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Harkcraft 97 – Town Remodeling – Video - January 30, 2015 by Mr HomeBuilder

Harkcraft 97 - Town Remodeling
Episode 97 of Harkcraft! I am building more on the Town and touching up the Town House. Enjoy! Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuiYssvbQKwofPIFpaBkVeuUGUhUncnnY Twitter@ ...

By: HarkDawg25

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Harkcraft 97 - Town Remodeling - Video

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Remodeling democracy, 800 years on - January 30, 2015 by Mr HomeBuilder

This year marks the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta, Latin for Great Charter.The document, sealed by King John in 1215, helped launch the long struggle for democracy and civic rights around the world. Yet by many measures, traditional democracy at least the kind spread widely in the 20th century appears to be in trouble, leading some experts to ask if democracy itself is changing.

Consider these recent surveys:

For the ninth straight year, political rights and civil liberties across the globe have declined, according to Freedom Houses annual report. In 2014, democracy was under its greatest threat in the last quarter century in places such as Egypt, Thailand, and Russia. Another survey, called AmericasBarometer Study, found a precipitous drop of trust in elections in 26 countries in the Americas, from Chile to Canada.

Globally, public trust in government, business, media, and nongovernmental organizations evaporated last year, according to a survey of 33,000 people by the Edelman public relations firm. For the first time, nearly two-thirds of the 27 nations surveyed fell on the distrustful side of the Edelman Trust Barometer. Surprisingly, trust in NGOs fell for the first time.

In the United States, a federal survey shows a steady decline in 16 of 20 indicators of civic health. Fewer Americans, for example, say it is important to report a crime. In the last elections, only slightly more than one-third of eligible voters cast ballots.

Support for democracy remains high around the world. But, says political scientist Hendrik Wagenaar of the University of Sheffield, Satisfaction with the performance of their own democratic system does not tally with citizens political aspirations.

Professor Wagenaar, like many scholars, wonders if people are searching for new forms of civic association based on shared values and beliefs, often local in nature or through digital communities.

They feel that official democracy, the democracy that the media report on, does not do well in addressing these concerns, let alone solving them, he writes. People havent abandoned politics, but politics, they feel, has abandoned them. He cites cases in Europe of citizens coming together to organize social goods in voluntary attachments, such as in sustainable energy, rural transport, or access to the Internet. They create ties of mutual dependency outside of government.

Most people want to engage with democracy, he states. But not the democracy of political parties, powerful lobbying organizations, and the spectacle of politicians arguing about a political agenda that is not theirs. Citizens care for responsibility, respect and a measure of control. It is astonishing to see how ordinary people are then able to master complexity, resolve conflict and arrive at creative solutions.

In the US, one measure of this shift is seen among those under age 30 (Millennials). Unlike other Americans, according to an Associated Press-GfK poll, they have a much lower commitment to traditional civic duties such as voting, jury duty, or following the news media. Yet this age group does cite one civic activity, volunteering, as a very important obligation.

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Remodeling democracy, 800 years on

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Instead of selling, homeowners are remodeling - January 30, 2015 by Mr HomeBuilder

The home-improvement industry has fared much better than the broader housing market, according to a report Thursday from the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University.

In fact, industry experts are predicting that 2015 could see record spending on home improvements.

After years of declining revenue, the industry is reinventing itself, said Kermit Baker, director of the joint center's Remodeling Futures Program. "[The industry] is finding new ways to address emerging growth markets and rebuild its workforce for an evolving customer base," he said.

The housing downturn contributed to strengthening the remodeling market, since many homeowners who would have moved to larger houses stayed put and improved instead.

Federal stimulus programs encouraged energy-efficient upgrades, and investors reinvested in rentals to attract tenants.

Spending on discretionary home improvement rose $6 billion between 2011 and 2013, the first increase since the downturn began in 2007, Baker said.

Big spending is mostly on kitchens and bathrooms in this area, said Jay Cipriani, of Cipriani Builders in Woodbury.

"They are doing this work to stay," he said of the homeowners, adding that "I have not had anyone in the last two years say that they wanted to fix up their house to sell it."

Dave Cerami, of Hometech Renovations in Fort Washington, said much of what he recommends to clients is based on how long they plan to live in the home, how old the house is, the neighborhood, "personal aesthetic and any upfront budgets they happen to provide."

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San Luis Obispo Custom Cabinet Company Cucina Kitchens and Baths Receives Best Of Houzz 2015 Award - January 30, 2015 by Mr HomeBuilder

San Luis Obispo, CA (PRWEB) January 29, 2015

San Luis Obispo Custom Cabinet Company Cucina Kitchens and Baths has been awarded Best Of Houzz for Customer Satisfaction by Houzz, the leading platform for home remodeling and design. The locally owned design and custom cabinet manufacturing company was chosen by the more than 25 million monthly unique users that comprise the Houzz community from among more than 500,000 active home building, remodeling and design industry professionals.

The Best Of Houzz award is given in two categories: Design and Customer Satisfaction. Design award winners work was the most popular among the more than 25 million monthly users on Houzz, known as Houzzers. Customer Satisfaction honors are determined by a variety of factors, including the number and quality of client reviews a professional received in 2014. Winners will receive a Best Of Houzz 2015 badge on their profiles, helping Houzz users around the world who discover and love a professionals work to learn even more about that business popularity and satisfaction rating among their peers in the Houzz community.

Houzz provides homeowners with a 360 degree view of home building, remodeling and design industry professionals, empowering them to engage the right people and products for their project, said Liza Hausman, vice president of industry marketing for Houzz. Were delighted to recognize Cucina Kitchens and Baths among our Best Of professionals as judged by our community of homeowners and design enthusiasts who are actively remodeling and decorating their homes.

Follow Cucina Kitchens and Baths on Houzz http://www.houzz.com/pro/cucinakitchens/cucina-kitchens-and-baths

About Cucina Kitchens and Baths

Cucina Kitchens and Baths is committed to timeless kitchen design, from traditional to contemporary, focusing on functional layout and space planning. Attention to detail in all aspects of design, tailoring projects to the satisfaction of each individual homeowner, creating spaces with materials that stand the test of time. Cucina brings these same qualities and attention to detail to the custom cabinets they manufacture and provide for their clients projects.

Cucina Kitchens and Baths 4420 Broad St. Suite #F1 - San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 (805) 545-8161.

About Houzz

Houzz is the leading platform for home remodeling and design, providing people with everything they need to improve their homes from start to finish online or from a mobile device. From decorating a room to building a custom home, Houzz connects millions of homeowners, home design enthusiasts and home improvement professionals across the country and around the world. With the largest residential design database in the world and a vibrant community powered by social tools, Houzz is the easiest way for people to find inspiration, get advice, buy products and hire the professionals they need to help turn their ideas into reality. Headquartered in Palo Alto, CA, Houzz also has international offices in London, Berlin and Sydney. For more information, visit http://www.houzz.com

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San Luis Obispo Custom Cabinet Company Cucina Kitchens and Baths Receives Best Of Houzz 2015 Award

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Emergency Plumber Denton TX – Phone 844-275-1222 Today – Best Local Plumbing Service – Video - January 30, 2015 by Mr HomeBuilder

Emergency Plumber Denton TX - Phone 844-275-1222 Today - Best Local Plumbing Service
Contact 844-275-1222 now for the best plumber locally. Available 24 hours a day 7 days a week for emergency plumbing repairs. With our plumbing service you will receive a local, professional...

By: Virginia Norton

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Emergency Plumber Denton TX - Phone 844-275-1222 Today - Best Local Plumbing Service - Video