Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

From SOHO Reports

Save Our Heritage Organisation, San Diego Countys historic preservation group, will salute the winners of its 32nd annual People in Preservation (PIP) Awards, 6 p.m. Friday, June 6 at the Sunset Temple event center in North Park.La Jolla is the beneficiary of the ongoing labors of four PIP winners selected by the 2014 jury comprised of landscape architect Amy Hoffman, preservation architect Paul Johnson, and historian and researcher Sarai Johnson.

Patricia Dahlberg of La Jolla Historical Society will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award

Patricia Dahlberg will receive SOHOs Lifetime Achievement Award for 50 years of visionary leadership and tireless service as president of the La Jolla Historical Society.

The La Jolla Historical Society itself will be recognized as Preservationist of the Year, for its expanded role as a preservation advocate (action Dahlberg initiated) and for contributing to the restoration and return to public use of two historic buildings, Wisteria Cottage and the William Black House, aka UC San Diegos chancellors house.

La Jolla Light reporter Pat Sherman, as well as the Light newspaper, will receive SOHOs Town Crier award for ongoing coverage of historic buildings at risk, such as the La Jolla Post Office, and for bringing preservation issues and debates to the front page.

James Rega fastidiously restored one of the internationally revered, but long-threatened cottages at El Pueblo Ribera in La Jolla. Designed by the great modernist Rudolph Schindler, this compound of interconnected cottages and patios has suffered over the years for several reasons, including the mistaken use of beach sand in the original concrete mix, house fires and remodeling to enclose original rooftop sleeping porches.

La Jolla Light reporter Pat Sherman Photo by Sande Lollis

Other 2014 PIP winners include:

Robert McQuead: Preservation in Practice award for 35 years of preservation architecture in Escondido;

Link:
Reporter Pat Sherman and La Jolla Light, among SOHOs 2014 PIP award winners

Provided by Networx.com

Gardens that grow vertically rather than spreading across the landscape are all the rage among urban gardening fans these days. Their popularity is due in large part to the fact that they allow home owners and renters alike to grow bountiful crops of produce or flowers in a small area of square footage. You dont need a big backyard a vertical garden will work just fine on a small strip of soil in front of your house or even on a balcony. But beyond their highly-touted space-saving abilities, vertical gardens have a host of other benefits to offer you.

1. Hard-working vertical gardens help shield your homes exterior against harsh weather conditions and ultraviolet rays. If you live in an exceptionally rainy state like Alabama, green wall gardens can help protect your Birmingham paint job from damage.

2. These vertical plantings also act as a form of insulation, increasing the energy efficiency of your dwelling and potentially earning LEED credits for your house.

3. Placed on the outside of a window, a vertical garden will shade the room from both strong sunlight and inquisitive passersby, as well as creating a lovely view in a crowded urban neighborhood.

4. Vertical gardens may be either trained to grow up an existing fence or supported on purpose-built frames or posts. These green fences will offer you not only privacy and aesthetic appeal, but also noise reduction.

5. You might want to hide unsightly objects on your property, such as garbage cans or an electric meter, with a screen formed by vertical plantings.

6. Indoors, a vertical garden will work as an attractive room divider. Planting in wheeled containers is recommended so that the divider can be moved -- or removed altogether -- according to your needs.

7. Speaking of indoor vertical gardens, adding plants inside your home will serve to improve the air quality. Live greenery removes carbon dioxide and absorbs common indoor pollutants like formaldehyde (yuck!), found in some carpet dyes and wood flooring resins.

8. Vertical gardens lend themselves to the use of repurposed materials. They may be planted in such unusual pots as recycled plastic bottles or old shoe organizers.

Originally posted here:
Vertical gardens offer more than just space saving

DALLAS The Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Dallas will present the 115 Landscape Design Be Your Own Landscape Designer program on consecutive Tuesday evenings from June 3-24, said program coordinators.

The Be Your Own Landscape Designer program in June at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Dallas will emphasize water-efficient landscapes. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Keith Hansen)

If you are on a budget but your landscape needs a facelift, then you can learn how to be your own landscape designer by learning hands-on, do-it-yourself approaches to landscape design during this program, said Karen Sanders, Texas A&M AgriLife Research urban water program assistant, Dallas. During the four program classes, attendees will learn about proper plant placement, fundamentals of landscape design and how to develop a more water-efficient landscape.

Sanders said classes will meet from 6-9 p.m. June 3, 10, 14 and 24 in Building C of the center, located at 17360 Coit Road.

She noted the program will emphasize low-water-use plants, plus drip and other efficient means of irrigation to help conserve urban water resources and save money. After the program concludes, attendees will receive a free 30-minute consultation by Patrick Dickinson, AgriLife Research urban water program coordinator at the Dallas Center, to finalize their plans.

Dickinson, who has a bachelors degree in horticulture from Tarleton State University, is an International Society of Arboriculture certified arborist and has extensive experience in landscape design. He said, depending on the size of the project, the cost of a landscape design drawn up by a professional company could be more than triple the cost of the program.

We want attendees to come to the first weeks class with a general idea of where they would like to do the landscaping front yard, backyard, around a pool area, etc. and bring general measurements, pictures and specifications, Dickinson said. It is the goal of the program that by the end of the fourth week they will be able to develop their own final plan for a landscape design, after which I will be available to provide additional suggestions and guidance.

Program cost is $395. To register, go to: http://dallas.tamu.edu/courses/2014/june-2014-landscape-design-school/. The program is limited to 25 participants and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information, contact Sanders at 972-952-9671 or karen.sanders@tamu.edu.

-30-

Here is the original post:
Dallas AgriLife center to present Be Your Own Landscape Designer program in June

By Steve Jacobs

San Diego experienced quite a heat wave in the month of May. Many of you probably found some relief by diving into your swimming pools. Living in San Diego, we dont have to wait for a heat waveor even summer to enjoy our pools. Our world famous weather allows us to dive in all year long. With advancements in pool sustainability, we can enjoy our pools while reducing the impact on the environment, our pocket books, and our bathing suits.

Solar heating: A solar heating system can raise your pool temperature 5 to 15 degrees over a few days of good weather, which in San Diego is almost every day. Although there is the initial installation price, an investment in a solar heating system pays for itself in 2 to 3 years and can be expected to last 20-25 years.

Energy efficient pool pumps: Energy efficient (variable speed) pumps use lower speeds to increase efficiency. They also move the water more efficiently, which can reduce chemical treatments and pool cleaning. Variable speed pumps are also much quieter which can enhance your pool relaxation experience.

Salt systems: Salt water systems create chlorine by splitting the salt molecule into sodium and chloride. This sterilizes the pool water which helps prevent the growth of algae. Salt water pools are less harsh on the skin than traditional chlorine pools, easier on your eyes, and easier on your bathing suits. Converting your pool to a salt system costs $1,500-$2,000 and uses approximately $15 worth of high quality salt a year. Other eco-friendly pool systems are UV and ionic.

Pool Cover: Pool covers can dramatically reduce water evaporation so you wont have to refill your pool as often. Pool covers also reduce the amount of chemicals needed to keep the water clear. A solar pool cover will contribute to the heating your pool during the day and reduce the loss of heat during the night, which helps save both the environment and money.

LED pool lights: LED (light emitting diode) light fixtures use over 80 percent less energy than conventional incandescent light fixtures. They also have a much longer life so you probably will not need to replace them until your pool is remodeled. Today there are so many color options that allow you to create the perfect pool ambiance.

Surrounding landscape: Remove or prune any plant material that may drop leaves into the pool in order to reduce the amount of chemicals needed to maintain balanced water chemistry. This will also decrease the need for cleaning the skimmer basket and pool filter.

Size: If you are building a new pool, one way to make it eco-friendly is to make it as small and shallow as possible to decrease water, chemical and energy consumption.

Go here to see the original:
Sustainable Swimming Pools for Summer

Barry Trotz was hired as the 17th coach in Washington Capitals history on Monday a big move not just for D.C., but the leagues entire coaching landscape as well.

With the move, the list of available coaching jobs shrunk to three it was as high as five, prior to Peter Laviolette taking Trotzs old job in Nashville and two of the most experienced candidates are off the market.

So, whats left? Openings remain in Vancouver, Florida and Carolina and Dan Byslmas fate remains up in the air in Pittsburgh. As for the candidates? John Stevens, Kevin Dineen, Jeff Blashill, Guy Boucher, Willie Desjardins and Brad Shaw are still available, as are recently dismissed bench bosses John Tortorella, Peter Horachek and Adam Oates.

(Kirk Muller and Mike Haviland, originally thought to be in the candidate pool, are out of the running; Muller took an assistants gig in St. Louis, and Haviland went the NCAA route with Colorado College.)

Heres a look at the three available gigs, and the latest from each search.

Vancouver

The Canucks finally have their new GM in place, as the club introduced ex-Bruins assistant Jim Benning on Friday. During his introduction, Benning and president of hockey ops Trevor Linden said the search for a new coach would begin quickly, and a few names have already been thrown out: Stevens, who was one of the four finalists for the job last year before it went to John Tortorella, and Desjardins, who Brough wrote about earlier today.

Florida

GM Dale Tallons on record saying he wants an experienced NHL coach after hiring back-to-back first-timers in Dineen and Horachek. Marc Crawford, he of the 549 career wins, is reportedly in the mix for the job; according to CBCs Elliotte Friedman, Tom Renney (he of the 260 wins) and Ron Wilson (648 wins) are also candidates. Itll be curious to see if the Panthers would be willing to wait and see how the Bylsma situation shakes out in Pittsburgh, as hed certainly have the requisite resume Tallon wants in a head coach.

Carolina

Continue reading here:
With Trotz gone, heres the NHLs coaching vacancy landscape

Andrew Howard

Age: 12 Grade: Fifth Favorite thing to draw: Landscapes

Hanging in a lobby at Moss Hill Elementary School stands a picture that showcases the schools mascot and the artistictalents of one of its students.

Fifth-grader Andrew Howard said he started drawing at age 4 and his father, also an artist, helped spark his intresest in art.

When I saw his drawings, the young artist said, I thought they were neat and the way the appear real.

Howard said he was also inspired by paintings from Germany that hang on the walls in his house.

I look at those and sometimes I will try to draw them, he said.

Howard said a love of art has helped him form a strong bond with his father.

We dont always get to do it together, but sometimes I will draw something by myself, show it to him and then he will help me with it, he said.

Excerpt from:
Meet Me Monday: Moss Hill student finishes commissioned school painting

A mayor from the south-east of South Australia has gone on trial facing three charges of illegally clearing native vegetation.

Adelaide Magistrates Court heard Richard John Vickery cleared a large area of his property at Shaugh in 2008 so he could lease the land to an onion farmer.

Prosecutor Sam Whitten alleged Vickery cleared the land in contravention of the Native Vegetation Act.

He says chemicals were used and all seeds and stumps removed, leaving the land sterile.

"The land had approximately 90 species of native vegetation, supporting a high diversity of native plants and animals," the court was told.

Mr Whitten says the land had been cleared in the past but in a way that allowed native vegetation to regrow.

"What happened in 2008 was of an entirely different scale and extent," he said.

"By completely removing seeds and vegetation and using chemicals the soil was effectively sterilised. The native vegetation is unlikely to ever regenerate."

Mr Whitten says Mallee stumps removed might have been decades old.

"The prosecution accepts the land was suitable for use of rough grazing but was not suitable, due to the presence of native vegetation, for intense cultivation," he said.

Visit link:
Tatiara Mayor Richard Vickery accused of illegal land clearing

A discussion on outdoor exercise equipment, a crosswalk light for Huntley Drive and the issue of land clearing were among the topics at the May 20 regular meeting of the Clarenville Town Council.

Shawn Hayward photo

Clarenville Council

Age-friendly park equipment

The recreation director obtained three separate quotes for exercise equipment for the age friendly park, located near the Clarenville High School.

The three prices were $19, 924 from Activate Playgrounds, $20, 354 from The Playground Guys and $29,390 from Henderson Recreation.

Recreation committee chair David Harris says they decided to go with The Playground

Guys since Activate Playgrounds couldnt get the full list of desired equipment.

Harris says the recreation committee had a great deal of discussion as to whether the exercise equipment will get used by the public.

We asked our recreation director to go out and talk to other municipalities who have similar equipment and similar age-friendly parks in their community and see if it was utilized and well received, says Harris.

Continue reading here:
Councillor at large

Orlando Interior Designer Erika Benfield owner of FLQ Interior Design DBA Florida Living Quarters
Orlando Interior Designer Erika Benfield owner of FLQ Interior Design DBA Florida Living Quarters http://www.floridalivingquarters.com. Erika Benfield speaks...

By: Florida Living Quarters

Read this article:
Orlando Interior Designer Erika Benfield owner of FLQ Interior Design DBA Florida Living Quarters - Video

Mira Prihatini @Smart Living, MNC Home Living - ed. Walk In Closet (Mei 2014)
Mira Prihatini, an interior designer founder Mira Associates have been interviewed for Nikita Willy #39;s Walk In Closet design. -Part 1- Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJu1DJwthFs feature=y...

By: Mira Prihatini

See the rest here:
Mira Prihatini @Smart Living, MNC Home Living - ed. Walk In Closet (Mei 2014) - Video