By H.M. Cauley

There are few elements of architecture as infused with Southern style as the porch. And not just a little covered entranceway: A true Southern porch has room for more than a few rockers, a table or two, potted plants and maybe a swing. Its the ideal spot for catching a summer nights breeze while waving to the neighbors going by. And it serves a practical purpose as well.

A front porch performs a functional role by providing a space out of the weather while youre waiting to go inside, said Brad Cruickshank, a certified remodeler who started his Midtown-based firm, Cruickshank, Inc., in 1988. It also provides protection for the front door; without it, its apt to rot and warp. So its nice to have that protection for a door just as it is for guests waiting to be greeted.

Buyers and homeowners alike are drawn not just to front porches, but ones that are in the back of the house, screened-in, wrapping around or spanning two stories. With the Souths long stretches of mild weather, these outdoor areas easily become living spaces that are usable most of the year. And when that space is screened-in, it becomes even more popular.

After every screened-in porch Ive ever built, people tell me its their favorite room in the house, said Walter Lewis, president of Neighbors Home Remodeling in Roswell. The screens cut down on a lot of the bug problems we have in the South. So people can use that space a lot.

Both Cruickshank and Lewis work on projects that add porches to houses that dont have them. In one case, Lewis said the owner of a typically traditional brick two-story wanted a front porch just for that Southern flair. A front porch can substantially change the look of a house so it wont look like New England in the South, said Lewis.

While the sidewalks of many historic intown communities are lined with cottages, bungalows and Victorian designs that incorporate a prominent porch, the feature also holds a particular appeal for people who live a bit father outside the city limits.

In more rural areas, there are always people sitting out on their front porches, said Lewis. Its kind of a Southern thing.

That idea fits the experience of Ginny Bryant, director of sales and marketing for Lennar Homes, who says the companys new-home buyers in farther-out regions of Cherokee, west Cobb and Forsyth are crazy for porches.

I think a lot of it has to do with the larger home sites, said Bryant. For instance, the west Cobb market is a bit more rural with larger sites than east Cobb, and buyers there prefer a nice front porch that is truly functional, not just a few feet of covered space to give an architectural look.

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Porches with style

Four children were killed when a fire ripped through a Philadelphia home.

Four children, all aged under five, were killed in a fire in Philadelphia that ripped through several row houses early Saturday, the authorities said.

The fire, in the city's southwest section, was reported around 2:45 am, said Derrick Sawyer, the city's fire commissioner.

When firefighters arrived, four homes were ablaze, and the fire eventually spread to eight homes.

The children who were killed, all younger than 5, were in one home and appeared to be relatives, Sawyer said.

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Five other members of their family were taken to a hospital with minor injuries. Officials did not release the names of the victims, but local news media reported that they were twin 4-year-old girls, a 4-year-old boy and a 1-month-old boy.

"This is a tragic, tragic day for the city of Philadelphia," Sawyer told reporters.

"We lost four children today. I want everybody to understand that fire is everyone's fight, not just the fire department. It's everyone's fight."

At least 42 people were displaced by the fire, fire officials said. By 8:30 a.m., an American Red Cross shelter at a local high school had checked in about 28 people who were affected by the fire, Red Cross officials said.

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Philadelphia house fire kills four children

A particularly curious bear scaled Easton's College Hill this morning, ambling across porches and yards before retreating into the woods.

The adult black bear made its way along Hillside Avenue and nearby streets, before heading into the woods and down the other side of the ridge that separates the city from suburbs, anEaston police captain reports.

The bear's journey would eventually take it to Forks Township Community Park and beyond before it left humans behind for the day.

Capt. Scott Casterline was one of five Easton police officers who responded about 8 a.m. to find the large bear checking out the homes in the exclusive neighborhood, including one where former Easton Mayor Tom Goldsmith once lived.

The goal, Casterline said, was to limit human interaction with the bear, which was made particularly difficult when the animal walked onto several porches and got near the front doors.

Police had Northampton County dispatchers calling residents of the street and nearby terraces, warning them to stay inside, Casterline said. People who were walking nearby or working in their yards stayed away from the bear, which showed little interest in them, Casterline said.

"The bear seemed very bold and comfortable" around people's homes, Casterline said. "Our concern was that people would open their doors and startle the bear."

Police were also worried that people, not realizing the danger, would let out their dogs, which often become excited indoors with a bear nearby.

"It was one of the larger bears we've encountered," Casterline said.

Each year, the Pennsylvania Game Commission sends city police a pamphlet advising authorities what to do when a bear enters a neighborhood, Casterline said. It is distributed to all officers, he said.

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When a bear departs on its own, 'It's safer for the bear and safer for the people,' Easton police captain says

The Crow, Porches, Moms 2

By: Talon Inkling

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The Crow, Porches, & Moms 2 - Video

"Dirty Clean" by Porches. (cover by Alicia Walter of Oshwa)
"Dirty Clean" is off of Je T #39;aime, an album by the magnificent Porches.! Porches: http://porchesmusic.bandcamp.com/ Oshwa: http://www.oshwasounds.net/

By: Alicia Walter

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"Dirty Clean" by Porches. (cover by Alicia Walter of Oshwa) - Video

A woman was in custody after Pittsburgh police say the car she was driving went off a road and hit the porches of at least two homes and a natural gas meter early Monday morning.

Four homes were evacuated as a precaution on Federal Street, a busy thoroughfare on the city's North Side, a few blocks from downtown.

VIDEO: Watch Jackie Schafer's report from Federal Street

Police arrested Lisa Williams, 44, of Millvale. She is facing charges of making false reports to law enforcement authorities, DUI, driving while operating privilege is suspended and risking a catastrophe.

Equitable Gas crews were called to fix the meter. City officials inspected the homes and deemed them safe to occupy. No injuries were reported, but residents are angry that this is the third time a car has crashed into homes along the 1500 block of Federal Street in the past few months.

Neighbors shared photos of previous incidents with Pittsburgh's Action News 4 and claimed they have been trying to get the attention of city leaders.

"We know all of our neighbors. They're good people, and we have worked hard to redevelop this part of the North Side. People are damaging our property," Lee Bannister said.

Bannister said he has been a victim of a hit-and-run incident that did $8,000 worth of damage to his new SUV.

Anthony Vearnon said he witnessed a previous crash on the street.

"A car came down Henderson and hit a tree, went over the curb and went halfway into a door," Vearnon said. "I don't feel safe walking on these sidewalks knowing that, at any time, someone could jump the curb and hit me or somebody's children."

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Neighbors: Cars keep hitting our homes, city won't help

June 30, 2014 6:52 AM Share with others:

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A block of homes were evacuated on the North Side early this morning after a vehicle crashed into a gas meter and sheared off the porches of four homes, city officials said.

The struck gas line started to leak after the 3 a.m. crash in the 1500 block of Federal Street and Equitable Gas crews were called out, according to Pittsburgh public safety spokeswoman Sonya Toler. Six homes had to be evacuated and there were no injuries. Gas service was restored shortly after 4 a.m. and residents were allowed to return to their homes, she said.

The driver, Lisa Williams, 44, of Millvale, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence, making false reports to law enforcement, driving under suspension, and risking a catastrophe.

The city Fire Department inspected the homes and determined they were structurally sound, Ms. Toler said.

First Published June 30, 2014 12:00 AM

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Driver arrested after car strikes gas line, shears off porches on North Side

June 30, 2014 6:52 AM Share with others:

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A block of homes were evacuated on the North Side early this morning after a vehicle crashed into a gas meter and sheared off the porches of four homes, city officials said.

The struck gas line started to leak after the 3 a.m. crash in the 1500 block of Federal Street and Equitable Gas crews were called out, according to Pittsburgh public safety spokeswoman Sonya Toler. Six homes had to be evacuated and there were no injuries. Gas service was restored shortly after 4 a.m. and residents were allowed to return to their homes, she said.

The driver, Lisa Williams, 44, of Millvale, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence, making false reports to law enforcement, driving under suspension, and risking a catastrophe.

The city Fire Department inspected the homes and determined they were structurally sound, Ms. Toler said.

First Published June 30, 2014 12:00 AM

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Vehicle strikes gas line, shears off porches on North Side

Dollar du diablo los porches Segundo clasificado

By: Chema De Juan Rivera

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Dollar du diablo los porches Segundo clasificado - Video

HOUSTON -

Woodland Heights is the kind of neighborhood where front porches are warm and welcoming, but they may be too welcoming -- thieves have become comfortable stealing from people just feet from their front door.

"That's what bothers me the most is that they came up on my porch to get it," said Marilyn Kowalski.

Three potted plants were stolen from the ledge of Kowalski's porch Thursday.

"I noticed one of my plants was gone," Kowalski said. "Then when I got home from work in the evening, I realized that there were two more gone."

It's seems like a petty crime but neighbors said it's become all too common in the Heights neighborhood.

"It happens all the time," said Dorie Kerr, who said the plants on her porch have been stolen several times, too. "If you have a nice plant and don't glue it down or bolt it down, there's a good chance if it's in a decent pot, somebody's gonna take it."

Kerr said someone recently tried and failed to steal from her porch again.

"I think it was too heavy," Kerr said. "So I think they dropped it and it cracked the pot. They just left it, toppled over."

Often, potted plants like Kerr's can cost upwards of $100.

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Thieves steal plants from porches in Woodland Heights