Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

The idea is to provide benches for the visitors to sit, walkways, develop greenery and beautification and help visitors relax and rejuvenate, says a senior official from HMDA.

Hyderabad: Visitors at the national flag in Sanjeevaiah Park can now look forward to more recreational facilities as Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) is developing walkways, benches and others at the flag base.

Being one of the largest national flag in the country, every day many visitors arrive at the flag post and take selfies. Apart from those arriving into the city many local residents too visit the flag post regularly. Given the increasing patronage, HMDA is working on beautification at the flag base in an effort to make it more convenient for the visitors.

The idea is to provide benches for the visitors to sit, walkways, develop greenery and beautification and help visitors relax and rejuvenate, says a senior official from HMDA.

HMDA is developing an octagonal platform at the flag base with flowering all around the platform. There will be steps and walkways for visitors to walk along the platform.

This apart, a circular iron barricading is being established covering 30 metres from the flag base to prevent visitors from venturing close to the flag post. This is just a precautionary measure to avoid any damage to the flag post, he said.

All these facilities are being developed with a cost of Rs.65 lakh and the works were expected to be completed in a week, he added.

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HMDA takes up beautification works at flag base in Sanjeevaiah Park - Telangana Today

From mow to snow, WSUs landscape workers maintain 226 acres of university land

Todd Stewart, a gardener for WSU Landscape Services, weeds in a flower bed in the backyard of the Presidents Residence. Cayenne, President Kirk Schulzs corgi, just visible behind Stewart, often keeps him company as he works.

CODY COTTIER | THE DAILY EVERGREEN

CODY COTTIER | THE DAILY EVERGREEN

Todd Stewart, a gardener for WSU Landscape Services, weeds in a flower bed in the backyard of the Presidents Residence. Cayenne, President Kirk Schulzs corgi, just visible behind Stewart, often keeps him company as he works.

CODY COTTIER, Evergreen reporterAugust 11, 2017

As one of the most senior WSU Landscape Services workers, Todd Stewart assigns himself to whatever tasks he sees fit to keep the university grounds in top condition.

He keeps a mental list of weeds that need pulling, trees that need limbing and assorted odd-jobs across campus, checking them off whenever he has a free moment.

They kinda just let me do whatever I want because they always know Im gonna be productive, he says. They will never catch me screwing off.

He drives around campus in a white pick-up, loaded with rakes, brooms and cans for plant debris. Its a warm day in mid-June, and he points out the landscaping details of notable university sites.

Passing by Rogers-Orton Playfield, one of the universitys largest patches of grass, he says it takes an hour and 15 minutes to mow. Its the cricket field, he says, so they mow it to half an inch, two inches shorter than most places.

Though Stewart, 39, no longer works much in this area, he knows all of campus well. Farther down the road, Rogers Hall brings to mind his early landscaping days. He recalls students throwing condoms, tampons and other unsavory trash out their windows. Some, from several stories up, would even vomit to the ground below.

This is kinda the ghetto area, he says. You first start working grounds, they give you the ghetto It takes a tough person to pick up that kind of stuff all the time, but you get used to it.

After the first five years or so, he says, employees leave that behind. Stewart has now worked here for 19, since he graduated from high school in Moscow, Idaho, and he has worked jobs across campus.

CODY COTTIER | The Daily EvergreenStewart puts plant debris into the back of his truck after cleaning up a flower bed.

Most recently, he took charge of the Presidents Residence, a tiny piece of land compared to the larger responsibilities of most groundskeepers. This allows him to manicure the entire area, rather than only catching the highlights.

James Frazier, Landscaping Services lead and the only employee more senior than Stewart, noted Stewarts attention to detail and desire to do everything well.

He works good by himself, Frazier said, because hes so meticulous. Hes got an eye for things.

THE PRESIDENTS GROUNDSKEEPER

Stewart steps through a tall metal gate into the backyard of 755 Campus Street the home of WSU President Kirk Schulz and First Lady Noel Schulz. They dont appear to be home, the perfect time to work.

When theyre gone, Stewart says, Ill go and ransack it. Especially when Cayennes gone.

Cayenne, the Schulzes corgi, is one his biggest concerns. He must be careful not to spray harmful chemicals while she is around, or to leave a gate open.

If Cayenne got out of the fence and got hit by a car, he says, I wouldnt be able to live with myself.

The dog seems to be missing too, until she scampers down the white steps leading from the house to the yard. She approaches Stewart without hesitation.

Hi Cayenne! he says in the cutesy voice reserved for babies and small animals. She comes and licks me in the face when Im pulling weeds.

When hes not playing with Cayenne, hes carefully maintaining the acre of land that is the presidents yard. He has planted 500 flowers and fixed the pond, which for much of the year is home to dozens of koi (during winter they keep the largest fish, Fred and Frank, in a bathtub in the Landscape Services warehouse).

Stewarts greatest disappointment so far is that he has been unable to breathe life into the rose planted for former President Elson S. Floyd after his death.

This is my saddest thing, he says, pointing to the bare stem, but Noel says she thinks there is still hope for it.

The other gardeners are assigned to different sectors of campus ranging from 20 to 60 acres, 226 in all. But because the WSU president frequently hosts students, faculty and staff, and others from the university community, they decided during Floyds tenure that it needed greater care. They also hold donor events at the Presidents Residence.

When theyre all smoking cigars on the back porch, Stewart says, I want the yard to look nice so they give the university a bunch of money.

CODY COTTIER | The Daily EvergreenCayenne, the Schulzes corgi, stands behind Stewart as he works at the Presidents Residence.

Noel Schulz says Stewart has done a good job on the yard since he took over a few months ago, particularly with her favorite bed of flowers right behind the house.

Though they have spoken some about his landscaping projects for the yard, Noel says they mostly leave it to Stewart, who knows more about growing plants in the Pacific Northwest.

We kind of feel in a way its his yard, and he gets to pick and choose, she says. And were two engineers, not big greenthumbs.

The Schulzes have spent much of the summer traveling, leaving the house vacant often. But in August things start speeding up, and Stewarts work becomes more urgent.

You wont find a pinecone on this property during the school year, he says.

THE OTHER 225 ACRES

Stepping out the gate and locking it behind him, Stewart remarks that hes had the key for years already. Long before he began maintaining the Presidents Residence, he was a mow guy on the route that included that yard.

He worked on several routes, like the one that includes the Valley Playfields, which took three and a half hours to mow when they were grass so long in a straight line you could fall asleep, he says. Altogether, three mowers must spend two 10-hour workdays to cut all the lawn on campus.

But there is much more to WSU landscape work.

CODY COTTIER | The Daily EvergreenStewart dumps a load of bark into a Landscape Services truck.

In addition to mowing, most is general upkeep, like weeding, trimming and spraying. When it snows, they sometimes work 12-hour days to keep the walkways and stairs clear.

Stewart says they promote people to excel in whatever they are interested in, which is how he became a jack of all trades.

Im really into all of it together, so they just throw it all at me, he says. But I dont do anything I know my brain power cant handle.

For example, one of their big summer projects is a new irrigation installation at the Research and Technology Park. Stewart prefers gardening to this kind of technical and mechanical work, but he admires his co-workers who are more knowledgeable in these areas.

Stewart is familiar with all of campus, but he says some others, like Frazier and Josh Greggs, the irrigation lead for Landscape Services, have a more intimate knowledge of the inner workings of WSU than almost anyone. Greggs has even memorized the location of all the sprinklers.

Josh and Jim [Frazier], they know so much about campus, he says. They know whats in all the ground. Those guys are really on top of it.

He says its important to have a diverse crew not just a whole bunch of Potlatch redneck-type dudes because all kinds of people do all kinds of work.

If you just get a whole bunch of people that only like to chainsaw trees, he says, then pretty soon youre not gonna have any trees on campus.

METHODS OF A GARDENER

What Stewart likes are the simpler tasks. Sometimes, he is forced to do mechanical work in the winter, when its too cold to spend much time outside. But he says the good times, when the weather is fine and he can garden in the warm sun, outweigh the bad.

Theres something very therapeutic about going out and pulling some weeds at 6 a.m., he says.

CODY COTTIER | The Daily EvergreenTodd Stewart deadheads a patch of tulips behind Ferdinands. He always works barehanded.

As he drives along Stadium Way, he suddenly remembers a row of tulips behind Ferdinands that needs deadheading. Generally, he focuses first on Stadium Way and fans out from there to the areas behind buildings.

Youre out and about so much and you see so many different things, he says, you bank it in your mind at priority level.

Today, the priority is tulips. He pulls up, grabs a garbage can from the back of his truck, and starts yanking out the withered flowers.

Stewart is adapted to this work. He can bend over for extended periods of time, he says, and it no longer bothers him. He doesnt wear gloves, and has a weed-pulling callus on his thumb to prove it. He says his hands are tough enough to painlessly pull thistles.

I always work with my bare hands, he says, so I can feel whats going on.

Plus, he jokes, it drives my wife crazy.

In high school, Stewart and a friend ran a lawn-mowing business. His father worked with Fraziers wife, and after he graduated, Frazier was looking for groundskeepers. He joined the team and proved he could come up with enough tasks to fill every day.

They are busiest around graduation and when school starts, when high-visibility areas must be in pristine condition. But Stewart says work is always close at hand, even if that means just picking up litter.

If you cant find anything to do on grounds crew, he says, youre not looking hard enough.

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The keepers of the campus - The Daily Evergreen

The National Air Duct Cleaners Association launches a consumer campaign to protect homeowners from scams

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J (PRWEB) August 10, 2017

The Federal Trade Commission estimates that Americans lost more than $4 billion to fraud and scams during the last five years. To combat scammers and fraudulent companies taking advantage of unsuspecting homeowners within the growing air duct cleaning industry, NADCA developed an anti-fraud task force, which established the Breathing Clean initiative.

The goals of the Breathing Clean campaign are to:

Educate homeowners about the benefits of air duct cleaning and the importance of hiring a NADCA member company to perform the services.

Be a resource to homeowners, providing helpful information including tips for hiring a reputable air duct cleaning company and easy-to-understand instructions for making sure the job is done right.

Provide NADCA members with tools that will help with communicating to current and potential customers.

"Cheaper isn't always better and if deals seem too good to be true, they probably are," said Mark Zarzeczny, Certified Air Systems Cleaning Specialist (ASCS) and Chair of NADCA's Anti-Fraud Task Force. "NADCA members follow a higher standard and when done correctly, HVAC cleaning can be very beneficial."

As the leading authority in the field, NADCA developed a standardthe ACRfor the assessment, cleaning and restoration of HVAC systems, consisting of practical, industry-backed information for guiding the cleaning and restoration of HVAC systems to a specific level of cleanliness and evaluating and verifying the cleanliness of system components.

"By hiring a NADCA member to perform air duct cleaning and HVAC system cleaning services, you know you're hiring someone who pledges to follow the ACR and NADCA's Code of Ethics," added Zarzeczny.

To get started, NADCA encourages homeowners to visit breathingclean.com to watch videos and browse resources such as the homeowner's guide for proper cleaning methods. You can also find a NADCA-certified professional near you at nadca.com/find-a-professional.

About Breathing Clean:Breathing Clean is an initiative developed by NADCA, the National Air Duct Cleaners Association, created as an extension of the association's Anti-Fraud Task Force. For helpful tools and tips for hiring an air duct cleaning company, visit breathingclean.com and follow Breathing Clean on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

About NADCA: The HVAC Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Association, otherwise known as the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) was formed in 1989 as a non-profit association of companies engaged in the cleaning of HVAC systems. NADCA's mission is to represent qualified companies engaged in the inspection, maintenance and restoration of HVAC systems, promote source removal as the only acceptable method of cleaning, establish industry standards for the association, and assist NADCA members in providing high quality service to their customers. With over 1,200 members, NADCA is made up of a diverse group of HVAC industry professionals, including air systems cleaning specialists, mold remediators, and HVAC inspectors. To learn more, visit http://www.nadca.com

# # #

Media Contact: Caitlin McWilliamsMarketing & Communications Manager856-642-4218cmcwilliams(at)AHredchair(dot)com

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2017/08/prweb14583109.htm

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NADCA Reminds Homeowners That Cheaper Isn't Always Better ... - Benzinga

By Tim RobbFrom the August 2017 Issue

You likely hear the term indoor air quality (IAQ) frequently when it comes to facility management, but do you recognize exactly what this means for building occupants and the overall bottom line? IAQ refers to air quality within and around buildings and structures, commonly as it relates to the health and comfort of building occupants. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 90% of our time is spent indoors. Now think about the occupants in your buildings and imagine invisible pollutants, debris, and bacteria in the air and how those can impact their health.

Facility managers face a lot of pressure when it comes to maintaining IAQ and implementing proper practices and prevention measuresand for good reason. The impact of poor IAQ hits on many factors important to facility management. Two to focus on include the health and safety of occupants and a buildings energy efficiency.

There are immediate and long-term health effects from poor IAQ. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) states these can range from minor irritations, such as headaches and dizziness, to serious issues such as respiratory diseases, heart disease, and cancer.

A big contributor to the increased pressure on facility managers is the recent deadly outbreaks of Legionnaires disease throughout the country and the approval of ASHRAE Standard 188-2015. The disease is caused by Legionella bacteria that can grow within a buildings water system and spread via droplets of water in the air. Cooling towers are one of the more common sources of Legionella. And while cooling towers are primarily located outside, the CPSC says the contaminants can enter a building through ventilation systems, door openings, windows, and other similar areas. The ASHRAE standard puts a greater amount of responsibility on facility management to take proper steps to inspect and maintain systems to minimize the risk of Legionnaires disease.

Bjarne Olesen, chairperson for the International Center for Indoor Environment and Energy in Denmark and 2017-18 ASHRAE president, conducted a study that indicated that limiting pollution sources and making improvements to air quality can increase employee performance by 5% to 10%. A study by William Fisk with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that reducing Sick Building Syndrome (allergies, asthma, and respiratory issues) by 20% to 50% could result in savings between $10 billion and $100 billion nationwide through prevention of productivity loss, sick days, and costs for medical care.

Many things influence the quality of indoor air including deteriorating building materials and outdoor sources, but one common cause (and one more easily maintained) is a buildings central heating and cooling system. Proper maintenance and upkeep of HVAC systems can go a long way to improving IAQ. The good news is, by performing routine maintenance and cleaning on heating and cooling systems, you can reduce the risk of indoor air pollution from certain sources, while also keeping equipment running efficiently.

Here are some best practices for maintenance teams to use to take steps toward improved indoor air quality.

Coil cleaning: Dirty coils waste energy and money. Without proper cleaning, air conditioning coils in the air handlers can become breeding grounds for mold and mildew growthboth of which are large contributors to poor IAQ.

Air duct cleaning: Dirty ducts can be a common cause of indoor air pollutants. Because duct surfaces are hidden from view, these are easily forgotten and can accumulate dust, pollen, mold, and more. These in turn can collect on coils and recirculate. Much like dirty coils, dirty ducts can cause the system to run longer which raises energy costs. A thorough duct cleaning every three to five years will keep your system in great working condition. There are several tools for duct cleaning including vacuums, agitation devices, and duct isolation equipment.

Cooling tower cleaning: Cooling towers are used to cool water in air conditioning systems, but they are also a breeding ground for Legionella and other bacteria. Infected towers can spread bacteria into facilities through ventilation and entrances. Many facilities dont equate the direct connection between IAQ and tower maintenance, and the importance of keeping a cooling tower maintained regarding the energy efficiency of a buildings cooling system. Inspecting cooling towers monthly helps prevent sediment, scale, and slime buildup; if these residues are found during inspection, they can be easily cleaned with tower vacuums to avoid shutting down or draining the system.

Cooling tower water treatments: When it comes to cooling towers, water treatment is very important in supporting system efficiency and good indoor air quality. Simply put, cooling towers are big air scrubbers. Outside air that is drawn into the tower is contaminated with pollutants, which then build up causing conditions for bacterial growth. Throughout the cooling system, the pollutants are precipitated out of the water and are dispersed into the air, or adhere to chiller tube walls, leaving a breeding ground for organisms and bacteria if not properly controlled. Chemical water treatments can protect against these issues helping manage scale, corrosion, and controlling growth of harmful bacteria that can, in advanced cases, cause serious health implications such as Legionnaires disease.

Filter replacement and selection: Air filters are often the first line of defense in protecting indoor air from outside pollutants. Its important to select the appropriate air filter for the system. Most filters have a MERV rating, which stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. This rating is measured from 1 (the lowest) to 16 (the highest) and can be a great indication to the quality of the filter you choose. Filters with MERV ratings between 14 and 16 are recommended.

Chemicals review: It is important to follow EPA and OSHA guidelines and restrictions when using chemical treatments for cooling towers, as well as referring to SDS sheets and following all safety procedures. Make sure the chemicals used have been scientifically tested and are labeled for the specific cleaning process being performed. It is also important to check that these chemicals work effectively to protect the indoor air from contamination. Simple chemical disinfectants like chlorine are insufficient to fight against bacteria and pollutants.

When it comes down to it, facility executives and their teams are at the forefront of costs savings and occupant safety. Through proactive maintenance of HVAC systems, occupant health and productivity along with energy efficiency can be expected to benefit.

Robb is vice president of marketing and strategic business development for Goodway Technologies, a Stamford, CT-based manufacturer and global distributor of maintenance solutions for systems, plants, and facilities.

Do you have a comment? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below or send an e-mail to the Editor at [emailprotected]

A BOMI-accredited session onNext Gen FMwill be held at the inaugural Facility Executive Live!, a new one-day conference presented by Facility Executive magazine on October 3rd in Chicago.Click here to learn more.

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Concerned With Poor IAQ? - Facility Executive Magazine

With the upcoming closure of Sears and Roebuck Co. at Crossroads Mall in Beckley, a husband and wife duo want to get word out that their business, Sears Carpet and Air Duct Cleaning Services is still open, will remain open and will continue to serve all throughout the state.

Kenny and Maria Fry, owners of the service, have been serving the state with their cleaning services for the past 35 years, and have no intention of shutting their business down any time soon.

It is really stressful when you have worked so hard to maintain a business and keep it alive, and something like this keeps happening, Maria said.

She said this is the fourth occurrence where the public believes their business is closing because Sears and Roebuck Co. has decided to close some of their retail stores.

It first happened in Ashland, Kentucky, then Bluefield, then Charleston Sears closed, and now here in Beckley, Maria said. We just want people to know we love our business, and dont want them to think we have stopped serving all of our areas.

Again, we want to say that this does not affect our store, she said. We will continue to clean carpets, air ducts, wood flooring and tiles for as long as we can ...

Maria said the experts working for Sears Carpet and Air Duct Cleaning Services do a great job, and they want to apologize to their customers for any confusion being caused throughout the closures of the Sears stores.

We are delighted to still be serving the state after all of these years.

For more information, visit http://www.searsclean.com or call 304-253-5021.

Email: jnelson@register-herald.com; follow on Twitter @jnelsonRH

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Sears Carpet Cleaning will remain open amid same name confusion - Beckley Register-Herald

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What are the biggest wasteful buys that you "probably" don't need? Kevin Brasler, Chicago Consumers' Checkbook's executive editor, broke it all down WGN Morning News Tuesday.

First on the list --air-duct cleaning. Brasler admits that air-duct cleaning is actually unnecessary unless you have a more serious problem, like mold.

"It's nonsense. The little independent research that has been done on air-duct cleaning shows that actually stirring up that dust can worsen your home," he said. "Most of us just don't need to do it."

Amazon Prime, dry-cleaning, and fitness trackers were also a part of the tally. According to Brasler, most people pay for Amazon Prime for the free 2-day shipping benefit. However, since anything over $25 qualifies for free 2-day shipping, the annual $99 membership cost might not be worth spending.

Dry-cleaning is equally as wasteful. Unless your clothing specifies "dry-clean only," other garments can likely be hand-washed or machine-washed, he said.

As for fitness trackers, Brassler recommends just using your smartphone, as the two devices often do the same exact thing.

"I found that when I'm hiking, my iPhone does just as good a job as any other fitness tracker in terms of keeping track of miles," said Brasler.

The next one might be a shocker... it certainly was for WGN's Robin Baumgarten! According to Brasler, certain medical tests and procedures are actually unneeded.

"Not all of them, but experts are finding that about 30 percent of the medical tests and procedures that we buy these days are wasteful," he said. "There's actually a fairly new initiative called 'Choosing Wisely...they're trying to educate people about how you know a lot of these tests are just unnecessary."

To check out Brasler's "50 Things You (Probably) Shouldnt Pay For," go to theChicago Consumers' Checkbook website!

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5 things you (probably) shouldn't pay money for - WGN-TV

Dog owners, rescue groups and businesses are at odds with health departments over a current state law that prohibits canines on bar and restaurant patios.

A state lawmaker from central Ohio has introduced legislation seeking to change that dynamic. Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles reports.

Until recently, dogs could be found on the patio at the Land Grant Brewery in Columbus any time the weather was nice. But not now. The Columbus Health Department sent out letters to restaurants and bars early this summer, saying it is against state law to allow dogs on patios. The businesss marketing coordinator, Julie Keys, says a lot of customers are put in the position of choosing to go to her business or stay with their dogs. And often the latter wins, especially when customers have worked away from their pooches all day. She says rescue groups and humane societies are losing out too since this recent crackdown.

This issue is really important to us, not just because collectively here at Land Grant, we are dog lovers and dog owners but its also important to us because we are animal advocates. So, as an example, we have held events here at the brewery to raise money for different non-profits. This past spring, we hosted Pups and Pints where we raised over $3500 for the Capital Area Humane Society and that was just in one night.

The Westerman Family Foundation provides support to animal rescue groups statewide. Its director, Luke Westerman, says many dogs were also adopted during the patio events. He says Ohios law preventing pups on the patio is out of step with the rest of the nation.

The trend is more and more dog friendly places. There are more folks, Millennials, even 20, 30 somethings who dont have kids yet but they have dogs who they treat like kid, me being one of those folks. And it would be wonderful to take my dogs, my kids, with me wherever I go, particularly when I go dine.

Thousands of dog owners from around the state agree. Theyve signed online petitions and written to lawmakers, asking them to change Ohios laws.

Republican Representative Laura Lanese of Grove City near Columbus says shes getting letters, overwhelmingly supporting a bill shes sponsoring that would allow business owners to make the decision of whether to allow pups on their patios.

So if they want to allow dogs, and dogs only, on their patios, that they will be allowed to do that. And we are working through some of the details too. For example, the dogs will not, in any way, be allowed to go through the restaurant. There will have to be a separate way so dogs are not going through the enclosed restaurant.

Lanese, a dog owner herself, says the bill is supported by restaurant and business associations. Lanese says this bill is about allowing businesses to make choices for themselves. She says while some people might not want to sit around dogs on a patio, it is attractive to others.like her own family, for instance.

I think having dogs on a patio creates a festive environment. Its fun. I know when I go out, and when we were travelling in California, my daughters always made sure to point out where the dogs were and they always wanted to go there and we were more likely to eat at a place, even if we didnt have our dogs with us, cause its just a fun environment.

The current law was passed because of sanitary and safety concerns, such as dog hair getting into food or dogs biting or scaring other patrons though service animals are allowed. Backers of this bill have a bone to pick with those arguments. They say restaurant owners have the right to kick out unruly or unclean dogs just like they have the right to eject other patrons. But for now, patios in Ohio are going to be like this one dog free.

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Groups Push To Change Law Barring Dogs From Public Patios - WCBE 90.5 FM

Bars and restaurants around Ohio with patios have been welcoming canines and their human friends to sit down to have dinner and drinks in those outdoor spaces. They're now finding themselves in a quandary. Thats because those dog owners, rescue groups and businesses are at odds with health departments over a current state law that prohibits dogs on patios of businesses that serve food and drinks, but there's legislation that seeks to change that.

Until recently, dogs could be found on the patio at the Land Grant Brewery in Columbus any time the weather was nice. But not now. The Columbus Health Department sent out letters to restaurants and bars early this summer, saying it is against state law to allow dogs on patios. The businesss marketing coordinator, Julie Keys, says a lot of customers are put in the position of choosing to go to her business or stay with their dogs. And often the latter wins, especially when customers have worked away from their pooches all day. She says rescue groups and humane societies are losing out too since this recent crackdown.

This issue is really important to us, not just because collectively here at Land Grant, we are dog lovers and dog owners but its also important to us because we are animal advocates. So, as an example, we have held events here at the brewery to raise money for different non-profits. This past spring, we hosted Pups and Pints where we raised over $3500 for the Capital Area Humane Society and that was just in one night.

The Westerman Family Foundation provides support to animal rescue groups statewide. Its director, Luke Westerman, says many dogs were also adopted during the patio events. He says Ohios law preventing pups on the patio is out of step with the rest of the nation.

The trend is more and more dog friendly places. There are more folks, Millennials, even 20-, 30- somethings who dont have kids yet but they have dogs who they treat like kid, me being one of those folks. And it would be wonderful to take my dogs, my kids, with me wherever I go, particularly when I go dine.

Thousands of dog owners from around the state agree. Theyve signed online petitions and written to lawmakers, asking them to change Ohios laws.

Leaving it up to restaurantsRepublican Representative Laura Lanese of Grove City near Columbus says shes getting letters, overwhelmingly supporting a bill shes sponsoring that would allow business owners to make the decision of whether to allow pups on their patios.

So if they want to allow dogs, and dogs only, on their patios, that they will be allowed to do that. And we are working through some of the details too. For example, the dogs will not, in any way, be allowed to go through the restaurant. There will have to be a separate way so dogs are not going through the enclosed restaurant.

Lanese, a dog owner herself, says the bill is supported by restaurant and business associations. Lanese says this bill is about allowing businesses to make choices for themselves. She says while some people might not want to sit around dogs on a patio, it is attractive to others, like her own family, for instance.

I think having dogs on a patio creates a festive environment. Its fun. I know when I go out, and when we were travelling in California, my daughters always made sure to point out where the dogs were and they always wanted to go there and we were more likely to eat at a place, even if we didnt have our dogs with us, cause its just a fun environment.

Dog-free, for nowThe current law was passed because of sanitary and safety concerns, such as dog hair getting into food or dogs biting or scaring other patrons though service animals are allowed. Backers of this bill have a bone to pick with those arguments. They say restaurant owners have the right to kick out unruly or unclean dogs, just like they have the right to eject other patrons. But for now, patios in Ohio are going to be like this one: dog-free.

Here is the original post:
New Bill Would Allow Dogs On Restaurant Patios | WKSU - WKSU News

Oh, Vancouver. You are so beautiful and so boneheaded. I think about this every time someone asks for suggestions on where to go for a great patio meal with a mountain or ocean view. Sorry, its not thateasy.

For a city saturated in natural beauty and brimming with excellent dining options, the combination of both is actually exceedingly rare. Its sad but true that much of the prime waterfront real estate is wasted on horrible restaurants that serve barely ediblefood.

So what is an al fresco-loving diner to do? Day drink and set your sights lower. This opens up a whole new world of opportunity because patios really do encompass more than just dining. Theyre brief escapes, mini vacations, portals to an unstressed state ofmind.

When I take a patio break, I slip out of work mode to seek sustenance for the soul. My favourite patios are the ones I can take friends from out of town and say, Look, this is where I live. Isnt it fabulous! We laugh, relax, nibble without great expectations and focus on soaking up each others company. These are the places Igo.

333 Menchion Mews604-689-5438; liftbarandgrill.com

Case in point: The food here is awful. Seriously, its shockingly terrible. The last time I went, I had fried Humboldt squid that tasted as though it had been dredged through a salt lick. And yet, I keep going back. Why? Because when you are snuggled into a low-slung sofa on the upper deck, basking in the glow of the outdoor fire pit and squinting into the sun as it sets over Stanley Park, it feels like youre sailing away on your own private yacht. The vanishing glass walls and boats anchored below in Coal Harbour Marina help sustain the illusion. Bonus: low markups on a decent wine list and several sake options (which pair well with okay sushirolls).

1790 Beach Ave.604-681-2582; cactusclubcafe.com

Cactus Club English Bays stunning ground-level patio lets you feel like youre right on thebeach.

Cactus ClubCafe

I am an unabashed fan of the Cactus Club Caf. It is not just the best Vancouver-based chain restaurant, but is one of the better restaurants in Vancouver, period. You will not go wrong with the juicy Feenie burger, the tartly dressed rocket salad or the tamari-splashed tuna stack. And they taste even better when washed down with an ocean breeze and panoramic views of English Bay. This stunning, ground-level patio blends seamlessly into the seawall. With warm sand crunching under your flip-flops, it feels like youre right on the beach. The only drawback? The line-ups are staggeringly long and it doesnt takereservations.

Queen Elizabeth Park, West 33rd Ave.604-874-8008; vancouverdine.com/seasons

Seasons in the Parks majestic skyline vista is truly a highpoint.

JEREMY KORESKI

Of all the view-hogging restaurants in the Sequoia Company (which include Carderos, The Sandbar and Teahouse in Stanley Park), this is the only one I would recommend for the food. The Mediterranean-inflected Seasons in the Park rises above the others mostly because it has an apple-wood-burning grill that sears good smoky chops. But its majestic skyline vista is truly the high point: towering above the verdant gardens of Queen Elizabeth Park, the enclosed-roof patio clad in timber, stone and crystal chandeliers offers a birds-eye view of the city and the North Shore Mountains beyond. It feels like a secluded castle in a Tuscan, mountaintopvillage.

Rosewood Hotel Georgia, 801 West Georgia St., fourth floor604-673-7043; rosewoodhotels.com

Vancouver meets Miami at this clubby, urban oasis that is lush with foliage and twinkling with stringedlights.

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There is no view here, none at all, beyond brick walls and all the beautiful people on display. And thats partly what makes it such a spectacularly swanky hideaway. Vancouver meets Miami at this clubby, urban oasis that is lush with foliage and twinkling with stringed lights. Last years renovation added more comfortable lounge seating and a full-size bar. The charcuterie and sharing boards arent bad, but the expertly crafted cocktails are terrific. Reflections was one of the first Vancouver bars to bring back adult-proof slushies. They will keep you nicely quenched when the action heatsup.

Jericho Sailing Centre, 1300 Discovery St.604-222-1331; thegalley.ca

Who needs a membership to the tony Jericho Tennis Club when you have The Galley just downstream? Extremely casual and rugged, this second-floor pub perched over the public Jericho Sailing Centre is one of the citys most charming secrets. Feast your eyes on the staggeringly gorgeous view, which stretches to Bowen Island, while windsurfers paddle below you and volleyball players kick up the sand. The counter-service kitchen makes good burgers, fish tacos and oyster poboys. The bar, which started serving local craft beer and wine long before locavore drinking went mainstream, has streetcred.

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Enjoy a mini vacation at these five Vancouver patios - The Globe and Mail

Ottawa, quite simply, comes to life during the summer. While the city doesn't shy away from cold weather (how could it, really?), the first glimpses of sunlight offer up a whole new perspective on the capital and you better be sure you take advantage of it.

In fact, Ottawa is home to some of the greatest patios in the country, thanks to views of the river, Parliament Hill and the general good vibes all around the city. Amongst all the Canada 150 hoopla, you're bound to get out at some point, so why not plan for an outdoor beverage or four?

Take a look at our list of the best patios in Ottawa that can help you enjoy the rest of your summer.

Where: Unit 107 - 825 Exhibition Way (Landsdowne Park)

The vibe: Youthful, with a hint of a craft beer snobbery

A pint costs you: $5.50 to $7.50

Where: 67 Clarence St. (ByWard Market)

The vibe: Tourists, to be sure, but also locals who like being in the middle of the action

A pint costs you: $6.50 to $8

Where: 325 Dalhousie St. (ByWard Market)

The vibe: Upscale, business-casual, chic

A pint costs you: $7 to $14 (though the cocktails tend to be more popular)

Where: 434 Preston St. (Little Italy)

The vibe: Soccer fans, birthday parties and general good-time goers

A pint costs you: $7.50

Where: 357 Richmond Rd. (Westboro)

The vibe: Veggie-friendly folks (whatever that means) out for a meal, students and girls' nights

A pint costs you: $7

Where: 1223 Alexandria Bridge (Major's Hill Park)

The vibe: Families and daytrippers during the day; dates and parties at night

A pint costs you: $8.90

Where: 356 Richmond Rd. (Westboro)

The vibe: Casual, sports fans

A pint costs you: $6.95 to $8.50

Where: 555 Wellington St. (Ottawa River)

The vibe: Casual, fun, relaxed

A pint costs you: $7.50

Where: 231 Elgin St. (City Hall)

The vibe: Boisterous, happy and loud you know, the way you get after eating oysters

A pint costs you: $6.95

Where: 81 Clarence St. (ByWard Market)

The vibe: Hip and looking for fun

A pint costs you: $7

Where: 431 Sussex Dr. (ByWard Market)

The vibe: Sports fans, after-work drinks

A pint costs you: $7 to $9

Where: 525 Legget Dr. (Kanata)

The vibe: Tourists (as to be expected at a hotel), bachelorette parties, wedding guests

A pint costs you: $7 to $8.75

Where: 1001 Queen Elizabeth Dr. (Dows Lake)

The vibe: Young, fun, tequila-based

A pint costs you: $7.50

Where: 88 rue Montcalm (Gatineau)

The vibe: Elegant, calm and beautiful

A pint costs you: Well, here it's a glass of wine, which range from $6.50 to $12

Where: 238 Old Chelsea Rd. (Gatineau Park)

The vibe: Family-friendly, but at night, a great place for a date

A pint costs you: $6.50 to $8

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Amazing Patios In Ottawa To Enjoy The Last Of Summer - Huffington Post Canada