Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

The new Prebbleton Community Park is open to the public and ready to use.

Selwyn District Councils Landscape Architect Derek Hayes says now that construction and landscaping for the park is complete, it is ready for everyone to enjoy.

"Its fantastic for the community to have a central place to come where they can get some fresh air and stretch their legs," says Mr Hayes. "There have already been a number of people using the park over the last few days which is great to see."

The park on Stationmasters Way in Prebbleton has a range of areas to suit all age groups including a colourful playground with swings, a large train and a 7.5 metre climbing net. There is also a skate and scooter area, as well as a walking and cycling track.

"The park has something for everyone," says Mr Hayes. "It will be a place where the kids can come to play as there is a variety of playground equipment including a rotating tire swing called the Rocktopus, and a covered area for winter which also provides shade in the warmer months."

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New Prebbleton Community Park opens

When planning your exterior dcor you should be sure to keep in mind easy landscaping designs and photos that can help simplify your task. The outside design of your home is just as important as the interior dcor. If planned properly, the front of house landscape can really increase the curb appeal of your property. Some of the best landscape and garden ideas include adorning your yard with trees and plants that require little maintenance. Incorporating plants that do not require watering or trimming every day will make it easier for you to maintain. Plants and shrubs that do not need frequent maintenance and cheap to buy while becoming a great addition to both your front and backyard landscape designs. Because there are many different types of trees and plants to choose from, photo galleries can be great resources to help you make a decision. Whether you have a lot of money to spend or very little, there are many landscaping ideas on a budget to help you design your dream home.

When planning your design and getting ready to build an outdoor structure, our online photo gallery of landscaping ideas for the front yard can be a great source of information. Searching through photo galleries will give you an idea of trends others are doing in their yards and what you can plant in yours. While you are brainstorming about your yard, it is a good idea to consider simple landscape designs. If you are not an outdoor fanatic, you may find it difficult to develop a plan for your yard. Our many beautiful pictures of backyard landscaping ideas are online to inspire you to begin designing the perfect yard layout. Looking at these photos can help you decide upon the types of trees, shrubs, or flowers you wish to plant in your front or backyard. Planting landscaping trees outside your home can add shade as well as beauty to any space. You can even search for online landscaping pictures before and after to see the types of transformations that can take place by the simple addition of plants.

In order to retain the easy upkeep of your garden, you will want to choose low maintenance landscaping plants. These types of plants can grow and prosper with little water and do not require trimming and other care. Some easy large or small yard ideas include planting bushes such as the plumbago ariculata or leocophyllum frutescens. These bushes are water conserving plants that do not require irrigation or frequent watering. Another easy outdoor design is to plant a flower garden in your yard. There are numerous types of flowers that you can choose from with a wide range of colors. You can visit your local nursery, hardware store or look on through photo galleries for great ideas for garden flower bed designs. Planting flowers in your yard can be an easy way to spruce it up and add some color. If you live in a warm climate tropical landscaping plants can be a great addition to your home. Orchids, begonias, and ferns are great examples of tropical plants that you can plant in your yard.

If you dont have a fence, there are many landscape edging ideas that incorporate plants to create a wall around your home. Trees and shrubs are great plants to be used as a fence around your property to give more privacy. An easy to use for seclusion are fast growing trees that will reach their maximum height within a few years. Some privacy fence ideas for backyard gardening include using Green Giant trees or holly shrubs and bushes to create a wall. Both these plants grow rapidly and keep their dark green colors year round. For ideas of other easy landscaping plants to use as privacy hedges you can search our photo gallery. Using plants as a privacy fence is one of many great outdoor living space that can be an easy solution to keep your yard secluded without the hassle of installing a wooden or metal fence. Having these as a lawn edging throughout your yard will create a natural fence that will keep noise out and block the view from the inside and out.

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Top Landscaping Designs & Photos for 2014 with DIY Ideas

SAN JOSE -- They were the Nia, the Pinta and the Santa Maria of Space Age movie theaters, a domed armada set sail across a landscape in which anything suddenly seemed possible.

At the time of its opening 50 years ago in a fallowed farm field, "looking like a flying saucer about to take off," Century 21 became the first theater in Northern California that challenged the imagination of moviegoers as much as the pictures that played there.

Now it's among the last of its kind standing. After a recent, dramatic showdown at City Hall, the cinematic spaceship that architect Vincent Raney designed for a "city obsessed with the future" looks likely to be saved because of its past. But a broader debate continues over just which parts of the Bay Area's history are truly historic: Raney's domes in Fremont and Oakland are already gone, and his Pleasant Hill theater gave way to the wrecking ball last year after a City Council vote, despite a last-minute campaign by preservationists to save it.

Raney built a dozen domes in the Bay Area, all for movie impresario Ray Syufy. The theater impresario agreed to locate San Jose's Century 21, 22 and 23 -- the original theater's round-roofed companions -- on 11.6 acres owned by the architect's family, which also controlled the adjacent Winchester Mystery House, the peaks and cupolas of its rooftop in stark counterpoint to the nearby dome star fleet.

"As this area grew and changed from agriculture to technology, these domes became an important emblem of that change," said Matthew Sutton, standing forlornly outside the now-closed Century 21, which opened in 1964 and closed on March 31. "They wanted to evoke the future and embrace the optimism of the Space Age, that postwar Camelot era." Sutton organized a Save the Domes Facebook page, which, along with a petition drive that drew more than 8,600 signatures on Change.org, was thought to have influenced the City Council's 7-4 vote on June 10 to grant landmark protection to Century 21.

Last year, a campaign to save the CinArts, Raney's dome in Pleasant Hill, fell one vote short when it went before City Council. During that debate, one woman warned council members that "once it's destroyed, like the Twin Towers, you don't see it anymore." In San Jose, an impassioned dome defender cautioned the council against committing "dome-icide."

Floating objects

For now, Century 21 has been spared that fate, but Century 22 and 23 appear unlikely to survive long enough to justify their names. Century 22 opened in 1966 as a single dome, followed a year later by Century 23. But as multiplexes began to replace single-screen theaters in the 1970s, Century 22 expanded to a Picasso-esque embarrassment of riches with three domes, each one with its own screen.

Unlike buildings that create a wall along the street, these were "object buildings," said architect Sally Zarnowitz, a former member of San Jose's planning department, "that lend themselves to floating in the landscape."

Century 21 was clearly the mother ship, with its unmistakable resemblance to the flying saucer that brought Klaatu and Gort to this planet in the 1951 sci-fi classic "The Day the Earth Stood Still." Raney gave it a gaudy zigzag parapet that also evoked a merry-go-round, Zarnowitz said. "All of that played into the idea of leisure architecture in the '60s."

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Bay Area dome theaters face extinction

MLA backs land rights

A Liberal MP has accused his Parliamentary colleagues of "perpetuating abominable and scandalous" State property rights laws.

Murray-Wellington MLA Murray Cowper introduced a private Members Bill in Parliament last Friday calling for an overhaul of the State's property rights laws, which he said did not adequately compensate land owners for reacquired land.

Mr Cowper said with the Bill, he hoped to entrench some common law provisions into the Land Administration Act, to ensure landowners were properly compensated for land reacquired by the State Government.

He said unlike Federal laws, the State Constitution did not have an "express provision" required for it to have the power to take property.

Mr Cowper also said under the current Act, it was up to individual Government departments to administer compensation, which did not necessarily take into account the value of the land to the land owner.

"In WA, the State's express powers to take land and give compensation are contained in parts 9 and 10 of the Land Administration Act of 1997, which generally operates in conjunction with specific legislation pertained to the relevant public purpose for example main roads, Water Corporation or a host of any other legislation," he said.

Mr Cowper said the origin of the land rights issue was a result of a "slow deterioration" of the rights of property owners.

"This was caused by a sweep of legislation that has washed across the political landscape and impacted detrimentally to a number of landowners," he said.

Mr Cowper also said about 20,000 WA landowners were affected by the legislation, with many of those living in the Murray-Wellington district.

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MLA backs land rights

The ability to repair basic house wiring in you home is a skill you can acquire. Knowing how circuits work and what can be done with them is useful knowledge. Wiring in a residential house is not that complicated, but it can be dangerous. Proper understanding and cautions are required.

Some popular pages related to residential wiring are, 'Doorbell Wiring', 'Phone Jack Wiring', 'Installing Electrical Outlets', 'Wiring a Light Switch' and 'Ceiling Fan Repair'.

Most homes in the United States have two hot wires and one neutral coming into them. Supplying a stated 240/120 volts. The actual voltage received is normally slightly less 230/115 volts. This type of power is commonly called single phased power. Most residential homes have this type of basic house wiring.

The power coming into your home is also called alternating current. There are people in the world that can explain what that means exactly, but none of them are writing this article. Alternating current is used to allow electricity to be transported over long distances. Leave it at that, the guys that can explain it will talk in a language you won't understand.

The first power plant using alternating current came on line in Niagara Falls, New York in 1894. Nikola Tesla is credited with the development of a system the would allow power to sent long distances. Thus, making it practical.

When you use one hot wire and the neutral you get 115 volt power. Most small electrical devices and lights run on this current. Heavy duty items like ranges, hot water tanks and dryers use both hot wires and the neutral to achieve 230 volts.

You may not want to tear into replacing you electrical service, but doing some basic house wiring may not be out of the question. The first thing you want to do is get a healthy respect for electricity. It is dangerous and can hurt or kill you. Take precautions when working around electricity.

The first rule to remember is that basic house wiring can be dangerous. Never attempt to do it without a good understanding of how it works and safe work practices. This article is intended to provide basic information and is not a comprehensive discussion of all aspects of house wiring. See the article 'Electrical Safety Tips' for more information.

In addition local and national electrical codes apply. You will need to consult your local building department to get information on what is acceptable for basic house wiring in your area.

You never want to work on basic house wiring in your home with the power on. See the article 'Electrical Safety Tips' for more information. Just shutting off a switch is not enough. On the job electricians use lock out tag out procedures to make sure circuits are not inadvertently turned on while they are being worked on. You turned off the switch, so everything is fine right?

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Basic House Wiring - Introduction - Home Repair Central

Person on the run after police chase

CINCINNATI -- Police are looking for a person they say ran from a vehicle after a chase through West Chester and Sharonville early Monday.

The chase happened at about 5:30 a.m. when officers tried to pull the driver of the vehicle over on NB I-75 at I-275.

Police say the vehicle with two occupants sped north into West Chester and later south towards Sharonville.

The two occupants ran from the vehicle after it came to a stop. Officers caught one of them near railroad tracks close to Reading and Sharon roads.

Police are searching for the other occupant in the area of Kemper and Reading roads.

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Suspicious fire at abandoned home in Newport

NEWPORT, Ky. -- An abandoned home in Newport caught fire early Monday and officials believe it started while another crime took place.

Flames broke out just after midnight at the residence in the 200 block of West 12th Street.

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News of Note in the Tri-State: July 7, 2014

LAS VEGAS - 8 on Your Side first reported in 2013 about a Nevada-based home warranty company that allegedly ripped off hundreds of customers. Now, the state is taking action.

8 on Your Side first investigated Sensible Home Warranty after valley resident Marie Frisa said the company refused to pay her claim for a new microwave.

That complaint was one of thousands nationwide. Sensible Home Warranty, which is based in Sparks, received more than 1,800 complaints with the Better Business Bureau, which gave the company an F rating.

At that time, the company was banned in two states. When 8 on Your Side began investigating Sensible Home Warranty in 2013, so did the Nevada Division of Insurance.

8 on Your Side helped Frisa get her money.

Meanwhile, the investigation continued, and the company pulled a fast one. According to its website, Sensible Home Warranty is out of business.

The Nevada Division of Insurance is questioning the way the company shut down. The division is investigating Sensible Home Warrantys business practices.

If you have a contract with Sensible Home Warranty, technically, you no longer have a home warranty. If you are waiting on an outstanding claim, technically, you are not going to get that money.

Regardless, the Nevada Division of Insurance wants to hear from the companys customers. The division is examining whether Sensible Home Warrantys bonds could be used to pay out existing claims.

If you wish to file a claim, contact the Nevada Division of Insurance. If you have a problem you want investigated, contact 8 on Your Side at 702-650-1907.

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8 on Your Side: Home warranty company investigated

By Amy Hoak, MarketWatch

If youre a home shopper in a market where bidding wars are common, it helps to have a strategy to ensure that your bid stands out from the competition.

Youll want to do the basics: Make sure you have your financing in place, turning in all your loan paperwork before placing an offer, said Gibran Nicholas, Chairman of CMPS Institute, an organization that trains and certifies mortgage bankers and brokers. Better yet, if you have the means, youll really catch a buyers attention if you make an all-cash offer.

Also, write a financially competitive offer with as few contingencies as youre comfortable with, said Ali Donoghue, a Chicago-based real-estate agent with Redfin. Some buyers are waiving financing contingencies or even home-inspection contingencies, if theyre the handy typethough many buyers would be smart to keep that home-inspection clause, she said.

See also: 10 things home inspectors wont tell you.

And be flexible with your move-in date. Working with a seller who needs to move right away? Be prepared to close quickly so they can be on their way sooner. Does the seller need a month or twoor sixto move out? If you can be flexible and allow them to stay in their home for a while after closing (paying you rent, of course), they may choose your offer over all the rest.

But in some markets, you may have to be more creative than that to win the home you covet. If possible, find out the sellers needs and wants, so you can customize your offer.

Below are some of the more unusual ways buyers can get the upper hand.

Its not all about the money. In situations where you are selling your home, theres an emotional component, said Kathy Braddock, managing director of real-estate company William Raveis New York City. Sellers often like to feel good about the people who will eventually live in their home.

Thats why its often an effective strategy to attach a letter along with your offer, and maybe even a photo of your family, explaining why you want to live there.

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Amy Hoak's Home Economics: To win a house bidding war, get creative

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As the leader in home security in New Jersey our local ADT offices understand your need for protection with home security solutions designed for every family. In todays mobile society, we also understand your desire for home automation systems and apps that will help you efficiently manage your home environment from anywhere with your smartphone or tablet. At ADT we have New Jersey home security system and home control teams close by that are ready to turn your house into a sanctuary with protection from intruders, carbon monoxide, fire and medical emergencies and ready to show you the ease of the ADT Pulse home automation security system and app for your smartphone or tablet.

As ADT has grown over the last century to become one of the leading home security companies in the nation, we understand that it really comes down to people just like you looking in New Jersey for home security and home automation companies that are close by, and that you can trust. ADT has fully staffed offices across New Jersey with home security experts conveniently located and ready to come to you. With a simple phone call or by filling out our contact form you can activate your full ADT security system experience. After your request, we will promptly send an ADT local security and home control expert to perform a free security risk assessment of your house. The ADT security expert will also guide you through the process of selecting the best home security solution for your needs, and answer questions about the line of ADT security alarms and system products including the ADT Pulse home automation upgrade that allows you to manage your home whether you are nearby or all the way across the country.

Rest assured with ADT Security protecting your house, combined with the ability provided by the ADT Pulse home automation system, you can rest assured we are ready to help you when you need it most.

ADT Home Security & Service Offices In New Jersey

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New Jersey Home Security Systems 24 Hour Home Automation

Printed with permission from Dan Barnabic, author of the Condo Bible for Canadians.

What does the future hold for condos and how long will they last? These are by far the questions I am asked most often by condo buyers and owners alike.

Life Span of Condo Building Components

Condo buildings consist of thousands of individual components. Over time, due to wear and tear, those components need repairs and replacements. Knowing how old the complex is and when certain components were last repaired or replaced will give you an idea of when theyll likely need maintenance and replacements again.

The chart at the bottom of this article shows operational life expectancies of major mechanical components of a condo complex over the years. From the sea of available data and through consultation with building experts, I created this chart which I believe provides a fair reflection of maintenance and replacement costs over time to an average high-rise condo building.

The first major component that will need maintenance and replacement is the roof of the complex. It will usually last up to about 10 years, after which it will require maintenance and replacement by the time it reaches 15 to 18 years.

Plumbing/piping will probably be the last as quality and durability has improved over the years, so you can expect it to remain operational for about 50 years. From thereon, it will require maintenance and eventual replacement as well. Standard size windows may also last about 50 years, requiring occasional maintenance such as replacement of screens and sealant. Complexes built of all glass windows need to be addressed in more detail.

Bear in mind that maintenance and repairs to the inside of the individual unit are the direct responsibility of the unit owner. Monthly maintenance fees do not cover anything inside the condo unit. Appliances, heating, air-conditioning, and electrical fixtures inside the unit have to be maintained and eventually replaced by the unit owner.

All Glass Windows

Because of their appeal, facades of new condo buildings lately have been transforming into glass, often extending from floor to ceiling of each condo unit. It gives condos a more attractive look and is a great selling feature, but building experts have known for quite some time that todays glass-walled structures are less energy efficient than the stone and concrete buildings that were put up 40 or 50 years ago.

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Condo glass panels may look great, but you'll pay more for heat and AC