Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

BY KAREN BERKOWITZ | kberkowitz@pioneerlocal.com October 6, 2012 3:24PM

District 113 residents listen Tuesday as architect Mark Jolicoeur, a principal at Perkins + Will, speaks to facility needs at Deerfield and Highland Park high schools.|Michael Jarecki ~ for Sun-Times Media

storyidforme: 37901973 tmspicid: 13903647 fileheaderid: 6397578

Updated: October 6, 2012 3:46PM

HIGHLAND PARK The architects hired by High School District 113 to create a Long-Term Facilities Plan are exploring each deficiency at Highland Park and Deerfield high schools from three vantage points.

Is it possible, or economically sound, to refurbish the building, the space or the mechanical system?

Would changing the facilitys function address some of the inherent drawbacks?

What would be gained by starting over and building anew?

That 3 R analysis refurbish, repurpose or rebuild has produced an exponential number of options and combinations for the dozens of items on the districts high priority list. Some of the options were mentioned Oct. 2 during the District 113 Community Engagement meeting, this one at Highland Park High School.

See the article here:
In Highland Park, architects eye school options

Article posted: 10/6/2012 7:25 AM

PALO ALTO, Calif. A year ago, I installed the Nest thermostat in my house and used it for a few weeks. I thought it was a breakthrough. The Nest, which was built by a startup co-founded by Tony Fadell, the guy who designed the iPod, is not just the most beautiful thermostat in the world. A minimalist orb that resembles HAL, the Nest may well be one of the most beautiful objects you install in your home it looks like something from the future, if the future were ruled by people with impeccable taste in Scandinavian furniture.

And the Nest didnt stop at good looks. It was the worlds first learning thermostat. An ordinary thermostat asks you to program it to turn on and off at certain times and temperatures. Most people never do that; instead, they just set it at a constant temperature every season. Because a thermostat has always been a stupid device it has no idea when youre home or away, and no way of determining whether that temperature you set is really something you should aim for, considering the size of your home and your previous preferences it obeys your edict until you remember to change it. Chances are you wont remember, and youll end up wasting a lot of energy.

The Nest solves this problem through a battery of sensors and algorithms: It can figure out when youre home and when youre not, and based on your adjustments, it can build a model of temperatures that feel comfortable to you. It uses all this information to create a temperature schedule thats personalized to your lifestyle, one that keeps you comfortable while saving energy. Considering that thermostats control half of a typical homes energy bill, the Nest promised to be more than a great product if thermostats like it took off, it could significantly cut down on our nations energy use.

But that was a year ago. This week Nest is announcing a new version of its thermostat. This upgraded version is slimmer than the old one, and the design of its front panel has been subtly streamlined. The new Nest which sells for $249, the same price as the old one also has one more internal connection slot that makes it compatible with more kinds of home heating and cooling systems; the company estimated that the first version worked with 75 percent of homes, and the new version works with 95 percent.

But the most noteworthy thing about the new Nest is that its improvements will benefit owners of the old Nest. This latest rollout includes a bunch of new algorithms that improve the efficiency and comfort it delivers, especially for homes with certain esoteric types of heating and cooling systems. But everyone who has the old Nest will get the same improvements. Thats because the Nest is connected to the Internet, and most of its functionality is enabled by its software. All the old Nests will get the new software, rendering them every bit as capable as the latest model. There are a lot of homes in the U.S., says Matt Rogers, co-founder of Nest. We dont need people who have the first Nest to upgrade to the second one.

Weve seen this dynamic at play in the consumer electronics industry for many years old phones and computers and video game systems keep getting new functionality through software updates. In a piece in 2008, I called this the death of planned obsolescence, and I hoped that this phenomenon would improve the longevity of our devices. What weve actually seen since then isnt as hopeful. Because many of our latest gadgets are mobile devices whose inner hardware keeps getting outdated, their life spans are limited: The first-generation iPad wont run Apples latest version of iOS, for example, because it doesnt have enough RAM.

But the Nests improvement suggests that the story will be very different for home devices. As thermostats, refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, sprinkler systems and just about every other old-school system in your house gets hooked up to the Internet, youll notice something odd begin to happen: Rather than getting older and less capable every year, all those devices will keep getting better.

Farhad Manjoo is Slates technology reporter.

Visit link:
Slate: The world’s best thermostat just got better

Twenty hillside residents have banded together to successfully lobby against a neighbor's proposal to add two decks and a pool to his property, arguing that the project would intrude upon views and reduce property values in the neighborhood.

The Burbank City Council on Tuesday sided with the residents, denying Gevork Lekhlian's hillside development permit without prejudice, meaning that he can return with an updated proposal for his 12-year-old Howard Court home. City officials originally received his proposal in November 2011.

The decks were proposed to extend over the hillside, supported by concrete and metal posts.

It's just going to be a real eyesore, said resident and appellant Peter Berwick, adding that he bought his hillside home mainly for the view of the canyons and ridgeline. It seems almost criminal to allow this pool to be hanging out over this cliff and this mountain ledge in earthquake country.

Lekhlian said on Thursday he'd be willing to scrap the 12-by-26-foot pool from the proposal. A month ago, he became a grandfather and hoped the decks would serve as a place for the children in his family to play.

When the kids come to play, they don't have a place to ride bikes, he said.

Councilman Gary Bric noted that the Howard Court home and the Hamline Place homes aren't that close to one another.

That house is already there, so to extend patio decking out a little bit further, I really don't have a problem with it, Bric said.

Lekhlian would've been required to landscape the area around the decks with trees and vegetation to minimize the visual impact on neighbors.

In June, the Planning Board was split on the project, with two in favor, two against. Therefore, the community development director's approval of the project in April stood. The residents appealed the decision, citing safety concerns and visual impacts, which ultimately brought the proposal before the City Council.

See the original post here:
Burbank resident's pool plan scaled back after neighbors intervene

Published: Friday, October 5, 2012 at 7:02 p.m. Last Modified: Friday, October 5, 2012 at 7:03 p.m.

Portions of Cherokee County near Weiss Lake northeast of Leesburg should have improved sewer service because of a $125,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission.

The grant will assist the Cherokee County Water and Sewer Authority in providing sewer services along sections of county roads 146, 355 and 405. Soil and topography prevent private septic systems from working effectively in this area, according to local officials.

The availability of sewer services is expected to make the location more inviting for housing and business development, as well as to improve living conditions for people already residing in the area.

The authority will install 14,000 feet of sewer line along the three roads.

Gov. Robert Bentley notified Y.V. Vaughn Ledbetter, authority chairman, that the grant had been approved.

The ARC program is administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.

ARC was established by Congress in 1965 as a supplemental grant program to raise the standard of living, improve the quality of life and promote economic development in portions of the 13 Appalachian mountain states. Thirty-seven Alabama counties, including Cherokee, are part of the ARC area.

Follow this link:
Grant to pay for sewer improvements in Cherokee County

HANNIBAL, Mo. (WGEM) -

When Hannibal building inspectors decided to walk the streets to look for code violations, a lot caught their eye.

From strange things like carpeted backyards, to collapsed porches.

The city ended up issuing 22 violation notices to property owners.

Kalisha Wear lives on Church Street next to one of the run down homes and she got fed up and called the city.

"It really actually needs to be torn ed down because the kids actually play in the yard," said Wear.

The city came out to the property and issued the owners a violation letter leaving them 30 days to take care of the porch or face a fine.

"I think it is getting a little worse. You know the economy has a lot to do with that. You know folks don't have enough money to take care of problems. Our city is pretty old. You know over 150 years old, so a lot of houses were built 100 years ago," said Hannibal building inspector Joey Burnham.

Burnham said they find out about many of the violations from neighbors like Wear.

"We get complaints plus we do patrol the streets to look at stuff like that but we do receive a lot of complaints," said Burnham.

View post:
Hannibal building inspectors cracking down on code violations

Click photo to enlarge

Prayer circle: From left: Sue Collier, Pastor Mark Ruzicka, Bob Keeney and Pastor Jeff Lukens look over the progress of a labyrinth being created on the grounds of St. John s United Church of Christ, 1811 Lincoln Way East, Chambersburg.

The church on Tuesday announced the start of construction.

The project is funded by a bequest from former lifelong member, Robert Rumler. Construction is being done by Spring Rise Nursery and Landscaping, Chambersburg. The completed labyrinth will be dedicated as part of the 50th anniversary of the church building.

The spiritual purpose of a labyrinth, which has a clear, rounded path that leads to its center, historically is for people to focus and quiet their minds in prayer as they walk the path.

St. John's had a positive response, especially from the youth, to a labyrinth that had been created at its camp in Fort Loudon, according to press release from church.

This new labyrinth is designed to complement a tall brick-relief sculpture on the church's sanctuary wall. It will be open for community use and wheelchairs can be used on its wide brick pathway.

Read the original here:
Church builds prayer walk

HOOVER, AL (WBRC) -

A church in Hoover could face a $12,000 fine for a construction project that is allegedly damaging a man's property.

Shelby County resident Randy Harper says he's had a problem with Riverchase United Methodist church for two years. He claims the church's construction is ruining his property.

The Alabama Department of Environmental Management already shut down construction once because it caused soil and sediment runoff in Harper's lake.

The agency shut the construction site down in 2011 because there was not enough being done to stop sediment runoff and erosion. After the church hired a new construction company, ADEM allowed some work to resume. But in August an inspection found there are still issues.

Harper says he is frustrated because he signed a contract with church leaders that said they would fix his lake by March of this year.

ADEM has proposed a $12,000 fine against the church, but they will not enforce it until the public has 30 days to comment. The public comment period begins Oct. 10, according to an ADEM official.

Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.

Go here to see the original:
Hoover church could face fine in construction dispute

SOUTH OZONE PARK, N.Y., Oct. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Pampano's Auto Repair, Inc., located at 135-15 130th Pl., recently added UHaul truck and trailer rentals to the auto repair business.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090622/LA34860LOGO-b)

Click here to download the photo accompanying this press release.

Families needing the finest in moving services now will have increased convenience and a shorter distance to travel when moving, which not only will make their move easier but also will have the positive effect of reducing the amount of carbon emissions released into the atmosphere. U-Haul partnering with business owners across North America to increase convenience for customers while helping our environment is just one of the programs that support U-Haul Company's Corporate Sustainability initiatives.

Pampano's Auto Repair, Inc. can now offer its customers a variety of moving equipment and supplies designed specifically for moving household furnishings, including moving vans, open trailers, closed trailers, furniture pads, appliance dollies, furniture dollies, tow dollies and auto transports. Pampano's Auto Repair, Inc. also will offer sales items to protect their customers' belongings and make moving easier, such as heavy-duty boxes, which are made of up to 90 percent recycled content and are available in a variety of sizes.

"U-Haul is proud to be partnering with a quality independent business such as Pampano's Auto Repair, Inc.," exclaimed William Wolff III, president, U-Haul Company of Brooklyn/Queens/Staten Island. "Pampano's Auto Repair, Inc. is a great example of the type of successful business relationship UHaul has established in order to build and maintain a strong network of more than 15,000 independent dealers across North America."

For more information, or to rent your moving equipment today, call 718-322-3310. Business hours of operation are: Mon. Sat. 8 a.m. 6 p.m.

Resources:

Follow us!

About U-Haul

See the article here:
Pampano's Auto Repair, Inc. in South Ozone Park, New York Adds U-Haul Rentals

MACCLENNY, Fla., Oct. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Gear & Wheel Mobile Repair, located at 15668 N. SR 21, recently added UHaul truck and trailer rentals to the auto-repair business.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090622/LA34860LOGO-b)

Click here to download the photo accompanying this press release.

Families needing the finest in moving services now will have increased convenience and a shorter distance to travel when moving, which not only will make their move easier but also will have the positive effect of reducing the amount of carbon emissions released into the atmosphere. U-Haul partnering with business owners across North America to increase convenience for customers while helping our environment is just one of the programs that support U-Haul Company's Corporate Sustainability initiatives.

Gear & Wheel Mobile Repair can now offer its customers a variety of moving equipment and supplies designed specifically for moving household furnishings, including moving vans, open trailers, closed trailers, furniture pads, appliance dollies, furniture dollies, tow dollies and auto transports. Gear & Wheel Mobile Repair also will offer sales items to protect their customers' belongings and make moving easier, such as heavy-duty boxes, which are made of up to 90 percent recycled content and are available in a variety of sizes.

"U-Haul is proud to be partnering with a quality independent business such as Gear & Wheel Mobile Repair," exclaimed Ed Hatcher, president, U-Haul Company of Jacksonville. "Gear & Wheel Mobile Repair is a great example of the type of successful business relationship UHaul has established in order to build and maintain a strong network of more than 15,000 independent dealers across North America."

For more information, or to rent your moving equipment today, call 904-259-2336. Business hours of operation are: Mon. Fri. 7 a.m. 5 p.m. and Sat. 9 a.m. Noon.

Resources:

Follow us!

About U-Haul

The rest is here:
Gear & Wheel Mobile Repair in MacClenny, Florida Adds U-Haul Rentals

NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) -

A local pool company that's been the subject of dozens of complaints had its building license officially suspended Thursday.

Some 30 families said Premier Pools and Patios didn't provide efficient services.

In some cases, the company is accused of walking away from an unfinished project. In other cases, clients said the company built a pool that had to be redone and damaged property.

Those homeowners want the state board of licensing contractors to take away Premier's license, so they can never build in Tennessee again.

"I do not have a finished working pool. It's been almost a year, and a lot of things need to be redone," said a homeowner named Sam, who didn't want his last name used.

Sam is one of 16 who have filed an official complaint with the state.

The owner of the company, Anna Shanks, did not show up Thursday for a license suspension hearing. She listened in by conference call from her attorney's Nashville office.

Premier Pool attorney Steve Lefkovitz agreed to have his client surrender its building license as long as the word revocation was left out.

"Revocation does have connotations of wrongdoing," said Lefkovitz.

More here:
Troubled pool company has license suspended