Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

I remember the moment I fell in love with gardening: it was the first time I saw a small flower with snakeskin-like petals.

I was 18 and juggling two jobs as a painter and decorator during the day, and pulling pints at The Crown in the evening. Late one night, I witnessed a car accident a black Vauxhall Calibra, driven by a drunk driver, crashed into a pillar at the entry to a Mr Phillip Bindings house in Winscombe, a small village in the south-west of England. I knocked on the door the following day and, although I didnt catch the number plate, I described the unusual car to Mr Binding. He appreciated my assistance, and asked if I knew of anyone who could help him in his garden on weekends.

I was trying to save money to travel to Australia, so I jumped at the chance to earn a little more. My first job was collecting a bucket of sheep poo and mixing it with natural yoghurt, leaving this wonderful concoction out in the sun and then painting it on the newly repaired front pillar to help age the stonework. What a start in landscaping!

One day, I failed miserably while trying to cut perfectly manicured stripes in Mr Bindings grass with the lawnmower. But rather than shouting at me for destroying his lawn, he took me over to a sloping area of the lawn that he called the rise. Then he knelt down and showed me the most incredible flower I had ever seen. It was a snakes head fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris), popping up through the grass. The texture of the inky purple bloom looked just like a snakes skin. My awe at this amazing thing growing from the ground sparked something in me it was the moment I knew that I wanted to become a gardener.

I was born in Hong Kong in the 1980s. At that time, the bustling city was dirty and polluted. My love for landscapes actually began in Hong Kong. I spent the first 12 years of my life in the small fishing village of Sai Kung, in a relatively rural area, and this is probably why I think of Hong Kong as a green space rather than an enormous city.

When Hong Kong was handed back to China, we moved back to the United Kingdom and the rolling hills of Somerset. I enjoyed riding around the English countryside on horseback. This certainly influenced my love of the outdoors and my appreciation for nature.

My mother, who is a keen gardener, tried on multiple occasions to get me interested in the gardening life. Once she offered to pay me five pence per piece to move rocks around her garden for a project she was doing. She also tried to get my siblings and me to help in the vegetable patch, mainly to show us the paddock-to-plate ethos this backfired when we were served oversized and incredibly tough vegetable-stuffed marrow. Im happy to say that my move into gardening has propelled me into the favourite-child position in our family, and now one of my most cherished things to do is spend time out in my garden with my mum when she comes over to visit.

With a love of the outdoors, minimal gardening skills but a rapidly growing passion for horticulture, I packed my suitcase and made Australia home for my gap year. I did all the things backpackers do drank too much, laid around getting sunburnt and did rubbish jobs for a bit of extra cash. I was having a beer with a mate one night when he mentioned his brother needed some help doing garden maintenance the next day, and was I interested? Of course I said yes, expecting that I would be mowing lawns, deadheading roses or pruning shrubs. However, a rude shock awaited me I spent the whole day with a leaf blower in my hand, moving leaves from one end of the Coca-Cola factory car park in Parramatta to the other. Im not sure if there is another nation that has a bigger infatuation with leaf blowers than Australia!

Towards the end of my gap year, I realised that Australia was the place for me and working outdoors was something I loved doing. I knew that I didnt want to hold a leaf blower my whole life, but I was keen to find out how I could work in horticulture.

I spent a year in England, working out how to get back to Australia. During this time, I built a garden for my mother. It included a raised patio with recycled paving slabs, bricks and anything else I could find, plus a feature flower garden and a natural pond. The pond took ages, as I found it difficult to get an even water level. It was fun working alongside my mum, and throughout the project the bud of interest in gardening was swelling (pardon the pun!). Not long after, I ended up back in Australia on a student visa.

I studied full-time at Ryde TAFE and achieved a diploma of horticulture and landscape design. The course was excellent, but, in all honesty, theres nothing like hands-on learning out in the field. This is where I really learned about how plants grow, what they need and how just one element such as too much sun, slightly waterlogged soil, prevailing wind or sandy soil can make a huge difference to plant growth. You cant be a good landscape designer if youre not a gardener first.

Once I finished TAFE, I started to focus on my own business, Inspired Exteriors, full-time. I had plenty of work and was designing and building a wide range of gardens. I didnt have a personal style at the time, but I loved creating different themes and styles of garden to suit each individual client. The early years really were about observing and learning, and I found that I enjoyed this and could quickly apply the lessons I had learned.

I was a member of the Australian Institute of Landscape Designers and Managers, and out of the blue I received an email that went out to all of its members asking if we wanted to audition for a role as a presenter for a television show. So I got my housemate to film me at one of my projects, and sent in the video. To cut a long story short, the show was Selling Houses Australia and I got the job! With no previous television experience, I was actually terrible at the start. However, we did go on to film the show for 13 years, so I must have got better at it.

Working on television is an amazing experience, and it has given me so much: the ability to inspire others to try gardening, as well as a way to travel the country and meet all types of people. But hands-down the best thing television has done for me is to introduce me to my wife.

After two seasons of Selling Houses Australia, I was asked to host a new show called The Party Garden. While the premise of the show was great renovate a garden and then have a big party in the new space the reality was a bit of a disaster. However, interior designer Juliet Love was chosen as my co-host. I had seen pictures of Juliet and I thought she was perfection. Her first impression of me wasnt great, though when I tried to make a joke about my car and the relative size of my manhood, it fell flat but we are married now with two children, so something must have worked in my favour!

Our show had one season, but Selling Houses Australia continued on. By this time I had become a qualified tradesman and supervisor, and through my business I was designing and building lots of gardens. I was happy, as I could work in two different fields. Television is a quick in-and-out gig, working towards high-impact, often budget-conscious elements of a garden; on the flip side, creating a garden from nothing for my private clients allows me to spend time getting to know them, find out what they want from a garden and implement it in a manner that completely changes the way they live. Both are rewarding in different ways.

The annual RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London has long been a pinnacle of garden design and innovation, and its every gardeners dream to exhibit there. In 2013, my brothers wedding happened to coincide with the event, so I hatched a plan to film a magazine-style show for the Lifestyle Channel, which gave me access to all the gardens (usually off-limits to everyone apart from judges and esteemed guests!). Walking through these amazing gardens that had been created in just three weeks and seeing how even the smallest detail can have an impact on the whole atmosphere of a space had a profound effect on me. From that moment on, I designed gardens in a completely different way.

I was back the following year to film a documentary about Australian garden designer Phillip Johnson and his team going for gold at the show. The garden was epic: a huge billabong with cascading waterfalls, a grotto and a floating studio, and it deservedly won best in show.

During this visit, I met larger-than-life landscaper Mick Conway, who was helping out on the Australian build. We became friends and went on to build three gardens together at Chelsea. The first was for a hero of mine, Alan Titchmarsh, who was a pioneer of gardening on television in the United Kingdom. Helping on his build felt like a real honour. I worked closely with designer Kate Gould, and it was great to be digging, planting and pruning each plant to perfection. The thing about Chelsea is that you are surrounded by people who are the best at what they do, and they are more than happy to share their knowledge. I love that about horticulture there is a real sense of camaraderie.

The following year, 2015, was my first attempt at a garden of my own at Chelsea. It was thrilling to be responsible for such a large show garden on the main avenue of the showgrounds. In all honesty, I thought I would only ever get one shot at making a garden in this magical place, so I decided to create one that really meant something to me. I designed a garden called The time in-between which was dedicated to my father, who passed away when I was 17. This was my chance to tell him about what happened in my life after he died it was a space to reconnect.

The garden was split into three sections. The first was a path wide enough to fit the whole family side-by-side, meandering through flowering plants I grow in my own garden at home. In the central part, a water feature slowly filled, stalled and then rapidly emptied, which replicated the emotions felt when someone close to you passes away. The final section at the rear of the garden was a sunken courtyard surrounded by solid sandstone pillars, each one representing an important person in my life. In the centre of the courtyard was a firepit that represented my wife and the fire within me, and the planting here became more foliage-based to direct the energy inwards and allow us to sit and really connect.

It was a hugely personal journey for me, from coming up with the garden concept and pitching it to companies for sponsorship, to organising the team to install it. The process was incredibly intense and stressful. Luckily, we made a TV show about it so I can now enjoy the memory of the garden, and my children will be able to watch the show when they get older.

We were awarded the second-highest medal: Silver Gilt. It was an amazing achievement! The thing I love about Chelsea is the feedback from the judges who hand out the medals. You are judged very strictly against the brief you have submitted with your application; not only do you have to meet that brief, but you also have to be horticulturally correct. For example, if you plant something in the shadow of a tree but it requires more sun, you get marked down. I was marked down for the ground cover between my stepping stones, as the judges said it needed to be a bigger clump so it wouldnt dry out. It really is a mix of science and art.

A second chance

When I was invited back to submit a design for the show the following year, my wife couldnt believe that I was even going to consider it after what the last one had taken out of me. But I wasnt going to let the experience slip away, so back to the drawing board I went. I wanted to do something completely different. My first garden was a loose, flowing, emotive space, so this time it would be formal and tight.

I decided to design a space for a busy couple to retreat to after work, with a sunken lawn surrounded by layers of hedging and large box-head trees, plus a small courtyard with a feature garden bed connected to a pavilion with a floating roof. To tie the various areas together, a copper water rill ran around the courtyard, down the steps and around the lower sunken lawn. The project had its ups and downs, and I was let down by the company that supplied the copper for the water rill. Every garden at the show is built with precision, so when the copper arrived and the measurements were off, the joints were wonky and ugly black silicone had been used to fill the gaps, I was in despair. We spent days trying to fix the issues, and ultimately we ran out of time to go over the garden in detail and tweak the tiniest elements. Despite this, we were awarded another Silver Gilt medal and I can say that I am the only Australian-based landscape designer to exhibit at Chelsea two years in a row.

Opening new doors

Soon after this, I was asked to design and implement a project in Hong Kong, which led to me being introduced to the owners of the Shangri-La Hotel group. They were impressed with my efforts and asked me to help with the redesign of the lobby of their flagship hotel in Singapore.

The famous Shangri-La Singapore has a huge six metre by nine metre wall above the lobby bar, and the Japanese interior designer envisioned a new rock wall alive with planting. Thats where I came in. The design process was fun, and I oversaw the build. Our stonemason, Callum Gray, and my team created a stunning piece of which we are very proud.

The Chelsea connection has sent me all over the globe, and I was even invited to design a garden at the worlds largest garden expo in Beijing. With just 24 hours notice, I drafted and submitted a design, and then watched from Australia as an excellent team of builders pulled it together.

The schedule I had to keep to ensure that all of these garden projects were delivered on time and to a high standard, as well as flying all over the country to film Selling Houses Australia, was taking its toll. I missed my family and they missed me, and my boys were starting to ask why I had to leave so often. So when I got a call from Russell Palmer, the executive producer of TV show Better Homes and Gardens, I was interested. The pitch to become the new landscaper on the hit show got me excited I would be telling stories and inspiring people to get into gardening, just like Phillip Binding and Alan Titchmarsh had done for me. It also meant that I could be at home a lot more. Although I knew that I would miss the team at Selling Houses Australia, going out on a high and moving towards a better quality of life for my family won hands-down.

So here I am now, writing this book in the hope that it will inspire you to give gardening a go. Go outside and take in your garden. Close your eyes and think about what your dream garden would look like, how it would make you feel and how it might change your life. Hopefully, youll pick up a few tips and tricks in this book to make that dream a reality.

Garden of Your Dreams by Charlie Albone, $39.99, is out August 2, via Murdoch Books

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Charlie Albone shares his love of gardening and tips for creating your dream green space in new book - The West Australian

Baton Rouge, LA - (NewMediaWire) - August 3, 2022 - Paul Davis Restoration of Baton Rouge offers water damage restoration to residential clients. The company works carefully and efficiently to mitigate the destruction, whether the property was damaged by flash floods, sewage backup, or water runoff. Some restoration services include drying the house, water extraction and removal, sanitation, cleaning, restoration of personal belongings, and assisting the client with claim insurance. As a certified restoration company, they use specialized equipment and scientific process.

The company has customized water damage restoration repairs for commercial and residential clients. Besides using modern and specialized equipment to mitigate water damages, they find and repair the source of the flooding water. The team also offers reconstruction services, cleaning and restoring the business possessions such as linens, and dry wet surfaces, especially the furniture. To give the client time to plan on reopening the business, the restoration company cooperates with the insurance providers.

In addition to cleaning items (as part of the water damage repair package), the company offers content restoration as a stand-alone service. The team helps the client identify possessions to be restored and carefully pack them to the company's processing center. Also, they use advanced content cleaning technology such as ultrasonic cleaning equipment, industrial-grade wash, and freeze-drying systems.

Paul Davis Restoration of Baton Rouge provides cost-effective mold damage restoration inspections, analysis, and repairs. To save the property from further damages, they replace the flooring and walls, apply caulk on contaminated areas, clean the ducts, fix sinks, and clean contaminated clothes (if any). The company is also armed with the most proficient methods of repairing the damaged areas and eliminating the mold, protecting the client from a reoccurring mold problem.

In addition to offering remedies to clients affected by mold, storm, and water damages, the company provides disaster planning. Some offerings include a free consultation, insurance carrier consultation, and emergency power backup. Thanks to the services, commercial clients are shielded from the inconveniences caused by disasters such as property damages and disruption of operations.

The company also offers wind and storm damage restoration services. Its team assists clients (commercial and residential) in assessing the situation, repairing, and cleaning up using advanced equipment. Additionally, skilled storm and wind damage technicians respond faster to help clients pick up pieces and rebuild their lives. Other related services include emergency response, large loss mitigation (for commercial clients), air duct and dryer vent cleaning, and restoring electronics and soft content.

Paul Davis Restoration of Baton Rouge also specializes in bathroom remodeling. Whether the client wants basic repairs and improvements, more space, or modernizes their bathroom through technology (like heated floors, jetted tubs, and rain showers), the company has professionals dedicated to delivering quality results. They also offer remodeling services to homeowners interested in selling their properties.

The contractor is also experienced and skilled in kitchen remodeling, whether the client wants to add cabinets, lighting, sinks, counters, new appliances, or a new coat of paints on walls. Besides giving the kitchen a facelift, the company ensures each added item improves the kitchen's functionality, regardless of its size. Also, a remodeling technician walks with the client, from the initial planning and scheduling stages to fittings.

In addition to bathroom and kitchen remodeling, the company offers other services, such as updating a small room or remodeling the whole property. Besides giving the client a free consultation, the experienced and highly qualified professionals use advanced tools to actualize the client's dreams, irrespective of the project's complexities.

Clients interested in emergency water restoration, mold damage renovation, or other remodeling services can contact the company at 225-396-5436. Paul Davis Restoration of Baton Rouge is located at 11950 Industriplex Blvd, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70809, US. Visit the website to learn more about their Baton Rouge office.

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Paul Davis Restoration of Baton Rouge

Gary Johnson

225-396-5436

11950 Industriplex Blvd

Baton Rouge

Louisiana

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Paul Davis Restoration of Baton Rouge is Offering Water Damage Restoration in Baton Rouge, LA - Yahoo Finance

Siding is an important part of any home or business. Having strong siding helps protect property from the elements and likely makes up the largest part of the structural exterior. It should be both functional and aesthetic.

If your siding is dirty, broken or worn out, it can significantly hurt a homes appeal and affect its structural soundness, according to staff at JTR Roofing a call.

JTR can inspect your siding to determine if you need a replacement. If replacement siding is needed, they can install it.

Before calling JTR, you can identify signs that its time for new siding. Common reasons for new siding include cracks, rotting or warping. If there is fungus, mold or mildew, it is time to replace the siding.

JTR offers professional service for siding replacement. The staff can determine what type of siding is the best option for you.

JTR offers three types of siding; vinyl, engineered wood and metal.

Vinyl siding is the most popular option for replacement. It is rot-, pest-, and warp-resistant and requires very little maintenance in order to provide enduring exterior protection. When properly installed and maintained, it can generally last 20-30 years.

Engineered wood is the most durable on the market. Easy to install, it is resistant to water, pests and mildew. On average, you can expect 20-30 years of life out of engineered wood siding.

Metal siding is the most common for commercial use. The low-maintenance siding is resistant to water, insects and fire, and it can last up to 50 years.

Each siding has its benefits and drawbacks. The staff at JTR will help you decide which option is the best for your needs and budget.

JTR Roofing is part of the Star Observers Preferred Business Sponsor program.

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JTR Roofing can find functional, aesthetic options | Preferred Business Program | riverfallsjournal.com - River Falls Journal

The Citizen staff

The Auburn building inspector has issued the following permits from June 4-17:

Justin M. Musso, install four windows at 74 Walnut St., $1,200.

Auburn Siding Window & Door, install siding for owner Mary Jane Giannotta at 64 Clymer St., $15,000.

Get Finger Lakes Rental LLC, remove chimney at 35 Lansing St., $300.

Christina L. Clark, build garage at 20 Elizabeth St., $8,903.

Mobility Products Corp., install ramp for owner Clinton L. Allen at 26 Nelson St., $3,300.

Helmer Construction, tear off and replace roof for owner Marcial D. Albino at 242 S. Hoopes Ave., $6,000.

William Juhl, install shed at 14 Nelson St., $2,000.

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Aquaculture Oz Auburn LLC, building addition at 4022 Tech Park Blvd., $100,000.

Andrew Bishop, remodel house at 84 Grant Ave., $3,300.

Katelyn Donovan, install door at 35-37 Hamilton Ave., $400.

Pidgeon Inc., reshingle part of roof for owner John T. Speno at 69-71 Owasco St., $2,000.00

Creative Landscaping, install 113 feet of vinyl fence for owner Trixie Lee Jupin at 11 Pleasant St., $9,500.

Connor Fence Co., install 230 feet of vinyle fence for owner 339 State Street Auburn LLC at 333 State St., $11,900.

Connor Fence Co., install 380 feet of chain-link and 28 feet of aluminum fence for owner Daniel L. Armistead at 24 St. Anthony St., $11,816.

Mark McLaughlin, install deck at 127 Capitol St. Ext., $15,000.

Daniel C. Walter, install 228 feet of vinyl fence at 77 Pulsifer Dr., $10,000.

Connor Fence Co., install 73 feet of vinyl fence for owners Philip A. and Nicolina Ph at 6 Yale Ave., $4,325.

Connor Fence Co., install 104 feet of wood fence for owner Michael J. Fitzgerald at 93 E. Genesee St., $5,000.

Connor Fence Co., install 159 feet of chain-link fence for owner Tate E. Mason at 213 N. Hoopes Ave., $4,342.

Connor Fence Co., install 158 feet of chain-link fence for owner Bryan M. Cook at 238 State St., $4,500.

Connor Fence Co., install 94 feet of chain-link fence for owner Richard Love at 32 Aspen St., $3,240.

Connor Fence Co., install 160 feet of wood fence for owner Michael J. Look at 84 Mary St., $6,400.00

Connor Fence Co., install 22 feet of aluminum fence for owner William Sullivan at 78 Walnut St., $900.

Connor Fence Co., install 56 feet of wood fence for owner Francis J. DeOrio at 115 Capitol St. Ext., $3,698.

Connor Fence Co., install 358 feet of vinyl fence for owner Sarah V. Dawson at 116 Austin Drive, $22,200.

Connor Fence Co., install 92 feet of vinyl fence for owner Gary T. Burke at 77 Hamilton Ave., $5,800.

Connor Fence Co., install 44 feet of vinyl fence for owner Michael J. Macyczko at 63 Copley St., $2,400.

Connor Fence Co., install 56 feet of vinyl fence for owner William Gleason at 154 Garrow St. Ext., $4,700.

Connor Fence Co., install 56 feet of chain-link and 127 feet of vinyl fence for owner Michele E. Pfeifer at 28 Augustus St., $10,550.

Sunset Exteriors, tear off and replace roof for owner Julia Krueger at 101 Tyler Drive, 13,000.

Scott Sweeney Contracting, install siding for owner Stefanie C. Coleman at 158 Ross St. Ext., $13,500.

Doubled K Construction, install 99 feet of wood fence for owner James Marshall at 108 Franklin St., $2,500.

Auburn Siding Window & Door, replace two porches for owner Judith T. Rice at 82 Perrine St., $9,000.

Sixto Illescas, install siding and repair porch for owner Tracy Verrier at 19 Grover St., $4,000.

Jesse Sorenson, repair porch for owner Auburn Holdings 21 LLC at 1 Lawton Ave., $4,000.

Joseph Gleason, repair porch railing and steps at 172 S. Hoopes Ave., $500.

Helmer Construction, reshingle roof over existing layer for owner Christine M. Coon at 88 Walnut St., $7,500.

Neal Falkenstein, install 26 feet of chain-link fence and garage roof at 61 Osborne St., $2,250.

Fingerlakes Rental Properties LLC, remodel house for owner Sojka Family Trust at 28 Westlake Ave., $60,000.

Complete Construction, remodel two bathrooms for owner Nicholas P. Bashta at 10 Dennis St., $8,000.

Snyder Construction, repair porch for owner Loretta Brazak at 93 Hamilton Ave., $6,000.

Taylor Made Contracting, install deck for owner Daniel G. Porten at 52 Fleming St., $9,000.

Tomandl Services, remodel house for owners John L. and Virginia C. Holmes at 5 Kensington Ave., $8,000.

Fingerlakes Exteriors, tear off and replace roof for owner Eileen M. Barry at 58 Lake Ave., $17,800.

Anthony Petrosino, install 108 feet of privacy fence at 20 Kensington Ave., $1,300.

Erik D. Winks, install at 32 Willard St., $1,000.

Turney Masonry, repair foundation for owner Thomas Bunn at 161 N. Fulton St., $9,000.

Graig G. Leone, install above-ground pool at 71 Swift St., $300.

Richard Salmon, install siding at 48 Frances St., $4,500.

Head over to The Citizen's records page to view police blotter, restaurant inspections, property transfers and building permits. The page is u

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City of Auburn building permits: July 24, 2022 | Records | auburnpub.com - The Citizen

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Youve often heard me say, protect your home from the outside in. The primary components of your homes defence against wind, rain, snow, and extreme heat are its roof and exterior. Your environment significantly influences the kind of siding you choose for your house.

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By replacing the siding with new material, you can increase the value of your property and improve the curb appeal, all while extending the lifespan of your home. Its also a great time to add extra insulation to help save on energy costs.

Whatever the choice of material, it is essential to use a waterproof barrier and flashing around the windows and doors. Before calling a contractor, spend some time researching your other options and deciding which would best fit your property.

Brick is one of the most common types of siding. Its durable, weather resistant, and looks great. However, brick is porous, so you must have the proper vapour barrier or air barrier between the substrate and the brick to prevent water damage, plus regular maintenance with the occasional repointing. Brick is not ideal for coastal regions, as salt can weaken and erode the brick over time.

Brick staining is another great way to update your house. Staining allows you to make subtle or dramatic changes to your brickwork, and adding masonry strengthener will help restore your old brick. Staining allows the brick to breathe while giving it new life. It can transform your home, lasting up to 30 years, and increase curb appeal without moving. It is also a good option if you have added new brick, for example by making a window smaller. You can stain your new bricks to match the existing ones.

Stucco, with the proper application, is another excellent option. Stuccos most significant benefit is its resistance to termite infestation, fire, rot, and mildew. However, choose a stucco installation that includes a drainage and insulation system to prevent water from hitting the substrate material. Leave an eight-inch gap between the ground and your stucco (in fact, all exterior siding) to allow for snow buildup and to avoid moisture from getting into the stucco. Crumbling and cracking might be signs of moisture buildup, which requires immediate attention.

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Fibre-cement siding is made of sand, cement, and cellulose fibres and makes a great all-purpose option. Fibre-cement walled homes are more resistant to humidity and salt air if you live in a coastal region. It protects against cracking and is insect and fire-resistant even if you are not close to any water. It prevents heat transmission from your home, making it perfect for hot and cold regions. However, installation should be performed by a skilled professional because the material is heavy, difficult to cut, and expensive.

Wood is one of the oldest and most versatile sidings and can come as shingles, clapboards, board-and-batten panels, or tongue-and-groove planks. It is affordable, simple to install, made from a renewable resource, and looks great. However, unless you pick cedar or redwood, which are innately resistant to pests and the environment, it does require painting or staining every three to four years. Engineered wood siding is another option; though expensive, it lasts a long time with little upkeep. I love it.

Vinyl siding is also a great option and comes in various colours and finishes. No matter the environment, good-quality vinyl siding should last. Cheaper vinyl may not perform as well with fluctuating temperatures resulting in buckling and cracking. To prevent buckling, ensure your installers allow some breathing area, about 14 inches between the nail heads and the siding. Also, have your installer add a layer of foam sheathing and, of course, a moisture barrier. Insulated vinyl solutions will also shield against wind, rain, and snow and raise the R-value of your home; and is excellent for colder regions.

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Another excellent exterior material is spray cork. I love it. It is a spray-on coating made from cork that can be applied to any surface, including wood, brick, stucco, and aluminum siding. Spray cork can enhance your homes exterior, come in many colours, and forms a natural thermal barrier as it expands and contracts with the climate. Plus, it is fire and water-resistant and made of natural and renewable resources. It can also save anywhere from 10 to 50 per cent on your energy costs.

The performance of your siding or outside envelope depends significantly on how well it is installed, and if done poorly, it can lead to rot and mould. To prevent this, ensure a waterproof barrier is installed over the sheathing and flashing around windows and doors.

Ive been telling people for years that youve got to build according to the environment. Building needs will vary according to the region, and if you build with that in mind, youll have a home thats safe, strong, and built to last.

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HOLMES: Exterior of your home provides protection - Chatham-Kent This Week

Dear James: My house now has siding, but some of it is deteriorating. I would like to replace those spots with manufactured stone accents. Is this a reasonable project? Tim D.

Dear Tim: This definitely can be done by an experienced do-it-yourselfer. Plan to use the stone for just accents, so you may still need to replace some siding. Adding too much stone may not create the accent effect. Instead, it may look like you just could not afford all stone.

New types of manufactured stone are indistinguishable from a real stone wall with regard to touch or appearance. When installed properly, it should last a lifetime, which is good because manufactured stone is not inexpensive, costing about $6 to $10 per square foot.

When installed properly on an exterior wall, manufactured stone is practically indistinguishable from real stone. Even the feel to the touch is very realistic. With the new types of manufactured stone available, if the finished wall does not look like real stone, it is because of installation errors.

Manufactured stone is made from lightweight concrete. This is basic concrete with lightweight fillers mixed with it. The forms for the stones are made from casts of real stones. The major manufacturers have many hundreds of different molds for a random selection of sizes and shapes. The fronts of the stones are colored and the backs grooved so they adhere well to the mortar.

First, make sure the sheathing on your house is in good condition once the old siding is removed. Attach two layers of heavyweight (30-pound) builders felt to the wall sheathing. Use some type of membrane if the stone will run up to any window or door openings. Peel-and-stick membrane is easy to work with.

The next step is to attach metal lath over the felt. The lath provides a good, strong surface for the mortar to flow through. When you screw the lath to the wall, try to keep it as smooth and tight as possible. One way to do this is to locate the screw in one corner of an opening in the lath. Locate the next screw in the opposite corner of another opening to stretch the lath tight.

With the lath in place, it is time to apply the mortar. First, spread a medium-thick layer of mortar over the lath. Put another layer on the back of the stone so it covers the grooves. Press the stone into the mortar on the lath for the first bottom course. For each additional course, tap the stone back somewhat even with the first course and downward against it. The mortar should ooze out.

You must decide on the width and depth of the mortar joint between the stones. A one-half-inch wide joint is typical for exterior stone surfaces.

For a very rustic appearance, use three-quarter-inch width joints.

The depth (rake) of the mortar joint also affects its functionality and appearance. Any rake can be used for indoor applications. For exterior use, a standard rake is good where the mortar is just slightly below the surface of the stone. Flush joints give a smoother appearance and shed water well.

Overfilling the joint so the mortar sticks out creates a rustic look.

There are several options for working the mortar between the stones. If you work it almost immediately, the mortar joints will have a smooth appearance. The longer you wait, up to several hours, the rougher the surface texture of the joint will look.

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Manufactured Stone Is Attractive and Durable - The Epoch Times

A fire that broke out on an MBTA Orange Line train car Thursday in Somerville, Massachusetts, has sparked considerable reaction from leaders and riders alike, adding to a list of recent incidents involving the troubled agency.

"Many of you have seen the visual images that have come from this," MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak said during a press conference Thursday afternoon at Wellington Station in Medford. "Obviously a very frightening event and not the service that the MBTA wants to provide, and it is these types of incidents that we are working to prevent and avoid every day. This incident happened and I think it's important that we step forward and acknowledge it, and again I want to express my apology to our customers who experienced that today."

Derailments and safety violations at the MBTA have repeatedly made headlines and this year drew the attention of the Federal Transit Administration, which in June ordered safety upgrades after finding "continuous safety violations and a failure to take urgent, corrective actions."

Here's everything we know about what happened Thursday:

A fire caused an MBTA train to be evacuated on a bridge over Mystic River.

A Boston-bound Orange Line train caught fire just before 7 a.m. Thursday while on the bridge over the Mystic River as it was approaching Assembly Station in Somerville from Medford. There were 200 people on board when the train started filling with smoke on a 90-degree day.

Passengers on board have described the moments the fire broke out, recounting smoke filling the head train car and people breaking windows to escape the situation.

Video clips posted to social media show people climbing out of the train and walking along the tracks on the bridge to get away. Some videos show smoke coming from the tracks themselves, too.

One woman seen in the river below said she jumped off the bridge to avoid the smoke, but got out of the water on her own and refused help.

About 200 passengers were on board when a fire interrupted their commute on a bridge over Mystic River.

A man staying at the nearby Encore Hotel shared what he saw with NBC10 Boston from his vantage point.

"I saw the train come to a stop first, then it started to spark, then it started to flame," he said. "It fully engulfed the first probably six feet of car behind the driver, then smoke started to billow all the way back on the train. Then folks started to come out the windows. It was scary there for a minute. You could not see the train, the smoke was so dark. The passengers were clearly helping each other, moving very quickly to the rear of the train."

He said it appeared to be explosive: It was a burst. It probably burned for a minute, and then after that, it was just a lot of smoke very intense for a very short period of time."

The fire on the Orange Line train was triggered by a metal sill that came loose from the lower part of the train and contacted the third rail, MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak said Thursday afternoon.

During the press conference, Poftak described the sill as one foot by six foot and compared the object, which is supposed to be riveted to the train, to siding that "doesn't have any structural role, but it covers up a portion of the vehicle almost ... akin to like aluminum siding at your house."

As the fire was occurring, the southbound train was halted on a bridge above the Mystic River, and a call went in to to cut power to the train, which Poftak said occurred in under two minutes.

While many riders were evacuated and stepped off the train onto the tracks, Poftak said "there were a number of people who self-evacuated through several windows on the train." He said four windows were removed.

The ordeal was caused by a metal piece of siding called a sill coming loose and into contact with the electrified third rail.

"Some folks made the decision to self-evacuate, which I understand, but we also did have an evacuation through the rear of the train," he said.

No injuries were reported.

Inspectors were dispatched Thursday morning to examine sills on other Orange Line cars, and Poftak said, "I've not received any word that there was any other issue found."

Poftak said service resumed by 11 a.m., following right of way inspections, and he remains confident in the T safety.

"I took the Orange Line here," he said. "I'll take it back. I regularly take public transportation."

A disabled Orange Line train was emitting smoke on the bridge over the Mystic River Thursday morning, leaving passengers to walk across the tracks on foot, video footage shows.

The train itself, which was left charred, was brought to the yard at Wellington for a closer look at what happened. The train went into service originally in 1980 and was last inspected June 23, according to Poftak. The MBTA conducted inspections on all other vehicles in the Orange Line following Thursday's fire.

The transit agency says its looking into whether it needs to work on training for events like this.

The train that caught fire was put in service in January 1980, and was last inspected on June 23, when he said the sill was also inspected.

Massachusetts is in the midst of a heatwave and Poftak said the high temperatures are affecting operations, mentioning a drawbridge that became stuck in the upright position.

"The sill itself is riveted to the vehicle," he said. "And I don't want to engage in guesswork around if the heat had any impact, but it will be something that we look at."

Poftak said the train's speed will be part of the T's investigation, and said he didn't know the recommended speed on that stretch of the Orange Line or how fast the train was traveling prior to the fire.

New Orange Line vehicles will replace all older vehicles "over time," he said, not offering a timeline. "As soon as we have an adequate supply of new vehicles ready to go, we'll be replacing all of the trains on both the Orange Line and the Red Line," he said.

The T's contract with Chinese manufacturer CRRC called for a complete fleet of new Orange Line cars to be delivered by January 2022 and a complete fleet of new Red Line cars delivered by September 2023, but a delay officials announced during the pandemic pushed those target dates back to April 2023 for the Orange Line and September 2024 for the Red Line.

MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak addressed a startling Orange Line train fire that had passengers evacuating down the tracks from the middle of a bridge over the Mystic River Thursday.

Poftak apologized to riders for what happened and called it "a very frightening event and not the service that the MBTA wants to provide." He acknowledged that evacuations are scary in general, but this scenario put passengers in "acutely vulnerable space," since they were on a bridge between stations.

The incident drew criticism from leaders in the state.

Gov. Charlie Baker addressed the Orange Line fireThursday afternoon while appearing on Boston Public Radio: "It's unfair to say it's a total mess," Baker said. "It's not unfair to say what happened today is unacceptable."

He used the incident as an example of why he welcomed the Federal Transit Administration's safety review of the MBTA, and noted he spoke to people at the agency Thursday morning.

"One of the things I said to them is 'I want to know what the FTA says about this,'" Baker said.

Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., criticized the MBTA onTwitterThursday, writing, "How many people in Boston drove to work today in a car from 1979? We desperately need to invest in public transit so these types of things don't happen any more. Underinvestment = disasters like this."

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu called the fire "evidence of an aging transit system in crisis" and said she'd be pushing for "rapid systemwide upgrades."

Massachusetts lawmakers on the Joint Committee on Transportation issued a joint statement in response to the fire, characterizing it as " dramatic illustrations of the public safety threats posed by the current state of affairs at the MBTA." The Committee is pushing to have oversight hearings.

This is the latest safety incident for the beleaguered MBTA, which isunder federal review. The Federal Transit Administration said its "extremely concerned with the ongoing safety issues" at the MBTA and launched the investigation in April.

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Frightening Event': Here's Everything We Know About the Orange Line Train Fire - NBC10 Boston

PHOENIX Pima County Attorney Laura Conover is siding with Planned Parenthood and against Attorney General Mark Brnovich in his bid to enforce a ban on virtually all abortions in Arizona.

And the outcome of that lawsuit could affect the rights of women statewide.

In new court filings, Samuel Brown, her chief civil deputy, acknowledged there is a law on the books dating to territorial days that makes it a crime to terminate a pregnancy except to save the life of the mother.

Brown also noted that a 15-week abortion ban approved earlier this year contains specific language saying it does not repeal the older and stricter law which carries a penalty of up to five years in prison.

But Brown said that new law did not contain a trigger to repeal the 15-week ban if Roe v. Wade was overturned. And what that means, he told Pima County Superior Court Judge Kellie Johnson, is that she cannot simply accede to Brnovichs request to reinstate the territorial law and completely ignore the newer statute which was validly enacted a law he said conforms with the Supreme Court decision issued in June, after lawmakers had gone home, that leaves the question of abortion to legislators in each state.

In granting the relief requested by the attorney general, this court would effectively replace its judgment for that of the Arizona Legislature regarding that which the Legislature had decided not to repeal, Brown wrote.

Conover told Capitol Media Services that staying out of the legal spat was not an option. Thats because her office was involved in the original 1972 lawsuit where Planned Parenthood sued both the Attorney Generals Office and the Pima County Attorneys Office. In fact, it argued at the time that the territorial law was legal and enforceable.

But Pima County Superior Court Judge Jack Marks sided with Planned Parenthood, ruling the law was overbroad and violates the fundamental rights of marital and sexual privacy of women.

That was initially overruled by the state Court of Appeals. But the judges overturned their own decision after the Supreme Court voided Roe, issuing an injunction against enforcing the law that remains in effect to this day.

Now Brnovich has reopened that same case, asking Johnson to dissolve the injunction. And that, said Conover, forced the issue for her office.

The analysis was there was no way to not be a party to the reopened case, she said. There was no mechanism by which to remove ourselves.

That, however, still left the decision of whether to stick with the offices 1972 decision to defend the law or side with Planned Parenthoods arguments that that law could not be harmonized with everything the legislature has enacted since, right up to the 15-week ban that Gov. Doug Ducey signed in March and is set to take effect in late September.

Conover said she believes Planned Parenthood has the more persuasive legal arguments.

I certainly think that a great deal of statutory legislative work and case law has occurred in 50 years, she said. So the landscape has changed.

It isnt just the new 15-week ban that conflicts with the territorial law, a version of which dates back to 1864.

In its own legal filings, Planned Parenthood cited a series of other laws approved by the Republican-controlled legislature since Roe. That includes a 1984 statute specifically allowing abortions up to the point of viability somewhere between 22 and 24 weeks along with exceptions beyond that point to preserve the life or health of the woman.

There also have been various regulations like a 2009 law that imposed a 24-hour waiting period, another law that same year about licensing and operation of abortion facilities, and a 2021 law saying that only physicians can administer drugs for a medication abortion.

What all that means according to attorney Andrew Gaona, is that Johnson cannot simply dissolve the injunction but must consider the fact that since 1973 lawmakers have authorized what had previously been forbidden.

More to the point, Gaona wants Johnson to rule that those post-Roe state laws make it clear that licensed physicians are allowed to provide abortions up until the gestational limits and that the territorial law banning abortion applies only to people who are not doctors.

This interpretation properly gives effect to all the Legislatures enactments, he told Johnson in his own filing. And it stands far apart from the untenable interpretation the attorney general posits: that the (territorial law) which is over 100 years old somehow preempts a host of other subsequently enacted laws and criminalized nearly all abortions in Arizona, even abortions performed by physicians within the longstanding framework established by the Legislature.

In a prepared statement, an aide to Brnovich did not address questions about Conovers decision to side with Planned Parenthood. Instead, Brittni Thomason said her boss sees the entire issue through the lens of the Supreme Court returning the issue of abortion to elected lawmakers.

In Arizona, our Legislature has consistently reaffirmed our existing law prior to Roe v. Wade, she said. And that, Thomason said, includes the 15-week ban approved earlier this year, with the language that it does not repeal the prior outright ban.

Of some note is that Brnovich contends the injunction he wants lifted affects only Pima County. He said that prosecutors in the other 14 counties are immediately free to bring charges against any doctor who terminates a pregnancy.

That theory has not been tested, as a spokeswoman for the Maricopa County Attorneys Office the only other county in which abortions were performed prior to the Supreme Court ruling said no cases have been brought. And Jennifer Liewer said her boss, Rachel Mitchell, intends to wait to see what the courts and lawmakers do before taking any action.

But if Johnson rules that the 1864 law is unenforceable against physicians, that sets the stage to appeals right through the Arizona Supreme Court. And what the justices decide would be binding statewide.

Even if the injunction is entirely lifted and the old law is declared enforceable, Conover may not be seeking to imprison doctors.

I certainly have a strong position about prosecutorial discretion and limited resources, she said. And that, Conover said becomes even more important with the county in the midst of a spike in homicides.

Theres nothing that Tucson Police Chief (Chad) Kasmar, Sheriff (Chris) Nanos and I agree on more, which is that we are all definitely focusing our resources on public safety right now and where the needs desperately are, she said. So we all three have a very strong opinion on making sure every resource is used as wisely as humanly possible.

Even before the Supreme Court decision, the Tucson City Council voted unanimously to authorize Kasmar to revise the agencys general order to reflect that no physical arrest will be made by an officer for an alleged violation of state laws limiting abortion.That, however, doesnt mean police will ignore violations of the abortion ban if it is allowed to take effect.

City Attorney Mike Rankin said an officer or detective will make a report and present it to prosecutors who would make the final decision.

And that would put it in the hands of Conover.

Conover said that, in siding with Planned Parenthood, she is representing the interests of her bosses on the Pima County Board of Supervisors.

They adopted a resolution in the wake of the newest Supreme Court ruling not only supporting the right of women to terminate a pregnancy but directing the county administrator to ensure that there is a broad range of legal reproductive health services available to county residents through the health department as well as work with partners locally, statewide and nationally to advocate for evidence-based reproductive health care, including abortion services.

Howard Fischer

@azcapmedia

@azcapmedia

Mr. Fischer, a longtime award-winning Arizona journalist, is founder and operator of Capitol Media Services.

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Pima County Attorney disagrees with AG on banning all abortions in Arizona - Daily Independent

Daily Point Veto-override test for campaign finance

DoesSuffolk Countys public campaign financing system have the votes?Twelve are needed to override County Executive Steve Bellones veto of a bill passed by the Republican legislative majorityaimed at repealing the 2017 law.With at least two votes uncertain, the stage is set for a significant battle at Tuesdays meeting of the legislature.

Both Bellone and Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey say theyre cautiously optimistic their side will prevail.

One wild card has already been exposed.

GOP Legis. Rob Trottahas been outspoken against the massive impact of money on Suffolks politics and the county Police Benevolent Associations outsized influence, which he says derives from illegal dues collections from officers and banned transfers of and donations of money from the PBA.

But hes also been outspoken in opposing Bellone, on nearly everything and says Bellone himself has been an outsized beneficiary of PBA largesse.

His next move seemed unclear, but on Friday Trotta told The Point hes 99.9% sure hell be abstaining, which in this instance means siding with Bellone and public financing.

I know it [public financing]is going to cost $2.6 million, Trotta said. But were it not for the PBAs outsized influence, the last police contract could have been done with raises that matched the actual cost-of-living increase at the time, rather than doubling it. And that would have saved the county $200 million. But Im also going to rail against Bellone, who by my figuring has received at least three times as much PBA money as any other county executive."

So thats one Republican siding with the Democrats.

Last month, Legis. Al Krupski (D-Riverhead) voted with the Republican majority to end the program while Legis. Manuel Esteban Sr. (R-Commack) was the only Republican abstaining.

Krupski has said hes sticking with his opposition to public financing, and Friday McCaffrey said, with a chuckle, Manny has told me he is with me, but to be clear, that was yesterday.

If that all plays out as planned (and it has been extremely fluid), the issue will be decided by Democratic Legis. Thomas Donnelly who abstained during last month's vote.

Friday, Donnelly did not return a call seeking comment.

And McCaffrey, summing it all up, said: The one thing I know for sure is were not going to know for sure until we count the votes.

Lane Filler @lanefiller

With New Yorks Aug. 23 congressional primaries getting close, CD2 Republican challenger Robert Cornicelli is turning to a familiar face: controversial former national security adviser Michael Flynn.

Cornicellis new video ad features a pictureof the candidate and Flynn, a retired Army lieutenant general,standing together in dress uniforms, while Cornicellis voice-over describes himself as a trained military leader and relentless defender of freedom.

Cornicelli and the former Trump official go far back: In October, when he was briefly running to replace Rep. Lee Zeldin in CD1, Cornicelli released an endorsement from Flynn that called him a true patriot, noting that Flynn met Robert seven years ago when we worked together at the Defense Intelligence Agency. (Asked for more details about Cornicellis service, DIA public affairs said the agency does not confirm employment of current or former officers.)

By the spring, Cornicelli had switched congressional districts but still appeared to have Flynn in his camp, promoting a Facebook ad video in which Flynn, sitting informally in front of a houseplant and white window shutters, said he couldnt have been more excited when he learned Cornicelli was running for Congress.

But now, Cornicelli is running ina primary against first-term Rep. Andrew Garbarino, who is the only Long Island member of Congress seeking reelection this wild cycle. Garbarino voted for last years bipartisan infrastructure bill and did not object to the certification of the 2020 election the kinds of stances that Cornicelli is now using to question Garbarinos loyalties to the GOP and Trump.

The challengers new video says that the radical left and Andrew Garbarino do not believe in America First.

Flynn may be a useful figure as Cornicelli seeks to make that case the general calls Garbarino a RINO in that spring video and is popular among Trump fans but the strategy comes with risks.

Flynn, who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI before Trump pardoned him, is a polarizing figure with a lot of baggage, including being ousted as head of the DIA during the Obama administration and calling for the military to seize voting machines after the 2020 election. More recently, the former military man pleaded the Fifth Amendment when asked under oath by Liz Cheney if the violence on Jan. 6 was justified.

Mark Chiusano @mjchiusano

Credit: politicalcartoons.com/Dave Granlund

For more cartoons, visit http://www.newsday.com/nationalcartoons

Michael Dobie @mwdobie

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Wild cards this week - Newsday

What was once billed as six hearings over two-plus weeks by the House Select Committee investigating the attack on the U.S. Capitol of Jan. 6, 2021, has now reached a break after eight hearings, stretched out over more than a month, with more promised in September. The committee has done about as good a job with that time as possible.

Its found a way to take a well-known story of a president who attempted to overturn an election and keep the focus on the big picture of exactly what former President Donald Trump and his allies did to undermine the republic, while at the same time filling in lots of relevant and fascinating new details. The inquiry also planted within that story a number of sidebars likely to spark interest from the press and in social media.

Thursday nights unnecessary but entertaining example was a swipe at Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., who famously raised a fist in solidarity with the mob only, as the committee showed with new footage, to run for his life from the rioters a few hours later. It was a perfect made-for-social, comic-relief moment while taking nothing away from the seriousness of the proceedings.

So the committee is doing well. Does it matter? Yeah. It does.

One obvious audience going into the hearings were the journalists in the nonaligned media. For them, the hearings are basically a framing operation: The committee is trying to get them to cover Trump and his allies as opponents of democracy, rather than as opponents of Democrats. As long as the story is Democrats against Republicans, nonaligned media are going to be tempted to treat the story as if both sides should be treated as equals. But if the story is Trump against democracy, then those same journalists will be more comfortable siding with democracy.

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That kind of framing was helped by giving the two Republicans on the committee, especially Wyomings Liz Cheney, a central role. Its been helped, too, by the parade of former Trump administration officials who are testifying against the former president. But its been helped most by just holding the attention of politics professionals and forcing them to reckon with how badly Trump violated his oath of office.

A second audience was those Republican party actors who are neither die-hard Trump fans nor never-Trumpers those Republicans who recognize what Trump is, but have usually gone along with him and his supporters for a variety of reasons. For them, the big case to make is that Trump is more dangerous to the party than to those in the party who oppose him. Its not clear whether the hearings are having much effect on them or not. But his inability to put the 2020 election behind him doesnt seem to be helping him with this group within the party.

And that points to an important audience that I didnt recognize going in: Trump himself. Perhaps he would be focused on 2020, anyway. But surely the committee is helping fix his attention there. That means that Trump has been attacking Cheney and the Republican witnesses, which doesnt do Republicans trying to win the 2022 midterms any good.

Plenty of Republican party actors are still solidly in Trumps camp. The best comic relief from Thursday nights session came from the House Republicans Twitter account, which declared early in the hearing, This is all heresy. The social media managers eventually managed to replace heresy with hearsay, which was scarcely more accurate. Theres a ton of firsthand evidence; many of those who could give firsthand evidence are refusing to testify; and this isnt a trial, but a congressional hearing.

Almost two years after Trump lost the 2020 election, hes still claiming against all the evidence that he won in a landslide, despite having been told by all of his own campaign professionals that he lost.

Republicans can choose to avoid heresy and stick with Trump. But they know where that got them. And Cheney and her colleagues on the Jan. 6 committee are doing what they can to remind them.

Jonathan Bernstein is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering politics and policy. A former professor of political science at the University of Texas at San Antonio and DePauw University, he wrote A Plain Blog About Politics.

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Opinion: The Jan. 6 hearings hit the bull's-eye - The Virginian-Pilot