Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

May 12, 2023 3:19 pm EDT | Updated May 12, 2023 7:49 pm EDT

VIRGINIA You never know what kind of home waits around the corner in Virginia. This week, Patch has a few homes that stand out from the crowd thanks to their history, location, or unique features.

One home on the market in Spotsylvania County is called "The Castle" by its current owners. It has turrets, stone walls, and a moat, according to the real estate listing.

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Another home for sale in Old Town Alexandria has history dating back more than 200 years. The historic rowhouse has been recently renovated for a luxurious and modern feel.

Patch has put together a collection of beautiful homes on the market in Northern Virginia and Fredericksburg. You can find photo galleries of properties in the listings linked in each article.

'The Castle' Estate In Spotsylvania With Turrets, Moat Lists For $2.9M

An enormous home for sale in Spotsylvania known as "The Castle" has turrets, stone walls, a moat, and a domed ceiling. In total, the home has more than 19,000 square feet, six bedrooms, and 11 bathrooms. The property is truly one-of-a-kind. "There is nothing cookie-cutter about this show-stopper," the real estate listing says.

1820 Updated Rowhouse Lists For $2.2M In Old Town Alexandria

You wouldn't believe this home in Old Town Alexandria dates back to 1820 with its modern appearance inside. Priced at a steep $2.2 million, this rowhouse provides an incredible luxurious modern feel inside. The open concept main level with the kitchen and lower level with a bar provide multiple ideal spaces to entertain. But when it's warmer, you'll want to enjoy the rooftop terrace for outdoor dining or just relaxing. The home boasts five bedrooms plus an office. The master suite is a luxurious space with a spa-like bath.

Luxury McLean Home With Large Slate Patio, Elevator Lists For $4.7M

Introducing a spectacular 8 bedroom, 10 full and 2 half bathroom, all-brick custom-quality home situated on a lush, professionally landscaped private 0.5-acre lot in sought-after Langley Forest. This extensively upgraded and meticulously maintained property offers luxury living in a private and serene setting and includes over 9,300 finished sq ft on 4 levels. The thoughtfully designed floor plan provides ample space for comfortable living and entertaining.

Immaculate Kingstowne Home With Landscaped Yard On Market For $999K

Here's a rare opportunity to own an absolutely immaculate and meticulously maintained five bedroom, three level home in a quiet cul-de-sac in a highly sought after Kingstowne subdivision. The home offers more than 4,400 square feet of finished living space. The owners took pride in their home of 20 years, and it shows, not only on the interior but the exterior as well. Relax on the patio or enjoy your morning coffee on the deck overlooking the beautifully landscaped yard (10 zone underground sprinkler system, stone border flower beds).

Cape Cod In Arlington Features 4-Level Addition, Lighted Sport Court

You won't believe it until you see it. This Arlington home will wow you from the moment you walk in the front door. The stone Cape Cod features a four-level addition on a deep lot. The open main level boasts a gourmet kitchen with quartz counters, stainless steel appliances, and Kraftmaid cabinets and a beautiful family room with built-in cabinets and entertainment center along with French doors looking out to the backyard.

High-Tech Condo In Downtown Leesburg Lists For $900K

$1.4M Woodbridge Home Offers Custom Amenities, Open Floor Plan

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Castle With Turrets, Moat + 200-Year-Old Rowhouse: VA Dream Homes - Patch

BILL WHITAKERBoard of Contributors

A few weeks ago I attended a sun-lit memorial service honoring 15 people, 12 of them first responders, killed in the ammonium nitrate explosion that destroyed or damaged infrastructure in much of the city of West in 2013. Two points were made by speakers: The town of 2,500 had concluded its marathon rebuilding effort over the decade and all were grateful for the sacrifice, courage and public service shown by the first responders who perished in the blast.

Yet in surveying the dark slabs laid in tribute to the dead of April 17, 2013 in West Memorial City Park, I was cognizant of what was left unsaid: When time came to make sure such a tragedy never befell the families of other first responders, state leaders couldnt quite muster similar courage. They passed on an unusually strong recommendation by the state fire marshal to mandate sprinkler systems in businesses like the West Fertilizer Company to prevent similar loss of life.

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In doing so, political leadership and society in general bet that reforms short of what the fire marshal proposed would be good enough and all to save agribusinesses the cost and hassle of installing sprinklers. And if the reforms implemented are not good enough well, thats a calculated risk many of us have decided to assume: Memorialize our dead, comfort the families, rebuild infrastructure with millions of state and federal taxpayer dollars and get on with life in Texas.

That thought came to mind when the Texas House of Representatives this month recklessly passed a bill to unravel safeguards set by wiser lawmakers in 2001 to protect Wacos drinking water from pollution stemming from upstream dairy operations in the North Bosque watershed that feeds Lake Waco. For more than two decades, that legislation has reduced though not eliminated the problem Wacoans and others face from phosphorus-rich dairy cattle manure fouling our water supply.

Even though Republican state Rep. Charles Doc Anderson has dutifully supported agricultural and rural priorities galore throughout his long career representing the Waco area in the Texas House, his protests against Republican state Rep. DeWayne Burns bill to stifle community voices in the crucial permitting process for watershed dairy operations went unheeded by many. Anderson reminded colleagues that dismantling the regulatory framework puts at risk the drinking water of 220,000 Wacoans downstream.

The Texas House response to anxieties about contaminating our water supply: Let them drink milk.

For his part, Burns insists changes in the state law through House Bill 2827 everything from loosening permitting-process rigors to scrapping certain soil tests instrumental in gauging phosphorus levels left behind by nutrient-profuse cattle waste (which spurs putrid algal growth in water) can be reversed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality if the agency recognizes total maximum daily loads (TMDL) of contaminants are worsening water quality in the long-troubled watershed.

The point is this is a success story, Burns said in floor debate about the regulatory system protecting Wacos drinking water. This TMDL program has been in place 20 years and weve met the goals of the TMDL program all along the lines, all along the watershed. We simply want to change the permitting process but leave these regulations in place and the remedies in place to TCEQ should something ever happen.

Waco alliance on alert

City of Waco officials are more than skeptical. In a statement, Waco Mayor Dillon Meek, an attorney, said Burns reassuring words veer widely from his legislations actual wording: There are significant consequences which may be unintended by the bills author but nevertheless remove regulatory authority from the TCEQ in this watershed and will necessitate alterations to the existing general permit [process] and to the implementation plan for the North Bosque River TMDL.

Concerns? Well, three of the five monitoring stations in the watershed have never met the goal set two long decades ago, city officials say. At the 2021 meeting of North Bosque stakeholders, all agreed the implementation plan had not been met and with no dispute from the Texas Association of Dairymen and the Texas Farm Bureau. TCEQ compliance data show that multiple dairies within the watershed have been cited for operating out of compliance with their permits since at least 2012.

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality reports indicate that even now, with state regulations in force, striving for water quality in the North Bosque watershed with some 40 dairies upstream remains a constant struggle. Any relaxing of regulations regarding permit requirements may negatively affect water quality in Lake Waco and cause increased drinking water treatment costs for the City of Waco, a TCEQ analysis in March concluded. These potential costs would be very difficult to estimate.

City taxpayers have already spent tens of millions to construct groundbreaking treatment facilities at Lake Waco to help remove algal microorganisms from the water. And while the nearby 200-acre Lake Waco Wetlands is celebrated for its wildlife diversity, city officials also count on it to filter out at least some contaminants from the North Bosque before the water reaches Lake Waco. Yet all of this means little without tight regulations lessening overall pollution from dairy cattle waste washing into the river.

The bill was likely filed in good faith to try to bring solutions to bear for the dairy industry, Mayor Dillon Meek said in an interview this week. The unintended consequence of that would be, I think, losing the opportunity for the public to comment, and thus increase the risk of greater pollution in the North Bosque River, the waterway that feeds Lake Waco and supplies the city's drinking water.

Local officials led by Meek with mayoral predecessors such as Malcolm Duncan Jr. as well as business leaders in the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce and Waco Restaurant Association fear undoing the state regulations will make the daily challenge of fighting North Bosque pollution all the more difficult. When I dared to suggest many Wacoans may be oblivious to what looms if the state of Texas relaxes current TCEQ regulations, Meek suggested otherwise.

Wacoans are aware, concerned and will do anything they can, the mayor told me. From [prominent Texas Medical Association official and McLennan County Republican Party Chairman] Brad Holland, to [Waco-area rock star and Second Amendment activist] Ted Nugent, to [McLennan County Judge] Scott Felton, to [Democratic] Ambassador Lyndon Olson, to [local restaurateur] Sammy Citrano, to nearly every member of the business community, all leaders in philanthropy, to Baylor Universitys president and regents, some of whom made personal calls to their respective elected leaders, our community knows what is at stake. I cant go to an event, meeting or kids birthday party without folks of all ages volunteering support. We presented a letter with dozens of community leaders signatures to our representatives including state Rep. Angelia Orr (who represents part of the Waco area as well as pollution-impacted constituents in Clifton and Meridian) and the entire House urging opposition.

Given that Holland, Nugent, Olson, Felton and Citrano speak for and to very different audiences, their collective political weight should speak volumes to state leadership that till now has been tone-deaf. Another rallying to the local cause: McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara, sometimes dubbed Americas sheriff.

Festering memories

If you want to properly determine a longtime resident in Waco, ask about local water before state legislators in 2001 took steps to tightly regulate upstream dairies: If one winces, youre likely talking to someone who remembers the taste and smell. I recall years ago the proprietor of a Schlotzskys Deli on Valley Mills Drive who filtered city water, then noted on his marquee that his customers wouldnt have to endure the Waco water taste.

Some people unfamiliar with our city didnt really care what the cause was, he told me later of Wacos water problem. They just knew they didnt want to take a shower in it at a local hotel because of the stink and they didnt want to drink it at a local restaurant. As far as they were concerned, theyd stop in Temple next time.

Anderson stressed this point on the House floor, noting that a representative of the Waco Restaurant Association reminded him of how they had such a hard time back then with the cooking, with having drinks, iced tea, coffee, things like that, (that) had such a negative odor and taste. Its possibly relevant that Waco officials say the local food and beverage industry now accounts for more than 9,000 jobs and has a $1.28 billion impact on the Greater Waco economy.

Which raises the festering dilemma over regulations: Many Texas Republican lawmakers preach against the evils of regulation, especially if it threatens economic prosperity. Yet theyre quick to tightly regulate areas as they see fit, imposing tight rules on everything from reproductive rights to voting, presumably because (at least in the examples cited) they believe in the sanctity of unborn life and the importance of election integrity.

So what of a state regulatory framework that has clearly bolstered Wacos transformation into a mecca for tourism and a pivotal hub of business activity and homebuilding? During his plea to colleagues on the House floor, Anderson reminded Burns and others that loosening regulations involving upstream dairies and raising the prospect of a return to fouled drinking water threatened our areas hard-won economic prosperity: Even the hint of water problems is a burden to economic development.

Indeed, more water regulation, not less, may be necessary as Texas grapples with surging population growth and what more of us concede is climate change, to the extent state legislators are preparing to spend billions of taxpayer dollars to replace deteriorating water infrastructure that, to hear the Texas Water Development Board, results in the loss of more than 132 billion gallons of water every year. Surely relaxing regulations that ensure water quality runs counter to such expensive state strategies.

Nor does this city-dairy dustup fit neatly within the rural-versus-urban dynamic impacting so much state legislation: Waco officials note that private property owners in largely rural Erath and Hamilton counties have sued dairy operators under the Clean Water Act for damage to their livestock, properties and livelihoods. And among those in the alliance opposed to House Bill 2827 is the rural upstream town of Clifton, population 3,500, where North Bosque River pollution also remains a problem.

To this date the river is still endangered and not going to receive clean water awards, but it is significantly cleaner and the process of permitting a new CAFO (concentrated animal-feeding operation) is much more demanding, former Waco Mayor Duncan argued in a terse April 29 letter to the Tribune-Herald. That is what the backers of this bill hope to undo. If this bill becomes law, it will require the city and all downstream landowners to reactivate the war machine of attorneys and engineers.

Governments role

During debate over HB 2827 with Republican state Rep. Charlie Geren of Tarrant County, Burns insisted the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality would still be permitted to demand testing and other safeguards if necessary to bring upstream dairies and the watershed into compliance spurring Geren to ask why the state would now leave such discretion to agency officials rather than state law. Gerens point was sound: Republicans are supposed to be against placing such discretion with agency executives.

And when 73-year-old Geren finally turned 50-year-old Burns loose after their exchange on the House floor, a seasoned observer might be forgiven for concluding Geren and other graying Texans such as Doc Anderson, 77, still cherished that age-old principle of safeguarding water above all else in a state long plagued by droughts and shortages. What was true a century ago remains so today for many grizzled Texans, no matter how significantly other principles left and right shift with the political winds.

I appreciate where youre coming from and I appreciate your representing the dairy farmers, Geren told the Cleburne lawmaker bluntly in concluding their exchange, but I want to help Doc Anderson with the people and their drinking water in Waco.

For all the dairy industrys reassurances through Burns, Waco business and civic leaders have reason to doubt: Even after the state law protecting Waco water was implemented, residents experienced not only recurring episodes of rancid-tasting water but legal battles between the city and the dairy industry. And for those who voice naive sentiments about mom-and-pop dairy farmers, city officials stress that the dairy operations in question represent significant-sized entities.

Regarding not all regulations being bad, a friend of mine who is a young attorney pulled me aside this week and told me he is very conservative and doesnt like big government but strongly believes governments role is to ensure there is safe, clean, drinkable water, Wacos mayor told me last week. It doesnt get more basic than that, which is why we have so many Republicans and Democrats alike standing with us on this.

A bill that would change permitting rules in the Bosque River watershed got a hearing April 13 in front of the Environmental Regulation Committee of the Texas House. The city of Waco and most local entities oppose the bill due to water quality concerns. Speaking in favor of the bill are its sponsor, DeWayne Burns, R-Cleburne, and Darren Turley of the Texas Association of Dairymen. // Source: Texas Legislature

While amazingly no concerns were raised by the House Committee on Environmental Regulation when the Burns bill unwinding regulations protecting Wacos drinking water was introduced in an April 13 hearing, city of Waco water utilities director Lisa Tyer smartly carried the ball in written comments, submitted as a longtime resident, lambasting HB 2827 as stripping community input in dairy permitting protocols with potential detrimental impacts to our water resources as well as our pocketbook.

This bill needs to consider the potential economic impact to McLennan County citizens and industries, she wrote of HB 2827. Millions were spent to arrive at our current permitting process. More millions were spent to remove the algal blooms from our water and to put in a state-of-the-art disinfection system to combat issues related to CAFO (concentrated animal-feeding operation) runoff creating excessive phosphorus, nutrient loading and e. coli loading in Lake Waco.

The safeguarding of water up and down the North Bosque watershed isnt lost yet. The dairy bill must clear the Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Economic Development and then the full Senate under Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (who earlier this year was in Waco touting our fair city) before gaining the signature of Gov. Greg Abbott.

Judging by the relatively close 77-61 vote in favor of HB 2827 including a vote by new Republican state Rep. Angelia Orr siding with upstream dairies over her Waco, Clifton and Meridian constituents locals should understand that if our drinking water again reeks of sewage to the point some restaurateurs must once more put up signs informing customers that they have filtered the water served within, then certain elected state leaders must stand as complicit with those among us who voted for them.

Bill Whitaker spent more than 45 years as a reporter, editor and columnist in daily Texas journalism, including a dozen years as Waco Tribune-Herald opinion editor. He is a member of the Tribune-Herald Board of Contributors.

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Bill Whitaker: Texas legislators threaten Waco water - Waco Tribune-Herald

Jackie Sledge| Big Country Master Gardeners

Weve all heard the old saying that April showers bring May flowers.

We havent had many April showers this year, but that doesnt mean that we cant have beautiful landscapes in May - if we take care of the necessary tasks to make that happen.

Im checking my list of plans for the landscape and using the monthly tasks from "Lone Star Gardening" by Neil Sperry and "Texas Garden Almanac" by Doug Welsh to get the lawn and flower beds in good shape for the year.

BCMGA will offer several free education programs in May.

There will be a program on Rainwater Harvesting at 10 a.m. Friday at the Abilene Public Library Main Location. We also will have the BCMGA Saturday Seminar from 9 a.m.-noon May 27 in the Taylor County Extension Office Conference Room, and the topic is Pests in the Garden.

If you have any questions, call the Taylor County Extension Office at 325-672-6048 or email us at mgardeners@yahoo.com. We hope you will like us on Facebook and visit bcmgtx.org for all Big Country Master Gardener information and events.

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Here's what to do in your yard in May - Abilene Reporter-News

GLENVIEW, IL Located at 115 Washington Street, Glenview, IL, the current asking price of this home is $1,195,000. Built in 2008, the 3,500-square-foot property features 4 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms.

Listing Description: This home was custom designed & built, recently renovated, detailed and ready for new owners. Impressive refinished Hickory 6" hardwood floors flow throughout the open floor plan from the main level, up the grand stairwell and through all 4 unique bedrooms on the second level. Downstairs, the finished basement is the perfect set up for extended living space or in-law suite complete with the 5th bedroom, full bath, kitchen, fireplace and exterior access. Custom touches throughout the home include multiple laundry options on 1st or 2nd floors, high end appliances, dual zone HVAC, built in central vac system, built in speakers, intercom, and heated floors in primary bathroom and basement bedroom. It doesn't stop there; this home was designed for entertaining! The backyard features a huge brick paver patio, outdoor dining area off the kitchen, built in grill with gas line, fire pit, and sprinkler system. This home is a one of a kind gem, and we welcome you to come explore everything else it has to offer in person!

Listed by: Kevin Mueller, Pearson Realty Group

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$1.1M Wow House: One-Of-A-Kind Gem In Glenview - Patch

Im absolutely sick this morning

There I was going through emails that needed addressed when I can to one from travel ball hardo Chris B. in Houston who sent me a link to a story on a baseball dad who knocked out an umpire at a kids baseball game.

Its like the guys trying poison my computer or something. Now, many of the great videos and photos you guys see within Screencaps come from Chris B. and Im appreciative of him having his head on a swivel, but this time he made a huge Screencaps foul.

Chris B. did redeem himself Tuesday when he gave me a house ball compliment and advice on what to do with all the lost and found gear Ive been collecting.

Millennial Mike brings up a topic several of you are experts on:

What are some 1-3 sentence statements to live life by? I have a 4 year old son. Screencaps is a community full of people who have been there and done that. My dad always dropped practical wisdom and advice to me, which I will bestow on my son.

For example:

-Always swim at a pool party.-When somebody makes you a meal, eat it all and tell them it was delicious.-If there is music, dance.-You can judge a persons character by how clean their toilet is.-Your clothing doesnt have to be expensive, but it has to be clean, have no wrinkles, and fit well.

I will compile these and appoint myself the keeper of records for the nuggets put forth by SC.

Jeff in Phoenix has a warning for me:

Joe, I love Screencaps and the level of sanity you have brought to the internet, but you need to tap the brakes on the travel ball bashing. You have been very passive aggressivetoward that community in yourhouse ball posts. I used to be like you and coach my youngest daughters rec (house) softball team when she was 8 and 9. I was all about staying with the house team until I saw what the level of ball looked like at the 10 and 12 year old levels.

Those teams were pretty much 100% new players and it was like starting over every year. I wanted my daughter to get better and not have to spend all of my time teaching new players how not to get hurt.

The reality is, that anyone that was halfway decent was moving onto some sort of club ball team and that was doubly true for the pitchers. I quickly came to the conclusion that if she really wanted to play softball, improve, and not have it be a waste of time it was going to have to be at the club level. Its an unfortunate reality because I feel like everyone is getting pigeonholed into one sport only.

Its not like it was when we were kids. I used to play soccer in the fall, basketball in the winter, and baseball in the Spring/Summer, and finding time to play golf inbetween it all.

My oldest daughter is a freshman at a high school with about 600 kids and I would say 80% of the kids that made the Baseball, Softball, Volleyball, and Basketball teams are on a club team. I am sure it is close to 100% at the bigger schools.

I just wanted to caution you on the shade you are throwing toward the club ball families, becauseif your son likes baseball, or any other sport, you are probably going to be facing a similar reality that we did a couple years ago.

Kinsey:

Good luck to Jeff and the other travel ball dads.

Tuesday, I had multiple people from the Dayton, Ohio area send me photos of discounted Bud Light at Kroger. Im sure theres nothing to see here. They probably run this deal all the time and Im just imagining this is how the manufacturer is moving beer as were two weeks away from Memorial Day weekend and the start of summer.

This couldnt possibly have anything to do with the fallout from its Dylan Mulvaney marketing decision, right?

John from SD writes:

It happened, it happened last night: budweiser (doesnt deserve to be capitalized) aired a new budweiser (doesnt deserve to be capitalized) commercial with a Clydesdale. Theyre on the defensive trying to look like the American beer!

Drink more Miller Light and Yuengling Light!

Anonymous writes:

Today I was out running some errands and made a stop at a corner market in what most would consider rural east TN to pick up a 6 pack of Miller Lite. Google Maps image of the store attached (lets see if any SC folks can zero in on this). Great corner country store. In the past they even sell live bait but I think theyve stopped doing that.

Anyways, as I was walking out there was a white econo-box car think Kia Soul / Nissan Juke type pulling in. It was from Eagle Distributing and had Bud Light on the door panels. I looked at the guy and chuckled as I walked to my car. He pulled in next to me, backed in so we were window-to-window. I sat in my car for a fewseconds hoping he would get out so I could talk to him. But he stayed in his car and I drove back home.

On the way home I pondered it. He looked around 40ish, typical east TN dude who probably likes UT football, hunting, goes to church, has a family, and his biggest worry used to be deciding the batting lineup for his kids little league game that night. But now heres a guy who has to bring home the bacon driving a car with Bud Light on it. I feel for him. I just feel for all the dudes out there who thought they had the beer guy job that are now being shunned. Im part of the problem I no longer buy Bud Light and stopped buying A-B products.

The CEOs explanation was weak. The language they used in their Q1 earnings call last week was beyond pathetic. The attempt to pass the buck to the marketing company was the most desperate move of all. The leadership at A-B and within the BL brand is as beta as Ive ever seen at a billion dollar corp.

I feel for the people impacted who went to work for an iconic brand thought to be indestructible, but due to no fault of their own, 99.9% of people associated with the BL brand and A-B are now all suffering. I understand the need to stay firm in our resolve to send a message, not just to A-B, but to corporations all over we buy your product for the product, not for the cause of the day/week/month/etc you want to push on us. As I drove home I felt for the guy in the Bud Light car. I dont know the answer, but we MUST remain vigilant in sending this message.

Take care, and congrats on the smoking start to your coaching career. Put a few of these blowout seasons together and who knowsthe Mud Hens might need a bench coach soon. Oh, and a shout-out to the Elizabeth Hurley material nice to see some women who are older than myoldest.

Mike T. writes:

Tastes like Bud Light.

David C. writes:

Dont know if your having this problem Joe.

Kinsey:

I have three Lukes so that becomes an issue at time, but I escaped the TikTok moms going nuts with the den names. That all could change down the road if I end up coaching my youngest sons teams.

Craig B. from Kirkland, WA writes:

In response to Nick C. advice request, here are some thoughts.

In general, downtown Seattle has gone to the dumps in the last 5 years thank youcovid and liberal government. Theres no need to go to the downtown core or shopping area. Its truly sad as this used to be an amazing city with a vibrant downtown.

I am assuming the trip is in the summer so I would suggest the following:

A couple of day trip suggestions:

Hoping Nicks family gets some great weather and we are hoping that they will make a concerted effort to clean up Seattle this summer with the All-Star game coming to T-Mobile Park.

Florida Chris B. writes:

We were in the PNW last fall, and I have a suggestion: Skip Seattle except for the airport. Get a car and take a ferry ride over to the Olympic Peninsula, where you can visit the Olympic National Park. Its cleaner, less overrun with homeless 22-y-o junkies, and an altogether better experience. The best spot for a base camp is Sequim.

Culturally, Seattle doesnt have anything you cant also see in Miami, except for the Paul Allen Rock and Roll Museum or whatever they call it and that played-out fish market. (Actually, from the airport you dont even need a ferry but its not a bad way to get across the Sound.)

James M. in Poulsbo, WA writes:

Im writing to offer some suggestions to Nick C. in Miami whos going on an Alaska cruise and wanted some suggestions in Seattle.

Its been awhile since Ive played tourist in Seattle, but here are my two cents.

Places to avoid:

The area around the McDonalds on 3rd & Pine. There was a bunch of drug activity.

Places to visit/see:

-Pike Place Market (youll see the flying fish place they show whenever there is a primetime Seahawks game).

-The gum wall (at Pike Place Market as well)

-Space Needle

-Tour of Lumen Field and/or T-Mobile Park

-The big ferris wheel

Places to eat:

-Ivars Acres of Clams

-Seattle teriyaki at one of the many Seattle teriyaki joints, there used to be thousands in the city (its to Seattle like cheese steaks are to Philadelphia and Chicago dogs are to Chicago). Heres a video:

Keith W. writes:

I can help answer Herbs question about construction zones and orange barrels. Im a traffic engineer by trade .yes my job can be boring!

Basically the orange barrels are temporary traffic control devices to help protect a construction work zone. They are placed in a specific manner depending on several factors and regulated by the federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).

From the sounds of it as Herb described, I would bet they are actually 40 feet apart along his stretch of 3 miles, which is also the typical distance between lane line stripes on a road (from middle of stripe to middle of stripe, or front to front, or end to end). What I cant answer is why they are there constantly in Herbs area without any construction activities.

Maybe the road is not completed and ready for vehicles, so they need to keep the lane closed even with no construction going on. Work zone safety is pretty important (have you seen how many insane drivers there are out there?), but construction is also frustrating and annoying.

Mike T. in Idaho knows I like to visualize statistics:

Guy G. puts things in perspective for newbies who might think they dont belong because they have properties that differ from suburban properties:

Joe, youve set up ScreenCaps for everyone. We get to get together every day, and start it with solid information, a couple chuckles, and comradery that we cant get every day in our off-line lives. This leads me to Chris in VA, and is lawn.

Most guys in this league, have smaller properties, that they can pamper, overseed with rye to get that extra green late into the season, and edge their driveways and sidewalks. Out here in the sticks near Buffalo, NY., Im mowing 20+ acres. I cant possibly think about taking every weed out, or edging the driveway. I have a bocce court and a chipping green that I can do that with, but the cost and time would be overbearing on the size that I mow. Plus Mrs. G needs dandelions for syrup, salads and other odd things I wont eat.

I take great pride in my lawn, but it will look awful until mid June. I spent last night cutting and rolling the back yard, and there are places that look like mud pits. It is for the greater good, as it will come around, but not look anything like the suburban lots.

Take pride in your work in progress, and enjoy the weekends off with that view!

Zach G. writes:

Lets start right away: one night a week, cant do it right now. Coming from a guy born and raised say, 60 miles west of you (just outside New Castle) mowing one night a week right now, youll be bailing. Ive mowed Thursday and today and should be raking right now. Yet here I am emailing you and screaming for the over

Love what youre doing, but get me a multi day mowing league sticker.

Kinsey:

Nobody said anything about one-day-a-week. Its not uncommon for league members to mow on Thursday and Monday in the spring/early summer. The key is that youre not mowing on Friday night, Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon, Sunday morning, or Sunday afternoon so you can enjoy life.

Dave B. writes:

Found on Facebook.

Dane in Missouri writes with advice for Steve E. on overseeding:

Im certainly not an expert in overseeding or lawn care in general, but I can say its made a massive difference in my yard. Between overseeding and putting in a sprinkler system, its really brought my yard back from the dead. Couple pieces of advice that Ive learned having gone through it the last couple years:

1. Its best done in the fallmid to late September. This will allow the new grass opportunityto grow before winter, but itll be cooler than earlier in the year.

2. If youre doing aeration, just come to grips with the fact that the yard will look pretty rough for a few weeks after you do it. Have patience, itll get better.

3. Water like your life depends on it. We put in a sprinkler system after we bought our house to help bring the lawn back and it paid for itself during the month or so after we overseeded. Seriously, if youre not watering morning and evening for about 2-4 weeks after overseeding, youre running the risk of wasting your money. Its a chore and isnt cheap, but its absolutely necessary.

FIrst pic is my yard right after we bought our house, and the second is a year later after doing the overseeding in the fall of year 1 and having the sprinkler system installed. We did it again in the fall of year 2 and it filled in the last few areas that were having trouble growing in. As long as you water religiously, I think its worth every penny! Good luck.

Jim M. in Rhode Island writes:

Simple overseeding, dont overspend or over complicate

-Rent aerator for half a day

-Aerate once, seed..aerate again, seed.. Make sure youre pulling plugs with soil on them (this will eliminate the step of topdressing.

-Small lawn so rake it out as even as you can.

Roll it. I roll with the wheels of my lawn tractor, works good. Better if you have an ATV with knobby tires (pushes seed down better)

-Get a good seed mixture, best Ive found is Scotts fall mix. Do Not! get anything with annual rye! Spread starer fertilizer and water twice a day.

Notes- dont pick up anything, just roll. As long as the area is smooth that stuff will break down into organic matter. If you put down pre emergent already (crabgrass control) you cannot seed for 3 months, and cannot use that grass for compost pile or compost in the garden. U can use weed control after new grass hardens off (after you cut it 2 or 3 times.

U guys gonna get sick of my stupid lawn pics, lol!

That should be plenty to chew on this morning. The sun is out, the birds are in full migration mode, the Mothers Day weekend weather report got much better this morning. And Spring has Sprung.

Go have an amazing day at work and let it start to sink in that youre closing in on two weeks until you take the camper to the lake. Buckle down!

Email: joekinsey@gmail.com

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Alica Schmidt - The World's Hottest Track Athlete - Is Ready To Start ... - OutKick

Trees, stumps, and pruning is calling a pro really necessary? The answer is yes!

A time of new growth and refreshing warmth, spring is a great time to get a head start on your yard work. Three common spring tasks are tree removal, stump removal, and pruning. While some homeowners can accomplish these tasks themselves, for those with less experience or time, it is best to call in professional workers for assistance.

If a tree on your property has died or is severely damaged or you simply want to clear up some space call in professional workers.

While you may be able to remove a small tree on your own, removing a large tree can be dangerous and requires special equipment and knowledge. Professional workers will have the necessary equipment to cut down the tree safely and efficiently. With their knowledge and expertise to ensure that the tree is removed safely, your yard will be clean and tidy, with no leftover debris.

After a tree has been removed, you may be left with a stump in your yard. While some people may choose to leave the stump as a decorative feature, others may want to remove it for safety or aesthetic reasons.

Professional workers will have the necessary equipment to remove the stump efficiently. They will also know how to dispose of the debris safely.

Removing tree stumps requires careful attention to detail and experience with root systems, as the roots of the tree may have spread out over a large area. Without this knowledge, you could end up missing part of the tree or damaging your lawn. Professional workers will have the expertise to ensure that the stump is removed completely, there is no risk of regrowth and your yard will remain intact.

Pruning is another task that begs attention in the spring. Pruning involves trimming back trees and shrubs to encourage healthy growth and promote a more attractive appearance. While pruning can be done on your own, for the best results call in the pros.

Professional workers have the knowledge and expertise to prune trees and shrubs without damaging the plants. They know when to prune, which branches to remove, and how to make the cuts to achieve the desired growth. Pruning incorrectly can lead to damage or even death of the plant, making professional workers a must for those without experience.

While some homeowners may choose to tackle these spring cleaning tasks themselves, it is helpful to call in experienced workers. By calling in the pros, you can ensure that these tasks are completed safely, efficiently, and to a high standard.

This story is brought to you by Great West Media Content Studio. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial staff.

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When to Call the Pros: Pruning, Tree, and Stump Removal - Town and Country TODAY

Under the agreement approved at the meeting, the Butte Fire Safe Council will now be in charge of the Category 4 tree removal program, but they can't start removing tree until the federal money comes in.

PARADISE, Calif. - The Town of Paradise and Butte Fire Safe Council are partnering up to remove dead trees in Paradise. The Town Council approved the contract at Tuesday night's meeting.

Under the agreement approved at the meeting, the Butte Fire Safe Council will now be in charge of the Category 4 tree removal program, but they can't start removing tree until the federal money comes in.

So, it will be kind of in holding until we get word from FEMA that were ready to go. Were hoping for that in either June or July," said Paradise Recovery Project Manager Brian Solecki.

The tree removal program has been in the works since 2019, the year after the Camp Fire tore through Paradise. The town now has over 11,000 trees on 574 properties ready to be removed.

Butte Fire Safe Council has strong connections within this community, they have the ability to do this work and theyve done quite a bit hazard tree removal work up to this point," said Recovery & Economic Development Director Colette Curtis.

Paradise Town Council said it wants all the tree removal work to go to contractors in town, that's why it chose the Fire Safe Council, but the Town Council says since the project is using federal money, it can't guarantee local contractors will be hired for the job, something many in the community were hoping for.

When this contract is signed, you dont have the hammer anymore," said a speaker from the audience. "Fire Safe Council has the hammer."

"Our goal as a town in this project is to use these funds to remove those trees and to utilize our local contractors, and Butte Fire Safe Council has a long track record of working with our local contractors," Solecki said.

The town says the tree removal will cost around $7 million. The entire project will cost about $10 million. The town has already applied for a state grant through CAL FIRE that would cover 25% of the cost, the rest will be covered through the federal money.

The Town Council also voted to send Mayor Greg Bolin to Washington D.C. where he'll meet with several congressional committees on wildfires to share the story of Paradise.

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Paradise & Butte Fire Safe Council team up on tree removal program - Action News Now

Code enforcement, tree removal and staff training were the primary items on the Whitesburg City Councils agenda during their monthly meeting held on Tuesday night.

There were two required trainings and one certification that was discussed by the City Council. The first was the Mandated City Clerk Training at Carl Vinson Institute of Government from Sept. 10-12. The training was approved by the council at approximately $2,000 and will be attended by Donna Whitley and Wanice Odell.

The second training is a Police Chief Training running from July 23-26. Whitesburg Police Chief Chris Gilliland will attend the training that will cost Whitesburg $350. The cost of the training was approved by the council.

The certification requirement is a Court Clerk Certification in Columbus that runs from Sept. 20-22. Wendy Morris will be attending the Certification program. The course and Marriott Hotel cost of $382 was approved by the council.

Councilmember Lucy Gamble led a discussion of neglected properties within the Whitesburg city limits that go against city code and are decreasing surrounding property values. Gilliland talked about how things will be handled by the Whitesburg Police Department. Gilliland said he informed citizens that he has talked with some of the property owners in that area. In the future, Gilliand said he will be sending letters giving property owners a time constraint on fixing up their violations. If the violations are not handled within the time, property owners could be taken to court to be issued fines. No vote was done on this item of the agenda.

The last item that received a vote was the decision between two quotes for tree removal on Kelly Street. Rodriquez Services bid $4,900 and Rubes Tree Service bid $8,800. Councilmember Chris Lewis informed the council that the difference was there because Rubes Tree Service would need to rent the equipment. The council approved the bid of Rodriguez Services for the tree removal unanimously.

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Whitesburg takes a look at code violations and tree removal bid - Times-Georgian

An urban forest is a fluctuating community in itself.

Ames Forester Gabriele Edwards helps the local forest thrive, but she's in need of support from the city's residents.

A vast community of trees, like that in Ames, requires regular pruning to maintain its health. The local tree inventory is massive, and the forestry team isn't always aware of issues. Teamwork is the easiest solution.

"Our number one issues is safety," Edwards said.

Like a community of trees connected by their roots and the soil, Edwards asks residents to speak up before it's too late. There are always improvements to be made, trees to be removed and branches in need of cutting back.

"When people have an idea or see things or an interesting program or have a thought to share, please reach out. I appreciate that feedback and partnership," Edwards said. "I know I don't have all of the answers."

Edwards is Ames' second forester. The city has employed a dedicated arborist since 2018. The newest forester took over her position last August.

Few cities in the state have a dedicated forester, Edwards said. Other towns in Iowa with a forester, also known as an arborist, on staff include: Iowa City, Burlington, Decorah, Hiawatha, Des Moines, West Des Moines and Marion.

Edwards' role as forester aims at rejuvenation as well as maintenance of the area's forest and tree population. Without her, the lovely community that has accented the Ames landscape for decades could quickly dwindle.

"Managing and planning the urban forest is a critical component to a healthy community," Edwards said. "I see trees as important as any other infrastructure like clean water, clean air, roadways and parks. The one thing that connects all of these is trees."

Her work focuses on species diversity in the urban canopy as a way to avoid catastrophic depletion from disease and pests.

In 2013, Ames' canopy survey indicated 26% of the trees were maple and 16% were ash.

Edwards hopes to grow that population after recently initiating the planting of 340 additional trees across town in a shade over eight months.

With that in mind, Edwards almost never relies on any maple species when preparing for plantings, and certainly not ash since the Emerald Ash Borer infiltrated the US. Last fall, she directed the addition of 160 trees and another 180 this spring. She focuses on roughly 15 different species including oaks, native species, hackberry, hickory, sycamore, hornbeam, redbud, plum and serviceberry.

Edwards' main responsibilities as forester include overseeing trees in street right-of-ways as well as in the many city parks. Right-of-way property is an easement of the land between a sidewalk and the curb of a street. If there is no sidewalk, Edwards clarified that last 10 to 15 feet of a front yard next to the street is actually a public right-of-way easement owned by the city, not by the private homeowner.

She and her team are in the midst of a five-year cycle inspecting trees throughout town the city's public parks and in all right-of-ways. The department attacks the massive undertaking by splitting Ames into 29 different zones for inspections.

If trees require pruning or need to be taken down, the responsibility falls on the city and Edwards' team.

The forestry team inspected 996 trees during the winter months. But because they monitor the trees once every five years, Edwards says she needs help. The forester asks residents to reach out to her when they notice a tree in need of care.

She looks for branches hanging over sidewalks, roadways and structures. She also considers whether each branch should still be there in five years.

"Younger trees are deceptive in the say they grow," Edwards said. "When a branch is created, it doesn't stretch up away from the ground as the tree ages. That early branch, perhaps two feet off the ground, will always be just two feet off the ground.

The process is different from the growth of human limbs, she said. The branches remain stationary no matter how tall the tree becomes.

She said it might be fine for some trees to have branches just four or five feet off of the ground. But not if that tree is next to a sidewalk or roadway.

Edwards also said a well-structured tree has one primary leader trunk going straight up. If homeowners aren't careful they'll end up with co-dominate leaders, meaning a "V" shaped divergence in the tree trunk appears and weakens the structure.

Another reason for pruning is if the branches are crossed and rubbing each against other, or if a branch has a structurally unsound joint.

All of those issues, a missing primary leader, rubbing branches and weak joints can cause a tree to fall over or cause a heavy branch to fall, which could not only destroy property, but could prove fatal to people passing by.

The city has guidelines for what kinds of trees can be planted on the right-of-ways. Ames also has a rebate program to help encourage citizens to plant and grow trees. The rebate is for a specific approved list of native trees. It is available for a maximum of $75 per tree as well as two trees per year. Rebate information and forms can be found at the city's Smart Watersheds website.

Ames recently announced receiving a $10,000 Tree Planting Grant from the US Department of Agriculture Forest Service. The funds are designated for communities still recovering from the August 2020 derecho and tree loss from the Emerald Ash Borer.

The grant will be used to plant 75 trees in the Toronto Street neighborhood.

The city invites volunteers to join the parks and recreation department as well as the Ames Foundation from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, May 20 to help plant trees. Volunteer signup is available on the Ames Foundation website. Residents will meet at the corner of Toronto Street and Alberta Avenue.

Next week's planting is just one small step in Edwards' overall growth plan.

"I have big dreams for Ames," Edwards said. "I'd like to improve communication and share the benefits of trees. Like new research showing the mental health benefits and physical well-being of having more trees. Research finds that communities with a high level of tree canopy have a lower incidence of police calls and a lower incidence of domestic violence."

One of her most recent projects has been to salvage trees in need of removal.

She recently identified 85 trees that required pruning in Brookside Park. Four trees were also removed two of those were dead while another was split in a storm. Two of those 85 trees are being transitioned for alternative use. A black walnut struck by lightning is being carved by a chainsaw artist. Another tree, a silver maple, had it's canopy removed but the trunk remained.

"We took out the hazardous canopy over the trail but kept the trunk for wildlife habitat," Edwards said. "We are very deliberate, trying our hardest to create unique solutions and provide for wildlife needs."

The urban forest of Ames is in good hands with Edwards at the helm.

Teresa Kay Albertson covers politics, crime, courts and local government in Ames and central Iowafor the Ames Tribune and Des Moines Register. Reach her on Twitter @TeresaAlberts11 and at talbertson@registermedia.com, 515-419-6098.

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Ames city forester says tree health is all about diversity - Ames Tribune

The Fayston Select Board approved amended land use regulations (LURs) drafted by the planning commission on Tuesday, May 9, 2023. The planning commission had made revisions to the proposed LURs based on comments at the select boards first public hearing in January.

The planning commissions report says, The Fayston Planning Commission (PC) started the development of the proposed amendments to the Fayston Land Use Regulations immediately following the adoption of the amended Town Plan in 2020. The PCs goals are to: streamline and clarify permit process; produce clarity for applicants and review boards around requirements for conditional use permit applications, definitions that were previously lacking, and provide for electronic submission requirement to accommodate for less paper waste, ease of meeting and hearing preparation, and remote meeting participation; allow for creative housing opportunities: update Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) to reflect less restrictive statutory reference, and consolidate Planned Residential Unit (PRD) and Planned Unit Development (PUD) sections; and preserve natural resources: incorporate conservation strategies to preserve Faystons forest resources, scenic views, climate resiliency, and wildlife habitat.

Were 100% guided by the Fayston Town Plan and the goals and objectives in that plan, planning commissioner Karen Sauther said this week.

At the May 9 select board meeting, Sauther ran through the revisions made to the LURs, which included updating the section on accessory dwelling units (ADUs), removing the requirement that they be in an existing structure and increasing the allowable size of an ADU as percentage of principal dwelling to 90% with Development Review Board (DRB) approval.

There was also discussion at the May 9 meeting about whether cutting trees on a homeowners property required DRB approval. Sauther said that DRB approval would be needed pre-development.

If someone has a structure already permitted and wants to cut trees, not for agricultural purposes and not intending to develop, nothing in our regs Im aware of would regulate that, Sauther said. She suggested that homeowners looking to cut trees consult with a forester beforehand.

Under Development Site Clearing and Site-Preparation Standards in the new regs, it says, Pre-development site clearing and site preparation shall be reviewed by the Development Review Board in accordance with these regulations. For all site clearing and site preparation, existing forest cover shall be maintained to the greatest extent possible. The DRB may set requirements and conditions to minimize impacts when an application proposes any of the following as part of a proposed development: If there is to be tree removal for views from the site, it shall be done as to create view corridors. The Development Review Board may limit the amount of tree removal and site clearing and require the planting of additional trees or other vegetation in order to assure adequate screening, and the board may require the applicant to submit a plan for maintaining and replacing designated trees during or after site development and constructions. New tree planting shall be of species that are native, non-invasive, and climate change resilient for the location of planting.

Site clearing that may impact scenic view sheds, including but not limited to view points shown in Map 11 Designated Scenic Resources, Town of Fayston, January 04, 2016. Site clearing that may have adverse impacts to wildlife corridors (or potential travel corridors) as depicted on Town Plan Map 5 Fayston Core Habitat, significant wildlife habitat, or cause forest fragmentation in forest blocks. The Board may require stumps remain on slopes 15% to prevent erosion.

I would encourage everybody to read the entire LURs, said DRB chair Shane Mullen. The new LURs are available to view at faystonvt.com under planning commission notices and documents.

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Fayston approves amended land use regs - The Valley Reporter