Q: Our ranch-style house is in a great location with amazing schools, but the kitchen is horrible and there is no master suite - just three bedrooms and a bath and a half. Our yard is pretty big, but I don't know if it would be cheaper to expand into the yard, build a second story, or simply look for a house that would better suit our growing family. Should we remodel or move, or would we have to do all this to even sell it?

- StaceyA: I get asked similar questions a lot. In fact, it's such a common question, it inspired the popular HGTV show Love It or List It. Many people think they need to remodel to sell a house. Some enjoy the finished house so much they end up staying.

Dreaming of a nicer house is typical for most people. Remodeled or new, first decide what your needs actually are, and then decide what would be the most effective, budget-conscious, and desirable way to meet those needs. It might even be worthwhile to hire an architect or designer for a few hours to help you brainstorm.

I usually recommend going easy on remodeling projects or additions simply to sell a house. Stick mostly to cosmetic issues. The new owners can put their own stamp on a house, and the seller saves money and time. If you've ever seen a house for sale with a new kitchen or bath with a quality you don't like, you understand.

But if you're planning on staying for more than five to seven years, remodeling might be best, even if it's not the least expensive option, especially if you like your location and the schools are good.

Think about your budget, your lifestyle, and the changes you would make. Just like in the HGTV show, your dream house might be hidden under your own feet. Good luck, and let me know how it goes.

Jennifer Adams is a designer, author, and TV personality. To contact her:

AskJennifer@JenniferAdams.com

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Remodel, or move? Or both?

Jamestown, North Carolina (PRWEB) August 22, 2014

Furnitureland South, the largest single-store home furnishings retailer in the world, will hold a grand opening of its new Restoration Vintage gallery on Friday, August 22 at 10:00 am. This is the second new gallery opening in 2014 and one of many renovations and additions that Furnitureland South has planned over the course of the next two years.

Located on the first floor of the Mart building on the Furnitureland South campus, the Restoration Vintage gallery spans 22,000 square feet, displays six manufacturers and includes eclectic handmade, antique reproduction and vintage inspired furniture. In addition to furniture, the gallery features lighting, rugs and accessories that perfectly complement this category. Brands represented include Curations, Four Hands, GJ Styles, Sarreid, Dovetail and Furniture Classics.

The unique, quality pieces in this gallery tell a story and have great appeal to many consumers, said Jason Harris, executive vice president of Furnitureland South. Many are made using natural fibers and reclaimed or recycled materials. There is truly something for everyone in this gallery.

The Restoration Vintage gallery follows the Modern Gallery opening in early May. Along with major renovations currently underway, additional galleries are expected to open in the fall.

About Furnitureland South: Founded in 1969 by A. Darrell Harris, Furnitureland South has grown from a small, one-man operation into the largest single-store furniture retailer in the world. Located in the heart of the home furnishings capital of the world, Furnitureland South has more than 1 million square feet of showrooms and over 1,000 name-brand manufacturers represented. Amenities include complimentary design consultation, a state-of-the-art design center, white-glove national delivery, a full-service restaurant and a Starbucks. The store is a multi-day destination for consumers from every state and many foreign countries.

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Furnitureland South to Unveil Restoration Vintage Gallery

WINNIPEG Were still not certain whether Alex Brink can play quarterback lets be frank about this matter. But then again, were not certain the Alouettes can score offensive touchdowns in great multitudes either.

What were coming to understand about Brink, however, is hes smart and savvy. He understands who butters his bread. And so on Wednesday, the Als final night in Regina, Brink organized a team dinner for the receivers and running-backs and made sure he picked up the tab for the food, sans alcohol.

The magnanimous gesture Brink refused to disclose the bills amount isnt always easy on a Canadian Football League players salary, even one who plays quarterback, but likely ensured his teammates will walk on hot coals for him.

It was an opportunity to bond, an opportunity for me to get the skilled guys together, Brink disclosed. Weve reached a very important point in the season.

Brink gets his second consecutive start for the Als Friday night (8:30 p.m., TSN, RDS, TSN Radio-690) against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Investors Group Field. Montreal, at 1-6, has lost five straight games held to one offensive touchdown in the last four, that coming with 30 seconds remaining against Edmonton.

That Brink, 29, spent three seasons with the Bombers, from 2010-12, will undoubtedly prove to be a tantalizing footnote to any story. But Winnipeg was largely terribly during that span at least for two of those years and Brink played sparingly behind Buck Pierce. Besides, the guy who drove the franchise into the ground, general manager Joe Mack, is now long gone.

Theres no animosity. This isnt a revenge game, said Brink, who started seven games for Winnipeg and actually has a pair of 300-yard passing games on his resum. Coincidentally, both came against Montreal when the Als were actually good.

We desperately need a win. Thats all that matters, Brink said. Its rare in this business that you get a second opportunity. I feel like I have that. I know my coaches and teammates have confidence in me.

In this business, a chance can be fleeting, Brink continued, commenting on his Bombers years. Whether thats a handful of snaps, a handful of games, you have to take advantage of your opportunities. The situation I was in wasnt ideal. We were going through a time of transition for this organization. As the quarterback, sometimes those things make it tough.

Yeah, Brink was talking about Winnipeg, but those thoughts could be juxtaposed into what he has inherited with the Als, a team still seeking solutions following the retirement of Anthony Calvillo.

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We desperately need a win: Als Brink

North End were not far off the top two places last season. A little tinkering and additions to the squad should assist in improving the team but lessos need to be learned from last term.

The two issues that spring to mind were the slow start that North End made last season including a number of draws inthe first ten games. This was prior to Gallagher arriving and Garner settling into first team action. The second point is with the side conceding late goals costing them points a number of times.

Lat night Preston took the lead from a regenerated Chris Humphrey and looked like they were heading fro all three points when Tyson scored an equaliser well into injury time.

Some blamed keeper Jones although it is a little early in the season for doubting the new recruit although he has looked a little shaky at times. The bigger picture needs to be looked at and if Preston cannot kill teams off then they will fail to reach their aim of a top two finish.

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Same Old Story

PHOTO: American Folklore Theatres production of Packer Fans from Outer Space, which closes Saturday, includes Adam Zeph, Doug Mancheski, Chase Stoeger and Bill Theisen. Len Villano photo

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) Below is more information on the visiting Trick Boxing* and comedian Will Durst at Sturgeon Bay, the touring Menopause The Musical at Appleton, Let Me Be Franks Bay Beach Dance Party,* American Folklore Theatres Strings Attached, Guys on Ice* and Packer Fans From Outer Space,* Memories Dont Say Goodbye, Im Not Leaving, Peninsula Players Butler, The Green Room Lounges 24-Hour Collective concerts by Peninsula Music Festival, Midsummers Music Festival news about Artstreet, Appleton PAC season additions, a Frank Lloyd Wright exhibition.

ARRIVING

- The professional Peninsula Players Theatre will present the fact-based drama, Butler, starting today, Wednesday, Aug. 20, at its Theatre in a Garden near Fish Creek. A preview story is at http://www.wearegreenbay.com/story/d/story/critic-at-large/18357/99orQ0BZikyDLnejrAwPmA. A glimpse: Benjamin Butlers first day as major general of Fort Monroe, a Union hold-out in Virginia during the onset of the Civil War, is greeted by a request for sanctuary from quick-witted Shepard Mallory, a runaway slave.

- Wisconsin-bred comedian Will Durst will present BoomeRaging Tuesday, Aug. 26, through Aug. 30 at Third Avenue Playhouse in Sturgeon Bay. Info: http://www.thirdavenueplayhouse.com.

ENDING

- Let Me Be Frank Productions is running Bay Beach Dance Party through Saturday, Aug. 23, at the Meyer Theatre in Green Bay. My review is at http://www.wearegreenbay.com/story/d/story/critic-at-large/29099/ZkGCLfCcgEi_Nhylg-MxGQ.

- At Appleton, a touring production of Menopause The Musical is running through Saturday, Aug. 23, in Kimberly-Clark Theater of the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center. My review is at http://www.wearegreenbay.com/story/d/story/critic-at-large/24557/KSyQrs8vhU2kjxP8vNBpfg.

- American Folklore Theatres 2014 summer season is running through Saturday, Aug. 23, in Peninsula State Park Amphitheatre near Fish Creek. Info: http://www.folkloretheatre.com. See my reviews on the WFRV website: Strings Attached: http://www.wearegreenbay.com/1fulltext-news/d/story/critic-at-large/33861/JYTtdj4S5k6MRa3JyO0_hQ. Guys on Ice: http://www.wearegreenbay.com/1fulltext-news/d/story/critic-at-large/24388/H2Li0L8RC0yJT1D5rMIzXQ. Packer Fans from Outer Space: http://www.wearegreenbay.com/story/d/story/critic-at-large/91855/VE30_DTFkUG1Zg8D08TxhA. A special feature on the Guys on Ice that includes an interview with composer Jimmy Kaplan is at http://www.wearegreenbay.com/story/d/story/critic-at-large/26301/awNYPZ1aaUaZSvtKq2D0tw.

- At Port Washington, Memories is presenting the dinner theater comedy about the process of aging, Dont Say Goodbye, Im Not Leaving, through Saturday, Aug. 23. Info: http://www.memoriesballroom.com.

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Warren Gerds/Critic at Large: Week ahead: Partys nearly over for notable shows

Bari, Italy (PRWEB) August 20, 2014

Few jazz and funk groups have gained the attention that Italy's Camera Soul has experienced during the past year. Since the group's July 2013 release of its second studio album, "Not For Ordinary People," which peaked at #2 just under legendary soul group, Earth, Wind and Fire, on the UK Soul Chart in October, Camera Soul has won its second award from the Beverly Hills, Calif.-based panel, The Akademia.

According to its website, The Akademia is described as a new panel that was created by six former senior record executives and music industry professionals, whose sole purpose is to award excellence in music. The Award also serves as a first step to sharing the artists' work with a greater audience within the music industry. There are five submission types for songs, albums, and videos, as well as 25 genres that are judged and awarded among hundreds of worldwide submissions each month.

To quote the anonymous sources on the panel that commented on the newest win for song "Locked Inside," Camera Soul delivers "riveting sensual vocals, tight acoustic instrumentation, and inspired solo work [that] captivate the listener and establish this group as a musical force to be reckoned with."

Selections from the album, "Not For Ordinary People," continue in strong rotation primarily among Internet radio stations around the world, and the group hopes for inclusion in rotation on terrestrial and satellite radio as well.

August has proven historically to be a great month for Camera Soul. It was in August 2013 that the band won its first Akademia Award in the category 'Best Funk Song' for "My Heart," with music from Piero and Pippo Lombardo, and lyrics by Ballard Shut. On August 15, 2014, one year after "Not For Ordinary People's" release, The Akademia announced that Camera Soul had won again, this time in the category 'Best R&B/Soul Song,' with the chilling psychological ballad "Locked Inside," jointly penned by Ballard Shut and Pippo Lombardo.

The coveted Akademia Award comes on the heels of the anticipated release of Camera Soul's third studio album in three years, "Dress Code," featuring two notable additions to the lineup: lead vocalist, Maria Enrica Lotesoriere (aka 'Maria Enrica'), and drummer Fabio Delle Foglie. "Dress Code" is slated to release in late 2014 and promises strong compositions and arrangements from the Brothers Lombardo, renewed musical and lyrical collaboration with Ballard Shut, and including new contributions from Maria Enrica.

Camera Soul has also been extremely busy both on- and off-stage throughout 2014. In February, the group kicked off a mini-tour of Southern Italy, often to standing-room and sold-out audiences. The highlight of the tour came on July 15, 2014 when Camera Soul opened the first week of the Multiculturita Summer Jazz Festival in Capurso, with high audience attendance and acclaim, as well as a subsequent interview on BariWeb TV.

In addition to the small tours and studio recording on "Dress Code," critics on revered soul music sites such as SoulTracks.com (USA), The Baltimore Times (USA), Music Vein (UK), and the Puglia Journal (Italy) have offered glowing reviews of "Not For Ordinary People." Soul music fans, particularly on the Soul Train Power 20 Site Soultracks.com, have 'Liked' and shared the review of "Not For Ordinary People" throughout the year on Facebook, creating additional buzz about the group.

For more information about Camera Soul, including tour dates, music, photos, as well as to download a free Android music "jukebox," visit the group at http://www.reverbnation.com/camsoul.

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Camera Soul Wins Second Akademia Award for Music Excellence

Weibo Corp. (WB) reported a narrower second-quarter loss as alliances with smartphone manufacturers boosted users, helping the Chinese microblogging service controlled by Sina Corp. (SINA) win more advertising sales.

The net loss was $15.4 million in the three months ended June 30 from a loss of $35.1 million a year earlier, the Beijing-based company said in a statement yesterday. Sales more than doubled to $77.3 million, higher than Weibos forecast in May of sales of $74 million to $76 million.

Weibo, also backed by Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (BABA), said the number of daily active users increased 32 percent in the period from a year earlier. Chief Executive Officer Wang Gaofei is investing in marketing, product development and using partnerships to win users amid competition from Tencent Holdings Ltd. (700)s WeChat messaging application.

We have already formed strategic alliances with major handset manufacturers, Wang said during a conference call. We are delighted to see over 50 percent of our new mobile users come from collaboration with handset manufacturers and mobile operators.

Weibo forecast sales of $79 million to $82 million in the third quarter, up from $53.4 million in the year earlier period. The projection compares with the $78.9 million average of four analyst estimates compiled by Bloomberg.

Total net revenue contributed by Alibaba was $22.2 million, Chief Financial Officer Bonnie Yi Zhang said during a conference call.

Shares of Weibo rose 5.6 percent to close at $21.46 in New York yesterday, before the results were announced. The stock has gained 26 percent from the $17 a share price in Aprils initial public offering.

Weibo, which sold $286 million of shares in the IPO, operates a social media website similar to Twitter Inc. (TWTR)s that allows users to post short messages. Twitters service is blocked in China by government censors.

The daily active users of Weibo rose to 69.7 million at the end of June, the company said.

Sina remains the controlling shareholder of Weibo after the IPO, holding 54 percent of outstanding shares on a fully diluted basis, while Alibaba owns 30 percent, the company said in May.

Original post:
Weibo Loss Narrows as User Additions Boost Advertising Revenue

Weibo Corp. (WB) reported a narrower second-quarter loss as user additions helped the Chinese microblogging service controlled by Sina Corp. (SINA) to win more advertising sales.

The net loss was $15.4 million in the three months ended June 30 from a loss of $35.1 million a year earlier, the Beijing-based company said in a statement today. Sales more than doubled to $77.3 million, higher than Weibos forecast in May of sales of $74 million to $76 million.

Weibo, also backed by Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (BABA), said the number of daily active users increased 32 percent in the period from a year earlier. Chief Executive Officer Wang Gaofei is investing in marketing and product development to win users amid competition from Tencent Holdings Ltd. (700)s WeChat messaging application.

Weibo forecast sales of $79 million to $82 million in the third quarter, up from $53.4 million in the year earlier period. The projection compares with the $78.9 million average of four analyst estimates compiled by Bloomberg.

Shares of Weibo rose 5.6 percent to close at $21.46 in New York, before the results were announced. The stock has gained 26 percent from the $17 a share price in Aprils initial public offering.

Weibo, which sold $286 million of shares in the IPO, operates a social media website similar to Twitter Inc. (TWTR)s that allows users to post short messages. Twitters service is blocked in China by government censors.

The daily active users of Weibo rose to 69.7 million at the end of June, the company said.

Sina remains the controlling shareholder of Weibo after the IPO, holding 54 percent of outstanding shares on a fully diluted basis, while Alibaba owns 30 percent, the company said in May.

To contact Bloomberg News staff for this story: Edmond Lococo in Beijing at elococo@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Michael Tighe at mtighe4@bloomberg.net Subramaniam Sharma, Robert Fenner

Original post:
Weibo Loss Narrows as User Additions Boost Ad Revenue

Manager: Brendan Rodgers

Last Season: 26-6-6 (second in Premier League)

Notable Additions: Dejan Lovren (Southampton), Adam Lallana (Southampton), Rickie Lambert (Southampton), Lazar Markovic (Benfica), Emre Can (Bayer Leverkusen), Javier Manquillo (Athletico Madrid), Divock Origi (Lille), Alberto Moreno (Sevilla)

Notable Subtractions: Luis Suarez (Barcelona), Pepe Reina (Bayern Munich)

That was Then: The story of Liverpool's 2013-14 season is a story of what could have been. The Reds had arguably one of their best seasons in over a decade in the Premier League, but it all fell short in the final weeks of the season.

From Feb. 8 to April 20 Liverpool had their best stretch of the season winning eleven straight matches including a 3-0 victory at Old Trafford against Manchester United and a dramatic home win against Manchester City on April 13. During that run of form, the Reds propelled themselves from fourth place in the table, all the way to first with three games left in the season.

It was the next two games, however, that proved to be their undoing.

A 2-0 loss to Chelsea at Anfield followed by a shocking draw with Crystal Palace, where Palace scored three unanswered goals in the final ten minutes of the game to bewilder Brendan Rodgers and his squad.

Liverpool fell short in the final week of the season to Manchester City, who won the championship by two points despite the Reds winning their final match. Liverpool's league title drought extended to 24 years.

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TSN.ca BPL Preview: Liverpool looks to rebuild after collapse

Joe Mahoney/Associated Press

It won't quell the pains of last year's Super Bowl, but the Denver Broncos earned a 21-16 win over the Seattle Seahawks during Thursday's preseason opener.

Despite the fact that second- and third-stringers were playing most of the time, it didn't reallyfeellike a preseason game. But then again, what would you really expect between these two teams?

Beforehand, Pete Carroll explained the intrigue behind the rematch, via Sportspress Northwest'sArt Thiel:

Its a really cool matchup. Im sure theres a lot of people who will have a lot of interest in this thing.

Its going to be fun. Its a great opportunity to play an incredible football team. Theyve got some great additions to their team I know theyre really excited about seeing. Were anxious to see what they look like too, knowing that were going to see them in the season.

He wasn't wrong. There were four lead changes, the yardage battle was close (298-274 in favor of Seattle), and it came down to the final possession when Steven Johnson sealed the win for Denver with an interception of Terrelle Pryor in the end zone.

Both Russell Wilson and Peyton Manning got two series, and both produced similar results: a shaky first drive that quickly sputtered out after inaccurate throws, and a methodical second drive that lasted over nine minutes and was capped by a one-yard scoring run.

First up was Manning. The reigning MVP marched the Broncos 61 yards on 14 plays, converting three third downs in the process. Every single conversion, a bit unsurprisingly, went to the electrifying Demaryius Thomas. Nine yards on 3rd-and-4. Seven yards on 3rd-and-7. Nine yards on 3rd-and-7.

USA Today's Lindsay Jones put it simply:

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Seahawks vs. Broncos: Score and Twitter Reaction from 2014 NFL Preseason