Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

A mighty volunteer army, more than 600 strong, began gathering in the dawn hours at Fort Lauderdale's Osswald Park on a recent Friday even as the rain came down on the staging area roof.

The volunteers, assembled by United Way of Broward County and drawn from roughly 30 local companies, were there to put a new face on the park. The effort was all a part of Untied Way's Annual Day of Caring, which the organization's president and CEO Kathleen Cannon calls, "the whole community coming together to do something good."

The day's plan included painting fences and gazebos, pressure cleaning, murals and constructing bookshelves, among other projects.

The choice of location was simple: Osswald Park needed the attention, Cannon said.

"We research to find areas in need. Last year we did the grounds around the War Memorial Auditorium. We focused on veterans then. Now we're focusing on literacy," she said.

Each volunteer brought a book and massive packing cases were arrayed around the staging area to hold the donations.

By early morning, the park became a beehive of activity. Brooms, rakes, shovels and wheelbarrows were pressed into service.

"I love this," said Bob Guido, wheeling pots of flowers. "I'm with Holman Automotive, helping United Way to revamp the setting. We're in the community [and] we're giving back."

Workers began unloading foam containers of boxed sandwich lunches from a Publix semi-truck. Yellow-shirted AutoNation volunteers tore up the ground outside the park's main building, the Wallace J. Merriett Recreation Center. Inside a small crew in FPL T-shirts were hammering together and painting bookshelves provided by United Way and Home Depot.

Peter Moore, head of the engineering firm Chen Moore and Associates, was one of the volunteers helping to paint.

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United Way behind park's new makeover

With an unprecedented spurt in online shopping, Big Lots Inc . ( BIG ) has been focusing on its omnichannel capabilities to generate incremental sales. Although these won't be fully operational before the end of 2015, we believe that the company, which is already on a turnaround mode, will get an added boost from these initiatives.

As per recent trends observed over the Thanksgiving weekend, online sales have increased considerably. Moreover, with the rise of online retailers like Amazon.com Inc. ( AMZN ) and considerable development in the digital portals of other mass merchandisers like Wal-Mart Stores Inc. ( WMT ) and Target Corp. ( TGT ), competition is getting increasingly tough. Hence, need for an online portal is a must for Big Lots.

Nevertheless, we continue to believe that Big Lots' turnaround initiatives will help the retailer to hold its ground. The company, after pulling out of the unprofitable Canadian terrain, has resorted to extensive cost-cutting. Moreover, it is focusing on three important categories - food, furniture and consumables -- to drive up comps. All these categories have displayed increases in past couple of quarters, which makes these substantially profitable options.

In addition, the company has completed the roll out of furniture financing to 1,300 stores and has expanded the assortment in this category by including lawn and garden items, such as patio furniture, gazebos and gas grills, and brand new assortment of fireplaces for the winter.

Management is also adding more brands to its food and consumables categories. The company has revamped its food department by giving it a fresh look for the convenience of customers. Also, the company has been actively rolling out cooler/freezer facility to expand merchandise of food-related items to target food stamp recipients.

In the third- quarter, the company completed the roll out of the facility to 750 stores, to benefit from the crucial holiday season. The company will hold the process over the holiday season and plans to roll out the facility to another 500 stores in fiscal 2015.

The initiatives have resulted in the company witnessing comps growth for 3 successive quarters after seeing decline for 8 consecutive quarters. Comps for the quarter were up 1.4% following a 1.7% and a 0.9% rise in the trailing two quarters, respectively.

Currently, Big Lots' carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

BIG LOTS INC (BIG): Free Stock Analysis Report

WAL-MART STORES (WMT): Free Stock Analysis Report

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Will Omnichannel Accelerate Big Lots' Turnaround Pace? - Analyst Blog

Bhavishyavani | December 15 , 2014 - India TV
Watch BHAVISHYAVANI with Acharya Indu Prakash, who tells your daily horoscope, numerological fortune, alphabetical fortune and gives tips on vaastu shastra and feng-shui along with astrological...

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Bhavishyavani | December 15 , 2014 - India TV - Video

MAGHANDA PARA sa isang nakakikilabot na Pasko sa pinakahihintay na pagpapatuloy ng Feng Shui- ang landmark film na itinuturing ng madami bilang greatest horror movie ng kasaysayan ng Philippine cinema.

Sa ilalim ng direksyon ng award-winning na direktor na si Chito. S. Roo at sa kanyang panulat kasama si Roy Iglesias, opisyal na entri ng Star Cinema ang Feng Shui sa nalalapit na 40th Metro Manila Film Festival.

Sa pinaka-aabangang ikalawang installment ng multi-million Feng Shui film franchise, pagsasamasamahin ng makasayasayang proyektong ito ang apat sa mga haligi ng horror genre ng lokal na industriya. At ito ay kinabibilangan ng Star Cinema at nina Direk Chito S. Roo, Kris Aquino, at ang kinakatakutang Lotus Feet.

Sa nakaraang dalawampung taon, hindi tumigil ang Star Cinema sa pag-prodyus ng mga di malilimutang blockbuster horror films na umani ng tuloy tuloy na papuri mula sa mga kritiko at mga manonood. Isa sa mga impluwensyal at nangungunang artistic proponents ng malagong horror genre ng industriya ay ang master storyteller na si Direk Chito S. Roo, na siyang mahusay na tumahi ng mga certified modern horror classics gaya ng unang Feng Shui (2004), Sukob (2006), The Healing (2012), at marami pang iba.

Ang Queen of all Media naman na si Kris Aquino ay kinilala din bilang reyna ng horror genre ng Philippine cinema matapos maging unang horror film na matagumpay na nai-breach ang P100M mark sa takilya ang Feng Shui nuong 2004. Nangyari ito nuong panahon ng drama, comedy, love stories ang usong-uso sa big screen. Ang kahusayan ni Kris sa pagganap sa papel ni Joy, ang bida ng pelikula ay nananatiling isa sa pinaka-mahusay na pagganap ng isang aktres sa kasaysayan ng pelikulang Pilipino. Bukod sa pagiging bida ng pelikulang ito, co-producedr din si Kris sa pamamagitan ng kanyang production company na Kristina C. Aquino Productions.

Ang paglikha kay Lotus Feet- ang sentral na kontrabida ng Feng Shui ay sobrang epektibo at naging overnight sensation pa ito. Naging household name din siya mula ng tinakot niya ang mga Pilipino nuong 2004. Ngayon, matapos ang sampung taon nananatiling prominenteng pigura si Lotus Feet sa Pinoy pop-culture at gaya ng pelikula kung saan siya ay bahagi, naging isang brand na rin ang kanyang karakter.

Isang dekada na ang nakakalipas nuong nilamon si Joy ng kasakiman at ng kanyang kagustuhang bigyan ang kanyang pamilya ng magandang buhay. Ang hindi alam ni Joy, may kakaibang kapangyarihan na sanhi ng pagiging realidad ng kanyang mga inaasam sa buhay. Hindi namamalayan ni Joy na biktima na siya ng kapangyarihan ng isang lumang bagua na kumukuha ng lakas sa mga materyal na kagustuhan ng mga tao.

Nang maglaon, sinira ni Joy ang bagua upang wakasan ang sumpang taglay nito. Ngunit madidiskubre ni Joy, sampung taon na ang nakalipas, na bago na ang may-ari nito- si Lester.

Mapipilitang magsanib pwersa sina Joy at Lester upang puksain ang mga lagim na dala ng mahiwagang bagua.

Ang multi-awarded na aktor at primetime drama king na si Coco Martin ay ang bagong makakasama ng cast. Gagampanan niya ang papel ni Lester. Minamarkahan ng Feng Shui ang kauna-unahang pagsabak ni Coco sa horror.

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Patuloy ang saga ng Feng Shui ngayong Disyembre!

The incoming Year of the Goat will be a luckier year than 2014.

Feng Shui Master Joseph Chau Kam Shing stressed this at the launch of his book Feng Shui Essentials Year of the Goat 2015 at the Cowrie Grill in Greenhills, San Juan City, yesterday.

Last year, we had too much fire element. This explains the thunders, explosions, and terrorisms of 2014, Master Chau said. In 2015, there will be less fire. While the Year of the Goat is deemed to be a luckier one, Master Chau said the country will still be facing challenges.

He said industries such as the hotel, logistics, transportation, sales, medical, mining, and entertainment will be challenged by competition. He also warned people to be wary of respiratory and liver problems.

LUCKY SYMBOLS

The feng shui expert said almost all animal signs are lucky, except the rooster. This, however, can be cured by surrounding ones self with good vibes.

Do not go to funerals, so that you would not absorb the mourning. Instead, go to parties, he said.

Master Chau is acknowledged as a primary figure in Chinese geomancy and has been featured in various television shows and publications around the world.

He said the compilation of daily guide and tips for good luck and fortune published by the Manila Bulletin (MB) Publishing Corp. is based on Chinese culture and history.

The participation of the Manila Bulletin in this event is an affirmation of its commitment to provide Filipino readers with a wide range of informative, interesting, and inspiring publications, said MB Vice President Melito Salazar Jr.

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2015 will be a luckier year Master Chau

ANG DAMI na palang acting awards na napanalunan ni Coco Martin na isa sa mga bida sa pelikulang Feng Shui ng Viva Films at Star Cinema na showing na sa Chrisrmas Day. Umabot na ito sa 34, huh! Aba, kung ganun, si Coco ang maituturing na most-awarded actor. Ang bongga naman!

Pero kahit napakarami na niyang awards and trophies ay nae-excite pa rin daw siya pag umaakyat sa stage at tumatanggap ng award.

Hindi naman sa gustong laging magka-award. Pero iba talaga yung feeling kapag nare-recognize yung trabaho at pinaghirapan mo. Napakasarap ng pakirandam, sabi pa nito.

Sa akin kasi parang bonus na lang yung award, eh. Kung meron siyempre okey di ba? Kung wala naman, may mga susunod pa namang magagandang proyekto, baka yon, magustuhan nila, patuloy pa ng aktor.

Sa Feng Shui, hindi raw nag-i-expect ng best actor award si Coco.

Natapos ko yung pelikula na wala akong inaasahan. Ang importante, nagawa ko ang Feng Shui at nakasama ko for the first time si Ate Kris (Aquino) at nakatrabaho ko si Direk Chito Roo, reaksyon niya.

Ayon pa sa aktor, may konti siyang sosyo sa pelikula thru K Productions na si Kris ang nagmamay-ari.

Tungkol naman sa pambubuko ni Kris sa kanyang lovelife, tinawanan lang ito ni Coco.

La Boka by Leo Bukas

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Coco Martin, sa dami ng awards, nae-excite pa ring manalo

I have always been vocal about my admiration for Coco Martin. His rags-to-riches story is inspiring. Coco and Kris Aquino topbill Star Cinemas Metro Manila Film Festival entry Feng Shui 2 (opens Dec. 25). With Cocos success, he needs no feng shui; he is clearly Lady Lucks fave.

Heres my one-on-one with Coco:

Do you believe in feng shui?

Nope. But I respect those who do. I believe God rewards us with good fortune if we are kind and if we keep striving.

What was it like working with Kris?

It was always a happy set. I miss our long chats between takes. I learned a lot from her about budgeting.

Whats your Christmas gift to yourself?

None. But every time I finish a project, I always reward myself. When I finished the soap Ikaw Lamang, I bought a Mini Cooper. This Christmas, the gift I hope to get is more time with my family, to make up for being busy all year round.

Whats the best thing that happened to you in 2014?

A lot of good projects came my way. And my whole family remained healthy and safe.

Original post:
Cocos Christmas wish this year

VATICAN CITY (AP) A sweeping Vatican investigation into Roman Catholic nuns in the U.S. that began amid fears they had become too feminist and secular ended up praising the sisters for their selfless work caring for the poor a major shift in tone that reflected the social justice mindset of Pope Francis.

The overwhelmingly positive report Tuesday also promised to value their "feminine genius" more, while gently suggesting ways to serve the church faithfully and survive amid a steep drop in their numbers. It was cheered by the American sisters themselves, dozens of whom swarmed the Vatican news conference announcing the results in a rare occasion of women outnumbering men at the Vatican.

"There is an encouraging and realistic tone in this report," Sister Sharon Holland told reporters. "Challenges are understood, but it is not a document of blame, or of simplistic solutions. One can read the text and feel appreciated and trusted to carry on."

The report was most remarkable for what it didn't say, given the criticism of American religious life that prompted the Vatican under Pope Benedict XVI to launch the investigation in 2009.

There was no critique of the nuns, no demands that they shift their focus from social justice to emphasize Catholic teaching on abortion, no condemnation that a feminist, secular mentality had taken hold in their ranks.

Rather, while offering a sobering assessment of the difficult state of American congregations, the report praised the sisters' dedication and reaffirmed their calling in a reflection of the pastoral tone characteristic of history's first Jesuit pope.

It was a radically different message than that of another Vatican office that investigated an umbrella group of the sisters' leaders.

That investigation, conducted by the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, resulted in a Vatican takeover of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious in 2012. The doctrine office determined that the LCWR, which represents the leaders of 80 percent of U.S. nuns, took positions that undermined church teaching and promoted "radical feminist themes incompatible with the Catholic faith."

The Vatican's congregation for religious orders has long sought to distinguish its broad investigation into the quality of life of American sisters from the more narrow doctrinal assessment carried out by the orthodoxy office.

But both investigations began within months of one another and resulted in tremendous feelings of betrayal and insult from the sisters.

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Vatican offers olive branch to US nuns

An unprecedented Vatican investigation of U.S. women's religious orders that alarmed Roman Catholic sisters when the inquiry began years ago ended Tuesday with a report signaling a softer approach under Pope Francis.

The report praised sisters for their selfless work caring for the poor and promised to value their "feminine genius" more, while gently suggesting ways to serve the church faithfully and survive amid a steep drop in their numbers. There was no direct critique of the nuns, nor any demand for them to change only requests that they ensure their ministries remain "in harmony with Catholic teaching."

"There is an encouraging and realistic tone in this report," said Sister Sharon Holland, head of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, the umbrella organization for most U.S. religious orders. "Challenges are understood, but it is not a document of blame, or of simplistic solutions. One can read the text and feel appreciated and trusted to carry on."

The laudatory language contrasted sharply with the atmosphere in which the review started under Pope Benedict XVI. Cardinal Franc Rode, who in 2008 initiated the nationwide study when he led the Vatican office that oversees religious orders, said there was concern about "a certain secular mentality that has spread in these religious families and, perhaps, also a certain 'feminist' spirit."

Rode left the post while the review was still under way, and his successors had said they wanted a friendlier relationship with the sisters.

Still, many nuns remained concerned about the outcome of the investigation under Francis' still-young pontificate. Some nuns had taken legal steps during the inquiry to shield the financial assets of their religious orders in case of a Vatican takeover.

The report expressed hope that sisters would take "this present moment as an opportunity to transform uncertainty and hesitancy into collaborative trust" with the church hierarchy. Many sisters have complained that their work often went unrecognized by priests and requested improved dialogue with bishops to clarify their role in the church and give them greater voice in decisions, according to the report.

Before the news conference releasing the report in Rome, leaders for the sisters and the nun who oversaw the review, Mother Mary Clare Millea, attended the pope's daily Mass in the Vatican hotel where he lives and spoke with him briefly, where he offered his blessing.

Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, based in Maryland, said in a statement the document signaled "a hope for future dialogue and communion among and between women religious and church leaders."

"The report is clearly focused on cooperation. It's clearly focused on dialogue, which I think is not necessarily what people expected back in 2008 when this issue came up," said Jana Bennett, a specialist in Catholic theology and ethics at the University of Dayton, Ohio.

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Vatican signals new tone on US nuns

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