Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Published February 07, 2014

Associated Press

The civil war in Syria has become a matter of U.S. homeland security over concerns about a small number of Americans who have gone to fight with Syrian rebels and returned home, new Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said Friday.

Johnson said he and other law enforcement and security officials around the world were focused on foreign fighters heading to the bloody war, including those from the United States, Canada and Europe.

In excerpts from his first major speech since taking office last year, Johnson did not discuss how many U.S. fighters may be in Syria.

U.S. intelligence officials have said a handful of Americans and hundreds of Europeans have already returned to their home countries. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on the topic.

The State Department has no estimates of how many Americans have gone to fight with Syrian rebels, but British defense consultant IHS Jane's puts it at a few dozen. An estimated 1,200 to 1,700 Europeans are among rebel forces in Syria, according to government estimates.

Director of National Intelligence James Clapper told the Senate Intelligence Committee last month that al-Qaida groups in Syria have started training camps "to train people to go back to their countries" -- one of the newest threats emerging in the past year to U.S. security.

Clapper told senators that as many as 7,000 foreigners from some 50 countries, including Europe, were fighting with rebels and extremists in Syria.

To Johnson, it's not just people joining the fight in Syria that are a concern.

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Homeland Security secretary cites threat from Americans fighting in Syria, returning home

CHEYENNE -- A powerful legislative committee unanimously endorsed a plan to spend $269 million to renovate the State Capitol and overhaul the adjacent Herschler Building.

The Legislature's Management Council, made up largely of legislative leaders, voted Friday to sponsor a bill that would pay for the work over several years.

The proposal includes about $113 million for a long-discussed renovation of the State Capitol.

Lawmakers have talked for more than a decade of the need to repair and modernize the historic landmarks electrical, heating, cooling, fire suppression and smoke filtration systems.

The renovation also would repair damage to the dome and exterior walls, bring the building into compliance with various state and federal codes, and make other changes to restore or maintain its historically significant features.

The legislation would also pay for $86 million worth of construction work to renovate and expand the Herschler Building.

This would include expanding and overhauling the underground connector between the two buildings and constructing a four-story addition to the Herschler Buildings north side.

About $40 million would also be needed to pay for furniture, fixtures and other non-construction costs, such as extra engineering or architectural work, on the two buildings.

Consultants also are recommending a $20 million contingency fund.

Lawmakers have about $100 million in a special account reserved for the Capitol and related projects.

Excerpt from:
Committee advances Capitol renovation bill

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Lenna Allen

Lenna Allen began her writing career for her college newspaper in 1999. Allen is a marketing specialist and freelance writer for several online publishers including eHow.com. Allen holds a Bachelor of Arts in communication and digital technology from Washington State University.

A ductless heat pump is a great option for homes that don't have a duct work system already installed. This type of system will also be beneficial when a new addition is added to a home, as a ductless system is much easier to install than any other type of heating and cooling option. This type of heat pump is also known as a mini-split heat pump, and its good for efficiently heating and cooling rooms.

Decide where the opening for the conduit will be on the exterior of the home.

Prepare the area for a concrete slab. Make sure the area is clear of shrubbery and other structures. This should be at least one foot away from the exterior of the home, and it should measure at least two feet by four feet. This may be larger, depending on the size of your unit. Ideally, the slab should be at least six inches bigger than the unit on all sides.

Spread gravel over the area that has been cleared.

Prepare and pour the concrete over the gravel. The base should be four inches thick.

Place the unit on the concrete slab with the connectors facing the house.

Make a three inch hole in the exterior of the home, so the wires can be connected to the house. Choose a location nearest to the conduit.

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How to Install a Heat Pump in a Ductless System | eHow

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The City of Del Mar is investing nearly $1 million to enhance pedestrian accessibility through the installation of sidewalks, repair streets, and improve drainage in the Beach Colony area between 22nd Street and the San Dieguito River.

Construction is scheduled to begin in March 2014. The project, which is part of an effort to improve sidewalk connectivity City-wide over the next several years, includes construction of curb, gutter, and sidewalks on both sides of Camino del Mar, 20 pedestrian ramps, pavement rehabilitation, and landscape planting areas.

Additionally, underground storm drain infrastructure will be constructed on the east side of Camino del Mar at 27th Street. Groundbreaking will occur in March, with completion scheduled by Memorial Day.

The cost for this community investment is estimated to be $963,000, paid for using a portion of the Citys share of revenues from TransNet, the County-wide, voter-approved half-cent sales tax that can only be used for local transportation projects.

The project design is consistent with the Camino del Mar Streetscape Plan established in 1996, as well as the Citys Community Plan goal to emphasize a pedestrian-oriented environment. The City has a multi-year capital improvement program to construct sidewalks along corridors with high pedestrian volumes and no sidewalks. This segment of Camino del Mar was prioritized because it is heavily traveled by pedestrians and there are drainage issues that need to be improved. Future planned projects include other segments of Camino del Mar and Jimmy Durante Boulevard.

The City of Del Mar will host an open house on Wednesday, Feb. 19, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Powerhouse Community Center, located at 1658 Coast Boulevard in Del Mar, to provide information and answer questions about the project.

For information on the open house or the project, contact Assistant Planner Katie Benson at (858) 755-9313.

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City to begin major project to improve pedestrian accessibility and drainage on north end of Camino Del Mar

ROUND LAKE The village of Round Lake has announced that construction will soon begin on roadway and stormwater drainage improvements on Hart Road and Sunset Drive. This project will include roadway widening on Hart Road as well as improvements to this congested corridor that is lined with industrial businesses and the transportation facilities for Round Lake Area School District 116, Round Lake High School and Middle School, accoring to a news release from the village.

The improvements will reduce traffic congestion along the Hart Road corridor and at the Cedar Lake Road intersection, and improve safety conditions for pedestrians and students attending John T. Magee Middle School and Round Lake High School. The inclusion of a new storm sewer on both Hart Road and Sunset Drive will mitigate flooding issues and enhance this important business corridor of the community.

The project limits of construction will be from Hart Road beginning at the Metra railroad tracks and continue east to Cedar Lake Road and Sunset Road at the intersection of Hart Road and continue north to West Long Lake Drive. All work is anticipated to be completed in the fall of 2014.

Improvements will include: roadway widening and reconstruction of Hart Road and resurfacing of Sunset Drive; traffic signal upgrades at the intersection of Hart Road and Cedar Lake Road; drainage improvements including a new storm sewer (Hart Rd and Sunset Drive); and installation of curb, gutter and new sidewalks with ADA ramps.

The Federal Surgace Transportation Program is funding 70 percent of this $47 million improvement project. Local funding is being used by the village of Round Lake for the remaining 30 percent.

The public is invited to obtain the latest project information and sign up to receive regular construction updates through the project website at http://www.HartRoadConstruction.com.

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Hart Road and Sunset Drive construction to begin this month

The City of Pismo Beach has an ample water supply; however, in response to the Governors declaration of a Drought State of Emergency for the State of California, the Pismo Beach City Council voted to declare Moderately Restricted Water Supply Conditions with modified restrictions.

The following restrictions are now in effect: Use of water which results in excessive gutter runoff is prohibited. Outdoor water use for washing vehicles, boats, buildings or other similar uses shall be attended and have hand-controlled watering devices, typically including spring-loaded shutoff nozzles. No water shall be used for cleaning driveways, patios, parking lots, sidewalks, streets, or other such uses except by the City contracted street sweeper, or as found necessary by the city to protect the public health or safety. Outdoor Irrigation. Outdoor irrigation is prohibited between the hours of ten a.m. and four p.m.; All customers are directed to use no more water than necessary to maintain landscaping. Restaurants shall serve drinking water only in response to a specific request by a customer. Use of potable water for compaction or dust control purposes in construction activities is prohibited. (Ord. 90-10 2 (part), 1990: prior code 13.06.040)

Further information can be obtained by calling the Public Works Department at (805) 773-4656.

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Restricted Water Supply Conditions in Pismo Beach

A life blighted: Andrew Johnson and an unidentified man inject in Caroline Lane. Photo: Julian Andrews

When a skinny fair-haired child was photographed in a Sydney lane being injected with heroin by an adult man, it broke every parent's heart and sparked a national outcry.

The image is so confronting, it scarcely seems real today. But then this was Sydney in the late 1990s - caught in the grip of a heroin epidemic and suffering from the sorts of policies that included handing free injecting kits to children on the streets.

Enter Andrew Johnson. On January 31, 1999, The Sun-Herald published the shocking image of the 16-year-old shooting up in a syringe-littered gutter, at a taxpayer-funded mobile needle exchange in Caroline Lane, Redfern. The image gave rise to the NSW Drug Summit and 18 months later the first medically supervised injecting room in the English-speaking world was opened. But while Johnson's picture proved a game changer in cleaning up the streets and reducing fatal heroin-related overdoses, did it prove the turning point for him, as his family had hoped?

A fortnight ago, a gaunt, dishevelled seemingly middle-aged man of the same name sat fidgeting and mumbling to himself in Mount Druitt Court, where he faced charges of destroying or damaging property, and stalking or intimidating with intent to cause fear of physical harm. The offences relate to a recent heroin-fuelled episode at the home of his parents.

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This was the boy in the laneway, exactly 15 years on. Homeless and hooked on heroin, aged just 31.

''He's beyond help now,'' his mother, Roseanna, says. ''The police say we would be better off trying to forget we have a son.''

Andrew Johnson leaves Mount Druitt court. Photo: Kate Geraghty

His aunt, Alice Scott, says: ''It's a tragic tale to which, sadly, there is still no end. Like throwing a pebble into a pond, the ripples have just got bigger and bigger.''

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The boy who broke Australia's heart

The location may be a little different from previous matches but dont expect the intensity to lose its luster.

Getting district play started with a strong effort could go a long away for playoff seeding as Denison (6-3-1) faces Sherman (4-6-1) in the District 17-4A opener Saturday at noon at Denison High School after being pushed back from Friday night due to the weather.

With Munson Stadium and its artificial playing surface under construction, the Jackets are playing their home matches on their grass, but mostly dirt, practice field behind the high school.

Theres definitely some adjustment, Denison head coach Scotty Voight said. Its a challenge coming from what weve had in the past. If youre able to go out and play the way we play, it should be fine.

Last season the rivals were on virtually on the same level in making the postseason. With four teams advancing in the five-team district and Anna going winless, the only question by the end of the regular season was seeding.

Any game in district is going to be important, Voight said. You dont want to have that mentality to make it up on the other end. You look a third and fourth but with this team you want to be No. 1.

Sherman won the first match-up, 3-2, before Denison rebounded in the re-match with a 3-1 victory and that turned out to be the slightest difference in the final standings.

The Jackets took third place with nine points, just a point in front of the Bearcats.

Thats the biggest difference, Sherman head coach Chico Aleman said. We will be competitive for a playoff spot. If you get in, who knows? You can never predict what will happen.

Denison, which is attempting to make consecutive playoff appearances for the first time in program history, has almost equaled it victory total from last season. The Jackets won their first four games and need just one more win to match a season ago when they finished with a 7-12-2 mark.

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Sherman, Denison to clash in district soccer