Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

This week the First Congregational Church in Redlands began the next step in its restoration of the church's century old stained-glass windows when the large west windows facing Cajon Street were removed for cleaning and restoration.

The brick church at 2 W. Olive Ave. in Redlands was built and the windows installed in 1900. The largest of the windows being restored is a depiction of Christ made by the Tiffany Art Glass Company. The largest window is over eight feet wide and about 22 feet tall and was originally installed in memory of Rev. C.A. Kingsbury, city councilman, school trustee and namesake of Kingsbury Elementary School.

The 100-year-old windows are in need of extensive cleaning and repair due largely to the leading that is breaking down and putting stress and cracks in the glass. There are also thousands of little "pinpricks" where paint has fallen off. The removal and restoration will be done by Judson Studios in Highland Park, Calif. The windows took about four days to remove.

Bob Clark is a member of the church and is leading the five-year window restoration project expected to cost $500,000. So far the church has raised, through five-year pledges, approximately $450,000. From June to September in 2013 the project began with the removal and restoration of the south facing window on Olive Street.

"I'm overwhelmed to see the congregation being so supportive - and we're not huge just maybe 500 members - in our effort to raise $500,000 dollars," Clark said about the congregation's willingness to support such a large project. "We have also had neighboring churches donate."

Clark said the need for restoration was demonstrated when the south facing window returned after being restored By Judson Studios. The windows returned much clearer and with more vibrant colors.

"We're really lucky to have them this close," Clark said about Judson Studios. "They're probably the best in the country and we're lucky to have them this close."

According to Clark, when the window was first returned the choir, which stands facing the window, would become distracted by the beauty of the window and just stare.

"It was real surprise how much brighter they were," Pastor Lowell Lindon said. "You have to remember that those windows were exposed for all the years that smudging was part of the process of raising oranges here in Redlands and that smudge [used to protect the orchards from frost damage] got all over everything."

"Because this window was made by Tiffany Co. the window is irreplaceable," Clark said. "The Tiffany glass is like an onion made with layer upon layer of glass so you can see a lot of depth in it."

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Church continues project to restore century old stained-glass

JACKSON, MS (WLOX) -

As Mississippians brace for freezing temperatures, State Fire Marshal Mike Chaney wants to remind everyone using a fireplace, gas heater, or wood burning stove for warmth to use extreme caution. Chaney warns it could literally mean the difference between life and death.

"I want to repeat the message that space heating poses a significantly greater risk of fire, death and injury than central heating," Chaney said.

More than half of the heating fire deaths in the nation from 2003-2007 involved stationary or portable space heaters.

"If you have to use a wood burning or other type of fueled heating device, that is the time to be most cautious. Also, anyone using a generator needs to make sure it is in a well-ventilated area, away from their home."

"Every home should have a working smoke alarm. Working smoke alarms can cut the risk of people dying in home fires in half."

The State Fire Marshal's Office offers these space heater safety tips:

-If you are using a generator, keep it away from the house in a well-ventilated area. Do not put it on a back porch or carport.

-Have a three-foot "kid-free zone" around open fires and space heaters.

-Supervise children when a fireplace, fire pit, or other space heater is being used. Use a sturdy, metal screen to prevent contact burns, which are even more common than flame burns.

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Experts: Use extreme caution with space heaters

Chris Riley, top, and Brandon Pennington, bottom, both water and sewer department technicians for the town of Front Royal, maneuver to clamp this 10-inch water line that ruptured during the cold weather on Tuesday. The town worked to repair two leaks on Tuesday. Rich Cooley/Daily (Buy photo)

Eric Riley, a water and sewer department technician for the Town of Front Royal, saws into the pavement at Virginia Avenue and Sixth Street to repair a water leak on Tuesday. Rich Cooley/Daily (Buy photo)

By Katie Demeria

Though relief from frigid temperatures should arrive soon, the polar vortex that swept through areas of Virginia on Tuesday left many scrambling to prevent a severe impact.

The cold hindered travel in various parts of the commonwealth -- AAA experienced a higher volume of calls than usual Tuesday morning, largely from individuals with dead batteries or cars that would not start.

Mass transit was also impacted, with a cracked Metro rail causing delays in Washington and HOV lanes on Interstate 95 opening an hour later than usual due to frozen gate motors.

During the day Tuesday, the wind chill warning issued by the National Weather Service was decreased to a wind chill advisory scheduled to end at midnight.

NWS meteorologist Bryan Jackson said the wind was still blowing throughout the day Tuesday, and would possibly continue to do so through the night, but the temperatures largely did not reach minus 20 degrees, the minimum for a wind chill warning.

"There might still be some minus 20-degree readings at higher elevations, like in the Blue Ridge Mountains, but we wanted to highlight more of what is happening in the valley itself and what will continue through the evening hours," Jackson said.

The Shenandoah Valley likely will see a south breeze today, Jackson added, causing temperatures to rise out of the single digits and into the upper 20s and 30s.

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Cold temperatures impact many in area Tuesday

January 7, 2014 Mail carriers ask for assistance with snow

Anonymous Westside Flyer The Hendricks County Flyer Tue Jan 07, 2014, 02:50 AM EST

As the inches of snow increase by the hour throughout Indiana, the Postal Service is asking customers to help letter carriers deliver mail safely by clearing snow and ice from sidewalks, stairs and mailboxes.

The weather forecasters predict even more of the same next week, which means cold, icy conditions will remain and we can expect several more snowstorms before spring arrives.

One seasonal tool is expected to make its return at homes and businesses the shovel.

Snow and ice make delivery dangerous and slow, Indianapolis Postmaster Gary Soultz said. Maintaining a clear path to the mail box including steps, porches, walkways and street approach will help letter carriers maintain consistent delivery service and help them get those cards and packages delivered.

Customers receiving door delivery should make sure their sidewalks, steps and porches are clear. Customers receiving curbside delivery should remove snow piles left by snow plows to keep access to their mailboxes clear for letter carriers.

Delivery service may be delayed or curtailed whenever streets or walkways present hazardous conditions for letter carriers or when snow is plowed against mailboxes. The Postal Service curtails delivery only after careful consideration, and only as a last resort, Soultz said. Any curtailed mail is attempted the next delivery day.

Blue collection boxes also need to be kept clear for customers to deposit their mail and for the Postal Service to collect the mail for delivery. Residents and businesses with collection boxes near their property are asked to keep them clear of snow and ice.

We want our letter carriers to be safe, Soultz added. We can only do this with the help of our customers.

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Mail carriers ask for assistance with snow

The town is warning residents to proceed with extreme caution due to the condition of Greenwichs roads on Monday night.

Using the towns reverse 911 system, Greenwich Police Department Capt. Mark Kordick warned residents that evening temperatures are predicted to drop well below freezing Monday night. Melting snow from Monday afternoons warm temperatures and rainfall have left many walkways and roadways wet and, because of that, dangerous driving conditions will be present when roadways freeze over and so-called black ice forms.

Capt. Kordick said that there is also significant potential for ice accumulations on walkways, sidewalks and outdoor steps and stairs. On Sunday, black ice was a severe problem throughout the county as Greenwich experienced similar conditions from a freezing rain event. Capt. Kordick said that, many motor vehicle collisions and slip and fall injuries some serious were reported.

Greenwichs temperatures are predicted to fall below 32 degrees a few hours after dark on Monday night and remain below freezing all day Tuesday. Because of that, the town is advising all residents to exercise extreme caution if moving about outdoors or driving especially after 7:00 p.m. Monday night.

Capt. Kordick said that frail and elderly, people who are unsteady on their feet or those who are mobility impaired will want to exercise special care in icy environments.

Beyond the potential for icing conditions, bitterly cold temperatures tonight and tomorrow will represent a danger to those outside without proper clothing, Capt. Kordick said. Rapid temperature drops can also negatively affect underground water mains, pipes in buildings and other infrastructure. Please be wary of these dangers.

Capt. Kordick said that all of the towns public safety agencies are fully staffed and prepared for what could be a significant freezing event during the overnight period. Public works crews were out Monday afternoon treating roadways Capt. Kordick they will remain on the job through the night.

Even so, drivers should make every effort to get off the roads by early evening and everyone should use extra care when moving about outdoors after temperatures drop below freezing, Capt. Kordick said.

Check Greenwich-post.com and Twitter.com/Greenwichpost for more information if it becomes available.

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Greenwich residents should proceed with ‘extreme caution’ Monday night due to black ice

Manassas, VA (PRWEB) January 07, 2014

EnviroSolutions, Inc., is pleased to announce a Christmas tree removal service that it will be offering to Virginia residents who live in Loudoun County. This service will begin Monday, January 6 and go through Friday, January 17, 2014. The Christmas trees will be taken to a facility that is turning the trees into mulch for the public at no cost. Homeowners who do not want to deal with the hassle of finding an alternate means of disposing their Christmas trees, and to donate mulch to the public, should make time in their schedule to take advantage of this service.

Christmas trees will only be accepted from 8 o'clock in the morning until 4 o'clock in the afternoon on these dates. A fee waiver from the facility receiving the Christmas trees will be granted provided that the tree has had debris removed, including lights, decorations, netting, wreaths, tree stands, tree bags, leaves, grass clippings, dirt, rock, construction materials, or any kind of waste. It is important that trees are cleared of everything in order to be able to efficiently turn the trees into mulch. Wreaths and artificial trees will not be accepted by this particular service.

"We are committed to serving the people of London County with this service," says Gary Hewes of EnviroSolutions, Inc.

If there are any unacceptable materials that are with the tree, the tree itself will not be accepted at the facility, so homeowners are advised to use due diligence before handing the tree off to EnviroSolutions, Inc.

The collected trees will be turned into mulch that will be provided free for public use as a further service to the community. Any resident of Loudon County may use the mulch, whether or not they disposed of a tree with EnviroSolutions. EnviroSolutions, Inc. is committed to community service and is pleased to be offering a program that will undoubtedly help many people at the beginning of 2014. Whether Loudoun County residents live in apartment complexes or stand-alone housing, they are eligible to take part in this service.

To learn more about EnviroSolutions, Inc., visit ESIWaste.com.

About EnviroSolutions, Inc. For over a decade, EnviroSolutions has been providing waste collection, disposal and recycling services in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. With a targeted focus on customer service and safety, as well as a commitment to the environmental health and the communities of the areas they serve, EnviroSolutions provides complete waste service to the regions they serve including trash hauling, landfill services, and recycling services. Visit ESIWaste.com today for more information.

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EnviroSolutions, Inc. Announces Christmas Tree Removal Service for the New Year

7 Jan 2014 15:37

Round-up of cases that came before Coventry Magistrates Court on November 6-8

Cases heard at Coventry Magistrates Court on Wednesday, November 6, included:

David Huskinson, 22, of Gravel Hill, Tile Hill, admitted breaching a community order by failing to attend unpaid work. He was jailed for eight weeks.

Sharon Roberts, 26, of Swan Lane, Stoke, admitted breaching a community order by failing to attend unpaid work. She was given an extra ten hours unpaid work.

Andrew Robertson, 30, of Marlwood Close, Longford, admitted breaching a community order by failing to attend unpaid work. He was given an extra ten hours unpaid work and told to pay 50 costs.

Cases heard at Coventry Magistrates Court on Thursday, November 7, included:

Michelle Mapp, 36, of Tarquin Close, Willenhall, admitted non-payment of council tax and costs totalling 3,414.44. She was told to pay 3,414.44 or serve a 28-day suspended prison sentence.

Gary Samuels, 39, of Chingford Road, Longford, admitted breaching a community order by failing to attend unpaid work. He was given an extra 15 hours unpaid work.

Glenn Ford, 19, of Queen Margarets Road, Canley, admitted carrying a machete and an axe in public, and driving with the wrong licence, no insurance and no MOT. He was detained for eight weeks and given six points.

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Carrying a machete and an axe in public among cases heard by Coventry magistrates

(BPT) - When it comes to the safety of your home and family, you would probably say money is no object. Yet cost (real or perceived) has long deterred many homeowners from considering a residential fire sprinkler system to protect their homes. The systems cut the risk of dying in a home fire by 80 percent, have broad support from safety experts and can even qualify you for a discount on your homeowners insurance. But until now, a perception of high cost has overshadowed those positives.

A new study reveals that the price of residential fire sprinkler systems has dropped significantly, creating an opportunity for safety-minded homeowners to tap the many benefits of sprinklers.

In 2008, the average per-foot cost of a residential fire sprinkler system was $1.61; in 2013, the average per-foot cost has plunged to $1.35, according to a report by the Fire Protection Research Foundation. Multipurpose systems that use a homes cold-water supply, rather than a separate piping system, are even more affordable just $1.23 per square foot, the report found.

And costs are likely to drop even lower, one expert says.

More communities are considering, or have already implemented, fire sprinkler requirements for new, single-family homes, says Eric Skare, a volunteer firefighter and fire safety systems product manager for Uponor North America (www.uponor-usa.com), an Apple Valley, Minn.-based sprinkler system manufacturer. Growing demand has resulted in increased competition and lower installed costs for these systems. Manufacturers competing for market share continue to develop lower-cost products to ensure the cost-effectiveness of residential fire sprinkler systems.

The lower cost is good news for anyone interested in protecting their home with a fire sprinkler system, Skare says. The benefits of such systems are many:

* Eighty percent of all fire deaths occur in residential fires. While functioning smoke alarms reduce the risk of home fire fatalities by 50 percent, sprinklers slash the risks by 80 percent, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

* Multipurpose systems like those provided by Uponor reduce the amount of piping needed to supply sprinkler systems because they tie into a homes existing cold-water plumbing system. Instead of two piping systems - plumbing and fire-sprinkler - the builder need install only one, reducing material, labor costs and jobsite-scheduling hassles, saving 35 percent to 65 percent in installation time over standalone, rigid CPVC systems. That, in turn, should result in a lower cost to the home buyer.

* Homeowners insurance companies provide an average premium discount of 7 percent to homes with fire sprinkler systems, according to the Fire Protection Research Foundation.

* Home fire sprinkler systems act quickly to reduce heat, flames and smoke from fire, giving families valuable time to safely get out of a burning home. Sprinklers extinguish most home fires in seconds, before the fire department arrives and before major damage can occur, Skare notes. In fact, sprinklers are far less damaging than fire hoses used by firefighting teams. One study in Scottsdale, Ariz., found the average fire damage loss for a home without sprinklers was more than $45,000; with sprinklers, losses shrink to slightly more than $2,100.

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Cost of home fire sprinklers at all-time lows; benefits still high

HELEN - Two Helen businesses sustained frozen pipes, one resulting in significant damage, early Tuesday.

Capt. Lee Poteat of Helen Fire Department said the now-vacant Sunflower Chinese restaurant, a former KFC which he described as about a 5,000-square-foot building, was filled with about eight inches of water when firefighters arrived.

That's not counting all the water that ran out of the building into the parking lot and onto surrounding properties.

City officials estimate that between 250,000 and 400,000 gallons of water flowed through the vacant building's fire sprinkler system into the parking lot, adjacent lots and even onto Edelweiss Street, resulting in icing issues.

"It was a lot of water," said Helen Public Works Director Ross Hewell.

At Jameson Inn near the entrance to the city, a pipe broke above the hotel's swimming pool, which overflowed as a result.

"Jameson Inn broke a sprinkler line just above their pool," Poteat said. "Thank goodness it was above the pool. The pool overflowed into the retention pond down there."

Tuesday afternoon, City Manager Jerry Elkins said additional broken pipes had been reported at several businesses in the city, including Charlemagne's Kingdom, Huddle House, and Alpine Village Inn. In addition, an outside faucet burst at the River Street public restrooms.

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Helen businesses damaged by broken pipes

LITTLE ROCK, AR -- Pipes burst Monday morning at a special needs school in the Hillcrest neighborhood in Little Rock.

"Several of our toddlers, sitting at the table for snack, and water pouring like a waterfall out of the ceiling, on top of them," Program Coordinator Jackie Beatty said. "Water was pouring out all into the classroom making a big mess."

Teachers heard a loud boom and certainly didn't expect what came next.

"We take precautions as far as the dripping of facets etc., in the restrooms, but the sprinkler system, I'm not too sure we could have prevented that," Director Suzy Benham said.

As water flooded the floors, the teachers quickly evacuated the school. But with bitter cold and special needs students, this faculty base knew standing outside waiting for firefighters wasn't an option. So the children waited in cars.

"Not only are you trying to get kids out of here, but your trying to get oxygen, their trec kits, their medications, everything," Benham said.

Benham said the children were moved out of the school safely in less than two minutes. School will be cancelled Tuesday as the cleanup continues. But Tuesday won't bring about the end of their problems.

"There are materials that are in the classrooms, all of that will probably be replaced, so yes it's a longterm fix," Beatty said.

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LR School Closes After Sprinkler System Bursts