Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

LITTLE ROCK, Ark- The Robinson Center celebrated its fifth renovation anniversary Monday.

The Joseph Taylor Robinson Center, which serves as Little Rocks downtown convention and cultural district, opened its doors in 1939. It reopened in 2016 after a $70 million restoration and expansion.

Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau President & CEO Gretchen Hall said that the venues number of events has increased due to its renovations.

Robinson Center is one of Little Rocks most iconic landmarks and has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 2007,Hall said.Its transformation has proven to attract a greater number of events and increase our destinations performing arts profile, thus improving the quality of life for residents, she added.

Since reopening, the performance hall has offered more than 320 performances, with more than 479,000 patrons attending ticketed events, according to a press release from LRCVB.

Its also home to the Celebrity Attractions Broadway Series, Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, and Ballet Arkansas as well as other performances.

Take a virtual walking tour of the historic building by clickinghere. For more information on events at the Robinson Center, visit itswebsite.

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Robinson Center celebrates 5th Anniversary of renovation - KARK

Charles Zsebik is a classic car enthusiast and is a regular contributor for restoration magazines. With auto events finally starting to get scheduled again, Mr. Zsebik weighs in on the best US cars shows worth traveling to attend.

On just about any weekend of the year, you can find a fantastic auto show to see in every state. The size of these events ranges from just a few guys showing off their collectibles on a Saturday afternoon to massive fairs lasting a week and boasting of celebrity hosts.

But no matter the size of the show, car collectors are everywhere and you can expect them to come in droves to any of the following shows and show off their most prized possessions. Here are some of the best car shows that are worth traveling to see.

Arguably one of the biggest car events on any fanatics calendar is the Chicago Auto Show, according to Charles Zsebik. The show had its debut in 1901 and is the USs longest-running and most prominent auto event. The show takes place at the McCormick Place complex and occupies 1.2 million square feet of space while the fair is in progress.

This massive event was established in 1995 and is not to be missed! With 40,000 cars on display worldwide, the show draws around 1.5 million visitors. Take a moment to take those numbers in. If youre nervous about large crowds, this might not be the show for you. However, there are endless opportunities to meet other collectors and enthusiasts.

The 12-hour event is held on the third Saturday of August each year. We recommend making your travel plans early hotels nearby tend to get filled fast.

This three-day summer (July) show is a marathon of an event. Ever since 1972, the sleepy town of Iola has been transformed into an auto Mecca, attracting as many as 120 000 fairgoers.

Charles Zsebik says the event typically has over 2000 vehicles on show and 4000 vendor stalls. This non-profit show now donates millions of dollars to over 130 organizations from the shows proceeds.

This three-day July classic car fair has dominated the niche for around 18 years with a showcase of about 8,000 cars. Held at the New York State Fairgrounds, the auto show draws a whopping 86,000 car enthusiasts.

This show has an ideal setup for vendors to sell car-related merch and niche collectibles. Theres plenty of space for vendors to set up and create elaborate displays on the fairgrounds. However, space is limited to 400, so early reservations are encouraged.

The Charlotte car show happens twice a year, in April and September, for double the fun. Show up at the Charlotte Motor Speedway and enjoy four days of cars from the southeast.

The spring fair is especially large, drawing around 10,000 vendors alone and about 2,500 collectible cars. Around 50 auto clubs are represented, and visitors can view anything from concept cars to the wild imagined designs of custom cars.

The Daytona show holds two events annually, during March and November held at the Daytona International Speedway, Dayton Beach, FL.

The Turkey Run boasts of being the Souths biggest! Established in 1974, the Turkey Run nowadays has about 6000 cars on show and close to 2,500 vendor spaces. Show attendance is estimated to be about 150,000. In addition, the November show falls during Thanksgiving, which boosts the visitor numbers significantly and makes for a fun family holiday activity.

This fair has a unique structure. Each year for a week in October, the organizers set up at multiple locations over 29 miles. The show boasts of being Americas Largest Block Party. Each site sports its own show, featuring entertainment and food stalls, cars on show, and auto vendors.

The event was first held in 1996 with 374 cars, which has grown to nearly 8,000 cars in recent years. You can expect thousands of cars and sore feet when you attend Cruisin the Coast.

This fair has grown massively since it began in 1974 with about 150 cars. The event was voted Best Car Show by USA Today in 2016. The fair pops up at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds annually in June. If youre a fan of 50s hotrods, this ones a treat. Expect up to 12,000 vehicles from muscle cars to rat rods, celebrity appearances, seminars, concerts, and about 150,000 fair visitors.

This week-long August fair claims to be the Largest Nostalgic Car Show In The World, which is easy to believe. The event draws crowds of over 800,000 people and over 700 vendors. The fair boasts car shows, cruise-ins, contests, talks, and more.

This ones also on twice a year, in fall and again in spring at the Carlisle, PA, fairgrounds. Both fairs show off around 2000 cars and boast over 8000 vendor stalls. Fox News named it one the biggest in the world in 2015, and its obvious why the show draws crowds of about 100,000.

Hershey, PA, is also home to the AACA Fall Meet. This event happens at Hersheyparks Giant Center area. The show has around 1,000 corral spots, about 1,500 show vehicles, 200,000 visitors, and more than 9,000 vendor spaces!

These events are just some of the top shows that car enthusiasts and collectors make an effort to attend every year. Theres no denying that America goes big when it comes to auto shows. Charles Zsebik says you could end up with new friends, exclusive merch, and once-in-a-lifetime views of the worlds rarest cars.

So, now that weve convinced you to mark your calendar, which of these annual car shows will you attend in 2022?

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Charles Zsebik on the Hottest Car Shows to See in the US - OCNJ Daily

PEPPER PIKE, Ohio -- City Council has resolved an appeal made by the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland, paving the way for construction of 25 dwelling units for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The housing will be built on property the Ursulines own south of the Ursuline College campus.

Ursuline Sisters lawyer John Slagter made the formal appeal Oct. 20, proposing alternatives to conditions the citys Planning Commission had put forth in early August that later were approved by City Council.

After a lengthy executive session Wednesday (Oct. 27) at the start of its meeting, council returned to approve by a 7-0 vote adjustments to the original conditions.

Medina Creative Living plans to build and operate the dwellings adjacent to the Merici Crossings building, which opened in 2019 as a home for Ursuline nuns.

Following Wednesdays vote, Mayor Richard Bain said, This is a win-win-win, for the applicant, Medina Creative Living; its a win for the Ursuline Sisters; its the biggest win, the greatest win, for the special needs community that is going to be served by this project.

My congratulations and best wishes to all those families who have waited very patiently through a lot of meetings -- a lot of long meetings -- to get to this point this evening.

On behalf of the city, we wish you guys the very best future for your families and success with this project, Bain said. I know theres a lot of work ahead. You undoubtedly have a lot of financing still to put together, and Medina (Creative Living) has a lot of work ahead, the Sisters have a lot of work ahead.

Hopefully, as we move forward with this, we will find the same spirit of community that all the parties came together about to achieve this result this evening.

The housing plan, named Creative Living for Life, has been in the works for well over a year. In September 2020, the Ursuline Sisters had their plan put on hold as the city was in the midst of a yearlong moratorium on building upon U-2 zoned properties, such as the Ursulines, as the city revised that zoning classification.

The Planning Commissions conditions, made after the moratorium, further held up the project.

Plans call for building upon five of the 42 acres the Ursulines own north of Fairmount Boulevard.

Over the past several months, council has heard from nearby homeowners concerned about the developments and setbacks from their properties, as well as local families of developmentally disabled people who praised the project as a way to have their loved ones living in close proximity.

The Ursulines sought to undertake the project as a means of fulfilling their mission to help those in need.

Among the conditions the Planning Commission placed on construction were those that required a minimum 250-foot setback from Fairmount Boulevard and a minimum setback of 300 feet from the back of Windy Hill Drive residential properties to the west.

The Ursulines appealed out of concern that the conditions would hinder plans for future development of their remaining acreage.

The final agreement approved Wednesday states that the Creative Living for Life project, which will see construction of 10 attached buildings housing the 25 dwelling units, would be limited to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and would cover no more than 6.25 acres.

The 250-foot setback from Fairmount Boulevard was retained, but the 300-foot setback to Windy Hill Drive properties was reduced to 286 feet.

Parcel splits within the subdivision will be allowed, after city review and approval, and other uses of the site will be allowed, should they conform to city code.

No further residential properties will be permitted to be built on the site without city approval. As Merici Crossings was built with special city permission because it did not conform to U-2 code, the new agreement states that it could be rebuilt in the same location should it be destroyed by fire or tornado or some other disaster.

Speaking at the meetings conclusion was a happy Sister Ritamary Welsh, president of the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland.

I just want to personally thank the mayor and council and (Law Director) Steve Byron and (City Planner) George Smerigan for all they did to get this project going, Welsh said.

We so appreciate your willingness to be open to some of our suggestions, and we were open to what you needed for the city. Knowing that Medina (Creative Living) can now move forward is just very, very good news, not only for us, but for the parents and all the people who will be (living) on that property.

Were so very grateful we were able to work this out together.

Welsh did not specify as to when construction work might begin.

Seeking grant money for trees

City Council also approved Wednesday a resolution that will have it apply for grant funding from the Ohio Division of Forestrys Urban Canopy Restoration Grant Program.

Service Director Jim Advent said it is a 50-50 matching grant, meaning the city would have to contribute the same amount of grant money it receives.

We are requesting $25,000, and the plan is to plant 120 trees of a native species, Advent said. Locations include Lander Circle, Morgan Park, Gates Mills (Boulevard), Lander (Road) and Fairmount (Boulevard), and Chestnut (Lane)/Rolling Hills (Drive, where) in the cul-de-sacs weve got a few trees missing.

Bain said the city will consult with its arborist to determine if more focus will be placed on planting on Gates Mills Boulevard to coincide with a plan to install a trail within its 130-foot-wide grassy median.

Read more from the Chagrin Solon Sun.

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Pepper Pike, Ursuline Sisters come to agreement on homes for developmentally disabled adults - cleveland.com

NEW YORK (AP) Jane Brown Grimes, a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame for contributions to the sport as an executive who held roles at the U.S. Tennis Association, the precursor to the WTA Tour and the Hall itself, has died at age 80.

The Hall announced Brown Grimes death on Wednesday, based on information from her daughter, Serena Larson. The Hall said Brown Grimes passed away at her home in New York City on Tuesday.

Jane devoted her life to the sport of tennis, and the sport benefited greatly from her intelligence, grace and dedication, USTA Chairman of the Board and President Mike McNulty said. With her unparalleled dignity, Jane grew our sport from the most local grassroots to the highest levels of the professional game. She will be missed.

Brown Grimes opened a New York development office for the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1977 and was the Rhode Island-based Halls Executive Director from 1981-86, then its President and CEO from 1991-2000, overseeing the restoration of its historic buildings and grounds.

In 1986, she became the Managing Director of the Womens Professional Tennis Council, the WTAs precursor. She was the Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of the USTA in 2007-08.

Brown Grimes, who served on International Tennis Federation committees and the Grand Slam Committee, was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2014.

As the leader of three major tennis organizations, Jane had a tremendously positive and wide-ranging impact across the sport, former Hall CEO Mark Stenning said. She was an astute leader who approached everything with the highest level of grace, skill, and intelligence. I am grateful to have counted her as my friend and mentor.

In addition to Larson, Brown Grimes is survived by two sons, five grandchildren and her brother, according to the Hall.

___

More AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

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Jane Brown Grimes, tennis executive and Hall of Famer, dies - SFGate

Cant stand the look of your cabinets and dont have the budget to replace them with brand new ones? Dont fret. You have options.

DIY options

There are three options that you can do on your own that can perk up the appearance of the cabinets painting, refinishing and refacing.

Painting: Using good-quality, enamel-based paint, you can choose any color you want.

Its best to remove the cabinet doors and drawers and paint them separately. You can ensure a higher quality finish by applying the paint with a cup gun, HVLP (high volume, low pressure) sprayer, or similar system. For an added layer of protection and durability, apply three to four coats of an acrylic-based clear urethane to increase the resiliency of your finished product. There are several clear coat products available at your local paint and hardware stores.

Also, keep in mind that if you have glass doors, paint the interior to match the exterior. To antique or glaze the cabinets, use a small artist brush or glaze. Check out our e-store for painting supplies.

Refinishing: This option is often the most affordable and the quickest way to bring life back into dreary cabinets. The cabinets must be in good condition because refinishing includes stripping the existing finish, sanding, and staining or painting. Staining wooden cabinets can give the illusion of any type of wood you want. You can go from whitewashed to a deep cherry wood color. It is, however, hard to go from a very dark to very light.

Refacing: Refacing involves picking out new doors and drawer fronts to replace the ones you have. The existing cabinet boxes are covered with a veneer to match your new doors/drawers. There is a wide variety of colors and finishes to choose from, even wood finishes.

Someones got a screw loose

After years of pushing and pulling, the cabinetrys hardware may be a little worse for wear.

Loose screws in the frame: If the screws in the cabinet frame are loose even after tightening them, try installing longer screws of the same design. The longer screw will pass the point where the wood has gone soft and grip tighter for a stronger hold.

If the screws in the doors are loose, do not install longer screws. This will cause problems with protrusion through the face of the cabinets and doesnt leave much in the way of future maintenance or cabinet door repairs. Instead, pick up a can of Rock Hard Putty or Equal Putty at your local hardware store. Follow the directions on the back of the putty can. Once dried, pre-drill holes and reinsert the screw.

Tip: You may want to mark a spot on your drillbit slightly shorter than the length of the screw as a stopping point, so you dont over drill into the door itself. Example: If the screw travels 1/4 inch into the door, make a mark on the drill bit at 3/16.

The doors are not square to the rest of the cabinet: Today, hinges are made with two screws that allow for adjustment when loosened. If the seam between the two cabinet doors is not even, or the two doors are not perfectly parallel to each other, adjust them.

Damaged hinge: If the hinge is bent, even slightly, it will cause problems. Make sure all plates are straight and there is no resistance while opening or closing the hinge. You may have to take the hinge off to test this. Take the defective hinge to a hardware store to match the replacement. If it needs a little WD-40, either tape the surrounding area to spray or just remove the hinge to spray.

Consider secondhand cabinets

Used cabinets are hard to find in a set. The Habitat for Humanity HabiStore in Tucson tells us they only pick up complete sets of cabinets, no odds and ends. Cabinets donated to Habitat must be a complete set, structurally sound, in good condition, no water stains, and the doors, drawers, and hardware attached. They prefer cabinets that are less than 10 years old. Painted cabinets are accepted if they are in good condition.

Another resource is Stardust Building Supplies, which sells reclaimed building materials, some of which are in excellent condition.

No free meals here

When we think of termites, we generally think about termites in the foundation or the wood structure of our home. But termites can make a meal out of our indoor cabinets, too.

Used cabinetry at a bargain price also carries the risk of infestation, especially if you dont buy from a reputable source. If the second-hand cabinetry you bring home is infested, you are exposing your entire home to trouble.

The HabiStore tells us that their receiving team uses a device to scan for termites, insects, other critters, and damage.

If you notice mud tubes, swarms, termite droppings, discarded wings or buckled or warped wood in or around your new cabinets, they have or had termites.

Call an exterminator to inspect and treat your home. Depending on the amount of damage, you may need to replace them.

Whichever option you choose to refresh your cabinets, keep them clean and repair damage quickly to keep them looking pristine for many years.

Join Rosie on the House every Saturday morning from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on KTAR News 92.3 FM. If youd like to send us questions or comments, email mailto:info@rosieonthehouse.com. Follow us on Twitter and Like us on Facebook. For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert since 1988, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program. Call 888-767-4348 with questions and comments.

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Restoring your cabinets without the cost of replacement - KTAR.com

The renovated Green Park store will reopen Nov. 12

ST. LOUIS The Aldi in Green Park in south St. Louis County will reopen soon, the ninth of the chains grocery stores in St. Louis to be renovated so far this year.

The renovated Green Park store, at 11185 South Towne Square, will reopen Nov. 12.

The ongoing remodeling of St. Louis Aldi locations is part of the grocery stores ongoing effort to remodel and expand its existing stores nationwide, but a spokesperson declined to give costs for remodeling St. Louis stores or the Green Park location. The spokesperson said Aldi has spent $5 billion on remodeling and expansion, adding 500 stores in the past five years and another 100 by years end.

Remodeling gives stores an elevated design, improved layout and more refrigeration to make room for additional fresh and frozen foods, with a move toward more natural lighting and environmentally friendly materials, the company said.

The Green Park location opened in 2016 across the street from a smaller Aldi, which closed.

The company operates more than 40 stores in the St. Louis region. Local stores that have closed for remodeling and reopened so far this year are in Warrenton; Vandalia, Illinois; St. Charles; Collinsville; St. Peters; Jennings; Sullivan; and the location at 6601 Gravois Ave. in St. Louis, which reopened Oct. 22.

Click here for the full story from the St. Louis Business Journal.

More local news

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Aldi reopening a renovated store, its ninth in St. Louis this year - KSDK.com

Many Fairfield Glade residents who spoke at a town hall meeting on the future of the Druid Hills Clubhouse project made it known that they miss dining at the now-closed Legends banquet room and Fireside Lounge there.

Whether the Fairfield Glade Community Club should operate more than one restaurant currently only Stonehenge Grille was the primary topic of discussion during the Oct. 26 meeting at The Center.

The board of directors called the town hall meeting for residents to offer their suggestions and ask questions about the future of the Druid Hills Clubhouse building.

The board will decide whether to remodel the 50-year-old building or tear it down and replace it and whether a restaurant will be included.

FGCC board member Greg Jones, who heads the Druid Hills Clubhouse project advance planning team, said the meeting would be the first of several town halls on what should be done at Druid Hills with the support of residents.

This is not the committees or even the boards clubhouse, it is the communitys, said Jones, who moderated discussion with the audience of about 150 people. So we want to be attentive to make sure were listening to what you have to say.

He said there likely will be a survey for residents, too, and noted that residents also can offer their comments and ask questions by email at druidhillsprojects@fairfieldglade.cc.

Most residents who spoke wanted either Legends/Fireside to reopen or a restaurant to be included in plans for a new clubhouse complex.

One woman made her point for more dining by asking the audience for a show of hands who are golfers and then for the same among those who like to eat out. About twice as many hands went up for the latter.

I think that tells you where were coming from, she said, adding that the emphasis in Fairfield Glade, seems to be on golf, and golf only.

She said the Casa Grande Mexican restaurant that opened on Peavine Rd. in October has been mobbed with customers, and noted that they dont even have a liquor license.

So, I think there is an opportunity for us to have more and better food and beverage service here, and have it quickly, she said. She and others agreed that waiting several years for a remodeled or new complex is too long.

According to a project timeline, construction of a new complex or remodeling of the existing building would occur in two phases, with the first completed in 2024. There was no timeline yet for completion of the second phase.

One resident said because the community club has a flagship golf course in Stonehenge there had better be a flagship restaurant to go along with it. Stonehenge Grille, he said, is nice, but it doesnt cut it.

Pointing out FGCCs history of an unsuccessful food and beverage operation, he said a friend who owns an Illinois resort with golf courses and restaurants suggested to him that FGCC lease Legends/Fireside to a restaurateur who knows how to run a restaurant rather than operate it itself. Many in the audience applauded him.

The F&B operation had been subject to complaints in recent years from some residents when both Stonehenge Grille and Legends/Fireside were open. In 2018, for example, it lost $657,000. Losses were reduced to $472,000 in 2019.

All F&B losses are subsidized through property owner assessments.

Complaints about poor quality of both food and service, primarily at Fireside Lounge, coupled with the high level of subsidies, led the board to decide to close Legends/Fireside effective April of this year, and operate only a newly remodeled Stonehenge Grille year-round. Stonehenge Grille previously shut down at the same time as the golf course in November until the spring.

With now only one restaurant to manage, F&B for the year to date ending Sept. 30 lost about $239,000; that is $90,000 less than what it was budgeted to lose at $329,000 for the first nine months. During the same period last year, it lost $425,000.

Before the meeting, one woman walked carried a petition and asked attendees if they would sign it in support of a drive to reopen Legends/Fireside.

A reopening is not likely anytime soon, if at all. At a board meeting this past summer, General Manager Bob Weber said that the COVID-19 pandemic has made hiring and retaining staff even more difficult than previously. He repeated at a board workshop Oct. 27, that staffing is the major obstacle to reopening Legends/Fireside.

Weber said another issue is that there arent enough diners to support more than one restaurant in the fall and winter when the number of visitors to the Glade drops considerably, some residents leave for warmer weather and others prefer to stay at home during cold temperatures. He said F&B revenue typically falls about 40% during that time.

The board announced last week that Stonehenge Grille will be closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays starting in November and continuing through the winter as part of a reshuffling of services during the usually slow time.

But the board said it is working with caterers to have some special events at The Center, which has a banquet room but no full-service kitchen.

Jones said at the workshop that the community meeting on Druid Hills was well-attended with a lot of good conversation and that he received 30-35 email messages on the topic.

I thought yesterday was a pretty good day, he said.

More here:
Druid Hills project in the works, FGCC holds town hall - Crossville Chronicle

(Alexandria, MN) There are only a few school board positions and a handful of questions on the ballot for next Tuesday's special elections. The following is a look at what is on the ballot in the various school districts in and around Alexandria.

ISD 206 - Alexandria (Vacancy)

ISD 213 - Osakis (Vacancy)

ISD 547 - Parkers Prairie (Vacancy)

ISD 2908 - Brandon-Evansville(Question)

Approval of School Building Bonds

Shall the School Board of Independent School District No. 2908 (Brandon-Evansville), Minnesota (the School District), be authorized to issue general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $14,500,000, for the purpose of providing funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, including but not limited to, safety and security improvements, renovation of existing space into classrooms, gymnasium, career and technical shop and community fitness room additions, construction of new parking lots and new storage shed at the Brandon school facility and including but not limited to, safety and security improvements, classroom addition, gymnasium addition, renovation of existing space to provide more classrooms, new parent drop-off area, demolition of three story building and construction of new parking lots at the Evansville school facility?

ISD 2753 - Long Prairie-Grey Eagle(Question)

Question - Renewal of Expiring Referendum Revenue Authorization

The board of Independent School District No. 2753 (Long Prairie-Grey Eagle) has proposed to renew the school district's existing referendum revenue authorization of $249.24 per pupil which is scheduled to expire after taxes payable in 2022. The proposed referendum revenue authorization would be applicable for ten years beginning with taxes payable in 2023, unless otherwise revoked or reduced as provided by law. Shall the increase in the revenue proposed by the board of Independent School District No. 2753 be approved?

ISD 743 - Sauk Centre (Question)

Question 1 - Renewal of Capital Project Levy To Fund Technology

The board of Independent School District No. 743 (Sauk Centre Public Schools) has proposed a capital project levy authorization of 2.281% times the net tax capacity of the school district. This authorization would renew the school districts existing authorization which is scheduled to expire after taxes payable in 2021. The proposed capital project levy authorization will raise approximately $259,805 for taxes payable in 2022, the first year it is to be levied, and would be authorized for six years. The estimated total cost of the projects to be funded over that time period is approximately $1,558,830. The additional revenue from the proposed capital project levy authorization will provide funds for the acquisition, installation, replacement, support and maintenance of software, software licenses, computers, improved technology equipment, networks, infrastructure, and the costs of technology related personnel and training. Shall the capital project levy authorization proposed by the board of Independent School District No. 743 be approved?

Question 2 - Approval of School District Bond Issue

Shall the school board of Independent School District No. 743 (Sauk Centre Public Schools) also be authorized to issue its general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $26,450,000 to provide funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, including renovations and ADA-accessibility improvements to existing restrooms in the secondary building, the construction and equipping of an early childhood center, storm shelter, and outdoor projects yard at the elementary school, remodeling and improvements to the existing elementary school library and computer lab, remodeling and improvements to create learning communities at the elementary school, the remodeling and equipping of the elementary school special education suite, the addition of a sensory room at that site, subdividing existing elementary classrooms to create smaller classrooms and break-out areas, the construction and equipping of new entrances and learning commons in the secondary building, the remodeling and equipping of the media center, staff lounge, career and technical education spaces, the construction and equipping a new cafeteria and storm shelter at the secondary school building, remodeling and improvements to create a culinary arts learning space with break-out areas, renovations to the existing science lab to create classrooms and storage areas, upgrades and improvements to lighting, boilers, water distribution systems, the central clock and public address system, and the construction of roofing repairs and improvements at the elementary school and auditorium?

ISD 2342 - West Central Area (Question)

Question 1 - School Building Bonds for New and Existing Elementary Schools

Shall the board of Independent School District No. 2342 (West Central Area Schools), Minnesota be authorized to issue general obligation school building bonds of the School District in an aggregate amount not to exceed $37,030,000 for acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities including, but not limited to, construction of a new South elementary school in Hoffman and construction and renovation at North elementary school in Elbow Lake including, but not limited to, site acquisition and improvements at the elementary sites by means of site development, demolition and abatement, modernization, and beautification?

Question 2 - School Building Bonds for Classroom Expansion, Fitness Center and Equipment

Shall the board of Independent School District No. 2342 (West Central Area Schools), Minnesota be authorized to issue general obligation school building bonds of the School District in an aggregate amount not to exceed *4,870,000 for acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities including, but not limited to, expanding classroom spaces and labs, adding equipment and furniture to support STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math), Career and Technical Education, a Student Fitness Center, the Media Center and other general updates to facility grounds?

Question 3 - School Building Bonds for Athletic Complexes; Outdoor Upgrades

Shall the board of Independent School District No. 2342 (West Central Area Schools), Minnesota be authorized to issue general obligation school building bonds of the School District in an aggregate amount not to exceed $5,495,000 for acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities including, but not limited to, construction and equipping of a track and filed complex, construction of a softball and baseball field complex and to repair and upgrade other outdoor grounds and structures?

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What are on the local ballots for next Tuesday's special elections - Voice Of Alexandria

Phone and online orders are pouring into Rangoon since management announced on social media that Chinatowns lone Burmese restaurant would close at the end of the year after a 28-year run on Ninth Street.

But the thousand-layer bread and spring ginger salads may not go away for good.

While Christine Gyaw and her business partners field an uptick in orders from nostalgic customers, they have also heard from several restaurateurs who are interested in either keeping Rangoon in business or opening it as a different Burmese restaurant at 112 N. Ninth St. The restaurant opened in 1993 at 145 N. Ninth St. and moved down the block to a larger storefront in 1996.

READ MORE: Rangoon and 11 other restaurants that capture Chinatown's spirit

One potential suitor owns several non-Asian restaurants in Philadelphia, Gyaw said, and his children love the food. If she can strike a deal with him, she said, she would stay on as a partner and would teach Rangoons recipes to a new chef. Regardless of the new management, Gyaw said, the place needs remodeling, a common necessity at an older restaurant. Rangoon had offered beer and wine in the dining room, but new management could offer more profitable cocktails and a tightening of the menu.

Gyaw, 64, who fled Myanmar in 1990 with her daughter, Mya, said the rigors of the business have caught up with her and partners Jenny Louie and Chiu Sin Mee. They decided to announce the closing Oct. 26 to allow customers time to process the news.

Gyaw said the pandemic has been particularly hard on them as they schlep sacks of potatoes and other heavy ingredients from storage into the kitchen.

Their chef, as Gyaw explained, is 77 years old. The restaurant has also shed staff since reopening in May 2020 after a two-month shutdown early in the pandemic to the point that they cannot staff the formal dining room for in-person service. Rangoon did not offer delivery before the pandemic, and the owners were forced to transition their kitchen to the world of third-party platforms.

Customers showing up for pickups have been emotional, Gyaw said. One said, I almost cried when I heard about this. When I saw him, I wanted to cry, too.

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Rangoon, which brought Burmese cuisine to Philadelphia in 1993, says it will close, but there are plans to sell - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Election Day is fast approaching.

It's a thin ballot in Livingston County. Here's what Livingston County residentsneed to know for Nov. 2.

In Brighton, residents will decide who will fill four of the city's council seats.

In Howell, residents will chose a mayor and three city council members.They also will select two people to serve on the city's board of review.

Voters in Conway and Handy townships will join voters in Fowlerville in deciding ona bond millage for Fowlerville Schools. The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bondis 0.9 mill, which wouldnot increase what taxpayers are paying, according to the proposal.

An informational flyer from Fowlerville Schools says the proposed millage essentially extends thebond repayments by a year. The additional money will be used for a new elementary school building, technology for the new school,remodeling school buildings and playgrounds, according to the proposal.

In Howell, residents inPrecincts 1 and 2vote atLivingstonEducationalServiceAgency (LESA).Precinct 3votes at Howell City Hall in the second floor conference room.

In Brighton, residents in Precinct 1 vote at the Brighton Area District Library; residents in Precinct 2 vote at the Brighton Community Center and residents in Precincts 3 and 4 vote at the Brighton Education Community Center (BECC).

In Conway Township, residents will vote at Conway Township Hall and Handy Township residents will vote atWoodshire Place Banquet Facility.

Residents can find their assigned precinctby entering their address on the county's website.

A resident may register in person at their local clerk's office, up to and including Election Day with residency verification. Documents that may be accepted for residency verification (items must include the applicant's name and current address): current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other government document.

A person registering to vote less than 14 days before an election can vote in person with an absentee ballot at the Clerk's Office with residency verification. They also have the option to go to their voting location after registering at their local clerk's office.

Polls will be open 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Contact Kayla Daugherty at 517-552-2848 or kdaugherty@gannett.com.Follow her on Twitter @KayDaugherty92.

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The 2021 general election is Tuesday. Here is what you need to know in Livingston County - Livingston Daily