GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT)-- We've told you about cancellations left right as groups decide how to best move forward amid these Coronavirus fears.

One local expo says they're open for business.

The Home Improvement and Remodeling expo says they're all set up for visitors.

The Health Department has sent out cautionary guidelines when it comes to public events, but did not recommend cancellations.

The Housing and Building Association met with their board and vendors to decide what course of action to take.

Vendors for the event were already set up and decided to continue with the event.

Two rivers says they're taking all necessary steps to ensure everyone's safety.

The expo is being held at Two Rivers Convention Center Friday and Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

It's five dollars for adults and three dollars for seniors and kids.

Read this article:
The Home Improvement and Remodeling expo is here - KJCT8.com

Whether you're a homebuyer who's fallen in love with a historic house or a real estate investor looking at remodeling one, a historic home renovation is no easy task to undertake. Here, we'll walk you through the challenges you might encounter when renovating an older house so you'll know what you're getting yourself into.

A historic house is one that's deemed "architecturally significant" by the National Register of Historic Places, which is where historic homes are listed. Generally, to qualify for this distinction, a house must not only uphold a certain architectural style but also capture a specific time period. Another way for a home to land on the National Register of Historic Places is to have been owned by, or associated with, a famous person from history.

Historic homes look different than most properties, and that alone could be a draw. Also, you may qualify for tax incentives if you choose to own or invest in one. On the other hand, as is the case with all older homes, historic homes typically require a lot of work, and remodeling them isn't all that simple. That's because there are certain restrictions that could come into play, which we'll discuss below. Also, the insurance on a historic property could be expensive.

Renovating a historic house could prove challenging because you'll often face restrictions on what you can and cannot do. The reason? The purpose of designating a house as a historic home is to help ensure that its preservation is upheld. As such, any project that takes away from that will most likely not fly.

Here are some issues you might encounter:

To determine what specific restrictions apply to your house, you'll need to contact your state's historic preservation office and get all the details surrounding your property. Be sure to do so before starting a remodeling project to avoid problems.

Historic homes tend to come with unique features that you, as an owner or investor, should make every effort to preserve. At the same time, because these homes are older, they're often subject to wear and tear. As such, historic home remodeling should focus on restoration and preservation.

Once you've figured out what restrictions you're subject to with regard to your home, you can map out a list of your home's features you're looking to preserve but bring back to life. For example, the original wood floor that runs throughout your interior shouldn't be ripped out and replaced, even if it's worn; rather, it can be buffed to remove scratches and stained to restore shine.

Keep in mind that it's OK to make certain parts of your home more modern, as long as your remodeling project doesn't take away from the historical features that make your home unique. For example, you can replace a nonworking oven with a modern one that does work, but in doing so, you should make every effort to preserve the layout of your kitchen. Similarly, if your master bathroom needs an overhaul, you might replace fixtures rather than rip out the classic clawfoot tub that came with it.

If you're going to hire a general contractor to restore your home, make sure he or she has experience working not only with older homes but historic ones. The right contractor may be able to offer some guidance on renovating your home while preserving its look and integrity. And if youre an investor, be sure to get quotes so you spend your money efficiently.

Historic houses are older by nature, and so energy efficiency tends to be an issue. If your goal is to make your home more comfortable while lowering your electricity, heating, and cooling costs, start by replacing older light bulbs with LEDs. Of course, the challenge may be finding newer bulbs to fit your existing fixtures, but if that's doable, you can make a significant change without altering your home's appearance.

Next, replace older toilets with ones that use less water. The same holds true for showerheads that use more water than necessary.

Additionally, try replacing your windows if they're drafty, which older windows tend to be. Granted, this may be a challenge because you'll need to find windows similar to the ones you have now. As such, you may need to pay a premium for custom windows that fit into your home's current casings.

Updating your home's doors is another way to better insulate your property and avoid drafts that make heating difficult in particular. Again, you'll have the challenge of potential restrictions, and even if one doesn't exist, you may not want to mess with a key feature of your home's exterior. If replacing your door isn't an option, try recaulking around it and weatherstripping to seal air leaks.

Finally, look at adding insulation in your home's attic or crawl space. That's another good way to retain heat or cool air without changing the look of your home.

Renovating a historic house isn't for the faint of heart. Then again, neither is buying one. If you're willing to take on the responsibility of owning a historic house, be prepared to face your share of challenges in the course of making it modern enough to enjoy. The good news? If you strike that ideal balance, you'll come away with a home that looks like no other -- one that's comfortable, unique, and, in some cases, a very profitable sell.

Original post:
Historic Home Renovation: What You Need to Know - Motley Fool

Construction has begun on the expansion and remodeling of the Aldi store at 2750 Heartland Dr. in Coralville.

The store will be the German discount supermarket chains final expansion and remodel in Cedar Rapids, Coralville, Dubuque, Iowa City, Marion and Waterloo, according to an Aldi marketing agency.

The remodeled stores feature a more modern design that employs recycled materials, energy-saving refrigeration, open ceilings and LED lighting.

When the work in Coralville is completed on April 9, Aldi will have invested $9 million updating six stores and opening a new store last year at 180 Collins Rd. NE in Cedar Rapids.

The remodeling and expansion activity is part of the Aldis plans for a $3.4 billion investment to expand to 2,500 stores nationwide by the end of 2022. Aldis U.S. headquarters is in the Chicago suburb of Batavia, Ill.

Aldi operates more than 1,300 stores in the United States and more than 10,000 stores in 20 countries.

The family-owned companys efforts come as rival European discount grocer Lidi opens more stores in the United States.

Here is the original post:
Aldi remodeling its grocery store in Coralville - The Gazette

Whether youre new to the series or youre a returning player from the first game, you should know that in Nioh 2 combat is everything. Like we said in our review, theres a wide variety of weapons for you to choose from, each one with their pros and cons. Nioh 2 even adds all the weapon types from the first games DLC and some completely new types. As if that wasnt enough, the stance system means every weapon has three different ways in which you can use them!

With so much variety, its important to know what each weapon does and how do they scale with your stats. You can always equip two weapons at a time, so take all of this into consideration in order to build your perfect yokai slayer.

At the beginning of the game, you can pick your first two weapons. The game lets you try out all of the weapon types for a little bit before deciding, and each weapon type gives you a different bonus of +1 to a specific stat. In the long run, that bonus doesnt mean much since youll be leveling up quite fast, and you will be able to find the weapons you dont pick almost immediately.

Still, it is important to know how each weapon type scales with your stats. All of them receive a damage boost based on three different stats, and depending on which weapons you end up favoring, you might want to lean towards those specific stats.

The Sword is the most basic of weapon types in Nioh 2. With decent range, decent speed and decent damage, this weapon type doesnt excel at anything but rather its a useful all-rounder. Some might find them a little bit dull compared to the other options, but you can never go wrong with a Sword. In terms of stat scaling, Swords have a B+ in Heart, a C in Strength and a C in Skill.

Youd think that two swords instead of one would be stronger, but the Dual Swords are your equivalent to dagger-type of weapons in other games. Theyre faster than most weapons, but not as strong in terms of numbers. However, their speed is very useful when you want to inflict a status ailment if your specific weapon allows it. They have a C+ in Heart, a D+ in Strength and a B+ in Skill.

Spears are all about the reach, both horizontal and vertical. They might not be super fast, but they can cover ground that most other weapons just cant. If you want to hit your enemies from a safer distant than most of the other weapons, then you might want to try these out. They have a B+ in Constitution, a C in Strength and a C in Skill.

Axes are your big damage weapons, but at the same time theyre the slowest and consume the most Ki. No matter the stance, an axe is never going to be your fastest option but it will do a lot of damage. If you really want to sacrifice speed for power, an Axe in High Stance can be absolutely devastating. They have a B+ in Stamina, a D+ in Strength and a C+ in Courage.

The Kusarigama have always been considered the most technical weapon in Nioh, and that remains the case in this sequel. They have reach and speed, even in the High Stance, but to master these weapons you will need to learn its shortcomings. They have a D+ in Strength, a C+ in Skill and a B+ in Dexterity.

Odachi, the first of the DLC weapon types from the previous game, is an alternative for the Spear if you want reach. They are slower, but offer more damage and go hand in hand with tankier builds since some of its attacks cant be interrupted. They have a C in Heart, a C in Stamina and a B+ in Strength.

The Tonfas, the other DLC weapon type from Nioh 1, have the shortest range in the game. However, to compensate for that they are incredibly fast and most of its attacks move you forward, allowing you to keep pressuring your enemies and breaking their guards. They have a C+ in Constitution, a D+ in Dexterity and a B+ in Courage.

Hatchets are the first weapon type added for Nioh 2 and theyre quite unique. Just like Tonfas, they also have shorter range than most but unique to them is that by holding down the Strong Attack, you can actually throw your hatchet. They have a B+ in Skill, a D+ in Magic and a C+ in Courage.

The Switchglaive is the other new weapon type in Nioh 2, and they are one of the most versatile weapons in the game. Their gimmick is that each stance transforms the weapon. In Low Stance, they have short range and high speed like a Tonfa. In Mid Stance they act similar to Spears. In High Stance they basically become an Axe. These weapons are perfect for covering a lot of options. They have a C in Constitution, a C in Skill and a B+ in Magic.

Remember how I said that the stat your weapon scales with is very important? Nioh 2 goes even further in that regard with its new Remodel system. As you progress through the game and do Sub Missions to upgrade the Blacksmith, you will eventually unlock this function that allows you to tinker with the scaling of your some of your weapons.

To Remodel a weapon, they need to have a +1 or more next to their level. You can get this bonus randomly by either forging new weapons or as loot drops in every level. You have four options for remodeling: the default is the original scaling, and three other options that greatly increase one of the stats but lowers the other two. For example, you could remodel a Switchglaive to scale better with Skill, resulting in a D+ in Constitution, a C in Magic but an A- in Skill.

Do keep in mind, however, that remodeling requires a specific item you need to forge from materials dropped by specific bosses.

Now that you have all that information, how do you pick which weapon to use? Nioh 2 gives you a lot of freedom, especially with the new Remodel system, but there are still some tried and true builds that will help you out a lot. Here are some of our recommendations, based specifically in what kind of playstyle you want to follow.

See the rest here:
Nioh 2 Weapon, Stats and Remodel Guide: How to Craft the Best Build for your Character - RPG Site

By Ed Del Grande, Tribune News Service

FridayMar13,2020at7:41PM

Q: Dear Ed: I have a shower stall with good plumbing and nice tiles but the shower pipe and head is boring, worn out and outdated. Without getting into a remodeling job, what can I do to add some nice features and improve my shower?

Ted, Maine

A: Sounds like you could use a refresh job on your tile shower stall.

"Refresh" means to improve your present shower setup without remodeling the tile walls or the in-wall plumbing. Basically, you can work off the shower arm connection and install a new interior shower setup.

This is possible because of updated shower column kits that anchor to the existing tile walls. A shower column kit usually includes a showerhead, hand shower and a specially finished vertical pipe column. The column can also include a diverter, sliding hand shower bracket and rain head-style setup as well.

Bottom line: For a refreshing shower option that may not wash away your budget, look into a shower stall refresh job.

Q: Dear Ed, I read your article on "freestanding" tubs and like the look of having a shower stall and an open style bathtub. But, our bathroom is too small to have the tub located away from the wall. Any ideas you can share with me?

Jerry, Massachusetts

A: Freestanding baths have become trendy plumbing fixtures. As mentioned in previous articles, not only do they function as a comfortable place to take a bath, they also add classic beauty with "stand alone" styling. However, a freestanding tub may not be the best choice for smaller bathrooms because of space restrictions, until now. I've worked with new freestanding-like bathtubs called "back-to-wall" tubs that are designed to be installed against a wall. This design may fit smaller spaces and allows for back of tub access for an easier install. Final tip: If you choose a Back-to-Wall tub that features lumbar support, a built-in overflow and a "toe-tap" style drain that's foot operated, this can also be a step in the right direction.

Master Contractor/Plumber Ed Del Grande is known internationally as the author of the book "Ed Del Grande's House Call," the host of TV and Internet shows, and a LEED green associate.

Follow this link:
Plumber: Refresh shower in place of remodel - The Topeka Capital-Journal

Dear Ed: I have a shower stall with good plumbing and nice tiles, but the shower pipe and head is boring, worn out and outdated. Without getting into a remodeling job, what can I do to add some nice features and improve my shower?

Ted, Maine

Answer: Sounds like you could use a refresh job on your tile shower stall.

"Refresh" means to improve your present shower setup without remodeling the tile walls or the in-wall plumbing. Basically, you can work off the shower arm connection and install a new interior shower setup.

This is possible because of updated shower column kits that anchor to the existing tile walls. A shower column kit usually includes a showerhead, hand shower and a specially finished vertical pipe column. The column can also include a diverter, sliding hand shower bracket and rain head-style setup as well.

Bottom line: For a refreshing shower option that may not wash away your budget, look into a shower stall refresh job.

Ed Del Grande, a master contractor/plumber and LEED green associate, is an author and hosts shows on television and the internet. For information, visit eddelgrande.com or write eadelg@cs.com. Always consult local contractors and codes.

Excerpt from:
Refresh shower in place of remodel | Home - Reading Eagle

While it sounded like the judge was really hammering the gavel next door, it was just the demolition crew working on the remodel of East Fork Justice Court.

The seats were all gone on Monday, and the jury box looked more like kindling than lumber, as work began on the junior court in the Douglas County Judicial and Law Enforcement Center.

East Fork is one of the busiest single-justice courts in the state, which means it will be taking its show on the road this month while work is conducted.

Court Administrator Bobbie Williams said the remodel of the 40-year-old courtroom will focus on accessibility.

Funded entirely from designated funds and grants, with nothing coming from the general fund, this remodel will increase seating in the busiest courtroom in the county by about 25 percent, she said. Additionally, it will ensure that the general seating and jury box are ADA compliant.

With a $21,145 grant from the Nevada Supreme Court, the remodeled courtroom also will incorporate advances in technology including upgrading the evidence presentation system to be on par with the district courts.

While work is underway, East Fork Justice Court will be roving around the Judicial & Law Enforcement Centers courtrooms and other spaces.

It will even make a trip to the newly remodeled Tahoe Township Justice Court later this month. To find out where court will be held this month, check at eastforkjusticecourt.com

Read the original:
Work begins on East Fork Justice Court remodel - The Record-Courier

When news that the first deaths in America from the novel coronavirus came among a cluster of people living in a retirement village in Washington state, it should have come as no surprise.

Contrary to President Donald Trumps suggestion that if you get sick, you should just stay home and hang around the house until you get better, that was not an option for those unfortunate souls. "Home" is where they contracted the deadly virus.

What if you could remodel your home and stay out of group living? Its not as hard or as expensive as one might think, and Santa Fe remodelers know how to do it.

The spectrum of remodeling options for whats called "aging in place" is wide. They run from the simple and obvious to the complex and costly, but all make sense. They also dont need to be done all at the same time but can be phased in over the years.

With the average cost of high-quality assisted living at $80,000 a year, compared to in-home health and day care at half the cost, remodeling your home can save money in the long run.

Start with simple stuff. Strength in our hands weakens as we age, so change doorknobs to levers. Same with kitchen and bath faucets. Short handles that open casement windows can be switched to longer ones for more leverage. Switching to LED lightbulbs, with super-long lives, saves energy and keeps the ladder in the garage.

The next thing to go is our equilibrium and depth perception. A simple fall can break bones. Eliminate elevation changes, even as short at 4 inches, like from a portal to a sidewalk. As our stride shortens and shuffling begins, get rid of rugs and carpets in favor of smooth, level surfaces. Indoor air quality also is improved; smooth floors are easier to keep clean.

Analyze furniture arrangements to make sure solid, stable pieces along traffic patterns are within reach. Installing handrails down long hallways can be done in an afternoon. If we do fall and break a hip, we might need a wheelchair or walker, which means doors to bedrooms and bathrooms may need to be widened. Standard bedroom doors are 30 inches wide, but 36 inches is the optimal width.

There are also not-so-simple fixes, but remodeling professionals are up for the task.

If a wheelchair becomes a permanent reality, remodeling kitchens and baths will be necessary. Being able to drive under a bath vanity, kitchen sink or stovetop can be accomplished. Moving plugs and switches from backs of countertops to sides of cabinets can be done. Installing higher toilets surrounded by grab bars, changing tubs to drive in showers with grab bars and making sure turning radiuses are wide enough to maneuver are still cost-effective changes.

If it comes to the point where constant care is required, changing an area of the home to an efficiency apartment for live-in caregivers might still be cheaper than moving into an assisted living facility.

If our homes are big enough, and many Santa Fe homes are, we can even carve out enough space for a completely remodeled two-bedroom accessory dwelling unit designed for maximum accessibility. To pay for the remodeling project, the balance of the home can be rented to a young family struggling to find an affordable home.

Moving into assisted living is never an easy decision for an individual or their families. The physical nature of ones existing home and its accessibility should not be the driving factor in that decision. When viruses spread and our doctors advise us to stay home and get well, its nice to have our own homes to go back to.

Kim Shanahan is a longtime Santa Fe builder and former executive officer of the Santa Fe Area Home Builders Association.

Link:
There's an alternative to assisted living | Real Estate - Santa Fe New Mexican

Dr. Dudley Chitty would like to say that she and her husband, Greg, are fancy people who have friends over to sit and talk in the very elegant living room of their West University Place home.

Instead, the room is reserved for something far more appropriate: Its where the couple relax as their twin daughters Hannah and Hunter practice piano.

I just love that room. Its so unique, with its 20-foot ceilings, Greg said. Im a music geek, and the girls enjoy playing, so its cool to sit in there to listen to them.

Hes an investment banker in the energy industry, and Dudley is an anesthesiologist taking a break for her important role as mom, so they certainly sound like they could be those fancy people. But Greg is just a laid-back guy from Lake Charles, La., and Dudley is a Conroe native who dived head first into her down-to-earth role as Mommy Uber, driving their daughters to soccer, volleyball, gymnastics and piano lessons.

Every morning the Chittys eat breakfast together, then Dudley and Greg walk the 11-year-old twins to school five blocks away. Unless theyre at sports practices, theyre in their kitchen having dinner together at the end of the day.

They were living in a different home a few blocks away in 2017, contemplating a massive update that would require them to move out for yearlong remodeling.

It seemed simpler to find a new home, but they didnt want to move away from their neighborhood school. Their current 6,300-square-foot home was more than they really needed, and it required similar dramatic changes. But being able to stay in their original home while a new one underwent remodeling sounded like an ideal option, especially since it was close by.

Built in 2001, its oak floors had a reddish stain, and wood-grain cabinets dominated the kitchen and space around two fireplaces. All of the homes seven bathrooms needed updates, and so did the backyard patio and pool. In the end, the house was nearly a full gut job.

An architect redesigned a new kitchen space that opened up a wide expanse for a family room, kitchen and breakfast table. And the couple hired Scott Frasier of Frasier Homes as their contractor and Beth Lindseyof Beth Lindsey Interior Design to help choose finishes and fill the home with new furniture.

We liked the bones of this house even though we knew it needed a ton of work. It was on the market for two years, Greg said. I thought it was cool to have a project to do. It was really kind of fun for me Beth did all the work.

They moved in March 2018 after a year of work, and the home is now a picture of elegance. But Lindsey made sure that its also comfortable and functional.

We live in this house, Dudley said, noting that their dog, Bailey, jumps on furniture and the girls often bring friends over. We have a dog, and we have kids but we can have a beautiful home and still live here.

The formal living room at the front had a beautiful chandelier and ornate crown moulding that framed the partially vaulted ceiling. That stayed, but plantation-style shutters that darkened the room were removed, and Lindsey reimagined the fireplace surround, replacing drab brown granite with smooth cast stone. White and soft-blue furniture in classic styles make it an elegant setting, but Lindseyupholstered everything in durable performance fabrics.

A doorway that used to lead to a wood-paneled study has been turned into a bar and wine room for Greg, who collects wine. A pair of wine refrigerators, cabinets and bins for bottles of wine were designed to fit around a painting by Todd White the Texas native who helped create the SpongeBob SquarePants cartoon series showing a sophisticated group of people enjoying adult beverages.

The back of the home was transformed from a blocky series of spaces with partial walls and pass-throughs to a sleek area that flows all the way through, still providing plenty of counter- and workspace. The beige speckled granite and backsplash got a major update with marble counters, white subway tile and Walker Zangers Jet Set tile using marble in a soft geometric pattern.

A pair of blue tufted sofas and two armchairs in a pretty blue print are nestled around a thick wood coffee table in the family room, where a couple of paintings tell the story of how Dudley, 45, and Greg, 50, met, fell in love and wed nearly 20 years ago.

They both had been dragged to a mutual friends birthday party in a Houston bar. They were the only people there who werent law students, so instead of talking about tort reform, they talked about the virtues of French Chateauneuf-du-Pape wine.

A serious couple from their first date, they fell in love on a weekend trip to New Orleans. A painting of Pirates Alley in the French Quarter captures that moment, and a second painting of Galatoires Restaurant shows where they held their rehearsal dinner.

Celerie Kemble stylized stripe wallpaper creates a stylish backdrop in a powder bathroom that before had little personality. Other bathrooms got updates, too, including the master, which had a major makeover in Carrara marble with a big new shower.

An upstairs media room set up for watching movies was a strange contrast to the rest of the home with black carpet, a black ceiling, deep-red walls and heavy, red-fringed draperies. The Chittys didnt want or need anything like that, so they scaled it back with new carpet that looks like spotted deer hide and more neutral colors. Instead of oversized recliners, a ping-pong table sits in the center of the room.

Though Dudley is still deciding what she wants to do in the master bedroom, the last room finished was the dining room completed in time for Gregs 50th birthday party. Like most dining rooms, it doesnt get used frequently. They host dinner parties and holiday meals around their custom-made round dining table, which holds a cluster of tall glass candlesticks.

The rooms custom draperies, complete with lovely tape trim on the leading edge, serve as an example of the beautiful custom window treatments throughout the home. Neighbors who saw the home in its earlier state can see into the breakfast area, now that plantation-style shutters no longer block the view.

diane.cowen@chron.com

Sign up for Cowens Access Design newsletter, delivered to your inbox Tuesdays, at houstonchronicle.com/accessdesign.

More:
Remodeling would take too long. So this West U family got creative. - Houston Chronicle

Renderings of the entrances and lobby to be remodeled at St. Nicholas Hospital in Sheboygan.(Photo: Courtesy of HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital)

SHEBOYGAN - St. Nicholas Hospital in Sheboygan will begin remodeling its main and emergency entrances and itslobby this month.

"We're always looking for ways to enhance the care and experience that we provide to our patients and visitors," said Justin Selle, president and CEO of Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) St. Nicholas Hospital.

Selle said the hospital has spent a lot of money in recent years improving the inside of the building, but now it's time to enhance the exterior to showcase the same modernization that can be found inside.

New awnings will be added to both the main and emergency entrances along Superior Avenue. Selle said stone will also be added to the outside to give a more modern look.

Although the emergency entrance may be closed at times, the emergency department will remain open throughout the renovation, whichis scheduled to wrap up in the fall. If the emergency entrance is closed, patients will still be able to enter through the main entrance right next to it,and vice versa.

The renovated lobby will have more natural light andincreased seating in a more relaxed and comfortable space, Selle said. A cafe will be added near the existing gift shop.

Renderings of the entrances and lobby to be remodeled at St. Nicholas Hospital in Sheboygan.(Photo: Courtesy of HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital)

Earlier this year, the HSHS St. Nicholas HospitalFoundation said itwanted to be part of the project and donated $1 million, Selle said. That foundation is the philanthropicarm of the hospital and helps raise money for new technology and other projects.

Last fall, St. Nicholas remodeled the radiation oncology suite, Selle said, and back in 2017, it renovated the intensive care unit, intermediate care unit and surgical suites.

More: 'Our goal has always been to create cyclists': New Trek bike store coming to Sheboygan

More: Luxury apartments seem to be popping up everywhere in Sheboygan County. So, which new developments will serve low-income residents?

Reach AnnMarie Hilton at ahilton@gannett.com or 920-242-3032. Follow her on Twitter at @hilton_annmarie.

Read or Share this story: https://www.sheboyganpress.com/story/news/2020/03/04/hshs-st-nicholas-hospital-remodel-entrances-and-lobby/4930941002/

Here is the original post:
HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital in Sheboygan looks to enhance patient experience by remodeling the main and emergency entrances, lobby - Sheboygan Press