Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

WOOD RIVER I was in the mood for the classics.

You can't get any more classic than Wood River's King Louie's Drive-In, 315 S. 6th St. I went classic everything: King Louie burger, famous French fries, a large homemade root beer and a real strawberry shake. Thanks to longtime server Jamie DeGerlia I ordered a shake. The power of suggestion is a good thing, especially coming from someone as friendly, pretty and bubbly as DeGerlia.

"It's fun. I enjoy coming here," said DeGerlia, who has worked at King Louie's for 14 years and has a regular following.

I was excited to realize that King Louie's has homemade root beer. I always got this beverage at the old Mini Corral, when I lived nearby, about a half a mile from the Corral in Alton's Milton neighborhood when I first started working in the city. I moved to Alton in spring 2006, not liking the commute from the Maplewood neighborhood in St. Louis.

I had a great lunch from King Louie Monday that I took to Wood River's iconic Roundhouse, 633 N. Wood River Ave., just four minutes away, and ate it under the gazebo, in perfect weather. You can eat curbside with a tray, inside or take out at King Louie's.

Situated in the main front entrance to the Roundhouse, from the gazebo you can clearly see the unusual shape of the building, for a building, and Central Park's playground across the way.

The classic King Louie burger (which you can order in a double or triple) comes with lettuce, tomato, mayo, pickle and onion, to which I added a slice of American cheese and ketchup. Sure, I had ketchup packets with the fries, but who wants to mess up their amazing loaded burger by lifting the top bun. The all-beef patty is slightly oversized, but the bun totally fits on top of it all. It's a delight for the taste buds that doesn't fall apart.

King Louie's French fries are the best! They were super hot in a good way and I started eating them right out of the classic brown paper sack while driving to the Roundhouse. No salt, no ketchup needed. They are the perfect French fry, in my humble opinion.

The homemade root beer had a definite "kick," as in I could taste the caramel-ly undertone, which is my favorite kind of root beer just scrumptious, and goes great with the fries. I felt like I was literally "At The Hop."

The icing on the proverbial cake was the strawberry shake, because it's made with real strawberries, a surprising treat.

Visit link:
Wood River's King Louie's Drive-In at the Roundhouse - Alton Telegraph

Fort at No. 4. Photo taken from Charlestown Old Home Days Facebook page

CHARLESTOWN, N.H. For the first time since 2015, Charlestown will be hosting their Old Home Days on Friday, Aug. 19, Saturday, Aug. 20, and Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022. There are a wide host of activities and events planned, including fireworks, a fishing derby, a parade, food vendors, live music, carriage tours, and historical open houses. The festival will begin Friday afternoon and run until Sunday night.

FRIDAY

Flight Park Events Ziplining and Laser Tag will run from 9 a.m. 7 p.m. Call to make a reservation and mention the OHD discount at 603-542-4416.

Morningside Flight Park Tours at 4, 5, 6, and 7 p.m.

Games, 7 p.m. Water pistol fun, giant Yahtzee, and cornhole.

Music, 7:309 p.m. Rebecca Mae and Jamey Live Band Music.

Kids Events

56 p.m. 13 and under Fishing Derby. Bring a pole.

68 p.m. Touch-a-Truck at the Recreation Department.

8 p.m. Kids free prize drawing.

Food, 57 p.m. Rescue Dawgs, Winnies Wagon, AJs Fried Dough, and free root beer floats at Life Fellowship from 68 p.m.

Side Events

23:30 p.m. Open Basketball Shoot at the Middle School Gym.

48 p.m. Reunion of Classes at the Senior Center.

68 p.m. Misting Tent at the Fire Department.

8 p.m. Campfire Smores.

Atlas Fireworks, 9:30 p.m.

SATURDAY

Flight Park Events Ziplining and Laser Tag will run from 9 a.m. 7 p.m. Call to make a reservation and mention the OHD discount at 603-542-4416.

Parade

9 a.m. Line up (primary).

9:30 a.m. Kids parade line up (middle school).

10 a.m. Parade starts, moving from Main Street through Sullivan Street and ending on East Street.

Food, 123 p.m. Rescue Dawgs, Winnies Wagon, AJs Fried Dough, grilled sausages, free waffle cones with ice cream, and ice cream cones BOGO.

Music, 11 a.m. 2 p.m. Firehouse Six, Hills Bandwagon, Karen Bays, and All Country Band will play at the library.

Main Street Events

11 a.m. 2p.m. Historical Society Open House at the Bakery Building; St. Lukes Mission Open House; Anglican Church of the Good Shepard, tours of the vault and story of the 1850 Bungled Burglary; Lawn games; Face painting.

11 a.m. 3 p.m. Free train rides; Craft fair; Charlestown Art Show; Charlestown Conservation Commission Booth; Inflatable axe throwing; free rock wall and bungee trampoline.

11:30 a.m. 2 p.m. Kids Corner on the library lawn. Dr. Seuss.

123 p.m. Charlestown Historical Society Carriage Tours at 12, 1, 2, and 3 p.m.

12:301:10 p.m. Hocus Pocus Magic Show at Silsby Library.

12 p.m. Wildlife Encounters at St. Lukes Church.

36 p.m. Drop off decorated cupcakes in Community Room.

69 p.m. Town Youth Dance at the Gazebo Court.

SUNDAY

Food

710 a.m. Pancake breakfast at the Town Hall.

122 p.m. Community pot luck with free watermelon at the Library/Community Room. Bring your own dish to share.

Music

910:30 a.m. Gospel Music Concert at the library.

123 p.m. Open karaoke.

Main Street Events

7 a.m. 5K race. Meet at the pool. No pre-registration required.

89 a.m. Drop off decorated cupcakes in Community Room.

9 a.m. 2 p.m. Public voting for Best Cupcake.

9 a.m. 3 p.m. Baby goats at the library.

11:15 a.m. Family Magician Dylan Tenny at the library.

11 a.m. 3:30 p.m. Open House Fort #4.

11 a.m. 4 p.m. Open pool day with childrens activities.

See the original post here:
Charlestown Old Home Days - The Vermont Journal & The Shopper - Vermont Journal

By Sarah BrownLebanon Local

Visitors flocked to Academy Square for Lebanons annual National Night Out on Aug. 2. It was the second year the Lebanon police and fire departments included a Robber Duck scavenger hunt for the kids. Fifty rubber duckies were hidden throughout the park; 49 were decorated in police attire, but whoever found the one dressed as a robber won a prize.

This was the first year National Night Out hosted a doughnut-eating contest as a fund raiser for Furniture Share. Lebanon police, Linn County deputies and community members raced to see who could consume a dozen doughnuts. Many dropped out of the competition early until David Noble was left for the win with only three donuts left. He earned bragging rights and a donut-mug-handcuff trophy. Two runners-up earned themselves a doughnut trophy.

Also at the event, the Optimist Club held a special dedication ceremony for Shawn Turrentine who passed away last year. A bench was placed in his name at the gazebo that Turrentine helped install, and a set of balloons were released in his memory.

The purpose of NNO, Community Policing Officer Dala Johnson said, is to bring law enforcement and the community together.

We are here to partner with the community, she said. We need to have that positive reinforcement from both sides. This is a way for our community to see the other side of our officers.

She proved her point by noting that Police Chief Frank Stevenson was seen scarfing down doughnuts and getting soaked in the dunk tank by children.

Doughnuts, ducks and dunk tanks

Follow this link:
Night Out in the park - lebanonlocalnews.com

The first thing you notice is all the windows. Why so many windows? Well, you're right there on the river, close to Rochester in Oronoco. So windows are a must. Liste price?$699,000.

Ronald Wightman with WightmanBrock Real Estate Advisors

It's a gorgeous property, on the North fork of the Zumbro in Oronoco, Minnesota, with piles of space inside. Nice roomie kitchen to not get into 'you keep bumping into me' fights. The living space, with a huge fireplace, just screams, "Fire + snow + river = romance novel!"

Pretty traditional layout for the three bedrooms and 2.5 baths...but it's inside those rooms where you'll say, "Oh, I need that!" For instance, the primary bedroom has sliding glass doors to the outside! Would that not be just the coolest thing in the morning for your early walk, coffee, or just watching the river in the AM?

Scroll through the gallery for more details and views on this Oronoco home.

10842 Riverbend Ln NW, Oronoco, MN 55960

List Price: $699,000

Presented by:

Built in 1988, and sold in 1990 for $136,000, the current asking price is $699,000. If you're curious, math-wise, I think it works out to about $19,000 a year in increased value.

This home is all kinds of fancy pantsy. You know how your eyes felt loved and relaxed looking at the river views on the Oronoco property? Here your eyes will say, "What the what?"

This home that's for sale in Edina, Minnesota is definitely 'extra'. Take a look at the pictures and you'll see why for yourself.

As always, if you have a comment, complaint, or concern about something I wrote here, please let me know: james.rabe@townsquaremedia.com

Listen On-Demand with the Y105FM app, and on the following podcast platforms: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify

Link:
Terrific River Views Will Make You Drool 12 Miles from Rochester - Y105FM

LEWISBURG William Shakespeares A Midsummer Nights Dream will come to life in Hufnagle Park, thanks to a local theater company.

Gaspipe Theatre Company will perform the classic comedy at 7 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday as part of its Shakespeare in the Park program.

A Midsummer Nights Dream is kind of a tradition for Gaspipe, said Stefan Eisenhower, director. It was the first play we did for Shakespeare in the Park in 2000 and its been revisited every five years.

The play, published in the 17th century, is about two Athenian couples who run away to the forest, an amateur group of actors rehearsing for a production and a mischievous fairy named Puck, whose spells create a love triangle among the Athenians and makes the fairy queen fall in love with Bottom, an actor who has been magicked so he unknowingly has the head of a donkey.

In the theater industry, A Midsummers Nights Dream is a widely performed play and Eisenhower said each production has a way to make the show unique to them.

Gaspipe sticks close to the source text, but we do put a little spin on it through costumes and the set, he said. This year has a slight steampunk theme but tries not to distract from the original material.

In addition to its history with the Gaspipe Theatre Company, A Midsummer Nights Dream was chosen because it has a large cast and has a relatively fair distribution of lines, so more actors get a chance to speak.

The play lets new and old actors try Shakespeare and be introduced to it, Eisenhower said.

Andrew Shaffer, who plays Bottom and has performed in all of Gaspipes Shakespeare in the Park productions, said the play has a lot of appeal at different levels.

Theres a love triangle that turns into zany stuff, theres fairies, magic and music, but a lot of intricate word play and historical references, he said. Shakespeare survived for so long because its entertaining.

Eisenhower noted the cast has a wide range of age and experience.

He said one of his favorite things as a director is watching his cast go deep into their roles and find all the little pieces they can pull from the text to affect their portrayals.

Even actors who are familiar with their roles learn something new about their characters.

Shaffer has played Bottom an actor magicked to have a donkeys head and is the recipient of fairy queen Titanias affection six times total.

Shaffer is still finding new things about Bottoms character, Eisenhower said.

Shaffer first portrayed Bottom in 1999 at Lewisburg Area High School and has returned to the role every time Gaspipe performs the play.

Bottom gets to be the clown, and be silly and wear the donkey head and sing, Shaffer said. Hes a really fun character.

Hes also performed in every Shakespeare in the Park.

Shakespeare is classic for a reason, Shaffer said.

This years production also marks a return to Gaspipes outdoor roots after a year off in 2020 due to COVID and a relocation in 2021 due to construction at Hufnagle Park. A Midsummer Nights Dream will be performed at the gazebo, a familiar location for the company.

We didnt have Shakespeare in the Park in 2020 because of the pandemic, but we called it Taming of the flu, Eisenhower said with a laugh.

Typically, the company performs each night of the show at different parks in the Valley, but opted to do all three performances at Hufnagle this year.

Were glad to be back, said Shaffer.

Read the rest here:
Gaspipe Theatre Company bringing Shakespeare to life with 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' - Sunbury Daily Item

It was bright sunshine at the back of the pub and a small collection of good looking chickens were scratching about and clucking contentedly. A much larger group of teachers delighted to be on their summer holidays were vying for the best tables and cackling considerably louder.

There is quite a large, well-maintained, outside space at the Queens Head in Kingsnorth, near Ashford, and I can understand why it would be popular with both locals and visitors.

Inside there is a large room on the right hand side of the pub devoted almost entirely to pool or darts and two lucky lads enjoying a game of arrows had the entire space to themselves.

We headed beyond this and into the main bar at the front of the pub. There was a Sussex Best on offer, but always keen to try something a little different, I opted for a pint of Razor Back, a 3.8% bitter from the Ringwood Brewery.

Eggs from the chickens were also on sale at the bar at 1 for six or 1.50 for a dozen but they were quite miniscule, mini eggs if you will.

There are fairy lights festooned everywhere you look, probably in an effort to offset the black patterned wallpaper.

The Razor Back describes itself as an exceptionally refreshing craft ale, Im slightly suspicious of the oft-used craft tag and would describe it as an average beer with a toffee smell and a disappointing aftertaste.

Theres a chaotic and slightly haphazard feel to everything behind the bar but it just adds further to the charm of this place Id describe the barmaid as hectically efficient.

A wild-looking fellow with flowing white hair and a beard to match breezed into the bar and then disappeared out front to hose everything down (I hasten to add, this was pre-hosepipe ban).

He shouted hello gorgeous to the busy barmaid, dropped her off a newspaper for later and then went off to collect glasses. Apparently this does his own thing Aussie is happy to help out with a whole variety of tasks in exchange for the odd beer.

A good deal of tradition has been retained here, old fashioned towels on the bar, beer mats on tables and Maggie May by Rod Stewart pumping out through the speakers.

Mind you, when the song changed to Joan Jets I Love Rock and Roll we were given a real treat as the barmaid launched into her own version of I Love Sausage Rolls at the top of her voice.

Various teachers trooped in at intervals to order drinks before scuttling back outside with the chickens and Mrs SD and I began a new game.

Isnt it interesting how you can tell immediately the year groups they teach just by the way they dress and the way they speak the difference between reception staff and those who tackle Year 6 is remarkable and very easy to spot.

Theres plenty of CCTV around the bar, usually a sign it can get a little lively, although the pub was very relaxed when we were in and folks are left to their own devices vaping at the bar, for example, is encouraged.

The gents is found beyond the black wallpapered wall and features back-to-back urinals, although the basin is even smaller than my en-suite at home.

The toilets had obviously been cleaned recently and were fresh smelling. Mrs SD delivered a similarly upbeat review of the ladies facilities.

Back in our seats at the high table at the front of the pub we both began to feel we were being watched. Nearing the end of our visit the feeling grew to the point we could sense the eyes burning into us. I checked my flies and Mrs SD made sure nothing had dripped down her blouse but everything seemed fine.

It was only as we left we realised what was going on, barely had our cheeks slipped off our stools and two locals were seated and discussing Man Uniteds latest disaster. Little did we know we were so early into the pub wed taken two locals favoured seats.

This is a big, well-spaced pub that is perfectly capable of hosting a very large outdoor party, a very decent pub games night and still leave the front bar free for the locals.

I enjoyed the down-to-earth approach, with more than a dash of chaos thrown in, created by the staff and can recommend popping in for a pint of Harveys should you feel inclined.

Queens Head, Ashford Road, Kingsnorth, Ashford TN23 3EN

Decor: Its not often Id forgive fairy lights in this quantity but in amongst these slightly quirky, down-to-earth decorations they work pretty well. And, the outside area more than makes up for the slightly dark interior. ***

Drink: The pubs a winner for me and Im sure there are times when the guest ales are much better, but neither the beer, nor wine, was wonderful when we were in. **

Price: Id think twice before I spent another 4.80 on a Razor Back but the Harveys wasnt much cheaper at 4.60 and a Camden Hells is 5.35. The wine was okay and more reasonable at 6.50, but the crisps were 1.40 a bag. **

Staff: Wacky and willing to get involved in any conversation, Id describe the busy barmaid as the mainstay of the Queens Head and she marshalled the chaos admirably. ****

Catch up on all Secret Drinker's Kent pub reviews here

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Where the chickens and a wacky barmaid rule the roost - Kent Online

If you find yourself outgrowing your current home, building a home addition might be a better idea than moving. Home additions are usually a good investment because they increase your square footage while raising your homes value.

People get home additions for a variety of reasons. For example, taking care of aging parents may require adding an in-law suite. Having more children may create the need for extra bedrooms and bathrooms.

Some home additions happen because the homeowner wants a bigger closet or a full size pantry, or wants an unfinished basement or garage to become usable living space. You may want to add a garage to a home without one, or turn an open carport into a closed garage.

For standard home additions, the cost can range anywhere from $20,000 to $80,000. But there are a few key factors to calculate in your home addition cost.

To calculate the overall cost of adding on to your home, youll need to consider:

Other things youll need to consider for your home addition cost are:

Adding on to your home can be costly. However, you can build out your house without breaking the bank.

Some of the least expensive home additions are:

These options allow you to use what you already have and escape the high cost of adding foundation, walls, roof, and everything else that must be done for an add on.

You can also consider adding:

With these ideas, you can still have your dream home addition and keep from emptying your pockets.

Bump-outs and full second stories can be major home addition projects. Other additions include turning an existing patio into a sun room or making attic into a living space. Here are 15 great home additions for you to consider today.

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An in-law suite is one of the most common types of home additions as people are living longer. While many people give mom or dad the spare bedroom, others want their parents to have a sense of independence for a longer period of time. An in-law suite allows you to help your parents when needed and gives them privacy when they dont need your help.

In-law suite home addition plans should focus as much as possible on accessibility. Even if your senior family members are mobile and active now, things can change rapidly due to an accident or fall. Its best if an in-law suite is a first-floor addition with few or no steps. As with all types of home additions, make sure you follow the building codes for your town and neighborhood.

Many areas of your house can work for bedroom home additions. The attic, basement or garage can all be places to consider when figuring out how to add an extra bedroom to your home. A covered patio can make a great master bedroom, especially if its existing roof is already part of the main house structure.

Most counties and cities have building codes that require a bedroom to have at least one door opening to the inside of the house and at least one window that opens outdoors. This is to provide two potential fire escape routes. If you cannot meet these requirements in your chosen space, you may need to locate the extra bedroom home additions in another place.

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Bump-outs are small home additions that literally bump out from an existing interior wall. While they may not seem big viewed from outside, these small home addition plans can make a living space feel much larger inside. They also do not add a lot to your home addition costs because they dont require foundation work or a roof. You can use this area to add windows to provide extra natural lighting.

A bump out can be used to add a closet to a bedroom or a pantry to a kitchen. A kitchen bump out may provide just the space you need to add a small caf table or dining bar. Bump outs can also make enough space for a laundry rooma valuable addition to any home.

Bay windows are a common type of bump out that add seating and lots of natural light to a living room or bedroom. If you have always dreamed of having a fireplace in your living room or bedroom, a bump out can provide enough room for a fireplace with built-in shelves on each side.

Some of the smallest home additions involve adding a new closet or pantry to an existing floor plan. This can often be accomplished within the homes original footprint by moving interior walls or building new ones. Bump outs also work well for smaller areas like walk-in closets and kitchen pantries.

Many homeowners are now turning unused spare bedrooms into giant closet rooms. This may require moving walls and creating doorways between the master bedroom and the new closet space. Todays new closet home additions include a variety of luxurious features. These dressing rooms include furniture, mirrored walls, elaborate chandeliers and specialized storage solutions for every type of clothing and accessory.

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Home addition plans that include a new bathroom (or expand a current one) can be expensive. Along with kitchens, bathroom home additions cost a lot more than other types of rooms because of the plumbing expenses. Countertops, floors and electricity costs also make bathrooms an investment.

If you have a small master bathroom, making it bigger can give you room for a soaking tub or a large vanity that has two sinks. A bigger main bathroom can be helpful for large families. You can also add a small half-bath or water closet in the small space under your stairs. An unused closet can be turned into half-bathroom, which is convenient when you are entertaining or having overnight guests.

A simple home addition may involve finishing your basement. A basement home addition is a good idea because using that space can save on home addition costs. Its less expensive to build within walls you already have instead of adding a second floor or bump out structure.

Local building codes may state that you must have a certain number of exits from the basement. If you need to add more doors or windows, expect your basement home addition costs to rapidly increase. Otherwise, finishing a basement can be an easy way to add a small apartment, game room, gym, home theater or extra bedrooms.

If you have a garage that doesnt have a second story, you may be able to add one to create the extra space your family needs. Before starting your home addition plans, check with a builder to make sure your garage foundation and structure can support the weight of a second floor. There may be extra safety precautions to take when building over a garage, such as fireproof drywall and vapor barriers between the floors.

Over a freestanding garage is a good place to add an in-law suite or teenager suite. You can also create a studio apartment with a bathroom and kitchenette and rent the space to generate a steady source of extra income. A fun playroom or bonus room can fit over most garages. You can also use it for storage instead of paying for a storage unit across town.

The space over your garage is also a good location to add a few guest bedrooms and a bathroom, if you often have overnight guests. They will enjoy a sense of privacy while still being able to stay on your property.

Popular in the south and in midcentury design, an open-sided carport or covered parking pad is one of the best home additions if your house lacks covered parking. If your home already has a carport, you can hire a home addition contractor to build solid walls and add a garage door to transform the space into an actual garage.

If you dont need covered car parking or an enclosed garage, a carport that shares the homes structure and roofline can be turned into a porch, living room, media room, playroom or extra bedroom suite. This will be considered a larger home addition project. But because it already has a foundation and roof, it will be less expensive than building a room entirely from the ground up.

While its nice to have a patio or porch, you and your family will likely get more use from a sun room or screened porch. Home addition costs are low for this kind of project because the foundation is usually already there. Your home addition contractors may only need to fill in walls between existing studs and use the current roof.

If you want a sunroom to be counted in your homes square footage, it must have heating in the wintertime and a door that opens into the house. These rooms usually include lots of windows and are a great place to socialize, dine and grow house plants.

You probably cant count a screened porch as interior square footage, but having one increases the quality of life in your home. This is especially true if you live in a hot climate and need outdoor living space that is well-ventilated and safe from insects and other pests. If you live where you get a lot of snowfall, ask your home addition contractor to make sure the structure can support the weight of heavy snow.

A dormer is a roofed structure that projects out from a homes main roof. It usually contains a window, and a roof may have multiple dormers, such as in a traditional Cape Cod home design. If you have a tall attic space, adding dormers can help increase the usable square footage in the attic. Dormers also make your house look bigger from the street.

Dormer rooms can be bedrooms, bathrooms or living areas. If your attic is tall enough to stand in, but lacks windows, this can be a way to meet building code requirements for windows in living spaces. When turning an attic into a home addition, try to keep some of the space for storage only. Even if you dont need the storage space, the next person who buys your home may appreciate it.

Bigger kitchens are more popular than ever and having one will increase your homes value. Even small kitchen home additions can make a kitchen feel much bigger and more open. If you really need additional kitchen space, you can take down an exterior wall and build a small room for dining and a pantry. Building an outdoor kitchen on a deck or patio also expands your cooking space.

Sometimes a kitchen home addition includes building an entirely new kitchen and converting the existing small kitchen into a pantry or mud room. Because of the cost of plumbing, appliances and new countertops, kitchen home additions are some of the most expensive home expansion projects you can do. A good contractor can help you keep your home addition costs within a certain budget.

A mudroom may also be called an anteroom or a vestibule, depending on where you are from. Common in rural areas and farmhouses, these rooms provide a place for family members to take off muddy shoes. Having a designated area for this helps keep the entrance of your home organized by giving kids a place for their book bags, hats and coats.

Mudrooms are simple home additions that dont require a lot of square footage. A ten-foot by ten-foot space is big enough for this purpose. A good mudroom will include hooks for hanging up clothes, a bin for wet umbrellas and often a bench for sitting while changing shoes. If you can include room for a washing machine and dryer, this is an ideal place to put them.

A deck is not counted as an actual room in the home, but it is one of the most welcome home additions. Who doesnt love a beautiful outdoor space for relaxing and socializing? Deck home additions may even be possible to do yourself without having to hire a home addition contractor. However, you should have strong DIY skills before considering taking on such a large project. This is especially true if you need a multi-level deck instead of one basic flat surface.

Decks can be made of real pressure treated wood or a variety of composite materials. You can also buy partially assembled deck kits that include all the parts that you will need. You can leave the deck open to the sunshine or build an open-sided roof structure over it. Awnings or canopies are also great for providing shade on your new deck home addition.

When it comes to calculating home addition costs, building a full second story is one of the most expensive home addition projects you can take on. Most homeowners find the expense worth it because it ends up doubling, or nearly doubling, your homes total square footage. A second story will greatly increase your homes value when its time to sell.

Before investing home addition costs into home addition plans and blueprints, hire a building inspector to make sure your homes current foundation and structure can support the weight of a second floor. If it cant, there may be things that can be done to make it stronger. If your homes foundation cant be strengthened, you may have to choose a bump-out or another way to get the square footage you want.

It may be tempting to hire home addition contractors and start immediately on building your new home addition. But there are a few things to keep in mind before you launch such a big project. A licensed professional home addition contractor will be able to give you advice on doing everything in a legal manner. But you should still learn about your local building codes and zoning ordinances for yourself. That way, you will know if anything is amiss.

Find out where you need to submit your blueprints and home addition plans. This might be a county assessors office or a city official. Dont just turn the project over to a home addition contractor and expect everything to turn out well. Show up on the job site daily and make sure the work is being done in a way that all legal requirements are met.

New home additions are one of the best options to increase the value of your home. Its also a great way to add luxury, convenience, and creativity to your house. However, home additions will take up a lot of time can be rather expensive.

Are you stuck on whether you should build up or build out for your home addition? Either way will have its benefits and challenges. If you have the space, you can add on. You have limited space but a sound structure you can build up.

The most important aspects of building an addition to your home are the preparations, plans, permits, and professionals you hire to complete the job. Youll need to consider your options carefully and what fits into your budget.

Home additions are fun because you have full control over the design and can be creative. Its also a great way to add space and value to your home. Even though they can be costly and take time, home additions are a rewarding investment.

View original post here:
15 Worthwhile Home Additions That Can Increase Home Value

Families keep growing and items continue to accumulate, but square footage just doesnt budge this is why garages can be a storage savior. As you embark on your garage remodel or makeover, remember to focus on functionality above all else; this is an utilitarian space created to store things cars, tools, lawn mowers, seasonal decorations so you want to make sure your garage design is reflective of this. Research different garage ideas, including various layouts and organization solutions, so that you address all of your storage needs. If you dont need a repository for your accumulations and instead require more living space, check out garage conversion ideas and consider transforming this area into a hobby room, gym or extra bedroom. How do I organize my garage? This is a space that can easily get overwhelmed by clutter, so plan for a functional garage makeover that has a layout optimized for heavy storage. When browsing garage ideas, think simplicity one of the easiest ways to keep this area neat is by putting in shelving units and built-ins that allow you to carefully arrange your items so they're easy to find and put away. To achieve ultimate organization in your garage remodel, add cabinets along the walls, a built-in workbench for ample counter space and wall hooks for hanging brooms, shovels and other tools. Stash pricier pieces in a locked box, and use wall-mounted racks to keep bikes out of the way. When it comes to garage designs, think about your ceiling too; many manufacturers make overhead ceiling racks for seasonal and infrequently used items. What other garage designs can I implement? A dream garage doesnt have to be a storehouse there are plenty more garage design ideas to choose from. If you need more living space versus storage, you can always opt for a garage conversion and create an extra room. Garages are versatile spaces and with some smart paint selections and decor choices, it can easily become a home office, guest bedroom, playroom, home gym, music room or sewing space. If you're considering completely renovating your garage design and making it into a fully developed and habitable area, make sure you comply with local ordinances and incorporate enough ventilation, light and insulation for seasonal temperature changes. Dont feel limited by what others have already done come up with your own unique garage ideas to create a space thats all your own.

Originally posted here:
75 Beautiful Garage Pictures & Ideas | Houzz

BOSTON, MA - AUGUST 3: The Acura Integra, August 3, 2022 in BOSTON, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Marc Grasso/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)

BOSTON, MA - AUGUST 3: The Acura Integra, August 3, 2022 in BOSTON, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Marc Grasso/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)

BOSTON, MA - AUGUST 3: The Acura Integra, August 3, 2022 in BOSTON, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Marc Grasso/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)

BOSTON, MA - AUGUST 3: The Acura Integra, August 3, 2022 in BOSTON, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Marc Grasso/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)

Once a legend, always a legend.

Acura, Honda Motor Companys upscale brand, is known for delivering endless consumer satisfaction. For the past decade or so, the Acura ILX was the entry point for the Acura brand, and it sold well for them, selling especially well to those under 35. In doing so, it brought a lot of new buyers to the brand. For the 2023 model year, Acura is returning to its roots of Precision Crafted Performance with the all-new Acura Integra.

Welcome to Grassos Garage, the 2023 Acura Integra A-Spec, which starts with the same platform that underpins Honda Civic, just like its predecessor. The fifth generation Integra boasts a 1.5-liter turbo engine producing 200 horsepower and 192 lb.-ft. of torque. Our A-Spec came with a six-speed manual transmission with rev matching to keep shifting a breeze, while the automatic transmission option was a continuously variable transmission. What a difference maker this is for the economy class, a game-changer in fact.

Exterior and interior accouterments show nicely with a rear lift door for tons of trunk space, while granting the most rear legroom and cargo volume in its class.

A standard 10.2-inch all-digital Acura Precision Cockpit instrument cluster with available heads-up display was present on our A-Spec with the Technology package while the center protruding 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system was very easy to use. Additionally, our tester came with the ELS Studio 3D audio system, this was literally like being at a Fleetwood Mac concert using the SiriusXM radio.

Visibility for the Integra came to mind as you can tell Acura did its homework, excellent visibility for both the driver and passengers. Red interior microfiber seat inserts, sports pedals and offsetting color stitching were just a few of the additions with the A-Spec package, while comfort topped the list. Spacious interior, 12-way power seats and available ambient lighting really hit home.

In the market these days, a $30,000 vehicle is almost unheard of, especially when trying to locate an upscale offering. Acura recognized this gap, and the Integra really does a stand-up job of filling it. I cannot think of another upscale vehicle in this category that offers what the Integra has to offer. In typical Acura form, a homerun again and one that will really do wonders for consumers for years to come. Readers always ask me to identify something out of sorts, different or just something I didnt like about the vehicle, well readers, here you go, not one thing comes to mind!

Grassos Garage is here for you! Are you in the market for a new car? I would be happy to provide my honest input. All you have to do is email me: marc.grasso@bostonherald.com.

MSRP: $30,800As tested: $36,895MPG: 26 city, 36 highway, 30.1 as tested

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Grassos Garage: The Acura Integra is back! - Boston Herald

Sikes-Kline, Kowieski and Miscovich will face each other on Aug. 23

From Staff Reports| St. Augustine Record USA TODAY NETWORK

Three candidates will face off to become the mayor of St. Augustine since Tracy Upchurch is not running for reelection. City Commissioner Nancy Sikes-Kline,Noah Douglas KowieskiandTim Miscovich are vying for the position in the Aug. 23 primary.

If one candidate gets 50% of the votes plus one vote, that candidate wins. Otherwise, the top two candidates face off in the general election Nov. 8.

The Record posed the following questions to each of the candidates. Answers are presented as they were submitted,save for minor corrections to punctuation and grammar.

City of residence: City of St. Augustine

How long have you lived in St. Johns County? 38 years

Previous elected positions: Elected to serve as Commissioner in 2008, 2010, 2014and 2018.

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Community service: Appointment by Gov. Lawton Chiles to the State of Florida Historic St. Augustine Preservation Board and San Antiguo Foundation; past president, Junior Service League; founding board member and past chairperson, St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum; founding chairperson, Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program; founding board member, St. Augustine North Davis Shores Neighborhood Association; trustee, Florida National Guard Historical Foundation; board member, Cross and Sword, Floridas Official State Play; member, St. Johns County Vision Task Force; member, Urban Land Institute Reality Check First Coast; trustee, Save Our Bridge, Inc;. and past president, Citizens for the Preservation of St. Augustine.

Qualifications for office: Elected city commissioner for 13 years. Over 20 years of combined service on city boards before elected: vice chair, St. Augustine Parking and Traffic Committee; the Historic Architectural Review Board; and the Heritage Tourism & Historic Preservation Advisory Committee. Designated citys representative: St. Johns County Cultural Resource Review Board; St. Johns County Intergovernmental Committee; and the St. Johns County Visitors and Convention Bureau. Current citys representative: St. Johns County Tourist Development Council, the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization and Florida League of Cities. Awarded Home Rule Hero for the last five years by the Florida League of Cities.Training: Florida League of Cities and John Scott Daily Florida;Advanced Institute of Government for Elected Municipal Officials; the Metropolitan Planning Organization Advisory Council Training Institute; the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation Certified Local Government Training Workshop program; Florida League of Cities University Summit Series for Community Redevelopment Agency Basics and Budget Best Practices; and the 2021 Active People Healthy Nations Champions Institute by Smart Growth America.

Reason for running: In my years of public service, there have been many changes the economic downturn of 2009, the 450th Commemorations, two major hurricanes, a worldwide pandemic and expanding growth surrounding the city. Navigating these times has given me a deep understanding of the issues facing the city, the grit to see our problems as they are and a proven track record of making good decisions knowing that peoples lives and livelihoods are affected. I am the most experienced candidate. My thoughtful, common-sense approach is needed. In many ways our city is at a crossroads and the actions of the mayor will have a lasting impact on our quality of life and ability to thrive. Good solutions to growth, tourism, transportationand flooding challenges go beyond the capacity of the city to address alone and require good partnerships at the local, regional, state and federal levels. My long-standing relationships with North Florida Transportation Planning Organization, FDOT, St. Johns County Tourist Development Council, local, state and federal legislators have proven invaluable for cooperation, resources and needed funding.As mayor, I am in an excellent position to be a strong advocate and ambassador for big solutions to our biggest challenges ahead.

Goals for upcoming term if elected:First, as mayor I will keep the city focused on core municipal functions including more resilient infrastructure, fiscal responsibility and public safety. St. Augustine has seen explosive growth around its edges and we all feel it. Growth puts pressure on core municipal functions like water and sewer, roadways, infrastructure, affordable housing, public safety and emergency services. Keeping capital reserves and credit ratings strong, holding the line on spending and taxes, maintaining a low crime rate, and keeping our neighborhoods safe will be high priorities for me. Recent years of increased flooding and storms require more resilient infrastructure. In the next several years the city will be spending $56M in investments to improve mobility, buy equipment, harden infrastructure, reduce flooding impacts and increase drainage across the city.Experience tells me that the sheer number of projects planned will require disciplined leadership and skillful execution.As mayor I will be committed to keeping the focus on implementing these improvements in a cost effective, efficient, and timely manner.

Second, residents want safe, stable neighborhoods and the ability to move around the city to do their daily tasks. Small businesses want safety, accessibility, and opportunities to succeed and flourish.Visitors want good hospitality and experiences that are memorable and enjoyable. Its important that the residents, small businesses and visitors needs are weighed in balance when making decisions that affect them. Residents and small businesses need to feel that they are being heard, understood and treated fairly and I will be committed to seeing that the city is focused on that as mayor.

Third, the city must be a good steward of its precious and irreplaceable historic and cultural assets and must safeguard its unique character. St. Augustine has the great honor of being the Nations Oldest City and with that honor comes responsibility. New infill development to accommodate growth and tourism can threaten our unique character. As mayor I will continue to make sure that every decision will consider the impacts on our historic assets and character.

What would you do, if anything, to help make it easier for people to find parking in St. Augustine?I will continue my work with North Florida Transportation Planning Organization and the FDOT to make parking more plentiful and easier for city residents and visitors through St. Augustines SMART City project. The FDOT has committed $7.5 million to the project that, through new technology, will connect smart traffic signals with dynamic messaging to direct drivers to best available parking. As mayor I will continue my commitment to the Park Once strategy for building satellite parking garages and using technology to connect automated shuttles, flood sensors and a smart trucking system to improve mobility and parking.

While St. Augustine is a big tourist town, there are thousands of residents in the city. What would you do to make life in the city better for its residents?To keep St. Augustine a livable city, as mayor I will keep the city focused on customer friendly core municipal service delivery and accountability, fiscal responsibility, public safety, reducing flooding and increasing drainage, and protecting the residential character of neighborhoods. This includes restarting the Neighborhood Grant Program, adding at least four new police officers, increasing the street paving budget, increasing mobility through technology, improving pedestrian and bicycle safety, adding satellite parking with shuttles, reducing neighborhood speeding, cut through traffic, and address spillover parking in the neighborhoods. Additionally, I will prioritize better solutions to the mental health, vagrancy and homeless problems.

City of residence: St. Augustine

How long have you lived in St. Johns County? 20 years

Previous elected positions: Secretary of the Republican Executive Committee, St. Johns

Community service: I believe that being a part of the community and involved is important to understanding the views and needs of those that reside there. I am an absolute advocate for children and have worked with Safe Haven of N.E. FL to advocate for victims of child abuse. This organization has been a startup that helps victims and their guardians find and utilize services to get justice and heal. There are many other community based organizations that I hope to support during my time in office to see that good work is done within the community.

Qualifications for office: I am a natural born leader with the characteristics, skills and knowledge necessary to faithfully execute the duties of mayor for the City of St Augustine. I am a fighter and will achieve my goals of seeing the city become the best it can be. I will work day in and day out to address the issues that we currently see and will create policies that will mitigate and prevent potential issues in the future.

My background in public administration, government, real estate, cyber and IT operations, intelligence, veteran affairs and military service, political activism and nonprofits have given me ample knowledge and connections to be an effective mayor. I have a proven track record of being an effective and efficient leader who will go above and beyond to ensure that the best possible outcome is achieved. When it comes to leading the city commission and mayorship, I will work tirelessly to resolve current issues and encode new policies that will boost local businesses, protect our residents and leave a clean and friendly city for our tourists.

Reason for running: I am running for St. Augustine mayor because there has been a clear lack of leadership, fiscally responsible policies, and service to the community. I know that with the experience and dedication to the community that I have demonstrated, I am the right fit to make meaningful and much needed change in the city. I believe that we need new ideas and new leadership in the city. For far too long the city and its residents have been neglected by tourist centric policies. We need to get back to taking care of our residents, fixing our infrastructure and making a plan to combat the vagrancy issue and long-term environmental factors that plague the city.

My education in international affairs, public administration, emergency management and homeland security, cyber security, intelligence and real estate have given me plenty of resources and knowledge necessary to tackle the issues of the city. My work experience in political activism, emergency management, public administration, IT services at a government agency and being a current serving veteran has given me the skills, experience and leadership experience to effectively tend to issues that have been occurring in St. Augustine.

I have been and will continue to be dedicated to helping those in the community to be able to foster a safe, clean and enjoyable environment for all residents and visitors. I am running to listen and take action. I want to ensure that every residents concerns are heard and attended to and I will dedicate my time to make sure that the city of St. Augustine is a pristine place to live and work.

Goals for upcoming term if elected: Once I am elected mayor, I will immediately begin to work on policies that will address the vagrancy issue. I want to boost our city services and police force to handle any scenario that occurs and I want to push for better wages for city employees. I will work with nonprofit organizations, the state and federal governments to gain access to programs and funding that will help remove vagrants within the city and I will also work with fellow commissioners to work on a long-term and sustainable policies that will prevent this issue from reoccurring.

I will also address the housing crisis within the city and work on creating affordable housing options for city and county employees. A major issue that has been identified is Flagler Colleges rapid expansion and dormitory additions across the city which takes away from residential opportunities. I believe that this issue needs to be addressed by the commission to ensure that the city and its residents receive compensation from the college which is responsible for bringing in the students who live in the dormitories or rented houses.

Another issue that I will tackle in my first term is the growing developments within the city. I want to make sure that every new development is a sustainable addition to the city. I will work with the commissioners and city departments to create requirements when considering new development. With our city being the oldest and most historic city in the nation, it is going to be my duty to lead the charge in preserving our rich history and culture, restoring our infrastructure and services, and fostering innovation in our city that will lead to sustainable growth and prosperity within the city.

What would you do, if anything, to help make it easier for people to find parking in St. Augustine?Parking has become a massive issue in the downtown area as tourism has increased over the past two years. My goal is to conduct studies that could recommend additional parking facilities even outside city limits and use sustainable transportation such as buses or trams to transport tourists in and out of the city. I would like to see streets around residential areas closed for tourist parking to ensure our residents have places to park their vehicles.

While St. Augustine is a big tourist town, there are thousands of residents in the city. What would you do to make life in the city better for its residents?As mayor, I will advocate for more benefits for city residents such as free parking anywhere within the city limits, access to grants that I want to establish to assist residents with much needed upgrades to areas around their property to boost curb appeal and ensure that residences and buildings are up to code. In line with the former question regarding parking within the city, I want to also establish more residential only parking and encourage tourists to take local transportation in and out of tourist areas. This will limit the number of congested streets in residential areas.

How long have you lived in St. Johns County? I have lived in St. Augustine for the last threeyears, since returning from eight years in Europe.

Previous elected positions: N/A

Community service: N/A

Qualifications for office: My qualifications for office come from my professional international business experience. Streamlining, optimizing and finding ways to work with people to achieve a common goal. No previous political experience.

Reason for running: I am running for (City of St. Augustine) City Commission to do my part to ensure that our city is the best it can possibly be for my family, neighborsand our visitors.

Goals for upcoming term if elected: I would look to work with my fellow commissioners to ensure that our great city only gets better. During this process I have been made aware of several topics (homelessness, flooding, parking, supporting local businesses and more) that are of importance to and impact our local residents, business owners as well as our visitors. To best work on these issues we need to engage in discussions with all parties to establish not only the topics of interest, but also preferred and recommended solutions and then work together to address these topics in a timely manner.

What would you do, if anything, to help make it easier for people to find parking in St. Augustine? The addition of a parking garage behind the Lightner Museum on the location of one of the existing parking lots, along with automating parking to increase the utilization rate of the existing garage will help residents and visitors alike. In addition, a plan needs to be created to support the employees of our local businesses to ensure that they have a cost effective place to park.

While St. Augustine is a big tourist town, there are thousands of residents in the city. What would you do to make life in the city better for its residents? I believe this covers two aspects, one being daily topics, i.e. waste pick upand other basic infrastructure topics, and the other being long-term items such as flood prevention. Residents deserve to have their issues and concerns addressed in a timely and effective manner. Having a system in place for these topics to be aggregated and systematically worked through will help ensure that the quality of life is not only improved but also maintained. For the longer term items, transparency and open communication are required to ensure that residents input is not only heard but also considered.

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Election 2022: St. Augustine will elect a new mayor this year - St. Augustine Record