Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Town of Waynesville will conduct its bi-annual cemetery cleanup, beginning Nov. 9.

Items not collected by that date will be removed by Town staff and stored for 60 days.

Any article not contained in an approved memorial box, or that is deemed to be a safety hazard will be tagged and removed.

Such items include any trinket, toy, shells, sand, artificial material or object not permanently affixed to the headstone; glass jars, tin cans or glass vases; any border, fence, railing trellis, shepherds crook or yard flag stand/holders; bird houses, coping, hedge shrubs, tree or any other bounding or enclosing object or material constructed or planted in or around any lot or space.

Only one solar-powered or artificial light source is permitted per burial spot; no light source shall exceed 8 x 10 inches.

For additional assistance, please contact the Public Works Office at 828-456-3706.

See more here:
Cemetery cleanup to start Nov. 9 | Briefs | themountaineer.com - The Mountaineer

GONZALO CATAN JR. AND BERNARD RYAN ATIENZA

There is no other brand more trusted in the Philippines when it comes pest control but Mapecon. Just a year shy of six decades, what was initially established as Manila Pest Control in 1961 by innovator and entomologist Gonzalo Jun Catan Jr., has consistently delivered excellent service through history so much so that it proudly stands today as the nations leader and largest player in its competitive industry.

Through its 59 years of existence, Mapecon founded by innovator Gonzalo Jun Catan Jr. (left) has proven time and again that fair and just business practices will always be prioritized in this iconic Philippine company as proven today by the work of his grandson Bernard Ryan Atienza (right).

Believe it or not, Catan carefully and industriously grew Mapecon from a single proprietorship entity with only P400 in capital, to its present standing as a multi-million-peso corporation, with approximately 700 employees nationwide. This month of October marks this impressive empires 59-year success story.

The man who started it all, here with the love of his life and greatest motivator, wife Nancy Catan.

Mr. Catan was fresh out of University of the Philippines Los Baos, where he took up BS Agriculture minor in Crop Protection, when he decided that the current options for pest control in the country at the time would be dangerous in the long run. The reason for this is the fact that what was being used were imported from multinationals whose chemicals had already been banned at their source of origin, Bernard Ryan Atienza, Mapecons incumbent assistant national director and very able grandchild of its founder, proudly recalled in an exclusive interview with The Sunday Times Magazine.

The patriarchs mission for establishing the company in 1961 was to create employment for Filipinos, while making sure that quality service is provided to Mapecons clients

Basically, the Philippines and other third world countries were being used as dumping sites of these multinationals surplus and rejects and my grandfather would not stand for it.

Bent on providing his countrymen not only the better but the correct and effective alternative, the beginnings of Mapecon emerged from the young upstanding innovator, which he steeled and grew and with the principles of honest work and earning his customers trust by keeping them informed about the service they require.

Challenges in the time of pandemic

Fifty-nine years laterfollowing a great many years of stabilityMapecon, just like every company and industry in the world, is facing challenges from the relentless coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

Before the pandemic, October always saw the companys National Managers Conference; it was still held this year this year albeit virtually on October 15.

Thankfully, according to Atienza, his grandfather was wise not only to hand them over a legacy but the very tools and working principles needed to hurdle an unexpected crisis.

He wouldnt expect any less of us, the well-trained grandson grinned.

Identifying beefed-up safety protocols for both manpower and clients when delivering their integrated, environmentally conscientious and award-winning patented products and services as most vital today, Mapecon is picking up where they abruptly left off, tenaciously and as solidly as the homes and buildings they treat.

Every day before work, employees are encouraged to say a short prayer and also invited to join a weekly prayer meeting for Bible reflection.

We saw a really sharp decline last March and April when all of this [pandemic] started, but we praise and thank the Lord that we have a very good upper management that were able to adapt to the situation immediately, Atienza related. Right now, were almost back at 85 to 90 percent of our normal revenue given that pest control is one of those businesses that is essential when you talk about termite control and general pest control.

These are things that people cant sacrifice and not a non-essential, he added.

Admitting that a great deal of how they do business delivery services have changed because of the pandemic, the top executive said they have continue adapting to the situation and facing the challenges head-on.

Even if they lift the quarantines and loosen restrictions even more, the paradigm has really shifted. Even with our customers, the challenge now is to convince them that its safe to let people into their homes and I sure them that we are being extra careful in providing our services. Its understandable how people or a little less trusting these days and thats very valid. The main challenge really is adapting to the new normal.

Bouncing back the right way

In strictly adhering to the specifically designed health and safety protocols for Mapecon, while taking care to assure their clients that the quality and trustworthy service they have long been known for remains unchanged, Atienza is certain they are well into the stage of bouncing back today.

The company has no intention of stopping when it comes to innovation, creation, providing services and of course, providing employment.

We are definitely bouncing back and I believe our customers have come to understand [how we are proceeding]. This is specially so because we make every effort to explain to them every step of our service in order to make sure that they and our people continue to be safe and healthy, he asserted.

To start with, one of our core values is adhering to integrity, honesty and transparency among all our employees, so even if just one person is suspected to be sick with the virus, we will always let our customers know.

Following protocol, such a disclosure will immediately be followed by quarantine and isolation, even if it means another disruption in operations.

We are better off losing a little in the short term than gambling on the trust that the customers place in us, Atienza explained. Just to elaborate on our protocols, our service people are especially screened daily. Before theyre deployed to the field, they have to fulfill a health checklist, which has the mandatory temperature check and so on, including a detailed interview with our administrative staff.

If found necessary, we immediately refer the employee to our company physician or nurse, so we definitely dont take risks. Even if the medical team just gives a suspicion of infection, we quarantine them pending results of the test.

In moving on and bouncing back the right way, Atienza believes the company should be able to endure in its mission to provide employment in whatever part of the country they do business and of course deliver unchanging quality service to their patrons.

The mission, vision and core values with which Mapecon began remains its foundation almost 60 years to the day. That hasnt changed and will never change, emphasized.

The primary mission of Mapecon has always been to provide employment to our fellow Filipinos, so that everything we do, everything that we innovate to expand the business and create new lines of business, is all about the bottom line. And thats to be able to hire more people because of Mr. Catans belief that the best way to solve poverty is not through handouts, but by providing employment.

Very proudly as he should be, Atienza reported that while most businesses have been forced to streamline their payrolls, Mapecon has not laid off a single employee since the lockdowns began in March.

Even if our personnel werent able to report for duty, we found ways to let them work from home so they can continue to have steady income, he shared. We have no plans of retrenching, and no plans of reducing the number of hours of our people. We want them to know that if they want and are willing to work, they can depend on us as a steady source employment.

According to the top executive, his grandfather, the rest of the family and their associates have worked very hard through the decades to maintain the integrity of this iconic Philippine brand and they have no plans of stopping, even when a pandemic or any calamity strikes.

I believe the integrity or the name Mapecon has come to mean something very specific to our clients and employees. Thats whatever happens, Mapecon will always be there.

To underline the point, the third-generation steward of this consistent entity of nation building reiterated, They can rely Mapeconand to be reliable, I think, is not something you just can say. You have to prove it over the years which I trust many will agree weve proven over the past 59 years.

Whatever anyone sayswe have competitors, we have detractors, we have people trying to bring Mapecon down who have always been unable to do soat the end of the day we let our actions and our reputation speaks for itself.

59 and counting

As expected, the pandemic is not stopping Mapecon from marking its 59th founding anniversary as it should. But while previous celebrations have been grand to befit the companys achievements, a simple online commemoration will be held this year.

We have 56 branches nationwide and we usually mount a Managers Conference to coincide with our anniversary, because it is set on the same day of Mr. Catans birthday. He likes seeing all the branch managers so we have this big conference that involves all of the managers coming either to Manila or all of us going to a province of choice, Atienza happily recalled.

But since thats not possible with the pandemic, were having our first Virtual Managers Conference this year, he continued, as well as an online celebration of Mr. Catans birthday with the company.

Chuckling, Atienza added, To be honest, we dont have any experience creating, handling or facilitating an online conference but were drawing on what weve experienced from other online conferences that weve attended.

Blessing in disguise

As Mapecons tradition, however, the company will nevertheless join the National Committee on Urban Pest Controls (NUCP) commemoration of National Urban Pest Control Week in this final leg of October.

The National Urban Pest Control Week is usually held in the third week of September along with the NUCP-organized conference, but similarly, they will hold a virtual conference as everyone is forced to do today, Atienza noted.

But basically, the event is held to remind the public and industry stakeholders about the basic principles of proper pest control, to address the common misconception that this process is all about spraying chemicals. Thats not true of course and can be very harmful, he furthered.

So, in order to have good pest control, you have to rely on the principles of effective pest management, which was actually released in 1975 via Health Circular 155. Now there are seven principles and these are what the NCUP reminds participants every year.

Ever open minded to the changing times, Atienza actually believes that the idea of virtual commemorations is a blessing in disguise.

Because of this pandemic, a lot of people are affected and a lot of changes had to be made. But we choose to view the situation as a blessing in disguise because we can finally accept and benefit from the use of technology. For example, weve come to realize we can actually meet with our managers and regional directors every month, rather than once a year as before, because we dont need to be face to face for thatand at no additional cost, he enthused.

Even better, using technology will also save both our company and our clients time because unlike before when we could only submit our proposal of service after weve done our site inspection, we can already minimize the face to face interaction via virtual inspection in their homes and offices.

As he looked back at the past seven months Atienza observed, Its been a challenging time indeed but its also been cornucopia of opportunities. If theres anything that Mapecon prides on, its creative honest work, and if not for the pandemic, we wouldnt be able to try all these possibilities. Necessity is really the mother of invention as they say.

Noting that the coronavirus pandemic is not the first trial or hardship that Mapecon has had to overcome through the decades, he informed The Sunday Times Magazine that companys theme for their conference is, very fittingly, Resiliency and Adversity Relying on Sound Foundation.

Everything were experiencing right now the hardships, the trials we know were equipped with the right tools to deal with them but our President Jesus Christ will not let us down during these times, Atienza averred.

So with this opportunity, I just want to assure everyone who has an interest in Mapecons success that we have no plans of stopping. In fact, Mr. Catan has recently provided us managers with a 100 year-plan for the company! So, theres definitely no stopping when it comes to innovation, creation and providing services with us, he continued.

The promise and commitment of Mapecon has been the same from the past 59 years and that will never change. Our promise is to stay true to our mission and vision. We promise to create employment and provide our fellow Filipinos a way toward a steady source of income. We promise our customers and friends that they will have holistic, integrated pest control technology that is environment friendly, safe to use and ever effective. We promise everyone that everything that we do and say will always be for the greater glory of our President Jesus Christ, Atienza ended.

Originally posted here:
Meet the men behind Mapecons massive success The Manila Times - The Manila Times

Extending the life of a product even relatively briefly can have significant benefits, according to Nathan Proctor, who leads the right-to-repair campaign at the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, a consumer advocacy group. If Americans would extend the life of their cellphones by one year, for instance, it would be the climate-saving equivalent of taking 636,000 cars off the road, or about the amount of passenger vehicles registered in the state of New Mexico.

Right to repair advocates like Ms. Gordon-Byrne and Mr. Proctor highlight recent strides in the automotive industry. In next months election, Massachusetts will have a question on the ballot designed to ensure that drivers will continue to be able to have local repair shops not just authorized dealers work on their cars as they become more automated and manufacturers control access to that data.

That measure is designed to build on a 2012 bill in the state that required carmakers to provide independent repair shops with access to the diagnostic tools that had been available only to dealerships.

The new measure, known as Question 1 on the ballot, has met resistance.

If Question 1 passes in Massachusetts, anyone could access the most personal data stored in your vehicle, says the narrator in one advertisement. The campaign against the measure talks about the risks of hacking, identity theft and cyberstalking as part of a multimillion-dollar advertising spend by a group called Coalition for Safe and Secure Data, a manufacturer-backed organization that is fighting the question in November.

Conor Yunits, a spokesman for the coalition, said it sees the new measure as unnecessary: Massachusetts is already the only state that has a right to repair law on the books. The technology they care about telematics is already covered by the existing law. In our view, this is an attempt by national auto parts chains to get access to more consumer data.

Manufacturers have considerable influence over the standards to which their products are made, said Mark Schaffer, a consultant on the life cycle of electronics. According to a 2017 report that he wrote, thats because major manufacturers sit on the panels that set guidelines for things like environmental impact. As a result, he said, tougher standards can be difficult to achieve.

As a whole, the industry needs to raise the floor on repairability, Mr. Schaffer said. Thats probably not going to happen until there is a legal requirement at a state or at a national level.

See the article here:
Fix, or Toss? The Right to Repair Movement Gains Ground - The New York Times

Neighborhoods of single-family homes that don't allow renters are nothing new. But do you know what is? Neighborhoods of single-family homes that only allow renters -- that's what. In a table-turning sort of way, Minneapolis' Twin Cities are seeing a new trend: single-family rental neighborhoods, otherwise known as "built-for-rent" or "built-to-rent" housing. Is there something to this?

Single-family rental neighborhoods, like those currently being built in the Twin Cities' suburban areas, are upscale homes that rent for between $2,000 and $4,000 a month (or more). The homes range from 1,500 square feet to over 3,000 square feet and come with all the latest accouterments, such as keyless entry, front-door cameras, and smart-home features.

The neighborhoods offer plenty of amenities as well, such as walking trails, clubhouses, swimming pools, and dog parks. But the main attraction for many residents is a maintenance-free lifestyle. Rent includes lawn care, snow plowing, and appliance repair, all of which is generally handled by a property management company.

The Twin Cities area, as of October 2020, has one single-family rental community of 66 homes already built, and this neighborhood was completely rented out in a matter of months. Plans from the developer, Watermark Equity Group, are to build two more of these neighborhoods in the Twin Cities area, one with 58 homes and the other with 81 homes.

The built-to-rent concept might be new for the Twin Cities, but the Phoenix area has seen these types of developments since 2014. Phoenix now has 11 single-family rental neighborhoods, all by developer NexMetro. This builder features rental home communities with one-, two-, three-, and sometimes four-bedroom homes, some attached and some detached, but all with upscale features such as cathedral ceilings, private yards, quartz countertops, and hardwood floors. Plans are to expand this single-family rental model to other areas of the country.

Most people who are interested in the built-to-rent community would probably be candidates for a luxury apartment building that features all the latest amenities. The problem many people have with apartment living, however, is the shared wall aspect. Single-family rental neighborhoods provide residents with a detached home and with all the convenience features of apartment living.

1. Young professionals who relocate frequently for work. In the Twin Cities area, for example, a cluster of Fortune 500 companies fuels the trend for single-family rental neighborhoods.

2. Empty nesters. This group typically can afford to buy but chooses to rent, preferring a lifestyle that doesn't involve home maintenance.

3. Single people or people who recently divorced. Renting provides the freedom to easily relocate if need be.

4. Newly married young couples. Not sure how they want to settle down just yet, this group wants to test the lifestyle of living in a single-family home in the suburbs before committing to it.

The experiment with single-family rental neighborhoods is proving to be a success, as the model is a win for both residents and owners. What's been happening with these developments is builders/developers build the single-family rental neighborhoods, get a property manager to manage them, and then -- after all the homes are rented -- the builder typically sells the entire community to a real estate investment trust (REIT) or a huge rental operator like Invitation Homes.

Renewals are more likely. Renters tend to view these homes as long-term commitments more than renters of typical rental units usually do, partly because the homes in build-to-rent communities are built and designed the same way as typical subdivisions are, giving them a more permanent feel.

Higher rent growth. Rent raises tend to outperform those of typical rental units. NexMetro's Avilla neighborhoods in Phoenix have experienced rent increases between 6% and 11%, compared with between 1.6% and 5.4% for apartment rentals nationwide.

Pride in home and community. Because people tend to view single-family rental homes as long-term commitments, they tend to care more about the home and the neighborhood than renters in typical rental units generally do. This isn't to say that renters as a whole don't care about their rental units or the neighborhood, but people who plan to live in an area for a longer term tend to act more like homeowners who have a greater stake in their homes and community.

Expect to see more built-to-rent neighborhoods in the future. Home builders Lennar (Lennar Corporation (NYSE: LEN)), JMC Homes, Camillo Properties, and AHV Communities are all planning to build single-family rental neighborhoods across the nation.

But let's hope these communities are managed better than what happened post-2008 recession. The huge conglomerates that bought foreclosed homes earned a poor reputation based on neglectful maintenance practices, high rent hikes, and excessive late fees. If you like to follow trends, this is one to watch.

Here is the original post:
Single-Family Rental Neighborhoods Are Hot in the Twin Cities Right Now - Motley Fool

Certifications

Matthew Griffith, prevention section chief with the Montreal Fire Department, said shoppers should look for patio heaters with certifications from the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC). These independent certification bodies test and ensure various appliances meet specific safety standards. Griffith said a lot of inexpensive products don't have these safety certifications, which can be quite expensive for brands to obtain."There's a reason why one company can sell it at half the price," he said. Though a product with safety certifications often costs more, Griffith said it's important to prioritize safety over price.

You're buying a patio heater to keep warm when it gets cold, so heat output should be a key consideration. Most manufacturers list heat output in British thermal units (Btu) and estimate the square footage a heater can handle in ideal conditions. The higher the Btu of a heater, the more heat it will produce and the larger an area it will cover.

You can estimate the Btu you need to heat your outdoor area by multiplying the cubic footage of the space by your desired temperature increase. My patio is about 1,500 cubic feet (assuming a height of around 5 feet I'm short, so I don't need to heat the air too far above my head), and if I want to hang out outside in the fall when it's 50 degrees outside, I'll probably want to raise the temperature by at least 10 degrees. That means I'll need a heater that puts out at least 15,000 Btu. Bigger spaces or colder climates will require more Btu to heat comfortably.

If you live in a colder area or are looking to entertain guests, we recommend looking for a heater that produces 40,000 Btu or more, which is enough to heat around 2,000 square feet comfortably. Dome or pyramid-shaped heaters are typically larger and have a higher Btu output, so they can usually heat a larger area than tabletop patio heaters. These tall patio heaters are often seen at restaurants because they can keep a large number of guests comfortable at one time. Thomas Bonfiglio, CEO and founder of Triple T Hospitality, said that the high heat output is one of the reasons he chose pyramid and dome-top heaters for his New York and New Jersey restaurants. "Diners who may still not be comfortable eating inside anywhere can have a pleasant experience outside for many months," Bonfiglio said.

Propane-powered heaters typically produce more heat than electric heaters because they aren't limited by the circuit system of your home. That, of course, means there are some additional safety considerations for propane heaters, since they won't shut off automatically like an electric heater will when a circuit is overloaded. You can read more about safety considerations in the section below.

The majority of propane patio heaters are compatible with standard 15-20 pound propane tanks, but some portable versions work with smaller, 16 ounce canisters. You'll have to buy propane tanks separately from the heater, as you would for a gas-powered outdoor fireplace or grill. Fortunately, small and large propane tanks are readily available at most hardware stores; it typically costs about $20 to $25 to refill or buy a 20 pound propane tank at Home Depot.

How much gas your patio heater uses depends on its heat output, what setting you're using, and the surrounding air temperature (the colder it is, the more gas you'll use to heat the area). Amerigas says that you can expect to generate 22,000 Btu per hour for each pound of propane. So if you have a 40,000 Btu patio heater, it'll burn through about 2 pounds of propane every hour you're operating it on its highest setting. Patio heaters guzzle a lot of propane, so I always like to keep an extra tank on hand, since I have multiple outdoor gas-powered appliances like a grill and an outdoor fireplace.

Electric heaters are usually cheaper and safer to operate because they produce less heat. They also don't require regular trips to the hardware store for fuel refills. But the heat isn't very powerful or far-reaching if you're looking to keep a crowd warm.

If aesthetics are important to you, keep in mind that electric and propane heaters give off different types of light. Gas-powered patio heaters create actual flames, which produce a natural, fireplace-like glow. Bonfiglio said he settled on gas models for his restaurant because of their ability to evenly diffuse heat without adding unnecessary bright light.

Bonfiglio also chose patio heaters with controls that are high up and out of reach to customers, which keeps diners safe and the atmosphere consistent. If your household has children, pets, or fidgety adults who like to play with controls, you might also consider a patio heater with out-of-reach controls to prevent any accidents. Most tall, freestanding patio heaters naturally have controls that are high up. My AmazonBasics patio heater has controls so high that I need to stand on my tippy toes to reach them.

On the flip side, if you don't have any wayward hands in your home, you might find it a pain to break out the step ladder every time you want to turn on your patio heater. Some models come with remote controls for easier operation, or you may opt for a tabletop unit.

Experts told us you can store most propane heaters outside all year round. Just add a cover to prevent unnecessary wear and tear during rainstorms and cold winter months. We recommend choosing a model with wheels if you're opting for a standalone unit like a dome-top or pyramid heater, so that it's easy to wheel out of the way when not in use. If storing a portable patio heater indoors, remove the propane attachment before doing so.

See original here:
How to buy the best patio heater - Business Insider - Business Insider

The retaining wall on Lake Front Boulevard will be completed by Memorial Day 2021 according to a contract in discussion between Dunkirk Mayor Wilfred Rosas and contractor St. George Enterprises.

The Lake Front Boulevard situation, we are moving forward with that, I have made contact with the contractor, Rosas said during Tuesdays Dunkirk Common Council meeting. We have a new contract, we just added a couple of things to the other contract that was approved, basically two issues that were spoken about in executive session. The contractor is agreeing to have the project 100% complete by Memorial Day of 2021. The payment plan will be that were working with FEMA, the contractor has agreed to work with us with the FEMA payment plan.

The contract, which is still in negotiation, is expected to be signed soon and the supplies and materials will be ordered and the crew should be working on the project next week.

First Ward Councilman Don Williams questioned what might happen if the contractor is unable to finish the repair by the agreed upon date.

We considered all the options. There was a lot of behind the scenes communication, Rosas responded. To get to the point where were at now, there was a lot of work done, the process with FEMA and getting that plan approved was a long process.

Rosas added that the city could have decided to re-bid the project out after conferring various department heads, but ultimately what was decided that what was best for the city was to try to work with this St. George Enterprises.

In an effort to get them to agree we have been very lenient with the contract language, Rosas said. If he didnt agree then our options would be that there is no timeline in the contract or we bid it and find another contractor, if we did that wed jeopardize paying more for this project and wed also jeopardize the timeline with FEMA.

Another project that was also mentioned was the LED Replacement program the city was working on. A letter read during the public portion of the project from Cassandra Pinkoski questioned what buildings have been done currently, what buildings are slated the be completed, if street lighting is still a part of the project and what are the savings to date?

Rosas said LED updates were provided throughout the year but due to COVID, the $1 million in funding earmarked by the state and approved by the Financial Restructuring Board was withheld.

We have not received those funds, Rosas said. I have stopped the project until such time that we receive those funds. The good news is that I directed our Fiscal Affairs officer to contact Albany every week and this week the funding process is going to be moving forward, so we expect to receive funds soon. Ive been in contact with the contractor and he is ready to start as soon as we can start moving the process forward.

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

See more here:
Retaining wall to begin construction, LED plan on hold - Evening Observer

InYourArea Community

The nearby Castle Inn Footbridge remains closed to ensure the safety of the public, following damage it sustained during Storm Dennis.

Image:Rhondda Cynon Taf Council

Submitted by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has started work to repair and rebuild sections of the retaining wall at A4054 Cardiff Road in Treforest following damage caused by Storm Dennis and the current traffic lights will be removed when complete next month.

Sections of the wall, along the River Taff near Castle Inn Footbridge, were damaged by the unprecedented weather in February 2020.

The repairs are scheduled across two phases of work the first of these started on Monday, October 19. The council has appointed Kaymac Marine & Civil Engineering Ltd as the contractor to carry out this work, which will last up to two weeks, subject to good weather.

The second phase of work will see the collapsed section of wall rebuilt by contractor Hammond Civil Engineering Ltd. This is expected to start in early November and last around three weeks.

Once complete, the temporary traffic lights will be removed and Cardiff Road will be re-opened for two-way traffic. Work across both phases will adhere to the latest social distancing guidance.

Please note, the nearby Castle Inn Footbridge remains closed to ensure the safety of the public, following the significant damage it sustained during Storm Dennis. The council will provide an update to residents in the near future.

Councillor Andrew Morgan, leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and cabinet member with responsibility for highways and transportation, said:

Important schemes to repair damaged structures have progressed in recent months including retaining wall repairs at Ynysybwl Road and Blaen-y-Cwm Road, while work has recently been completed at Station Street in Treherbert.

Preparations are also ongoing at Ynysangharad Park in Pontypridd to repair the Marks and Spencer Bridge over the coming months, while specialist surveys at Castell Ifor Bridge in Treforest and the White Bridge in Pontypriddare are under review.

The council is committed to repairing or replacing both of these damaged bridges and will provide an update to residents in due course.

Cllr Morgan said:

Shine a spotlight on your neighbourhood by becoming an Area Ambassador.

Click here to learn more!

Read this article:
Retaining wall repairs at A4054 Cardiff Road in Treforest - In Your Area

Ann Arbor, Mich. | $1.99 MillionA house custom-built in 1979, with five bedrooms and six and a half bathrooms, on a 0.77-acre lot

Designed by Don Paul Young, a local architect, this home is part of the Hillwood Preserve, a wooded subdivision dating to the 1930s that was created by a pair of sisters who were landscape designers, on their family property. The house sits near the prairie part of the University of Michigans Nichols Arboretum, with winter views of the Huron River. One can cut through the arboretum to reach the university campus and downtown, less than a mile west, or travel a more roundabout route by road. Built for an orthopedic surgeon, the house was expanded in 2000 by a later owner.

Size: 5,249 square feet

Price per square foot: $379

Indoors: Recent updates include new exterior siding that promises to last for decades, many new windows (some of them huge) and fresh oak flooring in the living room, dining room and main study (there are three studies altogether). A substantial part of the lower level was also remodeled, and hardscaping was added outdoors.

The entrance leads into a foyer with an attached powder room (variegated ceramic tile covers the floors of both). To the left of the front door is a dining room with a 16-foot-high wall of glass and a wet bar. It flows into a living room, for an area that totals 38 feet in length and up to 25 feet in width and includes a wood-burning fireplace.

On the other side of the fireplace wall is an office with a built-in desk, wraparound upper and lower cabinets and windows on three sides, with arboretum views. On the opposite side of the living room and up a few steps is an open, tiled breakfast area and, beyond that, a kitchen with an L-shaped center island topped in granite, a Wolf range, a Sub-Zero refrigerator and a pantry. This room walks out to a 24-by-19-foot screened porch, which opens to an ipe-wood patio. Next to the kitchen is a laundry room that includes a wine refrigerator and a built-in desk and cabinetry.

A hallway past the rear staircase leads into guest quarters. Here are a bedroom with arboretum views, a bathroom with a walk-in glass-and-stone-tile shower and an office with two built-in desks and three walls of cabinets. An elevator in this wing takes you to any floor.

The front staircase ascends to a hall lofted above the dining room. The first door belongs to the master suite, which includes a carpeted bedroom with a walk-in closet behind frosted-glass doors (a dresser and shoe cubby are lodged inside) and a private balcony overlooking the arboretum. The master bathroom is sheathed in dark and light gray stone and includes a wraparound vanity with a pair of metal vessel sinks and a separate tub and shower.

This level contains three additional bedroom suites (one with a Juliet balcony), as well as a library that opens to an indoor-outdoor oak-floored exercise room above the screened porch.

The lower level has more than 2,400 square feet of finished space not counted in the homes official square footage. This encompasses a large family room with sunlight streaming through glass doors and multiple exposures (it walks out to a patio), an office with a fireplace, a full bathroom and two workshops. There are also storage and utility rooms, as well as access to a three-car garage.

Outdoor space: In addition to the porches, decks and balconies is a large paved patio hugged by a new retaining wall; it has a fire pit. The surrounding landscape is, not surprisingly, tree-filled.

Taxes: $30,646 (based on a tax assessment of $611,179), plus an annual $100 homeowner fee

Contact: Jean Wedemeyer, Reinhart Realtors, 734-604-2523; jeanwedemeyer.reinhartrealtors.com

This two-story 1936 complex is in the Bayshore neighborhood, two blocks west of Indian Creek and the nearby cluster of Mid-Beach hotels, including the Miami Beach Edition and the Faena. Within a mile to the south are Collins Park, with its cultural attractions; the Miami Beach Convention Center, where the Art Basel Miami Beach fair is typically held; and the Lincoln Road shopping district. Currently, three of the four units are rented, with leases that extend six months at the most. The rents range from $2,900 to $3,200 a month, depending on the season. Short-term rentals are not permitted.

Size: 4,478 square feet

Price per square foot: $446

Indoors: Two units are downstairs, and two upstairs; all four have identical layouts of about 1,200 square feet. They are being sold furnished, and in two units, the furniture is new.

The lower units have direct access from within a gated courtyard; between their doors is the entrance to the upper units. In each apartment, the entry door opens to a living room with wood floors and a decorative fireplace mantel. A stepped archway leads into a wood-floored dining room, and a similar archway introduces the kitchen. The kitchen surfaces and colors vary from unit to unit. In unit No. 1, which is currently vacant, the counters are white marble, the flooring is gray linoleum and the appliances are stainless steel.

The units occupy the four corners of the building, so one bedroom in each has windows that wrap around two walls. The bedrooms also have wood floors and en suite bathrooms with showers. (Again, surface materials and colors vary.) Unit No. 1 has its own washer and dryer. The other three share free laundry facilities in the complex.

Outdoor space: The seller did some landscaping of the shared garden, which includes a seating area and a grill. The building does not have parking, but occupants can apply for city permits that cost $60 a year and that allow them to park on the street, in front.

Taxes: $36,000 (estimated)

Contact: Patricia Agudelo, Coldwell Banker Realty, 347-623-7163; coldwellbanker.com

This property in the town of Shawangunk, west of the Hudson River, is the country seat of Cristy Lee McGeehan, an interior designer with a penchant for patterned wallpaper, and her husband, Colan McGeehan, the chief investment officer of Publicis Health Media. The couple are enthusiastic entertainers; to accommodate a regular parade of friends and family as well as corporate retreats, they recently built a log house from reclaimed barn wood near the Greek Revival farmhouse. The furnishings for both homes can be negotiated with the sale.

The houses are about 75 miles north of Manhattan and about 16 miles southwest of New Paltz, in southern Ulster County. Local attractions include mountain preserves, vineyards, orchards and rail trails.

Size: 5,400 square feet (combined)

Price per square foot: $375

Indoors: The yellow clapboard-sided farmhouse, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, includes a traditional double parlor with wide, antique floorboards and rooms separated by pocket doors. Wallpaper in complementary patterns with a lot of black gives a modern Victorian frisson to the rooms. Rustic wood of different shades also makes an appearance on a wall of the sunny front parlor. A brick fireplace with a black-painted mantel is in the rear parlor.

A formal dining room is papered in a mix of more subtle patterns and colors. The homey kitchen has a vaulted beadboard ceiling with exposed brick above the wall cabinets; stainless steel and concrete countertops; and a window seat.

Downstairs, in the original kitchen, with its fireplace designed for cooking, the owners created an exuberant space they describe as a speakeasy and use for karaoke. On the second floor, Ms. McGeehan hand-glued hundreds of scalloped bits of paper to the slanted wall of the master bedroom. Two additional bedrooms also have angled ceilings that follow the rooflines, and the bathroom is a medley of raw brick, white-on-white brocade-patterned paper, hexagonal floor tile and rough concrete for the vanity. There is a vintage tub and a walk-in shower.

In the log house, Ms. McGeehan amped up the eclecticism, using botanical- and animal-themed papers to contrast with the pervasive wood-and-mortar striping. In the downstairs powder room, the animals are dressed in Victorian garb and set within ornate picture frames. In the upstairs bedrooms (each of which has a private bathroom), they portray hummingbirds, butterflies, moths and garlands. There is also a main-floor master suite whose bathroom paper is festooned with silhouetted boats and rosy Chinese lanterns. (You will also find a vanity converted from an American Colonial-style desk, brass sconces sprouting crystals and a very contemporary glass-walled shower.)

Outdoor space: A hot tub, a bandstand, a firepit and several seating areas add to the entertainment value. Alpacas, among other animals, have recently enjoyed the paddock.

Taxes: $14,472

Contact: J.C. Keeler, Heather Croner Real Estate, Sothebys International Realty, 917-603-1946; sothebysrealty.com

For weekly email updates on residential real estate news, sign up here. Follow us on Twitter: @nytrealestate.

Originally posted here:
Here's What $2 Million Buys You in Michigan, Florida and New York - The New York Times

WILLCOX, Ariz. A semi tractor-trailer driver died after the truck drove through the City of Willcox Visitors Center Monday.

The driver's identity has not been released by authorities.

According to the City of Willcox, an investigation revealed that the vehicle was going westbound on I-10 near milepost 341 when it suddenly left the roadway to the right, which led to the vehicle driving through a fence and the visitor center.

Witnesses say the vehicle did not apply brakes as it approached the center.

"After traveling - mile the vehicle struck a retaining wall on the north side of the Visitor Center property and continued to travel southbound. The vehicle struck the north side of the building and maintained enough velocity that it traveled through the entire building and exited through the south side of the building," the city said about the crash.

The vehicle then reportedly dropped off its loading drop, causing it to "jackknife" in the Arizona Department of Public Safety's parking lot, narrowly avoiding officers inside the building.

I would like to thank all personnel involved in this incident. Although tragic, this incident again shows how well first responders in rural Arizona come together to accomplish tasks. Thank you to all personnel who had a hand in this. Your dedication to preserving life brings great credit upon yourselves, your agencies and the State of Arizona, Chief Hadfield, Director of the Willcox Department of Public Safety stated.

See the rest here:
Tractor-trailer crashes through Willcox Visitor Center, driver killed - KGUN

NOTICE TO BIDDERS BY THE RIVANNA WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY BID FOR THE MCAWRRF ENGINEERING BUILDING ADDITION - RFB NO. 376 Sealed Bids will be received by the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority, hereinafter called the OWNER, in the Administration Building at the Moores Creek Advanced Water Resource Recovery Facility, 695 Moores Creek Lane, Charlottesville, VA 22902 until 4:00 p.m., local prevailing time on November 20, 2020 and then at said office be publicly opened and read aloud (virtually at the sole discretion of RWSA) for the following: GENERAL CONSTRUCTION: Includes all site preparation work needed for the Addition to the Engineering Building Facility. Site preparation includes site grading; retaining wall construction; asphalt pavement; building foundation work; and water, sewer and electrical utility installation. The foregoing description shall not be construed as a complete description of all work required. Contract Documents may be examined at the following locations: Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority, 695 Moores Creek Lane, Charlottesville, VA 22902; Hazen and Sawyer, 4011 West Chase Blvd., Suite 500, Raleigh, NC 27607. Digital copies of the Contract Documents may be obtained through the office of Hazen and Sawyer located at 4011 WestChase Boulevard, Suite 500, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27607, at no cost. Inquiries should be directed to Mr. Bret Edwards, P.E. at (919) 755-8588. An optional virtual pre-bid conference will be held on November 4, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. to review the scope of work and clarify any aspect of the work that may be in question. Attendance at the virtual pre-bid conference is not mandatory. To obtain a link to the virtual pre-bid conference, contact Scott Schiller, P.E., Engineering Manager at the Rivanna Water & Sewer Authority at (434) 977-2970 x206 or sschiller@rivanna.org, or Bret Edwards, P.E. at Hazen at (919) 755-8588 or bedwards@hazenandsawyer.com. A more detailed Notice to Bidders can be seen at http://www.rivanna.org.

Read more:
NOTICE TO BIDDERS BY THE RIVANNA WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY BID FOR THE MCAWRRF ENGINEERING BUILDING ADDITION - RFB NO. - The Daily Progress