Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are both one-of-a-kind athletes born in the same generation, and from the moment they've risen to prominence, we've done nothing but compare them.

The debate between who's greater, who's the best player in the world is fierce; forming factions between spectators and, at times, aggressive conversation.

For several seasons now, those siding with Ronaldo have been in the minority. The Real Madrid forward, signed from Manchester United for a whopping 80 million in 2009, has never attracted the sort of neutral appeal Messi boasts.

The Portuguese is an entertainer, a marvel to watch, but some of his habits turn people away and he's a bullish, cocky figure in the media and on camera.

In stark contrast, Messi is a humble, quiet man. He's shy in front of the cameras, one of the last to take to the microphone and simply enjoys playing a game of FIFA at home.

But the difference may not all be down to personal traits. Ronaldo was brought in as a replacement for David Beckham at Manchester United for a stunning 18 million as an 18-year-old prospect.

He had the No. 7 shirt thrust onto him and was expected to performperhaps pressure, the will to succeed and the desperation to impress formed some of his persona as we see it today.

It's human instinct to form opinions and judgements on the snippets you may see, and the modestyalong with his monstrous ability on the football fieldhas seen Messi become the clear favourite.

But that tide, which has been in the Argentine's favour for many, many years, might just be turning a little, even after Messi's majestic, tie-winning cameo against Paris Saint-Germain.

The two forwards can boast impeccable records since Ronaldo joined Madrid.

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Messi vs. Ronaldo: Why the Competition Is Closer Than You Think

Now that Town Hall has been named to the U.S. Register of Historic Places, town officials generally agree that future repairs and upgrades can be legally financed via the Community Preservation Acts historic resources account.

The 1914 building next to Bournes Pond needs more roof repair atop the main part of the redbrick structure. Two years ago, the roof above the selectmens office was re-done.

The latest project will cost an estimated $15,840. This is a repair and preserve effort, Town Administrator Thomas Guerino advised the finance committee.

More work is not yet scheduled, he said, but it is needed and will be scheduled once a full report about Town Hall inadequacies is issued by Facilities Director Jonathan Nelson.

At this point, Gueirno said the building needs new gutters and downspouts, vinyl-siding repair in places, an electrical upgrade and parts replacement, repairs to the front steps and those leading to the selectmens office on the north side of the structure and an evaluation of the handicapped access ramp.

Guerino said additional more window work is also needed on the north side.

Five years ago, Town Meeting voters routinely approved a boiler-replacement request that many thought should have been recommended through the annual capital outlay requests, not the CPA. But now Town Hall has been duly listed as an historic place, and CPA requests would seem to be green-lighted in advance.

For now we have to try to keep the water out and inspect what is not thought to be extensive damage from leaks, Guerino said.

Town officials and the Canal Chamber of Commerce are intent on sprucing up Buzzards Bay properties in time for the canal centennial observances in 2014. Any Town Hall work in this regard would likely be concluded in time for those events. A full assessment of building needs, however, is due next year.

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Bourne Town Hall needs even more repairs to stop roof leaks

DES PLAINES, IL--(Marketwired - Apr 15, 2013) - DougCook, President and Owner of Feldco Windows, Siding and Doors, will host a luncheon to raise awareness and knowledge for the Alzheimer's Association's Greater Illinois Chapter. "A Reason to Hope" will be held on Tuesday, April 16th at Chicago's Union League Club located on West Jackson Blvd in Chicago. The goal of the event is to "provide a clear view of Alzheimer's disease..." while hoping that attendees will "...leave enlightened, with a renewed reason to hope" as stated by the Alzheimer's Association.

DougCook explains his support of this event. "Alzheimer's and other associated neurological disorders pose a daunting challenge to our country. As the population ages, more people will be forced to become caregivers to loved ones, friends and neighbors which will bring significant stress and burden to folks already weighted down by the realities of life today. Raising awareness of this disease will hopefully bring aid to those already afflicted but also lend support to finding a cure."

In continued support of the communities they serve, Feldco has also recently partnered with the Make-a-Wish Foundation as well as Fire Prevention Week for the West Allis Fire Department of Wisconsin and Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Peoria Area.

ABOUT FELDCO Feldco is the Midwest's leading window, siding and door replacement specialist. Founded in 1976, the company is focused on delighting customers by making home improvement projects simple. With premium products, factory-direct pricing and certified installers, Feldco provides an excellent overall value and experience for nearly 250,000 customers. The company offers free in-home demonstrations and lifetime product warranties. Feldco serves all of Central and Northern Illinois, Northwest Indiana, as well as Southern and Northeast Wisconsin. Feldco has showrooms in Chicago, Des Plaines, Rockford, and Peoria, Illinois, and Madison, Milwaukee, and Menasha, Wisconsin. Please visit Feldco's website (www.4feldco.com) or contact the company's appointment center (866-4FELDCO or 708-437-4000) to learn more about Feldco's products and services.

Feldco was named the 2007 and 2009 Dealer of the Year by Window and Door Magazine, and was also named one of the Best Places to Work in Chicagoland by Crain's Chicago Business, and a Top 100 Workplace in 2010 and 2011 by the Chicago Tribune.

For more information on this press release, please contact Patti Freko, Feldco's Director of Communications (708-437-4005) or email marketing@4feldco.com.

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Feldco President and Owner to Chair "A Reason to Hope" Luncheon for the Alzheimer's Association's Greater Illinois ...

Able Restorations new website describes owner Larry Comtois specialties which include installation of interior and exterior doors, bow windows, bay windows, and vinyl siding.

Providence, RI (PRWEB) April 15, 2013

According to the Energy Department exterior doors and windows can contribute significantly to air leakage and waste energy through conduction if they are improperly installed and/or improperly sealed. In addition to saving money on heating and cooling costs, properly installed doors and windows save homeowners money in other ways as well.

Doors that stick in their frames, dont open completely, or rattle in strong winds are not only annoying but also lower the value of a house. In addition, even high quality energy efficient windows and doors will not perform effectively or last as long if not properly installed. Thats why its important for homeowners to hire a trained and experienced licensed contractor specializing in door and window installation.

When homeowners hire us they can relax, knowing their home is in the hands of local experienced installers who know windows, doors, and siding best, Larry Comtois, owner of Able Restoration, says. We have plenty of happy and satisfied customers that can confirm that we are the best at what we do. We are a small company that understands when customers call they are looking for solutions not a sales pitch. We consider our clients our friends and we do not let our friends down.

Able Restoration specializes in the replacement of old-fashioned, unsightly, and outdated interior and exterior doors with the latest styles available today. Whether a homeowner is looking to give their entry door, slider, or interior door a fresh look, add value, or make their home more energy efficient, Able Restoration can provide the expertise and quality homeowners deserve.

Homeowners who want to create a cozy nook to curl up with a good book, sip a cup of tea, or watch their children play in the garden often turn to bay and bow windows. Able Restoration is a specialized, qualified window installer of bow and bay windows and can ensure they operate properly. These windows are a popular trend that makes any room seem bigger, brighter, and more welcoming. Popular since the Victorian era, bay windows are typically made of three-sided window extensions that add a few feet of extra space as well as charming character. Bow windows are similar in design, but curved and more suited to modern architecture. These windows not only provide extra space for sitting and storage but also offer expansive views of a homeowners property.

Homeowners have many choices when it comes to siding; however, vinyl siding is the most popular choice today due to its durability, versatility, beauty, low maintenance, and energy efficiency. Vinyl siding comes in a wide range of styles, colors, and price points. Homeowners can sit back while their professional installers install their siding in a professional and timely manner.

In addition to these three specialties, Able Restoration also offers decks, kitchen and bathroom renovations, room design, finish carpentry, and more. For more information about this special company, please visit their new website http://www.providenceremodeler.com/

About Able Restoration

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Providence Door and Window Contractor Announces Debut of Website

Published: Friday, April 12, 2013, 12:01 a.m.

Mike Scoleri figures it'll take a couple of more months to finish rehabilitating the 125-year-old barn, one of Snohomish County's oldest. Scoleri is using vinegar and steel wool to scrub and give a weathered, aged look to the replacement lumber being used in the barn's interior.

The best guesses of everyone who might know figure the barn went up in about 1888.

A European immigrant named Bernard Walther built the board-and-batten structure for his dairy cows. The old-growth Douglas fir he used probably was felled on the property, located in the Snohomish River valley between Lowell and Larimer.

One of the crossbeams in the 40-foot-tall barn is a 60-foot, 12-inch-by-12-inch massive hunk of fir.

Even more impressive is that the barn's posts and beams are held together with mortise and tenon joinery: notches and hand-carved wooden dowel pins. No nails.

"Even when the wind kicked up, you couldn't hear a creak," Scoleri said. "The barn is solid and the men who built it were craftsmen."

Scoleri figures the post and beam arches of the barn were built on the ground and pulled into place by horses.

Arnie Hansen, 66, of Snohomish, grew up playing and working in the barn. His parents, Carl and Lois Hansen, bought the Walther farm in about 1937.

The youngest of three children, Hansen remembers that loose hay was loaded into the barn's loft from a truck driven right into the building.

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Work progressing on one of county's oldest barns

(BPT) - When considering exterior home improvements during spring and summer, many homeowners go for updates such as the replacement of siding or windows. These projects can make the home look great while boosting energy efficiency, but no matter how much homeowners invest in siding or windows, it will only look as good as the trim used to complete the job.

Trim products are designed to be used around windows, doors, eaves and gables, and for application on your homes corners and porch columns. Many installers opt for basic corner posts, J-channels and finishing accessories, which are functional, but also detract from the homes overall style. Going beyond the basics is very affordable and can make a big difference in your investment.

One mistake that homeowners and contractors often make in an exterior remodel is finishing a beautiful window and siding replacement with basic or inexpensive trimwork, says Steve Moore, architect with BSB Design. Working with your contractor to accessorize with high-quality, low-maintenance trim around windows, doors and the roofline helps complete the look and enhance architectural features. Trim and mouldings are the glue that ties the look together.

Whether you prefer a modern, traditional, rustic or Victorian style, there are many trim options on todays market to consider, including products made of wood, aluminum, fiber cement, engineered wood and vinyl, each with their own unique features. But if you want the look of real wood without the maintenance or having to replace in a few years, turn to building products manufacturers like Ply Gem that now offer cellular PVC trim with a 30-year warranty. Features of this material typically include a wood grain or smooth finish option, natural wood dimensions and resistance to rotting, cracking and splitting. Due to the superior material, paint will also adhere better and stay bright longer than painted wood.

Cellular PVC trim and moulding products are easy for your contractor to install, and are engineered to work with virtually any siding type, including vinyl siding, stone veneer, brick, fiber cement and stucco.

Since trim is incredibly visible, it should be chosen with the same care as siding, says Jerry Blais, vice president of marketing for Ply Gem siding group. "The use of low-maintenance products like cellular PVC trim and mouldings really give homeowners a durable and versatile option for making the home exterior stand out from the crowd. The product can also be painted to complement other exterior materials such as windows, vinyl siding, stone veneer, shutters and more to create a cohesive design.

To achieve that cohesive exterior home design, Ply Gem and BSB Design recommend first determining the type of architectural style you are trying to achieve, traditional or modern. This will help narrow the options for not only trim style, but also window grille patterns, color, siding type and accessories like shutters.

To help provide inspiration, design guides are available for recommendations on how to make the most of cellular PVC trim and other exterior products with various architectural styles. Once you have a style, consider ways to accessorize your home with trim:

* Accent arched windows on Georgian or French architectural styles

* Differentiate with decorative gable details for home styles such as folk, shingle, Victorian or craftsman

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It's all in the details - how to accessorize your home exterior

COLUMBUS Window World of Northeast Nebraska has a new Columbus showroom that makes it easier for customers to check out its selection of home improvement products.

The Norfolk-based business is now selling windows, siding and doors through a partnership with Hometown Motors and owner Russ Korth.

Window World of Northeast Nebraska opened a showroom at the 4728 Howard Blvd. automobile dealership to replace the downtown location, and Korth will now sell for the company.

Moving into Hometown Motors has allowed us to be open all day, so somebody can walk in at any time, which is great, said Angie Kruse, manager of Window World of Northeast Nebraska.

Established in 1977 as Northeast Nebraska Insulation and Siding, the family-run business became a franchise of Window World in 2003 and also has a showroom in Sioux City, Iowa.

A Columbus location was added in 2005, but the 2319 13th St. showroom was only accessible by appointment.

Kruse said Korth joins the business as a previous customer who believes in the products.

Its easy to sell something you believe in, she said.

Mike Funkhouser and Jeff White, who started as installers here in 2004, will continue to oversee the Columbus location.

In addition to the expanded hours the showroom will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays Kruse said the new location at the intersection of 48th Avenue and U.S. Highway 81 is more visible and easily accessible.

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A whole new World

In an effort to provide even better service, MinTex Exteriors recently hired SpotOn SEO to manage its website and Internet marketing needs. By improving and expanding our website, Langerud said, we can become a comprehensive exterior remodeling resource for our customers and prospects.

Houston, TX (PRWEB) April 04, 2013

Home and commercial property owners throughout the Houston area have turned to MinTex Exteriors for their exterior renovation needs for over 20 years. MinTex Exteriors provides skilled labor for all types of exterior renovation projects including window replacement, roofing repairs and installations, Hardie siding, and gutters. Free consultations are standard with every inquiry.

MinTex Exteriors is dedicated to delivering quality service at a fair price. The company uses LP SmartSide and James Hardie siding, Owens Corning and Gaf Elk roofing, as well as other top brand products. From consulting and management to contract services, MinTex Exteriors gives its customers the information, products, and services they need to transform their home or commercial property.

Jason Langerud, President of MinTex Exteriors said that the companys focus is on providing every customer with the best possible experience. All jobs are backed by honesty, integrity, and professionalism from initial consultation to completion. We understand that your home is your biggest investment, and we will complete your project right the first time.

For more information about MinTex Exteriors and to view a photo gallery of past projects, visit MinTexExteriors.com. For more information, call (866) 787-2186.

Jason Langerud MinTex Exteriors (866) 787-2186 Email Information

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Houston, TX Home Improvement Contractor, MinTex Exteriors, Announces Partnership

Replacing a Second Story Window
Replacing a Second Story Window with Music by The Peach Truck Republic.

By: PhilMoon100

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Replacing a Second Story Window - Video

Siding Day 1
Siding Day 1.

By: Michael Cooper

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Siding Day 1 - Video