Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Saturday Conejo Valley Home Remodeling Show: Interior decorating, landscaping, pool and spa ideas and information from over 170 vendors, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission $4. Hyatt Westlake Plaza,880 S. Westlake Blvd., Westlake Village. 805-529-0760. http://www.conejovalleyhomeshow.com

Native Plant Week symposium: The California Native Plant Society and the Theodore Payne Foundation present a wildflower show, book and plant sale and demonstrations,9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Lectures: Anthony Valois discusses Wildflowers of the Santa Monica Mountains, 9:30-11 a.m.; Orchid Black discusses Easy Natives for the Garden, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.; Lili Singer discusses Native Plants and Pollinators Equal Bountiful Gardens, 2-3:30 p.m. Sepulveda Garden Center, 16633 Magnolia Blvd., Encino. http://www.cnps.org http://www.theodorepayne.org

Michaels: Body Art make-it-take-it, 1-3 p.m. Saturday (age 3 and older). Earth Day tote make-it-take-it, 1-3 p.m. Sunday. Some fees. Check website for participating locations. http://www.michaels.com

San Fernando Valley Chapter of the California Association of Nurseries and Garden Centers: Product Knowledge Night with vendors showing what's new for spring, 5 p.m. Meeting includes a barbecue, 6 p.m.; program, 7 p.m. Cost $5. Reservations required. West Valley Occupational Center, 6200 Winnetka Ave., Woodland Hills. 818-348-1091.

Tournament House tours: The former Wrigley Mansion and garden is open for guided tours by Tournament of Roses volunteers, 2 and 3 p.m. Thursdays through August. Free. 391 S. Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena. 626-449-4100. http://www.tournamentofroses.com

Ventura County Rose Society meeting: Members and guests bring three roses (in a jelly jar) and discuss how it performs in their garden, 7:30 p.m. Rose advice, 6:30 p.m. Ventura County Office of Education Conference Center, 5100 Adolfo Road, Camarillo. 818-337-9970 and 805-523-9003. http://www.venturarose.org

Green Thumb Nursery-Canoga Park: Stephanie Ripple discusses organic vegetable gardening, 10 a.m. April 28. She will be available for questions until 2 p.m. 21812 Sherman Way. 818-340-6400.

The Garden Conservancy's private garden tour in Pasadena: Self-guided tour of six gardens, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 29. Tickets $5 per garden; $25 for six. Begin tour at La Casita del Arroyo Garden, 177 S. Arroyo Blvd. 888-842-2442. http://www.opendaysprogram.org

Spring Plant Sale at the Huntington Botanical Gardens, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. April 29. Admission to sale is free; admission to the gardens $20; $15 seniors; $10 for students 12-18; $6 children 5-11. Huntington Botanical Gardens, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. 626-405-2100. http://www.Huntington.org

Westlake Village Garden Club garden tour: Self-guided tour of five gardens in the Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village area, 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. April 29. Tickets $20. Find ticket locations on the website. 805-437-6606. http://www.westlakevillagegardenclub.com

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Homes & Gardens Calendar: Conejo Valley Remodeling Show, Native Plant Week, Organic vegetable gardening class and more

The final agreement related to the construction of a team track rail siding project off West Main Street has been approved.

This week, Washington City Council members unanimously approved a supplemental agreement with Union Pacific Railroad for the construction of improvements, including installation of a manual switch.

The city will pay $406,964 to Union Pacific for the railroads portion of the project. The city previously deposited $75,000 with the railroad last September which was applied toward the signal design work. That leaves a balance of $331,964, according to the agreement.

Darren Lamb, community and economic development director, said that 27 percent of the cost will be paid out of a federal Economic Development Administration grant the city received for the project.

Meanwhile, the general contractor, Kolb Grading, St. Charles, is close to completing grading and site work for the project which will include a 1,900-foot team track and a secure building/office on a 4.4-acre lot adjacent to the Canam Steel plant.

The team track will provide a secure facility where local industries and businesses can load and unload products and materials onto railroad cars and trucks.

Lamb said that Kolb expected to complete site work by the end of April.

Kolb was awarded the contract on a bid of $3.25 million earlier this year. Total cost of the project, including engineering fees and other expenses, is expected to be close to $4 million.

The contractor has until Sept. 30, 2012, to complete the facility.

In addition to a $962,701 EDA grant approved for the project, the city will receive an estimated $2,052,810 community development block grant through the Missouri Department of Economic Development. The citys share of the project cost is $786,063.30.

Link:
Washington OKs Agreement With Union Pacific for Work on Team Track

We are getting ready to replace our existing siding on our home in the next month or so, and I have a few questions.

Before investing in such a costly undertaking, Id like a few questions answered.

Is double hem mounting the best way to go?

Should we have 1/2 inch foam and Tyvek moisture barrier in combination? If not, which is more energy efficient?

Should all door and window openings have flashing?

Should the color of the siding go all the way through?

What thickness should the siding be?

As you can tell, Im a bit confused. Thanks.

A 10-year-old vinyl siding job shouldnt necessarily need replacement, unless its been damaged in some way.

Sun can bleach some and even the reflection from close-by Low-E windows can concentrate the suns heat and can warp sections Ive seen that. Weed whackers chop holes out of corner boards, and storms hurling tree limbs and hail create damage that might warrant replacement.

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On the Level: The ins and outs of vinyl siding

WILLIAMSPORT - A Shamokin roofing company has been named as a defendant in a federal lawsuit brought by a former employee.

The suit, filed Tuesday in U.S. Middle District Court in Williamsport by Jason Deitz, of Shamokin, claims Budget Renovation and Roofing Inc. failed to pay overtime and did not list the correct number of hours worked on pay stubs, which would be violations of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and the Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act.

According to the complaint, the offenses occurred between April 17, 2009, and October 2011 while Deitz was working as a roofer. He had held the job since 2004. During that time period, Deitz said Budget employed 40 people who were paid an hourly wage. The plaintiff hopes to makes his case a collective action involving other employees.

Deitz said weekly pay stubs failed to list either the number of hours worked during the week or the hourly rates.

Contacted for comment about the suit, James Searls, president of Budget Renovation and Roofing, said Wednesday the jobs Deitz refers to include "rate jobs" where employees get paid a specific price for the work. The time sheets that show the number of hours worked are kept in the office, he said.

Deitz claims in his suit that he and the other workers regularly worked more than 40 hours per week, and estimated that he generally worked between 50 to 70 hours during a typical week.

Deitz questioned Searls on being paid overtime wages, to no satisfaction, according to the affidavit.

"In fact, on at least three occasions, Searls personally informed (Deitz) that (Budget) generally did not pay the overtime premium compensation," the affidavit reads.

Deitz believes he and other workers were not paid any compensation for many of their work hours, but "due to Budget's illegal failure to provide him and other workers with contemporaneous timekeeping and payroll data, the particulars of this allegation must await discovery."

Searls said he is aware of the suit and has legal representation working on it. He accused Deitz of "falsifying unemployment records and collecting illegally."

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Ex-worker sues Shamokin roofing firm; president defends

After a lengthy debate, Denison City Council members on Tuesday evening voted to change the code to reflect the citys policy regarding roofing projects and permits.

The council voted 4-0 that a permit will not be required for roofing projects that involve one or two layers of shingles. Permits will be required if a metal roof is installed over two layers of shingles and if the roofing project involves repairs to or the replacement of the structural elements of the roof.

The council also voted to make the roofing permit fee $25. In the past, the permit fee was based on the value of the roofing project.

The reason the council entertained discussion on roofing permits is because a previous amendment to the code created a discrepancy between the citys policy and what the code actually states.

Building Inspector Martin Colgan pointed out that the city adopted the international residential code, which requires permits for any roofing project other than a simple repair, such as replacing a few shingles.

The debate about building permits involved comments about what is fair, and as the discussion illustrated, the definition of fair depends on ones profession and viewpoint.

Contractor Marcia Losh wanted to make sure that what the council decided would treat everyone fairly the licensed contractors and the property owners who roof their own houses.

Asked her view about permits, Losh responded, As long as its not a permit that is going to stop people from doing the work a costly permit - and the biggest thing is that everyone is treated the same.

Contractor Lyle Frazier commented that the local contractors will follow the city code but he is concerned that non-local companies that come into the community to moonlight on the weekends arent going to follow the rules.

Mayor Dennis Fineran, who said he has retired from contracting, stated he didnt believe permits are needed. He added the permit fees are passed on to the property owners that have the work done.

Excerpt from:
Roofing permit issues evolves into discussion of fairness

DALLAS, April 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Roofing Supply Group, LLC ("RSG" or the "Company"), a leading distributor of residential and non-residential roofing materials in the U.S., today announced a definitive agreement under which it is to be acquired from its current owner, The Sterling Group, by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC, a private equity firm. Terms were not disclosed.

RSG provides a complete offering of residential and commercial roofing materials and related supplies. Products include shingles, single-ply roofing, metal roofing, roll roofing, insulation, slate and tiles, nails and fasteners, cements and coatings and other complementary building materials. RSG's branch-based operating model includes 59 locations in 24 states throughout the West, Rocky Mountain, Northwest, Southwest, Southeast and Midwest regions of the U.S.

The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter. CD&R has obtained committed financing from Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co., Credit Suisse, and UBS Investment Bank. Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and Goldman, Sachs & Co. acted as financial advisors, and Debevoise & Plimpton LLP acted as legal advisor to CD&R. The Sterling Group was advised by Harris Williams in the transaction.

About Roofing Supply GroupFounded in 1981 and based in Dallas, TX, Roofing Supply Group is one of the largest wholesale distributors of roofing supplies and related materials in the United States. Through its network of 59 branches in 24 states, RSG provides one-step distribution services from roofing product manufacturers to roofing contractors and homebuilders. Each branch carries a complete line of roofing products for residential and commercial roofing, including composition asphalt shingles, underlayment, and associated ancillary products. For more information, please visit http://www.roofingsupplygroup.com.

About The Sterling GroupFounded in 1982, The Sterling Group is a private equity investment firm that targets controlling interests in basic manufacturing, distribution and industrial services companies. Typical enterprise values of these companies range from $100 million to $500 million. Sterling has sponsored the buyout of 41 platform companies and numerous add-on acquisitions for a total transaction value of approximately $9.5 billion. Currently, Sterling has $1.2 billion of committed capital under management through three funds. Current portfolio companies include North American Energy Partners, CST Industries, Roofing Supply Group, Universal Fiber Systems, Velcon Filters, Express, B&G Crane, Saxco International, Stackpole International and Liqui-Box. For more information, please visit http://www.sterling-group.com.

About Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLCFounded in 1978, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice is a private equity firm that has managed the investment of approximately $17 billion in 51 U.S. and European businesses. These investments represent an aggregate transaction value of over $80 billion and include leading distributors, such as Diversey, HGI Holdings, Sally Beauty, US Foods, Univar and VWR International, as well as building products businesses, such as HD Supply, NCI Building Systems, Atkore International, Rexel and WESCO. For more information, please visit http://www.cdr-inc.com.

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Roofing Supply Group, LLC, a Leading U.S. Roofing Material Distributor, to be Acquired by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice ...

PLANO -- One of the world's largest software companies is getting a little bit bigger.

Ericsson, the Swedish telecommunications giant whose North America headquarters are located in Plano, recently announced plans to add on to its campus in west Plano. The new additions will create new jobs and add tens of millions of dollars to the city's tax rolls.

The two-phase expansion will begin with the construction of a four-story, 200,000-square-foot building as well as two multilevel parking garages, said Sally Bane, the city's director of economic development. The property improvements total $17 million, with an additional $2.2 million in business personal property included.

The company will receive a tax abatement for 10 years totaling 50 percent of both the real property and business personal property. In return for the abatement, Ericsson agrees to retain, transfer or create at least 1,000 jobs at its Plano headquarters.

The first phase of construction is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2013, with the second phase following a year later.

Calls to Ericsson seeking comment were not returned.

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Software company expands headquarters: Company receives 10-year tax abatement from city

20-04-2012 12:39 The window glass that needs repair has been foggy and full of moisture in glass for years. Can you get the moisture in glass out and fix the fog? Hi, my name is Dennis McHugh and I'm an expert at solving problems related to home and business window and door repairs and replacement in St. Louis, Missouri. People often ask me if they can just clean foggy windows without having to replace them. The answer is some window glass yes, some window glass no. When the moisture in glass has been there for a long period of time, the moisture turns from a gas into a liquid. It condenses on the window glass surfaces between the panes and leaves deposits on the glass. As these deposits sit there, they become embedded into the pores of the window glass, and cannot be removed with cleaning solutions. Having gone through so many freezing cycles, the window glass often separates from the spacer, allowing more moisture into the space than our valves can disperse. When that much damage occurs to the window's glass, it's challenging to cure the problem with a cleaning process. Glass replacement then becomes the best option. There's no cure time with glass replacement; the view is restored immediately. By replacing the window's glass only, and not the entire frame of the window, it is possible for you to save money. Plus, from an environmentally friendly perspective, the window frames and materials are kept out of the landfills. For a free special report, visit ...

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Window Repair or Window Replacement? Foggy long time? - Video

21-04-2012 10:15 5804 Dubois Road, Lakeland, FL 33811 (863) 647-5912 ? Window Replacement in Polk and Hillsborough County, Florida FL is our primary service. We provide Replacement Windows at Your Home, other services include: Window Replacement, Pool Enclosures,windshield repairs, General Construction, Screen Rooms & Lanais and General Construction in Polk and Hillsborough County, Florida FL window replacement in polk and Hillsborough County Screen Rooms & Lanais in Polk and Hillsborough County Pool Enclosures in Polk and Hillsborough County General Construction in Polk and Hillsborough County Ares Covered: Bartow, fl Brandon, fl Davenport, fl Frostproof, fl Haines City, fl Lake Wales, fl Lakeland, fl Mulberry,fl Plant City, fl Polk City, fl Winter Haven, fl

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Ferguson Windows - Replacement Windows in Polk and Hillsborough County - Video

Rapid glass, an Auto Glass Repair and Home Window Glass Replacement company, has established a cost effective Green alternative to waste disposal using pulverized glass recycling

Minneapolis, MN (PRWEB) April 20, 2012

It has always been a difficult and costly proposition for glass repair and replacement companies to dispose of their broken glass. Until recently they could only recycle a small fraction of the glass leaving the rest to be hauled off to area landfills. Most of the glass recycling today focuses on glass bottles and containers. Many collection facilities that collect these bottles have to separate the glass by color. This was not only cumbersome but also dangerous because of the nature of handling broken glass.

Previously with auto glass and particularly windshield glass, there were minimal recycling options available due to the polyvinyl butyral (or PVB) used in the manufacturing of windshields. Recycling home window glass was also problematic due to insulated glass windows having an aluminum spacer and a sealer holding the two panes of glass together. These concerns are no longer an issue due to a glass pulverizing technique that is becoming increasingly more popular.

This process is typically not done by conventional recyclers or landfills, but rather by companies that are familiar with the use of various forms of aggregate. The glass is pulverized down to sizes ranging from three-quarter inch to very fine glass sand. This allows for a wide range of uses and applications, much the way regular sand and aggregate is used as well as some new markets for this very unique product.

One of the more popular uses has been in various roadway construction processes. Some states have set specifications that provides up to 10% or more reclaimed glass be used in Class 5, 6, or 7 road base material. Recycled glass can be used 100% in some cases and can actually improve the quality of the gravel because it can enhance the permeability of the road service and decrease runoff. Glassphalt, uses 5-10% reclaimed glass mixed with asphalt and has been used for more than 30 years and is comparable to conventional surfaces with the benefit of increased traction and skid resistance. Reclaimed glass is also used as a reflective safety material in roads and crosswalks.

Other uses include glass counter tops and flooring, septic system mounds and swimming pool filters because glass doesnt harbor bacteria, sand for beaches, playgrounds and even golf courses. Golf courses have found that glass sand is especially useful on the putting greens as it has ten times the life of sand and dries quicker than the typical peat/silica mixture. If you look at glass sand in a microscope, it looks sharp, but it is actually rounded and quite safe. In fact, it has been used in various landscaping applications including glass sand walkways where you can even walk on it with bare feet and it is completely safe.

Consumers are becoming increasingly more concerned about how we impact our surroundings, explains Rick Rosar, Rapid Glass president, At Rapid Glass we are extremely excited to be able to do our share to improve our environment for generations to come.

For 25 years, Rapid Glass has been one of Minnesotas premier Windshield Repair and Home Window Glass Replacement Specialists. We provide Quality Same Day Service for all of your Auto, Home or Business Glass needs. Our Customer Service representatives are friendly, knowledgeable and will handle all the paperwork and assist the customer with reporting their loss to ensure they are getting the full benefit that their insurance policy provides.

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2012/4/prweb9418955.htm

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Minneapolis Glass Repair and Replacement Company Celebrates Earth Day with a New State-of-the-art Glass Recycling ...