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Close to twenty Greene and Madison County Residents congregated at the PVCC Eugene Giuseppe Center in Stanardsville last Thursday evening to discuss strategies to protect local streams and rivers.

Representatives from a number of agenciesRappahannock Rapidan Regional Commission (RRRC), Blue Ridge Emergency Services (BRES), Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD)came to speak to concerned residents regarding an implantation plan for the Upper Rapidan Watershed. Affected rivers and stream stretch across Madison, Orange, Greene and Albemarle Counties.

The [DEQ] has measured excessive fecal bacteria levels, BRES president and CEO Byron Petrauskas said, noting high levels found in Rippin Run, Blue Run, Marsh Run, Beautiful Run, Popular Run and the Rapidan River. High levels result from feces from warm-blooded animals, which can contain various bacteria (such as E. Coli), parasites and viruses. Petrauskas said ingesting contaminated water could result in infection or diarrhea to more serious conditions such as ulcers, arthritis, chronic conditions or death.

First, the DEQ takes [water] samples and compares results to the bacteria count in the water quality standard, Petrauskas said. If 10.5 percent of samples exceed the bacteria water quality standard[the body of water] is considered impaired.

Once placed on this list, development of an implementation plan is required by law.

He said bacteria can source residentially from straight pipes (pipes which drain waste directly into watershed), failing septic systems, pet waste and residential land use runoff. Agriculturally, bacteria can source from direct defecation into rivers and streams by livestock and pasture and cropland runoff. Wildlife feces are also a factor.

General agricultural strategies or best management practices (BMP) to reduce bacterial contamination include excluding livestock from stream corridors using fencing, buffering or a setback, reforestation and rotational grazing. Residential strategies include eliminating straight pipes, repairing or replacing failing septic systems and hooking up to a sanitary sewer.

However, Petrauskas said before actions can be taken to lower bacteria levels, goals are set, cost and benefit calculations conducted and stakeholders are identified.

We want to get [these streams and rivers] off of the impaired water list, he said, noting strategies should strive lower bacteria levels to not exceed standard water quality. Milestones should be established to see how implementations are going and how the water quality is responding. He noted the SWCD and Virginia Department of Health track installations while the DEQ will continue to monitor bacteria levels.

But who is going to implement [the plan] and what are potential funding sources? Petrauskas asked. He said stakeholders can include local government, landowners, RRRC and SWCD on the local and regional levels, a number of state programs, federal agencies and programs including the United States Department of Agriculture, Clean Water Act, United States Fish and Wildlife Service and private sources. In the past 75 and 85 percent reimbursement was available for landowners willing to take initiative to fence off or protect stream and riverbanks and other agricultural BMPs on their property through a combination of federal, state, non-profit and private sourced funding. Culpeper SWCD district manager Greg Wichelns said 100 percent reimbursement is currently being offered through federal and state cost share programs.

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Many people say plan needed to improve Upper Rapidan water quality

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DENVER Theres still room at the inn, but less of it than ever before in Colorados hotels.

A resurgent economy brought a record number of guests to the states hotels in 2014. Along with healthy occupancy levels came the highest room rates ever recorded in Colorado.

Analysts say the industry is hitting on each of its three main cylinders: business travel, convention bookings and vacationing visitors.

2014 marked the fifth consecutive year of improvement for hotel operators since the market faltered during the recession of 2008-09.

Rising fundamentals also are helping bring the industry out of years of dormancy in which few new hotels were built. An estimated 1,700 rooms will be added in metro Denver in 2015. That 3.8 percent gain in inventory is the fastest growth spurt in 15 years.

The market is strong and I think well continue to see demand (for rooms) continue to increase in 2015, said Bob Benton of Robert S. Benton & Associates, co-author of the Rocky Mountain Lodging Report.

Colorado hotels reached an average occupancy rate in 2014 of 68.3 percent, according to the lodging report. The statewide average room rate was $135, an increase of 6 percent from 2013.

Metro Denvers room rates grew even faster, rising 8 percent to an average of $124.

The metro average rate belies an extremely healthy luxury hotel market in downtown Denver where its not unusual to see rates as high as $400 a night during peak weekday business travel periods.

Analysts say the addition of new hotel rooms in Denver may produce slightly lower occupancy rates but will not reverse the rise in prices for rooms.

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Demand sets record room rates, occupancies in state hotels

Published February 23, 2015

The O'Neill family recreated a school's Frozen-themed Valentine's Day dance for their daughter, Eliza, pictured with father Glenn.(Saving Eliza)

A South Carolina family who has been self-isolating for the past nine months due to their daughters rare condition brought the "Frozen"-themed Valentines Day school dance she was missing out on to their living room.

Eliza ONeill, 5, was diagnosed with Sanfilippo syndrome, type A, in 2013. Children with the disease lack an enzyme necessary for normal cellular function, which eventually causes a lethal buildup of a toxic material called heparin sulfate.

Patients eventually develop learning disabilities and behavior problems in addition to the pain and suffering that come with the diagnosis. Doctors told Elizas parents she will soon lose the ability to talk, walk and eat on her own.

Glenn and Cara ONeill, Elizas parents, decided to enter a self-imposed quarantine to protect Eliza from outside illnesses. They also dont want to risk Eliza building immunity to the AAV9 virus, which she will be given as part of a clinical trial they are anxiously awaiting to begin.

We have heard from other parents who have children with Sanfilippo that if their child gets sick at this critical age, it could accelerate their Sanfilippo symptoms, Cara, 40, told PEOPLE.

We think about how we are keeping our daughter at home during the days which could be the best she ever has, Glenn, 42, told the magazine. We cant take her to the zoo or the playground and she isnt in school with other kids.

The family also had to take Elizas older brother, 8-year-old Beckham, out of class.

I dont want her to have Sanfilippo anymore, he told PEOPLE. It messes up her brain and I want her brain to be normal.

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Family brings 'Frozen'-themed school dance to living room for daughter battling rare condition

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(Rendering courtesy Sage Hospitality)

BMC Investments and Sage Hospitality have started construction on a $70 million Cherry Creek hotel that will bring a new restaurant brand to Denver.

The 155-room hotel is being built on the site of the former Post Office at 245 Columbine St.

Sage Restaurant Group, an affiliate of the hotel company, will operate Departure Restaurant at the hotel. It marks the second location for the Asian-themed Departure; the first is in The Nines hotel in Portland, Ore.

The yet-unnamed hotel will have a roof deck pool and bar, and 6,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space.

The complex is expected to open in April 2016.

"This project will mirror the big changes that have been taking place in the Cherry Creek North neighborhood," said Walter Isenberg, president and CEO of Sage Hospitality.

A surge of new development is occurring in Cherry Creek, including condos, apartments, office buildings and retail space.

Steve Raabe: 303-954-1948, sraabe@denverpost.com or twitter.com/steveraabedp

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Denver developers Sage, BMC launch $70 million hotel in Cherry Creek

HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) -- Construction crews began tearing down a former Harrisonburg restaurant Monday. Crews say the former Shoney's Restaurant building will be completely gone in the next two days. The restaurant, including several other Shoney's in the Valley, closed up shop in April 2013.

Harman Realty said there are no plans yet for a new business coming to the location. They are currently seeking a business to build on the site.

They said they decided to bring down the building because it was expensive to keep up with maintenance and repair, including a hole in the roof.

Millard David Clark, who often ate at Shoney's, says it was a community spot.

"It is just a shame to see it go down because so many people met there," said Clark. "It was a good meeting spot. Our friends would come a lot and we'd meet them and we had parties and stuff here, it was just a real nice place."

Realtors say they eventually plan for a new business to move into the area.

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Crews Tear Down Former Shoney's

If youre planning to invest in some home improvements before you put your house on the market, choose your projects carefully.

Thats the takeaway from Remodeling Magazines annual Cost vs. Value Report, which compares construction costs with resale values for the most popular home-improvement projects.

In todays market, it makes sense to concentrate your spending on the things buyers see first.

Smaller exterior projects that boost curb appeal recoup more of their cost at sale time than big-ticket remodeling, such as additions, luxurious kitchen and bath overhauls.

In the West North Central region, which includes Minnesota, the project with the best return on investment was replacing an entry door. Homeowners who made that simple fix saw an 86 percent return, the report found.

Other projects with the highest payback included enhancing the exterior with manufactured stone veneer (82.2 percent return), vinyl siding replacement (81.5 percent) and wooden window replacement (80.6 percent).

The project with the lowest return (approximately 50 percent) was a master suite addition.

As a general rule, the simpler and lower-cost the project, the bigger its cost-value ratio. So, replacement projects such as door, window and siding upgrades tend to generate a higher return than remodeling projects.

And home-flippers beware: Theres not a single remodeling project that returns more money in home resale value than it costs to hire a pro to do the work, at least in our region.

Heres another note of caution: What buyers say theyre looking for in a home may not be what theyre willing to pay for.

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Will your remodeling project pay off?

Vero Beach, Florida (PRWEB) March 09, 2015

When people think of Florida, its natural to think of sun-drenched beaches, amazing sunsets and championship golf courses. For those living on Florida's Treasure Coast, they have the unequalled opportunity to experience a tropical paradise in Vero Beach. Residents enjoy an azure colored ocean, deserted beaches and an enticing sea floor scattered with hidden Spanish Galleon treasure. Sunken ships can still be seen at low tide from the Vero Beach beaches. Treasures on land include high end art galleries, a world class art museum, performing arts theater, and tasty restaurants. Disney recognized the value of this area and built the Disney Vero Beach Resort in 1995 just south of the Sebastian Inlet, one of Floridas best surfing beaches.

The barrier island is populated with private and expensive gated communities. After years of studying communities in the area, Real Estate Scorecard chose Grand Harbor Golf & Beach Club as its 2015 Bliss Award winner for Best Florida Community of the Year and here's why:

The Developer of Grand Harbor Golf & Beach Club had the foresight to secure an oceanfront land parcel near Disneys Vero Beach Resort to build the communitys private oceanfront beach club. The staffed Beach Club amenities include an oceanfront swimming pool, beach cabanas, oceanfront dining and the beach club is about a 10 minute drive from the Grand Harbor neighborhoods.

Five star amenities at Grand Harbor are extensive: two championship golf courses, a 32,000 square foot grandiose Mediterranean clubhouse with four diverse venues for dining, 144-slip protected deep water marina, tennis center with 10 Har-Tru courts and 2 stadium courts, 3 bocce ball courts, a modern fitness center staffed with personal trainers and jam-packed social calendar. Grand Harbor offers over 200 monthly social events which include themed parties, dinner shows, golf invitationals, tennis exhibitions, and all kinds of special interest clubs. Volunteerism is the common thread weaving through heart of the Vero Beach country club.

The gated community has incredible curb appeal with tree lined roads providing a sense of peace and exclusivity. Grand Harbor is golf cart friendly making it easy to get around the huge community. The community has also been recognized as a Certified Audubon Community. Golf, tennis and social club memberships range from $272 to $894 per month. Were told club membership has not imposed assessments. Deposits for membership provide 100% equity return or 80% of the current values, which ever is greater so the investment in joining the club is worthwhile. During the summer months, the club has reciprocal arrangements with 13 local Indian River golf courses adding variety for the avid golfer.

In addition to the diversified way of life it offers, what makes Grand Harbor special to Real Estate Scorecard is the one-of-a-kind boating opportunities the community has boating on the Indian River Lagoon, one of the largest protected estuaries in Florida. The lagoon basin contains 685 fish species, 370 bird species, 2,100 plant species, 2,200 animal species. Beaches in the lagoon region attract some of the highest numbers of nesting sea turtles in the western hemisphere. Manatees, otters and bottlenose dolphins now inhabit the estuary. For outdoor enthusiast and boaters, this is an incredible backyard. For the more adventurous boater, the Sebastian Inlet provides the gateway to the Atlantic Ocean and is approximately 11 miles to the north. Conveniently located within the community is the independently owned Loggerhead Marina, a 144-slip protected deep water marina.

Since its commencement in 1988, a lot of thought went into the master plan of the Vero Beach country club. From impressive estates to low maintenance villas, townhomes and condominiums, the gated community offers something for every price point. Believe it or not, homes can be found here under $200k. On the opposite side of the pendulum, estate homes can easily exceed $1 million. The Falls neighborhood is the communitys newest neighborhood with spacious single family villas priced from the $400ks. In addition, future development will continue as it boasts over 500 acres of undeveloped land.

Folks relocating from the tax-laden, icy Northeast, will find Grand Harbors location on the mainland appealing. A new Publix shopping center is located just beyond the gated entrance and top quality medical care is found just to 2 miles to the south at the Indian River Medical Center. Retirees living the Grand life in Vero Beach have a sweet reward during the golden years.

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