Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

The Riverfront Village housing and retail development, shown here in this rendering, is not yet safe to live in, according to city officials. Students who were supposed to move in Friday will be temporarily rehoused until construction on the complex is finished.

College students planning to start the new semester in the new Riverfront Village retail and residential development will have to wait longer than expected.

Although originally signed leases indicated a move-in date of today, some residents were informed within the past week that this would no longer be the case.

City officials have said no certificate of occupancy has been issued for the $42 million, 452-bed development thats still taking shape on a 7.6-acre site at the end of Greensboro Avenue on the banks of the Black Warrior River.

This means that the structures cannot be used by the public because they are not yet safe.

Buildings still under construction can apply for a temporary certificate of occupancy while work is still going on, said City Hall spokeswoman Deidre Stalnaker, (but) it has to be at a certain stage with all life safety codes being addressed and in place.

This includes an egress and ingress plan to keep tenants and construction workers separated, for example. As of now, that is not possible at Riverfront Village.

Until we reach that point and feel safe about the situation, no certificate of occupancy will be issued, Stalnaker said. Safety is our first and foremost priority.

John McConnell, director of the citys Department of Planning and Development Services, said City Hall has prepared a statement for parents or other concerned residents who call to ask about the future of Riverfront Village.

It is the mission of the chief building official and fire marshal to make sure we provide resilient and safe buildings in our community and to protect life, health and property through the adopted building and fire codes, the statement said. The Riverfront Village Development is currently not at a point during construction in which a certificate of occupancy (CO) can be issued.

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Construction delays prevent move-ins at new complex

THE British Embassy is enhancing its visa application services in Manila and Cebu City, as the United Kingdom (UK) has welcomed record numbers of Filipino visitors to its shores.

The British Embassy said in a press release that in the 12 months to March 2014, over 49,000 UK visas were issued to Filipinos, with a 27 percent growth in tourists and business visitors driving the increase in numbers.

"It is great to see our people-to-people links growing in such a way that we are seeing more Filipinos travelling to the UK not just for sightseeing but also to do business," said British Ambassador to the Philippines Asif Ahmad.

He said they launched last year the "Great" campaign to showcase the UK as a destination that offers a diverse range of attractions from historical sites to modern architectural designs, world-class universities and inspiring commercial enterprises.

Also last year, the European Union lifted the ban on the Philippine Airlines, allowing the country's flag carrier to fly directly to London from Manila. In April 2014, another carrier, the Cebu Pacific, was allowed entry to Europe, giving Filipinos a wider range of flight options.

With the lifting of the ban, the Great campaign, and the availability of a visa application centers in the country, Ahmad said: "We want to welcome even more Filipino visitors in the coming 12 months."

He also dismissed the belief that it is difficult for Filipino travelers to get a UK visa, saying: "Over 90 percent of Filipinos who apply for a tourist or business visit visa are successful."

He encouraged applicants to apply early and to have all necessary documents on upon their appointments.

"Be clear about the purpose of your visit. There are additional services you may want to look into, such as the priority visa service and Prime Time service, for those who need a bit more flexibility," Ahmad said.

The Embassy said in a press release that among the enhancements to the UK visa services in the Philippines to improve the customer experience and make the journey to the UK an easier one are the following:

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UK welcomes more Filipinos, enhances visa application services

This Federal-era townhouse, with its pleasingly demure countenance, offers no hint of what unexpected delights lie behind its stately brick facade.

Like many of its Georgetown neighbors, the home has been witness to history.

Not long after it was built in 1810, loyalists to the crown hid British spies in the house. Later, Confederates found refuge here. Rumor has it that it also was part of the Underground Railroad. What made it so attractive to people on the run was that its attic was connected to the other homes on the block, allowing for stealthy escapes.

In 1964, Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Herman Wouk moved his family into the home during the time he was writing and researching The Winds of War and War and Remembrance.

When Jacobsen Architecture was hired to renovate the home, Simon Jacobsen found a few mementos Wouk had left behind. Among his discoveries were the steel balls that Humphrey Bogart used in the filming of Wouks The Caine Mutiny with a note that read, To Herman from Bogie. Jacobsen also discovered a secret room hidden behind a bookcase. Inside were .45-caliber ammunition, a telephone, a stool and a book.

This house has so many surprises, Jacobsen said.

And more than a few disappointments.

The house had not aged well. Most of the historic character had been stripped away.

There was nothing to keep, he said. The house had been attacked over the last 75 years before we got there.

Although hiring an architectural firm that specializes in contemporary design may have seemed like sacrilege to historic preservationists, Jacobsen Architecture has long married old and new in creating elegant, formal dwellings. Hidden among those baseboard- and molding-free walls, bright spaces and floating bookcases is a respect for traditional elements.

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House of the Week | Federal-era townhouse in Georgetown for $10.5M

Alpharetta, GA (PRWEB) August 15, 2014

Sir Grout, world-renowned hard surface restoration expert, is proud to announce a new service offered by its highly skilled technicians: stone cleaning and color enhancement. After over a decade of experience in hard surface restoration, Sir Grout has enhanced its state-of-the-art services by adding stone cleaning and color enhancement.

While on jobs, Sir Grout specialists have noticed with growing concern the need to work on the enhancement of stone surfaces that have lost their original luster. After understanding the problem itself and considering solutions, they have put together a process that ensures the restored beauty of many stones, including pavers, marble, granite, slate, limestone, travertine, quartzite and sandstone.

Sir Grout's new color enhancement is U.V. resistant and provides maximum protection from oil and water based stains. It allows for moisture vapor transmission. With this innovative service, unattractive surfaces are a thing of the past: Sir Grout will clean and color enhance stone and make it look brand new. Through this one-of-a-kind process, surfaces are cleaned and dried to ensure the proper adhesion and absorption of a premium sealant, which is formulated to darken, highlight and enhance the beauty and character of natural stone on floors, walls, and countertops.

Sir Grout's experts also hone and polish marble, restoring this luxurious stone to its true beauty. Sir Grout understands that every hard surface needs to be pampered from time to time. That's why it offers top notch services to meet every need. Householders and business owners can enjoy tile and grout cleaning and sealing, slip resistant application, grout recoloring and sealing, caulking, stone cleaning and sealing, stone countertop sealing, sandless wood refinishing, and wood deep cleaning, among others services.

Sir Grout takes the time to know what its customers need and provides them with top hard surface restoration services and unparalleled customer satisfaction. To learn more about the exceptional processes provided by Sir Grout, go to http://www.sirgrout.com or call (866) 476-8863. Check out all of Sir Grout's restoration services and request a free quote or in-home/office consultation.

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Sir Grout Announces New Services to Its Renowned Hard Surface Restoration Treatments

Sameer N. Yacoub and Qassim Abdul-Zahra, The Associated Press Published Thursday, August 14, 2014 7:26AM EDT Last Updated Thursday, August 14, 2014 9:49PM EDT

BAGHDAD -- Nouri al-Maliki, Iraq's prime minister for the past eight years, relinquished the post to his nominated replacement late Thursday, ending a political deadlock that has plunged the country into uncertainty as it fights a Sunni militant insurgency.

Standing alongside fellow Dawa Party member, Haider-al-Abadi, al-Maliki said he was stepping aside in favour of his "brother," in order to "facilitate the political process and government formation."

Al-Maliki said the decision to back al-Abadi reflected his desire to "safeguard the high interests of the country," adding that he would not be the cause of any bloodshed. "My post is your confidence in me," he declared in a televised address.

Al-Maliki has been struggling for weeks to stay on for a third four-year term as prime minister amid an attempt by opponents to push him out, accusing him of monopolizing power and pursuing a fiercely pro-Shiite agenda that has alienated the Sunni minority.

The pressure intensified this week when his Shiite political alliance backed al-Abadi to replace him, and President Fouad Massoum nominated al-Abadi to form the next government. Al-Maliki for days has refused to step aside, threatening legal action against the president for what he said was a violation of the constitution.

But in a meeting of his party earlier Thursday, al-Maliki agreed to endorse al-Abadi as the next prime minister, two senior lawmakers from his State of Law parliamentary bloc -- Hussein al-Maliki and Khalaf Abdul-Samad -- told the Associated Press.

The lawmakers said al-Maliki also agreed to drop a suit before the constitutional court challenging al-Abadi's nomination.

Al-Maliki had grown increasingly isolated as he was deserted not only by his Shiite allies but also top ally Iran, the United States and the U.N. backed al-Abadi, who has 30-days to put together a Cabinet for parliament's approval.

The U.N. Security Council urged al-Abadi to work swiftly to form "an inclusive government that represents all segments of the Iraqi population and that contributes to finding a viable and sustainable solution to the country's current challenges."

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Iraq's Al-Maliki steps down as PM, endorses replacement

Al-Maliki announced his resignation in an address on Iraqi state television late Thursday, finally bowing to pressure from within Iraq and abroad, after being widely blamed for alienating Iraqs Sunni minority from which "Islamic State" (IS) militants have drawn support.

"I announce before you today, to ease the movement of the political process and the formation of the new government, the withdrawal of my candidacy in favor of brother Dr. Haider al-Abadi," said Maliki, standing next to his designated successor in front of rolling TV cameras.

Pressure to step down

The pressure on al-Maliki to resign intensified this week when his Shiite political alliance announced they would back al-Abadi, who President Fouad Massoum nominated on Monday to form the next government. Al-Maliki refused to step aside, claiming the nomination violated the constitution.

Al-Maliki had also grown increasingly isolated after top Shiite ally Iran, the United States and the UN announced their backing of al-Abadi, who now has 30 days to assemble a cabinet for the parliaments approval.

The UN Security Council has called on al-Abadi to work swiftly to form "an inclusive government that represents all segments of the Iraqi population and that contributes to finding a viable and sustainable solution to the country's current challenges."

Washington and its Western allies have been pushing for an inclusive government that will ease anger among Sunnis, which helped fuel the spread of IS fighters over much of northern and western Iraq over the past months.

Those advances have driven hundreds of thousands of people from their homes since June, and last week prompted the Obama administration to launch airlifts and airstrikes as the militants threatened religious minorities - including Yazidis - in the largely autonomous Kurdish region.

glb/hc (Reuters, AP, dpa)

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Iraq PM steps down, endorses replacement

Aug. 15, 2014, 7:30 a.m.

COMMENT: A year after a landslide election win seems too soon to have a ministerial reshuffle, but with his government languishing in the polls, a number of ministers performing poorly and an unrepresentative cabinet, Prime Minister Tony Abbott must surely consider this in coming months.

A year after a landslide election win seems too soon to have a ministerial reshuffle, but with his government languishing in the polls, a number of ministers performing poorly and an unrepresentative cabinet, Prime Minister Tony Abbott must surely consider this in coming months.

Stunts like flying across the world, supposedly to offer condolences to the government and people of the Netherlands on their losses suffered in the flight MH17 atrocity, will not be enough to win over the Australian electorate.

While they may deflect attention from the awful budget and get the Prime Minister out of the difficult task of negotiating deals with the Senate crossbenchers, they are unlikely to give Abbott enough world-leader status to increase his long-term vote.

For that, a real game-changer is required.

The first and most obvious option is to jettison key parts of the budget, a suggestion clearly flagged by former Coalition treasurer and experienced political operator Peter Costello. Such a move, particularly the dumping of Abbotts paid parental leave scheme, would be welcomed by many of his parliamentary colleagues, including members of his own frontbench.

Unfortunately Treasurer Joe Hockey is sticking with the budget prescription and has even suggested a bigger dose of medicine should have been prescribed.

The second option is a major revamp of the ministry.

From the start, Abbotts cabinet has been unrepresentative. It is not just that it has only one woman. One of its problems is that the men themselves are unrepresentative, a disproportionate number holding conservative views on social issues such as abortion and homosexuality.

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Time for Tony Abbott to reshuffle the ministerial deck

Al-Maliki announced his resignation in an address on Iraqi state television late Thursday, finally bowing to pressure from within Iraq and abroad, after being widely blamed for alienating Iraqs Sunni minority from which "Islamic State" (IS) militants have drawn support.

"I announce before you today, to ease the movement of the political process and the formation of the new government, the withdrawal of my candidacy in favor of brother Dr. Haider al-Abadi," said Maliki, standing next to his designated successor in front of rolling TV cameras.

Pressure to step down

The pressure on al-Maliki to resign intensified this week when his Shiite political alliance announced they would back al-Abadi, who President Fouad Massoum nominated on Monday to form the next government. Al-Maliki refused to step aside, claiming the nomination violated the constitution.

Al-Maliki had also grown increasingly isolated after top Shiite ally Iran, the United States and the UN announced their backing of al-Abadi, who now has 30 days to assemble a cabinet for the parliaments approval.

The UN Security Council has called on al-Abadi to work swiftly to form "an inclusive government that represents all segments of the Iraqi population and that contributes to finding a viable and sustainable solution to the country's current challenges."

Washington and its Western allies have been pushing for an inclusive government that will ease anger among Sunnis, which helped fuel the spread of IS fighters over much of northern and western Iraq over the past months.

Those advances have driven hundreds of thousands of people from their homes since June, and last week prompted the Obama administration to launch airlifts and airstrikes as the militants threatened religious minorities - including Yazidis - in the largely autonomous Kurdish region.

glb/hc (Reuters, AP, dpa)

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Iraq PM al-Maliki steps down, endorses replacement

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Weibo Corp. (WB) reported a narrower second-quarter loss as alliances with smartphone manufacturers boosted users, helping the Chinese microblogging service controlled by Sina Corp. (SINA) win more advertising sales.

The net loss was $15.4 million in the three months ended June 30 from a loss of $35.1 million a year earlier, the Beijing-based company said in a statement yesterday. Sales more than doubled to $77.3 million, higher than Weibos forecast in May of sales of $74 million to $76 million.

Weibo, also backed by Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (BABA), said the number of daily active users increased 32 percent in the period from a year earlier. Chief Executive Officer Wang Gaofei is investing in marketing, product development and using partnerships to win users amid competition from Tencent Holdings Ltd. (700)s WeChat messaging application.

We have already formed strategic alliances with major handset manufacturers, Wang said during a conference call. We are delighted to see over 50 percent of our new mobile users come from collaboration with handset manufacturers and mobile operators.

Weibo forecast sales of $79 million to $82 million in the third quarter, up from $53.4 million in the year earlier period. The projection compares with the $78.9 million average of four analyst estimates compiled by Bloomberg.

Total net revenue contributed by Alibaba was $22.2 million, Chief Financial Officer Bonnie Yi Zhang said during a conference call.

Shares of Weibo rose 5.6 percent to close at $21.46 in New York yesterday, before the results were announced. The stock has gained 26 percent from the $17 a share price in Aprils initial public offering.

Weibo, which sold $286 million of shares in the IPO, operates a social media website similar to Twitter Inc. (TWTR)s that allows users to post short messages. Twitters service is blocked in China by government censors.

The daily active users of Weibo rose to 69.7 million at the end of June, the company said.

Sina remains the controlling shareholder of Weibo after the IPO, holding 54 percent of outstanding shares on a fully diluted basis, while Alibaba owns 30 percent, the company said in May.

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Weibo Loss Narrows as User Additions Boost Advertising Revenue