Submitted The renovation project, now under way and scheduled for completion in mid-October, includes $4.8 million in renovations and will coincide with an expansion of Shadow Wood's golf practice facilities and driving range.

BONITA SPRINGS A major renovation project at Shadow Wood Country Club will expand interior and al fresco dining areas and gathering spaces, and include remodeling the 30,000-square-foot clubhouse's popular Grill Room.

The changes will enhance views of the 18th green along the South Course, one of two on-site courses at the Bonita Springs club designed by golf course architect Bob Cupp.

The project, now under way and scheduled for completion in mid-October, includes $4.8 million in renovations and will coincide with an expansion of Shadow Wood's golf practice facilities and driving range. It was approved by an 81 percent super majority vote by the club members who took ownership of the club in 2010.

Improvements will enhance services and amenities for current members and make the club more inviting to prospective members, according to David English, the club's first president and a current board member.

Shadow Wood, located within the Brooks master-planned community, offers memberships to residents in Shadow Wood and Shadow Wood Preserve as well as guests. Members have access to two Cupp golf courses, a nine-court tennis complex and a third golf course designed by Arthur Hills accompanied by a second full-service clubhouse at Shadow Wood Preserve.

The renovation, headed by Image Design of Atlanta and Fort Myers-based BSSW Architects, will extend interior dining spaces into existing roofed terraces and enhance openness between the three main dining areas to accommodate larger functions. The dining rooms will also be refurnished, refinished and repainted. Wood flooring in the center space will provide the socially oriented members a larger dance floor, according to Bob Francisco, a senior designer at Image Design.

Stained-wood beams, wainscoting and leather furniture will create a more clubroom-type atmosphere in the adjoining Grill Room, where a new outdoor covered patio will offer a fire pit and overlook the newly redesigned driving range.

"The new grill will be the major wow factor," said Francisco. "It will be much more user friendly with a peninsula-style bar that's more conducive to speaking to one anther while enjoying the view. This will be the improvement members will really notice."

The Grill Room bar will offer both indoor and outdoor seating a feature popular in Southwest Florida restaurants. The indoor-outdoor bar concept will also be introduced in the Calabria, the club's ballroom, which currently does not have a bar. The Calabria's new wrap-around awning-covered terrace will also overlook the 18th hole of the South Course.

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Shadow Wood Country Club begins major renovation project

Public money is available to low- and moderate-income homeowners in Fairfield for repairs and improvements to their homes, the town's Office of Community & Economic Development announced.

Eligible homeowners can receive up to 60 percent of a project's total cost, up to a maximum of $15,000 per applicant per year, the department said in a news release.

Money is awarded in the form of interest-free loans that are not due for repayment until the owners transfer their properties, refinance or die, according to the release.

Projects eligible for financing include exterior painting, siding or roofing projects; installation of new or replacement storm windows and doors; lead-based paint or asbestos abatement projects; installation of replacement boilers or water heaters; heating, plumbing or electrical improvements to address code deficiencies; and modifications to accommodate persons with disabilities.

Applicants must be Fairfield residents and meet income guidelines, which vary depending on size of household.

For more information, call the Office of Community & Economic Development at 203-256-3120 or visit the office at 611 Old Post Road.

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Home-repair money available from town

Manchester United are continuing to chase Everton defender Leighton Baines over the summer transfer window, and the signs are looking promising for the Red Devils.

Mirror Footballis reporting that the Toffees are already looking for Baines' replacement by joining the race for talented Wolverhampton Wolves defender and Stephen Ward. Ward will play for the Republic of Ireland in Euro 2012 tonight, with a decision on his future to made after the tournament is complete.

Baines was one of the star players for Everton throughout the season, but after falling under the watchful eye of Sir Alex Ferguson, he might be a tough prospect to hang on to over the summer. Their pursuit of Ward would seem to suggest a concession to a possible departure from the Englishman.

Everton originally wanted at least 15 million for Baines, though according to Goal.com, that figure could be reduced if United offer players in return for the defender. Ji-Sung Park as well as both Fabio and Rafael da Silva have all been talked about as potential sweeteners in the deal.

The 31-year-old was named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year for last season.

With well-known financial problems already in existence for the Merseyside club, any substantial offer on Baines may be the final straw for manager David Moyeswho would be definitely tempted to take the money and players on offer from Old Trafford.

Speaking on a potential move to United, Baines recently stated:

The United link is flattering. There is no harm in people talking about it because it is a great club.Would it be hard to turn United down? I'm not letting my focus shift to that while I am in campI'm focused on what I'm doing at the moment.

Manchester United have been a dominant force in the transfer window so far, with Shinji Kagawa and Angelo Henriquezalready picked up by the Red Devils.

Baines would be another excellent signing, and could provide Sir Alex Ferguson with the stability and assurance in defense that was missing for United throughout the season. He would be an excellent fit at Old Trafford and could turn out to play an important role in the Red Devils' quest to win back the English Premier League next season.

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Manchester United Transfer News: Red Devils Continue Chase for Leighton Baines

BUILDING PERMITS

Boulder

Building construction permits over $10,000 in value that were approved in Boulder between May 28 and June 3, 2012. Listed below are: the case number; address; total project valuation; owner name; contractor (if applicable); and description.

PMT2012-01341; 760 34th St.; $300,000; David and Melinda Culberson; First and second story addition of 1,510 square feet and remodel of 1,044 square feet on main level to end up with a four bedroom and three bathroom house. New heat pump with ERV. Detached two-car garage by separate permit.

PMT2012-01342; 760 34th St.; $20,000; David and Melinda Culberson; Construction of a 440-square-foot detached two-car garage. Addition and remodel of house under PMT2012-01341 -- combined single plan set for both structures.

PMT2012-01839; 2335 South St.; $70,000; Hallie Rich; Burke Builders; 573-square-foot single-story addition to an existing single-family dwelling to relocate kitchen and a bathroom, add bedroom. Remove existing furnace and water heater -- install high-efficiency replacement devices. Upgrade service to 200-amp panel.

PMT2012-01868; 4743 Arapahoe Ave.; $474,316; Boulder Community Hospital; Wyatt Construction Co.; Tenant finish of Suite 100 for the medical office of Dr. Charlie Jones. Scope of work includes associated electrical, mechanical and plumbing.

PMT2012-01870; 4743 Arapahoe Ave.; $485,247; Boulder Community Hospital; Wyatt Construction Co.; Tenant finish of Suite 102 for the medical office of Alpine Surgical. Scope of work includes associated electrical, mechanical and plumbing.

PMT2012-01872; 4743 Arapahoe Ave.; $637,701; Boulder Community Hospital; Wyatt Construction Co.; Tenant finish of Suite 104 for the medical office of Alpine Urology. Scope of work includes associated electrical, mechanical and plumbing.

PMT2012-01874; 6235 Lookout Road; $184,072; Tyler Pacific; Quinlan Construction Inc.; Tenant remodel of 3,287 square feet to modify/reconfigure existing design, marketing, administrative and sales offices for American Recreation Products.

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Boulder, Superior building permits: June 11, 2012

Casey Toth - newsobserver.com

Emmanuel Jose completes this week's oversized playing-card from his 52-week series from a bird-themed deck of cards in his Raleigh home Friday, May 18, 2012.

For most people, playing cards are something to, well, play with. But for Raleigh artist Emmanuel Jos, theyre something to create.

Jos, 28, makes his living as a lab support technician. And since January 2011, hes also been making one giant paper-cut card per week in transformation decks, where the card symbols are incorporated into the design. Then they go into frames for display, and Jos sells prints of them.

Jos called last years project his Curator Deck, with artwork invoking everything from fairy tales to biohazard symbols and various avian images. Birds figure even more prominently into Joss in-progress 2012 deck, Clipped Wings. Brainstorming ideas last year, he came up with so many focused on birds that he decided to make this years deck all birds. If he keeps the project going into 2013, possible future themes include Greek deities, the circus or mythological monsters.

Even though Jos doesnt really play cards himself, he has always been fascinated with them as art objects. In an art class at Davidson College, he began a series of paintings with his friends appearing as face cards. His professor was unimpressed, so he was forced to abandon it.

Still, the idea kept nagging at him. Finally, in late December of 2010, Jos set a goal of making a paper-cut card a week through 2011.

It was a way to end my artistic drought, he said. I had been an art major, but I wasnt creating art consistently since I got a job. This was a means of getting myself back into it setting a personal goal with deadlines, but without worrying about grades and teachers. It was a great mental challenge.

For all that, Jos was skeptical he could pull it off until Jan. 3, 2011, when he made his first card the ace of spades as a phoenix, which remains his favorite card from last years deck. That convinced him the project was doable.

He works in numerical order, ace through king. Throw in two jokers and a back design, and each deck involves 55 pieces of art. Jos uses scissors and X-ACTO knife to cut all the elements by hand, mounting them on the cards with precise detail.

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Card Sharp: Emmanuel José has stacked his decks with decorative designs

Think about it. Most days, we take safe drinking water and efficient sanitation systems for granted. However, when somethings not functioning properly, we rely on plumbers to bail us out.

Whether in our homes where our lives can be quickly turned upside down by a blocked drain, stopped toilet or unexpected leak or public buildings that supply water for drinking, food preparation, washing, showering, swimming and other activities, plumbing is an integral part of the way we live our lives.

Plumbing was important to health yesterday. It is important to health today and will be even more important tomorrow, Dr Jamie Bartram, coordinator of water, sanitation and health for the World Health Organization, said. Good plumbing is one of the key building blocks in protecting and promoting health. A system that provides water through a house or through a dwelling or in a public building that is designed, built and managed properly is critical in ensuring the health of individuals that live and work there.

Thats precisely why you need a license to do plumbing work in most states.

Indianas Professional Licensing Agency requires four years (6,400 hours) in an approved apprenticeship program or four years work experience in the trade for a plumbers journeyman license. You can also have four years plumbing work under the direction of a licensed plumbing contractor for a plumbers contractor license.

We are licensed like doctors and dentists, Terry Cheek of TLC Plumbing in Griffith, said. We are one of the only professional trades that deal with public health.

Cheek, who has been a licensed contractor since 1997, got his start in the field taking shop classes at Hammond Technical Vocational High School. He completed the required 3-year plumbing program in 2 years.

After graduation, I went to work at Inland Steel as a plumber in the mill, Cheek said. However, it wasnt too long before I realized that I really preferred working with people and in the community. So, when I had the opportunity, I applied for an apprenticeship at the union hall and went to work for a local plumbing company. I ended up working there for the next ten years.

With over 30 years of practical plumbing experience, Terry Cheek made the decision to open his own company, and now that company is in its 15th year.

I just got to the point where I wanted to control the quality and quantity of work, he said. There are a lot of good, quality plumbers and contractors out there. There are also some who dont do what they say and hide it, its unreal. I would feel so embarrassed to be associated with that. Thats why I got on my own, so I could control that and always work with good, quality people.

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Plumbers Keep Us Safe and Healthy: Terry and Cindy Cheek have made it their life’s work

Published: Saturday, June 9, 2012 at 10:33 p.m. Last Modified: Saturday, June 9, 2012 at 10:33 p.m.

DAVENPORT | The bids are in, and costs of a new sewer collection system in Davenport have come in less than expected.

City Manager Amy Arrington said last week the low bid for the wastewater treatment plant is just less than $2 million, which is what engineers projected. However, the low bid for the sewer collection system to be installed in old Davenport east of U.S. 17/92 was $1.7 million less than projected.

"If that bid is a good one, we're in a good position," Arrington said. "We're waiting for our engineers to verify that everything is good with those low bids."

City commissioners will discussing the issue at a workshop Monday.

The commission decided last month to build its own wastewater treatment plant because it was less expensive than hooking into Polk County's or Haines City's.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has been pressuring towns whose residents have septic tanks to build sewer systems to prevent pollution of lakes and streams.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is providing $4.9 million in loans and a $2.3 million grant to fund the project.

The city has a bond issue ready to go to borrow the funds needed to install the sewer system and wastewater treatment plant but will wait until a town meeting tentatively set for July 12.

Excerpt from:
Davenport Sewer System Cost Less Than Expected

08-06-2012 06:43 Archadeck of Fort Wayne builds porches of all shapes and sizes. Screened porches, covered porches, front porches and detached porches. Each built with the Archadeck difference that means quality you can see and feel. From expert designs to attention to ev

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Archadeck of Fort Wayne custom screened porch builder - Video

By Kathy Van Mullekom Daily Press (Newport News, Va.)

When the tomatoes are finally planted and the beds are weeded and mulched, it's time to add the final touch of perfection - tropicals that give your porches and patios a little island mystique.

And, since tropicals typically come in basic plastic pots that can be slipped into boldly colored ceramic pots, they can instantly turn any outdoor space into a party place. String a few lights, light some tiki torches and your decor needs nothing but Jimmy Buffet music and some good eats.

When you remove a tropical from its plastic pot and plant it in a decorative container, make sure the pot has ample drainage holes. Use only good potting soil, not garden soil, which is too heavy. Fill the new pot with one-third potting soil. Remove the tropical from its container and tease or loosen any matted, circling roots. Place it in the new pot and fill in with more potting soil. Water thoroughly. If the potting soil settles, add more soil and water again.

Tropicals are heavy feeders, so regular fertilization with a water-soluble food meant for flowering plants, or a time-released granule mixed into the potting soil keeps the plants blooming. Some potting soils have fertilizer already mixed into them, but they are often only good for a few weeks.

During hot summer days, potted plants need daily, sometimes twice daily, watering because the soil heats up and dries out quickly.

Here's a glimpse at some of the new sun-loving tropicals you'll find from companies such as Monrovia (monrovia.com) and Hines (hineshort.com). Monrovia is found at independent garden centers; Hines is available at garden centers and stores such as Lowe's, Home Depot and Walmart.

Mandevilla Bride's Cascade. These summer-long flowering vines come in all colors, including a new white one called Bride's Cascade. The vigorous plant, which grows 15 feet long, needs a strong support system, including a fence, trellis or arbor.

Adenium Kissable Pink, aka desert rose. This carefree plant flowers all summer. Its bonsai-like appearance features twisted stems, oval-shaped leaves and large, bright flowers. When dry and dormant, the plant tolerates temperatures into the mid 40s; it can be brought indoors, kept dry and moved outdoors in spring.

Bougainvillea Bambino. These bougainvilleas reach 4-5 feet tall, and include Lauren with variegated foliage that contrasts nicely with large clusters of flowers spring-fall. Use them in containers and as hedges for real drama.

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Grow: Try tropicals in your home garden

Credit: PARKER MICHELS-BOYCE/MEDIA GENERAL NEWS SERVICE

Sweet Briar College's Tusculum Institute has finalized plans to reinterpret a slave cabin on campus that formerly served as a farm tool museum.

In a whitewashed barn at Sweet Briar College, a 260-year-old plantation home lies in pieces a sprawling pile of wood and brick.

The home once stood about 7 miles north of Sweet Briar as the crow flies, on an Amherst County plantation known as Tusculum. When it was built in the 1750s, central Virginia was rugged frontier. In 2005, the college salvaged the home from a developer who had planned to raze it to build a housing community.

For Sweet Briar, losing Tusculum would mean losing a link to its past. The estate was the childhood home of Maria Crawford Fletcher, the mother of Sweet Briar's founder, and it provided a vital link to the college's history as a plantation.

The two-story home was dismantled and stowed in a ramshackle barn on the fringe of campus. With each piece meticulously labeled, it was a jigsaw puzzle waiting to be assembled.

By 2008, Sweet Briar hatched a plan to rebuild the home on campus and convert it into classroom space. But there was one hitch: The school needed to raise $2 million.

"You can imagine though, the economy took a dive just as we started working on this," said Lynn Rainville, founding director of the Tusculum Institute, the organization tasked with overseeing the restoration.

The recession forced the Tusculum project to the back burner, allowing Sweet Briar to focus on more pressing needs, such as renovating the library.

"Right now, the reconstruction is kind of on an indefinite hold," Rainville said. "The pieces are all being protected."

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Sweet Briar looks to one day restore Tusculum plantation home