Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design
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March 4, 2020 by
Mr HomeBuilder
The coronavirus, which originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan, has now crossed borders with cases confirmed in several regions outside of mainland China, including Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Thailand and Japan. In Singapore alone, there are over 90 cases according to South China Morning Post.
Airports such as Singapores Changi Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world, have begun to take precautionary steps to curb the spread of the virus. From carrying out more temperature screenings, to switching out regular cleaning solutions for disinfectants, the airport said it has stepped up measures to safeguard and protect workers, passengers and visitors travelling through the major transportation hub against the coronavirus (Covid-19).
More hand sanitisers at terminals
The airport said the number of hand sanitisers in the terminals and Jewel, a mixed-use complex that opened in April last year, has increased from about 160 to more than 1,200. It added that a few hundred of these sanitisers operate using a motion sensor, reducing the need for users to touch them.
These hand sanitisers can be found at check-in rows, departure and arrival immigration areas, staff entrances, retail and dining outlets, gate hold rooms and many other high-traffic locations.
At Jewel, they are available at the concierge counters and at the entrances and exits of all the Canopy Park attractions.
Frequent cleaning of high contact areas
Changi Airport said it has at least doubled the frequency of all its cleaning efforts in the four terminals and at Jewel. It is now using disinfectants, a chemical liquid that destroys bacteria, instead of general purpose cleaning solutions.
Frequently used areas such as door knobs and handles, touch-screens, handrails (e.g. on moving walkways and escalators), counter tops, railings at taxi and bus queues, lift buttons, water coolers and play areas. These areas, the airport said, are cleaned and disinfected more frequently, up to four times a day. Tables at food and beverage outlets are cleaned and disinfected each time they are cleared.
In the airport terminals and at Jewel, toilets are cleaned and litter bins are emptied out more frequently, said the airport. Disinfectant is used for toilet flush buttons, door knobs, grab bars, toilet paper dispensers and seat sanitiser dispensers.
All cleaning staff are equipped with disposable gloves and masks to carry out cleaning and disinfection works, the airport added.
As an added layer of protection in between cleaning rounds, Changi Airport said it has started to coat frequently-touched surfaces with a protective disinfectant coating known as quaternary ammonium chloride.
This coating is applied to automated check-in kiosks and automated bag-drop machines, GST refund kiosks, immigration counters, lift buttons, escalator handrails, and information counters. The attractions at Jewels Canopy Park, such as the discovery slides, have also been similarly coated.
With a single application sprayed onto surfaces, the compound used reduces the chance of viruses and bacteria staying on them, said the airport.
Temperature screening
Airport staff, passengers and visitors entering the transit areas of the airport need to undergo temperature screening.
Temperature screening is also carried out for guests entering Jewels Canopy Park, Changi Experience Studio, Changi Lounge, Shaw Theatres, and Yotelair Changi Airport.
Cleaning with ozone-infused water
For the first time, ozone-infused water is being used to disinfect toilet floors, toilet bowls and urinals in high-usage toilets, said the airport.
According to Changi, ozone-infused water is a stronger cleaning agent and disinfectant compared to chlorine, a commonly used disinfectant.
Disinfecting floors and cleaning carpets
The airport said automation is used to clean the floors.
A total of 26 automated machines make their rounds scrubbing the hard floors while another two sweep the carpets daily, said the airport.
changiairport.com
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Here's what Changi Airport is doing to protect travellers from the coronavirus - Business Traveller
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March 4, 2020 by
Mr HomeBuilder
Hemmed in by the Tasman Sea and the serrated peaks of the Main Divide, there really is no region in New Zealand quite like Westland. Its pitch-perfect for an autumn road-trip. After traversing the Southern Alps, and spilling out in Kumara, my first stop was just south of Greymouth at Shanty Town, a faithfully re-created 1860s gold-mining town, complete with pub and post office. There are lots of interactive experiences to try your hand at, including gold-panning, sawmilling and the far more leisurely pursuit of the miniature train rides.
Highlights include the cluster of 30 gold rush era buildings, painted in the bright colours of boiled sweets. Enjoy a tipple in the evocative Golden Nugget Hotel, learn the art of gold panning and enjoy the short movie in the opulent Victorian-themed theatre, where holographic technology brings to life the extreme stories of hardship and danger characteristic with the gold boom. But the prize draw are the steam train rides following an original bush tram-line through native rainforest, replete with vestiges of the goldmining era.
Heading further south on SH6, I went as far as Ross, a cute-as-a-button settlement, with a storied past in gold-mining. The historic village of glories lost sports a cluster of colonial buildings, including the old Ross jail and miners cottages. The 150-year old Empire Hotel (the current building dates from 1908) is one of the most treasured on the Coast, bursting with history, personality and great pub cuisine. Whitebait, anyone?
From Ross, I ventured back up SH6, to take in a recent addition to Westlands stable of top-billing attractions. Turning off the highway on to the Woodstock-Rimu Rd, the $7 million Treetops walk is a series of elevated steel walkways allowing you to traverse the canopy of the podocarp forest by Lake Mahinapua. 25 metres above the forest floor, the mesh-steel gantry leads you through a dense vista of native forest, with giant specimens of rimu, kamahi and matai, interspersed with tree ferns, orchids, liverworts and fellow forest floor residents.
Lush and intimate, the highpoint is the 47metre high spiral staircase leading you up to lofty views of the forest, Lake Mahinapua and the mountains of Westland. The lovely Treetops staff, who will equip you with a brolly if its wet, advised me their most frequently asked question is how to get to Hokitika Gorge from here. And if you have the time, Treetops is the perfect starting point for a grand circuit of the Hokitika Valley, lacing a slew of striking spectacles into one great hinterland drive.
From Treetops, head to Rimu and Woodstock, two pint-sized vestiges of the goldmining legacy, with a spectacular lookout over the Hokitika River and panels illustrating one of the Coasts last great gold rushes. Follow the signposts to Kokatahi and Kowhitirangi. The West Coasts multitude of vivid greens comes into sharp focus as you wend your way through the fertile farmland. From here, a short gravel road leads you to one of my favourite New Zealand settings, the ravishing granite ravine of Hokitika Gorge.
Sometimes youll see a photo of brochure perfection of a scenic spot and you think, yeah right, I better it doesnt look that good in the flesh. But Hokitika Gorge is one of the rare exceptions where the setting is as dreamy as reality gets, deep in the Whitcombe Valley. Right by the Alpine Fault, surrounded by dense native bush, thronging with native birds, the turquoise water is so absurdly vivid and otherworldly, it looks photo-shopped. (Its due to the glacial flour seeping into the water.)
But after heavy rain, the water turns a soupy grey, so you will be at the mercy of the weather gods. I struck a mix of milky blue and grey. Either way, cross the swing bridge and take in the enchanting bush walks, adjacent to the gorge. After youve had your fill of turquoise glory, complete your valley circuit by following the sign posts around the eastern side of Lake Kaniere, taking in the lusty waterworks of Dorothy Falls. If its been raining heavily, the upside to natures vagaries is that the falls will be gushing like a fire hydrant. Directly adjacent to the road, its the easiest, shortest of walks to waterfall wonder. From there, a plethora of lakeside spots beckoning you to pause, before completing the circuit in Hokitika.
Youd be hard pressed to find any other town or city in New Zealand with more galleries, studios and arty types. Within this creative powerhouse, you could spend all day wandering the wide streets of Hokitika, admiring the studios, talking to the painters, glass blowers, craftspeople and pounamu carvers. Scattered across windswept, wave-lashed Hokitika Beach, the sculptural driftwood art is ever-evolving. Unleash your own creative juices and assemble something, while youre there. If youve ever seen those iconic West Coast stone mats, fashioned as door mats or table mats, Waters Edge headquarters is just out of town, on the Kumara Junction Highway. They make for a trusty, totally usable memento.
I stayed at Shining Star Beachfront Accommodation in Hokitika. With a supreme beachfront location and nestled in a garden landscape, Shining Star boasts homely self-contained beachfront chalets with free WiFi and a private balcony just steps from the ocean and sunsets to die for. Pack your pooch, its dog-friendly too. I booked through Wotif.co.nz who offer travellers access to millions of rooms, hundreds of airlines and thousands of destinations both locally and around the world. You can search, plan and book your next trip in the one place and have access to special package savings when you combine a hotel and flight in the same booking. http://www.wotif.co.nz
Mike Yardley is our Travel Correspondent on Jack Tame Saturday Mornings.
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Mike Yardley: Road-tripping Westland this autumn - Newstalk ZB
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March 4, 2020 by
Mr HomeBuilder
BAY VILLAGE, Ohio -- Mayor Paul Koomar addressed residents in his 2020 State of the City speech at the Dwyer Senior Center Feb. 26. He introduced his message by citing city visions from the master plan:
Keeping a commitment to space
Continuing dedication to quality parks, recreation and Lake Erie
Diversifying housing options
Establishing a pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly community
Creating a more vibrant village center
Maintaining and greening city Infrastructure
Building community
The elements of the vision statement from the master plan are echoed in most aspects by the public hearings currently being held to solicit resident opinions on the overlay zoning effort to establish more businesses and housing options in the city.
The citys annual operating budget, Koomar said, is $33 million for all funds, with a general operating fund of $13.2 million. He noted that the city has secured more than $560,000 in external funding through grants.
Employee numbers total 108 full-time staff, 63 part-time workers and 193 seasonal employees.
Here are reports from various city departments:
Finance Department
The finance department reports excellent financial conditions that include:
Property tax collection up 16 percent due to re-evaluations
Total revenue increase of 10 percent
Expenses increase of 6 percent
Bond rating of Aa1
The Finance Department has received the Ohio Auditor of State Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the past six years.
Human Resources Department
The human resources department has hired a Building Department inspector and two assistants to the director; a community services manager and over-60 coordinator; a police officer, two dispatchers and two school crossing guards; four new hires for the Service Department, as well as several promotions; a receptionist for the Finance Department; and a registered dietitian to work with the nurse practitioner in the Wellness Incentive Program.
Workers Compensation Department
The department noted that only one day of work was missed in 2019 due to an on-the-job injury.
Community Services Department
A total of 686 individuals participated in various Community Services programs, which is a 27 percent increase. There were 8,836 visits -- a 10 percent increase.
In 2019, 19 tons of produce was distributed to 1,700 people -- a 22 percent increase. About 150 seniors receive fresh monthly produce at no cost.
Meals on Wheels are now supplied through the Meals on Wheels program.
The BV60+ program had the highest number attending events, averaging 25 to 30.
Senior Center
New activities introduced in 2019 at the senior center include Music Box CLE interesting speakers, a progressive dinner at area restaurants, Yappy Hour with dogs, evening cruises and kayaking.
A new initiative -- Aging in Place -- focuses on housing options and services that help senior residents stay in their homes. Committees have been formed on housing, transportation, home repair/handyman services, snow removal/lawn care and senior companions.
Police Department
The Police Department now has 24 officers, four dispatchers, two clerks, one animal control officer, two jailers, one maintenance worker, 221 auxiliary officers and 14 school guards. A full-time School Resource Officer will be financed jointly by the schools and the city.
Officers completed 4,010 hours of combined training in 2019, service calls totaled 14,463 and crisis response and safety training was completed for all employees.
In addition, the U.S. Department of Agriculture culled 25 whitetail deer on public property.
Fire Department
The Fire Department has 24 firefighters/paramedics who responded to 1,565 calls -- 21 of them structure fire calls -- representing a 5 percent increase in call volume over the departments 10-year average.
A demo model ladder truck at $200,000 replaced the 1996 model, providing the city with a 30 percent savings.
Service Department
The Service Department (sewers, streets, parks, city vehicles, plowing, bridges, culverts, parks, cemetery and more) has a staff of 40 full-time, three part-time and five to 12 seasonal employees. The departments annual budget is $8.4 million.
Building Department
The Building Department completed permits, construction and inspections totaling almost $28 million.
Heritage Home and H.E.L.P. Loans were made available for technical assistance for improvements for homeowners totaling over $3 million; more than $696,000 was invested through the program.
Recreation Department
The Recreation Department had six new programs, with registrations of all programs totaling more than 2,000. More than 2,400 pool memberships were sold for the aquatic center, which averaged 800 visits a day.
2020 City initiatives will include:
Cahoon basin trail construction
Master plan for development of the lakefront in Cahoon Park
New library construction
Sunset area improvements -- infrastructure and roads
New accounting software system
Playground equipment in Bradley Road Park -- Phase 2
Note: The yearly information session for residents loans within the Heritage Home and H.E.L.P. Loans will be held at 6:30 p.m., Monday, April 6, in city council chambers at City Hall, 350 Dover Center Road. For more information, call 440-871-2200.
Read more from the West Shore Sun.
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Bay Village mayor delivers state-of-the-city speech - cleveland.com
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March 3, 2020 by
Mr HomeBuilder
Sarah Fay Campbell / The Newnan Times-Herald
Pernell Denson, Aaron Linder and Zachary Langley of M.L. Masonry work on the expansion project at the gazebo at Temple Avenue Park.
The small gazebo at Newnan's Temple Avenue Park, long a site for small weddings, is getting a major change.
Once the work is done, there will be a larger gazebo with a center aisle, and some built-in seating.
The existing base of the gazebo will be used as part of the expanded structure, said Mike Furbush, Newnan landscape architect. The new gazebo will be square and measure approximately 10 by 10 feet.
It will be able to serve as a space for various events and could even serve as an outdoor classroom.
The built-in seating will be wooden benches on concrete bases, with no backs. There will be permanent seating for about 30 to 40 people, Furbush said, and plenty of space to add chairs to expand the seating capacity.
Though the gazebo has been used for weddings over the years, it was never really set up very well for a wedding, Furbush said. Over the years, there were problems with erosion from the walkway that leads to the other section of the park, which caused flooding and mud in the area of the gazebo. There were also planting beds that obstructed entry to some parts of the gazebo.
Updating the area is something that has been discussed for a while. The work wont take long as long as there are enough stretches of dry weather to allow the work to be done.
A crew from M.L. Masonry of Villa Rica was out on the project Friday, with plans to pour concrete Saturday. The company did work on the Veterans plaza at the other end of the park, and the Greenville Street Park, as well as other projects around Newnan, according to Aaron Linder of M.L. Masonry.
Furbush said he expects the work to take six weeks at most. The project will cost less than $50,000, he said.
Once complete, the new pavilion and seating area can be reserved, just as other city pavilions are. There is no fee to use the area, but those reserving it do pay a $50 damage deposit.
Pavilions are reserved through the citys leisure services department. For more information call 770-253-2682, ext. 236 or email kmosley@cityofnewnan.org .
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City reworking Temple Avenue park gazebo - Newnan Times-Herald
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March 3, 2020 by
Mr HomeBuilder
As part of International Women's Month, Swindon Theatres will welcome Gazebo Theatre and their brand-new play, Wanted, to Swindon Arts Centre this March.
With a phenomenal all-female creative team exploring five extraordinary (yet sometimes overlooked) women, Wanted promises to share 'herstory' and celebrate diversity by embracing the 'lesser-known' stories of these historical figures.
Gazebo's innovative and unique approach makes Wanted a truly exciting, passionate, emotional and hard hitting play which will leave audiences thinking, debating and talking - as well as bucking the trend in an industry that still, in 2020, is male dominated.
Gazebo Theatre Artistic Director, Pamela Cole-Hudson said, "Gazebo Theatre are proud to have produced and be touring this important work which is educational, entertaining and most importantly thought provoking. Wanted may be by women and about women but we believe we have created a piece of theatre that truly is for everyone."
Writer and Performer, Tonia Daley-Campbell said, "We wanted to tell a story about women who have been 'Wanted', wanted by the police, by authorities and essentially locked up for acting upon what they believe is right. If you're interested in history, if you're interested in storytelling and if you are interested in female history - this is the show for you!"
Writer and Performer, Therese Collins said, "It is a collaboration and culmination of 5 people who all bring very special aspects, energies and life journeys. I would say this play is for anyone who is open minded and excited to learn. Expect an energised, empowering, beautifully written piece of performative drama"
Wanted is written and performed by Tonia Daley-Campbell, Therese Collins and Pamela Cole-Hudson; the trio wowed audiences in The Sistren and now return to the stage accompanied by two new talented performers to again explore how the past and the present collide.
Wanted will be at the Wyvern Theatre on Monday 16 March. Book tickets online at swindontheatres.co.uk
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Celebrate International Women's Day With Gazebo Theatre's WANTED - Broadway World
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March 3, 2020 by
Mr HomeBuilder
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| 5 min read | by Lonnie Huhman,lhuhman@thesuntimesnews.com|
For three decades, the Home, Garden & Lifestyle Show has been a great way to kick off the spring, especially for those who are thinking about doing some work at their homes.
On March 21-22, the event will again offer visitors from AnnArbor, Chelsea,Dexter, Grass Lake, Manchester, Milan, Saline, andYpsilanti and beyond a chance to connect with professional expertise as theythink about potential home projects.
Put on by the Builders and Remodelers Association of GreaterAnn Arbor, the event is in its 30th year. Organizers say its become a widelyknown event well attended by homeowners who are serious and ready to begin ahome improvement project.
It draws around 4,000 visitors.
BRAG Ann Arbor spokesman Pete Nowakowski said when it startedway back in 1990, we started this event in order for local building industryprofessionals to have a way to be available to meet people interested inbuilding a home or improving their homes.
Word of mouth has always been the main way many builders get clients, but we thought giving people a neutral place to meet would create opportunities to find folks they can trust to work on their homes, by communicating with them directly to see if they would be a good fit for the job, Nowakowski said.
He said so much goes into the planning, design, and selections for a remodeling job, it can be overwhelming.
We wanted to have many material choices in front of people in one place, he said. We also wanted to give them a variety of services so they could learn about different approaches and make more informed decisions about their improvements.
Another big reason, he said is that they, wanted folks to be able to explore specific interests, discover new technologies and learn about best practices if they do their own improvements.
The Home, Garden & Lifestyle Show has over 120 differentbusinesses exhibiting their products and services, mostly related to homeimprovement, Nowakowski said.
At the show are flooring stores, roofing and windows, lighting, furniture, landscaping and nurseries, the latest technology like appliances and electronics, and so on; to go along with talented local designers and architects that can look over photos visitors may bring in or offer advice on any ideas you have for re-shaping your living space, or building something new.
Nowakowski said the trades and technicians at the show can helpset up appointments or answer questions about plumbing, painting, homemaintenance, organization, etc.
Visitors will also find some vendors selling crafts,displaying bigger things like vehicles, offering financial services, orrepresenting local organizations that have programs to educate homeowners onvarious topics.
The event was first held in the U of M sports coliseum for afew years until moving to the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds because it neededto expand.
Nowakowski said the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds have been flexible to allow people to have the better part of the week to set up more elaborate displays like water features, brick patios with fire pits, gazebos, etc.
There have been some changes over the years.
The Farm Council Grounds has added new technology such asWi-Fi and an overhead sound system throughout the seven buildings.
Now that we are offering hourly live presentations, we are able to have them announced for all the visitors to make their way to the presentation area in Building E, without having to watch the clock too closely, Nowakowski said.
There were some challenges over the years as well, such as the tornado that touched down in Dexter in 2012.
The event used to have an exhibitor that would bring farm animals, but that has since changed.
The event used to also be open on Fridays, but Nowakowski said theyve moved it to Saturday and Sunday only to ease the schedule of the exhibitors, many of whom have to set up and take down multiple shows per year.
This year Nowakowski said they have some new food trucks like Smokehouse 52 and RaysRed Hots, as well as returning favoritesBearClaw Coffee and the Girl Scouts making food in Building A.
One other big change we cant miss to mention is a big reason for the event.
And of course the trends! Nowakowski said. Homes look different now than in 1990. If they dont, then people probably should come to the show to look into making some updates.
This year there are also a few new exhibitors and a couple cool new things will be found in Building F, where they typically have the most elaborate outdoor displays and food trucks.
This year a custom built She-Shed to benefit the ChadTough Foundation will be on display, Nowakowski said.
He said it is sponsored by MANS Lumber & Millwork, and was built with the intention of auctioning it off at the ChadTough Champions Gala in May with proceeds being donated to ChadTough. (www.ChadTough.org)
Another cool thing will be the Ann Arbor Schools Student-Built Doghouse, which will be under construction in Building F. Visitors can meet some of the students who are now enrolled in the Ann Arbor Student Building Industry Program, which Nowakowski said is considered one of the best programs of its kind in the country.
They have built a new home every year for the past 50years, and we are talking about very nice homes, he said. The schools arealways looking for more young people interested in this experience, whichoffers highly-desired skills many employers are looking for, as well as amemorable experience learning from real contractors and excellentcoaches/instructors!
Details can be found atwww.AAStudentBuilding.org.
With all of that and more, Nowakowski said the event is reallya community one with a lot of cool things for different people.
He said youll find a lot of local companies that are world-class at what they do, who contribute back to the community and are investing time exhibiting at the show, so local homeowners have trustworthy professionals for their next project.
Its inspiring to come out to see the creativity of thedisplays, and see you neighbors getting ideas of what to add to their homes,Nowakowski said. We make it a fun event with live presentations, food trucksand concessions by the Girl Scouts, prize drawings, and interactive displays.Youll discover lots of new things and have a head start on many of yourprojects aftercoming to the Home Show.
More information, including an event program categorizingthe vendors and exhibitors, can be found atBRAGHomeShow.com.
The event is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday,March 21 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday March 22. Admission is $5, cash onlyand ages 12 and under is free. Enter at building G.
Its located at 5055 Ann Arbor Saline Road in Ann Arbor.
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30 years of the Home, Garden & Lifestyle Show - thesuntimesnews.com
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March 3, 2020 by
Mr HomeBuilder
OGDENSBURG -- With Major League Fishings Bass Pro Tour making its way to Ogdensburg June 26 to July 1, its planning committee will be offering a unique way to pay tribute to the citys past and present anglers in a special display that will take place during the events festivities.
The display, titled Fishing For Memories - A Tribute To Past, Present Anglers On The St. Lawrence River will be held at the gazebo in Library Park June 26-June 28 to be viewed by the public during its three days of planned festivities called Greenbelt Bass Bash. The plaques will be unveiled Friday, June 26 at noon.
Cost for an 8-inch bass is $20; 10-inch bass are $25 and 12-inch bass are $30. All proceeds will help offset costs associated with the MLF festivities.
Submission forms can be found at the Dobisky Center, 100 Riverside Ave., Ogdensburg, the City of Ogdensburgs website at http://www.ogdensburg.org or the Ogdensburg Parks & Recreation Department Facebook page at Ogdensburg City Recreation.
Forms with payment must be dropped off to the Dobisky Center Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. or be mailed to that location. Checks can be made out to Ogdensburg Parks & Recreation Department. Make sure that the forms are filled out completely and are legible.
Plaques can also be ordered online at the Ogdensburg Kiwanis Clubs website at https://www.kiwanisclubofogdensburg.org/user/programs/8904/registrants/new for an additional processing fee of $2. However, the only available option for online purchasing is the 8-inch bass. At the website, Kiwanis will ask buyers to create an account. When that is complete, buyers should go to registrations and click on Fishing Memories and fill out the form.
Deadline for submissions with payment will be May 22 at 4 p.m. to allow the plaques to be produced in time for the event. Once the festival is over on June 30, the plaques can be picked up at the Dobisky Center.
More info: Matthew Curatolo, Ogdensburg Parks & Recreation Department, 315-393-1980.
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St. Lawrence River fishing tribute part of Major League Bass Pro Tour event in Ogdensburg June 26-July 1 - North Country Now
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March 3, 2020 by
Mr HomeBuilder
Whether it's the feeling of space, the beautiful old timbers or the fact that they generally come with great outdoor areas, converted barns are perennially popular. James Fisher picks out some of the finest for sale across the country right now.
Hidden down a long driveway at the foot of the Cotswold Hills, Peasebrook Farm is the perfect barn for the equestrian-obsessed owner. The facilities would make Paul Nicholls blush, with extensive lorry parking, a mirrored outdoor arena, a mirrored indoor arena, a lunge ring and 23 stables.
Inside, the house has three bedrooms and two bathrooms, which surround a 47ft reception room and open-plan kitchen.
For sale with Strutt & Parker. See more pictures and details about this property.
Whats better than a barn conversion? Well, a barn and grain-store conversion, naturally. Situated in a private, gated development in the village of Little Wymondley, The Granary was converted in 2005 to provide 2,600sq ft of accommodation on two floors.
The highlight is surely the grain store, which, on the ground floor, has a bespoke rounded kitchen, with a circular sitting room on the floor above. Four bedrooms and bathrooms sit either side of the double-height family room that occupies the middle of the property.
For sale with Michael Graham. See more pictures and details about this property.
Would you like to arrive at your property by driving over a bridge? Of course you would, and The New Barn near Hever, Kent, provides just that opportunity. Formal and informal entertaining are the key features, with large open-plan sitting and dining rooms complemented by terraces within the landscaped gardens for warmer months.
The New Barn comes with four bedrooms and two bathrooms, and the master suite has a roll-top bath from which to enjoy views over the countryside.
For sale with Savills. See more pictures and details about this property.
This barn near Chorley dates back to 1832, but the refurbishment job has only just been completed this is on a small development of new homes. And while that might cut down the romance of the place, it makes up with it in other ways.
The space inside is beautifully-finished, but its the outdoor areas which really grab the attention particularly the enormous patio area with a large, timber gazebo.
For sale with Regan & Hallworth. See more pictures and details about this property.
There are some barn conversions where, after stepping over the threshold, its hard to imagine that the place was anything other than a home. Thats emphatically not the case at Church Barn, in thethe pretty village of Waltham St. Lawrence, where the original structure has been made the star of the show.
The huge vaulted reception room really is something else and underfloor heating should keep it feeling warm, despite the height of the ceiling. There are three further reception rooms, five bedrooms and a pool in a huge house which boasts almost 5,000 sq ft.
For sale with Savills. See more pictures and details about this property.
Lavenham has long been a jewel in Suffolks crown and the delightful timber-frame Priory Farm Court must surely be one of the reasons why.
Standing within well-maintained and picturesque gardens, the property offers three bedrooms and three bathrooms over two floors, with a magnificent double-height dining hall, kitchen/breakfast room and study, all finished to a high specification.
For sale with Jackson-Stops. See more pictures and details about this property.
Catch up on the best country houses for sale this week that have come to the market via Country Life.
We take a look at the finest country houses, castles and estates for sale in Scotland
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Six converted barns for sale which offer history, beauty and tranquility - Country Life
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March 3, 2020 by
Mr HomeBuilder
A EUROMILLIONS winner walked free from court today despite attacking her ex - after saying her win had been a "mixed blessing".
Gillian Bayford, 47, yanked toyboy Gavin Innes off the stairs at her mansion believing he had not looked after her children properly.
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The EuroMillions winner who shared the record-breaking win in 2012 with ex-husband Adrian was originally accused of battering domestic abuse campaigner Gavin Innes, 46, three times while they were dating in 2017.
The mum-of-two man-handled Gavin, pushing and shoving him before one of her friends drove him home.
Firey former hospital cleaner Gillian flipped again just four days later shoving her then lover inside her Audi Q7 as they continued to row over the babysitting.
The mum admitted the attacks today - taking her from one of Britains biggest ever jackpot winners to a criminal conviction in just seven years.
She could have faced up to 12-months in jail and a 5,000 fine but instead was let-off with no punishment.
The court heard how Gavin had conducted "a vendetta" against her - including a horrific campaign of online abuse, which he denies.
Bayfords solicitor Murdo MacLeod QC dominated the hearing, using his mitigation to claim Mr Innes had targeted Gillian for her fortune.
In an extraordinary attack on the attack victim, he claimed Mr Innes had treated Gillian as his pension fund and had put HIS client through hell on Earth.
The QC also hinted a harsh punishment could harm super-rich Mrs Bayfords charity work.
Mr MacLeod added: My anxiety in the conviction is that there may be some impact on the extent to which these charities are allowed to have some relationship with her.
He said the lottery win had been "a mixed blessing" for her adding: "It placed a great strain on her marriage and she split up from her husband in 2013.
Victim Mr Innes, who had been due to give evidence, had no representation in court. It meant he was given no opportunity to respond to the claims.Property tycoon Bayford, of Broughty Ferry, Tayside, had been due to face trial at Dundee Sheriff Court but instead admitted a lesser offence following negotiations with prosecutors.
Sheriff Lorna Drummond refused to grant an absolute discharge.
The mum admitted a domestically aggravated statutory breach of the peace -- by struggling with him, shouting at him, and pushing him on two occasions on the 1st and 5th of October 2017.
Bayford met Gavin in school and they embarked on a relationship after he asked her to help with a charity he was starting for male victims of domestic abuse.
He still campaigns on Facebook and Twitter to raise awareness of the problem.
Gillian then fell for convicted fraudster Brian Deans,who once pinched 13,500 from Tesco.
They married near St Andrews, in August 2018 - six years to the day after landing her lottery jackpot.
Gillian scooped 148million with then hubby Adrian, 47, in 2012 and the pair celebrated the staggering win with Dominos pizza.
But the couple separated 15 months later after nine years of marriage with the cash split equally between them.
The ex-hospital cleaner moved back to her native Scotland from Suffolk with their two children and launched a property business.
She spent millions buying homes to rent out, and bought a cafe, "Sugar and Spice", in Arbroath.
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But the cafe shut in 2016 - putting 21 staff out of work - after reporting a 129,000 loss.
Last month it emerged she has forked out almost 1.2million on a Victorian mansion with six bedrooms and a footie pitch-sized garden.
The lavish home near Dundee also boasts Tay views, three reception rooms, a gazebo, triple garage and greenhouse.
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EuroMillions winner Gillian Bayford says 148m win was mixed blessing as she admits threatening ex in baby - The Sun
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March 3, 2020 by
Mr HomeBuilder
The nationally active design firm TheArchitectural Team (TAT) has announced five valuable projects and trends that will impactAmerican cities this year. From the first U.S. property for global hospitality group Raffles, tolarge-scale public housing transformations and 1 million-square-foot Rust Belt landmark, thesenew and in-process works reveal the power of innovative design solutions to makecommunities more livable, more exciting, and more resilient.
As we enter the new decade, our designers and clients alike see a growing emphasis onprojects intended to keep neighborhoods affordable, and an interest in both time-tested andnew design solutions to address housing shortages, says TAT principal Robert Verrier, FAIA,NCARB. We also anticipate important milestones for major projects transformingurban cores, a renewed resurgence in smaller cities, and forward-thinking approachesto resilient waterfront developments.
Building on these ideas, here are five stories that will play out through 2020 and beyond,according to TATs experts:
1) The affordability puzzle: Keeping neighborhoods accessible
In growing cities nationwide, the displacement of longtime residents has emerged as a majorconcern. "To keep neighborhoods affordable and accessible, says TAT principal MichaelBinette, AIA, NCARB, were working with developers, non-profits, and public officials toexpand or redevelop existing affordable and workforce housing developments adding moreresidential units while preserving affordability and dramatically enhancing livability."
As an example, Jay Szymanski, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP points to TAT's redevelopment of one of the country's oldest public housing communities, SouthBoston's The Anne M. LynchHomes at Old Colony. Work is now underway to add a further 301 apartments to the 285residences built since 2011, which replaced midcentury superblocks with a series of attractivemid-rise buildings and townhomes. In nearby Roxbury, the firms redevelopment of the 1950s-era Whittier Street Apartments created a new amenity rich, mixed-income, transit-oriented multifamily campus with 210 affordable units out of 386 total and an emphasis onoutdoor community space.
Other soon-to-open projects will serve specific populations that often struggle to find housingand support. TATs 102-unit Residences at Brighton Marine, for instance, is leasing witha dedicated focus on veterans and their families, and offers 86 affordable homes including anumber of apartments set aside for formerly homeless veterans.
2) Adaptive reuse, prefab construction help address housing shortages
Faced with a persistent shortage in housing supply across the U.S., architects and developersare responding with solutions that demonstrate the continued value of adaptive reuse, and thebenefits of new approaches including prefabricated and modular construction.
Across the northeast, TAT is reactivating formerly vacant or underutilized structures as newhousing. In Attleboro, Massachusetts, the firm has converted a historic jewelry factory into 93units of senior housing called Sterling Lofts, offering important rental options for the statesrapidly growing over-60 population.
At Bostons R o p e w a l k , a previously vacant landmark rope factory will soon offer 97 rentalapartments the sixth historic residential conversion by TAT within the Charlestown NavyYard redevelopment. InBoston's South End,100 Shawmut maximizes the potential of its siteby adding a seven-story contemporary addition to a historic warehouse, for a total of 138 newcondominium units. Integrating adaptive reuse and new construction is a great way to addresshousing shortages while respecting a neighborhoods character, says TAT project managerTom Schultz, AIA, NCARB. Were able to create value for the community by preservinghistoric fabric and looking to the future at the same time."
Other cities are exploring highly efficient approaches to infill development, includingprefabricated construction. In Quincy, Massachusetts, TAT is transforming a parking lot into a15-story, 124-unit tower called Chestnut Place where locally fabricated modules havedramatically increased speed to market for these much-needed homes.
3) New residential and mixed-use opportunities transform urban cores
"With new air rights developments, hotel towers, and uniquely positioned residentialproperties, many urban cores are set for major transformations in 2020 as closely watched andlong-awaited projects reach major milestones, says Michael Liu, AIA, NCARB, a principal at TAT.
For example, one of Bostons biggest real estate stories in a generation, Fenway Center, willsoon cross a watershed moment with its first phase approaching completion and its secondphase on track to kick off this year. TATs design for this 1.3 million-square-foot air rightscomplex adds housing, commercial office space, and retail uses while decking over a majorhighway and reconnecting three neighborhoods with new green space, public art, andpedestrian and transit connections. The first phase, Bower, offers 312 apartments, 37,000square feet of retail, and 12,000 square feet of public open space.
A hotel boom continues, too, with one of the northeast's most eagerly anticipated mixed-usetowers - the Raffles Boston Back Bay Hotel & Residences, designed by TAT for theprestigious international hospitality group and developer Trinity Stuart LLC. After a fall 2018groundbreaking, the 33-story high-rise is now under construction, transforming a prime cornersite into a regional destination as the first mixed-use Raffles property in the United States.
Design teams are also unlocking new opportunities in dense, built-up areas where large sitesare hard to find. In Bostons historic Beacon Hill neighborhood, TAT's A r c h e r R e s i d e n c e s reimagines two six-story former university buildings as a single, 172,000-square-foot residential property topped off with a pair of contemporary penthouse additions and asweeping landscaped roof terrace.
4) On the rise: Smaller cities poised for resurgence
Identified by commercial real estate services group Commercial Cafe as one of thecountrys fastest-growing Rust Belt cities, Rochester, NY is on a path towards a new era ofsuccess. One of the linchpins of this recovery is Sibley Square, the TAT-designedconversion of a 1-million-square-foot former downtown department store into housing, acommunity marketplace, and high-tech workplace environments. A major indoor market is setto open within the phased, WinnDevelopment-led project this year.
Smaller gateway cities like Worcester, MA, are on the upswing too, thanks to projectslike Courthouse Lofts, TAT's conversion of the historic Worcester County Courthouse into117 units of housing. Nearing completion, the Trinity Financial-led property also holds a first-in-the-nation museum celebrating local icon and pioneering African-American cyclist MajorTaylor.
5) New waterfront developments boost resiliency, enhance public access
Increasingly vulnerable, flood-prone urban waterfronts remain desirable sites for newresidential and mixed-use development. Forward-thinking design teams are taking a holisticapproach to these projects, employing hard and soft approaches to shoreline design, strategiclandscaping, and elevated public use areas. The result? Properties that can absorb stormsurges while enhancing the public realm and long-term viability.
TATs recently opened Clippership Wharf, a 12-acre, 478-unit mixed-use complexdeveloped by Lendlease in East Boston, has garnered national attention for this approach,which also offers residents and community members access to a harborwalk, beachfront areaand floating dock with a kayak launch.
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2020 Building Preview: TAT Unveils 5 Big Things We'll See This Year | The Architectural Team - Archinect
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