ST. LOUIS Two months ago, amid much fanfare, Mayor Francis Slay kicked off an effort that put 51 homeless veterans into their own apartments in one day.

After so many years of wrangling with red tape, many of the vets couldnt believe theyd get free rent and utility assistance, until they were dropped off with a set of keys.

One of them, Kevin Stradford, 55, still cant believe it. His power was shut off Wednesday for unpaid bills. Two other veterans in the apartment complex in the 3100 block of Cherokee Street had the same pink slips hanging from their door knobs.

Program managers said five other veterans in the program were expected to have their power turned off.

They are supposed to take care of us up to a year, Stradford said. Ive got no income. They are not living up to their end of the deal. I cant even open my freezer because all my meat is in there. Who is going to pay for that when it goes bad?

Stradford said hed passed along cut-off notices hed received in the mail from Ameren to Gateway 180, the nonprofit agency in charge of case management for the rapid rehousing project hes part of.

Stradford said Gateway 180 told him that it doesnt pay the bills, just submits the paperwork to the city, which receives federal funding for the program.

Kathleen Heinz Beach, executive director of Gateway 180, said Wednesday that the program has been a contractual nightmare because the city is bailing on their agreement to pay the bills.

IT'S BEEN DIFFICULT

The citys former director of homeless services, Antoinette Triplett, came up with the idea to put the vets into apartments. Its easier to provide wrap-around services and case management if people are housed.

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Highly publicized St. Louis program to get homeless veterans into housing hits snags

Nomaan Merchant and David Warren, The Associated Press Published Thursday, October 2, 2014 9:44AM EDT Last Updated Thursday, October 2, 2014 10:55PM EDT

DALLAS -- Four members of a family the U.S. Ebola patient was staying with were confined to their Texas home under armed guard Thursday as the circle of people possibly exposed to the virus widened, while Liberian authorities said they would prosecute the man for allegedly lying on an airport questionnaire.

The unusual confinement order was imposed after the family failed to comply with a request not to leave their apartment, according to Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins.

Texas State Health Commissioner David Lakey said the order would help ensure the four can be closely watched, including checking them for fevers over the next three weeks.

"We didn't have the confidence we would have been able to monitor them the way that we needed to," he said.

The family will not be allowed to receive visitors, officials said.

The case has raised questions about whether a disease that has killed 3,300 people in West Africa could spread in the United States. U.S. health officials say they remain confident they can keep it in check.

A woman who lives in the apartment, Louise Troh, said she has been quarantined with her 13-year-old son and two nephews.

"Who wants to be locked up?" she said in an interview with The Associated Press.

Troh said she was waiting for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to collect a bag of the bed sheets and towels Thomas Eric Duncan used.

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Ebola patient's relatives confined to Texas home under armed guard

ST. LOUIS Two months ago, amid much fanfare, Mayor Francis Slay kicked off an effort that put 51 homeless veterans into their own apartments in one day.

After so many years of wrangling with red tape, many of the vets couldnt believe theyd get free rent and utility assistance, until they were dropped off with a set of keys.

One of them, Kevin Stradford, 55, still cant believe it. His power was shut off Wednesday for unpaid bills. Two other veterans in the apartment complex in the 3100 block of Cherokee Street had the same pink slips hanging from their door knobs.

Program managers said five other veterans in the program were expected to have their power turned off.

They are supposed to take care of us up to a year, Stradford said. Ive got no income. They are not living up to their end of the deal. I cant even open my freezer because all my meat is in there. Who is going to pay for that when it goes bad?

Stradford said hed passed along cut-off notices hed received in the mail from Ameren to Gateway 180, the nonprofit agency in charge of case management for the rapid rehousing project hes part of.

Stradford said Gateway 180 told him that it doesnt pay the bills, just submits the paperwork to the city, which receives federal funding for the program.

Kathleen Heinz Beach, executive director of Gateway 180, said Wednesday that the program has been a contractual nightmare because the city is bailing on their agreement to pay the bills.

Its been difficult

The citys former director of homeless services, Antoinette Triplett, came up with the idea to put the vets into apartments. Its easier to provide wrap-around services and case management if people are housed.

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Highly publicized homeless veterans housing program hits snags

WHEN thinking about the burning issue of water conservation, a little divine inspiration may be useful.

The students of Building Services Engineering at Waterford Institute of Technology began the new term with a visit to Longford Cathedral, which is under reconstruction after a devastating fire in 2009.

But while most visitors admire the exterior, some of the most impressive aspects of the job are out of sight like the rainwater harvesting system that will use the water freely supplied by the heavens to flush toilets and supply other areas where treated water is unnecessary.

The big issue with water supply in our buildings commercial and domestic is that the water has been chemically treated to make sure its fit for human consumption, but yet we waste it by using it in the toilet or on the garden or washing the car, says course leader Tom OBrien.

With a rainwater harvesting system, the rainwater is collected and diverted through a filtration system and then up to a pump that feeds it into the toilets. In the average house, about a third of waster use is in toilets, so it makes sense.

And its not just to the clouds we should be looking our sinks, showers, and baths are another ready source of reusable water.

We dont use this grey water very much here. In the UK they would use it more and a typical application would be again flushing toilets, washing cars, watering the garden. It needs filtering but itsessentially clean water, and so long as it doesnt go into the drinking water, its OK to reuse.

This kind of system isnt particularly new and its not rocket science, but if you dont need it by regulation or by being affected in your pocket, most people dont do it. The result is its a little bit expensive but the more theres a demand for it, the more price will come down.

Such systems best suit new builds, and although its possible to retrofit an existing house, the reality is most householders will be looking to more modest modifications to help them save on their water bills.

First, says Tom, get to know your loo. If your toilets were installed after 2001, its likely you have a conservation-conscious six litre cistern, although even that could be made more efficient by converting it to a dual flush system allowing a choice between a full flush and a three-four litre flush, enough to wash away number ones and probably many number twos too.

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Some helpful tips to easily reduce your water charges

KG Clean: Power Washing
KG Clean offers both residential and commercial power washing services. Visit http://www.KGClean.com today for more info or to get started today! Established in 199...

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Sidewalk power washing services, Whitehall PA 18052
via YouTube Capture.

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Sidewalk power washing services, Whitehall PA 18052 - Video

Mr Everything Handyman Service LLC in Hamilton, New Jersey, helps you with any job around your house from power washing, seal decks, flooring, and bathroom work. There is never a job too big or too small for us to work on. We are your one-stop shop for all your handyman service needs.

Let our team provide you with great power washing work. We offer quality cleaning and maintenance for your property and restore it to its prime condition and appearance. From sidewalks to exterior buildings, rooftops and more, we remove the dirt and grime from your property.

Ensure your deck is in perfect shape with our deck repair and maintenance services. Our services include cleaning, finishing, and water-resistant treatments.

We repair and install most types of flooring from ceramic floor tile in the kitchen, or installation and repair of floor treatment in the living room and/or bathroom. We will provide quality work and service that is completed in a timely manner

Remodeling services for Bathroom and Kitchen - Whether you need a complete bathroom or kitchen remodeled or just a few repairs, Mr Everything Handyman Service LLC can assist. From installing new countertops and cabinets, from mirrors and fixtures, we do it all. Give us a call to find out how we can assist with your remodeling project.

Contact us in Hamilton, New Jersey, to enhance the look of your home with our power washing and flooring services.

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Power Washing, Flooring Services | Hamilton, NJ

Envision boat ownership without the hassle of cosmetic and mechanical maintenance. Thats where Sea Worthy Yacht Management comes in your one point of contact for all your yachting needs.

Established in 2000, Sea Worthy is a full-service, professional yacht management company. Owner Rob Haney and business partner Rusty Christensen take care of those time-consuming areas of boating upkeep, so yacht owners can simply enjoy their boat. One of the mainstays of yacht longevity and high resale value, Haney explained, is keeping a sharp lookout for the slightest sign of wear and tear and addressing it before it becomes a problem.

Our goal is to keep the boats turn-key at any given time, Haney said. Were a full-service company washing, waxing, basic systems check, preventative maintenance and more. We also prepare the boats for storms that threaten the Gulf Coast.

Sea Worthy is not a fly-by-night company, but a fully insured and drug-free business that has built a trustworthy brand with hard work and dedication. Haney, an Emerald Coast native, said what truly sets them apart are their years of experience and knowledge.

Since Ive been here my whole life, Ive built and maintained relationships with the best contractors around, Haney said. So when we encounter a need which is beyond our expertise, we can ensure that your work is done professionally and in a competent manner.

Sea Worthys professional services include: weekly or bi-weekly wash and chamois dry, vinyl and eisenglass treatment, clean hatches and under cushions, run engines and generator at the slip every other week, and a complete wax every two or three months at no additional charge. The preventative maintenance includes: fluid levels, racors, strainers, batteries, bilge pumps/switches, shore power, dock lines, fender, navigation lights, and fresh water level.

Weve been taking care of Destin and Sandestin for 14 years and now were looking to expand, Christensen said. We recently moved into The Wharf Marina in Orange Beach and hope to continue caring for more yachts. As we move forward we want to keep increasing and improving our level of service doing what we do, but doing it better.

Thats why Sea Worthy Yacht Management has the saying: Dont let the day to day hassle of owning a boat take all the fun out of it.

Leave the maintenance up to them and theyll leave the fun up to you.

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Sea Worthy for all your yachting needs

Amish Structures for Work and Play

Enjoy the outdoors in Amish gazebos, pavilions and pergolas with screens to keep the bugs out. Kids and grandchildren get in on the fun with Amish swing sets. Protect all your garden tools, from shovels to mowers, in an Amish storage shed. Two-story buildings double your storage space without taking up much room. Keep your cars, trucks and tractors out of the weather with an Amish garage. Chickens, goats, horses, sheep and rabbits give your kids a hobby; house your animals in an Amish shelter. Choose chickens, and youll have fresh eggs.

Historic Stevensville, now a Maryland State Arts and Entertainment District, will host again this year the Sixth Annual Art in the Park, Saturday, September 27, from 9am to 4 pm. Artists and artisans of all media from paintings to woodworking, photography to jewelry offer their original works. Musical entertainment and food sellers will also be present. All historical sites will be open to the public, as will restaurants and shops. Artists at Work Studios and Gallery has been in town 18 years, featuring the original art of Jeanne Noble along with works from 30 other local artists. Island Arts/My Little Studio is home to Joan McWilliams and 50 other artists. Paris Grey is a lovely cottage and chic shop that carries Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. Trade Winds Exchange is an antique emporium owned by Patty McCool, who says Kent Island really is Treasure Island. Come see the treasures and enjoy your day at Art in the Park.

If you enjoy old hardware stores, youll like Art Things. From screen-printing to gilding, from oil painting to fabric arts, from comic art to clay: We have the tools and materials. Do you have a favorite pen, pencil or journal that you love? Come check out our selection. Handmade papers from all over the world will dazzle you, and the Creative Kids department grows as we head towards the holiday season. New this fall: QOR (pronounced core) watercolors made by Golden, a modern formula that makes the pigments seem to glow. Check out the video: http://www.qorcolors.com/videos/ qor-modern-watercolorsintroduction. Founded in 1966 and owned and operated by people who love to help customers with their creative projects, Art Things features an impressive inventory showcasing a wide range of quality materials chosen with value in mind. Please be sure to ask for a frequent shopper ARTCARD. The greeting card selection is carefully curated and represents many local artists. You dont have to think of yourself as an artist to find interesting and unique things in this shop: Browsers are welcome.

Belair Engineering is a woman-owned and -managed heating and air conditioning, standby generator, gas fireplace and plumbing contractor. Were celebrating our 53rd year of providing exceptional repair service and replacement installation for your furnace or heat pump heating system at great prices. All our technicians are drug-screened and mom-approved. We also provide you with a 100-percent satisfaction guarantee. Dont miss our Gas Fireplace and Standby Generator Show Saturday, October 4, from 9am to 4pm at our award-winning showroom, 15881 Commerce Court, Upper Marlboro. Refreshments will be served, door prizes awarded and huge savings can be had on last years models while they last. Bring your firebox measurements and digital pictures. Dont miss the show!

At Compass Stone & Tile Studio, we have the largest selection of porcelain, ceramic, stone and glass tile in the area. We offer complimentary design services to ensure that your vision comes to life. Our interior designers are here to guide you through our vast selection. Our advice is simple: Choose tile that you can live with for years. Its easy to repaint a room; its easy to change an appliance; but tile is here to stay. Tile will add value to your home and should not be overlooked in your project. We encourage homeowners to come browse our showroom as there are so many new styles. Right now, the hot look is tile that looks like hardwood. Unlike wood, there is no maintenance of the finish, and there is no wear and tear. Tile is easy to maintain. With the explosion of stainless steel appliances, there are many beautiful backsplashes with a hint of metallic. We were voted by Whats Up Magazine as the Best Tile Store, and we will continue to work hard to provide the best selection and service to our community.

Dr. Glass is a quality professional window-washing and power-washing service with professional men and women who have worked for our customers for many years. We guarantee your complete satisfaction with our work. We are responsible, punctual, careful and appreciative of all our client partners.

Ecoasis Garden Center is a traditional garden center offering eco-friendly alternatives, sustainable landscaping supplies and gardening products for growing in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Ecoasis sources most of our plants from local growers as well as shrub and tree growers from the Eastern Shore. The store is stocked with earth-friendly products, rain barrels, composters, eco-mats, bio-logs and much more. Also on site are chickens that produce eggs for sale and bees for local honey. We have other farm-to-table products from local growers. Our large garden produces wonderful as-local-as-it-gets vegetables and herbs, and we supplement our produce stand with vegetables from the Southern Maryland farmers auction. Ciminellis Landscape Services, our sister business, offers landscape and hardscape installation. Like us on Facebook and sign up for our monthly newsletter to receive great gardening and landscaping advice and special discounts. Visit our Apple Festival September 27 and 28 for free apple tastings, apple cider and apple butter as well as food tastings and a cooking demonstration Sunday from 11am-3pm. Dont miss visiting our beautifully restored Amish barn full of local art, garden gifts and antiques. Find us on West Central Avenue in Bowie just one mile from Rt. 301 from the west and the Patuxent River from the east on the border of Anne Arundel County and Prince Georges County.

Right around the corner is the best little bank you may never have heard of, and it just may be the bank you need for your fall home projects. Essex Bank, with offices from Rockville across Maryland to the Bay, hits the sweet spot between small community banks and big impersonal institutions. What distinguishes Essex Bank from competitors is a sense of person-to-person responsiveness, whether the customer is a family or individual, a small business or a large corporation or municipality each of which are current Essex Bank customers. Flexibility is also something customers find at Essex Bank, especially small-business owners who typically are ignored by large banks when it comes to funding needs. Homeowners in particular will be attracted to the availability of construction and lot loans, and single-closing construction-to-permanent mortgages, even for renovations and additions. Bay-area Essex Bank locations include Crofton, Arnold and a stunning new branch in Annapolis, at the corner of West Street and Chinquapin Round Road. Treat yourself to a totally new banking experience by visiting Essex Bank today. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender.

Fall is the new spring. Its a great time of year to rejuvenate your landscape or plant a new one. Whether its dividing those overgrown iris, planting a new tree or a complete re-do, Greenstreet Gardens is here to help. Great landscapes start with great soil. We recommend Bumper Crop. Chock-full of micronutrients, it gives roots an added boost. Choose the right plants for the space. Varieties that need full sun will not thrive in shade, and shade-lovers will wither in sun. Before you plant, consider the amount of space available. Young plants grow. Yes, you can prune them to an extent. Trying to keep a plant three feet wide when it wants to be 10 feet will stress the plant and you. Instead, choose a plant that will fit the space and give it room to grow. Bring fall color into your landscape with seasonal favorites: mums, pansies, ornamental kale, cabbage and grasses. Great companions, these plants look terrific in containers or planted directly in the garden. Our full-service nursery is stocked full of everything you need for a fantastic fall. Stop in and chat with one of our experienced staff. Because success grows here.

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Fall Home & Garden Solutions

SAN FRANCISCO A handful of startups are getting traction in smart clothes, mainly for athletes. They hope that the electronics increasingly disappear into the shirts and socks, and that a broader set of companies helps establish the emerging category.

"Today retailers don't know where to put these products -- by the shirts, but then it's an expensive shirt, or by the electronics," Pierre-Alexander Fournier, chief executive of Hexoskin, told us after a talk at the Designers of Things conference here.

Hexoskin embeds the electronics for its smart shirt in a device about the size of a stack of business cards. It contains two microcontrollers, a Bluetooth radio, a USB controller, a 4 GByte SD card, and a battery adequate for about 14 hours of operation.

"We'd like this part to disappear into the clothing, so you don't think about it," Fournier said. "It could be the size of a button, run on a coin cell so you don't need to charge it, and be something you can put in a washing machine. We are not there yet, mostly because of power consumption, which determines the battery size and device form factor."

Hexoskin puts into its shirts about a dozen dry sensors measuring ECG, respiration, temperature, and blood oxygen level. "We can meld data from these sensors to get blood pressure and other data," said Jean-Francois Roy, its chief technology officer.

Smart clothes makers face manufacturing challenges, too.

"Knitting using conductive wire will be best for production, but it's not yet available, and when it is, we may need to build some special machines for it," Fournier said. "Polymer laminates are very precise, but less comfortable and not suitable for use with all kinds of textiles, because sensors need thermal transfer."

Fewer than five manufacturers can make clothes with embedded sensors today. "There's a huge gap between the clothing industry and the electronics industry," he said. "It's like travelling back to the 19th century when you visit these factories."

Fournier showed the Hexoscale shirt and its electronics, which he wore to the talk at the Designers of Things event.

Costs are another hurdle. The Hexoskin shirts sell for $169 each without the electronics or $399 with them. Fournier said startups are still experimenting with business models around selling clothing versus services.

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Smart Clothes Seek Slim Electronics