Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

When a developer in Hamilton changes their mind about what they're building in a neighbourhood you would think that some of the first folks to know about it would be the neighbours the ones directly affected by the construction impact the development will have on their community.

In this city, it seems, the neighbours are the last to find out. Take the ongoing development at Main and Walnut. It was originally proposed as a mixed-use residential tower. Then, in February, after the developer applied for a minor variance (a one-storey addition) neighbours discovered that the building was now to be a hotel. And, they learned by their own digging, that the developer, Vrancor, had made that change sometime in 2019 but didn't tell the neighbourhood. Neither did the planning department, which also didn't even inform Ward 2 Councillor Jason Farr. Why? Because the area is zoned to allow for a hotel, so there was ostensibly no need to share the change until the minor variation request was posted.

Now, consider another development, at King and Queen, by the same developer. Here, neighbours were told two years ago that a 10-storey hotel and a six-storey student residence were to be built in the Strathcona neighbourhood. Vrancor said it was also planning a 15-storey tower on a lot across Market Street on the old Greening Donald factory land. But at least a year prior, a letter from the city to the developer shows, Vrancor had been discussing an 11-storey residence and a 25-storey development for King and Queen.

When did Strathcona residents know about the intended 25-storey development? About a month ago, when a Vrancor representative revealed the "new" plans for the site at a Strathcona Community Council meeting. Nobody from the city had said word one. This, despite the fact that in December the developer had applied to make site-specific amendments to the Strathcona Secondary Plan and the Transit Oriented Corridor Plan, and is petitioning the city to change zoning so that more favourable downtown parking zoning would apply to its building currently outside downtown borders.

News of requests to change hard-fought and collaborative urban plans was not shared by the Vrancor representative at the community council meeting. Nor was it shared by anyone at the city. Like the folks in Corktown, we had to find out ourselves, by reading through dozens of lengthy documents the developer had to provide. City officials might argue that by advising residents of changes to the development they were letting the community know that the developer had also petitioned the city for site-specific plan amendments, but that assumes a level of the understanding of the planning process that is not held by most citizens.

And we know that planners and councillors are constrained by legal concerns from proactively sharing advice or information that they are not permitted by statute to divulge. But that only reveals that the system is fundamentally broken, not that it is best practice. From a citizen point of view, it looks like a developer gets all the help and support they need, while citizens get none.

I know city planners are hardworking and that their department is understaffed and handcuffed by legalities and regulations. I also applaud the city's desire to implement a "push notification" system that will give neighbourhoods an early warning of development changes. But, that doesn't alter the situation right now. And, right now the only advantage citizens have in a development process that seems slanted against us is trust and information. We would be naive to trust a developer to provide us timely information we're just a nuisance. But we should be able to trust the city to not see us as an irritant and to share vital changes to collaboratively forged plans promptly.

And, as importantly, I think the city needs to proactively engage in a public information campaign about the importance of these changes. Right now they are communicating, badly, only the information they must. And, that communication is not wrapped in any context or explanation of its import to the community. That's not helpful.

As community activist Cameron Kroetsch recently argued, the city's desire for inclusivity should embrace the inclusion of citizens in the processes and planning changes that shape our communities. There should be no development around us, without us. As citizens it seems the deck is stacked against us in our fight for livable neighbourhoods. In fact, engaged citizens feel that they spend years collaboratively developing secondary neighbourhood plans only to have to spend the following years defending that plan from developers.

This city needs to regain its citizens' trust. Transparency and inclusivity in the face of developers who take runs at hard-fought and collaborative urban planning would be a good start.

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Opinion | Deck is stacked against citizens in Hamilton planning process - TheSpec.com

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The global carpets and rugs market is expected to grow by USD 18.98 billion during 2020-2024, according to the latest market research report by Technavio. Request a free sample report

Consumers around the globe are spending on designer home furnishings to decorate their homes. In addition, the consumer preference for interior decoration is changing with growing awareness of different cultures, mounting media penetration, evolving lifestyles, and rising consumer income levels. This is leading to an increase in the sales of rugs, cushion covers, beds, carpets, curtains, and other furnishings. The rising income level and growing population of working women is further encouraging customers to invest in home dcor, leading to growth opportunities of home furnishing brands and retailers. Thus, the growing consumer preference for interior designs will boost the growth of the carpets and rugs market during the forecast period.

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As per Technavio, the rising demand for eco-friendly carpets and rugs will have a positive impact on the market and contribute to its growth significantly over the forecast period. This research report also analyzes other significant trends and market drivers that will influence market growth over 2020-2024.

Carpets and Rugs Market: Rising Demand for Eco-Friendly Carpets and Rugs

Consumer preference for eco-friendly carpets and rugs is increasing because they promote a safe and sustainable environment. These products are safe as they are made from natural fibers such as wool and bio-degradable sisal, jute, and cotton. These sustainable home dcor solutions, use recyclable materials and organic fabrics and materials. Thus, with the rising use of eco-friendly raw materials will boost the growth of the carpets and rugs market over the forecast period.

The increasing adoption of carpet tiles and growth in number of residential and commercial construction activities are some other major factors that will boost market growth during the forecast period, says a senior analyst at Technavio.

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Carpets and Rugs Market: Segmentation Analysis

This market research report segments the carpets and rugs market by end-user (residential and non-residential), and geographic segmentation (APAC, Europe, MEA, North America, and South America).

APAC led the carpets and rugs market in 2019. During the forecast period, the APAC region is expected to register the highest incremental growth due to rapid urbanization and increased demand for furnishings from new housing projects.

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Some of the key topics covered in the report include:

End-user Segmentation

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Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavios report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavios comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

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Global Carpets and Rugs Market 2020-2024 | Consumer Preference for Interior Designs to Boost Market Growth | Technavio - Business Wire

The kitchen that Jessica Coffee designed checked all the trendy boxes: white Shaker cabinets, a subway-tile backsplash, wide oak-plank floors and an open-concept floor plan, with views into the living rooms shiplap walls. The photographs she posted on her Instagram page evoked enthusiastic comments from followers, who gushed about high-end details like the water filler above the stove.

The only drawback? Ms. Coffee, 40, cant actually serve a meal in her kitchen, at least not a real one, because the room, like the rest of the house, is built to a 1:12 scale that 36-inch chefs stove is actually three inches long. Its in a dollhouse that sits in the real-life master bedroom of her home in Walla Walla, Wash., which looks nothing like her amazing tiny one.

People are always like, Ooh! I would like to see your real house. No you wouldnt. I live in a house that is barely 1,000 square feet with three kids and a Great Dane, said Ms. Coffee, who sells her miniature designs and posts online tutorials at Jessica Cloe Miniatures. My dollhouse square footage is much better than my actual square footage.

Ms. Coffee is among a growing community of artisans who have turned the craft of dollhouse making into an exercise in aspirational home design on an itty-bitty scale, with their tiny rooms and furnishings displayed on well-curated Instagram accounts with glossy photographs and videos set to music reminiscent of The Fixer Upper on HGTV. Scroll too quickly, or miss the photograph with a human-scale hand surreally poking into the scene, and a viewer might confuse the image for a real-life one, the type of image that leaves you feeling equally amazed by and envious of the enormous kitchen island with a soapstone countertop.

These dollhouse makers and collectors say weve entered a miniature Renaissance. Call it a Mini-Aissance. Were living in it now, said Kate Esme nver, who curates miniatures on her Instagram page Dailymini, and is the author of the 2019 book The Book of Mini: Inside the Big World of Tiny Things.

Social media has turned what was once a niche hobby into a decidedly trendy and increasingly profitable business, making it easier for artisans to find each other and potential customers online. The Instagram hashtag #dollhouse has 1.65 million posts and #miniature has almost 4.3 million, a mix of posts from people making miniatures and those sharing what theyve found. Victorian-era lace and antique armoires are being scrapped for midcentury modern chairs, fiddle-leaf fig plants and sputnik chandeliers. House Beautiful took notice and commissioned 11 interior designers to reimagine a Victorian dollhouse in their own style, auctioning the decidedly contemporary finished products at the New York Design Center on Feb. 27.

In the past six months, searches on Etsy for 1:12 scale furniture were up 39 percent and searches for dollhouse rugs and miniature items were up 20 percent from the same period a year ago. A search on the site for dollhouses yields 237,000 results. Its certainly a trend thats rising, said Dayna Isom Johnson, an Etsy trend expert. The popular items miniature succulents, bath salts, word art point to an interest from the grown-ups, not their children. Maybe there are very sophisticated 10-year-olds out there who want a midcentury sofa, but I assume these are adults who want to take this on as a new hobby.

Chris Toledo, 34, who showcases his diminutive creations on the Instagram account I Build Small Things, has watched his business soar in the past two years thanks to social media. He now sells his dollhouses, designed in a nod to the 1920s architecture of Los Angeles, where he lives, for $150,000 to $200,000 apiece.

Before, miniatures were only publicized through miniature magazines, he said. Social media put it in everybodys face. His homes feature intricately detailed rooms, like a kitchen with a subway-tile backsplash and a schoolhouse pendant light that would look real if it werent for the life-size head of garlic positioned in the middle of the room.

While some artisans specialize in furnishings and dcor, Mr. Toledo focuses on the architecture, selling complete dollhouses as well as individual rooms like a bathroom in a shadow box for as much as $20,000. He designs the rooms by hand, milling moldings and using miniature tools, like a table saw the size of a shoe box, for carpentry work.

The advent of 3-D printers has opened the door for people without such advanced woodworking skills, too to the disappointment of traditional dollhouse makers, who view such technology as taboo. Ms. Coffee of Walla Walla, for example, uses a 3-D printer to make smaller objects, like decorative pumpkins, which she sells for $5. She makes other items, such as throw pillows, using everyday materials and tools like glue, fabric, tweezers and quilt batting.

A year into her craft, Ms. Coffee now sells enough printable herringbone floors and cowhide rugs on her website to turn a profit, although still not enough to give up her day job as a graphic designer. She also uses the dollhouses to work out design challenges in the real-life houses that she and her husband renovate and flip. If shes not sure about a floor color or a pattern for a rug, she can try it out on a tiny scale for a few dollars. Her actual home has the same rustic wide-plank flooring as her dollhouses.

While miniatures have long had their enthusiasts, this new generation of dollhouse makers is turning to idealized contemporary homes at a time when the real-life version is increasingly out of reach for many Americans. High real estate prices and stagnating wages make it difficult for many homeowners to consider a $100,000 kitchen with a farmhouse sink and a Wolf stove. But you could have a very little one or three of them, and fill them with teensy espresso makers, cheese boards and bottles of Dom Prignon. Like the idea of a barn door, but dont actually have a place to install one? Tuck it into the dollhouse attic, and if it grows tiresome, refurnish the entire room with rattan chairs, a shag rug and a soft pink palette.

Kwandaa Roberts, an OB-GYN in Philadelphia, says she has found a following on her Instagram account, Tiny House Calls, among millennial women who pine for a prettier house. They dont have any money and a lot of them cant afford to buy houses and theyre living at home with their parents or in a tiny apartment with roommates and they cant do design and all the things that they want to do, she said. But like me, they can get a lot of their creative energy out on a dollhouse.

Dr. Roberts, 47, a single mother of two, started her hobby two years ago when she bought a dollhouse at Target. She intended to give it to her daughter, now 5, but instead found that it filled a creative longing she had to be an interior designer. She painted it, added wallpaper, and details like a brass soaking tub and a kitchen with a waterfall countertop. She made furniture by hand with supplies she bought at Michaels. Ive always loved interior design, had a huge passion for it, and may have gone into it as a career had I known that was a thing, she said. But when she was growing up, there was no HGTV. Home Depot sold lumber; it was not what it is today.

In her tiny houses, Dr. Roberts has found an outlet, and an opportunity to reveal her projects on videos and photos she shares with her 47,000 followers. I dont have to redo my house, she said. Instead, I can have 10,000 kitchens and they will be fantastic.

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The Dollhouses of Instagram - The New York Times

Find out how the designers went about remodelling this home

A historic Queen Anne bungalow in a row of classic Victorian and Edwardian buildings in San Francisco, had been home to a family of four for a couple of years. Wanting a space more suited to a contemporary lifestyle, they approached John Lum Architecture to transform it into a light-filled, functional home that would also fit into the streetscape in which it was located. Amanda Teal Design designed the interior spaces.

The family had lived in their two-bedroom, one bath house long enough to know that the current layout and size wouldnt workit was too dark and way too small. The previous addition was falling off its foundation, triggering the need to rethink the entire design. Plus, the backyard was only accessible from an old rickety outdoor stair that was unsafe for the children, says Teal. While the house presented a lot of woes, the family loved the neighbourhood and didnt want to relocate. It was time for an overhaul.

When we first met with the homeowners, we talked about how they wanted to live in the space now, and how the home could adapt with them in the future, saysJohn Lum, founding principal at John Lum Architecture. Better circulation and functionality, natural light, and a connection to the outdoors was a must.

Consequently, the gabled two-level home was converted into a three level one, with the addition of living spaces on the top, which previously housed the attic. As with many period homes built in the early 1900s, the floor plan was divided into small, compartmentalised rooms, that no longer served their purpose. The house needed a reboot, says Lum. Working closely with interior designer Teal and the homeowners, the team embarked on an extensive remodel and addition, adding square footage and reorganising the floor plan to meet the familys 21st century needs. In order to balance family togetherness with much-needed private time, we organised the space into private and public levels, creating an open plan that increased the functionality of the home while maximising the views, says Lum.At the heart of the 3,000-square-feet version is a bright, new third floor containing a great room with kitchen, dining and living spaces, and a spacious terrace that opens to the hillside garden. In a reversal of conventional layouts, we proposed converting the former attic space into a third level in order to free up an entire floor for family activity, says Lum. This move made the backyard come to life. You have these amazing views, and it feels like youre floating in the trees.

The front facade was retained but reinterpreted with a new third floor, enabled by raising the roof. Exposed cedareaves, a navy front door, and modern materials hint at whats inside. Adhering to the original architectural style, the gabled roof, covered porch, and bay window remain. Modern window trims and subtle dentil moulding usher the house into modern times, says Lum.

This is a subterranean floor which holds the wine cellar.An interior glass stairwell allows light to filter down from the top to all the levels.Tying all three floors together, this glass-railing staircase doubles as the wall of the wine cellar. This sub-floor also houses the garage, media room and mudroom; play and practicality blended as one, says Lum.

The entrance to the home is from this floor and it holds the foyer, twobedrooms with a shared bath and a home office. It also has a dramatic master suite complete with teak-lined outdoor shower and marble bath, accessible from the garden.

The master bedroom resembles a luxury hotel with its outdoor shower.The bedroom wallsgrass cloth painted navyevoke a dramatic moodiness. The space is luxurious without being pretentious.

A Great Room with kitchen, dining room, living space, guest suite-cum-playroom, terrace and a powder room are located herea floor with incredible views and natural light, captured through an entire wall of windows facing San Francisco Bay, says Teal.

The dining area is casual, taking advantage of a nook wrapped in windows. French doors frame the living areas indoor/outdoor fireplace. An emerald green settee is balanced with an oversized linen couch. A large, leather-tufted ottoman doubles up as coffee table.

Floor-to-ceiling navy cabinets contrast with the kitchens waterfall marble counter, complementing the wood flooring. The backsplash is a geometric wall of white glazed tile.

Juggling spaces and eking out new areas, the wand of Teal and Lum has transformed the historic home into a contemporary, fully functional one.

Mumbai: In this Parisian-chic apartment, the only thing missing is the view of the Eiffel Tower

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Find out how this San Francisco homes reverse layout helps the family bond better - Architectural Digest India

Ireland has a network of diplomats working hard for the country all around the world, but ahead of St Patricks Day this year, even though events and celebrations have been cancelled due to the Covid-19 crisis, we are tipping our caipn to Irelands unofficial ambassadors, to share the stories of just some of the men and women wearing green jerseys and flying flags for Ireland wherever they live in the world, from Auckland to Rockland, Paris to Belgrade.

Geraldine RyanIrish dancing teacher, AustraliaGeraldine Ryan will turn 90 this year but has no intention of hanging up her dancing shoes. She has been teaching Irish dancing to people in Australia since she was 12 years old, and still travels up to 3,000km by train, bus and plane each week to teach in rural areas. When I started it was a different era, only people of Irish descent took part, but these days its much more multicultural, its people from all different countries, she says. I still dance, have my balance, use my feet, although Im much closer to the ground now and dont do the high jumps.

Ryan, whose family were from Cork and Clare, grew up in Melbourne in a home filled with Irish culture. She later married Pat Ryan, a piper whose family came from Co Tipperary. The couple continued Irish traditions with their three children. She says she has had her share of ups and downs and she recently severely fractured her spine after slipping off a chair but is grateful to always have had dancing in her life.

Ryan, who still runs the OShea-Ryan Academy of Irish Dance, has taught thousands and thousands of people, including some of her former students grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and still loves it. She will accept an Order of Australia (OAM) medal for service to Irish dancing this month. Ive no plans for retiring, while the good lord keeps chugging me along Ill keep going. Its fun. - RF

Jas KaminskiBelgrade Irish Festival founder and director

The Irish population in Belgrade may be small but that hasnt stopped Dubliner Jas Kaminski becoming one of the biggest promoters of Ireland in Eastern Europe. Kaminskis father Jan, a holocaust survivor, moved to Ireland in the 1950s. Jas grew up in Clonskea, Co Dublin. He left Ireland in 2006, working as a development communication specialist in Asia and Africa, eventually settling in the Balkans with his family.

The idea for an Irish festival came to Kaminski seven years ago as he listened to RT Radio One on a rainy Sunday, trying to figure out what he could do to stay in Belgrade. He heard childhood friends and filmmakers Ed Guiney and Lenny Abrahamson talking about their new film. That was the epiphany moment. I said to myself, I could start an Irish film festival here, he says.

The Belgrade Irish Festival (BIF) has since grown into a 10-day celebration of Irish culture, the largest annual Irish arts event in southeastern Europe.

This year Dublin band Hothouse Flowers will open the festival, which will be their first time playing in the city. Irish director Jim Sheridan will open the Irish film week, and photographer John Minihan will talk about the famous series of photographs he took of Samuel Beckett.

BIF came about by coincidence and as a very welcome way of staying in touch with my country and people, Kaminski says. - RF

James McDonaldFounder of Gaelscoil London and Gaelic Voices

Originally from Gorey, Co Wexford, James McDonald moved to London in 2005. Now working in film and TV his company looks after archive footage, on films from Paddington to The Two Popes McDonalds spare time goes into supporting and promoting the Irish language. In 2018 he started the Gaelscoil London playgroup at the London Irish Centre, and more recently the citys Irish language choir, Gaelic Voices, which will perform in Trafalgar Square for the St Patricks Day Festival.

I enjoy how our language and culture confidently cross borders, whilst connecting generations, creating friendships and opening minds, he says. The Irish abroad have a perspective that has been of huge significance in Irelands past, but with that comes a duty too: to give back to the culture and to the community both in Ireland, and the diaspora. Another project, The Song Collectors, which he runs with a friend, gathers and archives songs from the Irish Traveller community. songcollectors.org - GT

Rebecca SkeddChief executive of Solace House, New York

At Solace House, a suicide prevention centre in New York, Rebecca Skedd offers counselling and support to people in need. The service is unique in that its completely free. We remove the financial burden that often prevents individuals and families from accessing critical life-saving services, she says. A large percentage of our clients are Irish-born; we provide a home away from home through compassionate services, where we help them through difficult periods of their lives; such as isolation and loneliness, being away from home, and not having the core support of their families.

Originally from Tramore in Waterford, Skedd was directly involved in building Solace House from the ground up. Having arrived as an unpaid intern, she became chief executive at the age of 29. We encountered many challenges but our passion and determination drove us. There are now two centres in New York, helping hundreds of people. Irish people are undeniably among the most compassionate, supportive and generous, she says. The sense of community that the Irish have built in New York is unbreakable. When someone is in need, the whole community rallies together. This August, Skedd is getting married were both from Waterford, only 15 minutes apart, but we had to come all the way to NYC to meet. solacehouseusa.org - GT

Margaret MolloyFounder of #WearingIrish, New York

The Irish-born, Harvard-educated, US-based marketing guru Margaret Molloy has been an Irish fashion super promoter, spreading the word about clothes and accessories from Ireland on her #WearingIrish campaign, (Instagram @wearingirish and Twitter @wearing_irish) for the past four years. A passion project aims to create awareness of the untold story of contemporary Irish fashion design, to get it the recognition and business it deserves on a worldwide stage.

Global chief marketing officer of US branding and design firm Siegel+Gale, and a member of the Global Irish Network, Molloy used her influential contacts both in the US and in Ireland to bring 10 Irish designers to New York in 2018 to introduce them to potential buyers. No one says no to Margaret was the comment of one visitor to the event.

The eldest of six, Molloy grew up on a dairy farm in Offaly and moved to the US in 1994, where she currently resides with her husband and two children. An indefatigable supporter of Irish design, she continues to post images of herself on social media wearing outfits from talented Irish fashion clothing and accessory designers.

I like connecting all three interests fashion, marketing and Irish heritage and I saw the opportunity for people to come together on social media to support Irish designers, she says. The recipient of many global awards including Overseas Irish Businesswoman of the Year in 2017, she was honoured by the Douglas Hyde Foundation last November. wearingirish.com - DMcQ

Aidan ConnollyDirector, the Irish Arts Center, New York

Turning the slightly crumbling but nonetheless beloved Irish Arts Center in New York into a multi-million dollar performance space is Aidan Connollys mammoth task. Connolly was born in Connecticut to Irish parents: his father from Galway, and his mother Terenure in Dublin. Ireland, first and foremost, is my parents home, and so I love it as I love them, he says. Beyond that, it is my own ancestral home and origin story. Its fun to think about what my life might have been like had my parents met at a party in Dublin rather than in Connecticut. My dad drove a truck for Carton Brothers and sang in showbands before he left Ireland, so its feasible!

Having worked as a singer with the Julliard Chorus, and on Al Gores presidential campaign, Connolly is now director at the Irish Arts Center, creating opportunities for Irish artists and performers, including Thisispopbaby, Loah, Dead Centre, David Keenan, Martin Hayes, Camille OSullivan and Mikel Murfi. At an enduring level, the Irish legacy of storytelling continues to make the Irish competitive at everything we do, says Connolly. The reputation for hard work has given us a reputation for tenacity that leads people to trust us. The ethos of Irish hospitality gives us unparalleled standing to bring people of all backgrounds together. The new Irish Arts Center is due to open in Autumn 2020. irishartscenter.org - GT

Seamus and Caitriona Kenny ClarkeOwners of JP Clarkes, New York

J P Clarkes, on McLean Avenue in Yonkers, is home from home for many an Irish expat. Its owners Leitrim origins can also be seen on the football field, as Caitriona and Seamus Kenny Clarke became the first business outside Ireland to sponsor a county team. After 35 years in the US, Ireland still means home to me. I think I havent changed very much in those years. Im still very much a Paddy and my heart will always be in Ireland, says Seamus. Through the bar, our lives are very much centred around the community and the various organisations were involved in, Caitriona agrees. These include the Aisling Irish Community Center, which helps Irish immigrants in the area.

While Seamus says his proudest achievement is convincing my wife to give up a permanent teaching job in Ireland and come to America, marry me and help me run the pub, Caitriona is also proud to have represented the Aisling Center as grand marshal of the McLean Avenue St Patricks parade last year. I think Ireland punches above its weight in terms of the impact Irish people make internationally, especially when it comes to human rights issues and charitable donations to countries that need help, says Seamus. aislingcenter.org - GT

Gary DunneCultural director of the London Irish Centre

At the London Irish Centre, Gary Dunne programmes work that redefines what Irish culture can be. Growing up in the midlands, he was immersed in Irish arts and culture. I spent my college years and early 20s on Dublins rich music scene, he says. It was only after a number of years of living in London that I realised how much I missed that, and how much a part of my life and identity Irish culture is.

Ireland is changing, says Dunne: politically, culturally and in terms of identities. As a musician, he writes, records and performs, while at the London Irish Centre and the London St Patricks Festival, his work is about bringing the rich tapestry of modern Irish culture to London stages.

Being centrally involved in the respectful redevelopment of a historic Irish Centre into a world-class cultural venue is a privilege, says Dunne. Im proud of the work Ive done in connecting artists with social causes, whether its Martin Hayes at the London Irish Centre, Damien Dempsey in Trafalgar Square, or an 80-strong community choir at the Ceiliradh concert in the Royal Albert Hall. londonirishcentre.org - GT

Rosemary Adaser and Conrad BryanAssociation of Mixed Race Irish

In 2014, Rosemary Adaser founded the Association of Mixed Race Irish, a campaign and support group. We came together when we realised that our childhood experiences of racism had never been recognised in any previous Statutory Enquiries, in particular the Ryan Report where the terms of reference excluded the issue of historic racism in the Irish Industrial School network, including Mother and Baby Homes a Magdalene Laundries and Reformatory Schools, Adaser explains.

She has since worked tirelessly for the rights of mixed race Irish people wherever they live in the world, along with Conrad Bryan who is treasurer of the organisation. London became home for both of them Adaser moved there in the mid-1970s, Bryan in the late 1980s.Adaser has led a delegation to the Dil to present personal testimonies, and lobbied successfully to have racism included in the terms of reference for the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes. Last December, she led the AMRI to the UN Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. CERD hearing our claims of historic racism against mixed-race women and children accepted our truth, says Adaser.

Both she and Bryan are members of the Mother and Baby Home Collaborative Forum, established by Minister Katherine Zappone last August.

Bryan has also been treasurer of the charity Irish in Britain. "As Irish children of African fathers we were abandoned and the State simply looked away, Bryan says. The State must look now and face up to this legacy so that it never happens again, and so they can help young people from all ethnic backgrounds to feel safe and proud to be Irish.mixedraceirish.blogspot.com

Paul RowleyDevelopment co-chairman, Rockland GAA

Bruce Springsteen unknowingly changed the life of one Irish man as he performed to a crowd of more than 95,000 at Slane Castle in 1985. Paul Rowley, who grew up in Ballinalee, Co Longford, was inspired to move to America after seeing the singer on stage. I promised my mother in 1986 if shed let me go to America that Id go back to college and Id work like hell. She let me go to chase my dreams, and so I did, Rowley says.

He loved New York from the moment he arrived at JFK Airport, but missed Irish culture and joined Longford Gaelic Football Club in New York City. In 1998 he moved to Rockland county, just outside the city, with his wife Jackie and their three children, where he joined Rockland GAA and became the development co-chairman.

Founded in 1972 by Sligo native John Crawley, Rockland GAA is now the largest GAA club outside Ireland. In 2000, they became the first GAA club outside of Ireland and England to buy their own grounds outright. There are now three Gaelic pitches with a Centre of Excellence, a club house that facilitates 800 children playing football, hurling, camogie, Irish dancing and music. Rowley owns companies in the air conditioning and refrigeration sector, and employs students and graduates from Ireland. Ive no plans to stop, its great watching GAA inspire young Americans. - RF

Katie MolonyIrish Studio, New York

From The Irish Times to JOE Media, Katie Molony has always been in the news. Born in Sligo, and now in New York, she is currently co-chief executive of Irish Studio, the media organisation that connects Irish people and friends of the Irish internationally, through publications such as Ireland of the Welcomes, IrishCentral and Irish Studio Travel, with a combined global reach of more than 10 million people. Its brilliant to see the great work and impact the Irish have across the globe, Molony says. In the US, we are so well regarded and hold key positions in business. The community is very strong here and people are so supportive. Personally and professionally, she enjoys what Irish people bring to the table: passion, hard work, integrity and a lot of craic.irishstudio.com - GT

Margaret GeigerWelfare adviser, Irish Elderly Advice Network, LondonMargaret Geiger has quietly but relentlessly been fighting for the rights of elderly and vulnerable Irish people in London for more than a decade. The Carlow woman, described by friends as shy, selfless, modest and empathetic, is hesitant to talk about herself, but speaks through her actions instead. She is the senior welfare adviser and head of housing with the Irish Elderly Advice Network, a charity set up by Irish women in 1993 after three Irish men were found dead in their flats each died alone and lay undiscovered for weeks.

Sally Mulready, chief executive of the charity, says Geiger helps vulnerable Irish people, often elderly men, who are homeless, in poverty or suffering loneliness and isolation: Ive witnessed Margaret accompany clients in their 70s as they move into their very first home. She changes lives and does so with compassion and to real and moving affect.

Geiger reluctantly left Ireland at 18 when there was no work. She lives in London her with husband, who is from Switzerland. The couple have four children and two grandchildren. Theres no greater motivation than seeing your clients moving from a life on the streets to a safe place to call home, she says. - RF

Loretta CosgroveFounder of Sydney Queer Irish, Sydney

From her kitchen, Loretta Cosgrove set up Sydney Queer Irish (SQI) in 2010 as a place to socialise and celebrate all that it means to be Irish and LGBT while living in Australia. I wanted to re-engage with a community of like minded people that Id left when we moved to Sydney and who also identified as queer, she says. Cosgroves parents emigrated from Ireland to Australia in the 1970s but after being overwhelmed with homesickness, they moved back to Galway. When Cosgrove was six they returned to Sydney. Shes been back and forth since.

The SQI president says homesickness is one of the issues the group helps its members through. SQIs biggest event of the year is their Mardi Gras entry, which takes many months of planning and preparation. SQI has provided a sense of belonging and home for those of us living down under, she says. The group also campaigns on human rights and community issues, such as supporting towns affected by bushfires. Shes also one of the founding directors of Irish Film Festival Australia and is currently artistic director for Sydneys St Patricks Day parade. - RF

Kelly OConnorIrish Film, London

Born in Howth, where her family runs The Summit Inn, Kelly OConnor set up Irish Film London, which turns 10 this year. We run the Irish Film London Awards, and three other annual Irish film festivals. She is also on the Community Advisory Board for the Mayor of Londons St Patricks Parade and Festival, and is a keen member of the London Irish community and its business networks.

What Ireland means to me is so wrapped up in what I do for a living. I have the typical romantic notion of Ireland. Its the word Home flashing on a cinema screen. OConnors work provides opportunities for emerging and established Irish filmmakers and actors in London. It sounds like a clich, but Im genuinely most proud of being Irish, says OConnor. Its important to acknowledge that todays positive reception for Irish people internationally only exists because of those who paved the way for us, through much more challenging times. Those who persevered with the St Patricks Day Parade and Festival in London during the Troubles era demonstrated the importance of Irelands magnificent arts and culture in upholding our positive international image.irishfilmfestivallondon.com - GT

Rebecca DevaneyEmbroiderer and costume designer, Paris

An award-winning Irish embroiderer making a name for herself in haute couture in Paris, Rebecca Devaney qualified in the celebrated Parisian embroidery school Lesage two years ago, and has since worked with Yves St Laurent, Chanel, Dior, Valentino, Louis Vuitton and Dolce & Gabbana, and on many dresses for the Met Ball.

Devaney is costume designer and childrens workshop facilitator for the Paris St Patricks Day parade, in association with the Irish in France association and the Irish Cultural Centre Paris, and is also preparing for an innovative Junk Couture meets Haute Couture event for the parade in 2021.

She is an authority on many aspects of textiles including her solo exhibition Bordados on Mexican hand embroidery. She was a contributor to the catalogue for the Embellishment exhibition at the Hasselt Museum of Fashion in Belgium, and is also one of the contributors for an upcoming book on Rebe, the husband and wife team who collaborated with Dior on embroidery and were subsequently written out of history. She has just completed an installation called The Tears of Aphrodite for an OECD conference on Ending Violence Against Women. - DMcQ

Marguerite KeoghHead chef, The Five Fields, London

Head chefs at Michelin-starred restaurants who happen to be women are a bit of a rarity, but Marguerite Keogh fills that role at The Five Fields in Londons Chelsea. From Sixmilebridge in Co Clare, Keogh did her apprenticeship at Dromoland Castle, before heading to London at the age of 21.

Jumping in at the deep end, she worked first for Marco Pierre White and then joined Marcus Wareings brigade at Petrus and subsequently at Marcus Wareing at the Berkeley, rising to sous chef during her six years there. In 2013 she launched The Five Fields with chef patron Taylor Bonnyman, and in 2017 it was awarded a Michelin star.

Keogh is included in the 2020 Murphia List, a collection of the most influential Irish people working in the hospitality and food and drink sectors in London. The list is published annually by Catherine and Gavin Hanly, who run the London-based eating out and restaurant review website, Hot Dinners. - MCD

Clona N RordinProfessor of English at the Sorbonne

I was born in the Bon Secours Hospital, Cork France was beckoning from birth, says Clona N Rordin. Now based in Paris and a champion of Irish writing, she teaches Irish literature and translation studies, and has published three bilingual anthologies of Irish poetry. Ireland is home and a constant source of inspiration for me, she says, adding that Irish people have found a fine balance between pride in the local and an embrace of the global.

N Rordins students are mainly French, with a smattering of other nationalities. They are attracted by modernist writers like Joyce and Beckett but go on to study more contemporary authors such as Sebastian Barry, Eavan Boland or Eilan N Chuilleanin. Proud that Ireland is becoming a more open, inclusive and forgiving society, N Rordins new book, featuring poets who attended UCC in the 1970s, will be launched at the Poetry Festival in Cork on March 26th. corkpoetryfest.net - GT

Daniel DrommNew York City Council Member

As finance chair of the New York City Council, Daniel Dromm has oversight of a $95.3billion budget. Born in Queens, Dromms Irish connections are on his mothers side with grandparents from Galway and Leitrim. I represent what is probably the most diverse district in the world (Jackson Heights, Elmhurst), with at least one person from every country in the world living in my district, he says. Also the chairperson of the Councils Irish Caucus, and of its LGBT Caucus, Dromm is proud of the work he has done in four areas: immigration, education, LGBT rights and criminal justice reform.

One of the leaders in the movement to allow Irish gay and lesbian groups to march under their own banner in the St Patricks Day parade, Dromm sees Ireland as the land of equality and respect for all. One of the things that I was most proud of about Ireland was your vote for marriage equality. Ireland led the world by being the first country ever to vote for marriage equality in a referendum in 2016. Additionally, Ireland contributes significantly to culture, literature, music and theatre across the globe. Bringing City Government delegations to Ireland last November, Dromm was awarded an honorary professorship at Queens University Belfast. - GT

Nora Hickey MSichiliDirector of the Centre Culturel Irlandais, Paris

Im from a long line of strong Irish women, says Nora Hickey MSichili. With a Kilkenny mother and a Wicklow father, who went against the tide, moving North in the Troubles Hickey was born in Belfast, where her father worked as Keeper of Art at the Ulster Museum. At the CCI, on Rue des Irlandais (named by Napoleon), she oversees a lively programme of music, literature, art and theatre. The work of Irish artists is very well received, she says. And there is huge scope for further promoting it internationally.

Artists who go to the centre on residencies speak warmly of Hickeys ability to make connections, creating a welcoming atmosphere where new ideas and collaborations are formed. In April, the centre will host the 57 heads of Paris-based cultural centres from around the world, and the major Parisian cultural institutions. This is what the Irish are good at, throwing the best of parties and connecting people to make exciting things happen. centreculturelirlandais.com GT

Jane QuinnChambers manager, Bankside Chambers, Auckland

From Ballyfermot to New Zealand, Jane Quinn has come a long way, but Ireland, after nearly 32 years here still means home, she says. Its the smell of the fresh brown bread, the warmth of the people and the never ending cups of tea whenever there is a problem. As chambers manager for New Zealands largest set of legal chambers, Quinn works with 43 barristers, and is also a justice of the peace.

Irish culture, she says, particularly resonates with the Maori people. We understand each other like no other group I have met. Quinn also works hard on behalf of the Irish community in Auckland, as vice president of the Auckland Irish Society, and trustee for the Saint Patricks Festival Trust. Married to her Irish husband, Gerry, for 23 years, she also speaks warmly of the GAA, having played when she first arrived. It is like an extended family, and the first place we all go to meet new people arriving, to see that they are okay for homes and jobs. It is great that we look after each other so well when we are this far from home. - GT

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Heres to Irelands unofficial ambassadors flying flags around the world - The Irish Times

Each year new gadgets, designs, and features drive boaters to trade in, trade up, or just turn their heads and appreciate the coolest new thing.

The well-spring of human ingenuity does not skip the boating fraternity. Each year new gadgets, designs, and features drive boaters to trade in, trade up, or just turn their heads and appreciate the coolest new thing. In 2020 local dealers will be promoting toys for riders and dockers.

On the WaterTwo sports similar to waterskiing, wakeboarding and wakesurfing, each work best with specific shaped wakes. Boats capable of custom tailoring the wake for each watersport are now available, according to Ryan Moriearty, retail manager at Wake Effects by Big Thunder Marine. These watersport boats are all lumped under the general heading of tow boats meaning they are not only designed to gain the maximum performance advantage for the person riding the wake, but also to provide the safest environment for those in the water behind the boat. This generally means a V-drive instead of an outboard motor or even an inboard/outboard setup. With a V-drive, the propeller is located under the hull, safely away from lines and legs. Having the prop under the hull means steering is accomplished with a rudder instead of an outdrive unit. More responsive rudder steering means the crafts handling characteristics are more like a car than a boat.Tow boats have very specific spots where ballast can be added to keep the bow higher in relation to the stern creating more wake at the speeds required for wakeboarding or wakesurfing. This ballast movement is accomplished by pumping water from one tank to another to create the specific wake desired and is automated from the control station. In addition, Ryan points out, brands like MasterCraft tow boats handled by Wake Effects are equipped with plates on the transom to shape the wake to a specific profile custom designed for each rider being towed. MasterCrafts Gen 2 Surf System automates this process with push-button ease and can be changed on the fly without tussle or tools. And to ensure maximum performance, the plate system is specifically designed for each model of MasterCraft boat.Docking and parking assist, common on larger cruisers, are now available on tow boats, too. Some even include a bow thruster for total joy-stick maneuvering during docking. In addition, cruise control on tow boats allows the captain to focus more on the person in the water and neighboring craft instead of the throttle. On the electronic side of boating, many of the new model tow boats come with Bluetooth capability to fully integrate the helm station screens with action cameras such as GoPro. Some even have the camera already built into the hull design. Trista Vossman, of Big Thunder Marine, says one of the coolest comfort features this year is really designed to keep the boater cool through a misting system producing a fine water mist from above for those on board. Trista also points to the growing use of counter rotating props on many models in order to reduce the effect of torque steer on the boat created by a single prop rotating. New in 2020, Big Thunder offers the Crest tri-toon Continental model equipped with two Suzuki 350 HP outboard motors utilizing twin counter-rotating prop technology.Chad Neubauer, of Formula Boats, sees more custom colors being offered as the innovators at Formula are pushing the envelope on color choices. In addition, Chad says custom lighting and remote control of convenience features through smart device apps are gaining popularity. In fact, the higher-end Formula boats come with an iPad now for this purpose.The growing trend to more custom features includes an array of lighting options ranging from custom LED lighting under the tri-toon deck, underwater LED lights, to on-board lighting such as walk-way, cup holder, helm station and mood lighting in a rainbow of color options custom controllable by touch screen.While a joy to look at and use, it is important to keep in mind that any exterior lighting is illegal while the boat is underway as these beautiful light displays tend to mask the visibility of required navigation lights. Such lights inside the vessel are legal while the boat is moving. All custom lighting options are safe and legal while anchored or docked.Trevor Gardner, of Premier 54 Boat Sales, the number-one Chaparral dealer world-wide in 2019, points to the new Infinity Power Step on the Chaparral 257, 277, and 297 SSX series boats. Push-button operation deploys a set of steps extending 20 inches below the swim platform. Also new this year, the Chaparral 280 OSX is designed for rough water. As a hybrid center console, the 280 OSX offers a large open bow, seating, and amenities for a large group of people. The trend toward center console boats will only continue according to Big Thunder Marine Sales Director Thad Jameson. He explained that as popularity grows, manufacturers are rapidly adapting new and innovative ideas for this boat layout. In what was once the go-to boat for fishermen, equipped with bait stations as well as tackle and rod holders, the center console now sports summer kitchens and luxurious lounge seating. Cabins are also more luxurious, and upholsteries richer. Thad says Chris Craft, Fountain, and Statement have all raised the bar on this boat layout because of the rapid growth for this segment of the market.High-tech innovations continue to grow across other segments of the boating market, including tri-toons. Joy-sticks and rear-facing cameras simplify the difficulties of docking. Touch screens at the helm station not only include GPS plotters but now link to the engine management systems allowing the captain to monitor engine function at the touch of the screen.Teresa Riley, Marketing and Event Coordinator at MarineMax, says remote monitoring is gaining in popularity. It provides security by notification to a smart device in case of boat movement due to anchor drift or attempted theft. Owners also receive notifications about maintenance issues such as battery condition, bilge pump monitoring, and engine hours tracking. Boat Fix, available at MarineMax, provides (in addition to the above list) mechanical and technical assistance on a live telephone call if needed.According to Teresa, MarineMax also handles Seakeeper, an anti-roll gyro that can be retro-fitted to almost any boat or ordered as an option on a new boat. Seakeeper is installed on all Azimut yachts sold by MarineMax. Measuring approximately two feet by two feet by two feet and weighing slightly over 400 pounds, the smallest Seakeeper unit is designed for boats from 27 to 35 feet. While not an inexpensive option, the Seakeeper eliminates up to 95 percent of roll, both side-to-side and front-to-back. Any Saturday morning on the lower end of the Lake would demonstrate the advantage to a boater. A busy afternoon coving out will be calmer.Whether controlled by a cell phone app or a touch screen at the helm, boat decks are virtually awash with technological innovations in boating. It appears most of the new trending innovations in the boating world are electronic in nature.

On the DockWhile amenities abound on the water, life on the dock for both boat and boat owner have some cool stuff trending at the Lake. Safety, convenience, comfort, and fun drive the innovations on docks.Theresa Fears of Aqua Pest Solutions describes the growing popularity of their chemical-free pest control solution for boat docks. Utilizing a blend of essential oils, this product beats back the spider hoards on Lake without the use of dangerous chemicals.Shelby Burns at Rough Water Docks says the growing popularity of their custom-built swim-up dock steps prove their value again and again. Giving not only an easier path back on the dock, the steps offer additional seating for those wishing to dip their toes in while sipping a glass of wine and slowly watching the sun set on the Lake. Since a dock sits up high off the water, these steps get you closer allowing you to hang out without having to get all the way into the water a great way to enhance the lake-life experience. According to Angie Schuster at Summerset Boat Lifts, docks and lifts have changed to match the growth of boats on the Lake. When smaller boats are on wider lifts, reaching or stepping to the boat can create a hazard. Summerset installs custom walkways providing ease of access for loading, covering, or maintenance. Walkways can be installed at the rear of the boat to access the motor or drive units. Although not a new concept in 2020, this useful option has seen great growth at the Lake.When the sun hits the water, and the boats come out to play in 2020, there will be plenty of new ideas and new gadgets causing boaters to say, I gotta get me one of those!

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Whats New on the Lake for 2020 - Mexico Ledger

UPDATE: March 12, 8:30 PM ET -

Disney has now announced it will officially close Disney World because of coronavirus concerns.

UPDATE: March 12, 5:30 PM ET -

Disneyland has officially announced it will temporarily close due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Trending Now

With the busy spring break season upon us and COVID-19, aka novel coronavirus, today declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization, families with plans to head to Walt Disney World and Disneyland have a lot of questions about how the virus could or should impact their travel plans.

Internationally, four Disney parks remain closed in Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Shanghai, although Shanghai has begun reopening its shopping and dining district. A Disneyland Paris worker tested positive for coronavirus but that park remains open.

Domestically, Walt Disney World and Disneyland also remain open for business. Dr. Pamela Hymel, Chief Medical Officer, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, said in a statement on the Disney Parks Blog that Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort are open and welcoming guests and we continue to implement preventive measures in line with the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as state and local health agencies.

What Steps Is Disney Taking to Keep the Parks Safe?

In her statement, Hymel detailed the additional steps Disney is taking to prevent the spread of coronavirus and other diseases in the parks, including frequent cleaning and disinfection of targeted areas, easy access to handwashing facilities and hand sanitizers, and frequent cleaning of outdoor locations, including walkways and queue.

Hand sanitizer stations have been added throughout the parks, and today new portable handwashing stations began showing up at Walt Disney World. Disney has published the locations of many of the hand sanitizer stations at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. (Update: As of March 12, Disney has updated the Walt Disney World MyDisneyExperience app and the Disneyland app to map hand sanitizer locations within the parks and resorts as well as locations where guests can get more information about COVID-19.)

Should Travelers Keep Their Plans to Visit Disney Parks and Resorts?

Its well known by now that the CDC is recommending that high-risk individuals, mainly older adults and those with serious chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, or lung disease, avoid crowds, cruise travel, and non-essential air travel.

But, for healthy individuals, it remains more of a personal choice. A statement by a coalition of 150 travel-related organizations issued by the U.S. Travel Association seeks to reassure healthy travelers:

Though the headlines may be worrisome, experts continue to say the overall coronavirus risk in the U.S. remains low. At-risk groups are older individuals and those with underlying health conditions, who should take extra precautions. The latest expert guidance indicates that for the overwhelming majority, its OK to live, work, play and travel in the U.S.

A Doctors Take

We asked Dr. Colleen Nash, Assistant Professor of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Rush University Children's Hospital and Medical Director of the Pediatrics Antimicrobial Stewardship Program for her advice on how families should decide whether to take a Disney vacation. She recommends families evaluate the potential outcomes.

Visiting a theme park or partaking in any activity involving very large crowds always poses a risk of (any) infection transmission, she says. She suggests those considering travel evaluate the health of those in their party as well as family members back home and how illness could potentially affect them.

Even for healthy individuals, she recommends considering how coronavirus infection (if it were to happen) could impact your family and if that is a tolerable risk and potential time away from school, work, normal daily activities, say, if you had to undergo quarantine.

For those comfortable with those possible outcomes, there arent currently any official recommendations that go against proceeding with travel plans.

Whats It Like to Be at Walt Disney World Right Now

I visited Walt Disney World last week and found almost no discernible difference in the experience from other times Ive visited the parks. This week, aside from the noticeable uptick in hand-sanitizing stations and handwashing stations, it feels like business as usual for vacationing families. Meet-and-greets, buffet meals, and other higher-contact experiences havent been reduced.

Len Matela of Western Springs, Illinois, is currently at Walt Disney World with his wife and three sons and said the main difference their family noticed was that guests were utilizing personal hand sanitizer and hand-sanitizing stations more frequently.

Were not germaphobes so its not stressing us out, Matela says. If you didnt watch the news or look at your phone and continuously see new information about the virus spreading, you wouldnt notice any changes.

Matela says concerns about the virus havent impacted their vacation at all. Were having a blast, he says, noting that worries dont seem to have had an effect on crowd levels yet. Selfishly we were hoping for smaller lines and less of a crowd!!

What If Disney Does Decide to Close Walt Disney World or Disneyland?

Should the spread of coronavirus or official government recommendations lead the domestic parks to make the decision to close, as was the case in Asia, its safe to assume Disney will offer refunds of park tickets and resort stays, as theyve done in Asia. Should guests electively cancel a Disney vacation, standard resort cancellation terms will apply. Park tickets are changeable but non-refundable.

Now that most major airlines have issued waivers and have given travelers the flexibility and peace of mind to change their flights without fees, guests who are planning or looking forward to planned Disney vacations should feel reassured that any official park closures will likely see them fully reimbursed or able to change their vacation plans without fees.

How to Stay Healthy During Your Disney Vacation

We asked Dr. Nash what families can do to stay healthy during a Disney trip, and they are much the same as recommendations youve been hearing across the news mediamainly, wash your hands!

She recommends frequent, meticulous handwashing or hand sanitizing before and after meals and regularly at the parks, particularly after each ride.

I cannot stress enough the importance of washing your hands (and doing it well, at least 20 seconds, with soap and water OR using alcohol-based hand sanitizer) and not touching your face (eyes, nose, mouth), she says. This provides so much protection against many infectious diseases and cannot be overstated.

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How Coronavirus Is Impacting Disney World and Disneyland - TravelPulse

Looking for affordable, low maintenance living in Cumberland Valley School District? We've found your home! This charming, entirely brick, 3 bedroom, 1 bath rancher is ideally located with quick access to Target, Wegman's, shopping, restaurants and more on the Carlisle Pike. You'll love the large, level backyard which offers plenty of space to throw a football, host a BBQ or make s'mores in your fire pit. The backyard comes complete with a storage shed, lovely garden and mulched flower beds. Step inside to find original hardwood floors, functional built-ins and a cozy wood burning fireplace in your spacious family room. Newer windows provide tons of natural light as well as lower electric bills. Your generous, eat-in kitchen is perfect for hosting guests! All 3 bedrooms are nicely sized and feature hardwood floors! The dry, unfinished basement offers ample storage space. With a coal stove for heat, finishing part of the basement would be a breeze! The possibilities are endless, whether you want a rec room, gym, theatre or play space! All appliances included. Whether you are just starting out, downsizing or looking for an investment property, this home is a MUST SEE!

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Homes Recently Listed in the Carlisle Area | Home & Garden - The Sentinel

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT)-- We've told you about cancellations left right as groups decide how to best move forward amid these Coronavirus fears.

One local expo says they're open for business.

The Home Improvement and Remodeling expo says they're all set up for visitors.

The Health Department has sent out cautionary guidelines when it comes to public events, but did not recommend cancellations.

The Housing and Building Association met with their board and vendors to decide what course of action to take.

Vendors for the event were already set up and decided to continue with the event.

Two rivers says they're taking all necessary steps to ensure everyone's safety.

The expo is being held at Two Rivers Convention Center Friday and Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

It's five dollars for adults and three dollars for seniors and kids.

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The Home Improvement and Remodeling expo is here - KJCT8.com

Whether you're a homebuyer who's fallen in love with a historic house or a real estate investor looking at remodeling one, a historic home renovation is no easy task to undertake. Here, we'll walk you through the challenges you might encounter when renovating an older house so you'll know what you're getting yourself into.

A historic house is one that's deemed "architecturally significant" by the National Register of Historic Places, which is where historic homes are listed. Generally, to qualify for this distinction, a house must not only uphold a certain architectural style but also capture a specific time period. Another way for a home to land on the National Register of Historic Places is to have been owned by, or associated with, a famous person from history.

Historic homes look different than most properties, and that alone could be a draw. Also, you may qualify for tax incentives if you choose to own or invest in one. On the other hand, as is the case with all older homes, historic homes typically require a lot of work, and remodeling them isn't all that simple. That's because there are certain restrictions that could come into play, which we'll discuss below. Also, the insurance on a historic property could be expensive.

Renovating a historic house could prove challenging because you'll often face restrictions on what you can and cannot do. The reason? The purpose of designating a house as a historic home is to help ensure that its preservation is upheld. As such, any project that takes away from that will most likely not fly.

Here are some issues you might encounter:

To determine what specific restrictions apply to your house, you'll need to contact your state's historic preservation office and get all the details surrounding your property. Be sure to do so before starting a remodeling project to avoid problems.

Historic homes tend to come with unique features that you, as an owner or investor, should make every effort to preserve. At the same time, because these homes are older, they're often subject to wear and tear. As such, historic home remodeling should focus on restoration and preservation.

Once you've figured out what restrictions you're subject to with regard to your home, you can map out a list of your home's features you're looking to preserve but bring back to life. For example, the original wood floor that runs throughout your interior shouldn't be ripped out and replaced, even if it's worn; rather, it can be buffed to remove scratches and stained to restore shine.

Keep in mind that it's OK to make certain parts of your home more modern, as long as your remodeling project doesn't take away from the historical features that make your home unique. For example, you can replace a nonworking oven with a modern one that does work, but in doing so, you should make every effort to preserve the layout of your kitchen. Similarly, if your master bathroom needs an overhaul, you might replace fixtures rather than rip out the classic clawfoot tub that came with it.

If you're going to hire a general contractor to restore your home, make sure he or she has experience working not only with older homes but historic ones. The right contractor may be able to offer some guidance on renovating your home while preserving its look and integrity. And if youre an investor, be sure to get quotes so you spend your money efficiently.

Historic houses are older by nature, and so energy efficiency tends to be an issue. If your goal is to make your home more comfortable while lowering your electricity, heating, and cooling costs, start by replacing older light bulbs with LEDs. Of course, the challenge may be finding newer bulbs to fit your existing fixtures, but if that's doable, you can make a significant change without altering your home's appearance.

Next, replace older toilets with ones that use less water. The same holds true for showerheads that use more water than necessary.

Additionally, try replacing your windows if they're drafty, which older windows tend to be. Granted, this may be a challenge because you'll need to find windows similar to the ones you have now. As such, you may need to pay a premium for custom windows that fit into your home's current casings.

Updating your home's doors is another way to better insulate your property and avoid drafts that make heating difficult in particular. Again, you'll have the challenge of potential restrictions, and even if one doesn't exist, you may not want to mess with a key feature of your home's exterior. If replacing your door isn't an option, try recaulking around it and weatherstripping to seal air leaks.

Finally, look at adding insulation in your home's attic or crawl space. That's another good way to retain heat or cool air without changing the look of your home.

Renovating a historic house isn't for the faint of heart. Then again, neither is buying one. If you're willing to take on the responsibility of owning a historic house, be prepared to face your share of challenges in the course of making it modern enough to enjoy. The good news? If you strike that ideal balance, you'll come away with a home that looks like no other -- one that's comfortable, unique, and, in some cases, a very profitable sell.

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Historic Home Renovation: What You Need to Know - Motley Fool