Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

After 26 happy years in the Bartlett home where they'd raised their family, Mary and Keith Daniel were ready to make a change.

"We didn't need more room," said Mary, a lifelong Memphian. "In fact, we thought we might go to a smaller home."

The couple bought 9 acres in Rosemark and prepared to build their ideal home.

Christopher Blank/Special to The Commercial Appeal

"I took one look at it and said, 'I like this house,'" Mary Daniel said of their new home in Bartlett's Hampton Grove subdivision.

Christopher Blank/Special to The Commercial Appeal

In the kitchen, the Daniels replaced the countertops with granite. They also installed plantation shutters.

Christopher Blank/Special to The Commercial Appeal

A fireplace flanked by built-in bookshelves serves as the focal point of the family room in Keith and Mary Daniel's 3,100-square-foot home. After a six-week search, they bought the four-bedroom, three-bath house in August for $226,000.

Christopher Blank/Special to The Commercial Appeal

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My New Home: After finding a just-right house, Bartlett couple is thankful they never compromised

A West Vancouver homeowner has less than a month to remove a fence and retaining wall that extend from their property onto the municipal boulevard and make the street unsafe.

City staff say the encroachments at 3390 Radcliffe Ave. are located too close to the road surface, meaning cars parked along the side of the property jut out into the traffic space, and they also have the effect of privatizing municipal property.

Council agreed, and on Jan. 24 gave the homeowners 30 days to clear up the problem or have city crews do the work for them and send them the bill with the property tax notice.

However, the homeowners say they should have been informed of the problem when they were approved for a development variance permit to build their home in 2004.

As part of that process, a hedge and wooden fence that also extended off the property were removed, yet Brandon J. Smith, the family lawyer, said they weren't told of any problem with the retaining wall and shouldn't be forced to remove it now.

"I think it's defended by law that if there was an obligation on them to excavate or remove that encroachment, then that should have been made clear," he said. "It was not."

The decision for enforcement was made after a neighbour complained about the property.

Copyright (c) North Shore News

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A fence too far, says district

By Nancy McCleary Staff writer

By Nancy McCleary

The Fayetteville Cumberland County Crimestoppers, in an effort to solve cold-case homicides, has a few cards up its sleeve

Make that 260,000 cards, to be exact.

That's the number of playing cards in the 5,000 decks that Crimestoppers hopes will crack the unsolved cases.

Each card contains information and, when possible, photos about unsolved homicides in Fayetteville and Cumberland County.

"I had this goal about five years ago to do this as a project," said Duncan Hubbard, a past Crimestoppers president and current board member.

The cards were developed by Effective Playing Cards & Publications, a Florida-based company that began producing the cards in 2007, according to the company's website.

Part of the challenge of solving crimes is the transient nature of Fayetteville's population, Hubbard said. That's why he says the cards will be successful.

The decks will be given to inmates at the Cumberland County Detention Center, Hubbard said.

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Crimestopper program to put cold-case cards on the table

In March, New Englanders open their windows, eager for fresh air. But when they see swirling dust glistening in the sun, they know its time to get to work. We chatted with area cleaning professionals to get the down and dirty on 10 different aspects of spring cleaning. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but should get you off to a clean start.

Jonathan Glazer, owner of PowerBees, a mold removal and remediation company, recommends controlling basement humidity with self-draining dehumidifiers. If it smells musty, have the air tested. Check for visual cues, too. Look up at floor joists: anything white and cottony is probably mold, Glacer says. And check cardboard boxes and Sheetrock for gray or black spots. Mold can grow in attics too, resulting from condensation caused by poor ventilation. Glacer says that soffit vents covered by insulation are the most common culprit. The solution: Pull insulation away from eaves and vents to help get air moving.

Unfinished attics and basements make terrible storage places, says Christa Hagearty, president and chief executive of Dependable Cleaners. Keep clothing in dark, dry, cool environments in breathable containers to prevent mold from growing. That means no plastic. Hagearty recommends acid-free cardboard boxes, cloth bags, or just a cotton sheet. Also, be sure to clean garments before storing, as organic materials, like sweat or sugar from what Hagearty calls invisible stains attracts bugs and fungi, and can stain clothing yellow.

To revive feather pillows, says Dependables Hagearty, recommends a service that sanitizes feathers by killing dust mites with ultraviolet light, then blows them into new ticking. If you prefer a home remedy: Be sure there arent tears or holes in the ticking, wash pillows two at a time in hot water with a bit of gentle detergent, blot with towels (dont wring, youll break the feathers), and fluff in the dryer with tennis balls.

Beat rugs, pre-vacuum carpets

Trung Nguyen, owner of VioClean carpet and upholstery cleaners, recommends that area rugs get a deep cleaning at least once a year. Rugs hold a lot of dirt, says Nguyen, So its best to get them out of the house. On-site area rug cleaning only pulls up surface dirt. Nguyen uses a vibrating tool that shakes debris free. For wall-to-wall carpet, be sure to pre-vacuum before deep cleaning. Finally, dont forget about those entry mats. Youd be surprised how much debris a good wiping shakes loose from your shoes.

Dryer Vent Wizard owners Webb Dickson and Bob Dalimonte stress that dryer vents should be cleaned, or at least inspected, annually. Warning signs that a dryer is poorly vented and in need of cleaning or replacement include excessive drying time, hot but damp clothing at the end of a cycle, a dryer top that is hot to the touch, and lint accumulating on the outside of the machine. Glazer of PowerBees advises that professionals with suction hoses clear debris from long dryer vents. If the vent is less than 6 feet, a homeowner maybe be able to do it with a vacuum cleaner, or can just replace the vent altogether.

Clean in & around appliances

Vacuum refrigerator condenser coils at least twice a year, more if you have pets, says Shaban Banushi, service manager at Yale Appliance, since excessive dirt and fur can impede function. If you have a self-cleaning oven, dont run it right before the holidays, because if something goes wrong, parts can be hard to come by. Every few years have a professional recalibrate the oven. (Note: store-bought thermometers can be 50 to 100 degrees off.) Also, you can use dishwasher deodorizer tablets to banish buildup in garbage disposals. As for dishwashers themselves, use a paperclip to clear debris from holes in the spinning arms.

Keith Campbell of Acu-Bright uses his own invention, a handheld ultrasound machine to clean chandeliers. If you opt to tackle your dining-room chandelier the old-fashioned way, Campbell cautions against chemical spray cleaners sold as quick solutions, as they will corrode the protective lacquer coating of the metal components, as well as the circuitry. Instead, after cutting the power and photographing the fixture so you know how to put it back together, remove each crystal and soak in hot water with a drop of dish detergent. Place on clean towels until partially dry, then buff with a cloth diaper. Before reassembling, wipe down the fixture itself with a microfiber cloth.

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Coming clean

By Corinne Reilly The Virginian-Pilot March 24, 2012

Despite delays that Lincoln Military Housing blames on new state standards related to mold, the company has made marked progress in cleaning up hundreds of its houses across Hampton Roads, Lincoln officials said this week.

But for several families who may sue over the issue, it's too little, too late, according to their lawyer.

A private company based in Texas, Lincoln manages roughly 4,400 Navy rental homes in southeast Virginia, some of them on bases and others in neighborhoods nearby. In November, a TV station began airing reports that many of the company's properties were infested with mold. Families alleged that Lincoln repeatedly failed to fix leaks and water intrusions, allowing mold to grow. They told of collapsed ceilings and spongy walls filled with visible fungus, and some residents said they'd been made sick.

Lincoln and the Navy initially denied widespread problems, but after local congressmen got involved, the company promised independent home inspections for all residents who asked for them, remediation for all units found to have moisture problems or mold, and a change in maintenance contractors. Lincoln also fired some workers and moved dozens of concerned families into hotels.

In an interview Thursday, the company's president, Jarl Bliss, said that while Lincoln is making headway, one unexpected roadblock has slowed progress: state standards adopted last year for the licensing of mold inspectors and remediators. Bliss said that because Virginia's requirements reached further than many other states, the companies that Lincoln hired to conduct the tests have had a hard time recruiting enough certified inspectors.

"I wish we could go faster. I know there have been some frustrations," he said. "But given the circumstances, I'm pleased with where we are."

In the months that have passed since the mold problems were exposed, Lincoln has identified roughly 800 homes in need of independent testing. Of those, about 550 have been inspected, and Lincoln has received results for about 300. Bliss said roughly one-fifth have come back calling for significant mold or moisture remediation. Some of the others have recommended minimal fixes. The work has included everything from the special cleaning of hard surfaces and installation of air filters to the replacement of carpet, walls and ceilings.

About 30 Lincoln families are living in hotels, waiting for repairs to be finished.

Bliss called the cleanup a "multimillion-dollar effort" and one that Lincoln is committed to getting right.

The rest is here:
Military housing firm cites progress in mold abatement

Its easy to panic when youre told you have dangerous mold growth in your home. Mold can cause health risks and lower the value of your home if its not addressed.

A professional mold remediator can make the necessary repairs, which could cost anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the extent of the damage. Though its always important to hire reliable professionals, the health and cost implications of a mold remediation project makes your hiring research especially critical. Highly qualified and trained mold remediators will be happy to show you their credentials.

But like any industry, there are those who offer services that are not as reliable. The two biggest red flags:

Remediation companies that conduct their own testing to determine whether you have dangerous mold.

High pressure sales tactics that involve predictions of immediate health risk unless action is taken right away.

Reputable mold remediation companies send mold tests to an independent lab to determine whether the mold is dangerous. This provides a buffer between the test conductor and the remediator. Homeowners can also hire other companies that offer testing, but do not do remediation work. Some home inspection companies offer this service, for example.

Mold is most commonly found in crawl spaces, basements and attics and is usually identified by its visual presence or a musty smell.

Probably the majority of our work is mold treatment in crawlspaces, said Julie Hurst, president of American Mold Experts in Centerville. As a general rule, if a water leak is not caught or cleaned up in 48 hours, then mold is going to grow.

Testing for mold generally includes an air quality test, which consists of obtaining air samples from the interior and exterior of the home and comparing those samples to determine what airborne molds are present and at what levels. Testing should always be done after mold has been remediated to ensure its been satisfactorily removed.

Its really a good idea for the same company to do the pretesting and the post testing, said Christie Kirchmer with Guardian Inspections, a home inspection company in Mason that offers mold testing. There are a number of things you have to do identically so you can get the same results when you do the testing, from what type of equipment you use to what types of spore traps youre using. You want to keep everything as similar as possible so youre comparing apples to apples.

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Be careful when hiring a mold remediation pro

Posted: Thursday, March 22, 2012 8:04 pm | Updated: 12:50 pm, Fri Mar 23, 2012.

Drawing their inspiration from the book of Ecclesiastes, members of Nassau Bay Baptist Church believe it is time to build up and will celebrate a ceremonial groundbreaking for a new sanctuary Sunday, March 25, following the morning worship service.

The community NBBC serves is invited to join the celebration beginning at 10:45 a.m. Immediately after the worship service, the congregation will gather on the church parking lot, north of the gym building, for the groundbreaking and praise service.

On Feb. 19, church members voted to move forward with construction of the $1.55 million Phase 1 of the $2.3 million facility. The church is committed to completing the sanctuary debt free. Petra Construction is contracted to begin building this spring.

The 47-year-old Nassau Bay Baptist Church, known locally for a variety of community oriented ministries including AWANA Club, Vacation Bible School, Judgment House, and high quality fine arts productions, outgrew its existing chapel shortly after the arrival of current senior pastor Dr. David Fannin 15 years ago.

Church members are excited about meeting as one body when the 626-seat Phase 1 is complete. Phase 2 of construction will open an additional 276 seats in the balcony. The congregation currently meets for worship Sundays at 8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Bible study classes meet at 9:45 a.m.

The multi-purpose gym, constructed after a memorable fire destroyed a similar structure in 1988, has served the church well but the need for a new sanctuary has become apparent in recent years. Growth in church and Sunday School attendance, a desire to better serve the community, and the need for a facility to meet the expanding production aspirations of the musical and drama departments has, in part, spurred the commitment to build.

Ultimately, church leaders say, the new sanctuary will broaden the scope of church ministries that enable the congregation to share the gospel message with their neighbors in Nassau Bay and beyond.

The sanctuary will be built in phases as the finances are available. Once the church committed to raising the funds for the sanctuary in September, members raised $800,000 by February. Some $300,000 were already on hand from a previous fund raising effort. Phase 1 of the project is expected to be complete within a year after construction begins. Amenities such as balcony seating and the finishing out of anterooms will be completed as the funds are available for Phase 2.

In order to raise funds, church members are pledging to give above and beyond their regular offering toward the building program. The church will also host a number of fundraisers open to the community.

The rest is here:
Nassau Bay Baptist Church groundbreaking planned Sunday

VOL. 127 | NO. 59 | Monday, March 26, 2012

St. Elisabeths Episcopal Church has filed a $2 million construction loan through First Alliance Bank for 38 acres at the southeast corner of Old Brownsville and Billy Maher roads east of Austin Peay Highway. The property is adjacent to the St. Columba Episcopal Conference & Retreat Center.

St. Elisabeths bought the acreage in 2008 for $600,000. At the time, a 1,700-square-foot vacant house was on the site at 6033 Old Brownsville. A demolition permit was issued in March 2009.

The Shelby County Assessor of Propertys 2011 appraisal was $317,500.

The church, formerly on Yale Road, sold that property several years ago and moved to its current site at 2911 Elmore Park Road in Bartlett.

Memphis-based Hord Architects has designed the new building, according to the churchs website.

Source: The Daily News Online & Chandler Reports

Daily News staff

Kendall Haney of Keller Williams Realty | Kendall Haney Group has signed a publishing deal to contribute to the book The New Rise in Real Estate: The Nations Trusted Real Estate Advisors Reveal Their Top Secrets for Buying and Selling Homes in the New Real Estate Economy.

Haney is among a select group of real estate entrepreneurs nationwide who have joined with real estate coaches Jay Kinder and Michael Reese to co-write the book.

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St. Elisabeth's Prepares to Build New Church

Tenants that were evacuated out of a South Bend apartment building after it was hit by a car are anxious to get the rest of their belongings.

AsWSBT first reported early Thursday morning, a car slammed into the building located at the corner of Olive and Lawson Streets.

There is a major crack running up the building and city officials say it is unsafe and will have to be demolished.

However, South Bend's Code Enforcement Office is trying to have the building stabilized enough so the people that lived there can get their things out.

The building is made up of nine rooms that people rented. According to the St. Joseph County Red Cross, no children lived in the building and tenants were mostly older people who had fixed incomes. When the accident happened in the middle of the night, most of them were evacuated before they could grab all their belongings.

City building inspectors say the building is so unstable they blocked off part of Olive Street and are detouring traffic away from the area because of the potential danger of the building crashing down. On Friday a construction crew was brought in to board up a gaping hole in the front of the building and to try to stabilize the complex.

The local Red Cross has been assisting the 12 people that lived there.

"In this case we provided folks with a prepaid debit card they could use for food or whatever they determined was their need, as well as the motel," said John Pinter, St. Joseph County Red Cross director.

The tenants could stay at a local hotel through Saturday morning, but were told they needed to contact friends or family to find a place to stay after that.

South Bend Code Enforcement Director Katherine Topple said early Monday morning she and her inspectors plan on going in the building to see what the damage looks like from the inside. If they can stabilize it enough they are going to allow tenants to go inone byone to get their belongings out. And then they are going to tear the building down

Continued here:
UPDATE: Smashed South Bend apartment building to be demolished

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The case for fee-free patios in downtown Barrie: BEING BLUNT