Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Restoration of the original theater facade and marquee are shown in this rendering by Allford Hall Monagham Morris, with the Elk Valley Brewing Co. tap room and rooftop bar to the south of the former theater.[Rendering provided]

A brewery and tap room are set as the next tenants of a theater redevelopment in Midtown while yet another surprise retail announcement is set to follow soon.

Pivot Project partners David Wanzer, Jonathan Dodson and Ben Sellers bought the former Uptown Theater and adjoining retail and office space at 1212 N Hudson Ave. last October for $2.86 million. Their first-announced tenant was Resolution Legal Group, a law firm that will occupy an expanded office wing on the north end of the property.

Wanzer confirmed Elk Valley Brewing Co. will open a brewery and tap room on the south end of the development which, like the office annex, will include new expanded space. Broker Allison Bailey confirmed the pending tenant will be a retail mix.

The tenant is not ready to talk publicly, but I'm excited to see this project coming to Midtown, Bailey said. It will be a good fit for visitors and neighbors alike.

Renderings by Allford Hall Monagham Morris show the original theater facade dating back to the building's opening in 1941 will be recreated along with the former theater marquee. Modern additions will be built behind the office annex on the north end and for the brewery that will extend from a retail space that will be the Elk Valley's tap room with a rooftop bar.

The Pivot Project also owns surface parking to the south of the development, which plans show could evolve into housing, a hotel and retail. Wanzer said no such plans are set, however, and are only a potential future use for the property.

With the streetcar stop on that corner, transit-oriented development may make sense there at a later date, Wanzer said.

The two-story, 5,300-square-foot office addition is set to include a rooftop terrace and a formal entrance facing a new parking lot to the east of the building. Construction by Smith & Pickel is set to start soon with the firm scheduled to move in by early 2018.

John Elkins, who is hoping to open the brewery and tap room by mid-2018, started his Elk Valley Brewing Co. in 2013, first with Choc in Krebbs and then taking on more of a role in the business side of the operation in a cooperative venture with Mustang Brewing.

The guys at Pivot talked to me about ideas they had, and I was glad to find a place I could call my own, Elkins said. We looked at different properties and this was the right fit. It's the community I want to be in.

The tap room will be in the 900-square-foot retail storefront south of the former theater.

We're looking to have some fun things on tap, things people haven't had a chance to try, Elkins said. We will have 16 taps, some will be non-alcohol. We will have sodas and we have a guy coming in who will be making Kombucha (a fermented, sweetened black or green tea). It's something I'd love to do that nobody is doing on-site here in the city. It's natural and good it's good for digestion.

The 4,000-square-foot expansion for the brewery, meanwhile, is being designed to reflect the use of metal, aluminum and glass being used with the Resolution Legal Group office addition.

It will allow me to double production, Elkins said. I'm pretty conservative in my projections. We will be going from two to eight people. We can grow to 10 times our production in that place before we'd have to grow to another location to handle distribution.

Wanzer said he sees the development as a tribute to R.G. Sieber, who built the theater and also built the landmark Sieber Hotel, butcher shop, restaurant and other retail across the street. The 650-seat theater opened in January 1941, boasting air conditioning and double seats for couples on date nights. Top movie tickets cost 20 cents, while matinee tickets cost 15 cents.

The theater was closed in 1955 by heir Delrose Sieber, and a second floor was added into the theater's auditorium. The modernization included changes to the theater's first floor facade that are now set to be reversed back to the original appearance.

The Sieber family was trying to create a neighborhood with all their properties in the area, Wanzer said. We feel like we are honoring that original vision.

Link:
Brewery on tap for Midtown Oklahoma City development - NewsOK.com

CHARLESTON, SC -

As the RiverDogs get set to host some of the biggest stars from two of the premier franchises in baseball at the second annual Legends in the South Alumni Game, the club has announced more additions to the Braves and Yankees rosters. Joining six members from last years teams, first baseman slugger Sid Bream will once again suit up for the Braves in a night of nostalgia at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park on Friday, June 9 at 6pm presented by Budweiser and Container Maintenance.

Other new additions to the Braves roster include four members from last years victorious Atlanta team: Marquis Grissom, Greg McMichael, Pete Smith, and Jeff Treadway. Also returning from last years contest, Gene Stick Michael and Jeff Nelson have been announced as the first members of the Yankees roster. Former Braves slugger Ryan Klesko has already been announced as the first member to officially sign on with the Braves.

The Braves and Yankees produced some of the most memorable World Series and postseason moments in baseball history during their rivalry in the 90s, and it will be truly special to see these players take the field once again here at The Joe, said RiverDogs President and General Manager Dave Echols. All of last years attendees were great ambassadors of the game through their participation and engagement with the fans, and we couldnt be happier to welcome back the Braves and Yankees alumni.

A veteran of 12 Major League seasons, Bream most famously scored the winning run of the 1992 NLCS that lifted Atlanta to their second consecutive World Series berth. In a career that included three seasons with Atlanta (1991-93), the Pennsylvania native hit .264 with 90 homers and 191 doubles while slugging .420 in over 1,000 games.

A former second round pick out of Liberty University, Bream first cracked the Bigs in 1983 with the Dodgers before being traded to Pittsburgh where he had some of his most impressive seasons including 1986 when the lefty slugger hit .268 while ripping 37 doubles, third most in the National League, as the starting first baseman for the Bucs. In 1990, he bounced back from a knee injury with the Pirates and was honored with the Fred Hutchinson Award, given to the MLB player that best exemplifies the fighting spirit and competitive desire to win.

The Braves Legends outfield will once again be highlighted by the four-time gold glover Grissom who spent two seasons as a member of the Braves and most famously recorded the final out of the 1995 World Series. Grissom hit .272 with 227 home runs and 429 stolen bases in his 17-year MLB career with the Expos, Braves, Indians, Brewers, Dodgers, and Giants. Some of the Atlanta natives best seasons came as a member of his hometown club when he earned two of his four consecutive gold gloves in 1995-96. Grissom twice led the National League in stolen bases, swiping 76 and 78 bags respectively in 1991 and 1992.

McMichael will suit up in a Braves uniform once again after logging over 500 innings with 459 strikeouts in his 8-year career in The Show to go along with a 31-29 record and 3.25 ERA out of the bullpen. The right-handed hurler debuted with the Braves in 1993, a season in which he would be the runner-up for the National League Rookie of the Year Award.

Drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies as the 21st overall pick in the 1984 Draft, Smith was traded to the Braves before making his Big League debut on September 8, 1987 with Atlanta at the age of 21. In 1988, Smith pitched three shutouts the season after his rookie year. Smith played for the Braves from 1987-93 and joined the New York Mets for the 1994 campaign. The Massachusetts native finished out his career with the Reds, Padres, and Orioles, accruing a 47-71 record, 640 strikeouts, and a 4.55 ERA in over 1,000 innings in the Majors.

Treadway will once again feature in the Braves infield as he returns for the second annual midsummer showcase. A product of the University of Georgia, Treadway hit a consistent .281 over his 9-year MLB career while also collecting 28 home runs in 762 games with the Reds, Braves, Indians, Dodgers, and Expos, playing mostly second base.

Michael, a native Ohioan and 10-year Big Leaguer, joins the squad of Yankee greats for the second time after stints as a player, manager, and general manager in New York. Nicknamed Stick for his lanky frame, the 62 switch hitting infielder was a career .229 hitter with 15 home runs in 973 career games with the Pirates, Dodgers, Yankees, and Tigers. An adept fielder, Michael posted a career .962 fielding percentage while playing mostly second and short and was a master of the hidden ball trick, successfully pulling off the feat five times in his career. After his playing career, Michael enjoyed stints as the manager for the Yankees (1981-82) and Cubs (1986-87) before serving as the General Manager in New York from 1991-95.

A part of the Yankees bullpen in their dominant run of the late 90s, Nelson racked up four World Series rings while with the Bronx Bombers from 1996-2000 and posted a career 3.41 ERA in 15 seasons that also included stints with the Mariners, Rangers, and White Sox.

General admission tickets for the two-time World Series rematch start at just $12, and can be secured online at http://www.rileyparkevents.com , at the Riley Park box office, or by contacting the RiverDogs front office at 843-577-DOGS (3647). Batting practice will be open to all ticket holders starting at 4 with the Legends available to sign autographs pregame.

Along with tickets to the game on Friday, fans will have the chance to rub shoulders with some of the all-time greats the night before as the RiverDogs take on the Asheville Tourists at 7:05pm at The Joe on Thursday, June 8. The Braves and Yankees legends will mix-and-mingle with fans in the Riley Park Club during the game with all-inclusive tickets to the brand-new luxury gameday venue that includes complimentary food, beer, and wine for $120 each with a limited number available.

RiverDogs season tickets, half-season ticket packages, mini plans, and group tickets are now available for the 2017 campaign, including options for the all-new Riley Park Club. The RiverDogs, the Class-A affiliate of the 27-time world champion New York Yankees, begin their season on April 6 when they host the Lexington Legends at The Joe. Single-game tickets are now available and can be secured by contacting the box office at (843) 577-DOGS (3647) or online at http://www.riverdogs.com.

Braves Legends Roster

Sid Bream, IF

Marquis Grissom, OF

Ryan Klesko, IF/OF

Greg McMichael, RHP

Pete Smith, RHP

Jeff Treadway, IF

Yankees Legends Roster

Gene Michael, IF

Jeff Nelson, RHP

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Playoff Hero Sid Bream Joins Legends in the South - Live 5 News

After the April 4 municipal election, a new district board at Aptakisic-Tripp School District 102 will be responsible for carrying out and guiding a mutli-million dollar expansion project at the Buffalo Grove-based school district to completion.

District officials have said they plan to spend as much as $25 million on building additions to keep pace with anticipated enrollment increases coming from areas around Buffalo Grove and Lincolnshire, but they don't plan to ask for a tax increase to cover the work.

The project, along with other issues facing a district that serves 2,225 students in kindergarten through the eighth grade, has attracted four candidates, including three incumbents, who are running for three seats on the District 102 board during the upcoming local election.

The District 102 portion of the ballot also will include Laura Golden. But district officials said Golden recently dropped out of the race after filling an election petition in December.

She never returned requests for comment.

All three incumbents on the board also are seeking new terms in this election. Jeremy Galfield, who was first elected in 2013, Scott Lin, who also won a seat in 2013, and Pelleg Graupe, who has served two consecutive terms, all are running for re-election this year.

The four candidates each gave different answers when asked why they wanted to be part of the District 102 board.

A native of southeast Kansas, Suzann Audi, a Prairie View resident who is the only non-incumbent vying for a seat on the District 102 board, has three children who attend Pritchett Elementary in the district

If elected to the District 102 board, she said, she would work on finding a balance between students' use of electronic devices and the more traditional ways of learning in the classroom.

"I want kids to learn how to use it effectively and how to survive without it," Audi said. "I'm not looking to join because I see a problem. I just want to work with them and help in any way I can."

Graupe said he has focused his attention lately on proposed building additions to Aptakisic Junior High along with the other list of proposed renovation projects at other school buildings in District 102.

If the plans for a large subdivision on the nearby Didier Farms property comes to fruition, each grade level in District 102 likely will see an influx of new students, he said.

If re-elected to the board, he would work to balance the expense on taxpayers for the upcoming building additions at the district with need to develop additional space for students, he said.

"It's a huge project that the district hasn't been through in a while," he said. "Every student needs to see a tangible benefit."

Calling public education a key building block for children, Lin said he wants another term simply because he wants more time to make contributions to a district not only undergoing building changes, but also changes to its demographics.

District officials have seen increases in recent years to the number of Asian and Hispanic students enrolled at District 102.

The district includes an Asian population that totals 37 percent of the student body and a Hispanic population that totals 7 percent, according to district figures.

"The district has been embracing this diversity change quite advantageously, and I want to make sure the district continues to do that," Lin said. "I want to make sure the board continues to meet its challenges."

Galfield said he wanted a second term because of the past accomplishments he and other board members achieved during his initial term.

The work included a new contract with the teachers' union, a transition to full-day kindergarten and the addition of new Superintendent Lori Wilcox, he said.

Going forward, he said, a major priority for him would be ensuring that the curriculum at District 102 adequately prepares students for life at Stevenson High School, the highly regarded high school in Lincolnshire known for its academic rigor.

"What we're doing right now is the important work," he said. "What we're teaching right now is Stevenson-ready."

rwachter@pioneerlocal.com

Twitter @RonnieAtPioneer

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Contested race for spots on Aptakisic-Tripp School District 102 board - Chicago Tribune

The story of how Eddy Martinez opened Beijing Bistro in Buda starts in Manor.

The landlord of a new commercial center in Buda at FM 967 and FM 1626 came in to Martinezs Manor restaurant in 2015 and ordered lunch. That day, he offered Martinez a spot at his new development.

I guess he liked it, Martinez said.

Martinez, who co-owns the bistro along with Marino Alvarado, opened the Buda restaurant in mid-2015. He said the restaurant has gained popularity with customers because it takes classic American Chinese food recipes and tweaks the recipes slightly.

Sesame chicken ($8.95) is the most popular item on the restaurants menu, co-owner Eddy Martinez said. BRETT THORNE

Its almost the same like everyone else, but we try to change our recipes with little touches, he said. I think the customers like it.

Martinez and Alvarado have been working in restaurants together since 1995 and in that time have formed a close bond, Martinez said. The pair worked together at Chinese food restaurants throughout Austin in the late 90s and early 2000s. When Martinez decided he wanted to open a restaurant of his own, Alvarado joined him.

The restaurants most popular menu item is the sesame chicken entree ($8.95), Martinez said. The dish is made with dark meat and served with a side of rice. Orange chicken ($8.95), another top seller, is also served with rice.

In late 2016, the restaurant added beer and wine to its menu. Beijing Bistro now offers a variety of American and Chinese beers as well as sake.

The Buddhas Feast ($7.50) includes sauteed mixed vegetables. BRETT THORNE

More than a year after opening the Buda location, Martinez said he feels like he is ready to begin thinking about other additions to the restaurants menu.

Martinez said he also has a longer-term plan to begin serving sushi at the restaurant. Right now, he is waiting to hire the right sushi chef, he said.

Looking ahead, Martinez said he hopes to add new appetizers to his menu. Dumplings, lettuce wraps and Japanese ice cream may be added in the near future, he said.

Beijing Bistro

3420B FM 967, Ste. B-110, Buda 512-523-8030 Hours: Mon.-Thu. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sat. 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Sun. 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.

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Beijing Bistro restaurateur chooses Buda for second location - Community Impact Newspaper

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The Amazing Spider-Man #25 is a massively oversized issue with a cover price to match. To be fair, it's not every day a Marvel book makes it to 25 issues without being relaunched first. Marvel might as well celebrate the occasion. The good news is that issue #25 helps cleanse the palette after the largely underwhelming Clone Conspiracy crossover. The bad news is that too much of the supplemental content in this issue reads like pointless fluff. A leaner issue with a more modest cover price would have been preferable.

The main story in this issue kicks off the next major phase of Dan Slott's ongoing Spidey saga. Following the disastrous alliance between Parker Industries and New U, Peter is in desperate need of a victory. He hopes to earn that victory by following Kingpin's lead and bringing Norman Osborn to justice. But he's not counting on the fact that a Norman Osborn without the Oz formula bogging down his mind is more dangerous and crafty than ever.

It's interesting to note the parallels between this story and the first issue of the series. Both showcase Spidey teaming up with Mockingbird and S.H.I.E.L.D. and gallivanting around an international setting. The key difference being the darker tone. In issue #1, Peter was on top of the world in his new role as a CEO and S.H.I.E.L.D. supplier. Now, the dreaded Parker Luck has taken its toll, leaving Parker Industries in shambles and Peter himself dealing with a mountain of emotional strain. There's plenty of doom and gloom driving this conflict forward, though Slott does take the time to break it up with some Aunt May and Harry Osborn-fueled levity. May has been absent from the series far too long, so it's nice having her back in the mix.

At 40 pages, the main story is definitely meaty, if not always particularly well paced. There's a distinct lull in the plot following the battle in Colombia, and the script never quite gains its momentum afterwards. There's also a disappointing lack of Norman Osborn himself, but that promises to change quickly enough. And having 40 pages of Stuart Immonen-drawn Spider-Man art is nothing to sneeze at, regardless of plot or pacing. No one can render a detailed, dynamic Spidey quite like Immonen, but his storytelling is impeccable whether Peter is in costume or out. Wade von Grawbadger's inks give Immonen's line-work an extra degree of precision, while Marte Gracia's colors further enhance the grim and foreboding tone of the story.

The individual reader's mileage will certainly vary when it comes to the various backup stories, but few truly stand out. Christos Gage and Todd Nauck deliver a new Clash-focused story that fails to do anything new or compelling with the character in the wake of Civil War II. Hannah Blumenreich's tale of a young Peter Parker is fine, but not quite as poignant as it could be given the subject matter. James Asmus and Tana Ford's Shanghai-focused story accomplishes little beyond reiterating the fact that Parker Industries is in poor shape. And the Marvel Tsum Tsum story simply rehashes a gag that already ran its course after the first Tsum Tsum mini-series.

There are really only two highlights among the backup features. The first is Scott Atkinson's hilarious series of "The A-May-zing Spider-Aunt" strips. The second is a top-secret story from Slott and Giuseppe Camuncoli, one that teases some big things to come after "The Osborn Identity" wraps up. The nice thing about Slott's long, long run is that there's always something new and exciting brewing on the horizon.

The Amazing Spider-Man [2017] #25

HUGE BLOWOUT ISSUE! STUART IMMONEN (STAR WARS, AVENGERS) takes the artist reins of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN and joins Dan Slott for a 40-page main story!

The Verdict

This new issue of Amazing Spider-Man has a lot going for it. The main story, if a bit awkwardly paced, delivers some big twists, a dark tone and plenty of gorgeous art from Stuart Immonen. Unfortunately, this issue struggles to justify the hefty cover price. Too many of the backup stories read like pointless filler rather than meaningful additions to Peter Parker's increasingly chaotic world.

Editors' Choice

Good

The Amazing Spider-man is full of gorgeous art and great plot twists, but there's too much filler here.

15 Mar 2017

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The Amazing Spider-Man #25 Review - IGN

NEW ORLEANS -- Anthony Davis called it one of the five best alley-oops in his career.

According to DeMarcus Cousins, it was all about the pass.

"I put it right on the money for A," Cousins said with a big smile underneath a hood and circular sunglasses. "And he did the easy part: He finished it."

Either way, Davis' 180-degree finish of Cousins' lob from the top of the key early in the third quarter was a triumphant moment for the much-parsed new pairing of the elite NBA big men, one Cousins underlined by raising his arms above his head, Maximus Decimus Meridus-style, as he backpedaled the other way.

"He threw it a little short so I had to go get it," Davis said.

"Woah, woah, woah, woah, woah," Cousins interjected from one locker over.

"Nah, he actually threw a good pass," Davis conceded. "When I caught it, my intention was to dunk it backward, but I can't remember who it was, but he was going to tip it. And then I caught it and, I don't know, it just happened."

That combination of ease and surprise could easily extend to the entirety of the New Orleans Pelicans' 100-77 rout of the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Blazers came into the game winners of five of their previous six, looking very much like the biggest threat to Denver Nuggets in the race for the Western Conference's eighth and final playoff spot. The Pelicans emerged from Saturday's overtime matchup in Charlotte with their third win since the All-Star break, but it was clouded by the late-game benching of their second star big man.

Their fourth win since the break, and first consecutive victories, was more decisive. The Pelicans finished with a season-low five turnovers, allowed a season-low 77 points and a season-low 30.3 percent from the floor and earned another big mark in the positive side of the ledger for their 25-game evaluation of their new big-to-big connection.

"It's -- excuse my French -- it's a b---- for bigs," Cousins said. "You think you get a break when one guy goes out and another one is coming in. Or you've got to pick your poison with both of us."

The Pelicans didn't have much of a choice in the second quarter, when a rolled left ankle led Davis to check out with 5:46 left in the first half, conceding the floor to Cousins.

In the eight prior games in which Cousins has suited up for New Orleans, the Pelicans had thrived with Davis and not Cousins on the court but struggled when Cousins played without Davis. The Pelicans had a 114.4 offensive rating and a plus-8.3 net rating with Davis but no Cousins, but an 87.6 offensive rating and a minus-16.2 net rating with Cousins but no Davis, according to NBA.com/Stats.

Cousins responded in Davis' immediate absence, scoring six points on three shots, earning a trip to the free-throw line and recording a steal in less than four minutes of work. A five-point lead when Davis checked out ultimately became a 14-point advantage before Davis could return to start the third quarter. Overall, Cousins was plus-17 on the night, with the Pelicans sporting a 110.4 offensive rating and a plus-27.4 net rating with him on the floor.

"I was watching the game," Davis said. "Everyone was playing well, and we're going to need this if we want to continue to make this push."

Indeed, unlike in games past, the "other" Pelicans not only held their own but proved to be a source of strength. While Cousins and Davis again did much of the heavy lifting, combining for 37 points and 24 rebounds in less than 31 minutes apiece, the non-Boogie/Brow Pelicans shot 56 percent from the floor.

While Jrue Holiday (10 points on 4-for-6 shooting, two assists, three steals, two turnovers) again appeared to struggle to find a groove in a less-prominent offensive role, he and Solomon Hill continued to serve as the backbone of a defense that has maintained its elite look despite the addition of Cousins and a rotating cast of 10-day additions.

"We have the same system," Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said. "[Associate coach Darren Erman] has done a great job of working overtime with those guys. When we get new guys on our team, we spend time with them in a team situation but we also try to break it down individually. He does a great job of walking them through what we try to do as far as weak-side rotations, pull-ins and things like that, and the guys have really caught on."

Check out the team site for more game coverage

Check out the team site for more game coverage

Damian Lillard (29 points) and CJ McCollum (eight points) combined to shoot 40 percent from the floor, and the rest of the Blazers combined shot just 24 percent.

"I've just kind of been taking it personal," Hill said. "I respect whoever's on the other end of the court, but it's almost like that can change the game. CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard can put up 65 together easily. We take one of the heads of the snake away and it can change the game."

The Golden State Warriors, led by Draymond Green, overcame a 16-point deficit to beat the Philadelphia 76ers Tuesday.

Warriors surge late, snap losing streak Pelicans realize powers in rout Cavs hot shooting leads to blowout win

On the other end, the Pelicans' star duo teemed with excitement over the possibilities that lie ahead.

Cousins said he and Davis have talked often lately, including about utilizing more big-to-big pick-and-rolls similar to the ones deployed by Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.

"It's hard to stop," Cousins said about the Clippers' screen-roll combo. "If me and A get involved in that, it could be something special as well."

Much like those eagerly tracking their game-to-game progression, Cousins couldn't help think a bit broader, too.

"I guess you can say it's something that hasn't really been seen," he said. "And if it has been seen, it's been a while since it's been seen. It's different, but it can become something special. It's just going to take time."

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Pelicans realize powers of new-look team in rout of Trail Blazers - ESPN (blog)

(MENAFN Editorial) Sims Exteriors and Remodeling, Cottage Grove, has been named the exclusive provider of the Lindsay Pinnacle high performance replacement window line in Madison and south central Wisconsin.

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We value our customers a great deal and are always looking for the best solutions for their homes, says owner JW Sims. What excites us about Lindsay replacement windows is they are as well made as, or made better than all windows you will find on the market. This means long life, lifetime warranty and most important, fewer hassles. Our staff unanimously agrees, our customers deserve quality windows like the Lindsay line.

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Sims Exteriors Named Exclusive Provider of Pinnacle Replacement Windows - MENAFN.COM

An estimated $2.8 million in facility improvements that will include more secure entryways for schools in Bement took another step forward last week. School board members voted on March 8 to pay $425,000 up front to energy consultant Opterra Energy in order to proceed with the project, which school officials hope can be completed this summer.

As part of the districts required once-per-decade health life safety survey, the work will also include window replacement at the elementary school, roof work at the middle school, a fire alarm system overhaul, and other projects aimed at promoting energy savings.

Well seal up the building envelope, not just the windows. It makes it a lot more comfortable and it is more energy efficient, said Opterra spokesman Sharon Uslan.

Last month, the board applied for no- to low-interest Qualified Zone Academy Bonds to help fund the project. Health Life Safety bonds can be issued to fund the remainder, and since there are working cash bonds being paid off this year, the new borrowing can be done without tax rate implications.

District Superintendent Sheila Greenwood said it added up to an opportunity the district could not pass up.

Were pretty excited were going to have $2.8 million for improvements and make our buildings safer and more efficient without a tax increase, Greenwood told the board.

When the work is completed, those coming in through the high school and elementary main entrances will come into a vestibule, then be buzzed into the office to sign in before being allowed access to other parts of the building. There are already buzzers at two entrances, but they do not lead directly into school offices.

At the elementary office, the vestibule will also expand the office space by eight feet and provide more privacy for the school nurse.

At the high school, a door will need to be added to that office to accommodate the secure entry, which will be at the main entrance. Currently those needing entrance during school hours are buzzed in through doors closer to the gymnasium.

Board member Janice Fogerson asked Uslan which pieces of the project were the top priorities.

Uslan basically said its a pretty level playing field.

Theyre all pretty high priority. Theyre all health life safety, so the items are beyond their useful life, she said. So its just stuff that has to get done.

Greenwood emphasized the need for beefing up security, something that has become more apparent in the past decade.

Its sad that you have to be buzzed in, said Greenwood of the security measure the school installed four years ago. But people dont realize you have orders of protection, you have registered sex offenders, things you didnt have as much 10 years ago, so we have to do everything to protect your kids.

Uslan added that half of her past 10 projects have included energy-efficient, secure vestibules, because school districts are seeing this as such a high priority.

Board members also approved a resolution to begin the process of filing health life safety paperwork with the Illinois State Board of Education, which will need approval in order for the summer work to commence.

In other action, the board:

approved a reduction in force for kindergarten teacher Sarah Snyder. Greenwood said the district is unsure whether two instructors for that grade level will be needed next fall. This years number was 26 split between two classrooms, and estimates for 2017-18 enrollment will be more firm after kindergarten registration is held later this month;

accepted the resignation of middle school science teacher Patty Miller;

heard from middle/ high school principal Doug Kepley that participation is up for baseball, softball and boys track. Girls track numbers are down slightly from 2016; and

was told eighth grade promotion exercises will be May 25, with high school graduation May 26.

was informed the gym roof has developed leaks that may be a result of hail damage, which means insurance could cover repairs. Vertical supports in the gym have also been secured as a safety measure.

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Summer building work planned for Bement schools - Piatt County Journal-Republican

Maurice Alarie likes to crunch numbers.

The retired Quispamsis engineer keeps all his bills and tracks expenses on a spreadsheet.

He knows, for instance, that over the past 10 years he's paid an average 11 cents per kilowatt hour for electric heat for his 4000-square-foot ranch home near Meenans Cove.

His house is well-insulated and partially heated with a wood stove in the basement.

When Alarie decided to look into installing a pair of mini-split heat pumps he asked suppliers for both an estimate and a cost-benefit breakdown.

No one, he said, was willing to go that far.

His own calculations, however, showed installation of a heat pump made no sense, he said.

"At 11 cents a kilowatt hour your payback calculations aren't very favourable tobuying these heat pumps," said Alarie.

"Are you better off just turning up your thermostat and using an extra 50 bucks worth of electricity every month through the heating months?"

Although NB Power ended its stand-alone rebate at the beginning of October last year, it offers a $500 subsidy for a heat pump installed in combination with a major insulation upgrade.

Alarie saidhis current annual heating cost from electricity is $630.

He estimated the heat pumps would reduce his bill by a little over one-thirdthat amount if he didn't factor in the cost to pay for the units and their installation.

"Twenty bucks a month, $240 a year, unit's going to cost over $3,000 for one unit. I can't justify the payback. It's getting into 10 years for one, 20 years if I get two, if they don't break down."

Heather Shuve says she is saving $100 a month after factoring in the rental of her year-old heat pump from Saint John Energy. (CBC)

Alarie says there's no question a heat pump is more efficient. It is the cost of the system he is questioning.

He does not believe NB Power should be offering subsidies for heat-pump conversions, and suggests homeowners direct their moneytoward added insulation or replacing leaky windows and doors.

Heather Shuve says she's certain she made the right decision when she installed a mini-split heat pump in her west Saint John home last year.

Saint John Energy rents mini-split heat pumps to homeowners both inside and outside the city for $48.99 a month.

Shuve blames her cathedral ceilings for what had been frightening monthly bills.

"Heating could run between seven and eight hundred dollars a month through the winter so quite expensive," said Shuve, who estimates she has reduced energy costs by $1,800 over the past year.

"Since it's been installed I have easily saved $100 a month. And that's after I've paid the $50 per month rental fee."

JenniferCoughlan, Saint John Energy's supervisor for consumer products and business development, said cost savings depend on several factors, including insulation levels, hours that people are home, preferred level for heating and cooling and the number of occupants in the house.

"Internet research on various sites indicates that mini-split ductless heat pumps use 1 kW to heat, compared with 3 kW to heat with electric baseboard," Coughlan said.

"Thus if you are heating a similar area with a mini-split heat pump as opposed to a baseboard, you should be using less kWs."

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Is a heat pump the best option? Maybe not, says engineer - CBC.ca

(MENAFN Editorial) Toledo, Ohio-based Action Heating, Air conditioning and Electrical, a certified Better Business Bureau company, who specialize in the supply, installation and servicing of HVAC systems have launched a quality service awareness campaign. Concerned by the number of reports of HVAC contractors not delivering a quality service or systems, Action decided to live up to their name and get proactive.

More information is available at http://thiscompanyrocks.net/hvac.

Wanting to raise customer awareness of reputable HVAC services, Action hopes customers will avoid buying the wrong system or a new system when all they needed was a part. Launching their campaign in March, Action, who deliver Toledo air conditioning repairs and offer 24-hour furnace repair Toledo Ohio feel more people need to get a second opinion before agreeing to buy or repair a HVAC system.

According to reports, thousands of people, every year, buy a new HVAC system after a breakdown because a contractor has told them they need one. However, a simple part would have been enough to get the system running, which would have been far more cost-effective for the customer than purchasing a whole system. Other HVAC buyers were sold systems that are too big for the property. In both instances, the contracto is seeking to make larger sales from a customer that is not aware of the situation.

Therefore, by raising customer awareness of these activities, Action feel they can prevent people from paying too much. Action also believes that when needing an HVAC serviced it's important to ensure that the company is genuine. Many reports indicate that some HVAC contractors are not replacing parts, but are charging for them or that they are saying that they are from a reputable company when they are not.

Action provides quality heating and cooling parts and is one of the most reputable Toledo HVAC companies in Ohio. With years of experience and winning personalities, Action is dedicated to delivering exceptional service and HVAC solutions that improve the quality of living.

Mike and Terry Williams, the owners of Action said, We've delivered an honest and dependable HVAC service around Toledo for 50-years, and we feel that all homeowners should receive great service, timely repairs and prompt installation by certified technicians. These technicians should be trained and experienced at handling all HVAC and electrical needs.

To find out more about Action call 419-472-9223 or click on the link above.

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Toledo Heating Air conditioning & Electrical Firm Launch HVAC Awareness Campaign - MENAFN.COM