Swing bridge plans go on show

9:51am Wednesday 25th June 2014 in Selby & Tadcaster

PLANS for major refurbishment to Selby swing bridge will be on display in the town next month.

The 14 million investment will be the biggest investment in the bridge since it was built in 1889, and will start on Friday, July 26, running until September.

The bridge will have steelwork repaired, sections of the bridge replaced and strengthened, a new coat of paint, repairs to the hydraulic system and track, and new walkways and steps for bridge operators.

Updates on rail service changes are expected soon, with buses replacing several rail services throughout the repairs.

The drop-in event will be on the ground floor of the site offices on Ousegate, Selby, from 10am to 7pm on Thursday, July 3, with members of the Network Rail team and staff from train operating companies on-hand to answer questions and discuss the road closures and changes to train services needed to complete the work.

For more information go to nationalrail.co.uk or phone 08457 484950.

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Swing bridge plans go on show

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have a bone to pick with pedestrians. I can't tell you how many times I have begun to walk up a flight of stairs only to discover that someone is walking down the side that I am walking up. As a child, I learned that you walk up on the right and down on the left. Is that still the proper way to use stairs? And when you are on an escalator or one of those moving walkways in airports, aren't you supposed to go to the right if you are moving slowly or want to stand still and let fast movers go on the left? Please tell me that this is true and that I'm not crazy. -- Up the Stairs, Chicago

DEAR UP THE STAIRS: The standard in America is that whether you are walking up or down a flight of steps, your right hand should be able to hold onto the handrail on your right. As you are walking down a flight of stairs, for example, if someone is walking up the same flight of stairs, that person should be passing you on your left and, therefore, not causing a collision.

It is true that if you want to pass someone on a staircase, whether it is moving or not, you pass on the left, just as one does in a vehicle.

******

DEAR HARRIETTE: I just saw a nice posting on Facebook from an old friend, so I went to her page to look to see what she is up to. She is the mom of one of my friends, a woman probably in her late 60s. I was shocked to see that she had several pictures on her page of gun-wielding men who looked pretty scary. This is a woman I know through my church. She comes across as peace-loving and quiet. The pictures I saw were major testosterone images of men who looked like they were about to do battle. While I am not a member of the National Rifle Association, I get the idea that people have the right to bear arms. But I'm telling you that there was something creepy about these shots, especially coming from her. Should I ask her about them? I feel like I want to unfriend her. -- Social Media Disturbed, Washington, D.C.

DEAR SOCIAL MEDIA DISTURBED: Start by sending your friend a direct message on Facebook. Greet her kindly and then ask her why she has those pictures on her page. While it could be intentional, it could also be that someone posted them there and she may not know how to remove them. How deeply did you look into her photo stream? It could be that she is exposing pro-gun extremists at their worst to make a point.

Rather than passing judgment on this woman, inquire as to the rationale for the images on her page. I'm sure she will tell you, and then you can decide on your next steps accordingly.

(Lifestylist and author Harriette Cole is president and creative director of Harriette Cole Media. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

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Sense & Sensativity: Walker ready to move into the fast lane

Proponents of several local ballot issues celebrated on election night as three out of four measures had the majority support they needed to pass.

The Cabrillo Unified School District (CUSD) parcel tax, Measure B, which extends an existing parcel tax that was approved by voters as Measure E in June 2010 for an additional five years, passed with 70 percent voter support. A two-thirds majority was required.

The annual tax would remain at $150 per parcel and continue to go toward the maintenance of qualified teachers and small class sizes, keeping schools open, preserving academic programs and maintaining updated classroom computer technology.

On election night, a group of CUSD board directors, PTO members, parents, and students gathered at the Half Moon Bay Brewing Company where the Measure B election camp tallied votes. By day's end, victory was in the air as the results came in with a solid two-thirds majority to win.

"I am excited that Measure B passed for a number of reasons," said Co-Chair for the Measure B campaign and Hatch Elementary PTO president Corrine Bucher. "First, it feels great to live in a community that can come together to pass a measure that touches all the students in the CUSD. Secondly, I have two children who will be coming up through Cunha and Half Moon High School, and this funding allows the District to keep the forward momentum it has been working so hard to create."

Measure B will take effect after the original measure expires at the end of June 2015.

Measure G, which would allow the Granada Sanitary District (GSD) to become a community services district and acquire parks and recreation powers by Oct. 1, passed with 58 percent of voters showing support for the measure.

Under Measure G, the Granada Sanitary District will continue to provide sewer and garbage service while potentially adding active recreational opportunities as well as benches and picnic tables on the Burnham Strip and the development of neighborhood parks along El Granada medians, on school district sites and within the county-owned Quarry Park and Mirada Surf.

GSD estimates sewer rates would increase $83 over the next five years by reorganizing into a community services district with parks control.

Measure F, which would make Half Moon Bay city officials get approval from voters before proceeding with a project to repair or replace the Main Street Bridge in downtown Half Moon Bay, passed with 65 percent of the vote.

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Coastside voters pass school parcel tax, measures F and G

The futuristic design was revealed today as part of Arup's Future Of Rail 2050 report The design consultancy says it wants to transform the station into an 'urban icon' The new site will feature 18 platforms and handle over 500,000 passengers a day Other predictions made in the report include driverless trains and ticketless travel In the future, rail stations could be powered by LNG, hydrogen and even algae Passengers will be able to make 'HoloCalls' and browse virtual shopping walls

By Helen Nicholson

Published: 18:03 EST, 23 June 2014 | Updated: 02:42 EST, 24 June 2014

With its vast indoor platforms, raised glass-panelled walkways and giant, futuristic pillars it is a far cry from the scene that greets India's rail passengers on their current daily commute.

The striking image is an artists impression of plans by a global engineering and design consultancy to transform New Delhi railway station into an urban icon for a modern, vibrant city.

Arup has been appointed to redevelop the 86 hectares that the station covers and make the site fit for 21st century travel.

'Urban icon': The computer-generated plans for the new station include vast indoor platforms, raised glass-panelled walkways and futuristic, sweeping white pillars

Outdated: The new design is a far cry from the current New Delhi railway station where passengers have to wait outdoors on crowded platforms

The proposed station - which is covered by a white ceiling and dotted with trees - will feature 18 platforms and handle in excess of 500,000 rail passengers per day.

The company hopes to completely transform the current overcrowded site, which travellers on TripAdvisor complain is chaotic, dirty and dangerous.

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Striking design brings India's New Delhi station into the 21st century

Leesburg Concrete Company, Incorporated (LCCI) scored a home run/99.79 when they were reviewed un-announced by the NPCA auditors. NPCA plant audits are performed by independent, nationally accredited engineers and are conducted in varying months of the year, un-announced. The inspector spends a full day at the facility to closely examine management policies, production processes, raw materials, concrete mixes, QC procedures, reinforcement fabrication placement, casting, curing & stripping operations, and storage & handling. Being part of the NPCA Plant Certification program illustrates LCCIs commitment to produce high-quality precast concrete products. And the users and specifiers benefit because they can easily identify and select high-quality precast-concrete manufacturers. Plant certification is a stamp of excellence and top scorers are indeed an elite group. Leesburg Concrete Company, Incorporated is proud of this achievement and appreciates all that is required to maintain such a reliable quality status.

Leesburg Concrete Company, Incorporated

Family owned and operated since 1983, Leesburg Concrete Company, Incorporated started as a leading manufacturer of precast concrete steps decks, walkways, landings, and ADA compliant modular precast concrete wheelchair ramps, with steel guard rails, and handrails. They currently manufacture Easi-Set Buildings, Easi-Span ultra-large buildings and Easi-Set restrooms, which feature a patented post-tensioning system in the roof and floor, architectural precast wall panels and precast concrete stairs. LCCI also offers a wide array of custom precast product options. We've never had a job that we couldn't handle, stated Kirk Rouse, Vice President of LCCI. This American, family-owned company demonstrates a philosophy of quality and innovation.

Leesburg Concrete Company, Incorporated is an NPCA Certified Plant, focused on meeting the needs of commercial building construction and renovation projects. Their experienced staff provides turnkey service. It takes one call to find the solution to your building needs. For more information visit their website at http://www.leesburgconcrete.com, call (800) 882-4177, or email KRouse@leesburgconcrete.com.

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Leesburg Concrete Company, Incorporated is Included in an Elite Group of Precasters

The Hillsboro City Council and staff are discussing plans to make the Hillsboro Pioneer Cemetery more alive than ever with improved visitor access, new plant species and community events such as historical re-enactments.

The cemetery can really be a place for education, said Hillsboro city recorder and cemetery manager Amber Ames. The city hired Kurt Lango of Lango Hansen Landscape Architects to create a new master plan for the cemetery and present it at a recent council meeting.

We looked at a number of options, said Lango, including how people entered the cemetery with or without vehicles, areas for potential interpretive opportunities to tell the citys history, and we looked at maintenance issues such as plant upkeep.

The changes proposed in the master plan are extensive. On the structural level, they include installing new gates for vehicular and pedestrian access, repaving walkways and building plazas and memorial areas to make the cemetery more accessible to visitors.

We want people to take a look at it; make it visible, said Lango.

Meanwhile, the introduction of native plants such as shadbush and red ferns will reduce maintenance costs and evoke a timeless landscape.

We try to have a light touch, said Lango. Because with the oaks and the gravesites and the rolling hills we dont want to take away from that historical character.

According to the master plan, changes also include the installation of plinths with art work of historic interpretive elements devised with the Hillsboro arts community to create a meandering experiences punctuated by benches and planting areas set within the gravel surface.

The purpose of the new master plan is to encourage community involvement in the cemetery.

Historically, cemeteries were used actively by city dwellers as a cooler area for gatherings and picnics, added Lango. So with the Pioneer Cemetery, its interesting a lot of people dont know its there.

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City hopes to make Pioneer Cemetery come alive

Glen Rock High School athletic field contractor Turco Golf has corrected a previous error that caused water to pool on the synthetic surface of the lower soccer field over the summer, after draining down from the baseball field.

The situation, first disclosed at the Aug. 26 Board of Education meeting, was among several field-related issues discussed at that session, ranging from final "punch list" items to be completed in upcoming months, to the need for upgraded maintenance routines and security safeguards.

Business administrator Michael Rinderknecht and BOE Operations chair Rona McNabola addressed the previous contractor error at that session, noting that grading of the slope dropping to a swale between the baseball field and the lower soccer surface had not been executed according to engineer/architect specifications, contributing to the surface water issue.

In addition to correcting that mistake at no additional charge, Turco was asked to install additional drainage components to prevent further pooling. The BOE-requested add-on required approval of a $9,000 change order at the same meeting.

After noting the water formations and related mud and debris deposits after heavy summer rains, Rinderknecht said, "We ended up getting an engineer out to inspect the area, and found out that when they (Turco) built the swale, they did not build it in accord with specifications. It actually had more of a pitch and slope to it, so when we had heavy rain, water gushed down and left mud on the lower soccer field. We then asked the contractor to go back and (rebuild) it in accordance with the original bid specifications."

Officials also decided to further enhance the correction by installing two additional drains - one "swale" drain in the middle of the re-cast formation, and a conventional fixture along the path from the complex to Cornwall Avenue - "as a precaution" requiring the new work order. This Monday, McNabola confirmed that the grade correction and new drain installations have now been completed.

In her Aug. 26 Operations report, McNabola also broached the new maintenance requirements posed by the complex, given the synthetic surfaces at the all-purpose and lower soccer venues, and the new sod infield and upgraded dirt surfaces at the baseball field.

"These fields are very different in every aspect from what we had before, so we have to set up an entirely different maintenance plan," she said, noting that buildings and grounds supervisor Sandy Marinos was addressing the issue. Rinderknecht concurred, saying, "I'm very comfortable that we have an appropriate maintenance (regimen) in place."

He said steps have already been taken to monitor and address littering and other cosmetic issues that had sullied the facilities during the summer.

"We have arranged with (custodial contractor) Aramark to go out and inspect and clean the area on a daily basis," picking up debris and using blowers to clear field surfaces and sidewalks, he said.

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Glen Rock High School field fixes address drainage issue

May 16, 2014 marked the grand opening of the Dunnellon Trail Bridge. Leesburg Concrete Company, Incorporated (LCCI) was a part of this significant recreational project. "Our part was the design completion and manufacture of precast concrete elements and associated connections for the precast columns and ornamental structures of the pedestrian/bicycle bridge", said Shawn Thomas, V.P. at LCCI. "This trail is a new addition to the Florida Greenway Trails System. The finish is ground and polished concrete bases and caps and stained faux stone. We are thrilled to have a part in this project and to add this to our portfolio of custom products."

The 280 ft. long bridge spans the Withlacoochee River, part of a 2.4 mile paved spur which is now part of the larger 46 mile Withlacoochee State Trail, currently crossing Pasco, Citrus and Hernando counties. The new addition is a key component of the Heart of Florida Loop portion of the Cross Florida Greenway Trail. This path provides observation of the pristine oak, pine and cypress woods which run along the Withlacoochee and Rainbow Rivers. The new trail and bridge brings the state to within two miles of the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway.

Leesburg Concrete Company, Incorporated Family owned and operated since 1983, Leesburg Concrete Company, Incorporated was first a leading manufacturer of precast concrete steps decks, walkways, landings, and ADA compliant modular precast concrete wheelchair ramps, with steel guard rails, and handrails. They currently manufacture Easi-Set Buildings, Easi-Span ultra-large buildings and Easi-Set restrooms, which feature a patented post-tensioning system in the roof and floor, architectural precast cladding panels and precast concrete stairs. LCCI also offers a wide array of custom precast product options. "We've never had a job that we couldn't handle," stated Kirk Rouse, Vice President of LCCI. This American, family-owned company demonstrates a philosophy of quality and innovation.

Leesburg Concrete Company, Incorporated is an NPCA Certified Plant, focused on meeting the needs of commercial building construction and renovation projects. Their experienced staff provides turnkey service. It takes one call to find the solution to your building needs. For more information visit their website at http://www.leesburgconcrete.com, call (800) 882-4177, or email KRouse@leesburgconcrete.com.

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New Withlacoochee Trail Section and Expanding Custom Portfolio

BEIRUT: Ambling along the narrow streets of Beiruts Mar Mikhael and Geitawi neighborhoods on a balmy morning, masters students from Balamand Universitys Academie Libanaise des Beaux-Arts lead groups of design enthusiasts on a heritage-esque tour of the areas famous stairs.

One guide tells stories of the family who built the well-known Vendome Stairs named after a long-gone theater at their base and another recounts tales told by residents about a large stone in the middle of a flight north of Roum Hospital. The story goes that a drunken man comes every night to try to move it to the top but to no avail.

From secret steps tucked into the entrances of old buildings to short, wide flights shaded by webs of cables and serving as the only outlets for some apartments, the stairs are a defining feature of the capitals hilly eastern areas.

The guided stroll, led by students Honeine Laeticia, Kallab Cyril, Salamoun Elias and Rouhana Joyce, and their instructor Diala Lteif, was intended to raise awareness of the imminent threat to the steps created by a slew of new developments.

The main problem is a lack of preservation. None of the buildings along the tour or in that neighborhood are classified as heritage sites by the government, said Lteif, who taught a semester-long course focusing on the stairs as part of ALBAs new global design program.

Letif added that the students had conducted onsite research by interviewing residents in preparation for the tours, which were part of last weeks Beirut Design Week and were accompanied by an open workshop to brainstorm ways to protect the neighborhoods traditional character.

In the program at ALBA, we look at design as a process to solve a problem ... and the users [of the design] are the main focus, she explained. Since we are contextually embedded in the city around us, it made sense for us to look at the design problems we face in the city.

Lteifs students hit the streets to talk with residents of Mar Mikhael and Geitawi, many of whom were older and had lived in the area for decades, about the stairs and the lack of heritage protection.

She said what the students discovered as they began to explore the neighborhoods outraged them. Seemingly on every corner, towers were being built, causing real estate developers to seek new outlets for the additional vehicular traffic such apartments bring.

The draft rent law recently passed by Parliament, under which old rents would be raised incrementally and tenants could be evicted with no compensation after nine years, threatens more upheaval, as does the controversial Fouad Boutros Highway project. The proposed road would pass from Ashrafieh to the port, with at least one flight of historic stairs, several traditional buildings and a large public garden being demolished in the process.

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Stepping up efforts to save Beiruts walkways

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. -

Most accidental falls happen in the home and many times the victims turn out to be senior citizens.

That's why Home Instead Senior Care is offering free home safety checks for local seniors during the month of June, or National Senior Safety Month.

"More and more people these days are choosing to stay at home," said Rob Costello, president of Home Instead Senior Care. "With more seniors staying at home, safety becomes a bigger issue."

Care experts will walk you through changes you can make to prevent a slip or trip in your home. Changes might include lowering sprinkler heads outside on the lawn, minimizing clutter and clearing walkways throughout the house. In the bathroom, you should include a comfort-level toilet, add grab bars and avoid tubs and throw rugs, which can be a major tripping hazard.

Costello said to keep everything clear and easy to access, including telephones in case of emergency.

"I'm not as agile as I once was," said 93-year-old Kermit Greene, of Cathedral City. "I'd rather live at home, than be in a home."

Greene suffered a broken hip in a car crash 30 years ago. Living on his own, he doesn't want to risk breaking another one. He had care experts help make changes in his home.

The following safety tips from the Home Safety Council and Home Instead Senior Care can help.

For more information, contact Home Instead Senior Care at (760) 674-1905 or visit homeinstead.com

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Home Instead Senior Care offers free senior home safety checks