Houston, TX (PRWEB) March 27, 2014

When shopping for materials intended for building projects, it's always important to have certain metrics for determining their quality. This includes lumber (or timber), which remains one of the most popular building materials. Because of greater exposure to the elements, lumber used for the exterior of housing projects are especially in need of specially treated options. One such process is pressure treatment, and recently Houston-based company Bayou City Lumber introduced new inventories of pressure treated lumber options.

In business since the mid-1990s, Bayou City Lumber is far from the average lumber yard. The yard itself spans 8.5 acres, and is filled with virtually all building materials imaginable. The company's personnel has a combined 100 years of experience in the construction industry. For the past two decades Bayou City Lumber has been committed to providing the Houston and Eastern Texas area in general with high-quality materials, including those materials certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and noted for their energy efficiency.

With pressure treatment options, Bayou City Lumber extends the life of their lumber. This means that the wood remains more durable over time and has a stronger resistance to destructive forces, such as fire, fungus, insects, and rust. Bayou City Lumber has three types of pressure treated lumber products. Surfaced timbers come with a smooth finish; and they are perfect for gazebos, decks, and bulkhead walers and pilings. Large timbers are noted for their full sizes and greater strength due to more mass. Thus, they are best suited for boat houses, bridges, and house pilings. Also available in full size are rough timbers, which are characterized by their rough sawmill finish. This option is particularly pressure treated for ground contact, freshwater or saltwater. This makes it an ideal option for piers, in addition to barns and timber trusses. It is also the ideal option for builders who want to go with a rough look. The new inventory of pressure treated lumber expands upon Bayou City Lumber's large inventory and expands the construction options available to Houston-area residents.

About Founded in 1994, Bayou City Lumber gradually expanded their services in timber to include other building materials like poles, pilings, and fire retardants. Bayou City Lumber work on everything from residential houses to buildings of large corporations. The company is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) in recognition for its commitment to responsible forestry and green building, respectively. The company can be reached by phone at 713-991-2377.

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Bayou City Lumber Announces New Inventories of Pressure Treated Lumber

Aftermath of the house fire in the village of Battisford.

Matt Hunter Friday, March 21, 2014 1:48 PM

The owners of a home gutted in a devastating thatch fire are today trying to rebuild their lives.

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Annie Hand was alone in her dream cottage in Battisford, near Stowmarket, yesterday evening, oblivious to the fire that had started above her at about 4.50pm. It was only when one of her neighbours friends banged on the door that she got out and realised the nightmare that was developing around her.

She said: I was at home when it started, totally unaware that it was alight. The neighbour was banging on the door and said your house is on fire!

When I was outside I saw the thatch was alight below the chimney. I went round the back to get the dogs and it had already spread. It was clear it had been burning for a while.

Ms Hand was at the home, in Mill Road, waiting for her partner Ian Bell, who works in Hertfordshire for a logistics and freight firm, to return.

She said: He was coming off the A14 when the fire trucks came past and the bowsers - but thought they could not be for us. He then followed them up the road home.

Its the worst nightmare if you live in a thatch. You take the risk but you dont think its going to happen.

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Video: Owners speak after their dream cottage in Battisford is destroyed in thatch fire

Aftermath of the house fire in the village of Battisford.

Matt Hunter Friday, March 21, 2014 1:48 PM

The owners of a home gutted in a devastating thatch fire are today trying to rebuild their lives.

To send a link to this page to a friend, you must be logged in.

Annie Hand was alone in her dream cottage in Battisford, near Stowmarket, yesterday evening, oblivious to the fire that had started above her at about 4.50pm. It was only when one of her neighbours friends banged on the door that she got out and realised the nightmare that was developing around her.

She said: I was at home when it started, totally unaware that it was alight. The neighbour was banging on the door and said your house is on fire!

When I was outside I saw the thatch was alight below the chimney. I went round the back to get the dogs and it had already spread. It was clear it had been burning for a while.

Ms Hand was at the home, in Mill Road, waiting for her partner Ian Bell, who works in Hertfordshire for a logistics and freight firm, to return.

She said: He was coming off the A14 when the fire trucks came past and the bowsers - but thought they could not be for us. He then followed them up the road home.

Its the worst nightmare if you live in a thatch. You take the risk but you dont think its going to happen.

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Battisford: Owners speak after their dream cottage is destroyed in thatch fire

Pistoriuss uncle, Arnold Pistorius, who has become the familys spokesman, said in a statement yesterday that the family would not be commenting on any more stories in the media. The focus is now entirely on a very serious trial that is set to start this Monday, he said. We love Oscar, and believe in him, and will be standing by him throughout the coming trial.

Prosecutor Gerrie Nel has called Pistorius a man willing and ready to fire and kill as the state charged him with the premeditated murder of Reeva Steenkamp. Pistorius gives a totally different story, saying he was terrified in the mistaken belief that there was a dangerous intruder in his home. I knew I had to protect Reeva and myself, Pistorius said in an 11-page affidavit, his only testimony so far.

The attention that the case has attracted has drawn the criticism that Pistorius is facing trial by media. He is, in fact, facing trial by Judge Thokozile Masipa. But it is not overly sensationalist to say that it is the South African justice system that will face trial by media.

Judge Masipa, only the second black woman to sit on the Transvaal High Court when she was called in 1998, understands this better than anyone. Under apartheid she worked as a crime reporter and did not pass her bar exams until the age of 43. She has a strong history of tough sentences for crimes against women. On handing down life sentences to two rapists she argued that the crime was on the rise to such an extent that it was undermining the fabric of society.

Judge Masipa will be assisted by two assessors, legal experts who can come from varying backgrounds, often solicitors. There will be no jurors. Trial by jury was abolished in South Africa under apartheid in 1969.

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Oscar Pistorius trial: No jury for athlete, just a female judge and 24-hour news

Honolulu, HI (PRWEB) March 20, 2014

The best part: Aston works with each couple to bring all that legendary surf, sun and sand together under any budget, and with plenty of aloha.

Visit AstonHotels.com/destinationweddings or call (866) 774-2924 for details. Special group rates are available.

About Aston Hotels & Resorts Aston Hotels & Resorts operates a diverse range of condominium resorts and hotels with accommodations from hotel rooms and condominium suites, to villas and cottages that suit any lifestyle, taste or budget. Based in Honolulu, the company manages over 4,100 units in 27 properties on the four major Hawaiian Islands, South Lake Tahoe, California, Lake Las Vegas, Nevada, and Orlando, Florida. For more information, visit http://www.AstonHotels.com or call toll free 866-774-2924.

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An Exceptional Destination Wedding at Any Budget: Aston Hotels & Resorts Has the Ingredients for a Perfect Celebration

Toronto, Canada (PRWEB) March 20, 2014

Cedar Wood Structures Inc. (http://www.CedarWoodStructures.ca), the Greater Toronto Areas leading provider of custom outdoor living structures, custom cabanas, and residential renovation and condominium improvements, is announcing the top benefits of building a custom backyard cabana.

After the long, harsh winter that has blanketed the Greater Toronto Area, everyone is looking forward to warmer spring weather and a hot summer. Unfortunately, summers never seem to last long enough, says Val Dumitriu, owner of Cedar Wood Structures Inc. Often associated with vacation resorts, a custom cabana is the perfect place to spend a relaxing afternoon and is also ideal for hosting pool or backyard parties during the summer.

Dumitriu explains that homeowners do not need a large backyard pool or lakefront view to enjoy the benefits of a custom cabana. Whether theyre looking for a place to get out of the sun or change out of a wet bathing suit, a sheltered barbeque area, sinks, bars, or an enclosed room, homeowners should consider building a backyard cabana.

As the top provider of outdoor pool cabanas in the GTA, Cedar Wood Structures has a wide selection of cabana designs to choose from, or homeowners can have one custom designed to their specifications, Dumitriu adds. At Cedar Woods Structures, we know what winters are like in Southern Ontario; thats why we build outdoor cabanas to last, using only the finest, most durable materials that will stand up to Southern Ontarios extreme weather conditions.

Dumitriu notes that summers in the Greater Toronto Area can also feel too short, which makes the construction schedule of a cabana that much more important. Cedar Woods Structures offers a variety of standard and prefabricated outdoor pool cabanas. The company has prefabricated, ready-to-go stucco finish walls; even customized cabana walls are prefabricated and preassembled for a fast and efficient on-site installation.

Whether its a place to relax, host parties, or extend the living area by creating a home office, a backyard pool cabana gives the feeling of escape without actually having to get awayand a great way to enhance a property without making any changes to the home, Dumitriu concludes.

Cedar Wood Structures Inc. specializes in designing, building, and delivering quality custom pool cabanas, gazebos, garden sheds, studios, outdoor bars and kitchens, pergolas and trellises, custom decks, and other outdoor living structures, such as landscaping and pools. Cedar Wood Structures Inc. also specializes in residential renovation, condominium improvements, and general contracting. With over 20 years of construction experience, company owner/operator Val Dumitriu holds a masters degree in civil engineering and is a certified building inspector. Cedar Wood Structures Inc. serves the Greater Toronto Area, including Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon, Vaughan, Markham, Newmarket, Aurora, Oakville, Burlington, Milton Richmond Hill, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, and Oshawa. To learn more about Cedar Wood Structures Inc. visit the companys web site at http://www.cedarwoodstructures.ca or call 1-888-993-8855.

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Cedar Wood Structures Inc, Torontos Leading Provider of Custom Pools and Outdoor Living Structures, Releases Top ...

You are not currently logged in. Tuesday, March 18 2014

17/03/14

The new Herne Bay Saturday market is set to move to the town centre on May 3, Canterbury City Council has revealed.

The proposed relocation from the Kings Road car park to Mortimer Street and William Street will see 26 new stalls setting up shop.

The councils coastal towns manager Chris West said: I think it will give a whole new dimension to the market.

Mortimer Street will be the main hub of the new market on Saturdays

It will increase the visibility and hopefully generate far greater footfall in the town centre. Along with the new business opening on the pier the two should complement each other.

There will be a much better offering for Herne Bay and be a better package for visitors with more things to do.

The council had originally planned to have the new market in place in April ahead of the busier summer period.

Coastal towns manager Chris West believes the market move will give Herne Bay a "new dimension"

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Chris West announces plan to move Herne Bay market from King's Road to Mortimer Street on May 3

Lunch

My favourite place is on the east coast, the part of the island I love most. Its called Chez Tino, named after the owner, where you can eat wonderful fish and seafood overlooking a beautiful bay. Crab soup, grilled lobster and prawn curry are house specialities.

Another good find is Le Fangourin at LAventure du Sucre, the sugar museum in Port Louis. Start with octopus salad or giant prawns with fresh heart of palm and a confit of papaya and onion, followed by grilled sea bream, grouper or bass with curry leaves, or red snapper curry with coconut milk.

If you take a rum tour at the Chamarel distillery, have lunch at its gourmet restaurant, LAlchimiste, where the dishes include palm-heart salad, venison and wild boar. It has a good list of fine wines, many of them French.

Chez Tino (Route Royale, Trou dEau Douce, East Mauritius; 00230 480 2769; chez-tino.restaurant.mu). Three courses 20, excluding drinks

Le Fangourin (Beau Plan, Pamplemousses, North Mauritius; 243 7900; aventuredusucre.com). Three courses 16-24

LAlchimiste (Rhumerie de Chamarel, Route Royale, Chamarel, South-west Mauritius; 483 7980; rhumeriedechamarel.com). Three courses 30

Fine dining

There are no Michelin-starred restaurants on the island, but you can expect Michelin-standard food at many hotels. I went to Safran at Le Touessrok once, which was brilliant. The chef, Ramesh Bundi, does modern interpretations of Indian cuisine: marinated tandoori salmon with green herbs, mustard and pan-seared scallops; lamb cutlet encrusted with curry leaf and red onion, with rose petal and lamb jus and saffron puri (a deep-fried unleavened bread); and coconut cremeux with Granny Smith jelly, cucumber and mint ice cream.

Safran (Le Touessrok Hotel, Trou dEau Douce, East Mauritius; 402 7400; safran.restaurant.mu). Six-course tasting menu 60, with wines 104; three courses la carte 50 without drinks

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Mauritius's best restaurants, by Shelina Permalloo

As part of its motley collection of theme based green spaces in the city, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has completed work on the Japanese Garden at Jubilee Hills close to Annapurna Studios road.

The civic body which already has 15 theme based parks such as Palm Garden at Malakpet, Bamboo Garden and Bougainvillea Garden in Jubilee Hills, has set up the new lung space spread over 3,500 square yards at a cost of nearly Rs.80 lakh. The urban biodiversity wing which recently completed the work has dotted the entire facility with motifs representative of gardens in Japan and gave it a look that is different from the other city gardens.

Green spaces have been created with foliage from more than 100 different species and it gets interspersed with water plants and stone benches. The last phase of work on all round pathways laid with granite stone has been done but for a final coat of paint and setting up the board, which is also getting ready in Japanese font, all the details have been attended to, according to the staff.

It has been pointed out that the gardens in Japan usually are not elaborate but laid out in informal and trimmed fashion and the same had been replicated here. There are gazebos, 12 solar lamps, stone lanterns and a small design to be set up in typical Japanese style with chips, would be done by the time the facility gets inaugurated. A small water body and a smaller stone arched bridge add aestheticism to the garden.

The GHMC in its drive at creating green spaces in different parts of the city has a total of 49 major gardens apart from more than 520 parks at colony level. In view of the election code, the Japanese Garden would be inaugurated after the polls.

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Garden with a Japanese touch

Cliftonville Farmers Market.

A double victory is being celebrated by Thanet winners at the prestigious Taste of Kent Awards.

At the 10th countywide TOKA event last night, Cliftonville Farmers Market won as Kent Farmers Market of the Year and Little Stour Orchard, which has its office in Margate, won a main award as Kent Juice Producer of the Year, also picking up a couple of other accolades.

Cliftonville Farmers Market was established in 2001 by the Cliftonville Residents Association, is run entirely by volunteers and is self funded.

It is one of the countys longest running farmers markets and a previous winner of the Produced In Kent (PiK) award in 2006, 2007 and 2008.

The Cliftonville market was also a finalist in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013.

Cliftonville Farmers Market organiser June Chadband is delighted to "win back the crown" as Kent Farmers Market of The Year in the Taste of Kent Awards 2014.

Organiser June Chadband said today: We were really thrilled to regain our crown, particularly as the other finalists were Rochester and Tonbridge markets.

It makes all the hard work worthwhile and gives something positive to Cliftonville.

A special thanks to all our producers for their attendance and to the men who put up all the gazebos, without them we could not run the market, and for everybody who voted for us.

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Cliftonville Farmers Market and Little Stour Orchard are Thanet winners at the count's 10th Taste of Kent Awards.