Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

BMC Stock Holdings (NASDAQ: BMCH) and Louisiana-Pacific Corporation (NYSE:LPX) are both retail/wholesale companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, profitabiliy, risk, valuation, dividends and earnings.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent ratings for BMC Stock Holdings and Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, as provided by MarketBeat.

BMC Stock Holdings presently has a consensus price target of $25.00, indicating a potential upside of 11.36%. Louisiana-Pacific Corporation has a consensus price target of $26.50, indicating a potential upside of 8.61%. Given BMC Stock Holdings stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, research analysts plainly believe BMC Stock Holdings is more favorable than Louisiana-Pacific Corporation.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares BMC Stock Holdings and Louisiana-Pacific Corporations revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Louisiana-Pacific Corporation has higher revenue, but lower earnings than BMC Stock Holdings. Louisiana-Pacific Corporation is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than BMC Stock Holdings, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Profitability

This table compares BMC Stock Holdings and Louisiana-Pacific Corporations net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Risk & Volatility

BMC Stock Holdings has a beta of 1.49, suggesting that its share price is 49% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Louisiana-Pacific Corporation has a beta of 1.4, suggesting that its share price is 40% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

98.0% of BMC Stock Holdings shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 93.1% of Louisiana-Pacific Corporation shares are owned by institutional investors. 3.7% of BMC Stock Holdings shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.5% of Louisiana-Pacific Corporation shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

BMC Stock Holdings beats Louisiana-Pacific Corporation on 8 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

BMC Stock Holdings Company Profile

BMC Stock Holdings, Inc. is a provider of building products and services in the United States residential construction market. The Companys segments include Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Texas, Intermountain, Western and Mountain West divisions. Its product offerings include lumber and lumber sheet goods and an array of products, including millwork, doors, windows, structural components, floor and roof trusses and wall panels. Its whole-house framing solution is Ready-Frame. It also offers its customers services, such as design, product specification, installation and installation management. It manufactures floor trusses, roof trusses, wall panels, stairs, specialty millwork, windows and pre-hung doors. It also provides a range of installation services and special order products. The Company groups its building products and services into four product categories: structural components; lumber & lumber sheet goods; millwork, doors & windows, and other building products & services.

Louisiana-Pacific Corporation Company Profile

Louisiana-Pacific Corporation is a manufacturer of building products. The Companys products are used in home construction, repair and remodeling, and outdoor structures. The Company operates in four segments, which include North America Oriented Strand Board (OSB), Siding, Engineered Wood Products (EWP) and South America. The OSB segment manufactures and distributes OSB structural panel products. The Siding segment offers two categories of products, which include SmartSide siding products and related accessories, and CanExel siding and accessories and other related products. The Engineered Wood Products (EWP) segment manufactures and distributes laminated veneer lumber, I-Joists, laminated strand lumber and other related products. The South American segment manufactures and distributes OSB and siding products in South America and certain export markets. Its engineered I-joists are used in residential and commercial flooring, and roofing systems and other structural applications.

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Financial Contrast: Louisiana-Pacific Corporation (LPX) vs. BMC Stock Holdings (BMCH) - BNB Daily (blog)

The Sika SolaRoof system is a non-penetrating, integrated solar solution for thermoplastic roofs that goes above and beyond the traditional racking system.

Canton, Mass. (PRWEB) June 29, 2017

Sika, the worldwide market leader in thermoplastic roofing and waterproofing membranes, is pleased to partner with Sunwealth and Centroplan in announcing the installation of a brand new Sika SolaRoof park atop its headquarters in Canton, Mass.

The Sika SolaRoof system is a non-penetrating, integrated solar solution for thermoplastic roofs that goes above and beyond the traditional racking system. It incorporates the proven performance of a Sarnafil Roof System with the Sika SolarMount-1 - an innovative, non-penetrating, engineered solution for long-term securement of solar rooftop photovoltaic. Sika SolarMount-1 is a lightweight, aerodynamic mounting system for the installation of rigid PV panels on low slope Sarnafil thermoplastic roofs.

"The Sika SolaRoof system is one of the most innovative applications in the solar roofing arena in many years," said Bill Bellico, Director of Marketing for Sika Roofing. "Having a lightweight system without the need for hundreds of penetrations in the roof is a game changer for the industry. Now building owners no longer need to worry about the risk of damage from the shifting of traditional ballasted arrays or potential leak threats from all the penetrations of a fastened system."

The key component of the SolarMount-1 is the Sika SolarClick welding flange. The SolarClicks, which are made with the same formulation as Sarnafil membranes, are mounted to each support and hot-air welded to the Sarnafil membrane. They provide a large contact area, critical for uniform load distribution in order to reduce compression loads on the thermal insulation.

Since the SolarClicks are hot-air welded to the membrane, the weight of typical ballasted systems is not required, making the Sika SolaRoof system ideal for most lightweight roof structures. And because the SolarClicks are made from the same formulation as the membranes, compatibility issues are eliminated.

Sunwealth, a pioneering clean energy firm, has created a standardized, technology-enabled process by which commercial solar projects can be easily and economically financed, allowing developers to build valuable projects and investors to generate high-quality returns. Sunwealth's team is committed to harnessing the power of their proprietary platform to deliver meaningful investment returns and tangible social impact.

"We are honored to partner with Sika and Centroplan to finance this high-performance solar installation through our community of investors," said Ryan Dings, Chief Operating Officer at Sunwealth. "With this incredible project, we can demonstrate the power of commercial solar to building owners and investors alike. It will serve as a model of operational and financial performance for many projects to come."

Sika Roofing has partnered with Centroplan to enable its customers to access an "all-inclusive" solar system package. By combining the expertise of both companies, the roof and photovoltaics interface can be excluded in order to develop a solar roof that is tailored to your needs. The roof and PV material components are optimally coordinated in the process, allowing comprehensive warranty packages to be made available.

"In a market climate where collaboration between roof and solar companies is unusual, it is a testament to Centroplan's and Sika's commitment to developing a single, integral solar PV and roof system that solves the problems and risks seen at the interface between the solar system and the roofing system," said Mark Gies, Director of Sales and Product at Centroplan. "The Sika SolaRoof system achieves this with its unique features and design. Sika furthers its commitment and confidence by including the system in its roof warranty coverage. This is a big value to the building owner by reducing risk and providing peace of mind."

To learn more about the innovative Sika SolaRoof system, please click here or call 800-576-2358.

SIKA AG CORPORATE PROFILE Sika is a specialty chemicals company with a leading position in the development and production of systems and products for bonding, sealing, damping, reinforcing and protecting in the building sector and automotive industry. Sika has subsidiaries in 97 countries around the world and manufactures in over 190 factories. Its more than 17,000 employees generated annual sales of CHF 5.75 billion in 2016. For more information about Sika Corporation in the U.S. including Canton, Mass., visit http://usa.sarnafil.sika.com.

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2017/06/prweb14470347.htm

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Sika Roofing Powers Up With Revolutionary New Solar System - Benzinga

Once used primarily on commercial projects, metal roofs are increasingly common for residential projects, including multi-story apartments complexes and single-family homes. In fact, metal roofs have become one of the fastest growing innovations in the home remodeling market.

The Metal Roofing Alliance estimates that 750,000 metal roofs were installed on U.S. homes in 2015. In recent years, these practical products have achieved double-digit market share growth while the market share of asphalt shingles has dropped slightly.

There are many appeals to metal roofing products. They are durable and offer exceptional protection, promoting project longevity. With an array of shapes, colors, and finishes to choose from, many homeowners select metal roofs for their attractiveness. Because they are designed to last 50 years, homeowners know it is a sound financial investment.

Valspar coatings help make metal roofs more durable and attractive. Our high-performance coatings keep metal roofs pristine by avoiding chalking and fading. Solar reflective coatings contain pigments with reflective qualities, promoting home energy efficiency. With numerous colors, shapes, and textures to choose from, there are nearly endless options for metal roofs.

Are you looking to lower your energy costs? Learn more about cool metal roofs.

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Metal roofs are soaring in popularity in the residential market - Building Design + Construction (press release) (registration) (blog)

You cant talk about the G6 without comparing it to the S8. Be warned, Ill be doing that a lot in this review.

Even as the G6 was first announced and impressed everyone with its minimal bezels, gorgeous display, and refined design, we knew the S8 was right around the corner with, even smaller bezels, an even prettier display, and a sleeker design.

All this means the G6 inevitably feels like its playing second fiddle to the S8. But after spending a couple of months with both devices, that may not be such a bad thing.

Note: LG recently announced a slightly more powerful LG G6+, which goes up to 128GB of storage and adds a Hi-Fi 32-bit Quad DAC. We only reviewed the older model, but you can read up more on the G6+ here.

Once you get past the initial prettiness of the S8, theres something appealing about the relatively tame design of the G6. The phone is attractive enough, with its glass back and metal frame, but it still plays it safe with some of that utilitarian LG vibe.

That isnt necessarily a downside. For those of us that dont use cases, its at least nice that I dont feel a need to baby the G6 the way I do the S8. And if you do use a case, all youre going to notice is that beautiful display anyway. Regardless, its probably the most premium-feeling phone LG has made (Id argue the original LG V10 felt just as premium, but I digress).

Mind you, Ive lost some confidence in the G6s claimed military-standard drop resistance; Ive seen too many YouTube drop tests with unsavory results. At the end of the day, its still a phone with a glass screen and a glass back. Still, it feels a bit more sturdy, and the flatter sides help it feel more secure in hand. That counts for something.

As mentioned before, the screen is a pleasure to behold. That tall aspect ratio and minimal bezels help the display melt away in your hands. Its arguably most impressive display Ive seen right up there with the Galaxy S8.

Being of the LCD variety, its not quite as eye-popping as the S8, but the colors feel a little more accurate by default, and LG has finally nailed the white balance. And as much as I prefer the pitch-blacks of OLED displays, I also appreciate how LCDs arent prone to distracting color tints at off-center viewing angles its almost like looking at paper.

The screen is rated for HDR10 and Dolby Vision HDR which work beautifully when watching Netflix so its able to get quite bright and is easily visible outdoors. The rounded corners are icing on the cake.

Unfortunately, the tall aspect ratio means that some apps either dont use up the full display or have elements cut out, and LG isnt as good about resizing video to fill the screen as Samsung. It also means that while the phone is comfortably narrow, its harder to reach items near the top of the screen.

These are issues every phone with a tall display will suffer from. But for some reason I cant wrap my head around, LG decided to omit a one-handed mode in the software. This was an absolute life-saver on the V20, and ultimately makes that phone easier to use than the G6, despite being much larger overall.

Its one of those things where if youve never used it before, you may not care. I, however, use the one-handed mode multiple times per day, and its omission here repeatedly irked me. Another point for the S8.

Conversely, LGs fingerprint reader is in a much more comfortable location to access with with one hand, so theres that.

The software hasnt changed much between generations. The headline addition was Google Assistant support, which made the G6 the first non-Google device with the technology although that isnt much of a selling point now that its spread to other devices.

The UI still features a rather bland white-on-black look, but there are at least some themeing options through LGs store. More importantly, LGs skin doesnt really slow down the phone very much. I just wish LG stuck to a stock Android look, given its custom UI isnt adding very much in the way of extra features. Samsung has an equally heavy skin, but it looks betterand provides more useful additions.

Performance-wise, the G6 and S8 feel similarly zippy for most tasks. The G6 will be slower to load some games and larger apps, sure, but it feels smooth to scroll around and navigate the UI on the whole.

That said, after using the device for several months and populating it with ever more apps, theres been a little bit of slowdown, but nothing too bad. Its worth mentioning Ive noticed slowdown less on the S8 though. As youd imagine, given the newer processor, its probably the better choice if youre concerned about long-term performance.On the whole though, I find the performance differences between the two phones largely negligible.

The Snapdragon 835s newer technology is more palpable when it comes to battery life. Though the G6 has a fairly hefty 3,200 mAh battery, its big, bright screen and last generation processor meant that I consistently got worse battery life from it than Samsungs S8.

I generally found myself getting about 4 or 4.5 hours of screen on time with my typical heavy use. Its notbad, but the smaller S8 normally netted me about 5.5 hours, and the larger S8+ about 6.5. I wish LG had gone all out and packed in a larger battery to compensate, given its already chunkier than Samsungs devices.

Practically speaking, the camera is the biggest differentiator between the two devices, and its a category I think LG handily wins.

Frankly, I think picture quality among any of the flagship phones is a toss-up, though perhaps the S8 gets slightly better results on average. Still, that pales in comparison to the versatility afforded by the wide angle camera.

Ive been using the LG V20 since it launched last year, which also has a second wide-angle camera, and its a godsend for crowded spaces and city architecture. Basically, it comes in handy whenever you often dont have the room to step back far enough to fit everything in your frame.

Of course, you could always do a panorama, but those are slow and prone to stitching errors.

Unlike on the V20(and G5), this time LG is using the same exact sensor for both cameras, making the wide-angle not just a secondary option for perfect lighting its just as capable in low light and high-contrast situations as well.

It would take a dramatic leap in image quality to make me prefer a single lens to a dual-camera setup. LG remains the only manufacturer to pair a normal camera lens with a wide-angle one, and its the most practical combination in the business (though Id love to see a third telephoto lens someday).

I cant help but feel LG shot itself a bit in the foot by opting to go with a Snapdragon 821 instead of the newer 835. It kills a bit of the flagship vibe for the spec fiends, and it seems to have a real-world disadvantage regarding battery life.

As such, the Galaxy S8 remains the Android phone Id recommend tomost people, but its certainly not the one Id recommend to all, especially if youre into mobile photography. That is can be found unlocked for quite a bit cheaper is a nice bonus too.

For all the comparisons, its worth acknowledging the G6 is a great phone in its own right. The screen is absolutely fantastic, the build quality and design are quite good, and the camera experience is one of the best around. I just hope LG pushes the bar a little higher next time around.

Read next: Don't bring your drone to concerts because confetti cannons exist

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LG G6 long-term review: Sometimes second fiddle isn't so bad - TNW

Microsoft is adding seven new titles to its $9.99 Xbox Game Pass in July. The game subscription service lets gamers download and play any of the over 100 titles available on the service, about three-quarters of which are games either launched on the Xbox 360 or ported to Xbox One from the 360. The new offerings include the following games:

The Flame In The Flood

Guacamelee

Resident Evil 6

Dead Island: Definitive Edition

F1 2015

Monaco

Bards Gold

None of the new additions have triple-A value; Resident Evil 6, Dead Island: DE, Monaco, and Guacamelee all released on Xbox 360. The other three new titles are old (F1 2015), retro (Bards Gold), and/or independent (The Flame In The Flood).

The only game here worth a second mention is The Flame In The Flood; its an excellent rogue-like survival title that stands apart from other games in the genre. It was just as excellent when it was released early last year on Steam. Perhaps theres value here for those who havent checked out the Game Pass yet, but if you were waiting to see what happened next before you decided to carry your subscription another month: this might be the announcement that saves you 10 dollars in July.

The entire Xbox Game Pass subscription is based on potential. Its pretty easy to pore over the library, decide if games like Halo 5 and NBA 2K16 are strong enough to influence your wallet, and then determine if the 100 plus available titles are right for you. The service held more value for its potential than its initially modest library.

At least it did now theyve announced the new titles being added and its difficult to find a reason to maintain a subscription unless there are several games youve been playing with Game Pass in June you just cant put down.

When Microsoft announced the Xbox Game Pass they showed a commitment to keep their customers experience competitive. Finally, single-console owners who chose the Xbox One would have access to a game subscription service similar to Sonys Playstation Now. Even better for Microsoft fans, the Game Pass would offer current generation games along side older backwards compatible titles; Sonys offering only has PS3 games.

The problem is Xbox just came back at us with another batch of games that feel like they should have been included in the first month (longer for Xbox Insiders) with the other decent offerings. At best this is a maybe theres one game for you attempt at pleasing everyone at once offering, but theres no star title.

The Xbox Game Pass missed a crucial opportunity to prove that maintaining a subscription to the service is worth it. Games like Forza 6 or even just Forza Horizon 2 would have made excellent offerings after E3s Forza 7 announcement this year.

Microsoft is going to have to loosen its own premium offerings or get publishers like Bethesda or Bioware to chip in more recent titles to give the service value again.

The Xbox Game Pass shows us, with the new July game additions, that its where games that have little-to-no further earning potential go to retire.

Xbox Game Pass - July 2017 Update on Microsoft

Read next: Tinder Gold lets you see who likes you without matching

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Xbox Game Pass adds first batch of new titles and it's already time to cancel - TNW

By Stephanie Vanderbilt

Q: Weve had a lot of rain this spring and Im concerned about the exterior of our home. Do we have to be concerned about mold growth and other damage?

A: While spring rain helps your garden grow, it can also hurt the exterior of your home. Excess moisture can open a costly can of worms that leaves New England homeowners shelling out hundreds or thousands of dollars in repairs.

In order to keep more money in your wallet, it pays to be prepared on how spring rain can hurt your exterior. This includes knowing how to prevent mold growth on places such as your roof. Find below some insight on exterior water damage to watch out for during the warmer months:

Water damage on windows

Your windows have a big task to tackle. Theyre responsible for keeping your home dry while lowering your utility bills. Over the years, spring showers can take their toll on your replacement windows from an aesthetic and performance perspective.

When youre looking for water damage on windows, it will be most prevalent on windows made from wood. Wood window frames are very susceptible to moisture damage as well as mold and mildew growth -- especially when theyre not properly maintained. Youll want to look for signs of damage such as excessive peeling and rotting.

Vinyl replacement windows are resistant to springtime water damage. Windows are designed with either weep holes or sloped sills to help drain water. Sloped sills are often found on higher-end windows as they are more expensive to manufacturer.

Watching out for mold

If youre experiencing excess moisture around your windows, keep an eye out for mold growth. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, if wet areas on the inside of your home dry within 24 to 48 hours, youll generally avoid mold growth. If water pools or surfaces stay moist beyond that time frame, however, mold could begin to grow.

Condensation is another water-based issue that you could come across during the spring and summer months. Some level of condensation is normal, especially when the humidity is high. According to Energy Star, window treatments that allow air to flow over the windows surface can help reduce indoor condensation. If you have condensation between the glass panes, reach out to a window professional as you might have a seal failure. Read more about condensation on windows at mycoastalwindows.com/condensation-on-windows.

Overflowing gutters

Too much rain can overwork your gutter system. Rainwater is heavy and too much weight can cause your gutters to sag and even pull away from your home. If your gutters are clogged with leaves and other debris, this will become an even more serious issue.

If you notice gutter problems during heavy rains, youll need to quickly address the issue before you find yourself facing costly repair bills for your siding or roofing. Secure sagging gutters with new hangers, clear out debris and consider installing gutter guards. This will help filter rainwater through your gutter system while blocking out unwanted debris.

Leaky rooftop

A leaky roof is one of the biggest frustrations of owning a home. The best way to prevent leaks and mold growth is by investing in a sound roofing system. Unfortunately, mold and mildew can grow on asphalt shingles that are primarily covered in shaded areas under trees. Excess rainwater will drip down from the leaves even after a rainstorm has cleared, which adds even more water and moisture to your rooftop.

In addition, mold can cause stains that are permanent, which downgrades your curb appeal and quality of your roof. Mold can also completely compromise the shingle over time, which can lead to exposing the interior of your home and mold growth inside. If you can see mold growth, no matter how small, you should take immediate action.

A high-quality roofing system possesses several key elements to dramatically reduce the probability of mold and water damage, including:

-- Leak barrier protection. A protective leak barrier system is critical to keeping moisture out of your attic. This barrier creates a seal against rainwater when you need it the most.

-- Synthetic roof deck protection. This is a second layer of protection that prevents roof rot.

-- Ridge and soffit vents: These roof components also help control moisture by helping air circulate throughout your attic.

Dont live in fear of water damage and mold growth on your homes exterior.

-- Stephanie Vanderbilt, owner of Coastal Windows & Exteriors, would love to answer any questions that will help you make your home beautiful, warm, safe and energy-efficient. Ask her at svanderbilt@mycoastalwindows.com or call 978-304-0495.

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AT HOME WITH STEPHANIE: Are spring showers hurting your home? - Wicked Local Medford

Photo: Laura Weiss / Hearst Connecticut Media

PCB-containing paint was found at Fairfield Ludlowe High School, pictured June 27, 2017, in Fairfield, Conn.

PCB-containing paint was found at Fairfield Ludlowe High School, pictured June 27, 2017, in Fairfield, Conn.

Paint with banned chemical found at high school, plans for forum, fix

FAIRFIELD Paint containing a toxic chemical was recently found during a construction project at Fairfield Ludlowe High School. Environmental testing showed no health concerns from the paint, encapsulated under layers of repainting.

The PCB-containing paint was found during a window replacement project at Ludlowe, and a forum is scheduled for July 11 to address any public concerns. PCBs or polychlorinated biphenyls are synthetic chemicals that were once widely used but subsequently banned in the U.S. in the 1970s amid environmental and human health concerns. The National Toxicology Program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services classifies PCBs as a known carcinogen.

At the Board of Educations June 27 meeting, member Jessica Gerber reported the chemicals read at an above-normal but not particularly high level in some classrooms. She added the chemicals are not airborne.

Its really more of a technical issue, she said, noting it is more of a procedural than safety concern. A report must be provided to the Environmental Protection Agency on how the PCBs will be handled, Gerber noted.

While testing showed no air quality concerns or health risks, the high schools building committee and town, state and national health and environment officials are working with the town and its environmental consultants to create an abatement plan, according to a statement from the town. Work on the window replacement is set to continue without delay.

The forum is scheduled for July 11 at 7 p.m. in the Board of Education conference room, the second floor board room at 501 Kings Highway East in Fairfield. Environmental consultants and Fairfield Health Department staff will field questions.

Health director Sands Cleary was unavailable for comment. School district Director of Operations Thomas Cullen did not return multiple requests for comment.

lweiss@hearstmediact.com; @LauraEWeiss16

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Paint with banned chemical found at high school, plans for forum, fix - Fairfield Citizen

We all want something to pass down through the family, a valuable piece of jewelry, precious family photos, and sometimes, even the family home can actually stay in the family.It has a better chance of looking great for future generations, especially if the windows are made to last. John Culver withAllied Siding & Windowsjoined us in the studio to tell us more. Were moving into the summer months, and you know what that means, hot weather and bigger energy bills. The Duration window by Simonton will help keep that heat outside, and the Century Warranty means that you dont have to worry about it for a hundred years!

Vinyl Frame:

Glass:

Allied offers 100% financingwith zero down. They have options ranging from a very low monthly payment to an 18-month, no interest plan. The average size home in Austin has 13 windows, and they will replace all 13 windows for $100 per month on their Easy Payment Plan.

You can text Allied to 25827 or call them 512-674-3464. For more details, visit them online atalliedsidingandwindows.com.

Sponsored by Allied Siding & Windows.Opinions expressed by guests on this program are solely those of the guest(s) and are not endorsed by this television station.

KXAN.com provides commenting to allow for constructive discussion on the stories we cover. In order to comment here, you acknowledge you have read and agreed to our Terms of Service. Users who violate these terms, including use of vulgar language or racial slurs, will be banned. If you see an inappropriate comment, please flag it for our moderators to review.

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A Deal of the Century on Windows - KXAN.com

Volunteers gathered to repair the Food Pantry.

Saturday, June 24 dawned gray and wet, but the crew from Charter Communications wasnt daunted by a few mere cloudbursts. Then, the sun parted the clouds around 10 a.m., providing Charters 49 employee volunteers with a picture-perfect day to do home improvements at 980 Monroe Turnpike home of the Monroe Food Pantry.

The Charter volunteers spent the entire day replacing windows, painting, landscaping and performing other valuable sprucing-up at the Food Pantry. Many of them work in offices and on cable crews, but this was not a new task for this team: Each month, Charter volunteers do much the same thing at homes for needy people throughout Connecticut.

Its all part of the companys nationwide philanthropic initiative, Spectrum Housing Assist. This program focuses on safe and healthy homes and aims to refurbish 25,000 homes by the year 2020.

The Food Pantrys 1960s-era ranch house became a candidate for such a makeover because it serves approximately 250 needy Monroe families each month. This is Charters second project in Monroe and the timing was opportune. All its windows sorely needed replacement, putting the Pantry, its staff and volunteers at the mercy of weather extremes.

It could often be cold in the house and in the summer it was usually very, very warm, noted Pantry Coordinator Wendy Jolls. It was not a comfortable place to be. These improvements will mean the world to us.

In Connecticut, Spectrum Housing Assist works in partnership with HomeFront, a volunteer organization that provides free repairs to low-income homeowners. HomeFront currently is serving Fairfield, Litchfield, Hartford and New Haven Counties in Connecticut; and Westchester County in New York.

Throughout the course of the day, the Charter volunteers replaced a total of 18 windows and three exterior doors. These enhancements will make the house both more comfortable as a community facility and more energy efficient to operate.

Vital community resource

The Food Pantry used to be located next to the Edith Wheeler Memorial Library at Town Hall. It moved to its present location approximately 10 years ago when the former owner of the house donated it to the town for this purpose. For people who do not rely on the Food Pantry, the house blends in well with the others along busy Monroe Turnpike.

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Despite its size, the Pantry only distributes food: no meals are prepared here. And though Monroe is perceived as a well-heeled, upscale town, there is no shortage of demand. The Pantry stays busy year round, with a slight uptick during winter.

Our clients usually come once a month on an appointed day, and do a full shop of dry goods, canned meats and vegetables, meat and eggs, Jolls noted. Then each week clients will come back for bread, milk and fresh produce.

The latter are often vegetables and herbs grown right in the Pantrys own backyard, a project that has been spearheaded by volunteers from several Monroe churches. They do all the planting, weeding, hoeing and harvesting, and the garden has grown over the years.

Thanks to the Spectrum volunteers, were adding a third garden today, said Jolls.

People never want to rely on the Pantry for food, Jolls pointed out. Many are under- or unemployed, with property taxes overdue, bills maxxed out and cupboards stripped bare.

Our clients are family, and we want the Pantry to be a comfortable place to come, said Jolls.

Charters volunteers came from offices in Stamford, Newtown and Winsted, with a mix of project newcomers and veterans. The Connecticut volunteers are just one part of a nationwide team that has refurbished 9,000 houses in 41 states with another 16,000 to go by 2020.

There are certainly other charities that we support, but this is our biggest, said Heidi VanDenBroek, Charters senior communications manager for New England. Volunteering is a great opportunity for our people as well, because their work has a tremendous impact in the communities where we live and work.

Accent on teamwork

Much of work life involves organizing projects, dividing them up into smaller tasks and determining who will do what. At this work site, the Charter team functioned much the same. Three volunteer co-captains took responsibility for different parts of the job, each assembling a crew of people who wanted to work on that aspect of work.

Monroes own Diana Verano, a marketing manager in Stamford, oversaw the crew painting the Pantrys interior. Her co-worker, Bill Baker, headed up the exterior painting crew. Rich Decava, a line-crew supervisor in Newtown, oversaw the carpentry efforts including the massive window-replacement project.

Verano said the company encounters no difficulty in recruiting volunteers. When we send out a call for volunteers, people immediately respond, she said.

At least one parent-child team turned out to work on the Food Pantry. They were Jim Dove, group vice president of business intelligence at Charter and his daughter, Hannah, a junior at Weston High School. Were all excited about doing this and a lot has been accomplished in just a few hours, Hannah said.

Were all very resilient some of us have done renovations in 40-degree weather, Baker noted. So even though we got off to a bit of a late start, Mother Nature cooperated and made this a great day for us all to be here.

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Charter volunteers give Monroe Food Pantry an extreme makeover - Monroe Courier

Walk or drive along West 32nd Avenue in Denvers West Highland neighborhood and its likely youll notice the Ford House. Its west of Lowell Boulevard, between Osceloa and Newton streets.

The house was once the home of a well-known physician, Mary Ford, and her business partner, Helene Byington whose daughter, Spring Byington, was a Hollywood actress from 1930 to 1960.

Homes to the north of notable architecture Queen Annes, bungalows, cottages also have interesting histories. Previous residents include former Denver mayors Benjamin Stapleton and William Fitz Randolph Mills.

In an effort to preserve area homes, some West Highland residents are applying to create what theyre calling the Packards Hill Historic District.

What is so unique about it is that it is relatively intact. Thats actually a very rare thing, said Marie Benedix, a West Highland resident who lives in the area and is helping the effort to create the historic district.

The proposed district would cover roughly between Lowell Boulevard and the alley between Osceola and Perry streets, from West 32nd Avenue to West 35th Avenue. There are 173 homes within the proposed boundaries and about 80 percent are noted as contributing to the areas historic atmosphere. Buildings constructed for commercial use are not part of the district.

It is really unique to have such a high amount of contributing structures in the area. Everyone can appreciate the character. Character draws people to area, Benedix said.

Neighbors leading the process have worked on the application for more than a year and funded a historical study by Front Range Research Associates that looked at each home and the entire area for architectural and historical significance. The name is that of a local subdivision from before Highland was annexed by Denver in 1893.

Most of the area was platted in the 1880s and 1890s and homes were built between the mid-1880s and the 1940s.

The proposed area borders the A.M. Ghost and Wolff Place historic districts and would be the citys 53rd designated district if approved by Denver City Council. The proposal first heads to the Landmark Preservation Commission in July and then moves to the Land Use, Transportation and Infrastructure committee before going to City Council. The effort is supported by city planning staff and Historic Denver.

Kara Hahn, senior city planner with Landmark Preservation, said the history of women in the area is particularly interesting. Many local women were homeowners and developers and played a large role in the growth of the area in the late 19th century. The names of several area women not their husbands appeared on property titles, and many area women assumed vital roles in advancing womens rights.

Were excited to see when underrepresented groups are discussed, Hahn said.

Organizers of the push spent a lot of time contacting residents. Benedix said her group knocked on each door between five and 25 times. However, not everyone supports the designation and a petition opposing the district is circulating.

Opponents object to restrictions that would be imposed by the designation, such as requiring Landmark Commission approval of permits to work on a homes exterior; a window replacement policy; and a requirement that mandates second-floor additions must set back at least 15 feet from the front of an existing structure.

Fixing homes becomes more burdensome. Theres another level of bureaucracy, said Kevin OConnell, a resident who launched the website keepwesthighlandfree.com. To me personally, I just think its using a sledgehammer when we can use a scalpel.

West Highland resident Beau Wynja also opposes the district. He hopes to add a second story to his home, which might not be allowed in a designated historic district. He said he is scrambling now to finalize plans and submit permits for the addition in case the historic district is approved.

Homeowners, he said, should be able to make decisions about their property.

We feel like homeowners should have more rights to choose what design they want to do to property they own, he said. We love our neighborhood and the reason were trying to expand our home is that we dont want to leave.

OConnell believes the neighborhood is split 50/50 on the issue, but Benedix said her groups information indicates the neighborhood is mostly supportive. Of residents contacted, 77 support the historic district designation, 17 oppose designation, 13 are undecided and 86 did not reply, she said.

I think neighbors are saying that the character and history are worth that little trade-off, she said.

Historic Denver executive director Annie Levinsky said she believes the historic district designation is not as restrictive as it might seem, and many projects are quickly permitted.

I think weve seen a lot of modifications and evolutions, she said of the 52 historic districts around Denver. Weve seen it done in ways that can add more space but also protect that character that drew them to the area in the first place.

Resident Roger Oram supports the proposed historic district and helped organize the effort. He believes its important to keep the architectural integrity of a neighborhood and preserve an areas history.

I think its going to be beneficial to all of us here. I think its worth every minute of time Ive spent to convince people that its worthwhile, he said. I think of the many people who bought houses here because they like the way it looks, and if we dont take steps to preserve that, were going to lose it.

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West Highland residents seek new historic district - The Denver Post