PHILADELPHIA (AP) A dilapidated 110-room, 70,000-square-foot estate is back on the market, but an architect says the $20 million price tag doesn't include the tens of millions more it needs in repairs.

The 34-acre Lynnewood Hall estate in the Elkins Park neighborhood has been in decline since the original heirs sold it in 1944, The Philadelphia Inquirer (http://bit.ly/1ondcxa) reported Sunday. The home, completed around 1900, once held one of the nation's largest private art collections. In its heyday, the house was dripping with silk, velvet and gilded moldings, the rooms furnished with chairs from King Louis XV's palace, Persian rugs and Chinese pottery and the halls crammed with art by Raphael, Rembrandt and Donatello.

But members of the Widener family who owned the property died or moved away. The estate was first sold to an association that wanted to build a Protestant university. Then it was sold to a housing developer followed by a seminary and another church. The property went through decades of bankruptcy proceedings and was repossessed, auctioned and sold for pennies to creditors all while descending further into disrepair.

But those who have seen the interior in recent years said most of the house's fine, historic fixtures are still there, even though some of the rooms are destroyed by water damage and broken windows.

Mary DeNadai, an architect who specializes in historic restoration, said it would take about $50 million to restore the home to its former glory, but time is running out.

"If it continues to be neglected as it is, it will be beyond salvage" within five to 10 years, she said.

David Rowland, president of the Old York Road Historical Society, said he has seen possible buyers come and go over the years.

"It was always loved more by the people who'd never been inside it than by the people who actually lived there," Rowland said.

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Decrepit 110-room Philly estate on market for $20M

Typically, those who acquire ancestral homes modernize them. Keith and Janet Childs did the reverse, aging his grandparents' mid-20th-century split-level back about 200 years.

Except for an attached garage, the Blue Bell house now resembles the historic mansions of Germantown, such as Cliveden, site of a Revolutionary War battle. Gen. Washington lost that fight, but he won the war and the hearts of his countrymen - including Keith Childs.

"George Washington is in every room in this house," Janet Childs says.

Images of Washington include a copy of Charles Willson Peale's portrait, a depiction of him presiding over the Constitutional Convention, a painting in the family room of Washington on horseback, and, behind the canopied bed in the master bedroom, one of him kneeling in prayer.

To enhance the Revolutionary War-era decor, the couple chose Williamsburg paints: white for walls, with soft gray or sage green trim in living areas, and rustic red for the kitchen. (A built-in spice rack was crafted by one of Keith's friends.)

Janet applied blue milk paint to a TV cabinet Keith made to resemble a Colonial cupboard. He also built a Colonial-style liquor cage, a storage cupboard for spirits with a pull-down grate that can be locked, and he carved the small stone sink next to it.

Keith, 52, a stone mason with his own business, bought the three-bedroom house from his mother, Charlotte, in 1991. She had inherited it from her parents, Max and Hilda Mordhorst, who had the stone home built in a new subdivision in 1955.

"I spent a lot of time here as a kid," he says.

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Haven: Taking a Revolutionary turn

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Oxford will expand its fire station, adding living quarters to the existing structure at 217 S. Elm St., according to Fire Chief John Detherage.

The total project cost is expected to be not more than $425,700, according to city documents. The city had budgeted a total of $625,000 out of its capital improvement fund, but the expansion may come in even less than the projected amount, according to Service Director Mike Dreisbach.

The project will create a two-story addition, with each floor adding 1,200 usable square feet to the existing structure, Dreisbach said. The first floor will be a training room, while the upper floor will contain living quarters.

When that firehouse was built in 1963, it was designed as a volunteer station. Now that weve got guys in it around the clock, we need more space, said Detherage. Right now, the training and living quarters are all in one room, so the addition creates separate facilities, he explained. Between 65 and 70 people work for the fire department; Detherage is the only full-time employee, he said.

The work will be done by JK Custom Homes LLC, which has done work for Talawanda Local Schools, Dreisbach said. The project includes an alternate option for a full basement, and that is expected to cost $37,000, with the base bid being $350,000. That brings the total cost to $387,000.

The project had included a second alternate for a sprinkler system in the building, but Dreisbach said there was confusion in the bids over whether this was only for the new addition or for the entire structure. Its meant to be for the entire structure, but there was considerable disparity in the bids. JK Custom Homes bid $12,000, while Empire Building Co. bid $13,000. A third company, DAG Construction Company, bid $90,500 just for the sprinklers.

Dreisbach said he intended to return to council with a new bid for the sprinklers. He expects it will be more than $12,000, but lower than $90,500. Councilman Richard Keebler said it was important to have a sprinkler system for the firehouse, noting that a blaze destroyed a volunteer firehouse in Mount Eden, Ky. this week.

Detherage said he expects the work to begin this fall and be complete in April.

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By THADDEUS MAST / thaddeusm@laramieboomerang.com Sunday, August 10, 2014

The Laramie Community Recreation Centers expansion project is scheduled to break ground Monday.

The $1.8 million expansion includes an addition to the fitness areas and a new steam room and sauna, said Parks and Recreation Director Paul Harrison.

The fitness addition on the north side of the gym is set to begin first.

Theyll be adding two floors of fitness areas north of the gymnasium, Harrison said. The bottom floor will have circuit weights, while the upstairs will have two rooms.

One will be a group session room and the other, a dedicated cycling room, he added.

The fitness area addition will affect use of the north side of the gymnasium in the fall, Harrison said.

The south side might be able to be used at different times throughout construction.

He said he hopes the addition will be enclosed by October so construction can continue throughout the winter.

Construction of a steam room and sauna should begin shortly after the enclosure. The work could impede use of the indoor aquatic facilities.

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Building a better rec center: Construction, renovations set to begin this week

Musicians and music lovers of all ages now have a scene just for them. The Music Room, newly opened and located at 609 Oakwood Ave. in the Oakwood Square Plaza, is a live performance venue and recording studio.

We want to foster the music scene for younger people, said Dave Hallett, who said he and his wife were inspired by an all ages music caf in Oregon more than 20 years ago. If youre under 21, theres not much you can do because you cant go to a bar.

The entire Hallett family has some connection to music, and all are owners of the venue.

Dads been in a band since he was an early teen, said daughter, Kara, who plays the piano.

Siblings Tori and Sam, both recent East Aurora High School graduates, participated in the Limelite University program at Limelight Music on Main Street and each play several instruments, including the violin, mandolin, bass and acoustic guitars and even the ukulele.

Another daughter, Tina, also plays the piano, and mom, Donna, enjoys going and watching.

There was always an instrument in the house, Sam said of growing up in a musical family. We used to have shows in the backyard, Dave added.

The Music Room opened July 11 and features scheduled shows three nights a week. Thursdays are Open Mic nights, Fridays are Acoustic Nights and Saturdays are Electric Nights. The venue opens at 7 p.m., and sets are 45 minutes long.

Everyone can come and feel comfortable, Kara said.

During a recent Open Mic Night, East Aurora residents Jim and Kim Klinesmith stopped by to check it out after receiving an informational mailer.

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The Music Room is a Venue for All Ages

In an effort to serve the needs of its growing clientele, the Emerald Isle Community Center has added a 1,200-square foot aerobics room.

Complete with wooden floors, mirrored walls and workout equipment, the latest addition to the complex hosted its first aerobics class on June 30.

The new room gives us an opportunity to expand the programs that we can offer, said Emerald Isle Parks and Recreation Director, Alesia Sanderson. Its nearly double the size of our previous aerobics room. Its referred to as a multi-purpose room, but with the floors and mirrors its really catered to aerobics.

Sanderson added that there will also be Zumba, karate, youth fitness and various dance classes held in the room.

The addition also enables expansion of the centers weight room, which will annex the old aerobics room.

The 14,000-square foot community center also has a collegiate-sized gymnasium, weight room, office areas, classroom, kitchen and locker rooms.

The center has 800 fulltime members and serves thousands of visitors throughout the year.

Cost of the addition was approximately $100,000 and was part of the Community Improvement Package, adopted in 2013. Also addressed in the package were completion of the bike path; stormwater improvements on Coast Guard Road; and new playground equipment at Blue Heron Park.

Weve needed the extra space for a while to meet the needs of our members, said Sanderson. Were excited to have it so we can better serve the needs of the public.

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Aerobics room added to center

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - By now, youve probably heard of Kickstarter.com: the fund-raising site where individuals can solicit money from family, friends and total strangers for a particular cause or venture. Actors and directors have used them to fund upcoming film projects. Tech gurus have launched them to bring their ideas to fruition. Couples have even created Kickstarter campaigns to fund their dream wedding or honeymoon. But one man is taking Kickstarter to the next level with what some are calling "the most American campaign ever": hes trying to get Kenny Loggins to play a concert in his apartment.

Meet Erick Sanchez, a 28-year-old resident of Washington, D.C. and a self-proclaimed Loggins-ista. His Kickstater journey began online, when musical artist Kenny Loggins and his band Blue Sky Riders launched their online own online campaignto fund a new studio album . Sanchez took note, realizing that for a pledge of around $25,000, Loggins and the Blue Sky Riders would play a private concert in the backers living room. Inspiration struck.

"I thought, 'how am I going to raise this money?' Oh wait, I'll just start my own Kickstarter!" he said.

So Sanchez launched hiscampaign, I want Kenny Loggins to play in my living room. And thus, the Loggins Living Room initiative was born.

Sanchezs hook?

Dont do it for me. Dont do it for Kenny, Georgia, and Gary. Do it for America. His message and passion took off like wildfire, capturing the attention of national news sources like Gawker ,USA Today ,and the Huffington Post ;in addition to local DC news outlets like WJLA .

Within just a few days of launching, Sanchez said he was getting requests from reporters to talk about the campaign.

Sanchez even appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live on August 6, via Skype, to talk about the Loggins Living Room campaign.

Since launching his Kickstarter on July 29, Erick Sanchez already raised close to half of his $30,000 goal; hes Skyped with Kenny Loggins about the Kickstarter; and hes exchanged regular text messages with the musician. Not to mention, Sanchez has captured the attention of the whole nation, as pledges flow in from across the country.

"My mind is just blown. I never thought it would get to where its been at this point. Developing a friendship with one of my musical heroesIm just so thankful that so many people have been so supportive," Sanchez said.

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'Loggins Living Room' Kickstarter goes viral

A step away from Balis lively beaches, the brand new 290-room Courtyard by Marriott hotel features an expansive lagoon pool and a whole new concept of dining

Marriott International Announces the Second Courtyard by Marriott Hotel Opening Right in the Heart of Seminyak

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) announces the opening of the second Courtyard branded property in the Island of the Gods, Courtyard by Marriott Bali Seminyak. Located in the heart of bustling Seminyak, the 290-room hotel is an exciting addition to the Courtyard brand - making it the 31st Courtyard hotel in Asia.

Remarking on the occasion, Robert Stark, Marriott International's Market Vice President for Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore & Australia said, "We are delighted to be opening our second Courtyard branded property in Bali, in one of the most popular areas for business and leisure travelers - Seminyak. Our growth in Indonesia is of great importance to Marriott International, and we look forward to expanding the presence of the Courtyard brand."

Located only a stones throw away from famous Seminyak Beach and the Oberoi dining scene, the stylish rooms and suites come complete with their own private balcony or garden terrace, a 42" smart TV, comfortable working desk with chair, iPod dock, and modern amenities. Suites offer extra space with their own living room and dining area, along with the convenience of having connecting doors to another deluxe room, perfect for family holidays.

This urban resort offers a little oasis in the middle of busy Seminyak with facilities including an expansive lagoon pool, Kids Club, a 24-hour fitness centre, Zanti The Retreat, and state of the art meeting and breakout spaces catering up to 350 people - ideal for business meetings, private functions and intimate weddings. Guests will have privilege to valet service, shuttles to and from the resort to the beach and Oberoi Eat Street and high-speed internet access throughout the hotel.

Executive Chef Billy Costoglou will take guests on a culinary journey with a brand new breakfast experience at Seminyak Kitchen, serving up a diverse all-day breakfast menu to suit all tastes. Guests can also enjoy a wide range of a light bites and cocktail menu at the Pool Bar and Lounge.

Courtyard by Marriott Bali Seminyak guest roomCourtyard understands business and leisure travelers, and through continuous research the brand constantly evolves to meet guests' changing needs to make the most of their time on the road. Combining innovative technology with style and comfort, the hotel lobby features Courtyard's signature Go Board complete with information including hotel facilities, flight schedules, nearby attractions, local map, along with current news.

Brad Edman, General Manager of Courtyard by Marriott Bali Seminyak says: "We are very excited to be opening this fantastic new Courtyard hotel, a lively modern resort right in the heart of Seminyak.

The hotel is the perfect retreat for families and people looking for a fun place to relax and unwind. The location is just right- surrounded by the endless dining, entertainment, shopping and nightlife that Seminyak has to offer."

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Marriott International Announces the Second Courtyard by Marriott Hotel Opening Right in the Heart of Seminyak

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Rooms can be included to houses where everybody in the household can gather, read, dine or watch television together. Associated with pension transfer room a...

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