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EAST GREENBUSH When Immanuel Church decided it want to build a new 10,000-square foot church off Columbia Turnpike, town officials quickly discovered that the zoning code didnt permit religious institutions along the towns busiest highway.

I think it was a mistake, Adam Yagelski, the towns director of planning and zoning, said Tuesday about the exclusion of churches from the business district that occurred in 2008.

Its clear theres a legal issue with our code, Yagelski said.

The construction of new churches doesnt occur that often in Rensselaer Countys most populous town or throughout the rest of the Capital Region. The town is scrambling to rewrite the zoning rules to permit churches in the 110 acres along Columbia Turnpike, also known as U.S. Routes 9 and 20, and other areas that exclude the buildings from the B-2 business zone.

There are other churches in the zone, such as St. Marys and the Congregational Church on Columbia Turnpike, but they predate the 2008 zoning update. Yagelski said there are issues with the current zoning, pointing out that the St. Marys property is partially in the business zone along Columbia Turnpike while the rear of the property is in an adjoining area zoned residential.

Immanuel Church wants to raise a new church this spring on the 6.5-acre site at Columbia Turnpike to be the new home for its now 200-member congregation that's expected to grow to 350, said Pastor Brad Guenther. The church, which has Baptist roots, will fill a void in the community, the pastor said. The church will move from rented quarters at 1955 Ferndale Road in Schodack.

Beyond there being a dearth of churches in southern Rensselaer County, and believing that churches really do play a role in serving the needs of the area, the East Greenbush area is clearly important in its close vicinity to Albany, great schools, rapid growth, while maintainingthe refreshingly small town feel of a tight knit community, Guenther said.

Supervisor Jack Conway said the church could provide new community space for activities in the town.

The Town Board is scheduled to hold a public hearing on adding churches as a permitted use to the zoning for Columbia Turnpike. That same night, the Immanuel Church intends to appear before the Planning Board to make its initial presentation for site plan review, which is all that would be required with the zoning change.

The town currently is updating its comprehensive plan, which also requires revising the zoning code. Conway said a review will be conducted to avoid zoning issues such as this one.

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story misidentified Routes 9 and 20 as New York State highways. They are U.S. highways.

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East Greenbush changing zoning error to allow church to move in - Times Union

Allen has launched a new online map that allows residents to keep track of the new businesses and developments coming to their neighborhood. A look at the lineup of projects on the map now shows, among other projects, the citys new recreation center, HTeaO and a 17,291-square-foot retail development.

The map separates projects based on how far along they are in development: proposed, approved, in construction and completed. Each individual project can be selected for further details.

The 12 projects shown as under construction in the city are:

The 13 proposed projects displayed on the map include:

Projects that have been approved but arent yet underway include a remodeling of the Suncreek United Methodist Church and work on the Allen Tech Hub, which will feature a four-story office building with a three-story parking garage.

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See what new construction projects are in your Allen neighborhood: hotel, dog park or tea shop? - The Dallas Morning News

When Gordianus Setio Lelono served as a neighborhood community chief several years ago, he had a recurring dream.

He saw himself standing in the pulpit of his parish church in Bekasi, in Indonesias West Java province, telling the congregation about the importance of having a sense of belonging to a parish.

St. Michael Catholic Church in the Kranji district of the town was considered illegal because it did not have a building permit.

The parish was established in May 1991 in a province regarded by many as the most intolerant in Indonesia and home to various radical and extremist Muslim groups.

Parishioners were unable to obtain a building permit fortheir church due to strong objections from these hardline groups until one day in 2000 when the parish priest asked Lelono, a local Catholic businessman, to look into the problem.

Catholicism in 21st Century China Read the Mission in Asia Essays

He formed a small team called Team 9 and tried to find out the exact reasons behind the objections to the building permit.

We found the root of the problem within three months. It was simply because parishioners separated themselves from others and did not mix as they automatically thought that they were a minority being rejected by the majority. It seemed a ridiculous situation to me, he said.

A few years later, at the parish priests suggestion, he set up a parish body called the Committee of St. Michael Catholic Church Complex Construction, which had about 60 members.

The idea was for the parish to actively seek to build a church, a residence for priests and buildings for charity work, such as a clinic.

The first thing the panel did was to study a joint ministerial decree first issued in 1969 on places of worship.

Issued by the religious affairs and home affairs ministries, the regulation lays out onerous requirements to obtain a permit to build a place of worship.

Church officials must provide a list of the names and signatures of 90 worshipers and get signed support from at least 100 local residents and approval by a village head.

Along with the committees members, Lelono started to visit residents. He also met all neighborhood leaders to try and garner peoples support to allow a building permit to be issued.

I tried to present our case in an open and friendly manner, he says.

Tough challenge

It was not easy, though. Protestations often came from outsiders or hardline Islamic groups that simply continued to reject the existence of churches in the town, claimingthe aim was proselytization.

Despite the obstacles, however, Lelono and his committee succeeded in obtaining a building permit for a church in September 2004 after getting the more than 100 signatures needed from residents, mostly Muslims.

However, soon after that, a stranger came to his house calling him to a meeting with a group of people wanting to speak with him.

I called a few parishioners and asked them to go with me. But they all refused. I was not afraid. I just wanted to have some witnesses, he says.

At the meeting, he was threatened and assaulted and told the parish church must not be built.

I knelt before them, pleading with them to let my parish build a church. I assured them that no proselytization would ever take place, he says.

But they insisted it must not be built and even threatened to kill me if I did not tear up the building permit.

Despite the threat, the parish began construction work and in November 2008 the church was consecrated.

He said he hasnt heard from those who threatened him since.

Another fight

Word of Lelonos success spread. In 2010, a priest from St. Clara Parish, also in Bekasi, asked him for help in obtaining a building permit for a church.

St. Clara Parish was established in August 1998 and, like Lelonos, was facing strong opposition from hardline Islamic groups over building a church.

The two parishes had a similar problem. So, I used the same approach as before. I was lucky that the mayor, Rahmat Effendi, was very understanding. He always says he wants to serve all people in Bekasi no matter their religious background, Lelono said.

St. Clara Parish finally obtained a building permit in July 2015 but opposition from hardliners refused to go away.

Small protests often happened but there were two huge rallies, Lelono said.

The first one took place a month after the parish obtained the permit. More than 1,000 gathered, claiming the parish got it through improper means.

The same claim was made at the second and that the site for the church was in an area where pious Muslims resided which should bar any churches being built in the area.

But local residents were good about it. The opposition was coming from outsiders, which often happens in such cases, he said.

Last year he was asked by another priest to help obtain a permit for a church at St. John Paul II Mission Station in Rawalumbu, also in Bekasi.

This went more smoothly. It only took a year to get, Lelono said.

The mission station got the permit in February this year. The groundbreaking ceremony for the churchs construction will take place in January 2021.

Lelono, who recently received an award from the Union of Christian Media Journalists for his efforts, said that although he has been successful in helping parishes, he had to spend a lot of time, energyand money doing so.

But the whole problem these parishes had to face just for a simple permit concerned me a great deal. I did not do it for an award. I am 67 years old now. I do not consider myself a good person and, believe me, I have sinned. Maybe it was part of a plan God has for me. He wants me to do good things.

Link:
'God just wants me to do good things' - UCAN

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Many national and international companies sell franchises to local service providers. Franchise owners may offer the best of both national and local companies. Their employees will likely complete a training course, and they will understand the ecology of your region.

Landscaping companies can be national companies, local operations or franchises. They provide hardscaping as well as other services that require more physical work as opposed to just product application. These companies may or may not provide fertilizing and weed/pest control services.

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Best Lawn Care Services for 2020 | ConsumerAffairs

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HACKENSACK, N.J. With the holiday season upon us, its no better time to look out for each other. The same should be appliedon the road.

On Monday night, a two-car accident in Hackensack landed one vehicleon the front lawn of a city residence and both drivers in the hospital. Just after 7:30 p.m., a 36-year-old Teaneck man behind the wheel of a 2010 Honda Civic had been traveling westbound on Anderson Street when he proceeded into the intersection and collided with a 67-year-old Maywood woman in a 2009 Nissan Altima who had been traveling south on Summit Avenue. Once the Honda struck the Nissan, both cars spun out the Nissan hit a parked 2017 Toyota Tacoma while the Honda came to ascreeching halt on the front lawn of 471 Summit Avenue, a single-family dwelling.

According to Police Captain Nicole Foley, commanding officer of the Hackensack Police Traffic Bureau, the Teaneck man said he did not see the woman coming until it was too late and a collision was inevitable.

Both drivers were transported to Hackensack University Medical Center for the treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Both vehicles were towed. No summonses were issued by the responding officers.

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Motor Vehicle Collision Lands One Car On the Front Lawn of a City Residence and 2 People In the Hospital - TAPinto.net

JOLIET, Ill. (CBS) Its pretty much back to normal life for one COVID-19 patient from Joliet.

Joseph Ciarlette was among the first to receive a breakthrough therapy. As CBS 2s Steven Graves reported Saturday evening, it is a treatment hospitals continue to lean upon as cases rise.

I feel really good. Got great energy, Ciarlette said. Very grateful that I made it.

Seven months ago, Ciarlette, 54, was confined to a wheelchair. He left Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn after surviving COVID using an ECMO, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, machine.

It is what saved my life, Ciarlette said. The ECMO gave my lungs a chance to rest.

Back at the time he was diagnosed, the machine which acts as an outside heart to circulate an oxygenate blood was new in the COVID fight. It is an invasive last resort for people who have failed on a ventilator.

For survivors, side effects after such treatment and even recovery time were unknown.

I was extremely weak even sleeping. You know, if you could think about feeling like a bag of bones, thats what it felt like, Ciarlette said. There was just no muscle.

Ciarlette also said he had a low iron count in his blood, but feels back to normal now.

ECMO treatment has evolved as Chicago-area hospitals continue to use it during another spike in hospitalizations.

Rush University Medical Center on average uses the treatment on about half a dozen patients. Northwestern Medicine also uses ECMO to keep those fighting COVID alive as they wait on lung transplants.

Ciarlette, a success story, got to celebrate another birthday. He now gets check-up calls from the hospital to track his progress.

She said, Actually, I have about 18 others call after you, he said. So, thankfully others are recovering, too.

Meanwhile, Ciarlette also got to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Very thankful for my life this year, he said.

Not every hospital has ECMO machines. And unlike ventilators, staff do not usually track the numbers of available devices.

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COVID Patient From Joliet Thankful For Recovery Facilitated By ECMO Machine - CBS Chicago

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Jose Garcia, 68, who has been sedated and intubated for COVID-19 since Nov. 13, is visited by his daughter, Carolina Garcia, a nurse at Memorial Medical Center on Monday, Nov. 30, 2020, in Las Cruces. Carolina says she wipes away tears that form after she whispers in his ear.(Photo: Nathan J Fish/Sun-News)

LAS CRUCES Some family members dropto their knees on the lawn outside of Memorial Medical Center while others stand before a window into the intensive care unit.

About 25people in all, spread out, sayprayers in English and Spanish, asking God to use His power to heal their father, Jose Garcia.

The 68-year-old farmworker, intubated and sedated, lie inside the hospital, separated from most of his family since a COVID-19 diagnosis last month.

Since Jose was admitted on Nov. 6, only one family member has been able to have physical contact with him his daughter Carolina Garcia, the fourth oldest of his nine children.She has been anurse at MMCfor 12 years.

Carolinatalks to Jose every day and says she knows hecan hear her voice, even if he is sedated. She's seen tears fall from his eyes as she reassures himthat thefamily is outside, as physically close to him as they can be.

Genoveva Garcia looks through a Memorial Medical Center window at her husband, Jose Garcia, 68, who is being treated for COVID-19 on Monday, Nov. 30, 2020, in Las Cruces.(Photo: Nathan J Fish/Sun-News)

Outside, Jose's wife of 47 years, Genoveva Garcia, is bundled up in several blankets. Her hands are pressed to the glass looking at herhusband lie motionless.

Connie Dominguez,Jose's second oldest child, comforts her mom. She says her father's diagnosis has brought the large family together.

"Not having my dad has been the hardest thing. He's our anchor," Connie said.

MORE: Las Cruces community hero: ICU nurse holds COVID-19 patients' hands when family members can't

Through Carolina, they have a conduit inside. Carolina is not in the nursing unit assigned to care for her father but still dresses in personal protective equipment to visit him daily.

"It's a blessing to have her there," Conniesaid. "My mom thanks her every day."

Jose hasworked for Cervantes Enterprises Inc. since he was17 years old andhe's still employed for the chile processing enterprise more than 40 yearslater.

Carolina said her father has always been a very clean man who showers every morning, brushes his hair and puts on cologne.

Genoveva gave Carolina her father's Polo cologne to put on him while he's in the hospital. Carolina also trims his hair.

"I had to shave his mustache I am so sorry dad," Carolina said. "That gives mehappiness if I do the things that he would still be doing at home."

Carolina Garcia said that being a nurse at Memorial Medical Center has always kept her very aware of the dangers of the virus, but when her father was admitted to the ICU, sedated and intubated for COVID-19, it became much more real for her and her family.(Photo: Miranda Cyr/Sun-News)

Carolina's eyes wateras she talks about seeing her father like this.

"I'm used to the 12 years that I've been a nurse thatpatients come in, and they're sick, we treat them, we give them what we have, and they get better, and they go home," Carolina said."Now, nurses areseeingthat with COVID,it's not that way. Our nursing has changed to where we don't get that feeling ofwe're doing our joband we're helping people.Because they're doing everything that they can but they're really sick."

The sickest patients areintubated, meaning ventilators help control their breathing. Hospital officials in New Mexico say fewer patients are having to be intubated as treatment for the SARS CoV-2 coronavirus improves.

MORE: Families wait outside hospital windows to be near loved ones with COVID-19

But 60 percent of patients now intubated don't survive, according to Dr. David Scrase, the state's health and human services secretary, who provided the statistic Monday during a state press conference.

For the first few days after Jose was intubated on Nov. 13, Carolina saidshe spenta lot of time staring at the monitors in his room, knowing all too well what each statistic meant.

She no longer does thisafter encouragement from her fellow nurses to go home and take care of herself and her two children because that's what her dad would want.

"I saw my dad go through this from being home to being (in the hospital), going to the ICU, seeing my dad getintubated," Carolina said. "I know my dad was really scared. When I (told) him what the doctor said about intubation . He looked at me, and I know Dad was scared. He said in Spanish, he told me: 'Hay que hacer la lucha'meaning let's go on with the fight."

Doctors and nurses working in hospitals across the country are sharing the realities of COVID-19. USA TODAY

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the majority of the Garcia family has tested positive forCOVID-19. Carolina had the virus in September. As a healthcare professional, she stepped up to be the caretaker for her large family, dropping off medication and oxygen and taking people's temperatures.

"I felt like I was doing home health visits with my family to makesure that theyhad what they needed," Carolina said.

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New Mexico and Doa Ana County, which neighbors hard-hit El Paso, Texas,have seen large spikes of COVID-19 since October. To combat the rise, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has enacted some of the most stringent restrictions in the country. In most of the state, nonessential businesses are closed, big box stores canhave only up to 75 people inside at a time and restaurants are limited to outdoor dining, at 25 percent capacity.

MORE: 'We're always together:' Family of COVID-19 patients spend Thanksgiving outside hospital

The state also does not permit groups of five ormore people to gather. Still, a large crowd of Jose's family meets on the hospital lawn,awaiting word from Carolina.

The family is asking the community to pray for Jose.

Late Sunday evening,Genoveva and Connie were the only family members who remained outside as the sun began to set. Connie pulled her car around for her mom so they could escape the cold for a bit. They were parked across the street, but in view of Jose's hospital room.

Nearly 30 family members gather in front of Jose Garcia's ICU window on Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, for a vigil and prayer. They prayed in English and Spanish that Garcia could heal and find peace through God's will and power.(Photo: Miranda Cyr/Sun-News)

Inside, they watchedCarolina carefor Joseas the sun set behind the hospital. By 6 p.m., the blinds were drawn. Family members will be back at 9 a.m. when nurses inside again raise the blinds allowing the Garcia family to see their loved one and do what they can to let Jose know they are watching.

Veronica Martinezand Algernon D'Ammassa contributed to this reporting.

Miranda Cyr, a Report for America corps member, can be reached atmcyr@lcsun-news.comor@mirandabcyron Twitter. Show your support for the Report for America program athttps://bit.ly/LCSNRFA

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Las Cruces nurse helps watch over father in ICU with COVID-19 - Las Cruces Sun-News

Dec 1, 2020 - The team at ASL Remodeling is pleased to introduce its remodeling services to homeowners and commercial facilities within California. The company has built a stellar reputation for its upgrade and renovation jobs on kitchens, bathrooms, and even entire houses. With all deight, the award-winning company is looking to offer more prospective clients around the bay of California a chance to tap into its years of experience and expertise.

ASL Remodeling Construction Company in Bay Area has a broad and diverse portfolio that includes kitchen, bathroom, and general renovation projects. The company is capable of turning outdated kitchens into more recent and warmer kitchens. Homeowners who are dissatisfied with the outlook and modernity of their kitchens are invited to take advantage of ASL Remodelings home additions and renovations. The companys portfolio on bathroom remodeling features completely overhauled and refitted bathrooms. Irrespective of a clients budget, ASL Remodeling makes sure to do an outstanding job. For anyone searching for bathroom remodelers near me, bathroom remodel contractors or kitchen remodeling near me, ASL is the team to call.

Prospective clients searching through the internet for general contractor Bay area are invited to reach out to ASL Remodeling and take advantage of the companys free estimates. The experienced team at ASL Remodeling also have the expertise to serve clients who have their own templates or want to emulate certain designs from fancy magazines. The team makes sure to keep homeowners in the loop and accommodates custom requests whenever clients offer them.

When you partner with ASL Remodeling construction company, you will not just be able to keep your home looking beautiful. You will also get the support needed to keep the enhanced functionality of your home as well, says Yoni Asulin of ASL Remodeling.

They impressed us with a quick response to my questions and concerns. The manager and his crew were so dedicated to the job and the finish details, each one of the crew was near and extremely qualified in their job, said a recent client of ASL.

As a construction company in the Bay area, ASL has had lots of experience executing home additions, building ADUs, and remodeling rooms. For jobs that require cabinets, the remodeling company supplies its own custom cabinets which have now become the preferred choice for many clients. The team is licensed, insured, and bonded, and has carried out thousands of home remodeling projects. ASL Remodeling serves regions like Cupertino, Palo Alto, San Mateo, Mountain View, Los Altos Hills, San Jose, and many more areas in California. Free consultations and appointments are available.

Prospective clients who are looking through google for construction companies in bay area or construction companies near me can contact ASL Remodeling. The company offers excellent services as a general bay area contractor.

For more information, please visit: https://aslremodeling.com

Media ContactCompany Name: ASL Remodeling construction company in bay areaContact Person: Yoni AsulinEmail: Send EmailPhone: 408-753-0012Address:20s N Santa Cruz Ave Suit 300 City: Los GatosState: CA 95030Country: United StatesWebsite: https://aslremodeling.com/

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ASL Remodeling Construction Company in Bay Area Earns Praise for 20 Year Consistency in Renovating Properties Throughout California - Press Release -...

A: I will use the term remodeling broadly, because some of the least expensive improvements a seller can make are very impactful, including new paint, landscaping, new light fixtures and refinishing hardwood floors. In terms of investing in significant remodeling, things that people can see, like kitchens and baths, add more value than things they cant, like roofs and other infrastructure projects.

Todays buyers almost universally want an open kitchen/great room so if walls need to be moved to achieve that, its worth it. The second priority is the primary suite, which ideally has a spacious bathroom and generous closet space.

Welcoming outdoor space, including lighting, a heating element and beautiful landscaping are more in demand than ever right now. Of course, any projects that add square footage to a home will add tremendous value, too.

Annie Williams, Sothebys International Realty, 415-819-2663, anniewilliamssf@gmail.com.

A: A thoughtfully designed and updated space will not only live better but sell better. Well even tell our buyers who may resale one day to do any remodeling before they move in because well make the same suggestions when they eventually sell so they might as well enjoy any remodel now. Picking finishes for yourself usually means getting higher quality products which will inherently raise the propertys profile.

Our advice depends on budgets of course, but simple things like painting have big impact and are affordable. If money allows, consider flooring updates (refinishing or swapping out that hideous 12-by-12-inch bath tile). We always stress light fixture updates with attention paid to LED light temperatures (2,700 vs. 3000,000) and installing dimmers or smart-home controls. If time and money allow, kitchen and bathroom updates are profoundly impactful.

But they dont have to be total blowouts; swapping out backsplashes, counter tops, hardware, trim, vanities, and lighting, will still be transformative. Last, dont underestimate the details like paint sheens, outlet cover plate styles, hardware weight and finishes, as the details matter greatly.

Kevin K. Ho, Vanguard Properties, 415-297-7462, kevin@kevinandjonathan.com; Jonathan B. McNarry, Vanguard Properties, 415-215-4393, jonthan@kevinandjonathan.com.

A: Preparing a home for market is like getting it ready for its Broadway debut. Presentation is everything and you only get one chance to make a great first impression.

The internet is our primary marketing vehicle these days and the photographs and video of your property that appear there must be enticing.

Curb appeal is important. Engaging potential buyers emotionally begins at the front door. Enhancing the front garden area and making sure that the house looks well cared for is a must.

Busy buyers are most often looking for turn key homes; ones requiring little, if any, remodeling.

Updating kitchens and baths in a neutral palette has proven time and time again to result in considerably higher selling prices.

Backyards that provide a sense of peace and tranquility are important as well these days. Money spent to create that experience for a potential buyer will be money well spent.

Karen Starr, the Grubb Co., 510-414-6000, starr@grubbco.com; Brenda Shaefer, the Grubb Co., 510-453-2401, bschaefer@grubbco.com.

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Sound Off: What remodeling projects add the most value to a home? - SFGate