Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

We will be an active, good neighbor.

Denvers Landmark Preservation Commission has unanimously approved changes a nonprofit that provides housing and other services for people experiencing homelessness needs to turn a historic Cheesman Park church building into housing for the working poor.

The commission hearing on Tuesday focused on the architectural details of the St. Francis Centers proposal for the Warren Church at 1630 E. 14th St. in the Wyman Historic District.

In comments to the board, St. Francis Executive Director Tom Luehrs offered a twist on the idea of preserving the character of the main sanctuary built in 1909 and fellowship hall added in 1952. He said his housing project safeguarded the churchs legacy of serving the community. The church is next door to Warren Village, a nonprofit unconnected to St. Francis that since 1974 has provided transitional housing and help with education and job training to single-parent families that have experienced homelessness. Warren Village was founded by Warren Church members.

We see the key way to help people get out of homelessness is to help them find housing, Luehrs said. Theres such a great need for people in our community who cant afford high rents to have something thats subsidized.

In an interview afterward, a church neighbor who had argued during the hearing against changes to the structure said he also had concerns about density and about who would be living in the 48-unit, dormitory-style housing that Luehrs is planning to build in the sanctuary and hall.

I care about the safety of the neighborhood, my own and my neighbors, Chris Mast told Denverite.

Luehrs said he had heard concerns that the new neighbors might pose a threat. In an interview, Luehrs said he expected Warren residents to be people whom St. Francis has already supported, including with an employment center that has been headquartered at Warren since the structure was closed as a church by the Rocky Mountain Conference of the United Methodist Church in 2014. Luehrs said part of the inspiration for the project was watching people St. Francis had helped find employment struggle to keep the jobs because they did not have stable housing.

You might be scared of people, Luehrs said. But give them a chance and I think that they will prove that they will be invested in the neighborhood as well as in their own housing and jobs.

Luehrs said he has been working for months with people who live nearby on a good neighbor agreement that soon will be completed. He said it will ensure communications are open between the St. Francis housing, which will be staffed 24/7, and the neighborhood.

We will be people that are trying to make sure the neighborhood is well looked after, Luehrs said. We will be an active, good neighbor.

Ethan Hemming, president and CEO and Warren Village, said his transitional housing nonprofit was involved in the good neighbor agreement talks. He added that Warren Village was already treating St. Francis as a neighbor he has recommended his security company to Luehrs.

Were already working together positively, Hemming said. Were support of what St. Francis is doing and is trying to do in the neighborhood.

Mast, who spoke against the St. Franciss request to the landmark commission, said he has been following the good neighbor agreement process and hoped it would be constructive.

I hope it works out. I really do, Mast said of the housing project. I very, very much respect the need for affordable housing.

The church site is zoned for the use Luehrs has proposed, and he said he will start renovating and construction in May. Luehrs said he expected the first residents to move in next February.

Residents will have private bedrooms and share kitchens, bathrooms and other common areas. The employment center, which Luehrs said has about 30 visitors a day, will move to another location.

The landmark commission considered only design issues. The main changes approved are to the fellowship hall, where half the roof will be demolished and a new roof with dormers will be added.

Landmark commission member Kathy Corbett said the design team from Shopworks, a Denver architecture firm, had avoided major changes to the sanctuary out of respect for the historic nature of the church itself.

Fellow commission member Kelly Wemple said guidelines for the dormers, which create more living space, had been scrupulously followed.

Excerpt from:
St. Francis gets go-ahead from Landmark for a project to house the poor in Cheesman Park - Denverite

Several school districts and one city in the Des Moines metro are holding special elections on Tuesday in hopes of funding anumber of new construction projects.

The North Polk, Norwalk and Indianola school districts hope to secure funding sources for new construction and renovation projects. The city of Carlisle wants to expand offices for the city hall and police department.

Catch up on what thespecial elections mean, and where and when to vote.

North Polk Community School District: The North Polk school districtwants to issue $15 million in general obligationbonds to build a new elementary school and an addition to the high school.

The construction aims to accommodate a growing number of students, the district'swebsite reads. The district's projections show that enrollment will keep increasing and could top functional capacity in the coming years.

The following polling locationswill be open from7 a.m. to 8 p.m:

Norwalk Community School District: Norwalk voters can weigh in on a proposed physical education and competition center at Norwalk High School. The district wants approvalofa $24 million general obligation bond for the project, which would add about 78,000 square feet to the school including two gymnasiums, a track,wrestling room, fitness center, meeting rooms and offices.

Norwalk's new physical education and competition center will contain a gym that will be able to seat 1,800 visitors.(Photo: FRK Architects and Engineers)

The district would also renovate the existing gym foryouth activities and community events, Superintendent Duane Magee said in December. Citing increasing enrollment, he said some students are "using hallways and vestibule entry areas for physical education class because of lack of space."

The school board's special election will be heldat St.John the Apostle Catholic Church,720 Orchard Hills Drive, from7 a.m. to 8p.m.

More: Norwalk schools seeking $24 million for new gymnasiums, athletic facilities

Indianola Community School District:Indianola voters will consider two measures Tuesday, including funding for playgrounds.

The school district wants voters to approve a new levy of 13.5 cents per$1,000 of taxable valuationto fundpublic playgrounds and other community education and recreation projects, known as thePublic Educational and Recreational Levy.

Residents can also vote on whether to renew the district's "sales tax revenue purpose statement," which if passed would allow it touse that revenue for all purposes allowed by Iowa law.The measure would not increase taxes.

The Indianola special election will be held atthe Warren County Administration Building, 301 NBuxton St.,from7a.m. to 8p.m.

City of Carlisle:Carlisle city officials have a plan to createa new home for city hall and make more space for the police department. They'reare asking voters to approve for the money to pay for the work.

Renovating the former Great Western Bank building at 100 N First St., making it the new city hall, is expected to cost $1.6 million. Remodeling the current city hall building for the expanded police department is expected to cost $2.4 million.The moves would roughly double the space available for city hall and the police department.

Exterior of proposed new Carlisle City Hall.(Photo: Submitted)

The city's special election will be held atthe Family Life Center, 405 School St., from7 a.m. to 8p.m.

More: Carlisle city officials look for voter approval for city hall plan

Michael Rolands contributed to this report.

Shelby Fleig covers Des Moines' western suburbs for the Register. Reach her at shelbyfleig@dmreg.com or 515-214-8933.

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Read or Share this story: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2020/03/02/des-moines-metro-special-elections-march-3-indianola-carlisle-north-polk-norwalk/4929564002/

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See what's on the ballot for Tuesday's special elections in Warren and Polk counties - Des Moines Register

The first Tuvaluan Christian congregation was established in New Zealand 28 years ago. Many of the founding members of the church arent even alive now. And the first pastor of the church is also no more.

The initiative of their church construction started in 2016, and the fundraising for church began in 2018. Australian-based Tuvaluan architect, Fakalulu Ben Kofe is the architect of the church. The total cost of building the church was $3.3 million. And the capacity of the church is 220 people.

When there was the opening ceremony of the church Nuseta Alefaio-Hope couldnt hold back her tears. Hopes Grandmother was one of the first members of the Tuvaluan Church Congregation in Auckland. Her mother was alps a devout member of the church. She is also no more.

Reverend Tomasi Iopu, who is the pastor of the congregation, now said that the church was also the dream of the first pastor of the congregation. It was a bittersweet moment for all the church members. As they had this church planned many years ago, and it finally came to fruition with the help of church fundraising.

Many fundraising ideas for church were floated while building it, and members took a loan from Christian Savings, and they also sold a property nearby to the church. However, the church paid back the loan soon and is now debt-free.

The congregation started with few families, and now there are 50 families in the congregation. Pastor Tomasi was pleased with the achievement of the church. Now the congregation has a place to gather at and worship. He said he is happy not only about the new building but also about the growing belief of the church members.

See more here:
The First Tuvaluan Christian Congregation Church Completed in New Zealand - Business Deccan

Improvements on the North Lake corridor are scheduled to begin in the Town of Lexington. The project, funded by the Hospitality Tax, will be completed in phases beginning this summer. Safety and operations along the corridor are the main focuses of the project as it serves more than 40,000 vehicles daily.

The project will begin with the widening of North Lake Drive from the one-way pair split at Church Street to the existing Dreher Street.

Phase two will include the extension of Harmon Street and relocation of Dreher Street to North Lake Drive and Azalea Drive.

Improvements from the existing Dreher Street to North Lake Drive at Sunset Boulevard will be the final phase of the project.

Changes to entrances and student drop-off locations at Lexington Elementary and Lexington Middle schools will be managed by Lexington County School District One officials.

More information about the project is available at lexsc.com.

Originally posted here:
North Lake corridor in Lexington to undergo construction this summer - ColaDaily.com

1995

Construction of a roomier Jackson Middle School is two months from completion, and a whole teaching philosophy will change when students walk through the doors for the 1995-96 school year; Jackson Middle School on Route D will house sixth and seventh grades; sixth-graders currently attend West Lane, North or Burfordville elementary schools; all seventh-graders are at Jackson High School.

It's time for Scott City-area musicians to limber up their lips and fingers; the parks department is seeking musicians to form a community band; high school band director Jim Arnold and piano teacher Gloria Schumer are helping organize the new group.

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The Delta Town Board votes to offer at $100 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of vandals who have been turning valves on city fire hydrants the past two nights, posing a threat to the city's water supply; Mayor Henry McNeely said two hydrants were turned on Monday night and three Tuesday night.

A Kelso, Missouri, building contractor has been named to a statewide board of directors for the Missouri Association for Non-Public Schools, composed of 13 citizens from across the state who will represent various elements of non-public education; the appointment of Charles Drury, an associate of Drury enterprises in Cape Girardeau, was announced recently by James J. Powers, interim chairman of the organization.

A "Day of Compassion" is observed throughout Methodism; at Centenary Methodist Church, the Rev. John L. Taylor preaches on "Methodism Meeting Its Responsibility"; special music is provided by the choir, under the direction of Mrs. J.A. Waller.

The Foursquare Church congregation plans to move into its new building at the northeast corner of Bloomfield Road and Park Avenue tomorrow; special services will be held Wednesday night to commemorate the event, as well as the fifth anniversary of the establishment of the church here; Foursquare Church has been holding services at 815a Broadway.

Lightning struck the home of T.J. Clark, 316 N. Frederick St., yesterday afternoon, setting the cupola of the building on fire; the lightning ran down the house and is said to have worked havoc with the plumbing fixtures.

More than 50 representative men and women assemble in the circuit court auditorium at Jackson to discuss ways to raise the necessary funds to complete the high school auditorium and gymnasium; those in attendance voice support of the school board's plan, which involves the citizens guaranteeing a loan of $12,000 until such time as a bond issue sufficient to cover this loan can be passed, which will be in October 1921; the facility will be large enough to seat 750 and will be erected on the site of the present high school building, which formerly was the Jackson Military Academy.

-- Sharon K. Sanders

Read the rest here:
Out of the Past: Out of the past: March 4 (3/4/20) - Southeast Missourian

The State government has accorded administrative sanction of up to 5 lakh each for 76 churches and church-run-institutions across the State for grant-in-aid towards construction and repairs under a Minorities Welfare Department scheme against proposals received by the district Collectors between 2016 and early 2019.

Principal Secretary to Govt. Md. Ilyas Rizvi issued a Government Order to this effect on Monday.

As part of the scheme, 66 churches and church-run-institutions would be given 5 lakh each and 10 others would be given less than 5 lakh for carrying out construction or repairs, renovations, construction of compound walls and others by the A.P. State Christian (Minorities) Corporation, the order states. The total grand-in-aid amounts to about 3.6 crore.

The Mandal Parishad Development Officers or Municipal Commissioners concerned would have to verify and ensure that the institution doesnt violate any rules and works are completed in three months.

The churches recommended by the Collectors are from Krishna, Kurnool, Prakasam, East Godavari, West Godavari, Anantapur and Kadapa districts.

The scheme of supporting churches in carrying out repairs, maintenance, new construction and others was first introduced in 2002 and a sum of 30, 000 towards repairs and 1 lakh as a maximum permissible amount towards new constructions was announced.

Later the maximum permissible amount was enhanced to 3 lakh in 2016 and 5 lakh in 2018 by the then government.

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Statement from Rockland County Executive Ed Day on the Passing of Rev. Louis Sanders:

Reverend Louis Sanders was a fixture of Rockland County serving on numerous boards and organizations and making his presence felt. Rev. Sanders well deserving of the recognition he received having been presented with the Rockland County Buffalo Soldiers Award in 2014 and being inducted into the Rockland County Civil Rights Hall of Fame in 2009. His leadership, as Senior Pastor of the St. Charles A.M.E. Zion Church in Sparkill, was noted for how he raised up those around him and saw the potential of each and every person. I ask that we all keep Rev. Sanders in our thoughts and prayers and work as he did, serving his community with respect and empathy.

Statement By Rockland County Legislator Toney L. Earl on the Passing of Rev. Dr. Louis Sanders:

For the second time this week, I am devastated to learn of the passing of a true stalwart of Rockland County the Rev. Louis Sanders. I knew Rev. Sanders since the 1970s, when our wives were at nursing school together.

I am humbled by his impressive resume because everything Rev. Sanders did was to help others. He not only served the people of Rockland County, but hurricane victims in Mississippi and struggling poor families in Africa.

Rev. Sanders also served our country as a U.S. Air Force chaplain. He fought against racial segregation and he fought for human and civil rights. He did so much for so many and its a deep loss for all he knew.

Legislator Earl recognized Rev. Sanders for his many contributions and achievements in 2017, when he presented the reverend with a Distinguished Service Award, the Legislatures highest honor. Rev. Sanders was inducted into the Rockland County Civil Rights Hall of Fame in 2009, and his portrait is on permanent display in the Allison-Parris County Office Building in New City.

Rev. Sanders served as pastor of the St. Charles African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Sparkill for nearly four decades. He was a retired Social Studies teacher and championship basketball coach. At St. Charles, he increased the churchs membership, renovated the sanctuary and steered the construction of a $1 million fellowship hall. He was ordained in 1975 after studying at Union Theological Seminary in New York City.

Under Rev. Sanders direction, St. Charles became a place of community, with an SAT tutoring program, a homeless youth program, a cultural awareness program for children of color, and an on-site HIV and AIDS testing and education program.

Rev. Sanders service extended to the military and as a U.S. Air Force chaplain, he helped train other military chaplains for service in Desert Storm. He retired as a lieutenant colonel in 2003. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Rev. Sanders worked to collect truckloads of supplies for families in hard-hit Jackson, Mississippi. Under his leadership, St. Charles also helped many of the impacted families to find housing and to pay their rent for a year.

His international mission work included building churches in the Republic of Ghana. He also helped provide scholarships to enable poor youth in Ghana to attend school. Rev. Sanders grew up during the days of segregation and fought against racial discrimination as part of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, and for the remainder of his life. Rev. Louis and Connie Sanders were married for more than 50 years. They have three children and several grandchildren and had retired to Virginia.

Reverend Sanders photo is on display at the Rockland County Civil Rights Hall of Fame in the Allison-Parris Office Building, 11 New Hempstead Road, New City, NY.

ed day, Louis Sanders

See the original post:
County leaders react to the assing of Rev. Louis Sanders - Rockland County Times

Plants make people happy. They inject our homes with life, personality and vitality.

Until we kill them. (Dont feel too guilty about that; you can always compost them.)

But it doesnt have to be that way. Pothos, Aglaonema and Dracaena are practically kill-proof.

Sanseviera can go weeks without water. Fast-growing hoya, often called wax plants, can live forever.

Lee esta historia en espaol.

If you travel, or are away from home a lot, consider types of houseplants that dont need a lot of light and are forgiving if you forget to water them every now and then, said Rhiannon Cramm, of Mickey Hargitay Plants.

With that in mind, here are some suggestions from Southern California plant experts Cramm, Danae Horst of Folia Collective, Christine Kelso of Instagrams Work Hard Plant Hard and Justina Blakeney of the Jungalow.

Dwarf sansevieria in vintage pots.

(Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

1. Sansevieria: Popular types of sansevieria such as the snake plant, or mother-in-laws-tongue, are easy to grow, require little water and thrive in warm interiors. Although often considered an office plant, there are many interesting varieties to choose from in various shapes, sizes and colors, including the horn-like cylindrica and patens.

The hoya plant has waxy, heart-shaped foliage.

(Ann Summa)

2. Hoya: Many Hoya species do best in bright, filtered light but can be allowed to dry out between waterings because its leaves store water.

Peperomia caperata, emerald ripple

(Lisa Boone )

3. Peperomia caperata, emerald ripple: Peperomia caperata thrive in low, medium, or bright indirect light and retain water in its heart-shaped, corrugated leaves. Resistant to disease and pests, the ripple peperomia is a compact, trouble-free plant that occasionally produces thin, cream colored flower stalks.

Epipremnum aureum, or pothos, devils ivy

4. Epipremnum aureum, or pothos, devils ivy: This climber is known for its long, trailing stems that can grow to 8 feet or more. That is why you will often see it trailing from the rafters in restaurants. You can kill this plant and revive it with water. I speak from experience.

Satin pothos, or silver vine, is the easiest of its genus to grow.

(DEA / C. DANI / De Agostini / Getty Images)

5. Scindapsus pictus, or satin pothos: This popular climber is one of the easiest Scindapsus to grow. Keep it warm, in bright, indirect light, take care not to over water it, and it will be happy.

Chinese Evergreen, Silver_Bay

(Potted)

6. Aglaonema, or Chinese evergreen: The Chinese evergreen is often recommended for beginners because it is hearty, easy to grow, drought tolerant and can endure just about any indoor lighting situation.

Spathiphyllum, peace lily.

(Courtesy of Costa Farms )

7. Spathiphyllum, or peace lily: Grow in medium light, in normal room temperatures, and water moderately and you will be treated to fragrant flowers in the spring.

8. Dracaena Lisa cane and marginata: If you are looking for something taller, the Dracaena Lisa cane and marginata hold up well in lower light. A healthy Lisa cane can grow as high as 7 to 8 feet tall with very little sunlight. Dracaena are popular for their striped, glossy leaves.

ZZ plant, Zamioculcas zamiifolia

(The Sill )

9. Zamioculcas zamiifolia, or ZZ plant: If you are intimidated by houseplants, Zamioculcas zamiifolia, commonly known as the ZZ plant, is a tall, sculptural tropical that can survive just about anywhere.

Jade plant.

(Lisa Boone/Los Angeles Times)

10. Crassula ovata, or jade plant: This succulent needs little water, can withstand full sun to part shade, may grow to 4 feet tall and produces tiny pink or white star-shaped flowers.

Ponytail palm, beaucarnea recurvata

(Lee Reich/AP)

11. Beaucarnea recurvata, or ponytail palm: The ponytail palm is easy because it can grow almost anywhere. It is impossible to kill as long as you dont over water it.

Chlorophytum comosum, spider plant

(Lee Reigh/AP)

12. Chlorophytum comosum, or spider plant, curly or straight: Provide this popular houseplant with well-drained soil and bright, indirect light and it will treat you to ornamental leaves that sprout spider-shaped plantlets.

Heartleaf philodendron, Philodendron hederaceum

(The Sill )

13. Philodendron hederaceum: This plant, with its heart-shaped green leaves and trailing vines, is one of the most common houseplants and one of the easiest to grow. The plant can survive in a variety of lighting conditions and can be grown as a climbing or trailing specimen in baskets.

Haworthia fasciata, center.

(Ricardo DeAratanha/Los Angeles Times )

14. Haworthia fasciata: Small and dramatic, this succulent has dark green leaves and white horizontal stripes. It is easy to grow and will thrive in partial shade, which is an unusual feat for a succulent.

See more here:
What are the best low maintenance houseplants? - Los Angeles Times

KANSAS CITY, Mo. A new "mini golf bar" and restaurant will open this summer in Kansas Citys Power and Light District.

Sinkers Lounge is expected to open in late July at 53 W. 13th Street, next to Blade & Timber Axe Throwing.

The new concept will pair indoor mini golf with food and craft cocktails. Sinkers Lounge will offer nine mini golf holes and nine tabletop golf holes, a cross between mini golf and shuffleboard.

Kansas City-based Swell Spark, the company behind Breakout KC escape rooms and Blade & Timber Axe Throwing, will open the new entertainment concept.

This isnt the mini golf of your childhood, Swell Spark CEO Matt Baysinger said in a news release. Weve designed an upscale, competitive socializing experience for friends, family and coworkers to relax and have fun.

For more information, visit the website here.

See more here:
New 'mini golf bar' set to open this summer in Power and Light - KSHB

I love houseplants, and I do have some beauties! The truth is I don't have a green thumb; I just know a few tricks and tips that I will gladly share with you. Healthy, beautiful houseplants are an economical way to bring instant warmth and beauty to a home, condo, apartment, dorm room, recreational vehicle -- or wherever else you call home.

I have friends who, I swear, were born with a green thumb. These talented people effortlessly grow lush, beautiful, exotic plants indoors. Then, there are the rest of us.

Here's my best-kept horticultural secret: I only consider plants in what I call the "thrivus neglectus" family, which comes from the Latin root meaning "really cheap and thrives even under the harshest conditions of poor light and owner neglect."

KNOW YOUR VARIETIES

If growing beautiful houseplants in your home or office isn't your forte, I have good news. It is possible to have lovely plants if you pick the right variety -- those that are hard to kill.

Peace lily: The indoor plant spathiphyllum, with its graceful nickname "peace lily," is an easy-care, low-light houseplant. It's beautiful, lush and fast-growing. Can you see a peace lily in every room?

Cast-iron plant: Aspidistra is also known as the "cast-iron plant," and for good reason. This baby can survive any condition, including low light and a dry environment. It has earned its nickname because it can survive in deep shade and does not like direct sun or extreme cold.

Devil's ivy: Epipremnum aureum, commonly called "pothos" or "devil's ivy," comes in many varieties that tolerate poor light and actually enjoy being left alone. Nearly fuss-free, this lush, leafy evergreen pothos plant will tolerate a range of indoor growing conditions, including heat, aridity and dry shade.

Rubber plant: Ficus elastica, or "rubber plant," likes a cool, dimly lit space. But if you should happen to set it in a sunny area, watch out. It will grow like crazy, and you'll be searching on the internet for how to prune the darned thing!

Spider plant: Also known as chlorophytum comosum, "spider plant" is tough and does well in low light. It sends out these really cool trailing vines that develop tiny dangling baby "spiders" instead of flowers. Really cool!

Corn plant: Dracaena, or "corn plant," is a great choice for hot, dry apartments. This plant is a popular ornamental houseplant, grown both indoors and outdoors in subtropical climates. Bright indirect light is best for corn plant. Too much light can cause the leaves to burn. It reaches a height of about 3 feet indoors and has a bushy tree type of look. A corn plant's glossy leaves can grow up to 1 foot long and a couple of inches wide.

Mother-in-law's tongue: The ever-popular sansevieria trifasciata, nicknamed "snake plant" or "mother-in-law's tongue" (best nickname ever), likes full sun to low light source and even moisture. It will survive even under the most severely neglectful conditions. Sansevieria trifasciata is prized for its stiff, upright leaves that range from 1 to 8 feet tall, depending on the variety.

KNOW WHERE TO BUY

I'm a huge fan of the Walmart and Target garden departments. Home improvement centers like Home Depot and Lowe's are excellent sources as well. Just look for the bargain table and you'll run right into the plants on my list above.

KNOW WHEN TO WATER

Unlike silk and plastic, live houseplants do require water, and watering weekly is good. Pick a day, any day -- and then water your plants on the same day every week. Don't overdo it.

KNOW YOUR MAINTENANCE

Keep the leaves of your plants clean. Dust plugs the pores and prevents plants from taking in the carbon dioxide from the air. A damp cloth once every few weeks will do the trick.

Live plants are an inexpensive way to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere in any living space. As a bonus, they improve indoor air quality.

Select plants that require little or no care, and you'll save yourself both time and money.

Would you like more information? Go to EverydayCheapskate.com for links and resources for recommended products and services in this column. Mary invites questions, comments and tips at EverydayCheapskate.com, "Ask Mary." This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheapskate.com, a lifestyle blog, and the author of the book "Debt-Proof Living."

More:
Everyday Cheapskate: 7 houseplants that are really hard to kill - Coos Bay World