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CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - The Federal Emergency Management Agency will not reimburse the city of Cedar Rapids an estimated $6.5 million for part of the cost to remove and dispose of material from the former flood-damaged Sinclair meatpacking plant south of downtown.

FEMAs decision comes with a fault-finding explanation.

The agency concluded that it could not determine the reasonableness of the cost reimbursement sought by the city because the city made an "intentionally inaccurate representation" of the scope of the demolition work when it sought bids for the project, according to FEMAs written ruling to the state of Iowa and the city.

The agencys analysis suggests that the city lessened its estimate of the projects scope from 100,000 tons to 65,000 tons of demolition debris, which "may have influenced" the number of firms that would compete for the work. In the end, the project doubled in size without new, competitive bids as the project grew, the FEMA analysis states.

The latest denial comes from the federal agencys headquarters in Washington, D.C., and it is a denial of the citys second appeal on the Sinclair cost reimbursement issue. FEMAs regional office denied a first appeal nearly two years ago.

City Manager Jeff Pomeranz, and Joe OHern, the citys executive administrator for development services, on Monday called FEMAs new decision a final one.

"Theres nowhere else to go," Pomeranz said.

OHern said the city also continues to contest a different FEMA decision tied to the Sinclair plant that would deny the city another $3.5 million in reimbursement for damage at the Sinclair plant because of a private insurance award the city received from a fire that hit the plant after it was flooded. The city is still involved in its first appeal of the matter related to fire insurance, OHern said.

Both Pomeranz and OHern said they were "disappointed" with the new FEMA ruling.

Neither was with the city at the time that the Sinclair work was bid, but Pomeranz said he had confidence that the city acted in an "upfront, forthright manner."

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FEMA Denies Cedar Rapids Sinclair Demolition Disposal Funds

DANIA BEACH (CBSMiami) Demolition got underway Tuesday of the two story parking garage at the Airport Hilton in Dania Beach.

The garage and the hotel itself have to go to make way for a new runway at Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

Airport officials considered using explosives to knock down the 400 room eight story hotel at Griffin Road and I-95 in Dania Beach but the Federal Aviation Administration nixed that idea, according to the Sun-Sentinel, because it is too close to Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood Internationals runways and I-95.

Even though the parking garage is coming down, the three decades old hotel will remain open until early April. Crews will then take it down bit by bit. It is scheduled to be completely razed by early June.

It was determined that the garage and hotel had to go because they posed a potential hazard to planes which will use the new eight-thousand foot long south runway which is scheduled to open in September.

The new runway is expected to ease air traffic delays.

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Demolition Underway Of Parking Garage At Airport Hilton

Germantown, MD (PRWEB) January 07, 2014

Advantage Homes is pleased to announce that a fully-decorated model home in Melody Farms, located in Chantilly, Va., will open on Jan. 19, 2014. With this new community, Advantage Homes is excited to once again offer custom quality built, luxury homes in Virginia. Previously, Waterford View, a sold-out Advantage Homes community in Lovettsville, Va., won numerous awards for design and quality.

Just 30 minutes from Washington, D.C., Melody Farms is a new community that features seven models of traditional, single-family homes. Nestled in a natural setting with plenty of greenery and scenic views, Melody Farms offers a relaxing respite from the stressors of busy city life. With close proximity to commuter routes, Melody Farms is ideal for homeowners who work in the city but want a peaceful, relaxing escape at home.

We are very proud to be a part of the Chantilly community, says James McCormack, VP of Sales and Marketing at Advantage Homes. Melody Farms provides homeowners a fresh, innovative approach to luxury living. Weve combined our decades of experience and track record for superior quality to offer new home designs that fit every taste and budget in a location thats close to everything. We believe Melody Farms is the ultimate collection for homebuyers in the Washington, D.C. metro area.

Unlike other Washington-area home builders, only top-of-the-line construction materials meet Advantage Homes standards for excellence, durability, and reliability. Advantage is highly selective of the materials and trade partners they choose, and it shows in each new home available at Melody Farms. Here are a few features homebuyers can expect at Melody Farms:

To learn more about this new home community in Chantilly, Va., call Tom Crichton at 240-483-6950 or visit Advantage Homes website.

About Advantage Homes: Advantage Homes builds custom-quality houses that customers will proudly call home. A commitment to crafting extraordinary homes of quality design and construction underlies the Washington home builders dedication to customer satisfaction. Advantage Homes offers local insight in the selection of the most desirable locations and unsurpassed customer care after construction. Honesty, integrity and professionalism guide Advantage Homes as they strive to delight their customers with the finest quality homes for sale near Washington, D.C.

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Advantage Homes Introduces New Community in Chantilly, VA

Jan. 6, 2014 at 2:14 PM ET

Kaley Cuoco clearly did not want a traditional wedding.

Not only did the Big Bang Theory star ditch the white dress and go for a pink Vera Wang gown for her New Years Eve nuptials to Ryan Sweeting, but she also decided to turn her wedding cake upside down too.

TY to #thebutterend for creating our magical chandelier cake. Literally hanging above us. EPIC, Cuoco wrote on Instagram, alongside a photo of the six-tiered cake dangling from a chandelier behind the newlyweds.

The cake was created by Kimberly Bailey, owner of The Butter End Cakery in Santa Monica, Calif., who cancelled her holiday vacation to Australia to produce the over-the-top creation.

When Kaley told me there were going to be chandeliers all over the place, I had a vision, Bailey told TODAY.com. Originally she thought of putting the cake on top of the chandelier, but later began thinking about the cake acting as an extension of the chandelier below.

PHOTOS: Celebrity weddings 2013

I told Kaley what I was thinking and she kind of lost her mind, Bailey said. It was one of those times where you say something, then think What did I just do?

To construct the cake, Bailey ran a pole through the center which attached to the chandelier, and added planks to each tier to keep them from pressing against each other. She then attached sandbags to the chandelier to help it hold the weight of the cake.

PHOTOS: Big Bang Theory stars -- before they were famous

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Cake on the ceiling! The story behind Kaley Cuoco's wedding treat

Actual construction is nearly ready to begin on the first part of the Ward County jail remodeling and expansion.

The Ward County Board voted today to move offices and people from the basement of the courthouse so that work can begin to turn the space into a juvenile detention center.

The work could begin within six weeks or so in an area adjacent to the existing juvenile court.

County Engineer Dana Larsen told board members the engineers on the project want to get going on identifying structural issues they'll face in putting the center in the basement.

(Dana Larsen, Ward County Engineer) "They would like for individuals to be out within maybe 30 days so they could start removing items so they can begin the process - and I think they talked about maybe within a year juvenile detention could be open if we got going on it right away."

(Shelly Weppler, Ward County Commissioner) "I think we should just get moving on it and make it happen."

Sheriff Steve Kukowski told commissioners the work is important because it will help him spend grant money that might run out if work isn't begun soon.

He also says the relocation of the juvenile detention center will open up several new beds for the county jail.

The jail remodeling and expansion will ultimately include a new building to help greatly expand the capacity of the jail.

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Jail Project Close to Start

Deck Video: A Bunch of Commentated Druid Decks (Ramp, Midrange, Tetris, "Miracle")
I was in the middle of answering a viewer #39;s question, might as well keep it in. THIS IS A BROAD GENERALIZATION OF DRUID DECKS. Just a few Druid decks I #39;m mes...

By: AishiHearthstone

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Deck Video: A Bunch of Commentated Druid Decks (Ramp, Midrange, Tetris, "Miracle") - Video

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) January 07, 2014

The work is done, the workers have cleaned up and the bill is in hand. All is well, right? Maybe not, according to most mold professionals. In many cases, post repair mold testing might not be performed. Of course everyone wants to save money these days (especially in today's tough economy), but this may not be the best time to get shortchanged. However, if post mold testing is completed, it is most likely done by the removal company. This in itself may pose a level of trust problem. Most service providers recommend that a Certified Hygienist be called in for post mold testing. While this is a good idea, it may be a costly and unnecessary one, especially in relatively mild cases of mold infestations. Industrial Hygienists are certified by the American Industrial Hygiene Association and equipped with the most current and useful knowledge on Indoor Air Quality. Companies performing mold testing without the use of a third party may inherently cause a conflict of interest. There are at least three goals of mold testing that need to be achieved in the post repair process:

1. Is there actual mold present in the suspected areas? 2. What kind of mold is it? 3. How much mold is present?

In the end, the process of testing for mold again will verify if the level of mold has been reduced to equal or less than the level of mold found in the outside air. The actual testing usually involves taking air or swab samples. An air sample involves a small pump that is calibrated to draw a certain amount of air through a small plastic canister for a specific amount of time. A common method is to draw fifteen liters of air for five minutes. The air cell is then taken to a certified Lab for analysis. In most cases, an outside air sample is taken to compare the level of mold in the home to the level of mold found naturally outside. If the level of mold inside the home is higher than the level of mold found outside, then most service providers will recommend some type of mold remediation work. Generally the cost of each sample to be processed by the lab is around $35. According to Larry Holmes The Home Pro (CEO of Home Pro Environmental), on average most homes require 3-4 samples to get the information needed to make a common sense decision on how extensive the problem may be and how to repair it. After the work is completed Mr. Holmes also recommends taking two air samples inside the home to verify the success of the mold remediation. This of course is a subjective procedure based on an average size home with average remediation work involved.

Pre-repair mold testing is always a good practice. Sometimes finding the exact source of the mold can be frustrating and difficult. Mold spores are everywhere inside homes, up in the attic, in a homes yard outside, living rooms, kitchens, etc. It is a question really of how much and what species of mold that is present. Some molds are worse than others in terms of toxicity. If a building smells moldy, for instance, hidden mold could be the culprit, but perhaps the source cannot be pinpointed. If it is known that there has been water damage and health problems are being reported then is it usually safe to assume that mold growth is present. Modern building materials like wood, drywall, wallpaper, and fabric are excellent food sources for mold, while synthetic stucco building technology can leak and trap moisture inside. Home appliances like washers, dryers and dishwashers also generate water vapors which again create the type of thriving environment conducive to mold infestation.

Mold can be very sneaky hiding in unseen places such as on the back side of dry wall, under wallpaper or paneling, on the top side of ceiling tiles, underneath carpets and pads, etc. Other places include areas inside walls around leaking or condensing pipes, wall surface behind furniture, inside air ducts, and even in roofing materials above ceiling tiles usually from roof leaks or poor insulation. Most home inspectors will use a professional grade moisture meter to help discover areas of moisture in a home that support mold growth. It is always good practice to look for a certified mold inspector that will work to resolve your mold issues on the lowest level possible. It is of course in the best interest of the consumer to hire a knowledgeable technician that uses common sense when deciding how a mold project should be completed. Homeowners can stay involved in the decision making process by asking the right questions.

For more information concerning mold inspection and mold remediation, please visit our website: http://homeproe.com.

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Home Pro Environmental Experts Issue a Warning Against Not Testing for Mold Post Repair

It's been 45 years since a new parish church has been built to serve Bakersfield's Catholic community.

That's a long dry spell for a city that has charted tremendous growth since 1968 when St. Philip the Apostle Church was established in Bakersfield's rapidly growing southwest.

But times are changing -- and soon that dry spell is expected to come to an end.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Bakersfield's newest Roman Catholic parish and the first centered in the city's northwest, will begin construction of its first-phase worship center and parish facilities beginning with a groundbreaking ceremony at 2 p.m. Saturday.

For those parishioners who have spent years working and praying for this moment, the event at the northwest corner of Old Farm and Reina roads -- the site of the planned 720-seat worship center -- symbolizes a new beginning, an opportunity to "get in on the ground floor" of a new Catholic parish.

At an estimated cost of $6.2 million, the facility will also include classrooms, meeting and office space, a children's center and a kitchen. An even larger worship center is planned in the not-too-distant future as projected growth demands.

The first-phase project was designed by Robert Habiger of Dekker/Perich/Sabatini, with revisions by Mark Russell, Radian Design Group. Construction is managed by S. C. Anderson.

"It's a real honor to be asked to do this," said Monsignor Perry Kavookjian, pastor of St. Elizabeth's since its formation in April 2008.

"You don't do this on your own," he said. "It's through the cooperation of people, their goodness and generosity, that something like this can happen."

Bishop Armando X. Ochoa, head of the Diocese of Fresno, will preside over Saturday's ceremony, ushering in a new era for the parish's nearly 1,000 families, who have been meeting for worship each Sunday in an auditorium at Frontier High School.

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First Catholic church in 45 years to break ground

Colorado Springs, Colo. (PRWEB) January 06, 2014

On Sunday, Compassion International will commemorate the four-year anniversary of the catastrophic 7.0M earthquake that hit Haiti in 2010 with the completion of 10 building projects for church partners affected by the disaster. The buildings will serve as schools for local children and Compassion-assisted child development centers for children enrolled in Compassions holistic child development program.

On a day that brings the solemn remembrance of an earthquake that took thousands of lives, countless homes and the hope of a nation, we are so thankful to celebrate these solid new facilities, said Mark Hanlon, Compassion International senior vice president of global marketing and engagement. While it hasnt been easy, there has been incredible progress in Haiti as a result of the dedication and commitment of our field staff and church partners to the children we serve. I cant think of a better way to honor the past than to open new schools and child development centers for the children, the future, of Haiti.

Approximately 90 percent of children in Haiti attend private or church-run schools due to an unstable public school system. This allows Compassions church partners in Haiti to serve children who attend a school run by the local church as well as children enrolled in Compassions holistic child development program. As a result, an estimated 22,500 children will benefit from Compassion-funded building projects in Haiti.

In addition to the 10 completed church building projects, Compassion has nine church projects under construction with another 11 slated for construction within the next year. While relief and recovery efforts are far from complete, Compassion International joins its church partners in celebration of progress made.

Edouard Lassegue, Compassion International vice president of Latin American and Caribbean region, is available for interview. Please contact Tim Glenn at tglenn(at)us(dot)ci(dot)org or 719-272-5377 to schedule an interview with Edouard on the progress and rebuilding efforts in Haiti.

Compassion International is the worlds leading authority in child sponsorship. Compassion revolutionized the fight against global poverty by equipping the Church to develop children out of poverty to become responsible and fulfilled Christian adults. It is the only child sponsorship program to be validated through independent, empirical research. Today, Compassion partners with more than 6,000 Christian churches in 26 countries to release more than 1.4 million babies, children and students from poverty in Jesus name. Compassion has been awarded the highest rating for financial stewardship and transparency for 12 consecutive years by Charity Navigator, Americas largest charity evaluator. For more information on the ministry, visit compassion.com or follow on Twitter at @compassion.

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Compassion International Celebrates Rebuilding Efforts in Haiti on the Four-Year Anniversary of the Earthquake

The East of England was responsible for 17 per cent of all UK construction contracts awarded in a building spree in November, new data confirms.

The figures, taken from Barbour ABIs latest Economic and Construction Market Review, highlight marked growth in the UKs industrial construction sector, with the value of projects totalling 587 million in November - an 83.5 per cent increase on the same month last year.

The value of education construction contracts in the East of England totalled circa 100m in November, accounting for 18.8 per cent of the overall contracts awarded for the sector - an increase of five per cent from the same month last year.

Education jobs included a new purpose-built building at West Herts Colleges Dacorum campus and the refurbishment of St Johns Church School in Peterborough, part of the Governments 2bn Priority Schools Building Programme.

Other key projects highlighted locally were Lawford Mead Primary, West Town Primary and Suffolk New Academy which all fall under the Priority School Building Programme.

A major contributor to the overall upsurge was the 40m redevelopment announced for The Welding Institutes Granta Park headquarters in Cambridge.

There was also a strong performance from residential, industrial and infrastructure sectors. The report revealed overall growth in the UK construction industry of 6.8 per cent from October to November - a 56.5 per cent increase on the value recorded in November 2012.

Michael Dall, lead economist at Barbour ABI, said: The figures highlight strong performance in the education sector overall, but particularly in the East of England where this type of construction appears to be booming.

This is helped by the recent Autumn Statement in which the Government announced it will remove controls on the number of students who can attend higher education institutions in 2015-2016, creating an additional 30,000 student places at publicly-funded institutions in 2014-15.

It also committed an extra 40 million to deliver 20,000 apprenticeships in the next two years, offering a potential boost to the levels of output in the sector in the coming years.

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East of England leads UK construction spree