kitchen countertops. Gerba suggests washing reusable bags in hot water, either by hand or machine.

Refrigerate food right away

Always refrigerate or freeze meat, poultry, eggs and other perishables as soon as you bring them home. That helps slow the growth of harmful bugs in raw food, as long as your fridge runs between 32 and 40 degrees and your freezer stays at zero or lower. Toss any suspect items, and wash your hands after handling them and the trash. Use an appliance thermometer to check temperatures, and arrange food so that cold air can circulate throughout the fridge. Thaw, marinate and store raw food in leak-proof containers below produce and other ready-to-eat food.

Disinfect your countertops

Avoid placing anything on them that might transfer germs, including your purse or backpack. When handling food, take care not to splash liquids from raw meat and poultry onto countertops. After preparing raw food, mop up spills with paper towels, clean kitchen surfaces with hot soapy water, and wash your hands and anything else you might have touched.

Clean your sink

Drains, faucet handles and sponges are among the more heavily contaminated areas of the kitchen, according to Gerba and others who test for potentially harmful bacteria. To avoid spreading germs to food youre preparing, clean the sink with products that are meant for kitchen surfaces and that are fortified with bleach, a powerful bacteria killer, especially after preparing raw meat, poultry or fish. Put sponges in the dishwasher or washing machine at least every few days. Wash dishcloths in hot water, or use paper towels.

Use separate cutting boards

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Careful steps in the kitchen can cut risk of illness from food-borne diseases

Linda Roth Conte wanted to expand her home to create a dream kitchen, but she didn't have the money. But she was desperate to do something.

"I jury-rigged the place," Conte says, recounting how she had used thick tape to bridge the sizable gaps between her countertops and the appliances.

But sometimes when she cooked, the tape melted and only glue remained. And she got bruises from pots and pans sticking out at odd angles.

Last year, without adding an inch of space or new appliances, she transformed her kitchen with a better floor plan, taller cabinets, sleek lighting and countertops that synched up to her existing appliances.

"I have the same exact space but so much more room to work," says Conte, a Washington, D.C., resident who works in public relations and spent about $25,000 on the remodel.

As the economy improves, many homeowners are showing a renewed interest in renovating their kitchens without breaking the bank.

"This space is once again the real heartbeat of a home, with open design and integration with other living space," Kermit Baker, chief economist for the American Institute of Architects, said in releasing AIA's most recent survey on kitchen and bath trends. He said kitchens fell as a design priority during the nadir of the housing downturn but have since taken on new functions "with dedicated computer areas and recharging stations."

The AIA survey, which covered the fourth quarter of 2011, also found customers want -- in descending order -- renewable flooring materials, a recycling center, universal design, larger pantry space, renewable countertop materials, drinking water filtration systems and natural wood cabinets.

"They all want the kitchen to be the focal point," says Richard Loosle of Washington, D.C.-based Kube Architecture -- even clients who don't cook. He says they no longer ask for a formal dining room, preferring instead to entertain friends in a kitchen that offers comfortable seating and opens to a living area, as well as the outdoors.

Tight budgets are driving decisions, says Debra Toney of Three Week Kitchens/Baths In A Week, a remodeling firm with offices in Denver and North Richland Hills, Texas. She says customers eschew bells and whistles for simpler appliances and cabinets without moldings.

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It's Surprisingly Affordable To Revamp Your Kitchen Right Now

Terrace Associates / Blockshopper

A large eat-in kitchen with granite countertops and a center island has stainless steel appliances, glass-front cabinetry and large skylights.

475 Upland Road, Redwood City - $1.55 million

The basics: A mix of old and new, this 1934 bungalow in Cordilleras Heights was rebuilt 11 years ago. Its features include double-pane windows, crown moldings and hardwood, and stone and tile floors.

A brick walkway leads to a columned entrance with double wooden and glass doors. Its center hall has stained wainscoting.

The living room boasts a stone fireplace, a beamed wooden ceiling and French doors that lead outside.

French doors can also be found in the master suite, which features a sunken tub, double sinks set in marble counters, marble flooring and a glass-enclosed shower.

A large eat-in kitchen with granite countertops and a center island has stainless steel appliances, glass-front cabinetry and large skylights. A kitchen nook with a hutch has sliding-glass doors to a patio and fenced backyard.

The detached two-car garage includes a 12-by-17-foot bonus room that could provide an office, art studio or extra storage.

It includes a half-bath. The driveway can accommodate RV and boat parking.

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Updated but maintaining original features, Upland Road bungalow lists for $1.55 million

In the Planet Clark trailer, you can rap your knuckles on countertops made of paper, inspect a heat-recovery ventilator and ask questions about green building standards.

You have several opportunities in the next few months to explore the 20-foot trailer, which is bursting with information about environmental sustainability.

It will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 23 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 24 at the Recycled Arts Festival in Esther Short Park, on Eighth Street between Columbia and Esther streets in downtown Vancouver.

It will be open July 4 at the Felida Fourth of July Children's Parade and Celebration in Felida Park off Northwest 36th Avenue and 122nd Street.

And from Aug. 3-12, it will be stationed at the Clark County Fair, 17402 N.E. Delfel Road.

The trailer is operated by Planet Clark, a partnership among three departments within Clark County government to educate people about such topics as building permits, stormwater rules and energy efficiency. Clark Public Utilities was among 20 sponsors that helped create the trailer, which first hit the road in April 2011. Since then, about 5,400 people have toured it.

Planet Clark staff members came up with the idea for the trailer full of exhibits after spending a year sitting in booths at home shows.

"We were handing out pens and brochures and being very boring," said Mike Selig, the county's energy-efficiency services coordinator. "So we bought the trailer. We felt it would be really effective to get into the community and have hands-on activities."

The county bought the trailer for $10,000, and sponsors contributed an estimated $25,000 in labor and materials, Selig said.

Selig is excited about several recent additions to the trailer. One new display is the Daikin Altherma, a domestic heating and hot water system that delivers between 3 and 5 kilowatt hours of usable heat for every 1 kilowatt it uses. Another new addition is the LifeBreath Heat Recovery Ventilating system, which pumps fresh air into the home and stale air out, all while retaining 80 percent of the heat from the indoor air.

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Energy Adviser: Trailer takes sustainability on the road

Although summer doesn't technically start until June 20, most people consider the summer season to kick off just after Memorial Day. Schools are out and the focus is on enjoying the warm weather and outdoor grilling.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers food safety tips to ensure people have safe and enjoyable meals.

Bacteria can be spread throughout the kitchen and get onto hands, utensils, countertops and food. People in charge of food preparation should wash their hands with warm soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food. Prep areas should also be washed down with soap and hot water.

Fresh fruits and vegetables should be rinsed under running tap water before preparing.

If marinating food before grilling, it should be marinated in the refrigerator, not on the counter. Poultry and cubed meat can be be marinated up to two days in advance of cooking. Beef, veal, pork, lamb roasts, chops and steaks can be safely marinated for up to five days.

Before grilling meat, poultry or seafood, separate it onto its own cutting board, away from fresh produce. Bacteria can be spread by cross-contamination.

After grilling, use a different plate than the one which previously held raw meat or seafood.

Food thermometers should be used to measure the internal temperature of cooked meat. Food is safely cooked when it reaches a high enough internal temperature to kill harmful bacteria that can create food borne illness. Generally, beef, pork, veal and lamb should be cooked to 160 degrees and poultry to 165 degrees. Color is not a reliable indicator of doneness. Fish should be cooked to 145 degrees or until the flesh is opaque and separates easily with a fork.

There's nothing better than a big barbecue feast with leftovers to nibble on later. Large amounts of leftovers should be divided up into shallow containers for quicker cooling in the refrigerator.

Never defrost food at room temperature. Food defrosted in the microwave should be cooked immediately.

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Food safety tips given for summer barbecuing

Quartz Surface Manufacturer Kicks Off National Countertop Makeover Contest

TORONTO, May 31, 2012 /CNW/ - Caesarstone, the original quartz surface manufacturer, officially announced their Countertop Makeover Contest, which kicks off nationally on Thursday, May 31st and will run for eight consecutive weeks.

Consumers are invited to enter the contest by submitting images of their damaged, boring or just plain bad countertops and simply tell them why they'd love a new one. The winner will be selected by a panel of interior designers and will receive a beautiful Caesarstone countertop makeover - a value of up to $10,000.

"If your kitchen needs a face lift, replacing your countertops is a great option", says Domenic Oppedisano, Chief Operations Officer of Caesarstone Canada". A new countertop can help revitalize an older kitchen, or give it a new look and feel - and Caesarstone quartz surfaces are one of the best choices for countertops", says Oppedisano. They are environmentally friendly, stain, scratch and heat resistant, strong and durable, and their minimal maintenance makes these surfaces ideal for kitchen countertops. They also offer a lifetime warranty, so homeowners can rest easy knowing that their investment is protected.

The contest is fresh on the heels of Monday night's episode of Top Chef Canada, where one of the competitors, Carl Heinrich, won his own custom Caesarstone countertop installation during the Quickfire Challenge. Caesarstone is a proud sponsor of the second season of the well-loved series which airs Monday nights at 10PM on Food Network Canada.

For contest details, please visit http://www.caesarstone.ca

About Caesarstone

Caesarstone, the original quartz surface, is a leading supplier of the finest quartz surfaces to the global marketplace. Caesarstone manufactures high-quality quartz slabs for a variety of uses and applications, such as kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities, flooring, wall paneling and more. Their unique variety of colours, patterns and textures, coupled with the brand's incredibly resilient characteristics, is quickly driving the Canadian demand for quartz surfaces and making Caesarstone the preferred choice for kitchen and bathroom countertops.

Annie Zeni Marketing Manager Caesarstone Canada T: 416-479-8437 azeni@caesarstone.ca

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Caesarstone Canada Presents: The Counter Offer

Collection buckets with Aryanna Schneeberg's face sit on countertops of businesses in Campbellsport.

The seven-year-old girl was struck in the back with an arrow while walking on Main Street Sunday evening. She's undergone surgery at Milwaukee's Children's Hospital and is listed in good condition.

What happened to the little girl is the talk of the town and beyond.

"Even in Fond du Lac, where the coverage was there, too, my neighbors were talking about it, too, that poor little girl that got hit by the arrow. So it has made quite a bit of news across probably I think the whole state," Bill Carey from Fond du Lac said.

People tell us it's not only that someone was shot by an arrow that has people talking but who it happened to.

"I thought it was a freaky thing. I mean you don't hear of an arrow just coming out of nowhere and hitting a little girl," Candy Hahn of Campbellsport said.

"I couldn't believe it. Well, you don't think for a town like this, things can happen like this," Keith Boettcher, who also lives in Campbellsport, said.

The randomness of the incident led investigators to offer a reward for help solving this case.

We're told it's an offer that's bringing in leads.

"We've received some support from the community, some information from the community that we're continuing to follow up on," Detective Nate LaMotte of the Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Department said. "And that was the reason that we did it the way we did it right now is that we need to get some stuff out to the community to get them involved in this, because that's what's going to assist in this investigation."

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Girl Shot by Arrow has the Community's Support

MILPITAS, CA--(Marketwire -05/23/12)- The Coyote Creek community by William Lyon Homes will offer buyers two brand new neighborhoods and a prime address in Milpitas, adjacent to one of the bustling Cisco Campuses. The Rows and The Courts have been designed with an impressive display of included features that will underscore the homes' contemporary appeal and value. Architectural style, modern amenities and a great South Bay location will put Coyote Creek on the map in the coming months and now is the time to get on the inside track by registering at Lyoncoyotecreek.com for a multi-media overview; prospective homebuyers can also Like the community on Facebook for the latest updates.

Buyers who appreciate the enduring value of included features will find Coyote Creek's interiors just the right balance of smart planning and contemporary style. The kitchens will be equipped with stainless steel appliances, creating the tone for a more modern environment, while granite countertops will be available in three distinctive shades from warm earthy tones to darker contemporary colors; European shaker styling in natural maple has been selected for the homes' cabinetry. The bathrooms at The Rows and The Courts will exude a bright, clean appearance and will have square edge white matte cultured marble countertops that are easy to maintain, as well as contemporary plumbing fixtures.

"When planning the 14 different floorplan choices at The Rows and The Courts, we took into consideration the lifestyles and expectations of prospective buyers. We determined that a very important factor is the presence of standard amenities that add beauty and value to each home, along with interiors that offer an overall look that is clean and clutter-free with a contemporary flair," said Lesley Pennington, Vice President of Sales for William Lyon Homes. "Today's buyers want new home opportunities that fit their lives and the architectural innovation that has been integrated into each floorplan will reflect those priorities. The availability of one, two and three-level attached designs will accommodate a variety of expectations and value-added features in each design will enhance the consumer experience of Coyote Creek."

The Rows at Coyote Creek will showcase seven townhome designs that will range from approximately 1,198 to 1,788 square feet, with up to three bedrooms plus a den and up to 3.5 bathrooms.

The Courts at Coyote Creek will introduce seven townhome and flat designs that will range from approximately 1,218 to 1,972 square feet of space, with up to four bedrooms plus a den and up to 3.5 bathrooms.

Coyote Creek's resort clubhouse will offer residents a private, convenient facility to exercise, socialize and relax. Homeowners can lounge by the swimming pool or work out in the fitness room, where high-tech cardio machines will each have their own monitors with cable TV, iPod hookups and internet access; the clubhouse will also have public restrooms with a shower. Other amenities will include an outdoor barbecue and stylish outdoor covered living room, plus a fire-pit lounge area, while the club room will have a plasma screen television. The fully equipped kitchen, which will offer residents a great setting for special events, can also be transformed into a studio for yoga classes and other fun activities. Animal lovers will even have access to the pet spa, where the family dog can get washed and pampered. The community will be walking distance to Cerano Park's half basketball court and tennis court, the ideal backdrop for a friendly pick-up game or doubles match with the neighbors.

Coyote Creek's convenient location will offer buyers the opportunity to enjoy a brand new home and live near work, leisure and recreation. Situated in the heart of the South Bay, the community will present residents with easy accessibility to the places they want to go. The 1-880/Milpitas Light Rail Station is less than a mile away, a convenient option for environmentally minded commuters to get to their office at Google's Main Campus in Mountain View or Yahoo headquarters in Sunnyvale. Close proximity to I-680, I-880 and Highway 237 is another benefit for homeowners who travel for business to Black Mountain, the Bay Area and downtown San Jose. Close to home, weekends can be spent unwinding with hikes or mountain bike rides along the adjacent Coyote Creek Trail or shopping and dining at the Great Mall or Milpitas Square.

William Lyon Homes means it when they say that they put themselves into their homes. They build each and every home as if it were their own and have earned a solid track record for constructing homes throughout the West since 1954.

Founded in 1995, Resmark is a leading national private equity firm focused on real estate and powered by core foundational discipline and focus. A fully integrated real estate investment group, The Resmark Companies' divisions -- Resmark Land and Housing, Resmark Apartment Living and Resmark Shopping Centers -- finance, acquire, develop and manage real estate in California and the Western United States and other select major metropolitan markets nationwide.

To learn more about brand new homes in this dynamic location, visit Lyoncoyotecreek.com.

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Standard Elegance Will Highlight Coyote Creek's Sleek Modern Interiors

A partnership involving Quad-City Realtors, home builders, skilled trades contractors and high school students has produced the 13th student-built home in northwest Davenport, replete with hardwood and ceramic flooring, granite countertops and a 10 1/2-foot-long kitchen pantry.

The 2,800-square-foot home at 6214 Fillmore St. was built over the past year by 13 students from the three Davenport public high schools and North Scott High School under the direction of Kirk Hakanson, an employee of Scott Community College.

Two classes of students worked on the house for a total of about six hours a day. Students were involved in every aspect of construction, and did the framing, roofing, siding, trim work and laying of the wood floor essentially by themselves, said Jon Yocum, the Quad-City Area Realtor Association representative.

The students worked alongside skilled tradespeople for the plumbing, electrical, insulation, ceramic, carpet-laying, drywall, masonry, painting and concrete work. That is either because the work must be performed by someone with a license or because it is extremely tricky for beginners to get right working entirely on their own, Yocum said.

For North Scott students Alex Grunder and Garth Larson, framing was the most memorable part of the build.

You could see the whole house just stand up within just a couple of weeks, Larson said.

He took the class because, beginning with his freshman year, he heard what an incredible experience it would be and how the knowledge he gained would help him in the future. So far, that has proven to be true, he said.

He hopes to build his own house someday and will begin classes in June at Scott/Western Illinois University in pursuit of a degree in mechanical engineering.

Everybody should sign up, he said of the class. Its a blast.

Grunder will put his knowledge into practice immediately by working this summer for a home builder. He took the class because he wanted to learn more about how the business works and how contractors get everything organized, he said.

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Quad-City students help build house with 'wow' factors