Vendors prepare for the home and garden show /Jacqueline Schutte

OTTUMWA, IOWA -- Vendors are setting up for the 22nd annual Ottumwa Home and Garden show this weekend.

Eightyvendors are present, and event organizers say that means about 80 different ideas for home renovations.

They are presenting cabinets, lawnmowers, landscaping, yard decorations, gazebos and appliances.

There will also be a few speakers at the event, including Pete Seyfer and Megan Turner from Alliant Energy Powerhouse from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.on Sunday.

Their program can be found on KTVO every Sunday at 5 p.m.

The Ottumwa Area Chamber of Commerce organized the event, and they say spring is a great time for getting home improvement ideas.

"A lot of times they'll come out and they'll have an idea of what they want to do for new cabinets or landscaping or they just come over with no idea in mind but then they pick up ideas as they get here," said Tim Kurtz, Executive Director of the Ottumwa Area Chamber of Commerce.

A $5 admission will be charged for the event.

Friday March 6 from 3 p.m. - 8 p.m.

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Vendors prepare for 22nd annual Home and Garden Show

By Andy Morris Thursday 05 March 2015 Updated: 05/03 09:56

Buy photos Love Rugby Town.... Malcolm Freeman from Oxygen Graphics, Zoe Russell from ZHR Marketing and Simon Ainley from Garden Gate Flowers are helping to bring Rugbys first evening street food market to Jubilee Gardens tonight for the launch of 1st Thursdays. Picture by Jon Mullis 09.015.008.rug.jm1

LATE-night shopping comes to Rugby tonight (Thursday March 5) - alongside a food market and street entertainment.

The town centre will come alive after five with the launch of 1st Thursdays - a group of independent traders' idea to boost business by keeping shops open until 8pm and offering special promotions and street entertainment on the first Thursday of every month.

The first event will feature Rugby's first evening street food market at Jubilee Gardens, the Regent Place square where the Rupert Brooke statue stands.

Co-organiser Simon Ainley from Garden Gate Flowers explained the plan was to bring a party atmosphere to the town centre.

He said: Right in the heart of the town centre we have this lovely triangle of grass, trees and benches in which to soak up the delicious tastes and aromas of our street food chefs.

"It is an underused public space that we are delighted to be able to make the most of for our late night shopping extravaganza.

Its really going to be a fantastic event.

From 5-8pm visitors can eat under gazebos in Jubilee Gardens to the sounds of local musicians Ben Watts, Kate and the Moon Cats, Becki and The Dove and The Rattletones. Caterers include The Hungry Toad, Savanna Grill, The Vegan Grind House, The Jabberwocky, Big Daddies Diner and The Bournville Waffle Company.

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Shopping street party debuts in Rugby tonight

Swimmers using the Rotorua Lakes are being advised to stay out of the lakes ski lanes.

The lakes Harbour Master and maritime officers have received complaints from water skiers that swimmers are using the designated ski lanes when the lakes are busy, creating problems for skiers.

One complainant who received an infringement notice (fine) for exceeding five knots outside the ski lane said they had brought a learner wakeboard rider in slowly at a safe place where there were no swimmers, because they had counted 23 swimmers in the ski lane. Later in the day there were more than 40, including small children.

Lakes Harbour Master Pererika Makiha said the ski lanes were designated to keep both swimmers and skiers safe, and swimmers should stay clear of the designated lanes. However signage designating the ski lane was often obscured by vehicles and gazebos.

"Skiing from shore is only permitted within the designated ski access lane or reserved ski area," he said.

"People also need to remember that water skiing is a three-person sport. You must carry an observer who is over 10 years of age. The skier must wear a lifejacket and ski in an anticlockwise direction."

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Swimmers advised to stay out of lake ski lanes

Move over foreign drivers, now foreign swimmers are putting themselves in danger by straying into the wrong lane.

It's got to the point where Bay of Plenty Regional Council has had to issue a warning to swimmers to keep out of designated ski lanesin Rotorua lakes.

According to Rotorua Wake & Ski Club president Ian Barker, it's a theme that echoes some of the problems seen on New Zealand roads, where tourists seem to not follow the rules.

"It's always a problem because we've got lots of tourists in the area who don't understand that our ski access lanes mean that boats can speed in with a skier behind them into that area, so if a swimmer is in there it's certainly very dangerous," he said.

"Our harbour master is very good at putting signage up, but it's always an issue trying to get people to read signs."

Lakes Harbour Master Pererika Makiha said maritime officers had received complaints from water-skiers that swimmers were using the ski lanes when the lakes were busy.

One complainant who received an infringement notice for exceeding 5 knots outside the ski lane said they had brought a learner wake-board rider in slowly at a safe place where there were no swimmers because they had counted 23 swimmers in the ski lane.

Later that day, the number exceeded 40, some of them small children.

Ski lanes were designated to keep both swimmers and skiers safe, and swimmers needed to keep clear of the designated lanes,Makiha said.

"Skiing from shore is only permitted within the designated ski access lane or reserved ski area," he said.

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Tourist swimmers in the spotlight, as well as drivers

LEBANON The new 84-room Best Western Premiere Boulder Falls Inn hotel is on target for a June opening and is looking for 75 to 100 employees, according to Robert Mullins, director of business development for Samaritan Health Services.

Construction is on target for us to be open in time for the June 5 commencement at COMP-Northwest, Mullins said.

Work is being done by T. Gerding Construction began putting up walls on the three-story, $8 million, 65,000-square-foot hotel in August.

Construction will actually be done and cleaned up by early May and then we will have staff training for several weeks, Mullins said. Thats also when all of the furniture and fixtures go in.

Mullins said Boulder Falls Inn LLC is its own business entity but has partnered with Best Western and is its first premiere level member in Oregon.

The premiere designation is because we are offering an upscale environment in our rooms, suites, restaurant and bars, Mullins said. We also offer amenities for business travelers, access to SamFit and to the Samaritan Conference Center.

Mullins said the complex will also include a heated outdoor pool, which will be constructed this coming summer.

Mullins said a March 11 job fair will be held at the 12,000-square-foot Samaritan Conference Center, 605 Mullins Drive, across from the Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital and north of the new hotel.

Were looking for individuals ages 18 and older, preferably with experience, but we are also willing to hire someone who has an upbeat personality and is willing to be trained, Mullins said.

Bartender applicants will have to meet OLCC regulations, Mullins noted.

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Lebanon hotel nears completion

Capitol Heights, MD (PRWEB) March 02, 2015

LONG FENCE introduced a new and improved website on Feb. 9. "This upgrade will increase our web traffic, which is the direction we are moving towards," said Brett Crouse, of LONG FENCE. "This is the up and coming technology that we need to stay ahead of the industry and keep our potential clients aware of our brand and products."

After deciding that the companys website needed a renovation, LONG FENCE gave its entire site a facelift to make it both more aesthetically appealing and functional. The renovated site features a new home page with a background that rotates between pictures of the company's past projects; a new, straightforward navigation bar that makes it easy to browse all of their quality products on the site; and -- best of all being a responsive site, allows its users to view the content of the site on any device.

All together, the enhancements make it easier for the consumer to view images of products which will inspire their own ideas of how their landscapes may benefit from a LONG FENCE quality product. Free estimate forms for any commercial or residential product can be submitted directly from any device. LONG FENCE quality products include: fence, decks, gazebos, patios, ironworks & railings, awnings, irrigation and so much more.

"We didn't have a mobile version of our old website so this is a great opportunity to better serve our customers," said Crouse. He also explained that many of the company's visitors have viewed the site via their mobile devices, and that it was time to give them a better user experience.

LONG FENCE hopes that visitors will interact and have a better experience on the new website than they have before, choosing to explore all the different products and services the company has to offer.

About LONG FENCE

LONG FENCE offers a wide range of product solutions for residential and commercial industries. Since 1945, LONG FENCE has been offering quality products and services. To learn more about their fences, decks, hardscaping, railings, guardrails and more, visit http://www.longfence.com.

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LONG FENCE's Revamped Website Has Finally Launched

Countryside Gazebos Canada is the exclusive Canadian retail distributor of premium quality wood and vinyl pre-assembled gazebo kits for deck, cottage, poolside, and garden landscape. Our maintenance-free gazebos are made by skilled Amish craftsmen at a competitive price. Read More

Have you ever dreamed of lounging in your backyard on a hot summer's day in the cool shade of your own gazebo? Countryside Gazebos makes it easy!

Our carefully crafted gazebos are delivered in convenient, easy-to-assemble kits to make your landscape projects easy. We offer gazebos in traditional pressure-treated southern pine, light cedar and tight knot cedar, as well as maintenance free vinyl-coated wooden gazebos to enhance your home, cottage or business landscape design. Countryside Gazebos will withstand the test of time for generations to come and will enhance the value and esthetic appeal of your property.

We meticulously install all products we supply and provide quality instructions for the handyman who chooses to complete the gazebo installation himself. Installations are available anywhere in Canada. We have taken ferry's to islands and travelled thousands of km's to get jobs done.

Our dedication to high quality materials and skilled craftsmanship and our friendly, personal service ensures your satisfaction.

Gazebos are available in octagon, oval and rectangular shapes with a variety of sizes and options to suit your personal lifestyle. You can even custom create your very own dream gazebo!

Our expert craftsmen will create your gazebo to your specifications. Our large selection of options and materials enables you to run wild with your ideas. Imagine spending a hot summer afternoon gazing at your garden or pool from the cool shade of your own gazebo. View Our Slideshow of Gazebos

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Gazebo Kits & Pergola Kits | Countryside Gazebos Canada ...

Its the perfect time to be thinking about patio covers because its getting cooler and extending the use of your patio, deck, porch or garden area into fall and winter may require some added protection, perhaps a screen room, a sunroom or some kind of patio enclosure that allows the sunshine to still enter while keeping the wind and rain or snow out. There are some options for patio covers that may simply provide shade like the lattice patio covers and others that will offer more enclosed protection. Here are the main kinds of coverings you can choose from:

If you live in a region where its sunny all year you may simply need an open lattice patio cover to give a little shade, perhaps with a vine or some foliage growing through the lattice work. This open lattice patio cover design will give shade without cutting out too much light and they can be built from aluminum that looks like wood and is resistant to the elements and also maintenance free.

If you live in a cooler climate but one that does not get frequent snowfall or regular harsh inclement weather, then a solid lattice patio cover may give enough protection from rain and wind without totally enclosing the area. These solid patio cover designs may be ordered in cedar embossed aluminum that give a wood-like appearance but wont require painting and will never chip or peel like wood that is painted.

In regions where there is sun and many months of warmth, screen rooms may the perfect choice because they offer protection from insects, provide shade, and give a general shelter from the elements, however the area remains open to the natural breeze and sunlight that will come in through the screened area.

Total patio enclosures, perhaps using the newest aluminum patio covers may be the best solution to extending the use of your patio well into winter months in colder climates that receive snowfall. These solid enclosures can also be made from enamel finished frames and imitation wood that is actually aluminum and requires no maintenance. These types of patio enclosures offer 3 insulated walls, horizontal sliding windows (and a good brand to keep in mind is Millennium Windows) and perhaps you may wish to add some French doors. Additionally you may have added protection with thermally broken extrusions and all the materials can be made from wind and rain resident materials that are aluminum. You can add a full gutter system with downspouts and even have a fully insulated roof. The windows could be screened so that they can be left open to offer air on warm days and be like a screen room, yet able to close and be sealed on cold winter days. Adding a screen room or complete enclosure to a deck can not only add value to your home but allow to have extra livable space, and perhaps even be an area for a bright home office or a place for plants and an indoor garden.

Aluminum patio covers have come a long way from the days when they looked like cold industrial metal framework additions to residential homes. They are now elegant and can match wood or other materials from which your home may have been constructed. Since it is important that any kind of aluminum patio cover not look like an afterthought, you may want to consult a contractor regarding how to build a patio cover from the newest alumawood patio covers that are on the market today. However, there are some good patio cover kits that are sold through home improvement centers that allow you to build a patio cover on your own if you are a handy type person.

Here are same popular styles and prices for a variety of patio cover options:

Vinyl Pergola and vinyl patio covers are not what you might imagine. These lovely lattice patio covers look like metal or wood or can be pure white or painted or treated to have a variety of finishes. They are easy to install and usually come in vinyl patio kit packages that include galvanized steel inserts for beams and post bases, materials pre-cut lengths and all the instructions needed to erect in just a few days. These patio covers can be added to a deck or patio or can be made as freestanding pergolas near your house or even in a garden.

Vinyl patio covers are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) that outlasts their wood patio cover counterparts because vinyl lasts a lifetime. Pergolas and vinyl patio covers are maintenance free and are only a little more expensive than wood, yet will never need to be replaced. Just to give you an idea of price, and 8X10 cover will cost about $2,000, an 20X14 will cost about $4,500. These are patio covers that are attached to the house. For ones that are freestanding pergolas, they will cost about $2600 for an 8X10 and almost $5,000 for a large 20X14. These patio cover kits include everything needed to finish your project.

Metal patio covers are not just for a patio or deck or porch but may also be useful as carport covers that double as a garage to provide shelter for cars and vehicles from rain, hail, snow and heat, or deck covers for country homes or even boat covers. Carport kits and patio cover kits (including the boat cover models) are usually prefabricated from aluminum or steel and come in single wide and double wide aluminum options. However, for deck covers you will probably need custom sizes to fit with your home, apartment or condominium.

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Outdoor Patio Covers | Carports | Gazebos | Furniture For ...

In the heart of the Kent countryside where people enjoy pheasant shooting and quad biking, an odd-looking thatched structure stands with some garden furniture underneath.

This is a lapa, a large South African gazebo-style structure, which has made its way to these shores thanks to entrepreneur and Great Britain triathlete Craig Ormiston.

His Borough Green-based business the Lapa Company celebrates its 10th anniversary this year in far better shape than it was when he started the company with a computer and a phone in his infant daughters bedroom in Kings Hill.

Craig Ormiston, with one of the lapas his company installed at Kentfield Country Estate in Offham

In its first month, the company made 123 from selling two wooden poles it imported from South Africa to build its lapas. Today, it is a near 2 million turnover a year business, building a range of outdoor living structures.

They are stunning, said Mr Ormiston, who was inspired to set up the company by his South African wife Vanessa.

They are very simple. There is nothing in the UK like the traditional lapa, which is made out of hard wood with a thatched roof.

No one uses traditional techniques from South Africa to construct the products.

Part of the lapas success has been down to the long time it takes to make them. Each takes four to five weeks to construct, which limits the amount the firms 12 staff can build each year. It also makes the product more exclusive.

Typically the business makes eight to 10 lapas every 12 months, selling for up to 30,000.

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The Lapa Company in Borough Green celebrates 10th anniversary of making African-themed buildings

On my previous visit, I bought a handful of old garden tools for 1 each.

We made a gate from them using a hoe and spade to form the cross braces and other implements for the verticals. This time I had hoped to buy a lot more to form a decorative fence to go around a small vegetable garden next to an old mill, but sadly there were none.

For a unique garden a trip to an antique fair is just the ticket

If you want to put a fresh stamp on the garden, or are starting a garden, a day at an antiques fair is usually productive and enjoyable.

You will be sure to go home with something, although possibly not what you had in mind. There is an air of conviviality among the stallholders and, although it is a trade show, the public are welcome and benefit from trade prices.

During our visit, several theatre prop companies were on the hunt, a couple of camera crews were busy filming and I saw more Jack Russells than at Crufts.

Tempting offers

Many things whetted my appetite. The first items to catch my eye were on the Country Collectables stand. A sturdy set of metal and wood bistro chairs with curving wooden arms and a table; the chairs were 35 and the table 55. Add a lick of paint and they would be far superior to modern equivalents. A harlequin set using two or more colours would lift a terrace.

Jacqui from Country Collectables also had lots of pots, planters, jugs and baths, all in galvanised metal.

On a stand nearby, Lynda North (01442 833808) had several good-sized riveted coppers (2ft diameter, from 150), and some fabulous iron deckchairs (380 for the pair).

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Garden bargains to be found at antique fairs