Part of Vita Serena a protected Estate Section house once owned by Jean Flagler Matthews has been demolished without town permission, after construction workers uncovered termite damage and rotten wood that threatened the buildings integrity.

The two-story center portion of the front or east-facing wall of the home at 105 Clarendon Ave. was taken down in recent weeks.

On Thursday, building officials ordered all work on the 88-year-old house to stop, a day after Landmarks Preservation Commission chairman Bill Cooley brought the issue to their attention.

It was evidently a life-safety issue, project architect Harold Smith said Friday at the site after an inspection by building officials.

Extensive renovation and expansion plans, including a new loggia and two-story addition, were approved by the Landmarks board in October, two months after auto dealer Chuck Schumacher bought the 1926 Palladian-style house. The house was designed by Marion Sims Wyeth and designated a town landmark in 1990.

Those plans allowed for reconstruction, but not demolition, of the facade.

But structural damage has made it unsafe to preserve all sections of the house, Smith said.

When they went to cut out some openings in the hollow tile, I guess the structure started crumbling, and the contractor determined at that point that that center section just had to come down, safely, Smith said. So, its an unfortunate thing, but its just the condition of the structure.

Problems first arose in January, when he and a colleague told the Landmarks board that newly discovered structural problems would require rebuilding the roof on the eastern side of the house and partially reconstructing the homes western-most two-story portion.

Six months later, Smith and contractor John Rossi returned to the board with news that the southwest corner of the homes main-living area had partially collapsed because of horrible termite damage and deterioration. The collapse compelled the team to rebuild one wall of the new loggia, one wall on the southeast corner of the house, and the stairs, they said.

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Town halts work on house after section demolished

Part of Vita Serena a protected Estate Section house once owned by Jean Flagler Matthews has been demolished without town permission, after construction workers uncovered termite damage and rotten wood that threatened the buildings integrity.

The two-story center portion of the front or east-facing wall of the home at 105 Clarendon Ave. was taken down in recent weeks.

On Thursday, building officials ordered all work on the 88-year-old house to stop, a day after Landmarks Preservation Commission chairman Bill Cooley brought the issue to their attention.

It was evidently a life-safety issue, project architect Harold Smith said Friday at the site after an inspection by building officials.

Extensive renovation and expansion plans, including a new loggia and two-story addition, were approved by the Landmarks board in October, two months after auto dealer Chuck Schumacher bought the 1926 Palladian-style house. The house was designed by Marion Sims Wyeth and designated a town landmark in 1990.

Those plans allowed for reconstruction, but not demolition, of the facade.

But structural damage has made it unsafe to preserve all sections of the house, Smith said.

When they went to cut out some openings in the hollow tile, I guess the structure started crumbling, and the contractor determined at that point that that center section just had to come down, safely, Smith said. So, its an unfortunate thing, but its just the condition of the structure.

Problems first arose in January, when he and a colleague told the Landmarks board that newly discovered structural problems would require rebuilding the roof on the eastern side of the house and partially reconstructing the homes western-most two-story portion.

Six months later, Smith and contractor John Rossi returned to the board with news that the southwest corner of the homes main-living area had partially collapsed because of horrible termite damage and deterioration. The collapse compelled the team to rebuild one wall of the new loggia, one wall on the southeast corner of the house, and the stairs, they said.

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Town halts work on house after facade demolished

OLEAN What was once home to one of Oleans biggest employers may quickly come under new ownership.

The former Dal-Tile plant and a vacant 10.5-acre field across East State Street both owned by Mohawk Industries, Dal-Tiles parent company are headed to the auction block. Prospective owners will have a chance to bid on the properties at 1 p.m. Oct. 4 at both sites.

The lots will be auctioned off by Cash Cunningham, owner of Cash Realty and Auctions.

The upcoming auction comes some 15 months after both properties were put on the market as one listing.

Discussions about putting both properties on the auction block started last year, but became more serious about a month ago, Mr. Cunningham told the Times Herald outside the former tile plant Thursday.

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Dal-Tile on the auction block

On a Monday morning, at the junction of Cooks Road and Stephenson Road, scores of people gather on the pavements of both roads. A man pushes his cycle and leaves it under one of the big trees lining Cooks Road. There are tools wrapped up in a plastic cover and fastened securely to the cycles carrier; he takes the bag, careful not to spill its contents, and joins a group of men sitting along the battered compound wall of the Binny Mill Warehouse. They strike up a conversation while keeping an eye on every passerby, paying extra attention when anyone stops.

This corner of Jamalia, on the way to Perambur, is where workers congregate every day. This is where the work comes to them. Electricians, plumbers, painters, masons, tile layers, day labourers, all of them are available for hire. This is common in the city: Triplicane has its share of construction workers and so does Purasaiwalkam. All one has to do is go and stand at the spot. A crowd will gather around to find out the job requirement and a person will be suggested accordingly. After a quick negotiation about the wage, the employer and worker are off.

Some women squat on the edge of the pavement. Lakshmi, dressed in a simple cotton sari, has her grey-streaked hair in a neat bun decorated with a string of kanagambaram flowers. What work do you need done? I mostly do construction work carrying cement and sieving sand, things like that, she says, looking hopefully.

When she realises that theres no job coming from this source, the 53-year-olds demeanour changes , but she stays to chat for a while.

Im here from 7.30 a.m.. At times, I wait till 11 a.m. to get work. Some days, no one needs workers. Then all I can do is go back to my home in Kasimedu, she says, adding that she finds it easier to get daily work than to take up a regular job. Ask her why, and all she does is shrug and look away: This is the only thing I know how to do.

Lakshmis companion, Rani, has no jewels on, but sports a wide smile. We have been coming here for many years. Everyone knows that we work hard and work well and so they can hire us without fear, says Rani. The few curious ones who are listening in on the conversation nod their heads in agreement.

Just like high school, this crew of workers too has its factions. The biggest is the Tamil-Telugu divide: each group will stick to their side of the road. Crossing the road is like crossing the Andhra border; the chatter here is predominantly Telugu. But when asked a question in Tamil, all of them jump to answer in clear, unbroken Tamil. Tamil or Telugu, everyone here wants work.

While the Tamil group is tight-lipped about the labour situation, Nagaraj, a tile layer from Vijayawada, says, We are migrants, so the people who are from this locality might think that we are threatening their livelihood. But there is almost always enough work for all of us. We dont fight or anything, we just stick to our respective sides of the road. He lives in a shack not far from the spot, paying a rent of Rs. 2,500.

He supports his wife and two children who live back in their city. The advantage of working from here is that there are no middlemen. I already own my tools. The entire pay comes to me. I need every paisa, he says, adding that he and almost everyone he knows here has a mobile phone to make sure regular employers can contact them directly. We will never change our numbers. Its our lifeline, he says.

This side of the road is decidedly more vocal. Eighteen-year-old Shanthi rattles off that shes from a small village near Ongole but came here with her family to earn a living many years ago, that she didnt study much and that she might look scrawny but can work as well as the rest of them. I work at construction sites. We women get paid Rs. 400 per day. For the same amount of work, men get paid Rs. 500, she says.

Excerpt from:
Labour, livelihood and language

If you are a husband, you may want to hide the newspaper this morning.

Or am I being presumptuously sexist, assuming that only male spouses will be affected by what Im about to reveal?

And who reads the newspaper today, anyway? Odds are youre reading this on your mobile phone, which is entirely under your control, its browsing history a secret between you and the NSA.

All Im saying is, dont let your wife (or husband [or partner]) see this column.

Anyway, to the matter at hand: Some months ago, I wrote about the battle that breaks out every morning in the Kelly bathroom. By mutual agreement, whoever takes the last shower has to squeegee down the tiled walls. This is to reduce the moisture, which can allow mold and mildew to get a beach head in the grout.

After that column ran, several colleagues informed me that their wives were inspired to institute a similar regimen in their homes. Their bitter message to me: Thanks a lot, John.

What they didnt know wont know until now (hide the paper) is that we no longer do that in my house. No, what we do is much worse.

Several readers e-mailed to say that a squeegee pales in comparison to a super-absorbent towel. These towels, they said, magically wick away moisture, leaving surfaces dry and clean.

I made the mistake of mentioning this to My Lovely Wife. So now whoever takes the last shower has to towel off the tile.

Big deal, you say? Well careful research has proven that the towel does work well, but only after squeegeeing. Now, the last person to take a shower has to squeegee it, then wipe it with a towel.

Link:
Kelly: A little bit of everything, from shower towels to work trucks

Midway, UT (PRWEB) September 03, 2014

In the 1970's, the LDS Church studied which roofs would provide them with the best "life-cycle cost" and decided that concrete tile roofs was the best option. They incorporated a standard plan for meetinghouses nationwide that specified concrete roof tile which Terry Anderson assisted in designing and writing.

When the architectural specifications were finished Anderson recalls, "I thought it was the best tile roof spec in the industry."

The practice of specifying and installing concrete tile roofs continued until the mid 1990's and Anderson was a consultant on many of them. But, a system-wide roof warranty from tile manufacturers was not required on those projects (they warrant only product) and when roofs failed due to damage from sliding snow and ice, vandalism and original installations that did not follow architectural specifications, Church leadership switched over to asphalt shingles and other roofs that warranted the entire roof system.

In the last few years, there has been a new desire to offer other roof standards for Church meetinghouses including a system warranted concrete tile roof and Terry Anderson, who now owns TRA Snow and Sun, is once again advising the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on roofs of new meetinghouses.

Anderson is well known in the roofing industry for his expertise in concrete tile (i.e.: Bartile, Eagle Tile, Boral Tile) and for inventing the original Snow Bracket for tile. Anderson is best known for co-authoring the Concrete and Clay Tile Roof Design Criteria Manual for Cold and Snow Regions. He is a long-standing member of the TRI (Tile Roof Institute) and the Western States Roofing Contractors Association and also contributed to the content of the Moderate Climate Guide Concrete and Clay Tile Installation Manual for Moderate Climate Regions.

"I have always believed that tile roofs are the best choice if you want a good life-cycle cost, so I was frustrated the Church moved away from tile. As a general rule asphalt shingles on the churches have only been lasting about 17 years and then they have to be replaced. Most concrete tile lasts much longer than that if installed properly. I am happy to be helping the Church design new specifications and details and work with them to get a complete tile roof system with a system warranty."

The new LDS Church specification that Anderson is helping design is considered a "cold roof system." The new specification calls for a counter-batten system. This system allows air movement underneath the tile , which increases the life of the underlayment, cools the structure in the summer by allowing heat to escape, and keeping the roof an even temperature in the winter which reduces the risk of ice dams at the eave. Ultimately this will not just result in a longer life cycle for the roof, but also provide savings in energy.

Eagle Tile, of Southern California, and Bartile, of Centerville, Utah, are training installers whose certification they will stand behind, insuring that the on-site installers know exactly how to properly follow the church specifications. Both companies are currently working with the Church to provide warranties for not just their tile, but the entire roof system. This is possible due to detailed specifications, clearly drawn details, certified installers, inspections at key points in the construction process, and at completion, certification that the roof has been installed as specified.

Two roof projects in Utah with concrete tile roofs are being re-roofed using the new, improved concrete tile cold roof system. They are located in Midway and American Fork.

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TRA Snow and Sun Owner Works with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on New Tile Roofs That Are More ...

WORK is well underway on a project at an Abergele hotel which is set to create 20 full and part time jobs. Darren Millar, Assembly member for Clwyd West, joined the directors from the Kinmel Manor Hotel for a tile laying ceremony for their new hydrotherapy pool on Tuesday. The new facility is part of a 1.2m refurbishment programme which is in progress at the hotel.

Work is expected to be completed at the end of this year and an official launch will take place in January.

The hotel - to be renamed the Kinmel - will boast a luxury spa with six treatment rooms, a gymnasium, sauna, steam room, hydrotherapy pool and a relaxation room.

Mr Millar said: The added advantage of a development of this scale is that it also brings additional employment in the area. This is welcome news as we continue to work towards economic recovery.

The new facilities at the Kinmel Manor will also inevitably attract new business, both corporate and private individuals, who will see first-hand the advantages of North Wales as both a business and leisure destination.

Tom Morpeth, hotel manager, added: The new spa facility and hotel upgrade will now give us the opportunity to enhance our reputation as a destination hotel of choice.

It is an exciting time in the history of The Kinmel Manor and the re-launch also includes the recruitment of additional personnel to support a package of products and services.

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Major refurbishment of Abergele hotel will create up to 20 jobs

The Volusia Mall in Daytona Beach is undergoing a multi-million-dollar renovation that will include a redesigned food court, new restrooms, new paint and flooring, new furniture and a new Garfield-themed childrens play area.

DAYTONA BEACH Almost $5 million in renovations to the Volusia Mall its first major face-lift in 18 years should be completed by Halloween, mall officials say.

Since beginning work in March, construction crews have passed several milestones in the $4.68 million project, such as renovating the malls public restrooms and installing new light fixtures in the food court, said Wayne Bohl, the malls general manager.

Workers are now turning their attention to the remaining tile and carpeting work, columns in the malls hallways, and redesigning the shopping centers food court and west entrances, Bohl said.

Were pleased with the way things are going, Bohl said. It is going very smoothly.

Building crews work after the mall closes at night. Roughly 80 workers are usually on site at one time, Bohl said.

At 1.1 million square feet, Volusia Mall is the Volusia-Flagler areas largest retail center. The mall at 1700 W. International Speedway Blvd. houses more than 120 stores and restaurants.

The project is the 40-year-old malls first major renovation since it added a food court in 1996. After the renovations are completed, the mall will have new flooring throughout the common areas, redesigned columns, revamped entrances, new light fixtures, repainted areas, new furniture and a new Garfield-themed childrens play area, among other amenities.

CBL & Associates Properties, the Chattanooga, Tennessee-based company that owns the mall, is paying for the renovation. CBL bought the mall for $119 million in 2004.

Eighteen companies,14 of which are from the Volusia-Flagler area, are working as subcontractors on the project, said David Haught, lead superintendent for EMJ Construction, the projects general contractor. The renovation work has required the services of more than 180 workers, and 119 of them are based in the Volusia-Flagler area, he said.

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MALL MAKEOVER Almost $5 million in renovations to Volusia Mall set to wrap up in October

San Luis Obispo, CA (PRWEB) August 30, 2014

The friendly and professional staff at Mr. Toms Tile will be showcasing their many natural stone and quartz countertop products and services at the Inspired Home Expos in Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo. The first event takes place at the Paso Robles Event Center, located at 2198 Riverside Ave. Come explore their wide selection of slabs and tiles on Saturday, Sept. 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. In San Luis Obispo, visit the Mr. Toms Tile booth at the Alex Madonna Expo Center, located at 100 Madonna Road on Saturday, Sept. 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

At Mr. Toms Tile, the No. 1 goal is to provide exceptional customer service and build lasting relationships. Taking part in the Inspired Home Expos gives staff the opportunity to interact with community members that want to learn more about the services and products offered.

Its a great opportunity for us to connect with people who are remodeling or building new homes and a great opportunity for them to see what we offer, says Sales Specialist Dana Phillips. We specialize in granite and quartz countertops. We will have a couple of countertops on display. To really appreciate our products, we will also have displays of engineered wood and lots of tile samples for everyone to see and feel.

Building a new home, replacing kitchen countertops, or considering adding a bit of style with a marble-tiled entry? Look no further than Mr. Toms Tile. Experienced, knowledgeable, and professional thats what home and business owners have long considered some of the finest traits when interacting with the Mr. Toms Tile staff. Envision the desired look of your space and they will work to create the design that will fit your budget and lifestyle Mr. Toms Tile even offers free estimates.

I appreciated the prompt response for an estimate and upon acceptance of the estimate a quick establishment of the date to start the work, wrote Betsy Hardie of Paso Robles in a recent testimonial for Mr. Toms Tile. The workers assigned to all aspects of the project including demolition, installation and finishing work were all prompt in reporting for work, conscientious of protection of all the surrounding areas to reduce any dust, etc. and very responsive in cleaning up after each phase of work. The final outcome was a beautifully-enhanced kitchen which I love and everyone who has seen it so far agrees with my opinion.

Mr. Toms Tile offers a variety of services such as the fabrication and installation of granite, marble, travertine, soapstone and quartz countertops; installation of bathtub and shower walls of all types of tile; installation of all types of flooring inside and out; and the installation of a wide range of back splash options and decorative touches. The quality and custom design of each project is backed by the experience and personal service from the entire team of professionals at Mr. Toms Tile.

To learn more about Mr. Toms Tile, be sure to stop by their booth at the Paso Robles Inspired Home Expos on Sept. 6 and 7 or the San Luis Obispo expo on Sept. 20 and 21. Visit the Mr. Toms Tile showroom, located at 8405 Morro Road in Atascadero, to set up an appointment with a professionally-trained design consultant. Call (805) 466-8453 or go online at http://www.mrtomstile.com for more information.

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Mr. Toms Tile Hosting Booth at the Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo Home Expos

Washington, D.C. (PRWEB) August 28, 2014

The Francis L. Cardozo Education Campus received LEED Gold Certification for Schools this week from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the Department of General Services (DGS) announced today.

The Department of General Services is honored to receive this prestigious certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, and I would like to congratulate our entire design, construction and project team for achieving this distinction, said Brian J. Hanlon, DGS Director. This certification showcases the agencys dedication to build high quality, sustainable schools here in the District of Columbia that can serve as national models of excellence.

According to the USGBC, LEED provides building owners and operators with a framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions. The LEED program provides third-party verification of green buildings. Building projects satisfy prerequisites and earn points to achieve different levels of certification. Prerequisites and credits differ for each rating system, and teams choose the best fit for the project.

The new Cardozo Education Campus, which was first designed a century ago, houses the Academy of Construction and Design, and the TransSTEM Academy. Both academies have expanded and enhanced classroom and laboratory spaces, including a two-story aviation lab, a two-story masonry construction lab and several computer lab spaces. The newly modernized and expanded historic campus in Ward 1 also features two specialized learning academies and a fully restored historic auditorium.

The modernization project marries both high tech advancements such as interactive whiteboards, classroom sound enhancement systems, and computer labs with major renovations to many of the celebrated period features of the original Cardozo, including stone carvings and decorative tile work, an historic lecture classroom, auditorium, and indoor pool.

Some of the design features of the Cardozo Education Campus which lead to the LEED certification include: Design Features:

The modernization of Cardozo also incorporates a number of energy-efficient elements including new mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems designed to reduce the energy consumption of the building, along with a green roof to aid with stormwater management. The school was designed to achieve a minimum of LEED Silver for Schools rating.

LEED is a point based system where building projects earn LEED points for satisfying specific green building criteria. Within each of the LEED credit categories, projects must satisfy particular prerequisites and earn points.

The categories include: Sustainable Sites (SS), Water Efficiency (WE), Energy and Atmosphere (EA), Materials and Resources (MR) and Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ). An additional category, Innovation in Design (ID), addresses sustainable building expertise as well as design measures not covered under the five environmental categories. The number of points the project earns determines the level of LEED Certification the project receives. LEED certification is available in four progressive levels: Certified; Silver; Gold and Platinum.

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Cardozo Education Campus Receives LEED Gold Certification