Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Raleigh, N.C. In the last few years, Sept. 11 has transitioned from a day of mourning to a national day of service. This year, a husband and wife served their community one day early in the hopes of motivating others to do the same.

Robin and Bruce Foster, owners of Mr. Handyman of western Wake County, and three of their technicians visited the Garner Road Community Center in Raleigh on Wednesday to volunteer their construction and maintenance services, including power-washing the facility, fixing plumbing, drywall repairs and more.

The center, at 2235 Garner Road, provides social, cultural, educational and sports programs for Wake County children, families and adults. About 300 children and more than 20 organizations use the center throughout the year. Outreach programs also operate out of the facility.

We realized how much contribution there was by the first responders, and this gives the everyday person the opportunity to give back and kind of recognize the sacrifice they made, said Bruce Foster.

Mo Johnson, director of the center, says the wear and tear on the center was obvious and he is grateful for the help. The center does not have the financial resources to make building repairs regularly, he said.

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Business owners volunteer at Raleigh community center in remembrance of 9/11

When preparing to sell your home, you probably spend a lot of time and energy getting it in its best showing condition. But can improvements to your neighbors property help sell your home?

Imagine that youve spent time and energy weeding the front yard, painting the front door, power-washing your siding and planting flowers. Youve updated the kitchen and bathrooms and de-cluttered the home. Youre ready to go to market.

And then, when you step across the street to look at your home, all that stands out are the beat-up cars in your neighbors driveway, not to mention the torn-up lawn, barking dogs and overall negative curb appeal (or in this case, curb unappealing).

If you find the neighbors home unappealing, imagine what a potential buyer may think. The fact is, your neighbors unsightly property can rub off on your own houses curb appeal, no matter how much youve done to improve it. But you have options.

Even if you dont have a plan to sell now, its good practice to maintain a friendly relationship with the neighbors. You never know when youll need them.

Aside from possible curb appeal issues, its not uncommon for issues to come up during a sale. Problems regarding fence repair, retaining walls or easements can often bring a neighbor into your home sale process. Having a good relationship with your neighbor from the beginning will help to ensure their cooperation when you need them at a critical time in the home sale.

If you plan to sell your home in the near future, its a good idea to give the neighbors a heads-up well in advance. Aside from the occasional nosey neighbor, people simply like to be in the know. If you think youll need assistance from a neighbor for whatever reason, it will be easier to approach them if youve given them notice. Knocking on their door telling them youre selling and then requesting their cooperation under the gun wont help.

It will be difficult to ask your neighbors to reseed their lawn, pull their weeds, change their fence or paint their door to help your sale. Ask them to pay for it, and you can expect resistance.

If you need your neighbor to do some curb appeal work to help your sale, the money should come out of your pocket. On top of that, you cant force the neighbor to use your landscaper, painter or contractor, even if youre paying for it. Dont forget: Its their home, not yours, and you need to tread lightly. Though many neighbors will appreciate the offer to spruce up their home on your dime, others may be hesitant. Bullying them to work on your timeframe or with your rules wont help.

With luck, a home sale can proceed smoothly without the need to involve neighbors. But if you hope to sell in the future, understand that your neighbors cooperation may be necessary. If you plan in advance, open the doors of communication and offer to make things easy, youre more likely to get what you want.

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How Your Neighbors Can Help (or Hurt) Your Home's Sale

MANCHESTER Bankers and financial advisers volunteered to sort through donated goods for a future yard sale and painted inspirational sayings on walls Wednesday at the Manchester Homeless Services Center.

It was all part of the Granite United Ways annual Day of Caring, when an estimated 1,500 people volunteered at 160 different nonprofit locations.

Karrie Eaton, United Way spokesman, said the non-profits look forward to the day each year because many dont have the manpower to do the needed work.

Theres a lot of painting, she said, explaining the organizations dont have the staff to empty a room, paint it and then put everything back. Theres a lot of sweat equity going on.

Sprucing up city shelter

Among those providing some of that sweat was Ken Sheldon, state president of Bank of America, who with 10 others in the financial field took up brooms and paintbrushes to spruce up the Manchester Homeless Services Center at 140 Central St.

Weve been cataloging some donations. Theyre going to be holding a public yard sale, he said. Now were taking on some painting assignments.

Sheldon said he has worked in Manchester for about 20 years, and it was only through the Day of Caring that he came to learn about the center, which provides a hand up, not handouts to about 100 to 200 homeless people, according to Jake King, the centers director.

Painting inspirational sayings on the centers walls was one of the projects. Jared Breault of Bank of Americas Merrill-Lynch Wealth Management division, made certain Nelson Mandelas, It always seem impossible until its done, was perfect, using a rag to wipe away an errant bit of paint.

Easter Seals jobsite

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Volunteers donate sweat equity for United Way's Day of Caring

CHARITIES and community groups in Yeovil are being invited to apply for a paint donation from Dulux Decorator Centre, as part of its campaign to help worthy causes in the local area.

Following the launch of its new look store on Bartlett Court, Dulux Decorator Centre is looking to provide a brighter future for lucky local community groups by offering them the chance to receive a colourful transformation.

The initiative is open to any charity or community group that wants to make a difference in their local area, with successful applicants receiving a donation of high-quality paint and accessories from Dulux Decorator Centre.

Available for interior projects across the country, Dulux Decorator Centre Yeovil is encouraging charities, community groups and professional decorators to get involved in the scheme by applying or nominating organisations they feel passionate about.

Andy Vanstone, Store Manager at Dulux Decorator Centre Yeovil, said: There are so many organisations in Yeovil that carry out invaluable work in the local community, and we wanted to support them by brightening up their building with an interior makeover.

Were calling all decorators, charities and community groups to nominate the schemes that make a positive contribution to the people they work with and are therefore deserving of a splash of colour.

For more details on the community initiative and how to apply, visit: https://www.duluxdecoratorcentre.co.uk/community-donation-application.jsp.

A successful community project will be chosen from each of the 12 Dulux Decorator Centre regions across the UK.

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Paint donations available for charities and community groups in Yeovil

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Laminate Flooring Contractors Westford VT (802) 310-5284 Vermont Hardwood Flooring Installation - Video

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First video made for the new Stand Sure Homesteading channel. I am continuing the construction of my new bathroom in my house, and today I am installing a PV...

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Stand Sure Homesteading - PVC Flooring Installation - Video

September 11, 2014 - Featuring Stair Step optic design that hides LEDs when viewed from behind, LED KicK delivers 12,880 lm at up to 99 lm/W with 0% uplight and 0% backlight. Luminaire features integral surge and thermal protection, is 010 V dimming ready, and is compatible with wired and wireless control systems. Available in 4 and 5 in. sizes, 3 optical distributions, and 3 color temperatures of 3,000, 4,200, and 5,100 K, luminaire is suited for walkways, paths, and building entrances. Hubbell Lighting Div. 701 Millenium Blvd Greenville, SC, 29607 USA Press release date: September 10, 2014

Greenville, SC Hubbell Lighting, a world leader in lighting innovation, announced today the introduction of Architectural Area Lightings (AAL) latest site and area lighting masterpiecethe LED KicK. Representing an entirely new class of LED luminaire, the KicK is the industrys first product to angle upwards and yet provide full light cutoff.

Fusing a contemporary urban design with advanced LED technology, the KicK combines form and function where it matters moston the pedestrian scale. The pole and luminaire are stylishly integrated into one bold angular design that delivers a truly elegant low glare solution for walkways, paths and building entrances.

The simplicity of the patent-pending Stair Step optic design lets form follow function, resulting in the luminaires slim and sleek design that hides the LEDs when viewed from behind. The KicKs unique optical system delivers an impressive 12,880 lumens at up 99 lumens per watt with 0% uplight and 0% backlight.

The luminaire is available in three color temperatures (3000K, 4200K, 5100K); three optical distributions (Type 2, 3 and 4); two popular sizes for flexibility (K4, 4 and K5, 5); and three configurable mounting options including integral pole, tenon mount and side mount. AALs KicK features integral surge and thermal protection, is 0-10V dimming ready and is compatible with a number of wired and wireless controls system including Hubbell Lightings wiHUBB.

To learn more about AALs new KicK, please visit the products microsite here. We also encourage you to follow AAL on Twitter and like our page on Facebook.

About Hubbell Lighting Hubbell Lighting is one of the largest lighting fixture manufacturers in North America. The company provides a full range of indoor and outdoor lighting products serving the commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential markets. Hubbell Lighting brands include Alera Lighting, Architectural Area Lighting, Beacon Products, Columbia Lighting, Compass Products, Devine Lighting, Dual-Lite, HomeStyle Lighting, Hubbell Building Automation, Hubbell Industrial Lighting, Hubbell Outdoor Lighting, Kim Lighting, Kurt Versen, Litecontrol, Prescolite, Progress Lighting, Security Lighting, Spaulding Lighting, Sportsliter Solutions, Sterner Lighting Systems, Thomasville Lighting, and Whiteway. Hubbell Lighting: one name, distinctive brands, limitless lighting possibilities. For additional information, please visit http://www.hubbelllighting.com and follow Hubbell Lighting on LinkedIn, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook.

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LED Luminaire angles upwards yet provides full light cutoff.

The subject of Washingtons buzziest architecture competition isnt a Smithsonian museum or a downtown office building, but a series of concrete piers jutting out of the Anacostia River a dozen blocks east of Nationals Park.

More than 40architecture teams comprised of 82 firms initially expressed interested in designinga park traversing the Anacostia what could become a local version of New Yorks High Line Park atoppiers thatheld up the old 11th Street Bridge before it was replaced.

The four finalists submitted their proposals to the projects organizers Tuesday, andtheyleave nothing to the imagination: there are amphitheaters, education centers, dining piers, urban gardens, waterfalls, climbing walls and an array of eye-catching architectural features, any of which could transform the old bridge site into adistinctivelandmark.

Scott Kratz, director of the 11th Street Bridge Park, said the project has the chance to bring needed attention toa river that has suffered environmentally and long served as a barrier between the majority of the city and some of its poorest communities. He said he was thrilled at the quality of responses.

These are some of the best designers in the world and their work reflects that, he said. We were hoping that the proposalswould not just be shades of gray and we received reds and blues and greens and purples. They are all so different while still responding to the communitys vision.

The teams will come to Washington to present their ideas to a jury of experts in design, architecture, health and economic development onSept. 29-30 anda final decision is expected Oct. 16.

Whoever is named the projects designer will do so with a caveat, as some $40 million needs to be raised to build and operate the park.The project is a collaboration between the D.C. government and the non-profitBuilding Bridges Across the River, and already the D.C. government has committed to providing $14.5 million of the $25 million construction price tag, Kratz said.

Here is an initial look at each of the proposals. In addition to the jury, public input will play a factor in making a final selection, so for readers interested in taking a more detailed look at the proposals and offering opinions, please take our poll. (All images are courtesy of the architecture teams, via the 11th Street Bridge Park.)

*****

Bridge Park

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Architects unveil four bold visions for 11th Street Bridge Park

The Tel Aviv Municipality and the Israel Architects Association are planning a contest for the redesigning of Rabin Square. Tel Aviv's city engineer, architect Danny Kaiser, announced plans for the contest at a conference in honor of International Architects' Day last week. No date has been set, so for the moment the contest is just one more step in the winding road to a new design for the square.

It was actually the local planning and building committee that decided to hold the contest, when it received - more than six months ago - the plans for the underground parking lot to be built beneath the square.

Some committee members objected to the appointment of the project's planners - namely, Kaiser - and insisted that continuing the procedures for approving the parking lot should be conditional on running a contest for redesigning the square itself.

The plans for the parking lot have stirred up a stormy public debate, which even reached the Knesset Interior and Environment Committee.

At a meeting held in June, the committee warned that if the contest proposal was not accepted, a bill would be presented to the Knesset for the expropriation of Rabin Square from Tel Aviv's jurisdiction.

So far, the parking lot plans have not been submitted to the Knesset committee or to the regional planning committee, nor has an expropriation law been promulgated. Deputy Mayor Michael Ro'eh says that plans will be submitted soon, when the city and the Knesset committee finish dealing with more urgent matters.

Meanwhile, the city council is set to hold a public debate regarding Rabin Square at one of its plenary sessions.

Intellectuals and architects will participate in the debate, which was proposed by council member Mordechai Virshubski. "It will be philosophical, ideological and democratic," promised Ro'eh, although it will have no bearing on actual planning procedures for the square, which are in the hands of the various legally appointed planning committees.

This is without a doubt the reverse of what should have happened. Now, instead of discussing the matter before it is sealed, it is being debated afterward. Had the city's ideology been discussed democratically, all the suspicion could have been avoided.

The city's leaders were the main forces behind the vagueness, whisperings, rumors and misunderstandings over the plans.

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Contesting the design of Rabin Square

Enduring architecture award nominee, the Apostolic Nunciature by Enrico Taglietti. Photo: Enrico Taglietti

When Canberra architect Enrico Taglietti set out to design the Apostolic Nunciature in Red Hill, he began by thinking about one of Pope Paul VI's letters to Catholic bishops.

"I went to Rome. I found there an incredible acceptance of architectural urban design, which was supported by the then pope, Paul VI," Dr Taglietti said. "He had an encyclical recognising the revelation of design of art had an enormous impact on all the life of the planet."

Dr Taglietti's design of an all-embracing roof, accepted in the Holy See, proposed practically emphasising the total roof as a symbolic embrace from the Catholic Church towards the rest of the world, as protection, and protection of principle.

Enrico Taglietti with Archbishop Paul Gallagher at the Apostolic Nunciature in Red Hill. Photo: Jay Cronan

The Holy See rewarded Dr Taglietti with a papal knighthood.

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The Australian Institute of Architects has acknowledged Dr Taglietti and the Catholic Church as custodians of the building, short-listing the Apostolic Nunciature for the 2014 national awards in the enduring architecture section.

The Vatican gave Italian-born Dr Taglietti plenty of freedom over his design of the two-storey brick, concrete and terracotta tile building, which has wide timber eaves and is on the national heritage list.

"It was quite exceptional; I did not have carte blanche, in relation to expression of architecture, I was in control, they were happy for me to be in control, apart from [the] usual constrain on costs," Dr Taglietti said.

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Praise on high for Enrico Taglietti's Apostolic Nunciature in Institute of Architects awards