MK Remodeling, which has built hundreds of decks, says choosing the right contractor for a project is the most important consideration.

Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) March 01, 2012

According to Mike Krakovitz, owner of MK Remodeling, Inc., in Philadelphia, the average lifespan of a wood deck thats been maintained properly is more than 20 years. And composite decks, which require little maintenance, last even longer. Nevertheless, it is estimated that there are millions of decks in the U.S. that are beyond their lifespan and could, in fact, be dangerous.

Krakovitz says the most important consideration when adding or replacing a deck is the hiring of a good contractor. Its critical that people use licensed and insured contractors, he says. And having a contractor who, for example, is factory certified by the manufacturer should also be a consideration. Krakovitzs company is factory certified by a number of composite wood decking manufacturers, such as Trex, TimberTech, and many others.

While Krakovitz installs both wood and composite decks, he says that more and more, people are choosing composites. There are pros and cons to both, he says. Some people, for example, really want the natural, earthy appearance of traditional wood decks. Others like the environmentally friendly idea of composites, which are made from a combination of recycled wood and recycled plastic. And, in fact, some composites come in finishes that mimic wood surfaces.

While composites are generally more expensive than wood, says Krakovitz, They offer significant advantages in many instances. They dont require any special treatments and are relatively easy to maintain.

In sum, whatever type of deck a customer chooses, they should always ask for references and insist on a detailed quote specifying exactly what the contractor is going to do. MK Remodeling has been in business since 2000. But Mike, himself, has been in the construction business for more than 40 years and says he has built upwards of 500 to 600 decks. A customer may be able to get a lower quote, says Krakovitz. But theres usually a reason for that.

To find out more about MK Remodeling, please visit http://www.mksremodeling.com.

About MK Remodeling, Inc.

MK Remodeling, Inc., is a family owned and operated remodeling and restoration company with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. They offer design-build services for additions, kitchens, bathrooms, decks, along with insurance restoration and emergency services for water, fire, and wind damage, and much more. Mike Krakovits, Sr., has more than 40 years experience and has received numerous awards and commendations for his work. He is partners with his son, Michael, who gave up a career as a teacher to become involved in the construction business. His other son, Dan, plans to join the familys business after graduating college. MK Remodeling proudly serves Delaware, Chester, and Montgomery Counties.

Go here to see the original:
Top Philadelphia Deck Builder, MK Remodeling, Announces Tips for Contemporary Deck Construction

A record-setting effort by junior guard Jordan Miller highlighted Pitt-Johnstowns 85-75 victory over visiting Seton Hill University on Tuesday night in an opening-round West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference mens basketball tournament contest at the Sports Center.

Miller hit four of six 3-pointers to finish with 19 points and in the process surpassed the Mountain Cat single-season record for 3-point field goals of 89 previously set in 1999-2000 by Josue Nieves.

This is special, considering all the great shooters that have come through this school, said the Central Cambria graduate, who also moved within 11 points of 1,000 for his career. Im very fortunate to have had great teammates who find me.

The seventh-seeded Mountain Cats (15-13) advanced to the tournament quarterfinals Thursday against the Charleston-Bluefield State winner at the Charleston Civic Center.

We played well from start to finish, said Pitt-Johnstown coach Bob Rukavina. We shared the ball and played with a lot of defensive intensity.

Junior guard Nick Novak scored a game-high 26 for the Mountain Cats, who also got

16 points from Patrick Grubbs.

The 10th-seeded Griffins (11-16) were paced by senior guard Chris Giles with 20 points. Matt Miller added 18 and Andrew Cressler 17 for Seton Hill.

Seton Hill led briefly at 8-5 in the first five minutes on a 3-pointer by David Windsor, but Millers 3-pointer that snapped a 10-10 tie at the 12:31 mark ignited a 10-2 Mountain Cat run capped off by Novaks bucket.

Millers third trey with 2:01 left in the half gave the Mountain Cats a 32-22 edge before Cressler responded with back-to-back 3-pointers. Pitt-

Read this article:
Pitt-Johnstown decks Seton Hill in WVIAC tilt

New Level Partners, training and development design experts, converted the Dental Decks Part II (the flashcard company) to a digital flash card tool used by Dental students around the globe.

Princeton, New Jersey (PRWEB) February 28, 2012

New Level Partners, a Princeton, New Jersey based Learning and Development Solutions provider, created a digital solution for the Dental Decks Part II product. The transformation enables dental students to prepare for their Dental Board Exams by accessing the study cards via laptop browser or iPad tablet.

“Dental Decks has successfully launched our new digital study cards for our Decks Part II product. We were looking for a digital solution, and New Level Partners’ experience and technical expertise was a great match for Decks. We recently released the interactive, online Decks Part II, and the immediate adoption and student feedback has been extremely positive,” states James R. Lozier, D.D.S. President of Dental Decks, Inc., the flashcard company.

The Dental Decks Flashcards were launched in 1992 and are considered to be one of the simplest and most effective study methods available. The original and long standing paper product includes over 1400 comprehensive flashcards. New Level Partners converted the cards along with high resolution graphics to enhance study recognition, word search capability and book marking for ease of use.

“The New Level Partners development team created a dynamic, portable option for students to study for their Dental Boards. The portability of the digital Decks II enables students to study anywhere at any time from either their laptop or tablet. Dr. Lozier has an outstanding product with proven success. The benefits of the new digital decks and the instant online purchasing capabilities bring the Deck’s business into this age of online learning technology,” states Nancy M. Langton, President of New Level Partners, LLC.

About New Level Partners

New Level Partners (NLP), founded in 2001, specializes in training solutions for the Property and Casualty Insurance Industry. NLP designs, develops and delivers customized and interactive training programs, both instructor-led and web-based. A wide range of instructional design tools and technologies ensure NLP’s programs are the most interactive and effective on the market.

###

Dana Johnston
New Level Partners
(703) 609-6440
Email Information

See more here:
New Level Partners LLC Transforms Dental Decks Flash Cards to a Digital Version

The weekend of February 26, 2012, Real Skateboards released another round of fresh products for spring 2012 including a limited edition item. Once I heard about the product release I had to go and check things out for myself. Here's a rundown on what I found:

About the New Boards

There were quite a few great skate decks in the company's product drop. The Hood Watch line of skate decks features graphics that were made for pro skaters Justin Brock, Peter Ramondetta and J.T Aultz. Each of the decks varies in size. The small decks start at lengths of 31.25 inches and cap out at widths of 31.75 inches. The large decks all max out at 32 inches. Additional skate deck lines that were released include the Known Associates II and Sun Burns. You can check out each one for yourself online.

About the Limited Edition Item

In my opinion, the limited edition item is truly special because it comes from the heart. I know that may sound sappy, but it's true. The item was originally created as a memento exclusively for the Real Skateboards team. It consists of a Real Since Day One DVD that has been packaged inside a wood veneer box. The boxed edition includes a photo book and an autographed Gabe Morford print. The company later decided to make a few available to the public though the Actions Realized website and Ebay. You can pick one up for roughly $50. What makes it all the more heartwarming is that proceeds from the sale of the limited edition set will go towards the Johnny Kicks Cancer Foundation.

About the Cause

The Johnny Kicks Cancer Foundation is a nonprofit organization that has been working towards a cure for childhood leukemia since 2009. If you have some time, you should check out its website. A word of warning though, the foundation's back story will tear at your soul. At least it did mine. The organization was created in the memory of a young skater by the name of Johnny Romano, who succumbed to cancer in the fall of 2008.

Killeen Gonzalez has a history of following the sport and interviewing pro skaters.

More from this contributor:

Pro Skateboarders Celebrating a Birthday in March

Closure of the Skateboard Museum in Germany a Possibility

Tony Hawk Fans Have Chance to Win Meeting With Pro Skater

Billabong's Financial Woes Impacts Surfing Community

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.

Visit link:
Real Skateboards Releases New Boards and Limited Edition Item

Embattled drilling technology developer Coretrack will be looking for opportunities to either merge with or buy other companies once it picks up the pieces from losing its key asset.

Chief executive Bernie Kelly said $11 million of Globe Drill equipment would be auctioned off in four to six weeks as part of its moves to wind down the subsidiary.

Coretrack is selling off the assets after inventor Warren Strange private company's Strange Investments terminated a licence agreement for the experimental GT3000 drill rig Globe Drill had been developing.

The company, chaired by former WA Liberal leader Matt Birney, has sued Strange Investments for damages and lost earnings.

Mr Kelly said Coretrack was also preparing to vacate its leased Bibra Lake headquarters.

He said the sell-off would leave the company in a position to consider merger or acquisition proposals.

In the meantime, Coretrack would be focusing on commercialising its remaining technology, a core sample testing device.

The investment group that controls the company's biggest shareholding yesterday moved to shore up Coretrack's financial position ahead of the asset sales.

Cygnet Capital took over $2 million worth of Coretrack-issued convertible notes that were due to expire yesterday and extended them for another two years.

"I basically see it as a bank loan," Mr Kelly said. Coretrack had about $3 million in the bank, he said.

The company's share price has fluctuated dramatically since the loss of the drill rig became known earlier this month.

Yesterday they recovered by 5 per cent to close at 2¢.

Go here to see the original:
Coretrack clears decks after losing key asset

Restaurateurs along Main Street have less than a month to decide whether they want to join the smorgasbord of dining decks on the street.

City Hall has set a March 23 deadline for restaurants to file applications to be allowed to set up a dining deck. The deadline applies to restaurants that have not had decks before and those that are renewing permits.

At most, officials will approve 12 dining decks in 2012. Permits were issued last year to nine restaurants covering the 2011 and 2012 seasons, lasting from May 1 until Oct. 30 each year.

If all nine of the restaurants already holding permits build dining decks this year, City Hall would have three permits available to newcomers. Only eight dining decks will be allowed to remain standing during the Park City Kimball Arts Festival, however, meaning that some would need to be removed during the early August event.

Staffers must approve a permit allowing the deck itself while the Park City Council must agree to a lease that allows a deck to occupy space on a public roadway.

Francisco Astorga, the City Hall planner who is handling the applications, said midweek he had not heard chatter that there will be additional restaurants seeking approvals to set up dining decks.

The 2012 season will be the third in which City Hall allows the dining decks, which are built atop the street and jut out a few feet from the sidewalk.

"I think they were successful last year, using a space that was underutilized," Astorga said, adding, "People enjoy dining outdoors. They will look for restaurants that offer such amenities."

Main Street leaders lobbied City Hall to allow the decks as Park City continued to suffer amid the recession. Main Street sees the decks as an enticement for diners and as a means to keep the street competitive with other shopping, dining and entertainment districts. The decks are oftentimes packed.

Alison Butz, the executive director of the Historic Park City Alliance, a business group that represents Main Street and nearby streets, said she planned to send the City Hall application for the decks to restaurants this week. Butz said she does not anticipate each of the 12 permits will be taken this year.

Butz said the decks have become popular in the two years they have been on Main Street, mentioning that diners like to people watch as they eat their meals.

"You're seeing more people outside of the buildings," she said, adding, "To see more people on the street adds to that vibrant nature."

For more information, contact Astorga at City Hall. His phone number is 615-5064. His e-mail address is fastorga@parkcity.org.

Read the original:
Main Street dining decks: up to 12 will be approved this year

By DON DARE
6 On Your Side Reporter

GATLINBURG (WATE) - A Gatlinburg chalet owner received a big surprise recently. The decks on his unit were torn down by mistake.

Bill Smith couldn't believe his eyes. The decks to his chalet were taken down when he was away for about three hours on Monday, February 13.

"They took all that off, tore it down and threw it off the bank. They tore this floor, the handrails and the steps and had it thrown everywhere," he said.

Bill has owned the three-story chalet, called Bill's Hideaway in the heart of Gatlinburg, for 10 years. There are three suites in the building that looks over the city. It's been a money maker when vacationers could sit outside on the porch.

"The deck is part of the atmosphere here. Sit on the deck, listen to the music in the city. But with the deck gone, it's tough to rent," Bill said.

He showed 6 On Your Side pictures of how the place looked when he returned from shopping. "They just threw the debris on the bank, left all the nails exposed which was a safety hazard," he said.

At first, Bill had no idea who had torn the deck down. But a neighbor had some information.

"Finally, I got the contractor here." They said, "The GPS sent us here." However, his chalet is clearly marked as number 151. The crew was supposed to go to 145.

The chalet at number 145 is next door to the building Bill owns. He wonders how anyone could have missed the mailbox with the address on it right in front of his unit. He filed a police report in Gatlinburg.

"at this point, I'm losing business and I'm out my deck, two decks as a matter of fact," Bill said.

Robinson Remodeling of Sevierville is the contractor that made the costly mistake.

Chad Robinson was working in Kentucky when he spoke with 6 On Your Side. "We were supposed to go to the house next door. We accidentally tore it off the wrong house," he said.

"His place is 151," I said. "How could you have missed his house?" Robinson told us the same thing he told Bill. "Because the GPS brought us to it."

Bill said at first, Robinson told him he wanted to use some of the old lumber to rebuild the deck. However, Bill objected and Robinson revised that plan.

"We're going to build him a brand new deck," Robinson said. "We agreed to that."

Bill has received the signed agreement. He says Robinson Remodeling agreed to rebuild the decks to code at their cost. The job will begin a week from now and it should take three days to complete.

If you have a consumer issue, call the 6 On Your Side Hotline at 865-633-5974 or email ddare@wate.com.

Read this article:
Contractor demolished Gatlinburg chalet deck by mistake

By DON DARE
6 On Your Side Reporter

GATLINBURG (WATE) - A Gatlinburg chalet owner received a big surprise recently. The decks on his unit were torn down by mistake.

Bill Smith couldn't believe his eyes. The decks to his chalet were taken down when he was away for about three hours on Monday, February 13.

"They took all that off, tore it down and threw it off the bank. They tore this floor, the handrails and the steps and had it thrown everywhere," he said.

Bill has owned the three-story chalet, called Bill's Hideaway in the heart of Gatlinburg, for 10 years. There are three suites in the building that looks over the city. It's been a money maker when vacationers could sit outside on the porch.

"The deck is part of the atmosphere here. Sit on the deck, listen to the music in the city. But with the deck gone, it's tough to rent," Bill said.

He showed 6 On Your Side pictures of how the place looked when he returned from shopping. "They just threw the debris on the bank, left all the nails exposed which was a safety hazard," he said.

At first, Bill had no idea who had torn the deck down. But a neighbor had some information.

"Finally, I got the contractor here." They said, "The GPS sent us here." However, his chalet is clearly marked as number 151. The crew was supposed to go to 145.

The chalet at number 145 is next door to the building Bill owns. He wonders how anyone could have missed the mailbox with the address on it right in front of his unit. He filed a police report in Gatlinburg.

"at this point, I'm losing business and I'm out my deck, two decks as a matter of fact," Bill said.

Robinson Remodeling of Sevierville is the contractor that made the costly mistake.

Chad Robinson was working in Kentucky when he spoke with 6 On Your Side. "We were supposed to go to the house next door. We accidentally tore it off the wrong house," he said.

"His place is 151," I said. "How could you have missed his house?" Robinson told us the same thing he told Bill. "Because the GPS brought us to it."

Bill said at first, Robinson told him he wanted to use some of the old lumber to rebuild the deck. However, Bill objected and Robinson revised that plan.

"We're going to build him a brand new deck," Robinson said. "We agreed to that."

Bill has received the signed agreement. He says Robinson Remodeling agreed to rebuild the decks to code at their cost. The job will begin a week from now and it should take three days to complete.

If you have a consumer issue, call the 6 On Your Side Hotline at 865-633-5974 or email ddare@wate.com.

Continue reading here:
Man returns to Gatlinburg chalet to find deck demolished

TOPEKA — The Kansas House has voted down a Democratic property tax reduction plan that they say would have saved Sedgwick County taxpayers about $7.4 million a year.

On a 41-76 vote, representatives on Tuesday rejected the proposal to restore state payments to local governments for property tax relief. The $7.4 million for Sedgwick County would have been part of $45?million in relief statewide.

A competing Republican plan has yet to be voted on on the House floor.

Democrats tried to tack their proposal into a routine bill allowing county treasurers to accept partial payments of delinquent property taxes.

The money would have been transferred from the state to local government coffers, to be used for the sole purpose of providing property tax relief, said Rep. Jim Ward, D-Wichita.

Ward said Kansas did that from 1938 until 2004, when, facing a budget shortfall, the state cut back on relief funds for local communities.

“We got about 10 Republican votes and all the Democrats,” Ward said.

Rep. Nile Dillmore, D-Wichita, said state cuts in recent years have increased pressure on counties and cities to increase property taxes.

He said he thinks if you asked Kansans what they want to do, “overwhelmingly they’d say our property tax is too high.”

Gov. Sam Brownback and Republican leaders are favoring reductions in state income tax rates instead. The House taxation committee on Monday passed a modified version of the income-tax buydown that Brownback introduced in his State of the State speech early this year.

Both the Democratic and Republican plans would have tapped into increasing state revenue to fund tax relief.

The plan that emerged from the taxation committee Monday follows Brownback’s general emphasis on using rising state revenue to buy down the property tax rate. But it wouldn’t lower rates as much as the governor proposed and would leave in place federal deductions that Brownback wants to do away with on state income taxes.

It also would delay elimination of income taxes on some types of business organizations, including sole proprietorships, farms, limited liability companies and Subchapter S corporations. The committee proposes a five-year phaseout of the tax on those businesses; Brownback wants to get rid of it immediately.

The committee plan also would wipe away all “refundable” tax credits, including the earned income tax credit, which rebates taxes to low-income single parents. Brownback favors doing away with that tax credit and shifting the money to social programs directed at the poor.

Contributing: Brent D. Wistrom of The Eagle

Reach Dion Lefler at 316-268-6527 or dlefler@wichitaeagle.com.

Read the rest here:
House decks Democrats on plan to cut property taxes

Sashco launches two new stains in conjunction with education on "A Better Way to Stain" to help consumers transform the look of almost any exterior wood surface.

Brighton, CO (PRWEB) February 20, 2012

Sashco introduces two new additions to its Transformation Stain® line, Transformation Deck & Fence and Transformation Siding & Trim. These additions are a natural step in expanding Sashco’s 30 years of log finishing and maintenance expertise into existing markets. Joining Transformation Log & Timber, this expansion creates a full spectrum of stain solutions under the popular Transformation name, with a stain that’s right for most every exterior wood surface.

Both new stains come standard with what Sashco calls, “A Better Way to Stain,” a bundle of services that proactively educates customers about how to achieve staining success. Sashco has stain experts available by phone or live chat, instructional how-to videos and a mobile website that offers needed info on the go. “In the end, we are passionate about helping our customers achieve great results. Transformation Stain and education on ‘A Better Way to Stain’ is the combo that gets us there,” said Nick Burch, Brand Manager.

Transformation Deck & Fence and Transformation Siding & Trim are easy to apply, easy to maintain, peel-resistant, and provide the UV protection all wood needs to stay beautiful over time. For more information on Transformation Deck & Fence and Transformation Siding & Trim, as well as “A Better Way to Stain,” visit Sashco’s website at http://www.sashco.com/log/products-main-log-stains.html.

About the Company

Since 1936, Sashco has been a leader in innovative products proven to stand the test of time. They manufacture only the highest quality caulking and wood stain products for conventional, log and wood structures. Sashco is committed to delighting the customer with a better way by consistently providing products that work. Visit http://www.sashco.com for more information.

# # #

Charis Babcock
Sashco
303-286-7271
Email Information

See the rest here:
Sashco® Launches Two New Stains for Decks and Wood Siding