Jim Diamond, left, and Terry Johnston, carpenters with Semco Construction, continue remodeling work for the consolidation of the Civil Division at the Polk County Courthouse in Bartow Friday.

BARTOW | When it comes to making things easier for the customer, the court clerk's office is willing to break down a few barriers in the way, starting with a wall.

In an effort to improve customer accessibility in the Polk County Courthouse, the Civil Division is being remodeled to consolidate all services related to Civil Court activities into one office area, said Stacy Butterfield, Clerk of the Circuit Court.

Since earlier this week, workers have been busy gutting the first floor's southeast corner of the courthouse to make room for family law, domestic violence, domestic relations, probate, juvenile dependency and civil law.

Eventually, a wall in the Civil Division will be knocked down to combine two rooms into one.

Butterfield said the project is part of a strategic plan "to deliver exceptional customer service," and one of the most pressing improvements needed was to consolidate services and office locations.

"I want customers to be able to access our services as quickly and conveniently as possible," she said. "This will eliminate long waits for the elevators and bouncing around the 10-story building. It will also further increase staff efficiencies and resources."

With the current layout, some people go to the front counter in the Civil Division looking for help, but are told to go across the hall or to a different level to address their particular needs, said Kim Stenger, the Civil Division director.

The two rooms to be combined into one in the southeast corner of the first floor will create a total of about 14,110 square feet for the newly remodeled Civil Division, Stenger said.

Customers will be able to walk up to a single long counter for all of their Civil Court needs, Stenger said.

See more here:
Polk Courthouse Remodeling Work Will Improve Customer Service

Elizabeth Miller, Houzz Contributor

A coffee table does a lot of work. It needs to hold books, magazines, drinks, food even games on game night. You might want to put your feet up on it, or the kids might need a place for coloring. Plus its usually smack dab in the middle of the room, where you cant miss it so you want to make sure its a good one.

There are several things to keep in mind when youre picking a coffee table. First think about what you need your table to do for you, or what your room is missing, then pick a table that provides the solution.

Revamp your living room with a new coffee table

Before you buy, mark the footprint with painters tape so you can see the scale of the piece in the room and how that affects the surrounding furniture. If you have a very large room and a large coffee table, you can break up the scale of the table by flanking it with pairs of ottomans or benches, as in this example. When theres a party, they can be moved out of the way for better circulation, but for everyday use these extra seats help connect the sofa at one end and the pair of chairs at the other end. Be sure to use a pair of ottomans not just a single one.

When you have two sofas or any larger seating arrangement, a big coffee table might seem like the obvious solution. But also consider a pair of matching coffee tables. They will keep the focus off one large piece of furniture and let your eye move around the room more easily.

One classic coffee table size is 48 by 24 inches, so you can plan on that when thinking about your furniture arrangement. A large coffee table is often double that: 48 inches square.

A lip edge or tray top on a coffee table is always a smart choice if you have a tendency to spill your coffee or have kids that will be using the coffee table for snacks and drinks. Theyre also good if you entertain often and dont want to worry about red wine getting spilled on your carpet.

Coffee tables should be the same height as the surrounding seating, with 18 inches being a good average (although it will depend on your furniture). If you select a coffee table with a lip, make sure the lip isnt higher than the adjacent seating, or youll end up hitting your drink against the lip when you try to set it down. The idea is to put your drink down, not up.

How to pick out a coffee table that makes a statement

Go here to see the original:
How to Pick Out a Coffee Table

LARGO Four new magnet programs, two new schools, a major remodeling project and new technology in every classroom are a few of the items on the Pinellas County school districts spending list for this school year.

School board members approved a nearly $1.3 billion budget for the 2014-15 school year, as well as a lower tax rate, during the final public hearing Tuesday.

Two years of tight budgeting under Superintendent Michael Grego has helped reverse the school districts trend of spending more money than it takes in, he said. Balancing the budget, and drawing more students into county schools with new programs, allowed the district to launch new programs and to open its first new schools in a decade, he said.

Im incredibly proud that this is the first time in three years our budget is in the black, were building our contingency as a district and keeping our fingers on the pulse of our improvement, Grego said.

The school districts general operating fund, which pays for day-to-day operations and salaries, increased about $8.9 million this year to $881 million.

The district also will receive an extra $24.9 million in state funding, though much of that money is earmarked for special projects, budget specialist LouAnn Jourdan said.

About $1.1 million of the state funding will ensure schools meet the technology requirement for online testing and classrooms assignments under the new Florida Standards, which will be adopted fully next school year.

The increase also has to pay for 16 schools to remain open for an additional half-hour a day for reading intervention because of students low Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test reading scores, a requirement from the Department of Education for the lowest-performing 300 schools in the state.

Overall, the district has a slightly smaller budget than last years $1.33 billion. The district received less from the state for construction and maintenance projects. It has trimmed its capital budget to $267 million compared with last years $301.8 million.

Palm Harbor University High is adding 38 classrooms, eliminating the need for portables. The $13 million project could be completed by June.

See more here:
Pinellas school budget has room to grow

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) is reminding homeowners that it is important to understand the rules regarding building permits before embarking on remodeling projects.

While building codes vary from state to state, a permit is generally required for remodeling projects that involve changes to the building's existing footprint, electrical system or plumbing. Adding new windows to existing walls usually requires a permit. Homeowners are likely to need a permit for any project that goes beyond a simple repair or aesthetic upgrade such as:

During a master bathroom addition completed by prior owners 10 years before without proper permits BRY-JO discovered plumbing, electrical and framing that was non-compliant and even dangerous, including the removal of two load-bearing beams, which was causing the second-floor room above the bathroom to start pulling away from the home.

Uncovering this information early on, we were able to incorporate as much detail as possible in our estimate and advise the homeowners we would likely uncover some additional surprises, which added more than $8,000 to the bathroom renovation, said Harris. They were happy with the final results and relieved that their home was not only beautiful, but safe to live in.

When work is done to refresh an existing structure, however, a permit is usually not necessary. For example, updating the appearance of the existing kitchen cabinet doors with laminate layering does not require a permit. Other remodeling updates such as flooring/ceiling coverings, painting/papering, tiling or carpeting and interior wall decorations can usually be done without a building permit.

Permits need to be obtained before the project gets under way. If city officials spot a project without proper permits, work could be stopped until they are obtained, leaving homeowners without a functioning kitchen or bathroom for weeks and a hefty fine.

While it may be tempting to forego the permit, a remodel or addition done without one can be a problem if the homeowner decides to sell or refinance, said attorney Patrick Noaker, from Noaker Law firm, a member in the NARI Minnesota Chapter.

See original here:
NARI Offers Guidance on Permits for Remodeling

By Whitney Bryen

Times-Call community reporter

Rebekah Steers rubs her protruding belly as she rocks back and forth, engulfed in the cushy blue recliner in her living room.

A gentle smile spreads across her face as Rebekah gazes into the kitchen where a wall once separated the two rooms one of many things destroyed during last year's flood.

Now, light fills the open living space and Steers' eyes as she surveys the new life in the Longmont home she shares with her husband, Graham. The home that was filled with mud and despair just one year ago.

Last fall, floodwaters seeped into the brick house in the Bohn Park neighborhood, pushing mud and debris into the couple's first home, which they finished remodeling about two months before the flood.

Rebekah Steers sits at her kitchen table, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2014, at their home in Longmont. The Steers are still in the process of remodeling their home after the flood of 2013 and are now expecting a baby. (Matthew Jonas / Longmont Times-Call)

For several weeks following the flood, the Steers lived in a recreational vehicle parked on the street in front of their home, which was covered in mold and mildew and unsafe for Rebekah, who has Lyme disease.

The pair moved into an assisted living facility with a friend in Thornton after vandals broke the RV windows, making the space too cold for the dropping winter temperatures. For the next five months, Graham commuted to Longmont nearly everyday after work to clean, demolish and rebuild their home.

The bottom half of the house had to be stripped to the studs and rebuilt. New drywall, floors and sub-floors, ductwork and electrical wiring was put in.

See the rest here:
Longmont couple brings new life to flood-damaged home

ST. CLOUD, Minn. (MCT) When technical colleges were constructed with a "get in, get out, get a job" mentality, there wasn't much room left for gathering places.

That's why St. Cloud Technical & Community College President Joyce Helens wants to create a communal space on campus with a new and improved center that directly addresses the needs of returning veterans.

Though the school currently has a small designated veteran's space, Helens says the college saw both a need and an opportunity to expand and centralize a resource center for veterans, their families and the community.

"We're learning through unfortunate trial and error that PTSD doesn't only affect the veteran," veteran and faculty member Brian Volkmuth said. "It often reaches the spouse or even the children."

"That is a big concern," he said.

The college wants the Veterans Resource Center, its current working name, to help be a solution.

Bringing together resources

Volkmuth is the faculty adviser for SCTCC's Student Veterans Organization and is himself a veteran, having served in the Marines.

As discussions began about relocating and expanding the school's veterans center, Helens says more and more organizations jumped on board.

"Everybody who has anything to do with veterans is at the table," Helens said.

Continue reading here:
St. Cloud college creates space for veterans

Oakland, CA (PRWEB) September 03, 2014

Jay Cravagan, a highly skilled and knowledgeable general contractor with more than 30 years of residential and commercial remodeling experience, has recently been hired as Project Manager for Superior Builders and Remodelers, a remodeling contractor in the San Francisco Bay Area.

At the rate Superior Builders has grown in 2013-2014 due to the turnaround in the housing market, it made perfect sense to hire a talented individual like Jay as Project Manager, said David Lorber, owner of Superior Builders and Remodelers. Jay will be bring many strengths to our company. Hell be involved in all phases, from preconstruction to final installation, to supervising several work crews and bringing his building expertise to bear on every facet of a job. Jay has worked on almost every type of construction project, from whole-house remodels and room additions to high-rise condominiums to a wide range of commercial building projects.

I have worn every conceivable hat in small- to medium-scale construction, Cravagan said, from carpenter to shop foreman, to estimator and superintendent to business owner. It runs the gamut. So when David asked me if Id like to come aboard as general manager I said yes without hesitation."

In recent years, Lorber said, Superior Builders, like many construction firms, has been impacted by the housing crisis and economic recession. But beginning in 2013 we started seeing a more vibrant housing market and demand started to grow. I began to realize then that I needed someone with Jays skill to supervise the companys residential remodeling projects.

For his part Cravagan is clearly enthusiastic about the opportunity. I have known Dave Lorber for nearly ten years and developed a tremendous regard for his talents, his integrity and his success, he said. Its my great pleasure and privilege to be asked to bring the depth of my experience to Superior Builders and Remodelers and help grow it into an even more profitable company.

Cravagan added that its an ideal time to for residential remodeling for those seeking to buy a home and for those whove previously put off remodeling due to an unpredictable housing market. Mortgage rates have remained surprising low according to industry professionals, widening the pool of potential home buyers throughout northern California.

Were seeing with existing homeowners that many are upgrading to take advantage of low interest rates," Lorber added, "while others sense its time to sell, knowing they can recoup their costs after years of an unpredictable housing market--a scary roller coaster ride for many people, he emphasized. And remodeling certainly pays off. As a homeowner you can often recover remodeling expenses, or recoup them and make a healthy profit, when you sell your home.

According to Remodeling Magazines 2014 Cost vs. Value Report, Attic bedroom remodels, kitchen remodels and basement remodels of high quality, recoup 135.2%, 111.7% and 117.8% respectively. Many other examples of remodeling jobs that recoup costs are cited in the report

Lorber is confident that with Jay Cravagan as Project Manager, Superior Builders and Remodelers can better meet the remodeling needs of SF Bay Area residents, for whatever their reason they choose, whether its for improved living space, better quality of life or adding financial value to their home.

Read more here:
Superior Builders and Remodelers Hires Jay Cravagan, a Well Respected Bay Area Contractor, as Project Manager

HINSDALE Work could soon begin on a new softball field at Hinsdale Central and a renovated exercise room at Hinsdale South High School.

During a District 86 Facility Committee meeting Wednesday, plans moved forward with both projects, but final approval from the school board is still needed in order to break ground.

The softball field, which would cost about $250,000 has been on the districts to-do list for some time, according to school board member Ed Corcoran.

In order to complete the softball field, a permit application has to be filed with Flagg Creek Water Reclamation District.

District 86 Chief Financial Officer Bill Eagan said work on the field could start as soon as Oct. 1 if the project goes out to bid by next week.

The project cost would include a stormwater study, according to the district.

Remodeling the weight room at Hinsdale South includes bringing in new exercise equipment, a cage, installing a new floor and a swipe system to record people going in and out of the facility.

Hinsdale South Principal Stephanie Palmer thinks the swipe system will be an effective mode of to tracking who uses the weight room and when, but the floor is her main concern.

Mostly were excited about refurbishing the flooring, it is old and damaged, Palmer said. And we do need some new equipment, some more modernized equipment, but we also need to replace some damaged equipment.

Corcoran suggested that it would also be nice to establish a time when taxpayers could use the upgraded facility.

Read more:
D-86 discusses new Hinsdale Central softball field

A A

Three Creeks Community Library will close for about two weeks in September for a remodel that will provide some new features for visitors.

The branch at 800-C N.E. Tenney Road will be closed on Monday, Sept. 15; the anticipated reopening is Wednesday, Oct. 1.

Items checked out at the Three Creeks library between Monday and Sept. 9 will have an extended due date of Oct. 1. Three Creeks borrowers whose holds become available during the closure will be notified to pick up their items at the downtown Vancouver Community Library instead.

The project estimated at $160,000 to $175,000 is a chance to catch up on some deferred maintenance at the 12-year-old branch, said Karin Ford, public services director for the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District. But it also will be a chance to shift the floor plan around and create some new spaces for new services.

They include construction of a laptop bar in the teen area.

"We will add an L-shaped bar with five stools in the teen alcove, where there is no room for a free-standing table and chairs," Ford said.

Laptop bars are popular at other libraries in the district that have been built or renovated in the last few years.

The remodel will set the stage for a pair of glass-walled study rooms. Space has already been cleared, with the removal of two rows of book shelves adjacent to the teen area.

"People in the community are looking for meeting spaces," said Sue Vanlaanen, Fort Vancouver Regional Library District spokeswoman. The branch has a community meeting room, but it's for bigger programs and can't be divided into smaller spaces.

Link:
Three Creeks library closing briefly during remodeling

Gayle Plessner and her husband love their dogs, but the sound of the rain on the roof of their California home made them lament winter, the season of muddied paws, in 2012.

"I remember thinking that it would be great if we had a mud room for the dogs," Plessner said.

So when the couple decided in April 2013 to remodel their six-bedroom contemporary home in the Westlake Village planned community on Los Angeles' outskirts, Plessner turned a 10-by-12-foot room off the laundry room into a pet zone, adding a water-resistant polka-dot floor and a separate dog door with access to the backyard for Lucy, a 2-year-old golden retriever; Hermione, a 5-year-old pug; and Snoop, a 6-year-old Chihuahua mix.

Plessner was going to eliminate the bathtub in the bathroom adjoining the dogs' room but instead removed the glass shower doors and made the tub more accessible for bathing them.

Designers say more dog owners are considering their pets' needs when building or remodeling their homes: asking for pooch-friendly spaces, ordering specialized cabinets for pet bowls and food, and adding canine-only showers and tubs.

"Pets and children are very important to our homeowners. So whether it's dogs or cats or gerbils or fish, we need to include them in the design process," Los Angeles architect Tim Barber said.

Marc Bekoff, author of "Why Dogs Hump and Bees Get Depressed," said pets want to feel at peace and safe.

"Animals are smart and emotional, and people are now factoring that into a lot of things. And a place in the house where a dog can get away from it all is really important," he said.

Whether with people or their environment, dogs also crave contact.

"They love the feeling of their back or their butt against a wall or a corner," Bekoff said.

See more here:
Places for pooches