Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Photo courtesy of the Lake Highlands YMCA.

The Lake Highlands Family YMCA has kicked off a year- long renovation and expansion project allowing the branch to serve more families in the community by updating existing areas and adding more than 15,000 square feet.

The project will be broken into three phases in order to keep the branch operational during construction. The first phase, renovating the indoor pool, has begun. The expanded six-lane pool will allow for more space for water aerobics, swim lessons and YMCA swim team, plus there will be recreational swim time for families scheduled throughout the year. The remodeled indoor lap pool is expected to open in time for summer, by early June 2020.

The Lake Highlands YMCA is proud to celebrate our 20-year anniversary at this location and we are excited to make improvements that will allow us to expand our services to match the needs of this rapidly growing community, said Brian Haines, Executive Director of the Lake Highlands YMCA. Our pool is one of the most loved features at this branch as we use it to teach kids and adults lifesaving swim lessons, for swim team and for exercise. The upgrade to the pool will allow us to expand these offerings and is just the beginning of the bigger changes to come in 2020.

A groundbreaking event will be held at the branch on March 3 to launch the next larger phase of the expansion. In addition to the expanded building, renovations of the existing space will allow the Y to offer the community two larger group exercise rooms, a dedicated state-of-the-art cycle room, a larger Childwatch room, an expanded wellness center with additional equipment and more seating and congregation areas.

All indoor areas, including the gym and locker rooms, will also be updated. The expanded Lake Highlands YMCA facility will offer new programs including but not limited to youth dance, martial arts, holiday camps, family nights, teen programming, health seminars, and more recreational and social programming for seniors. The updates are expected to be completed by the end of 2020.

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Let's hear it for the LH YMCA renovations, expansions under way - Advocate Media

Dividend paying stocks like Empire Company Limited (TSE:EMP.A) tend to be popular with investors, and for good reason - some research suggests a significant amount of all stock market returns come from reinvested dividends. Yet sometimes, investors buy a popular dividend stock because of its yield, and then lose money if the company's dividend doesn't live up to expectations.

A slim 1.5% yield is hard to get excited about, but the long payment history is respectable. At the right price, or with strong growth opportunities, Empire could have potential. The company also bought back stock during the year, equivalent to approximately 0.6% of the company's market capitalisation at the time. Some simple analysis can reduce the risk of holding Empire for its dividend, and we'll focus on the most important aspects below.

Explore this interactive chart for our latest analysis on Empire!

TSX:EMP.A Historical Dividend Yield, February 7th 2020

Dividends are typically paid from company earnings. If a company pays more in dividends than it earned, then the dividend might become unsustainable - hardly an ideal situation. Comparing dividend payments to a company's net profit after tax is a simple way of reality-checking whether a dividend is sustainable. Empire paid out 39% of its profit as dividends, over the trailing twelve month period. This is a middling range that strikes a nice balance between paying dividends to shareholders, and retaining enough earnings to invest in future growth. Plus, there is room to increase the payout ratio over time.

We also measure dividends paid against a company's levered free cash flow, to see if enough cash was generated to cover the dividend. Empire's cash payout ratio last year was 17%. Cash flows are typically lumpy, but this looks like an appropriately conservative payout. It's encouraging to see that the dividend is covered by both profit and cash flow. This generally suggests the dividend is sustainable, as long as earnings don't drop precipitously.

We update our data on Empire every 24 hours, so you can always get our latest analysis of its financial health, here.

One of the major risks of relying on dividend income, is the potential for a company to struggle financially and cut its dividend. Not only is your income cut, but the value of your investment declines as well - nasty. Empire has been paying dividends for a long time, but for the purpose of this analysis, we only examine the past 10 years of payments. During this period the dividend has been stable, which could imply the business could have relatively consistent earnings power. During the past ten-year period, the first annual payment was CA$0.23 in 2010, compared to CA$0.48 last year. Dividends per share have grown at approximately 7.5% per year over this time.

Businesses that can grow their dividends at a decent rate and maintain a stable payout can generate substantial wealth for shareholders over the long term.

While dividend payments have been relatively reliable, it would also be nice if earnings per share (EPS) were growing, as this is essential to maintaining the dividend's purchasing power over the long term. It's good to see Empire has been growing its earnings per share at 23% a year over the past five years. With high earnings per share growth in recent times and a modest payout ratio, we think this is an attractive combination if earnings can be reinvested to generate further growth.

Story continues

When we look at a dividend stock, we need to form a judgement on whether the dividend will grow, if the company is able to maintain it in a wide range of economic circumstances, and if the dividend payout is sustainable. Firstly, we like that Empire has low and conservative payout ratios. That said, we were glad to see it growing earnings and paying a fairly consistent dividend. Empire has met all of our criteria, including having strong cash flow that covers the dividend. We definitely think it would be worthwhile looking closer.

Earnings growth generally bodes well for the future value of company dividend payments. See if the 8 Empire analysts we track are forecasting continued growth with our free report on analyst estimates for the company.

Looking for more high-yielding dividend ideas? Try our curated list of dividend stocks with a yield above 3%.

If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned.

We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading.

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The Case For Empire Company Limited (TSE:EMP.A): Could It Be A Nice Addition To Your Dividend Portfolio? - Yahoo Finance

The Eagles announced eight changes to their coaching staff on Thursday.

Along with adding passing game coordinator to quarterbacks coach Press Taylors title, the Eagles also filled all of their position coach openings.

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Taylor will still be in charge of the grooming the quarterback position, but will also replace Mike Groh, the formerly titled offensive coordinator, with his new responsibilities.

Matt Burke, who was previously a special assistant on defense, will replace Phillip Daniels as the defensive line coach. He will also hold the title of run game coordinator on defense.

Former Vanderbilt wide receivers coach Aaron Moorehead will fill the same opening in Philadelphia, replacing Carson Walch. Former Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Marquand Manuel will serve as the teams defensive backs coach, replacing Cory Undlin, who was named the Detroit Lions defensive coordinator earlier this month.

In addition to those moves, the Eagles hired former Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello in the role of senior offensive assistant. Former Fordham coach and Mississippi State passing game coordinator Andrew Breiner has been hired as a passing game analyst.

T.J. Paganetti (assistant run game coordinator/assistant running backs coach) and Dino Vasso (assistant coordinator/defense), who have been with the team for multiple seasons, were both given promotions and new titles.

Here are some quick thoughts on each move:

Rich Scangarello - Senior Offensive Assistant

Scangarello is a seasoned college and NFL quarterbacks coach with offensive coordinator experience. His role will be to infuse new ideas into the offensive game-planning structure and assist Eagles coach Doug Pederson in constructing the offense. Scangarello has a proven history of developing quarterbacks like Drew Lock, Nick Mullens, Brandon Allen and Jimmy Garoppolo at the NFL level. He could serve as a seasoned presence in the quarterback room. His use of virtual reality technology could help develop Wentz even further.

Press Taylor - Passing Game Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach

Taylor is seemingly being primed for something bigger down the road. While he isnt the offensive coordinator in title, he will essentially be doing what Groh did at the helm. Taylor has a strong relationship with Wentz, so this move allows for continuity in his development. Its Pedersons offense and he is the offensive coordinator (essentially), so everything falls on him if the unit struggles moving forward.

Matt Burke - Run Game Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach

This one is a little surprising. The longtime Jim Schwartz disciple will have a new NFL responsibility on his plate this year. While he is clearly Schwartzs top assistant, he has never coached the defensive line at the NFL level. However, he is raved about as a teacher behind the scenes and has a background as a defensive coordinator. Former players have praised his ability to be direct with his criticisms and instructions.

Marquand Manuel - Defensive Backs Coach

Manuel played a role in the development of the Legion of Boom during the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl runs a few years ago. He was also the defensive backs coach for the Falcons during their most successful period of the last decade. Manuel is a former NFL safety who has been praised for his ability to relate to his players.

Aaron Moorehead - Wide Receivers Coach

Moorehead has coached in the college ranks since retiring as an NFL player in 2009. The former wide receiver won a Super Bowl ring with the Indianapolis Colts during his playing days. He should command the respect of his pupils due to his high-level playing experience. He has coached and developed current NFL receivers like Josh Reynolds, Damion Ratley and Christian Kirk during his career.

Andrew Breiner - Pass Game Analyst

Breiner has experience as a play-caller at the college level. He will provide support for Taylor and Pederson in the passing game.

T.J. Paganetti - Assistant Run Game Coordinator/Assistant Running Backs Coach

Paganetti was promoted to assistant running backs coach last year. He will work with run game coordinator and offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland to perfect the running game with Duce Staley. Paganetti is clearly seen as a rising star on the staff.

Dino Vasso - Assistant Coordinator/Defense

Vasso has been with the Eagles since 2016. He previously served as the assistant secondary coach under Undlin. He will now work with Schwartz, Manuel and safeties coach Tim Hauck with an improved title. Like Paganetti, Vasso is a fast riser in the organization.

Get Eagles text messages from reporters: Cut through the clutter of social media and text directly with the Eagles beat writers. Plus, exclusive news and analysis every day. Sign up now for a free trial.

Mike Kaye may be reached at mkaye@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Mike_E_Kaye. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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Eagles announce 8 changes to coaching staff | Thoughts on each move, including the addition of run game coord - NJ.com

By Sarah Handy, Staff Writer

Michael Self celebrated in victory lane on Saturday evening at Daytona International Speedway but Hailie Deegan, her second place felt like a victory.

The California native finished second in her first ARCA race at the 2.5-mile superspeedway in Saturdays Lucas Oil 200, tying the likes of Erin Crocker and Shawna Robinson for the best finish by a female in an ARCA event.

Second is winning this weekend, said Deegan post-race. Pretty much at the end there, all I wanted to do was finish. My goal for this race was top three to top-five was a victory for me.

One has to time warp all the way back to 1999 for the last time this took place.

Robinson finished second at Daytona that year, while Crocker finished second on three occasions in her career.

18-year old Deegan will add more superspeedway experience to her racing resume in 2020 when Talladega Superspeedway rolls around in April.

There is always room for improvement and room for learning. I think at Talladega I am still going to kind of go over everything and try to learn as much as I can from this race. Every single race I have learned something new.

She will run the full ARCA schedule in the No. 4 Monster Energy Ford Fusion for DGR Crosley.

In addition, she will also compete in select Michelin Pilot Challenge IMSA races in a Ford Mustang GT.

Now that shes finished second at Daytona, shes focused on preparing for the next event at Phoenix Raceway.

I am definitely going to be on the sim a lot and watching footage and going over everything I need to for there. Ive raced at Phoenix before. We have a new title sponsor for the car there and I would love to have a good run there.

Deegans move to Ford Performance a homecoming

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Hailie Deegan 'All I wanted to do was finish' Brings it home second in ARCA opener - Kickin' the Tires

North Stonington The Marcia Thompson Schoolhouse will open to the public on Presidents Dayfor an afternoon involving colonial attire, pies, and recognition of the one-room building's namesake.

The schoolhouse, built in 1819 and now situated at 63 Main St., is on the property that Alicia Smith moved to last year.

She and her sister, Marlisa McLaughlin, are utilizing the schoolhouse to carry on the message of literacy from their grandfather Jim Henry, who learned how to read at 91.

"Every time we open the school, which has been twice already, it seems that there's just so much feedback from the public that they want more and more," Smith said. She and McLaughlin thought Presidents' Day would be the perfect time because kids and teachers are off, and for the historical element.

Smith recalls learning a lot about presidents when she was in school, but she feels that has fallen by the wayside.

The schoolhouse will be open from noon to 3 p.m. on Presidents Day, which is Monday, Feb. 17, with a bell-ringing at the beginning and a tribute to Thompson at 2 p.m. Thompson taught in one-room schoolhouses from 1911 to 1950 and then at North Stonington Elementary School.

McLaughlin said she was contacted by some of Thompson's descendants, and they have some photographs they'd like to share.

The sisters plan to have people dressed as George and Martha Washington, in addition to their own period attire, and the pie ladies of the Congregational Church of North Stonington will be selling what McLaughlin said she calls "a No-Lie Cherry Pie, because George Washington didn't lie." Smith said there will be a rock-painting table, as well.

McLaughlin said she also willhave available copies of her grandfather's memoir, "In a Fisherman's Language." She said the plan is to continue to have periodic openings at the schoolhouse after Presidents Day.

More information can be found on the Facebook page Gigi's Magic Schoolhouse, namedfor Smith's granddaughter.

e.moser@theday.com

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theday.com - New London and southeastern Connecticut News, Sports, Business, Entertainment and Video - theday.com

A new Monster Hunter World update was released today by CAPCOM, bringing the game's version to 11.5 on PC (which recently got the Iceborne expansion).

Content-wise, the main addition of this Monster Hunter World update is all about the new Rajang monster, which is supposed to be a challenge even for the most experienced hunters.

AMD to Offer Up to 3 Games with RX 5000 Cards, Including Resident Evil 3 and MHW: Iceborne

There are also a bunch of PC specific additions, such as increased frame rate options, tweaks to the camera when using mouse and keyboard, and more.

The Monster Hunter World update 11.5 weighs roughly 2GB, though those who use the high-resolution textures pack will have to accommodate an extra 1.9GB on top of that. You may find the update's highlights below, while the full changelog can be read on the official website.

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Monster Hunter World Update 11.5 Out Now on PC, Adds Rajang and Frame Rate Options - Wccftech

Latest Study on Industrial Growth ofGlobal LED Indoor Lighting Market2019-2025. A detailed study accumulated to offerLatest insights about acute features of the LED Indoor Lighting market. The report contains different market predictions related to market size, revenue, production, CAGR, Consumption, gross margin, price, and other substantial factors. While emphasizing the key driving and restraining forces for this market, the report also offers a complete study of the future trends and developments of the market. It also examines the role of the leading market players involved in the industry including their corporate overview, financial summary and SWOT analysis.

The Major Players Covered in this Report: Philips, Osram, Cree, GE Lighting, MaxLite, Hugewin, Gemcore, Westinghouse, DECO Lighting, XtraLight, RAB Lighting, Havells Sylvania, Toshiba, Acuity Brands, Emerson Electric, LSI, Bravoled, Hubbell Lighting & Ligman Lighting

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About Author:HTF Market Report is a wholly owned brand of HTF market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited. HTF Market Report global research and market intelligence consulting organization is uniquely positioned to not only identify growth opportunities but to also empower and inspire you to create visionary growth strategies for futures, enabled by our extraordinary depth and breadth of thought leadership, research, tools, events and experience that assist you for making goals into a reality. Our understanding of the interplay between industry convergence, Mega Trends, technologies and market trends provides our clients with new business models and expansion opportunities. We are focused on identifying the Accurate Forecast in every industry we cover so our clients can reap the benefits of being early market entrants and can accomplish their Goals & Objectives.

Contact US :Craig Francis (PR & Marketing Manager)HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private LimitedUnit No. 429, Parsonage Road Edison, NJNew Jersey USA 08837Phone: +1 (206) 317 1218sales@htfmarketreport.com

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LED Indoor Lighting Market Update: Uncover the Business Strategies of Leaders & Laggards of the Market - Reporting 99

This home is the pinnacle of modern country living, boasting an array of recent upgrades such as the remodeled quartzscape plaster pool, professional putting green, bocce ball court, an exquisitely laid Oklahoma Flagstone courtyard and waterfall, shingle roof, travertine and wood flooring. Just 7 minutes to downtown Napa, this oasis sits tucked away behind a private electric gate and driveway! The luxurious craftsmanship of this 2,517 sq ft single story residence offers a unique balance of indoor, outdoor living space perfect for entertaining guests or enjoying the tranquility of the spacious 1.07 acre estate. The kitchen is fit for the finest of sous chefs, showcasing a 48 inch professional capital range, culinary series with 6 burners, griddle, double convection ovens, beautifully laid marble backsplash, and large island with farmhouse sink. With more luxurious upgrades, excellent school district, nearby world famous restaurants, and wineries this home surpasses all expectations!

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Homes Recently Listed in the Napa Valley | Home and Garden - Napa Valley Register

Last month, Las Vegas hosted roughly 100,000 attendees for Design and Construction Week. The event, which included more than 1,400 exhibitors spanning more than 600,000 square feet of event space at the Las Vegas Convention Center, serves as the official kickoff to what's new in the building and construction industry for many brands. While mostly geared toward builders, designers, architects and other trade professionals, it serves as a window into new innovations relating to the industry. Here are a few of this year's trends.

Energy efficiency

Energy efficiency dominated new rollouts for many building suppliers, especially with HVAC, insulation and hot waters systems. Nearly every manufacturer in this category touted a new product that offers a more environmentally friendly approach. This ranged from tankless hot water systems and low-emission furnaces to insulation made from materials such as sugar.

Home automation

While not new for 2020, home automation seems to be a focus for many brands in expanding into more rooms of the home, especially in kitchens and bathrooms. Some smart bathrooms had features in which one can preprogram their morning routine to include lighting preferences and even a shower that automatically turns on to a certain temperature.

Unique materials

Wood, especially reclaimed barnwood or responsibly harvested wood, was a popular material, as was porcelain. Durable and nonporous, porcelain for both indoor and outdoor flooring needs remained with many companies introducing porcelain as a modern kitchen countertop solution.

Rebranding

Las Vegas Design and Construction Week is essentially the convergence of two huge shows in one, the NAHB International Builders' Show (IBS) and NKBA's Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS). It is billed as "the largest annual gathering of the residential construction and design industry." As such, the biggest brands showcase their products and promote their brands. Several took the opportunity to unveil new looks, that are fresh, modern and edgy.

Cathy Hobbs, based in New York City, is an Emmy Award-winning television host and a nationally known interior design and home staging expert with offices in New York City, Boston and Washington, D.C. Contact her at info@cathyhobbs.com or visit her website at http://www.cathyhobbs.com.

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Design Recipes: Watch for these construction building trends - The Providence Journal

Side by side with the trends comes the hype. Then, the myths start to appear. It was like that with the internet, smartphones and now with the smart home concept. Wherever you go, everybody seems to have something to say about techy houses and how integrated, futuristic and automated they are. Still, plenty of consumers really dont know much about them, or if they really can improve your life at home.

Such information blur is even bigger when it comes to money and energy savings. Buyers not only want to know if smart homes are useful but also want to figure out if they will increase or reduce their electricity bills. If that sounds like you, why not jump to the facts and see what the world has been saying about it? Experts, international organizations and companies have researched connected homes for the past few years, and its time for us to finally discover whether smart homes can help you save money on your utilities.

Before we dive in, its essential to keep in mind what makes a house a smart home. The idea of home automation is part of the Internet of Things (IoT) concept, which is somewhat self-explanatory. IoT basically means giving life to objects by using an internet connection so they can have extra features. In other words, a smart house is an integrated system of intelligent devices.

From smart light bulbs to virtual assistants, a smart home provides the environment for you to monitor and model your life at home and make it more practical. The concept was quite abstract until tech brands such as Apple, Google, Microsoft, Samsung and Amazon started selling smart gadgets for the whole house, from washing machines to speakers. Such creations let consumers use their phones as remote controls and turn the house itself into a tech device.

Okay, theyre smart, practical and innovative. But can they also be energy-efficient? Lets see some examples below and learn if smart homes can also save you money on your bills.

Sensors can open doors, turn the lights on or off, and even set the temperature in a room, so there must be a reason why we use them everywhere, right? Yes, and heres a tip: Its not only because they are super-practical at home. Such devices are highly energy-efficient and can save plenty of electricity.

According to the United Kingdoms Carbon Trust, occupancy sensors, which can identify if a person is in the room, can reduce energy use by 30 percent. Daylight sensors are even more efficient and can lower your usage by up to 40 percent.

Another interesting data fact from the U.K. was presented by the Kings College London. In 2013, the university cut its lighting energy use by nearly 90 percent as a result of the installation of sensor-controlled indoor lighting. According to the projects developers, the institution will save 6,349 British pounds (around $8,037 in the U.S.) every year on electricity bills.

Smart power strips, or smart power bars, may not be the first thing that comes to your mind when you think about a smart home. Dont let their conventional appearance fool you, though. These gadgets can block energy to your devices while they are in standby mode, which is an overlooked yet significant energy-saving tool.

As reported by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), standby mode accounts for 10 percent of residential electricity usage. A smart power strip, then, will help you lower your bills considerably by blocking this silent, energy-consuming function at home. Imagine never again having to worry about unplugging devices.

Long, hot showers are relaxing and energizing, but also highly energy-inefficient. Thats why experts decided to create intelligent shower time limiters, which let you have the best of both worlds: the warmth of a relaxing shower with a limit to it.

Shower time limiters can boost your water savings up to 50 percent, according to some brands. As Showerguard states on its website, smart timers can save up to 20 percent on your utility bills and hundreds of dollars within a year, which is exceptional payback time.

Such devices allow you to set the time you want to spend in the shower, and it will tell you when its time to close the faucet. Whats more, they can be a helpful tool if you are looking for eco-friendly renovations at home.

Smart thermostats are perhaps the best example of what home automation means in both technological and energy-saving terms. These devices are highly integrated with phones or tablets, and let you monitor and set your homes temperature by distance.

Still, their list of features goes way beyond remote access. Smart thermostats can send you energy usage reports regularly and even create charts for you to check historical data. Over and above, all these functions will save you about 15 percent on your energy bills, according to Canadas Global News.

Even energy monitors got a makeover with the home automation trend. These gadgets can provide users with insights about their energy use and home activity. If you have a solar-powered system, for example, they can even measure solar production versus electricity consumption.

Thanks to the mobile integration, you can track everything regarding energy usage from your phone, including which devices are costing you more money and related reports. There are even open source options if youre into DIY projects. Many consumers have created their own smart energy monitors using modular Raspberry Pi computers.

Products such as the LG SmartView counter-depth refrigerator apply the IoT concept to one of the most traditional machines at home. This fridge sends you mobile notifications when the door is left open and is integrated with an app that lets you monitor, for example, if you have ice in the freezer or check the temperature. It can get even smarter if you connect it to Google Assistant.

Another good old device with an intelligent twist to it is the Samsung WW9000 washing machine. This clothes washer comes with the ecobubble technology, which allows users to cut down the amount of warm water needed to clean clothes. In other words, it can save both water and heating costs. The smart features are boosted by Wi-Fi and the mobile app and help users control major functions using their phones.

Yes, smart homes can save you money plenty of it, actually. But it will depend on what smart products you buy. The most energy-efficient devices are the ones that come with sensors or other kinds of energy limiters. A smart TV or Bluetooth speaker wont necessarily save you money although they probably will when compared to their older peers such as tube TVs or decades-old record players.

The good news is that nowadays, most of these gadgets tend to be energy-efficient and smart at the same time, so you wont have a problem combining energy-savings with comfort, be it purchasing a fridge or a lighting kit.

Written by Caio Bersot, Content Specialist with EnergyRates.ca

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Can a Smart Home Really Help You Save Energy (And Money)? - IoT For All