Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

When storms hit, umbrellas get opened and motorists slow down to avoid hydroplaning on wet roads. But the heavy rainfall also means pollutants such as toxic metals and oils are washed off city streets and into local waters. And that is a major hazard to fish, shellfish and recreators.

According to Dr. Chris May, Manager of Kitsap County Storm Water Projects, the pollutants from stormwater runoff can be reduced by bringing the 600 or so stormwater ponds in the county up to modern standards, and by using treebox filters to clean the water before it flows off the land.

May spoke to the Central Kitsap Community Council recently about what the multi-agency group Clean Water Kitsap has done to keep the waters of Sinclair Inlet, Dyes Inlet and Liberty Bay as clean as possible.

Clean Water Kitsap's efforts have paid off: they say lab tests show that in 2013 the county removed over 1,700 tons of potentially harmful solid material from catch basins, ponds and roads including 529 pounds of toxic metals such as copper, lead and zinc and 304 gallons of oil.

* Duwe'iq Wetland Treatment Facility

The Duwe'iq Wetland Treatment Facility project is one of the larger projects on the horizon. The facility plans show an S-shaped waterway several hundred meters in length located in a lot behind the Car Toys store in Silverdale. It would collect and clean runoff in the area. Currently the runoff is flowing untreated into Clear Creek.

May believed the project would be the first time in the state where a stormwater pond was used to treat water from commercial areas.

Normally these projects only focused on county lands, May said, not commercial land.

"But to be quite honest with you, if you want to clean up Puget Sound or if you want to clean up Dyes Inlet or if you want to clean up Clear Creek you have to address the commercial areas that were built and had no stormwater treatment."

Otherwise, stormwater from about a 27-acre area would not be treated. And business owners were unlikely to do anything to manage stormwater runoff on their own, May said.

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Cleaning Kitsap's runoff proves to be a big job

Tile of Spain has announced the winners of the 13th Annual Tile of Spain Awards in the categories of architecture and interior design. Winners ARCHITECTURE The first prize in the architecture category went to the project entitled "House in Prncipe Real" (Lisbon) by the CAMARIM Arquitectos Studio (Vasco Correia and Patricia Sousa). The house, built on five floors, looks out onto the street boasting a new textured take on the traditional ceramic tile facade.

The judges also awarded two special mentions to the following projects: "Casa El Enroque", by ngel Luis Rocamora and "Casa Andamio" by bosch.capdeferro arquitectures.

Winners INTERIORS First prize in the interior design category was awarded to "Restoration of the Cloister at Betx Castle" by El Fabricante de Espheras studio. The work focuses on recovering the cloister space by including a traditional terracotta wall.

The panel of judges also awarded special mentions to two projects in the Interior Design category: "Bodebo Store" by CAVAA (Jordi Calbet and Oriol Va) and "Restoration of the Administration Hall of the Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site, by Joan Nogu Arbussa. Winners in the FINAL DEGREE PROJECT CATEGORY The Tile of Spain Awards also included a category to acknowledge the best Final Degree Project undertaken by students at architecture schools where the use of ceramic tiles plays a major role.

The judges agreed to award first prize in the Final Degree Project category to 'Alfama 2.0' by Mara Gonzlez Aranguren, a student at the Madrid School of Architecture (ETSAM). Two special mentions were awarded: one to the project entitled 'Re-inhabiting Bujalcayado' by Irene Iglesias Romn and "La Nuit Amricaine" by Luis Rodrguez Carnero, both students at the Madrid School of Architecture (ETSAM).

The panel of judges was chaired by architect Emilio Tun, founder, together with the late Luis Moreno Mansilla of the Mansilla + Tun Arquitectos studio. The panel of judges also included Italian architect Cino Zucchi; the executive director of the Pritzker Awards, Martha Thorne; Indian architect Anupama Kundoo; young architect Jos Mara Snchez, who recently received BSI Swiss Architectural Award for architects under 50; Fernando Mrquez Cecilia, editor and director of El Croquis architecture journal; and the Castelln-born architect Ramn Monfort.

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Winners of 13th Edition of the Tile of Spain Awards Announced

Inspectors have heaped praise on pupils at Tile Hill Wood School and Language College - describing them as polite, friendly, punctual and hard working.

A team of inspectors from the governments Office for Standards in Education have just visited the all-girl secondary academy in Nutbrook Avenue, Tile Hill, Coventry.

They had particular praise for pupils at the school, saying they are polite and friendly both to each other and adults, behave well, arrive on time to lessons and with the right equipment, work hard and rarely bully each other.

The inspectors also spoke highly of the staff. The inspection report said teachers have high expectations of pupils, they plan work for different abilities and they are good at asking questions to make sure pupils have understood the lesson.

Teaching assistants are singled out for praise for the way they work with special needs pupils, pupils who have English as a second language and pupils from families on low incomes.

Pupils told the inspectors that teachers spend extra time outside lessons making sure they are keeping up with the work.

The inspectors said all children learn two languages until the age of 14 and most do at least one language at GCSE.

They noted the school also runs trips to Europe and to Japan, and that most of the sixth formers go on to university.

Its the first inspection since the school became an academy in 2011. It was last inspected in 2009 when the grade was also good.

Head Gina OConnor said: We are really pleased the inspectors agreed with us that this is a good school.

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Government inspectors Ofsted praise for Tile Hill all-girls school

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Backsplashes are one of the most exciting home decor features we know. Much more than mere wall protectors, they define your kitchen's style. The right backsplash can even increase the indoor curb appeal of your home. While beautiful tile backsplashes are traditional -- and with good reason -- other materials are making an appearance as well. Here are 8 DIY backsplash installation inspirations from readers of Hometalk.

1. Stick on faux wood flooring

Want to add unique appeal to your kitchen without major hassle or expense? This cheap 'n' easy (yet lovely!) plank backsplash by Mom4Real can be crafted from peel-and-stick flooring in less than 90 minutes. Choose a moisture resistant variety made for basement and bathroom floors. Just cut pieces to the length you want and stick them on your kitchen wall. Painting is optional.

2. Paint outdated ceramic tile

The solution to a teeny-tiny budget backsplash budget? Work with what you already have! Give the existing ceramic backsplash a whole new look with paint. In this update, Designer Trapped in a Lawyer's Body transformed behind-the-times beige tile to a very sophisticated charcoal gray, then finished it with a high performance top coat. The new look is very 21st Century Modern.

3. Install marble tile

Here's a refreshing new take on the subway tile we've been seeing everywhere for a quite a while now. Ginger and the Huth chose to install tiles of Carrara, the most affordable marble. The soft gray veining and subtle color gradations give an extensive expanse of backsplash a distinct touch of chic without overwhelming. Hard to believe the lovely look was achieved as a DIY backsplash install.

4. Build with brick

Clydene Forbush made like Bob the Builder and used brick for a ruggedly handsome backsplash. Its earthy tones complement the casual warmth of her beige, brown, and red kitchen. What a fantastic backsplash idea for a log house in the woods -- or a big city apartment!

The rest is here:
8 diy ideas to put the *splash* into backsplash

IT was a major milestone in the future of a Hampshire hospice.

Children staying at Naomi House and Jacksplace celebrated the topping out ceremony of their 4m Caterpillar Appeal rebuild project with family members and staff.

Appeal patron Alastair Stewart OBE marked the ceremony by placing a single tile on the hospice's new roof.

He was joined by Naomi Cornelius-Reid - after whom the hospice is named - for the ritual that has been observed by the building trade for hundreds of years.

The charity's chief operating officer, Mark Smith, said: It's a real pleasure to see Alistair and Naomi place the highest ridge tile atop the newest part of Naomi House. It is much more than a tile as it represents years of planning, hard work and dedication by the many people involved in bringing this moment to be - most importantly the generous individuals, companies, trusts and groups who have come together to support us and the children, young people and families we serve.

Thank you everyone who has helped so far and please help us reach our target to complete the works for the summer of next year.

The 4m project includes the creation of nearly 1,000 square metres of new living areas, play spaces and family accommodation. Plans also include increasing the size of bedrooms by one third, the creation of a new bereavement room and garden of reflection, creation of a sensory therapy room and spaces for messy play and music therapy.

For the first time, Naomi House will be joined to its sister hospice, Jacksplace, by a bridge. This will allow children to make use of the state-of-the-art hydrotherapy pool at the charity's hospice for young adults.

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Presenter helps hospice mark major milestone

ESSA TWP. In the event of a fire, using your own water until firefighters arrive could save property, and lives.

Why sprinkler systems are a sound idea in rural homes was made evident during a demonstration held Friday at the Essa Agri-Plex, southwest of Barrie.

Dozens of fire officials from across central Ontario attended a side-by-side burn demonstration, hosted by the Essa Township fire department, to showcase the value and effectiveness of residential fire sprinklers.

Two buildings, each the size of a large garden shed with one wall removed, contained a couch, a fresh, natural Christmas tree and a few other items. One shed had a sprinkler system, and one did not.

Fire crews stood at the ready and the unprotected shed was torched. While its working smoke alarm sounded, flames continued to spread and within a minute or so, there was a ball of flame almost the size of the interior with temperatures in the ceiling reaching approximately 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The natural tree was badly scorched but the rest of the interior was blackened and burned.

The sprinklered shed was later ignited and with its sprinklers, was barely damaged.

"We believe that residential fire sprinklers benefit all home owners," said Essa Township Fire Chief Cynthia Ross Tustin. "Our initiative is aimed at educating everyone about their benefits and, in particular since there have been improvements in technology, highlight the fact that they are now a reasonable, viable option for property owners who are not connected to a water supply.

"Modern building materials and today's household goods have drastically reduced the time families have for getting out safely in the event of a fire," she, noting that laminated beams and flooring, veneered cabinets and synthetics all make for faster-developing fires that are more challenging to fight.

"All those products are wonderful, but not when they catch fire.

"Our side-by-side burn demonstration is designed to showcase how residential sprinklers can improve public safety while offsetting the challenges of rural firefighting. It has a unique set of challenges due to the time it takes to muster firefighters, longer travel times over greater distances and because we must bring out our own water."

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Essa firefighter demonstrate need for residential fire sprinklers

Thomas Friends: The Frozen Turntable at Tidmouth Sheds
Bust my buffers! The turntable is frozen at Tidmouth Sheds! All the Steamies must find a new place to sleep. But no place Gordon finds seems to be good enoug...

By: Thomas Friends

Excerpt from:
Thomas & Friends: The Frozen Turntable at Tidmouth Sheds - Video

#CrimingWhileWhite Sheds Light On Incredible Racial Stories
"As protests erupted Wednesday in New York City, a different kind of demonstration took place on Twitter: a mass conversation about white privilege and policing. The #CrimingWhileWhite hashtag...

By: The Young Turks

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#CrimingWhileWhite Sheds Light On Incredible Racial Stories - Video

A new study from the Human Resources Department suggests Ottawa is looking at ways to get people receiving employment insurance to move to other regions with more jobs. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

The Canadian economy shed 10,700 net jobs last month and nudged the unemployment rate up slightly to 6.6 per cent, the latest labour-market survey said Friday.

However, the overall employment change recorded by Statistics Canada for November was so narrow it fell within the studys margin of error, making it statistically insignificant.

The monthly data for November followed healthy back-to-back employment increases of 43,100 jobs in October and 74,100 in September. The October rise had dropped the unemployment rate to 6.5 per cent, its lowest level since November 2008.

Looking back over the last 12 months, the federal agency found there were 146,000 net new jobs across the country.

The November jobs report saw the Canadian economy giving back some of the past months gains, Brian DePratto of TD Economics wrote Friday in a note to clients.

It should be cautioned though, that one month doesnt make a trend.

He pointed out that Canada saw significant gains in full-time employment in recent months, rising by 101,500 jobs between August and November.

DePratto said TD expects to see continued modest trend employment growth down the road, thanks to expectations the Canadian dollar will stay relatively low and help from the improving U.S. economy.

On Friday, fresh data showed strong employment growth in the U.S. economy, which added 321,000 jobs last month.

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Economy sheds 10,700 jobs in November, unemployment rate rises to 6.6%

McDONOUGH Officials are projecting as many as 296 new full- and part-time jobs could be up for grabs in the McDonough area.

They said a critical construction loan for a hotel and restaurant should help bring to life a project for McDonough that will benefit its communitys economy and generate jobs for residents.

Home2 Suites hotel with 92 studio suites and a Wild Wing Caf are tapped for construction at 60 Mill Road, southwest of the Jonesboro Road exit from Interstate 75.

The hotel and restaurant will join Home Depot, Sams Club, Logans Roadhouse, Chilis Grill & Bar, OCharleys, Red Lobster and others in the retail center.

Officials said a La Quinta Inn will be constructed on the site next year as well.

The project is being developed by Global Hotel Group and Shetal Patel, a physician. The investors turned to AVANA Capital to facilitate a construction loan, which will then be converted into an SBA 504 Green Loan.

Were thrilled to see this come to fruition. This project will bring some needed rooms to McDonough and another terrific restaurant option, said Subhash Sam Patel, president and chief investment officer of Global Hotel Group. The jobs that will come as a result of this project will help strengthen the economy in McDonough and in the region.

Global Hotel Group and partner company Global Management & Investment Group manage more than 2,300 rooms for a variety of brands, including Hilton, LaQuinta, Wyndham, Accor, Choice and IHG.

Home2 Suites, a relatively new concept by Hilton, is designed to provide amenities of home with the facilities of a hotel. A typical room features a sleeper sofa, office area, microwave, dishwasher and refrigerator, as well as a separate sleeping area and bathroom for one-bedroom suites. Suites have a 42 HD flat-panel television, Serta Suite Dream beds, and alarm clock with iPod port and MP3 jack.

The Wild Wing Caf, inside the 9,470-square-feet building, will feature a 1,500-square-feet patio area. Part of the site will be rented out to a local tenant for a non-franchise restaurant.

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Hotel, restaurant project expected in McDonough