By far, the most popular remodel on every homeowners wish list is the kitchen. Anyone who has ever done or attempted this task is familiar with the dizzying array of choices and decisions to be made, not to mention the budget-busting attributes of our most sought-after features. A kitchen remodel is a wise investment, (some say a 60-70 percent return), but can cost far more than you think.

Hidden appliances, painted cabinets, mixed and/or complementary colors, white shiplap, mixed hardware finishes, quartz, marble and butcher-block countertops, and tall cabinets are all on trend in kitchen remodels.

For everyone who wants to create a spectacular kitchen, though, step back and take a deep breath. Remember that no kitchen remodel, however modest, is ever simple or fast, so start by prioritizing your list and deciding whom you want on your team.

Even if you want to do some of the work yourself, it is highly recommended that you have one or more of the following helping you: general contractor/project manager, designer, architect, and tradespeople. Tradespeople needed can include an electrician, plumber, tile professional, solid surface fabricator, carpenter, painter, and even a demolition expert. Planning the expertise you should utilize to help you will help to avoid costly mistakes. For example, if you want to replace flooring and cabinets, which comes first? (Usually it is the flooring). If you want to change the layout, will your existing refrigerator fit? A professional can make sure you make the right decisions in the right order.

As with any design project, its good to peruse photos in magazines or on line and pick out features you like. You might like this cabinet with that counter and those faucets. This process can help guide you as you plan your new kitchen.

Think about your familys lifestyle, as well as your kitchen designs longevity, timelessness, functionality, and efficiency. Use those criteria when selecting everything from your space plan, to the furniture, to the appliances. Do you and your family like to cook, or gather around in the kitchen for entertaining, or is the kitchen merely a place to grab a snack and go? Do you want professional level appliances and work stations, or is performance secondary to cost and simplicity?

On the other hand, if your preference is for a kitchen that is primarily used for entertaining, your design focus ought to be about making sure specialty features are integrated in the space to make serving food and beverage easy. Finally, if space is a problem, seek storage solutions that work for you.

Once you have some idea of what function and look your future kitchen should have, research options and get someone to help you with the layout. Both these steps are critical in avoiding costly mistakes and developing a realistic plan.

The style of the kitchen should also complement and blend seamlessly with other rooms in your house as well. An ultra sleek and modern kitchen might look out of place in a home that is otherwise more traditional.

While we may have a picture in our minds of our ideal kitchen, maybe we cannot afford it or maybe it will not fit in the existing space. So doing the homework is really important. Only then can you choose the finishes and touches that will make your new kitchen the special place it will become.

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Remodeling a kitchen - Napa Valley Register

6 ways to save money on a home remodel Dayton Daily News You can save a lot of money on your kitchen and bathroom remodel by simply working with existing plumbing. Ask your contractor: As you are interviewing potential contractors for your project, explain to them your vision and what you hope to achieve at ...

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6 ways to save money on a home remodel - Dayton Daily News

The Georgia Department of Transportations district office could have a new address by January.

The agency is planning to lease part of a new three-story office building under construction off Jesse Jewell Parkway, next to North Georgia Eye, in Gainesville.

Our (current) building is very outdated, DOT district spokeswoman Katie Strickland said.

To renovate would be very expensive and not practical. This move will allow GDOT to lease the space, not wait to build a new building.

District staff now works out of a 55-year-old building off Athens Highway/U.S. 129 and Gillsville Highway/Ga. 323 in East Hall. The building is likely a familiar sight for motorists, with its dated architecture and rusting metal awning covering the windows.

Probably the last time we did any maintenance work on the building was 1963, District Engineer Brent Cook said jokingly during a transportation forum in March at the University of North Georgias Gainesville campus.

Its in pretty rough shape. Were excited about (the move).

While officials will be clearing out of the building, we will not be taking everything, as we will still have our maintenance equipment/large equipment that will remain on the premises, Strickland said.

The new building will be 67,500 square feet in size and very similar to the adjacent medical office building, said Matt Tate, Gainesvilles planning manager.

Its anticipated completion is June 1, he said.

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DOT plans to move from East Hall location to Gainesville - Gainesville Times

The Cincinnati Reds finished at the bottom of the National League Central Division last season with a record of 68-94, four games better than 2015.

They were 32-57 in the first half but fashioned a respectable 36-37 record after the All-Star break.

Ask Hal: Price still needs to keep winning to keep managing

Its time to go out there and figure out what we can do, manager Bryan Price said. We have a nice group of regulars. We cant just settle for 72 wins, we have to set much higher goals. To do that we need a lot of step-up from a group of young guys.

Here are five story lines to follow as the season begins Monday at Great American Ball Park against the Phillies:

Young pitchers

Two rookies begin the season in the starting rotation. Rookie Davis and Amir Garrett will join Brandon Finnegan, who at 23 is two weeks older than Davis and younger than Garrett. Veterans Scott Feldman, 34, and the ancient yet youthful Bronson Arroyo, 40, are the veteran presences.

RELATED: Rookie Reds lead the pitching staff

Homer Bailey and Anthony DeSclafani are recovering from injuries. Bailey had surgery to remove bone chips from his elbow in early February. He wont be ready until at least June. DeSclafani was shut down for three weeks and will need at least six weeks to build stamina.

Five other young arms Sal Romano, Cody Reed, Robert Stephenson, Tim Adleman and Louis Castillo are knocking on the door and fans can be confident they will be in the rotation in the near future.

Reed and Stephenson will learn on the job in the bullpen for now, available for emergency starts.

A better bullpen

A year ago, J.J. Hoover was given the closers role to lose when Aroldis Chapman was traded to the New York Yankees. And he lost it.

RELATED: 5 things to know about Opening Day

This year, Drew Storen, a closer with Washington, signed as a free agent and joins Tony Cingrani, Raisel Iglasias and Michael Lorenzen at the back end of the bullpen.

I would like to see all four of them get some save opportunities, Price said. Storen, Iglesias and Cingrani have done it before. Lorenzen not so much but hes built for it.

Rookies Barrett Astin, acquired in the trade for Jonathan Broxton in 2014, and Wandy Peralta, a left-hander, are other bullpen arms, with Reed and Stephenson also available.

Three shortstops

The Reds start the season with an athletic, more youthful infield. They traded Brandon Phillips, who at 34 was blocking the progress of Jose Peraza. Peraza, who was a shortstop in the Atlanta system but has moved to second base, started 29 games at shortstop with the Reds. He can also play the outfield.

RELATED: Betting on Reds to win World Series could pay off big time

Eugenio Suarez was a shortstop coming up in the Detroit Tigers system. He replaced Zack Cozart in 2015 when Cozart suffered a season-ending knee injury. Suarez became an everyday player by moving to third when Todd Frazier was traded.

Cozart, still the regular shortstop, returns healthy and stronger two years removed from knee surgery.

This group has the ability to save the young pitching staff by cutting off ground balls ticketed for the outfield. They should be able to prevent runs, turn hits into outs and allow pitchers to go deeper in games.

Mesoracos health

Catcher Devin Mesoraco had a breakout year with the bat in 2014 but injuries limited the 28-year old to 39 games the last two seasons.

Mesoraco appears fully recovered but the Reds want him to work back to 100 percent before he is activated. Tucker Barnhart will be the top catcher until Mesoraco is ready to share the workload.

Stuart Turner is making the jump from Class AA. He had a good spring at the plate and was able to learn the pitching staff but the Reds have to keep him on the 25-man roster all season or offer him back to Minnesota after acquiring him in the Rule 5 draft.

Rob Brantly was farmed out but had a good camp.

A potent lineup

Scott Schebler, in right field, and Peraza are new additions to the everyday lineup.

I am excited about having Schebler and Peraza for a full season, Price said.

Schebler replaces Jay Bruce, who was traded to the New York Mets. The 26-year old struggled early last season trying to platoon with Adam Duvall in left. The Reds sent him to Louisville to play every day and he responded by hitting .311 with 13 home runs. After Bruce was traded, Schebler came back to Cincinnati and hit much better, belting nine home runs.

Peraza hit .281 in 71 games at Louisville and .324 in 72 games in Cincinnati. Even limited to half a season, Peraza ranked high among rookies in seven offensive categories. Price will put him behind Billy Hamilton at the top of the lineup to give the team two speedsters in front of Joey Votto.

Votto just needs to be himself. He struggled until the All-Star break then hit nearly .400 the second half. Staying healthy is the only question mark for the 33-year old who finished seventh in the MVP voting.

Duvall took control in left with surprisingly good defense for a player who was a third baseman in the minors. He finished strong this spring, hitting three home runs in the last two games. Last season he led all left fielders with 33 home runs, six triples and 103 RBIs. With Hamilton, Peraza and Votto hitting in front of him, he should be able to drive in a lot of runs.

Saurez started 2016 as one of the hottest hitters in the National League. He went into a slump but recovered late in the season and finished strong. Cozarts .252 batting average was consistent with his other years but he contributed a career-high 16 home runs in 121 games.

Cozart believes this Reds team is better than many think.

We have that underdog mentality, Cozart said. Were going to surprise some people this year.

A key, of course, will be Hamilton, wholl lead off. He started to get on base more last season and the Reds hope it continues.

It is important that Billy sees himself as a leadoff guy, Price said. Thats what we started to see at the end of last year. His two-strike approach and his management of the strike zone was vastly improved.

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Cincinnati Reds: 5 story lines to watch in 2017 - MyDaytonDailyNews

The term employee-friendly building is something that Bruce Kramer, the vice chairman of Consumer Direct Care Network, likes to use to describe the companys shiny new 72,000-square-foot headquarters in Missoula.

With no administrative offices in the corners of the four-story building so that more people can enjoy natural light, a huge second-story rooftop deck, and a special Liquid Planet coffee/snack lounge, the $23 million project was designed with the input of the companys 235 workers who will begin calling it home in April.

Weve made a lot of investment in employee-centered spaces, Kramer explained on a recent tour of the new facility, which has been under construction for 19 months.

Weve had a program of communication since we started on this, he continued. We started involving employees two years ago and the excitement has been building.

Right now, Consumer Directs Missoula employees are spread over five different locations across town.

Thats the genesis of, Why should we have a new building? Well, so we can get together and work more efficiently and work with our other teams and then also have facilities that we werent able to have when we were all spread out, Kramer said.

Consumer Direct Care Network was founded in Missoula in 1990 to provide in-home nursing care. Since then, its range of services has expanded in both scope and size to include a broad spectrum of services in 13 states and the District of Columbia.

We are an in-home care service provider primarily, but we also do behavioral counseling and hospice and other services, Kramer said. Primarily, our business is caregivers going into homes and helping support people with ADL, active daily living. The idea is to keep people in their homes versus going to an assisted living nursing home. Their home is the least costly environment and also the environment that people tend to want to live in, anyway.

The ground floor of the new headquarters will include a reception area and spaces for behavioral specialists, nurses, hospice workers and caregivers. The second through fourth floors will house employees who support the Montana offices and other offices across the country. They specialize in quality improvement, billing, administrative, development, marketing and accounts receivable.

The company provides services to 16,000 individuals across the United States, and employs more than 25,000 direct support professionals. The Missoula offices support more than 300 employees total, although not all of them have actual desks in the office.

The new building is located at 100 Consumer Direct Way, and is one of the first anchor businesses in the North Reserve/Scott Street Urban Renewal District.

Kramer says the companys bankers used to joke with him that the graph of the number of the companys employees on payroll is always a straight diagonal line going up meaning the employee numbers steadily grow every year.

Weve been a growing business and continue to be a growing business, he said. So weve built a little larger than we are obviously so we have some room to expand.

In fact, the companys state director Katie Spaid pointed out that the new reception area has three dedicated spaces for potential hires to fill out job applications.

Were always looking for good people to hire, she said. Nurses, she added, are in high demand, along with a variety of other positions for qualified applicants.

Marie Wilson of In2itive Architecture in Missoula designed the building. She said it is one of the largest projects shes ever been involved with, besides some new additions on the Montana State University campus.

The clients definitely wanted to create some interesting and flexible workspaces within the building, she said. We achieved that (with) both inside and outside seating areas. We have one of the largest outdoor rooftop decks, right now, in the state.

Wilson said employees actually had a say in how the building looks and feels.

The outside went through two completely different concepts, she said. One that was very modern and one that was very traditional, that would have fit in in Vail or Boulder or somewhere like that pretty comfortably. And these guys, Consumer Direct, polled a large portion of their staff not just for the spaces they were going to be using but also for where did they want to come to work every day? I dont know if it was the majority but definitely they landed on the modern side. So thats the direction we took and had a little bit of fun with it.

Kramer is especially proud of the fact that, unlike in many corporate office buildings, the administrators didnt get all the choice corner space.

We have no offices in the corner, he said. We intentionally did that with the design to try to have an employee-friendly building with lots of light coming in to the center core.

The building features a raised floor system that allows for low-pressure air circulation and easy access to electrical and plumbing structures.

There will be a grand opening this spring, Kramer added. The company has been giving tours to employees, and the first few will move in the first week of April.

People are excited, he said.

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Consumer Direct Care Network to move 235 workers into massive new headquarters - The Missoulian

PHOENIX Much was made of the Cardinals struggles in special teams last season, as they had troubles in virtually every aspect.

In 2016, the Cardinals were 31stin field goal percentage and 23rd on PATs, while ranking last in the league inpunting.

Arizona was also 16th in kick return yardage and 29th when it came to returning punts. For good measure, the Cardinals ranked in the bottom half of the league when it came to defending both kick and punt returns.

The team made an effort to fix the kicking game, signing punter Matt Wile late in the year and then adding veteran kicker Phil Dawson in free agency, but in terms of the return game, little has changed.

However, Arians is not so sure the teams primary returners are currently on the roster.

I think that is one of the wide-open things in the draft, he said at the NFC Coaches Breakfast at the Arizona Biltmore Wednesday.

Arians said he was disappointed in Andre Ellington, who returned kicks last year but had been battling injuries. The now-healthy Ellington will have to prove he can handle punts from left-footed kickers, which he struggled to do in practice. Arians said that led to a loss of confidence.

He should have a chance as a kickoff returner/punt returner, but hes got to do a hell of a lot better than he did last year, Arians said. He knows it.

J.J. (Nelson), thats why we drafted him; he broke the thumb early in camp last year and lost his confidence catching them and didnt want to be back there. John Brown was doing a heck of a job until he got hurt, so weve got some guys.

The coach noted hes looking to add a player in the draft who could compete for the returner role, which makes sense. What did not make sense, at least to some people, was Arians decision to leave Amos Jones in place as the special teams coordinator.

Ive been around him for so long, I know how good a coach he is, I watch him coach, Arians said, before noting that injuries and down seasons from the kickers were the real issue. It aint got a damn thing to do with coaching he didnt kick, he didnt snap.

Arians belief is that the teams issues there were not related to the coach.

If I thought it was something to do with the coach, wed address it, he said.

To Arians, improvement on special teams will come not only from the teams additions, but key contributors getting healthy.

Getting Alani Fua back, and Mo (Ifeanyi Momah) back, Gabe (Martin) back theyre all in competition, he said. But our four or five cover guys were all on IR.

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Arians: Additions, better health will lead to improved special teams play - Arizona Sports

Schell Brothers, By Pam George Published 1:24 p.m. ET March 31, 2017 | Updated 1:26 p.m. ET March 31, 2017

Coastal Club(Photo: Schell Brothers)

With a name like Coastal Club, a gated community of new residences in Lewes, sets a high bar from the start. But as buyers are finding out, Coastal Club not only meets all these expectations but it also exceeds them. The fastest-selling community at the beach, Coastal Club has been making waves for its amenities and, thanks to Schell Brothers, its floor plans. Witness the difference firsthand on April 8, when Schell Brothers debuts a new model home, The Mayberry.

A resort at a resort

Coastal Club(Photo: Schell Brothers)

Coastal Club symbolizes Schell Brothers quest to bring happiness to homebuyers. Whether you like to walk, bike, swim or socialize, this community has what it takes to make you smile.

Coastal Club is loaded with recreational opportunities, starting with the resort-style pool that opened last year. The spacious pool deck

includes a leisure pool with an infinity edge that lets water spill into an adjoining lake. Close your eyes and listen to the soothing sound of falling water.

You can cool off in more ways than one. The pool also features a swim-up bar with wet and dry seats. Children, meanwhile, can play in their own areas designed just for them. Theres a two-story high-speed water slide, a pirate ship, a splash zone, fountains and water bucket drops.

Coastal Club(Photo: Schell Brothers)

On land, take your dog for a walk on the 3.1-mile wooded Eagle View Trail. Meet neighbors for a game of tennis, bocce, horseshoes or pickleball. The Lighthouse Club, a gorgeous clubhouse that will open

this summer, will include a bar, coffee lounge and fitness center. In 2018, the clubhouse will also feature an indoor pool.

The activities, the clubhouse and the pool give residents plenty of opportunities to meet eachother. Homeowners are also forming social clubs to pursue shared interests.

Diverse designs all in one place

Schell Brothers has received awards for its floor plans, exterior design and eco-friendly building approaches. The newest model, The Mayberry, is proof of why Schell Brothers is worthy of so many recognitions. The new model is one of Schell Brothers most popular designs. Customers appreciate the ranch plans one-floor living, long front porch and flexibility. This design accommo

dates from three to six bedrooms and two to five-and-a-half bathrooms.

No matter the size, The Mayberry has an open floor plan that seamlessly integrates the great room, kitchen and dining area. Tour the home during the grand opening, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 8.

Coastal Club(Photo: Schell Brothers)

In addition to The Mayberry, Schell Brothers portfolio includes a wide range of floor plans to suit a variety of lifestyles. Grandparents with frequent visitors might consider a two-story with a first-floor owners suite and second-floor bedrooms. Homesites that can handle basements are available for those who want finished lower levels. The equally large list of options lets you personalize your home. Outdoor living upgrades, including a courtyard with a water feature, are among the most popular additions.

Because twin homes were so well received in Breakwater, Schell Brothers sold-out community near downtown Lewes, the builder is introducing this style of residence to Coastal Club. Buyers appreciate the low maintenance features and first-floor living.

Coastal Club(Photo: Schell Brothers)

All of Schell Brothers designs include Schellter Advanced Building Science, smart technology that leads to an eco-friendly, energy-efficient home that is kind to your health and to your budget. Every Coastal Club home has natural gas heat.

Act now to receive $20,000 off your new home with an additional $5,000 toward closing costs.

Close to the coast

Coastal Club is in an ideal location that is minutes from the unique shops and award-winning restaurants in downtown Lewes and downtown Rehoboth and Cape Henlopen State Park. The community is in the Cape Henlopen School District.

The location and the abundance of amenities appeal to those whove vacationed at the Delaware beach for decades. Whether they stay in the community or head to the beach, every day is a holiday in their new home.

THE COMMUNITY PRICE: Homes start from the $300s, after special incentives ADDRESS: 31611 Exeter Way, Lewes, DE 19958 PHONE: (302) 228-2719 HOURS: Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. WEBSITE: schellatcoastalclub.com

Visit Coastal Club on April 8, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., to tour The Mayberry, the newest model home in Coastal Club.

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Toast of the Coast - The News Journal

These popular outdoor living spaces offer a wide variety of choices for design and materials.

By Daniel Westbrook

Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties

Q: Im looking to install a deck in the coming months. What do I need to know beforehand?

A: Over my 30-some-odd-year career, Ive had the opportunity to build a lot of decks, from extremely custom to quite simple. Decks can include railings, stairs, covers, trellises, lighting, privacy and different levels. They can be square or radius, with many different uses. They provide a footprint of expanded living space and entry access, and are used for cooking, entertaining, lounging and experiencing the outdoors at home.

Its no wonder that these outdoor spaces offer such a wide variety of choices for design and materials; so much so, in fact, that it can be difficult to know what might be best for your needs or wants.

Here are some of the main things to consider when deciding what type of deck space might work best for you.

Identify where the deck is going to be and why. For instance, is it going to be used for barbecuing, where you will need immediate access to the kitchen, or do you want to expand space off the bedroom to create an area for downtime? Is it down off the first floor, or up off the yard tying into a second story? Are you interested in having it covered to extend the season, or perhaps carry a hot tub where extra engineering and privacy might be important?

The key here is thinking it through so when its time to call a deck builder, youll be able to communicate clearly what kind of usage you want, and where its going to be built. Sometimes, it might be necessary to call a designer or architect to help you through that process.

When it comes to building a deck off the second floor as opposed to the first floor, there are a few more things to consider.

Because the deck is high, the understructure can typically be seen, so it should be built to be visually pleasing. There is often usable exterior space below, too, so consider how this view will look and feel and if you want to keep things dry underneath. If so, maybe a waterproof design is best.

Another thing to consider when building a second-story deck is if access to the yard is desired. If so, the footprint of a stair structure does have an impact on the yard space. Stairs should be located where access to the yard from above is easy, but still out of the way from traffic flow in the yard below. Plus, the structure should be visually pleasing and not feel like a barrier.

Once usage, location and access are identified, its time to think about your decks design. Design has three components: architecture, materials and engineering. All three work together to result in a solidly built deck that has the desired final look and feel.

Maybe an unobstructed view is important, so a glass railing may be best, which affects architecture and materials. A hot tub is heavy and affects structural engineering and space design. Privacy affects architecture, materials and maybe engineering by way of tie-in posts for structural strength, or with trellises additions or lattice work.

Also in the mix to consider is maintenance over time. For instance, wood will require more maintenance than composite materials. In considering materials, there are many types and choices within types, so do your due diligence.

After all of that, I have two final recommendations: 1) Go through the process of getting a permit, and 2) stop by a lumber company that has a variety of material samples and knowledgeable individuals to help you learn.

Daniel Westbrook is the founder and owner of Westbrook Restorations and a member of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties, and HomeWork is the groups weekly column. If you have a home improvement, remodeling or residential homebuilding question youd like answered by one of the MBAs more than 2,800 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.

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HomeWork: Key things to consider before building a deck - Seattle Times

COTTONWOOD Three of Cottonwood-Oak Creeks schools will see improvements this summer in the last phase of the districts Capital Bond projects.

Thanks to the $15 million Capital Bond approved three years ago by the communitys voters, parking lot work at Dr. Daniel Bright, Mountain View Preparatory and Oak Creek schools, as well as drainage and surface work throughout the district will be started and completed this summer.

On Haydon Corporations summer agenda are a redesign of the parking lot at Dr. Daniel Bright School, as well as a separation of bus lanes from the parent pickup and drop-off lanes at Oak Creek School and Mountain View Preparatory.

The redesign of the parking lot at Dr. Daniel Bright School will include moving the parent pickup and drop-off lanes from beside the bus lanes to up on the hill, and keeping the bus lanes below.

Haydon Corporation will also construct a new stairway and wheelchair ramp expected to improve student- and parent-access to the schools front entrance.

New asphalt will also be added at the three schools after construction is completed. Also, the walking track at both Cottonwood Elementary and Cottonwood Middle schools will be repaired and resurfaced.

Other Capital Bond work at COCSD this summer includes window replacement in the 500 and 800 buildings at Cottonwood Middle School, remodeling the front office at Cottonwood Middle School, as well as work in several of the bathrooms throughout the district.

The district will replace fire alarm systems at Cottonwood Elementary, Cottonwood Middle and Oak Creek schools, as well as at the District Office, also known as the Clemenceau Building. Cottonwood-Oak Creek will also contract to upgrade some of the oldest carpet in classrooms at CES, CMS and OCS.

The cost of these projects is expected to use most of the remaining bond funds, according to COCSD.

Though the district has another seven years to spend the remaining bond funds.

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Cottonwood-Oak Creek prepares for summer Capital Bond projects - Verde Independent

THE MAYOR'S UPDATEVolunteers make many things possible in Kiel Tri-County News The renovations will include interior painting of the rooms, new carpeting of the living room and porch areas, window treatments, new furniture and interior dcor upgrades. Exterior upgrades will include window repair and paint, door replacements, deck ...

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THE MAYOR'S UPDATEVolunteers make many things possible in Kiel - Tri-County News