Lewis Cook will be spending the next week here in Maysville, helping homeowners fix their property.

Cook isn't a contractor, he is a volunteer with the Kentucky Changers, a church based group of volunteers from across Kentucky.

Kentucky Changers is sponsored by the Kentucky Baptist Convention. The work force is made up of young people from grades 7 through 12, who assist adult homeowners to refurbish the home's exterior. They are supervised by and work alongside adults to conduct the repairs.

Cook has been involved with the program for 14 years through his church, Central Baptist.

It is his dedication to this program that has earned him the honor of serving as grand marshal of this year's Fourth of July parade.

Cook said when he learned he had been selected, he said "Are you talking about me?"

Cook came to Mason County in 1981, when he was hired to coach football at the high school. He retired from teaching in 1998 and said he is glad he came to Maysville.

"We like it here, it's a nice place to raise kids and close enough to the big cities, but still feel like a small town," he said.

Cook's work with Kentucky Changers has brought him into contact with homeowners across the state, many of whom are widows and widowers who have to make a choice between buying their medicines or fixing the leak in their roof.

Cook brought the Kentucky Changer volunteers to Maysville for the first time in 2005 to work on approximately 30 houses. Changer volunteers have returned in 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011 and this year. The repairs include painting exteriors, roof replacement, building decks and ramps and replacing siding. Cook said he and the kids don't have the needed skills for all the jobs and that's where the role of a professional contractor comes in, to guide the volunteers through their duties.

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Cook named Fourth of July grand marshal

Hardie siding Tulsa ok
Hardie siding Tulsa ok.

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Oklahoma siding and insulation company
Oklahoma siding and insulation company.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn., June 13, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Window World, Inc.(R), America's largest replacement window and home remodeling company, sponsored the St. Jude Presents John Rich & Friends Concert on June 4 and the Window World Pro-Am at the 56th annual FedEx St. Jude Classic PGA TOUR event on June 5, both of which benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital(R).

A photo accompanying this release is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=19301

The second annual concert was sponsored once again by Window World. It was a star-studded fundraiser featuring John Rich, Big Kenny, Wynonna and Larry the Cable Guy. "One of the greatest honors of my life's work is to help the kids at St Jude. To bring music to their lives, and use music to raise funds for their care is something bigger than a hit song or a sold out concert," said Rich.

Window World conducted a contest among its sales consultants to see who could raise the most money for St. Jude. The top five fundraisers were invited to Memphis to attend the concert. Just before the concert began, Window World CEO Tammy Whitworth, along with the top five fundraisers, presented a $50,000 check to Richard Shadyac Jr., CEO of ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Window World also sponsored the Pro-Am, which kicked off the FedEx St. Jude Classic at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tenn. As part of the sponsorship, Window World displayed The Stinger, a commemorative racecar that features autographs of Indianapolis 500 starters. For each signature received, Window World Cares(R), the charitable foundation of Window World, makes a donation to St. Jude. To date, the car has raised $43,848. During the Pro-Am, veteran Indy driver George Follmer autographed the car, making his the 232nd signature.

Window World Cares has been raising money for the hospital since 2008, and in 2010 Window World was named St. Jude's New Corporate Partner of the Year. "We are thrilled to support the children of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital through these events," said Whitworth. "Everyone has a good time, and most importantly, we're raising money and awareness for a great cause."

About Window World, Inc.(R)

Window World, Inc.(R), headquartered in North Wilkesboro, N.C., is a replacement window company with stores and offices in more than 200 cities nationwide. Founded in 1995 and led by CEO Tammy Whitworth, the company supplies windows, siding and doors to consumers through its network of stores. Window World is an ENERGY STAR(R) retail partner. Its products have earned the Good Housekeeping Seal five years in a row. Additionally, through its charitable foundation Window World Cares(R), the Window World family provides funding for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital(R) and was named New Corporate Partner of the Year in 2010. For more information about Window World, visit http://www.WindowWorld.com or call 1-800 NEXT WINDOW.

About Window World Cares(R)

Window World Cares(R) was founded in 2008 by Tammy Whitworth and her late husband, Todd. Since its inception, the foundation has raised more than $3 million for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital(R). To learn more about Window World Cares or to donate, visit http://www.WindowWorldCares.com.

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Photo Release -- Window World Sponsors Pro-Am and John Rich & Friends Concert Tee-Off to FedEx St. Jude Classic

Window Replacement, Siding Replacement, Door Replacement in Chicago and Suburbs
Window-Concepts.com, 630-833-6944 located in Elmhurst Illinois will repair your siding, roof, window replacements, entry doors and garage roofs. Northern Illinois territory. Since 1986, Member...

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Lanham, MD (PRWEB) June 11, 2013

Thompson Creek Window Company, a leading home improvement replacement product manufacturer headquartered in Lanham, Maryland has been awarded a 2013 Guildmaster Award with Distinction for exceptional customer service. GuildQuality, an independent customer satisfaction surveying company, has powered the Guildmaster Award with Distinction since 2005 to celebrate service excellence in the building, remodeling, contracting, and home services professions.

The primary requirement for receiving a Guildmaster Award is exemplary customer service, as demonstrated by an extremely high customer recommendation rate. Thompson Creek Window Company was selected as one of the over 200 North American builders, remodelers, developers, and contractors recognized by GuildQuality for their superior delivery of customer care.

Over the past few months, GuildQuality reviewed numerous survey responses submitted by customers of Guildmaster candidates. In granting awards, GuildQuality considers two primary metrics for each candidate: the percentage of customers who would recommend and the percentage of customers who responded. In order to qualify for this award, the provider must achieve a recommendation rate of 90% or greater.

Rick Wuest, president and CEO of Thompson Creek, was proud to be honored as one of this years Guildmaster Award with Distinction winners. Total customer satisfaction is the driving force behind how every Thompson Creek employee performs their job, Wuest remarked. Winning this Guildmaster Award with Distinction as a result from the feedback of our satisfied customers is validation that we are succeeding in our mission. For more on the 2013 Guildmaster Award with Distinction and qualifications, visit http://www.guildquality.com/guildmaster/.

About Thompson Creek Window Company

The Thompson Creek Window Company is a privately owned and family-operated manufacturer and installer of energy-efficient home improvement replacement products. Founded in 1980, Thompson Creek Window Company began as a manufacturer of energy-efficient, maintenance-free vinyl windows. Since that time, Thompson Creek Window Company has evolved into one of the leading specialty home improvement contracting companies in the nation. The companys product mix includes replacement windows and doors, vinyl siding and a clog-free gutter system. Thompson Creek Window Company is headquartered in Lanham, MD with an 80,000 square-foot manufacturing facility in Landover, MD.

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Thompson Creek Windows Reviews Earn Customer Service Award

While many businesses are scaling back work hours to keep part-timers out of the company insurance plan, others are not hiring so as not to cross the 50-employee definition for large employers -- the federal threshold for having to insure full-time employees. Still other businesses are mulling the option of scotching company health coverage altogether and paying a federal fine instead. For more information, go to http://www.bnd.com/business. ...

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Companies are hiring again and putting a priority on keeping the workers they have. According to a study by Harris Interactive, of the 154 companies surveyed last month, 58 percent reported they added or plan to add workers this year and 8 percent expect to cut staff. At the same time, a third of all employees plan to look for new jobs this year. To learn more, go to http://www.bnd.com/business. ...

***

The world's commercial airline fleet will more than double by the end of 2032, according to a Boeing Co. forecast. The St. Louis Business journal reports that demand is driving for more than 35,000 new airplanes valued at $4.8 trillion. Read more at http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis. ...

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The nation's largest professional association of real estate appraisers is advising homeowners to use discretion when deciding which home improvement projects to take on. The Appraisal Institute says that not all renovations positively impact property values. According to Remodeling magazine's most recent Cost vs. Value report, some of the projects with the highest expected return on investment are siding replacement, entry door replacement, attic bedroom addition, minor kitchen remodeling and garage door replacement. Other renovations with high expected payoffs include basement remodeling, deck addition and window replacement. To find out more, go to http://www.appraisalinstitute.org.

-- Will Buss, BND business writer

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Daily business briefing: Health reform brings no coverage, fewer hours for some

CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwired - June 11, 2013) - The Appraisal Institute, the nation's largest professional association of real estate appraisers, today advised homeowners to use discretion when deciding which home improvement projects to take on, saying that not all renovations positively impact property values.

"Projects that take a home significantly beyond community norms are often not worth the cost when the owner sells the home," said Appraisal Institute President Richard L. Borges II, MAI, SRA. "If they don't match what's standard in a community, they'll be considered excessive."

According to Remodeling magazine's most recent Cost vs. Value report, some of the projects with the highest expected return on investment are siding replacement, entry door replacement, attic bedroom addition, minor kitchen remodel and garage door replacement. Other renovations with high expected pay-offs include basement remodel, deck addition and window replacement.

Learn more about which home improvements offer the best return on investment [VIDEO].

Borges advised homeowners that it may be best to hold off on big renovations if a homeowner isn't sure how long they will be in their home. The longer a homeowner stays in a property, the greater the opportunity for a return on investment, he said.

"Consumers should be aware that cost does not necessarily equal value," he added.

For an unbiased analysis of what their home would be worth both before and after an improvement project, a homeowner can work with a professional real estate appraiser -- such as a Designated member of the Appraisal Institute -- to conduct a feasibility study.

During a feasibility study, the appraiser will analyze the homeowner's property, weigh the cost of rehabilitation and provide an estimate of the property's value before and after the improvement.

Some green and energy-efficient renovations, such as adding Energy Star appliances and extra insulation, are likely to pay the homeowner back in lowered utility bills relatively quickly. Lower utility costs also are a draw for potential homebuyers. When appraising a home, the appraiser evaluates local supply and demand for green and energy-efficient properties and features.

The Appraisal Institute offers a free, informative brochure titled "Remodeling & Rehabbing," which provides consumers with valuable advice on home remodeling.

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Only Certain Home Improvements Pay Off, Appraisal Institute Says

The sad sight of houses pulverized by a tornado in St. Charles should get us thinking about homeowners insurance. Insurance company executives are thinking hard, and some are pulling back coverage.

Higher deductibles and limits on coverage for roof damage are among the nasty changes. Premiums are up nationally by 4 to 6 percent nationally, according to the Insurance Information Institute, an industry trade group. That is two to three times consumer inflation.

Historically, youve been able to buy replacement cost coverage that would include the roof. Even if its 20 years old, if its hit, you get it replaced, said Larry Case, executive vice president of the Missouri Association of Insurance Agents. Lots of companies still offer that, but some are limiting claims on older roofs to their actual cash value. Thats a lesser level of coverage.

Under replacement value coverage, the insurer pays to repair the damage fully with new material. Under cash-value coverage, the insurer pays only up to the depreciated value of the roof.

If a roof has been up for half its expected life, the insurer may pay only half the repair costs. If it costs $8,000 to fix it, they may only give you $4,000, says Case.

Tom Wilson, CEO of Allstate Insurance, created a kerfuffle in the insurance business last year when he defended such a policy in a conference call with investors.

People just dont get their roofs fixed and then a hailstorm comes and we replace a $20,000 roof when were getting a thousand bucks from the customer and its obviously not a good trade, Wilson said.

Allstate is rolling out new policies that fully replace roofs that are less than about 10 years old. Then it goes to a schedule that pays less. A spokeswoman said the average roof it insures in Missouri is five years old, so most homeowners arent affected.

Insurers are also getting more reluctant to replace areas that arent damaged, even if they look strange after repairs. A 2001 hail storm in north St. Louis County damaged 70,000 homes and provided a classic example.

The hail often ripped up siding on one side of a house, but not the others. Many homes were old, and insurers couldnt find new siding that matched the color of the other sides.

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Storms hit homeowners insurance coverage

Seventy-one community groups in the Halifax region should get city hall grants this year totalling $429,483, a staff report says.

The report says 140 applications were received for the 2013-14 grants program, for a combined amount of around $1.3 million. This years budget for the annual program is $500,000.

Halifax Regional Municipalitys grants committee is to consider the staff report at a meeting Monday. The committee will then make a recommendation on largesse to regional council.

Of the 71 applications recommended for approval, some have proposed conditions attached. Thirty of the 140 were deemed ineligible under the programs rules.

The program doesnt provide multi-year funding but candidates for monetary gifts may apply in consecutive years, the report says. The grants committee can overturn or amend a recommendation, it says.

Applicants are not always treated equally, the report says. Sometimes, the playing field might need to be adjusted.

In circumstances where there is (not enough money) to fund all qualified candidates, preference may be given to groups who have not received a grant or those who do not receive other forms of HRM assistance, the report says.

Among the recommended recipients:

W. Williams Non-Profit Housing Association ($12,500), to cover the cost of siding replacement.

Nova Scotia SPCA ($5,272), for the cost of window replacement and exterior ventilation work at its animal shelter, conditional on the applicant confirming it has the balance of funds needed to complete the work.

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HRM delivers $429k in funding to community groups