ROGERS, Ark-- - Roofing companies in Northwest Arkansas are seeing a rise in customer calls after the last round of storms and anticipating even more calls from this round.

Travis Harris, Pinnacle Roofing Manager said, "We've been getting an abundance of calls of leaks of course due to the massive rain storms that we've had."

April showers bring May flowers. They can also bring damage to your home if you don't take the proper steps to plan ahead.

Harris said, "Getting out there doing tarps when we can and actually trying to stop the leak from getting inside and doing anymore damage. "

The amount of rain that's coming to Northwest Arkansas may blind side some people.

"It's going to cause things to leak that have never leaked before. And sometimes they might not leak again depending on how that water has started to flow," said Harris.

Harris added that it's important to plan ahead before those storms do come, cleaning out your valleys and gutters are one of the first steps to preventing leaks in your home.

"A lot of people don't clean out their gutters at least twice a year, so the buildup happens and it causes back flow and then also pipe jacks. A lot of people think the roofs last for years but pipe jacks only last on average seven to 10," said Harris.

With the overflow of calls it may take some time before roofing companies can get to your home.

Harris said, "Get into the attics if they can. Be able to stop the water flow from getting inside their house to cause more damage to the sheet rock, interior walls and stuff like that."

Excerpt from:
Roofing Companies Seeing Rise in Calls with Weather - Story - KNWA

CONCORD Before retiring last month as the Mt. Diablo school districts sole roofer, David Tomason said he often felt like a one-legged man in a kicking contest each rainy season as he raced around the 56-campus district trying to plug leaks.

Tomason estimated that at least 50 percent of the roofs at district schools are in need of replacement and many are near or at the end of their life cycle.

His comments underscore an ongoingdebate over school maintenance and money management in one of Contra Costa Countys largest school districts:Despite vowing to repair and replace leaking roofs when it asked voters in 2010 to approve a $348 million construction bond measure, the district has spent only a sliver of the money from Measure C on those needs, and it is now down to the last$38.5 million.

The district hasnt beenlistening, said Tomason, who spoke out after retiring last month after 14 years with the district. A lot of that Measure C money was spent on peoples wants rather than needs.

In the past few years, Tomason said, he was forced to respond to countless roofing leaks, including those in cafeteria serving lines, which could cause potential health hazards, and classrooms with expensive computer equipment that could be damaged by water.

Jim Walsh, vice chairman of the Measure C oversight committee, argues that the decision to skip roofing work shows that the district seems more interested in using Measure C to pay for flashy projectsor those that benefit affluent communities pointing to amassive $78.3 million solar energy project and $7.5 million for Northgate High Schools Aquatic Park than those that take care of basic needs. He believes that topay for them, the district plans to pass another bond measure in a few years, although district officials say otherwise.

But district officialshave said roofing replacement is not as urgent as critics are calling it, and that they plan to pay for itthrough the districts maintenance and operations budget as well as Measure A Mello Roos parcel tax revenue.

The district has created a 10-year timeline which consists of replacing approximately five roofs per year, district spokeswoman Ursula Leimbach said last month, adding that many of the roofs vary widely in age and repair needs.The district has spent less than $4,000 from Measure C annually on roofs, she said.

Leimbach also said the district had not had a higher-than-usual number of calls regarding roofs this year, and no significant damage from roof leaks had been reported during the winter storms.

But district documents obtained through a public records request showedthat the districts roofer was asked to respond to nearly twice as many roof leaks, at least 59, from February to March as in the same period last year.

The districts director of maintenance operations, Rob Greathouse,said those numbers were inaccurate, and that some of those problems were not from roofs but could have beenthe result of gutters or downspouts with problems.

Tomason, the district roofer, independently estimated that he was called to repair twice as many leaks this year as last year.Hesaid he believes that the districts decision to use $63 million in Measure C money to install new air conditioning equipment on schools already aging roofs led to further weakening, causing even more leaks.

District officials announced earlier this month thatthey planto kickstart much-needed roofing replacement in the next few months at two of its most urgent sites, Bay Points Shore Acres Elementary and Concords Oak Grove Middle School, as well as the Concord High and Foothill Middle school gymnasiums. Estimated to cost about $2 million, the work for this first set of roofs will be contracted through a federal government cooperative purchasing programrather than the typical open bidding process, which some have expressed concerns will cost more money, said Mt. Diablo school board member Brian Lawrence.

The district also is still weighing whether it will use Measure C money to pay for the initial $2 million, or tap other sources.

According to a consultants reportin April 2015, about $4.7 million was needed to repair roofs at nine schools. They included College Park, Concord, Mt. Diablo and Ygnacio Valley high schools, as well as Oak Groveand Riverview middle schools, which were estimated to have one to two years of life left. But Leimbach said a district specialist reviewed the roofs and did not agree with the consultants findings, and found very few instances of reported leaks.

If water leaks into the schools, it could threaten the millions of Measure C dollars invested, not just for the schools air conditioning but wireless infrastructure and interior paint improvements, Walsh argued.

John Ferrante, the Measure C bond oversight chairman, also said hebelieves that the districts roofing needsshouldnot be delayed further. He also questioned the districts plan to instead use other funding sources, saying it would not be enough to cover the districts long-term roofing needs.

But he defended how Measure C bond money has been spent so far, pointing to upgraded science buildings; a solar panel project that has saved the district money on electricity bills; much-needed heating and air conditioning units for all schools; and installation of security systems and a wireless access system, which is required for state academic testing.

The money was well-spent and properly spent, he said. It just was not enough.

Despite district claims that another bond measure wont be needed to fund roof repairs, he says another onewill definitely be needed for roofs and other school improvements.

Theres more work to be done, he said.

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Mt. Diablo: Aging school roofs spur unease, as remaining bond funds dwindle - East Bay Times

Jack Darling

John Jack Darling, president and longtime owner of Maine Roofing Inc. in South Portland, died Saturday after battling lung cancer. He was 82.

Mr. Darling and his brother William Darling Sr. founded Maine Roofing in 1974. All they had was an old pickup truck and $1,000 to their name. Today, the business has grown to 24 employees, who provide commercial roofing and sheet metal services throughout Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.

Mr. Darling worked in its metal shop throughout his career, creating high-end sheet metal, custom copper and stainless steel fabrication work. His work can be seen in office buildings, schools and hospitals throughout southern Maine. The companys website promotes 20 finished projects, including the W.L. Blake & Co. building on Commercial Street in Portland, the Portland Public Library, Residence Inn at Marriott, and Fore River Medical Pavilion in Portland.

Mr. Darling was remembered by his family Tuesday as a quiet, hardworking man who took pride in his work.

He loved the solitude of working in the shop bending, breaking and cutting, said Liz Darling, his niece and business manager at Maine Roofing. He liked working with his hands. He was an extremely hard worker.

Mr. Darling had a hand in building Maine Roofings offices on Bishop Street in South Portland. He had help from his nephew Bill Darling, the current owner of the company, and many of his staff.

It was a huge undertaking, Liz Darling said. He was very proud of the building we built. Hes going to be well missed. He left a legacy at Maine Roofing and will live on through his work.

Mr. Darling had immense pride in his business and family. He grew up in South Portland, the oldest of 12 children. At age 17, he joined the Navy and became an accomplished nuclear-certified welder. His obituary, which is published in Wednesdays newspaper, says he was recognized by the Navy for his work on the USS Nautilus, which was the first nuclear submarine to complete a submerged transit of the North Pole under the polar ice caps.

He served in the Navy for 11 years before returning to South Portland to work on offshore scallop draggers. He worked at James McBrady Roofing before starting his own business.

A few years ago, Mr. Darling semi-retired and bought a property in Florida where he spent winters.

In his retirement, he loved to go striper fishing and tend to his gardens in Florida. He had several vegetable gardens and fruit trees.

His niece said he loved being with his dachshunds, Millie and Mickey.

Mr. Darling lived in Woolwich with his son Chad and daughter-in-law Cheryl Thompson. He also leaves five stepchildren.

About a year ago, he was diagnosed with lung cancer.

He fought to the very end, his niece said. He was a fighter, Ill tell ya.

Melanie Creamer can be contacted at 791-6361 or at:

[emailprotected]

Twitter: MelanieCreamer

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Feature obituary: John 'Jack' Darling, 82, co-founded Maine Roofing Inc. in South Portland - Press Herald

Take Our PollOAKLAND As we twiddle our thumbs waiting to see who the Warriors will play in the NBA Western Conference semifinals, the break in the action might be a good time to assess how Bob Myers latest wondrous year as general manager fits within the context of his wildly successful four-year tenure.

Admit it, even after the Warriors scored their blockbuster free agent coup with Kevin Durant last summer, you might have been fretful about the mass departures of so many team fixtures Andrew Bogut, Harrison Barnes, Festus Ezeli, Leandro Barbosa, Mo Speights and how Myers could possibly fill in the gaps with very limited resources.

If Myers doesnt win NBA Executive of the Year for the second time in three years, the award is a farce. The Warriors added so many solid complementary pieces to their core at ridiculously low expense, they didnt even need to force first-round draft pick Damian Jones into the frontcourt mix, and used 2016-17 as a developmental year for the promising young big man.

With all that in mind, heres a subjective ranking of Myers best free agent/trade decisions since being named general manager in April of 2012, incorporating this years additions:

1. Andre Iguodala.Myers first big move, and it remains his best. It still rates ahead of Durant for now, because the acquisition of Iguodala in a complicated three-way deal with Utah and Denver and the subsequent signing of the all-purpose veteran for four years gave the Warriors full-fledged legitimacy as a title contender. In the second season after the deal, the team had a championship in which Iguodala was the NBA Finals MVP. The Warriors are 238-70 in the regular season and 38-18 in the postseason since Iguodala arrived, have won at least 50 games and made the playoffs every season. On top of all that, as part of the Iguodala deal, Myers somehow got rid of the crippling final contract year of Andris Biedrins, which was remarkable all by itself.

2. Kevin Durant.Acquiring one of the best players in the league and adding him to an already tremendous nucleus was an organizational pursuit, but it was Myers who initially recognized the possibility of it and the team went into full-court press mode to get it done. We dont yet know what the long-term rewards will be in terms of championships, but Durants signing ensured the Warriors will be a top-drawer attraction for the foreseeable future and give them an excellent shot at multiple titles. A less capable executive wouldnt have been bold enough to even shoot so high.

3. Shaun Livingston.After the misfire of Toney Douglas and the one-and-done year with Jarrett Jack, who left via free agency, Myers finally got it right in his attempt to find a permanent backup point guard to Stephen Curry. In the middle of Mark Jacksons final season as coach, the Warriors won the first six games of a seven-game road trip but lost the finale in Brooklyn, and Livingston, finally returning to form after a devastating knee injury rendered him an NBA vagabond for several seasons, was one of the biggest reasons with a terrific all-around performance for the Nets. Myers clearly didnt forget that game, and he signed Livingston to a three-year mid-level exception deal almost immediately after that season. He has been paying huge dividends off the bench ever since.

4. Leandro Barbosa.Coach Steve Kerr knew Barbosas capabilities well from his own G.M. days in Phoenix, and when Kerr arrived to replace Jackson, Myers recognized the Brazilian Blur as a valuable reserve upgrade and a natural fit to provide instant up-tempo offense. While sometimes lacking at the defensive end, he was more often electric in his two seasons as an offensive bench spark and gave the club another 3-point weapon to bedevil opponents.

5. JaVale McGee.McGee ranks highly on the list because he best typifies Myers ability to understand how a player nobody else wanted could fit into the Warriors system with a rare skill set. Signed in mid-September to the NBA minimum just before the start of the season, it was a roll of the dice that consistently came up seven throughout the year. McGee gave the Warriors quick bursts of energy and excitement and flourished on the court with players who could maximize his abilities around the basket on lob plays and pick-and-rolls. Myers not only improved his team, he saved McGees checkered career.

6. Marreese Speights.After losing serviceable forward-center Carl Landry to free agency after his first season as G.M., Myers improved the position by signing Speights to a three-year free agent deal. Speights had a so-so first season with the Warriors, but improved dramatically in the second once he got in better shape and evolved into his Mo Buckets identity as a spot-up shooter off the bench. Like Barbosa, Speights was often a defensive liability, but he was a major contributor to the teams 2015 title and their uncanny 73-win season. Cant forget Mo, even if he did go on to sign with the Clippers.

7. David West.Wests stats dont leap off the page as they once did when he was in his Indiana Pacers prime, but at age 36, he provides a wise veteran presence off the court, particularly for the hot-blooded Draymond Green, and a savvy second-unit facilitator on the court who not only can defend and rebound but pass with efficient aplomb. Wests main goal is to win a ring to complete his career, but he already has a championship mentality and winners pedigree. Myers got all that for a song.

8. Zaza Pachulia.The first big man Myers signed to try and replace many of the things Bogut provided, Pachulias game doesnt dazzle at first glance. But like West, he knows his role, and thats to do a lot of the dirty work with the starting unit setting screens, providing physical interior defense, finding creases for easy baskets. Pachulia is also a maniac for loose balls, which has made him a favorite of his teammates, if not so much fans who dont appreciate the finer points of his game.

9. Ian Clark.Since Myers snapped him up after he was cut loose by Utah two years ago, Clark has slowly but surely elevated from a shaky end-of-the-bench option to a consistently reliable backup, providing offense much as Barbosa did but with a better defensive mindset and significantly better ballhandling. As his confidence has grown, he has become an asset any team would want, and at 26, hes still on a career upswing. Its one of those seemingly minor Myers moves thats starting to pay off in a major way.

10. Kent Bazemore.Myers signed the long, athletic Bazemore out of the summer league because he fancied the undrafted guards defensive skills and his unbridled energy. Bazemore showed flashes of his potential in the very limited time he received with the Warriors. He eventually was traded for veteran Steve Blake when the club needed an experienced backup guard, but Bazemore has subsequently established himself as an NBA starter and double-figure scorer in Atlanta. Sometimes you cant keep all of your finds.

Honorable mentions:Jack, Matt Barnes, Brandon Rush (second time around), James Michael McAdoo, Landry, Justin Holiday, Anderson Varejao.

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Bob Myers' best moves as Warriors GM? Ranking the top 10 - The Mercury News

Submitted by Caffrey & Associates 4:05 a.m. ET April 29, 2017

The design of the new pre-function space in the Quail West clubhouse is centered on the shape of the bar and the glass wall that contain moving water and mood lighting. A double-sided fireplace warms the room.(Photo: Submitted)

With renovations to its Lakes Golf Course already underway, Quail West Golf & Country Club announced that Phase II of a substantial renovation of thecommunitys clubhouse is poised to begin as scheduled early this summer.Budgeted at approximately $30 millionand based on the results of a nearly year-long facility study, the member approved and financed two-phase initiative reflects the communitys continued mission to be the premier private residential country club in Southwest Florida. Designed to meet the needs of Quail Wests growing membership and the changing lifestyle characteristics of the communitys members, the improvements will provide the latest in physical facilities and state of the art technology while further solidifying Quail Wests position as a Southwest Floridaleading luxury golf course community.

The renovation initiative is making Quail Wests 70,000-square-foot clubhouse an even more highly preferred destination while providing residents and members an experience that offers the finest in high-end amenities and services, including formal and casual dining, a glass enclosed, heated swimming pool, a 12,000-square-foot fitness and wellness facility, golf, tennis, and salon and spa services. The enhancements are also further securing Quail Wests legacy of offering the best golf and social experience in Southwest Florida. The renovation design is focused on providing an integrated club experience in a single location.

In addition to enhancements to the communitys Preserve Golf Course, Phase I renovations of the clubhouses upstairs banquet kitchen have been completed.Because premier quality food and elegant service are hallmarks of the Quail West experience, the kitchen renovations are primary aspects of the upgraded clubhouse facility.The fine dining experience has been enhanced by the completion of expanded pre-function space overlooking the indoor glass enclosed pool with a completely new lighted bar with a contemporary glass wall that is reminiscent of fine restaurants on FifthAvenue South in downtown Naples. The design of the new pre-function space is centered on the undulating shape of the bar and the glass wall that contains moving water and mood lighting.A double-sided fireplace warms the room and allows seating venues for casual conversation in both the pre-function room and the adjacent club room.The expansion of the second-floor kitchen has enhanced service to both the Mahogany Room formal dining room and to events including 300 to 350 people in the adjacent ballroom.

Work on the redesign of the main lobby entrance has also been completed.Exquisite furnishings are framed by a new fire and water feature in the lobby that creates a memorable impression on members and guests as they enter the Quail West venue.New furnishings and area rugs provide comfort and a consistent look for the lobby and hallway leading to the ballroom.

The new two-story dedicated fitness and wellness center building included in Phase I is on schedule for completion this summer.Gates Construction is also completing associated site improvements to expand parking at the clubhouse complex and redoing four of the clubs eight tennis courts with new hydro court surfaces and LED lighting.The new fitness and wellness center will feature dedicated areas for Pilates and spin classes, cardio and weight rooms, and TRX personal training technology.Live and video workouts will be available throughout the year.A glass-enclosed lobby reminiscent of a fine luxury hotel will provide a bright note of welcome to members and their guests.The new fitness and wellness center will connect to the existing glass-enclosed indoor heated pool and to the clubhouse.

Phase II renovations are scheduled to commence early this summer and will transform the lower floor of the clubhouse while providing more casual spaces.Central to the Phase II plan is doubling the size of the existing Grille Room and its kitchen facilities to elevate the quality of casual dining at Quail West to a level similar to the clubs fine dining experience.Overlooking the lake on the first hole, the expanded casual dining will allow covered and open-air outdoor dining with table and patio seating surrounded by fire pits and the signature glass-enclosed indoor heated pool. Also included in Phase II will be the addition of acovered lower level entry; an enhanced salon and spa; an Internet Caf with take-out service; rooms for member private parties and catered events; bocce ball courts and an outdoor gazebo bar area; and a ballroom expansion that will take increased advantage of the upstairs views overlooking the water.

The design of the improved clubhouse spaces has been a cooperative effort of the clubs members, Humphrey Rosal Architects and Clive Daniel Home.Their design concept is intended to enhance the clubs current high-end finishes while incorporating new design elements consistent with the new building additions.The upper floor of the clubhouse has remained more formal with a transitional feel. The lower floor will be more casual and will tie in the traditional elements of the club with a more relaxed casual atmosphere presented by the lower floors corridor that will integrate golf, fitness, tennis, the salon and spa, and casual dining.

Renovations to Quail Wests two golf courses designed by golf course architect Arthur Hills are addressing enhancements to the irrigation systems, green complexes, adjacent grass areasand fairways.The renovation effort is focused on improving the playability of the Lakes and Preserve courses.The golf practice area is being enlarged to provide increased preparation and lesson space.The course enhancements are being overseen by J. Drew Rogers, a member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects highly regarded for his ability to undertake golf course renovation projects.Rogers is familiar with Quail Wests golf courses, having worked directly with Arthur Hills to design two nine-hole layouts that would later comprise the Lakes Course.With improvements to the Preserve Course already completed, work on the Lakes Course is underway and the course is expected to reopen by January2018.

The hallmark of Quail West is its commitment to luxury in all aspects of the community. Projected to include 678 luxurious single-family residences at build out, Quail West is expected to reach 500 completed homes this year.The enhancement initiative will meet the increased demand for a full-service community that satisfies the desires of todays faster paced, more active, and more connected lifestyles.

Quail West is east of Interstate 75, one mile south of Bonita Beach Road.Take Exit 116 (Bonita Beach Road) east.Turn right on Bonita Grande Drive and follow the signs to the sales center.Online at http://www.QuailWest.com.

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Phase II amenity enhancements set to begin at Quail West - Naples Daily News

Photo by Timothy Hursley

The Graphic House, a single-family residence in Fayetteville, has received a 2017 Housing Award from the American Institute of Architects.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. Several Arkansas design projects by Marlon Blackwell Architects have been recognized recently with national honors, including one that will be awarded today, April 28, at the American Institute of Architects Conference on Architecture 2017 in Orlando, Florida.

The Graphic House, a single-family residence in Fayetteville, has received a 2017 Housing Award from the AIA one of 14 projects recognized across four categories. These awards emphasize good housing as a necessity of life, a sanctuary for the human spirit, and a valuable national resource. Recipients show the world how beauty, safety, sustainability and comfort can come together.

Blackwell, an AIA Fellow, is the E. Fay Jones Chair in Architecture and a Distinguished Professor in the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design at the University of Arkansas. His professional firm is based in Fayetteville.

The Graphic House is home to a middle-income family of four, and it occupies a corner lot within a typical suburban neighborhood. The "L" configuration keeps the house's program on a single level, providing an accessible home for the family and simplifying the building's organization. The plan arrangement frames the landscape behind the house and responds to both residential scales of the primary and secondary neighborhood streets. The second story loft creates a strong figure, a bold graphic, along the primary street edge, giving prominence to the house while respecting the scale of the neighboring homes.

The landscape architecture for the project was done by Carl Smith, an associate professor in the Fay Jones School.

Blackwell won his only previous AIA Housing Award in 2008 for his design of theL-Stack House, his family's home in Fayetteville.

A clinic in Rogers and two educational facilities in Fayetteville designed by Blackwell's firm also have been recognized with design honors.

The Harvey Clinic in Rogers received a 2017 American Architecture Award from The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.

The American Architecture Awards, founded 23 years ago, are the nation's highest public awards given by a non-commercial, non-trade affiliated, public arts, culture and educational institution. The 79 award-winners were chosen from a shortlist of 300 buildings and urban planning projects from across the United States with types such as skyscrapers, corporate headquarters, hotels, parks, private homes, restorations and renovations, and retail facilities.

All awarded projects will be published in New American Architecture: Global Design + Urbanism XVII, published by Metropolitan Arts Press Ltd. This summer, a special exhibition of all awarded projects, called "New American Architecture," will take place at Contemporary Space in Athens, Greece.

The Vol Walker Hall and the Steven L. Anderson Design Center project home to the Fay Jones School won Platinum in Architectural Design/Educational Buildings in the 2016 American Architecture Prize. The addition and renovation to Vol Walker Hall on the U of A campus is a complex but resolute hybrid of a beautifully restored historical building (65,000 square feet) and a modern addition and insertion (37,000 square feet). The project team included Marlon Blackwell Architects as lead architects and Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects as associate architects.

The Fayetteville Montessori School Additions/Renovations project won Gold in Architectural Design/Educational Buildings in the 2016 American Architecture Prize. This project involved two interventions to the school that initially occupied a corner of the Colt Square office park in central Fayetteville. In 2012, an elementary facility was added, working within the constraints of a creek's floodplain. The two-story, steel-framed building holds a commercial kitchen and classrooms. In 2015, the school's growth demanded more classrooms for primary care. Blackwell's firm retrofitted a neighboring strip mall, making it accessible to the rest of campus by a pedestrian bridge.

The American Architecture Prize honors designs in the disciplines of architecture, interior design and landscape architecture with the goal of advancing the appreciation of architecture worldwide.Each submitted design was evaluated by the esteemed AAP Jury on its own merit based on form, function and innovation. Winning projects were given titles of platinum, gold, silver or bronze levels, along with honorable mentions from many distinguished submissions.

Editor-selected comments will be published below. No abusive material, personal attacks, profanity, spam or material of a similar nature will be considered for publication.

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Marlon Blackwell Architects Recognized With Second AIA Housing ... - University of Arkansas Newswire

April 30, 2017, 3:21 p.m.

Over the weekend, nearly 40,000 LGBTQ-friendlypeople and lovers of drag descended upon the Los Angeles Convention Center for RuPaul's DragCon. In its third year, thecelebration of the art of drag, queer culture and self-expression for all" featured panel discussions, drag "herstory" sessions, and fashion and makeup workshops for men and women.

Think Comic-Con, but for drag queens.

One of the most attended panels of the weekend was titled What Is Drag in Trumps America?,hosted by the new purveyors of scathing political takes, Teen Vogue. It featured the outspoken Bobthe Drag Queen, Eureka OHara and Alaska, standout and fan favorites from "RuPaul's Drag Race" -- which, in its ninth season,moved from Logo TV to VH1 this year.

One of this year's additions was theKid Zone, an area dedicated to drag's youngest fans.

"We did it because we recognize that there are so many young people, from 3 to 11 or so," RuPaul told The Times ahead of DragCon. "I think young parents know how important it is to expose their children to this diversity, especially in this current political climate. This is a place where they can go and expand their lives and see that there is more than one way to live a successful, abundant life. It doesn't have to exist in this box, and it involves all the colors in the crayon box. We are so proud of this because it gives our queens an opportunity to meet them, fans that wouldnt necessarily go to a nightclub to see them."

A210,000-square-foot exhibitor space has more than 200 vendors selling drag-related merchandise and makeup. The world's most famous drag queen also had a booth, where he signed autographs and sold all things RuPaul.

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Thousands of drag lovers flock to RuPaul's DragCon at LA Convention Center - Los Angeles Times

Utah went on the road to eliminate Los Angeles and advance to the Western Conference semifinals against the defending conference-champion Golden State Warriors. USA TODAY Sports

Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) sets a screen on Los Angeles Clippers guard Raymond Felton (2) as Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) drives to the basket in Game 7.(Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports)

LOS ANGELES Of all the NBAs superstar sagas, those annual subplots where a certain team is hoping to hold onto a certain player in free agency by proving itself in the playoffs, Gordon Haywards was as overlooked as they come.

All season long, the talk in NBA circles was about Paul George and his uncertain future with the Indiana Pacers, or this Clippers team that has Blake Griffin, Chris Paul and J.J. Redickheaded toward free agency this summer, or the Atlanta Hawks with Paul Millsap or the Toronto Raptors with Kyle Lowry. Playing in Salt Lake City, like the 27-year-old Hayward has since coming out of Butler back in 2010, sometimes means you get lost in the shuffle.

Unless, of course, you seize the national spotlight like Hayward and the Jazz did by downing the Clippers 104-91 in Game 7 at Staples Center on Sunday afternoon.And suddenly, with the Golden State Warriors looming in the second round and Hayward getting a taste of postseason success that can only help Utahs cause when July 1 rolls around, Haywards underappreciated talents are front and center for all to see like never before.

Yeah, its a huge win for us, especially because going from 20 to 30 to 40 to 50 wins, or whatever we did, and for me being there the whole time, it was cool, Hayward, who had 26 points and eight rebounds, told USA TODAY Sports. The fans being loyal through the ups and the downs (was big), too.

Los Angeles Clippers center Marreese Speights (5) defends a shot by Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) in the second half of Game 7.(Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports)

As Hayward sat at his locker after Game 7, his shirt off and a dog tag swinging from his neck, he reflected on this impressive Jazz rebuild that has put them at this point.It was only three seasons ago that after plucking general manager Dennis Lindsey from the San Antonio Spurs in the summer of 2012 they won just 25 games and seemed to be on the verge of losing Hayward.

He signed an offer sheet with Michael Jordans Charlotte Hornets, only to see the Jazz match and make it clear he was their foundation. Then came Rudy Gobert, the prized big man who came their way as the 27th pick from the Denver Nuggets via trade on draft night in 2013. Derrick Favors. George Hill. Veteran additions like Joe Johnson, Boris Diaw, Joe Ingles and the rest. Before long, Hayward had a whole lot more to be happy about when it came to his supporting cast.

Latest NBA playoff coverage:

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And now, the NBAs Goliath looms.

As playoff rewards go, it doesnt get much worse than this for a Jazz team that fell to the Warriors twice in three regular season matchups (Dec. 8 at Utah, Warriors win 106-99; Dec. 20 in Oakland, Warriors win 104-74; April 10 in Oakland, Jazz win 105-99). Not only do the Jazz have to face a Warriors team won a league-best 67 games in the regular season despite missing Kevin Durant for 20 games because of a left knee injury. Theyll be seeing the rested-and-recovered version.

Golden State will be playing Game 1 on Tuesday after eight days of rest, having last played in their Game 4 win over Portland in the first round on April 24.In that time, the calf problem that kept Durant on the sideline for two games in the first round has healed.

Oh man, I dont think you can give just a quick scouting report against those guys, said Hayward, who paused briefly as third-year coach Quin Snyder came to his locker for a postgame hug.No, its something where you try to contain those three (Durant, Steph Curry and Klay Thompson), make the other guys beat you, but I know well look at it (on Monday). I really havent even thought about it. I put it out of my mind.

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Sam Amick on Twitter @Sam_Amick.

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Unsung Jazz star Gordon Hayward praises team's loyal fans as Warriors await - USA TODAY

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We work with clients with all kinds of budgets. Cabinets tend to be one of the most expensive pieces a kitchen remodel. We not only have access to high end products, but also high quality inexpensive ones to help save you money.

Being without a kitchen for an extended period of time can be stressful on the entire family. We strive to make the process as smooth as possible by working quickly, staying ahead of schedule, and constantly communicating throughout the entire process.

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If youre thinking about any kind of kitchen remodeling in Colorado Springs, start and end with Homefix. We look forward to serving you soon. (719) 749-1788

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Kitchen Remodeling - Colorado Springs voted "Best of 2016"

Meet the award winners of the Lake Erie LifeStyle home remodeling contest.

Brace yourself. You're going to want to remodel. Once you see the winners and other entrants in the GoErie.com remodeling contest, you're going to get the bug to replace something. Maybe move a wall. Or maybe not, but the entries were impressive.

In all, 20 homeowners entered their impressive before and after photos of their bathrooms and kitchens, and readers voted on their favorites. The winners are:Brian and Lisa Waugaman for best bath and Christopher and Stephanie Rhodes for best kitchen.

A new century takes over master bath

Brian and Lisa Waugamandidn't really plan to gut their 1999 master bathroom. It all started innocently enough when they wanted to just update it. "We had started to tear down the wallpaper to repaint, and we were going to keep it pretty much the same," Lisa Waugaman said.

But then her husband Brian noted that they had not used the large Jacuzzi tub more than 10 times in 17 years. "We knew it needed to go, along with all the oak cabinets and large mirrors. The ongoing joke in our house was '1999 called and wanted their bathroom back,'" Lisa Waugaman said.

Gutting the space enabled them to move things around and add a double vanity with more storage, a large walk-in shower and a totally different look that provided a bit of industrial charm. This Waterford couplefound most of what they needed locally. "We were really lucky. We wanted the chalk paint look, and we found the cabinetry at Legion Plumbing. It was the last of that cabinetry; it was scheduled to be discontinued," she said.The spacious shower includesdual shower heads in the ceiling and a shower wand.

The Waugamans had hiredPrestige Services, of Harborcreek, to do the work after meeting the owner at the 2016 Home and Garden Expo. Prestige also crafted handmade barn doors to complete the look. The combination of stainless steel sinks, rustic looking flooring and distressed white cabinetry achieved what Waugaman called Industrial Farm Chic.

The Waugamans also selected Prosource for flooring and shower tiles along with some fixtures.The process started in October and wrapped up in December.

Would they change anything? Not really. The dramatic change in appearance provided a winning combination.

One wall kitchen

Stephanie Rhodes said that she and her husband, Christopher, and their families and friends, worked to completely renovate the kitchen in their Edinboro home. The former kitchen was bound by a few walls, and the couple decided to remove the wall between the kitchen and dining room and open it all to the living room as well. While trusses supported the ceiling, Stephanie Rhodes said she wanted a barn beam to add some aesthetics. "It just wasn't feasible, but we asked Hobbs Lumber to make a beam that we wrapped and stained," she said.

Stephanie Rhodes said this wasn't the first remodeling project she and her husband had tackled. As fans of Pinterest and HGTV, she shared that she is always changing up her home design. "It's a joke to friends," she said.

The former kitchen had dark cabinets and light laminate flooring, but the couple chose to install dark flooring and light cabinetry the exact opposite of what they'd had. Stephanie said she loved dark cabinets but decided the espresso floor would make a nice base and contrast for the cabinetry. "It's not a large space and we didn't want it to look too dark," she said.

The Edinboro couple found everything they wanted locally with some knickknacks from antiques shops. Cabinetry, quartz counters and appliances were from Home Depot with some other appliances from Sears. The colors were based on popular colors and trends. "The gray grabbed me, and we had worked with Home Depot before. This was by far the biggest remodel though," she said.

In crafting the spacious island, Rhodes said it was a must because she knew she had really only one wall for cabinets. The outside wall had patio doors and windows and the space was open to the living room and dining area. Rhodes said she wanted cabinetry and workspace and it all worked out with cabinets the entire way around the island. When it came to lighting, the couple added a bit of industrial charm with pendant lights over the island and a more industrial fixture over the dining area. She found everything she wanted from the Hite Company in Millcreek. "They were wonderful. They had exactly what we wanted, and we could order anything we needed," she said.

The couple followed national trends that National Kitchen and Bath Magazine noted as topping the charts. White and gray are the latest home decor colors, and the magazine says wood cabinets are the top choice and quartz countertops get the nod over granite and other surfaces.

"We wanted to mix old and new but keep it clean and simple," Rhodes said.The DIY project included a lot of help from friends and family, so the project took about three months, she said, but they saved a lot of money. "We had a tight budget, and now we can all gather in one space without being cramped," she said.

Stylish entries

While two homeowners were named winners, all of the entries showed off a flair for some fabulous design trends.Ceramic tile that looks like wood, vessel bowl sinks and a whole lot more were among the contemporary items Erie homeowners added to their kitchens and baths when remodeling. In addition, crown molding added some finishing touches and industrial lighting was a big winner.Double vanities and dual mirrors replaced single vanities and subway tile, mosaic borders and frosted glass were among the popular items.

Many of the entrants were unafraid to move walls, and it enabled them to create amazing spaces.

Winners will receive $100 gift cards. To see all the entries, visitwww.GoErie.com/remodel, but be warned, you'll want to remodel something. LEL

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Meet kitchen, bath winners in remodeling contest - GoErie.com