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    The Way We Were: Dunlap House was a source of Jacksonville pride - February 27, 2012 by Mr HomeBuilder

    February 27, 2012 5:26 AM

    A traveling man could get a pretty nice room for $2 a day at the Dunlap House a century ago.

    The old Dunlap was an 80-room hotel which once stood where the Morgan County Center is now located on West State Street.

    The Dunlap House was completed in the spring of 1858 and for many years was considered to be one of Jacksonville’s principal buildings. Sketches of the hotel were included on maps and other publications.

    The hotel was the brainchild of Col. James Dunlap, a local entrepreneur, who took a residence and enlarged it. The front part of the brick hotel building had three stories, while two rear wings had two floors.

    The guest rooms were said to be “neat and airy,” and each room was supplied with a stove and gas fixtures.

    “Although this hotel will be a just subject of pride to our citizens, and has involved a very heavy expenditure in its erection, it is entirely a private enterprise on the part of Col. Dunlap, and one which entitles him to the commendations of the community for the liberality and public spirit it evinces,” wrote a local journalist in 1858.

    The Dunlap soon supplanted the Mansion House, later known as the Park Hotel, as the city’s leading hostelry.

    Samuel Clemens, better known as “Mark Twain,” stayed at the Dunlap when he came to town in 1869 to talk about his travels abroad.

    Members of the Dunlap family ran the hotel for many years before Capt. Alexander Smith, a Civil War hero and veteran hotel clerk, bought the place in 1880. He earned his rank fighting for the Union Army and proudly kept it the rest of his life.

    “Cap” Smith, who is said to have been “a born hotel keeper,” quickly undertook a complete remodeling of the hotel. An army of painters, plasterers and carpenters renovated every inch of the building.

    The renovated Dunlap’s rooms were all equipped with an electric bell connected to the office. And “another feature which few, if any, hotels in our state possess is the ladies private washroom and bathrooms ... fitted up in the best possible manner,” the Journal reported in September 1880.

    “As a guarantee that the house will be ably conducted in such a manner as to satisfy the traveling public, we need only state that Capt. Alex Smith, the proprietor, ... will have personal supervision of the house and see that the wants of all guests are promptly supplied.”

    For the entertainment of his guests, Smith also had a billiards room added to the hotel in 1880, a room large enough to accommodate six tables.

    “Conventions always delighted him, and he was happiest when the great lobby and dining rooms were filled with sociable guests,” wrote an unknown local historian around 1940.

    “On one occasion, the Travelers Protective Association state meeting was held (at the Dunlap House) and as each guest went to the desk to pay his bill for himself and his family, the clerk smilingly handed him a bill already receipted by ‘Cap.’”

    Smith got out of the hotel business in 1904 and died in a fire in his Jacksonville home in 1917.

    A modern, five-story brick and steel-frame hotel building went up just east of the old Dunlap in 1925. Called the New Dunlap Hotel, it dwarfed its outdated predecessor for a few years before wreckers demolished the old hotel.

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    The Way We Were: Dunlap House was a source of Jacksonville pride

    Elyria Woman’s Club raising funds to preserve historic Monteith Hall - February 26, 2012 by Mr HomeBuilder

    ELYRIA — Charlotte Norris delicately descended the steps to the basement, pulled a thin cord to shine a light and made her way to a small room near the back of Monteith Hall.

    Then, she walked into a small, dusty room with a low ceiling and pointed to the concrete block wall.

    It stood out from the other sandstone walls of the room.

    “We think it was right here,” she said. “It faces the back of the house and the Black River. It could have easily been the place where slaves came in on the Underground Railroad. All John Monteith would have to do is hide the door to the room and no one would know he was an abolitionist hiding slaves.”

    Click any image to view larger.

    The tunnel or any remnants to definitively tell historian where the tunnel may have been had since been closed up, but Norris, a longtime member of the Elyria Woman’s Club, the home’s owner since 1954, was happy to show off the spot that helped to solidify the home’s place on the National Register of Historic Homes.

    It is also that bit of history that Norris would like Elyrians to remember because Monteith Hall, sometimes simply described as the “old white house on East Avenue with the big pillars” is in need of work to maintain the 177-year-old historic gem.

    “This home has gone through a lot of remodeling over the years, but people are still very impressed when they see the house,” she said. “There is so much history here worth preserving.”

    That is why the Elyria Woman’s Club will hold three fundraisers in coming months to raise money for the soon much needed repairs.

    Norris said the money will be used to fund the repair and restoration of the pillars and pilasters on the front of the house. They are peeling and cracking. The last time they received any work was at least 20 years ago. Now, the work that needs to be done will cost between $20,000 and $30,000.

    “There are no other structural problems with the home. It has held up well over the years because all of its owners have taken good care of it,” she said.

    Built in 1835, the home is one of the oldest homes in Elyria. It was built by the Rev. John Monteith, an ordained minister and a staunch abolitionist.

    Norris said Monteith gave fiery anti-slavery sermons and speeches and was never silenced by the threats of those who opposed his views. He worked with other abolitionists in Oberlin and Elyria, and he used his home as a place were runaway slaves could receive food, rest and hide until going on to Lake Erie.

    Monteith Hall then became the home of former Elyria Mayor Nahum B. Gates. He married Sarah Monteith in 1841. Their son William N. Gates and his wife, Ada, totally remodeled the house in 1898. That is when the pillars and pilasters were added on the front porch.

    After Gates’ death in 1913, his widow donated $25,000 to help build the Gates Hospital for Crippled Children, now the Gates Medical Center, which is a part of EMH Medical Center in Elyria.

    Norris said a lot of work — much of it completed by club member Betty Bergman Camp — was done to document and preserve the home’s history. Restoring the pillars and pilasters is just another step in that process.

    ELYRIA WOMAN’S CLUB FUNDRAISERS

    For reservations or information on any event, call (440) 322-0524 or (440) 322-3644.

    WINE TASTING EVENT

    What: There will be a variety of wines, a hors d’oeuvres buffet, a Chinese auction, a 50/50 raffle and a special guest, a survivor of the “Titanic.”

    When: 7 to 9 p.m. March 24.

    Where: Monteith Hall, 218 East Ave.

    Cost: Tickets are $20 each with advance reservations, or $25 at the door.

    SPAGHETTI DINNER

    What: Caterer Jennifer Ehlke will prepare the meal. Guests are allowed to bring their favorite wine (and glasses) to the event.

    When: 6 to 8:30 p.m. April 21.

    Where: Monteith Hall, 218 East Ave.

    Cost: Tickets are $12 for adults, and $6 for 12 years and younger.

    FASHION SHOW AND LUNCH

    What: The show will begin with fashions from Midway Mall’s Christopher & Banks. Lunch will follow at noon. There will be musical selections by area singers and door prizes.

    When: 11 a.m. May 12.

    Where: Monteith Hall, 218 East Ave.

    Contact Lisa Roberson at 329-7121 or lroberson@chroniclet.com.

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    Radnor Bathroom Remodeling Contractor Launches New Approach to Bathroom Improvement That Aims to Create a Spa-Like … - February 26, 2012 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) February 26, 2012

    Today, the Bathroom Boss publicly announced an innovative approach to residential bathrooms, which aims to create a spa-like environment in the homes of their clients. Most recently, The Bathroom Boss made this experience possible by installing the state-of-the-art Kohler DTV shower system which includes smart features such as warm-up mode time and the ability to pause water flow.

    The $25,000 bathroom remodel for Joe Marrone was located in the prestigious Radnor Township, Pennsylvania, named one of the top 25 “Top Earning Towns” by CNN Money and “The Best Place to Live in the Suburbs” by Philadelphia magazine.

    “The Bathroom Boss came with a great reputation from people I knew,” says Joe. “He also had some great references on his website. The owner, Mike Treacy, did a total remodel from design to finishing work. He listened to my suggestions and I was involved every step of the way. From start to finish, he was professional, knowledgeable, clean, and very accommodating.”

    The impressive three room bathroom featured an ergonomic hot tub, a Fresca modern glass vanity, polished porcelain floors, and textured porcelain tile in the 5’ x 7’ shower. In addition, the former old radiator was removed and a thin German designed Runtal radiator was installed. The bathroom was designed for simple living with a touch of class and modern charm.

    “We realize that few spaces in the home are as personal and practical as a bathroom,” says Mike Treacy, owner of The Bathroom Boss. “We are very careful to understand our clients’ vision and work with them to make their dream a reality. In addition, we spend a great deal of time researching the latest bathroom designs, products, and interior decoration to keep up-to-date with all the trends.”

    Although the Radnor project was an extensive remodel, The Bathroom Boss can create a personal space that is unique and within budget for any bathroom remodel, large or small. With a team of experienced home remodelers, they are able to care of all aspects of the remodeling process including the design, electrical, plumbing, tiling, lighting, and accessories.

    What’s more, they treat their customers like royalty. With every complete bathroom remodel their clients receive a set of monogrammed bath towels and with every major master bathroom remodel clients receive a bottle of champagne and a gift certificate for dinner.

    “I am very courteous about being in someone’s home,” Mike adds. “I realize this is not their workplace, this is their home where they live. I am meticulous about my work and handle all the finishing touches myself.”

    To learn more about this impressive company, please visit their website, http://www.thebathroomboss.com.

    About The Bathroom Boss

    The Bathroom Boss has the manpower, knowledge, and experience to complete any bathroom remodel. They are careful to first understand a client’s vision, and then work with them for the entire project to make their dream become a reality. Their prompt, professional service at affordable prices has quickly earned them a reputation as one of the top bathroom remodelers in Bucks and Montgomery County.

    ###


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    Radnor Bathroom Remodeling Contractor Launches New Approach to Bathroom Improvement That Aims to Create a Spa-Like ...

    Integrated Builders Inc – Video - February 25, 2012 by Mr HomeBuilder

    24-02-2012 12:11 http://www.integratedbuildersinc.com Straightforward ad about your skills at helping customers remodel or refurbish their home, whether for a single room or several. New housing costs have you overwhelmed? Why not spruce up your existing home with help from the experts? With the proper skills, tools and experience, we specialize in a wide range of remodeling and renovation services. We work with you to create an exciting design, then our experienced and knowledgeable crews work quickly to complete the job to your satisfaction, while maintaining a high standard of excellence. Whether you want to remodel a single room or your entire home, call us today.

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    Integrated Builders Inc - Video

    DPO Construction Company, Inc. – Video - February 24, 2012 by Mr HomeBuilder

    23-02-2012 14:28 http://www.dpoconstructioncompany.com Straightforward ad about your skills at helping customers remodel or refurbish their home, whether for a single room or several. New housing costs have you overwhelmed? Why not spruce up your existing home with help from the experts? With the proper skills, tools and experience, we specialize in a wide range of remodeling and renovation services. We work with you to create an exciting design, then our experienced and knowledgeable crews work quickly to complete the job to your satisfaction, while maintaining a high standard of excellence. Whether you want to remodel a single room or your entire home, call us today.

    See the article here:
    DPO Construction Company, Inc. - Video

    Tropicana Las Vegas revenue up on room renovations, restaurant and club openings - February 24, 2012 by Mr HomeBuilder

    The Tropicana Las Vegas hotel-casino says its revenue soared during the fourth quarter of 2011 on a year-to-year basis, but higher expenses resulted in a loss for the period.

    The company, in a regulatory filing Wednesday, said net revenue in the quarter of $20.27 million was up from $14.22 million in the year-ago quarter.

    The 2011 quarter’s net loss of $11 million was down from the year-ago period’s loss of $11.4 million.

    With the reopening of 1,375 rooms and suites after remodeling and the opening of restaurants and clubs, business picked up but expenses increased for casino, room and food and beverage operations, and for depreciation and amortization.

    The Tropicana, in its filing, said a $147 million capital improvement project that began in July 2009 had been completed and that it helped drive a 33 percent increase in casino revenue in 2011 along with a 96 percent increase in food and beverage revenue thanks to the opening of restaurants and clubs.

    Room revenue increased 60 percent last year as more rooms were in service, occupancy improved and the average daily room rate increased from $55 to $69.

    Continued here:
    Tropicana Las Vegas revenue up on room renovations, restaurant and club openings

    For some at Elbo Room, Spring Break lasts forever - February 24, 2012 by Mr HomeBuilder

    FORT LAUDERDALE For the regulars at the Elbo Room, it's like Spring Break lasts forever, and that iconic song by Connie Francis never ends.

    If "Where the Boys Are" is a question, the answer is here — right at the end of the bar.

    "Is there any better place in the world than right here?" said Steve Geissler, 50, who downed his first beer here in 1979, before his freshman year at New York Institute of Technology in his native Long Island. "Live music, the ocean right there, pretty girls. When I moved here 12 years ago, this was the only place I recognized. It's home."

    This week, as the first wave of stressed-out young scholars fans out for alcohol-therapy sessions in Cancun, Panama Beach and Puerta Vallarta, the beaches where an annual college rite exploded will be largely ignored.

    And that's just the way city officials and Broward County tourism chiefs want it. The days when up to 300,000 revelers, inspired by the 1960 movie, swung from the lampposts on A1A are long gone.

    Yet some of the boys from earlier generations are still here.

    Next to Geissler on Wednesday afternoon was a shirtless Eddy Perez, 39, who said he was just 10 when his older brothers dragged him along from their home in Miami. He wasn't drinking then, of course. "I think I had my first beer at 12," said Perez.

    On Perez's right was John Fortino, 47, a Fort Lauderdale native who went to Florida State University, brought his friends home for Spring Break, and soon after graduation came home again to begin a career in real estate.

    "This place just sucks you in," said Fortino of the city's oldest bar, which occupies a prime chunk of real estate at the corner of A1A and Las Olas Boulevard. "You can stand here and see the ocean, feel the breeze and watch all the tourists go by."

    Owner Michele Penrod, whose family bought the Elbo Room in 1981, describes the bar as "flip-flop casual." And that is what Fortino, Geissler, Perez and a handful of other 4 p.m. regulars are wearing: T-shirts, shorts and flip-flops.

    They are among a group of 15 to 20 men and a few women, mostly middle age or older, who have stayed connected to their younger selves by turning a famous Spring Break mecca into their neighborhood tavern.

    "When I was younger, I was more like a tourist here," said Fortino, a real estate broker who takes a water taxi to the bar from his nearby condo. "Now this is a place where I go to relax with friends."

    Opened in 1938, the Elbo Room sits less than 100 yards from the surf. The ocean breeze makes air conditioning unnecessary, and the second-story balcony is perfect for people-watching.

    Patrons dressed in nothing more than bathing suits can cross the street for a plunge in the ocean and return 20 minutes later to find their drink on the bar where they left it.

    Tourists do wander in, of course, often to revisit a memory they made while in college. Penrod said a middle-aged woman stopped by the other day and found herself in one of the vintage photos framed on the walls next to movie stills of Connie Francis and license plates from all over the world.

    "We have never been tempted to change the place," said Penrod. "People do like to come back here and find what they remember."

    One of those who dropped in this week for a beer and a shot of nostalgia was Christine Freund, 52, who grew up in Fort Lauderdale, partied here as a teenager, and then moved to New York with her family.

    Although far fewer people are on the streets outside, "this is the same atmosphere I remember," said Freund, who now lives in Sea Cliff, N.Y.

    Freund had another reason to visit. Her son, Freddy, aka Fast Fingers Freddy, is one of the bar's regular entertainers, a singer-guitarist with a 200-song repertoire of rock, country and reggae tunes.

    "I hear a lot of stories," said Freddy Freund, 31. "People walk in all the time and say they feel the same vibe they felt in the 70s."

    The bar remains unchanged, except for bathrooms remodeled last year to comply with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. The most recent remodeling before that: 1956.

    For Geissler, the Elbo Room offers a daily flashback to the days when he and five friends piled into a white Dodge van and drove straight through to Fort Lauderdale in 24 hours. On that first trip, they parked the van right in front of the bar and slept inside.

    "I call this place the church," said Geissler, a technology consultant. "This is my home."

    Staff researcher Barbara Hijek contributed to this report.

    mwclary@tribune.com

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    For some at Elbo Room, Spring Break lasts forever

    Napa college closes Student Services for building remodeling - February 23, 2012 by Mr HomeBuilder

    NAPA -- Designed to bring as many Napa Valley College student services as possible together under one roof, Building 1300 is the final major bond project.

    To complete the building, student services offices will be closed to the public during the last week of February.

    The office of vice president of Student Services Oscar De Haro will close for moving Feb. 27-29, and reopen March 1.

    The college's counseling offices will be closed through Feb. 28 and will reopen on Feb. 29. The counseling service's secretaries will be located in Room 1339A.

    The Admissions and Records office will be also closed Feb. 27-28 for moving and will reopen on Feb. 29.

    Meanwhile, the Transfer Center and Career Centers will be closed through March 1, and will reopen March 2.

    Student Life and ASNVC (student government), and Student Support Services will be closed through Feb. 29, reopening March 1.

    An open house will be planned later in the spring.

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    Napa college closes Student Services for building remodeling

    Top Los Angeles Remodeling Contractor CMS Builders and Restoration Announces Acquisition of Asbestos Removal … - February 23, 2012 by Mr HomeBuilder

    CMS Builders and Restoration Explains Why Properly Removing Asbestos is Important.

    Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) February 23, 2012

    Tina Shiachi, President of CMS Builders and Restoration, has been working in the construction industry for over 12 years and earned a reputation as one of the top general contractors in Los Angeles County. Her business offers new construction of custom homes, additions, remodeling, 3-D designing, and supports going green with a full range of solar and wind power solutions. Tina is also a busy mother of two with another one on the way.

    If that weren’t all enough, this powerhouse woman also was recently certified as an Asbestos Abatement Professional.

    Reports estimate that some 30 million tons of asbestos were used in homes, industrial sites, schools, and commercial buildings in the United States.

    “Many houses constructed before 1978 were built using materials that had asbestos in it,” explains Tina. “Even if the house was built after 1978, there is a danger of being exposed to these fibers. During this time, China was exporting building materials with asbestos which was used for ducting, insulation, and popcorn ceilings. Exposure can happen if any of these materials are damaged or disturbed by demolition or repair activities.”

    The fibers are too small to see with the naked eye, yet pose serious health risks to the lungs and organs. That’s why it’s imperative that any asbestos is removed before a home is renovated. Strict requirements are set by the federal, state, and local authorities regarding the proper handling, removal, and discarding of asbestos which makes it essential to hire a qualified asbestos removal professional.

    Whether a client needs asbestos removal, construction of a custom home, or an addition, CMS Builders guarantees all their work and will match any competitors’ coupons or offer. They are currently offering a $1,500 discount on all kitchen remodeling projects over $15,000, a $750 discount on all bathroom remodeling projects over $7,500, and a $5,000 discount off all room additions over $50,000.

    With an A- rating with the Better Business Bureau, this company prides itself on completing projects on time, on budget, and to their clients’ full satisfaction. To learn more about this CMS Builders and Restoration, please visit their website at http://www.cmsprobuilders.com.

    About CMS Builders and Restoration

    CMS Builders and Restoration is a full service general contractor that specializes in kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, room additions, general remodeling, custom cabinetry, electrical, plumbing, wrought iron, patio enclosure, and much more. Established in 2010, President Tina Shiachi has been working in the construction industry for over 12 years. CMS Builders and Restoration serve Los Angeles, Ventura, and Orange Counties.

    ###

    Christina Shiachi
    CMS Builders and Restoration
    (800) 601-2696
    Email Information

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    Top Los Angeles Remodeling Contractor CMS Builders and Restoration Announces Acquisition of Asbestos Removal ...

    DIY home remodeling: when to go it alone – and when to hire a licensed contractor - February 23, 2012 by Mr HomeBuilder

    A licensed and experienced contractor can ensure good installation and lasting value for your remodeling project.

    By Nazem Agha

    After a seemingly interminable fight against the effects of a crippling recession, the U.S. economy is finally beginning to show signs of recovery. But even as consumer confidence begins its slow upward climb, many individuals are still behaving cautiously when it comes to major spending. Over the past few years, many homeowners found ways in which to cut corners and save cash; and while some of their efforts, such as DIY home remodeling, have become full-blown trends, experts caution that there are some undertakings for which it is safer, simpler and ultimately more affordable to bite the bullet and hire a licensed and experienced contractor.

    Some small-scale, one-room projects are the ideal proving ground for a DIY contractor in the making: and provided there aren’t too many technical details or supplies involved, homeowners can snag impressive savings sprucing up a room or two on their own. However, as noted in a recent article from the Chicago Tribune, there are plenty of factors – from labor coordination and tradesmen relationships to wholesale discounts, subcontractors, ready tools and supplies – that keep professional contractors in business. Simply put, a remodeling job can easily get out of hand without the organizational and industry expertise of a licensed expert. And not only that, some products (such as many carpet and flooring materials) may require professional installation in order to validate the warranty. Ultimately, the best way to avoid the pitfalls of both DIY errors and overpriced, multi-contractor projects is to find a company that provides both products and services under the same roof – and at Carpet Country Flooring, we do just that in order to keep your remodeling experience simple, affordable, organized and efficient.

    Professional expertise and unparalleled value with San Diego’s premier flooring company

    Carpet Country Flooring strives to take the hassle out of home improvement by providing customers with the best quality hardwood, laminate, carpet, tile and stone flooring, as well as custom blinds, at the lowest possible prices – and with the convenience of skilled in-house contractors to deliver and install every product we sell. Our San Diego flooring company proudly offers the best Abbey Flooring products and expert installation, cutting out the need for subcontractors and guaranteeing our renowned warranty. If you don’t like the new flooring we install for you, we will change it – no questions asked: so when it comes to custom flooring and blinds, let the experts treat you to a simple, efficient and excellent remodeling experience. To learn more, peruse our product selection or locate our Poway showroom, visit us online at http://www.carpetcountryflooring.com.

    Related posts:

    Sustainable upgrades and green materials top home improvement trends for the New Year Make energy-saving home improvements this holiday season — and earn tax credits for 2011 Affordable remodels and renovations are homeowners’ best bets for 2012 Customer satisfaction key to Carpet Country’s success

    Short URL: http://www.pomeradonews.com/?p=21812

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