Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

This seriesdelves into the myriad ways people enter the commercial real estate industry and what contributes to their success.

When Whitney Kraus first entered architecturein 2002, everything seemed so big the projects, the budgets, the personalitiesandthe list ofthingsshe needed to knowallseemed intimidating.Now, as director of architecture and planning at Brown Harris Stevens Development Marketing, the commercial real estate world is a lot smaller to her than it seemed almost 20 years ago. Kraus saidshe can even flip between the design side and the owners side of a development with ease.

Courtesy of Whitney Kraus

BHSDM Director of Architecture and Planning Whitney Kraus dipping her toes in real estate at age 3.

Bisnow: How did you get introduced to CRE?

Kraus: I have to give credit to my paternal grandfather for my intro to CRE. He ran a vocational training school for construction tradesmen and switched to real estate development later in his career. I grew up hearing about his projects and he would constantly snail-mail me newspaper articles about interesting buildings. I was also fascinated by the home additions and ground-up construction my parents undertook when I was a kid in North Carolina. The first project was a garage when I was about 3 years old, and though I only have vague memories of it, there is photo evidence of my early interest.

Bisnow: What was your first job in CRE?

Kraus: My first job was on a construction site the summer between my freshman and sophomore years in college. I worked for a construction manager/owners rep who was overseeing four general contractors building a 100-acre boarding high school. I worked in the on-site construction trailer and among the many things I learned, I got really good at taping faxes together to make one large architectural drawing for ASIs. It was a wonderful experience and I worked there for threesummers. My boss told me he would only pay me minimum wage because what he was really paying me in was experience. He was absolutely correct.

Bisnow: What kind of education, certification or official training do you have in CRE? How critical was it to landing your first big role?

Kraus: I have a B.S. in architecture from the University of Michigan, a Master of Architecture from Yale University, LEED certification and am a licensed architect. Architecture school teaches you to think critically, express your ideas clearly and defend your work when it is questioned, which are all very useful life skills. Learning in an environment where you are encouraged to think outside the box taught me that there is almost always a way to achieve your goal; you just have to put in the time and effort to make it happen. My first big role was working at Selldorf Architects. One of my graduate school professors introduced me to the firm and it turned out to be a wonderful connection. I learned so much while working there and am very thankful for the experience.

Courtesy of Whitney Kraus

BHSDM Director of Architecture and Planning Whitney Kraus on her first job.

Bisnow: What is one skill you wish you had coming into CRE?

Kraus:As an architect, I understand a lot about how to design and build buildings to a budget, but my architectural training did not prepare me for the complexities of the financial side of multifamily real estate development. In my role at BHSDM Ive learned a lot in the last couple years about loans, lenders, ROIs and the like. If I were back in school, a couple classes on finance would be a smart addition to my coursework.

Bisnow: What were you doing before you got into CRE? Did you bring anything with you from your past career that has helped you thrive in CRE?

Kraus:After graduate school, I worked at Selldorf Architects and then on my own prior to joining BHSDM. Though architecture is a related field to CRE, its very different sitting on the design side rather than the owners side of the table. I spend my days now being a link between the design, marketing, brokerage and ownership teams. They each have tremendous skill sets and knowledge but dont always speak the same language. Having been on both sides, I try to bridge the gaps so everyone on the team can work together efficiently to create successful projects.

Bisnow: Can you remember a moment where you felt in over your head or you worried this industry wasnt for you? Did you ever think about quitting? What changed?

Kraus:As a woman in this industry, I have had many challenging experiences. I am often the only woman at the meeting table or on a construction site, which can be simultaneously empowering and intimidating. I have had to work diligently to have my voice heard in a traditionally male profession. I never entertained quitting. The stubborn streak in me has always been determined to push through the challenges rather than be defeated by them.

Courtesy of Whitney Kraus

BHSDM Director of Architecture and Planning Whitney Kraus, left, with her sister last year at the Blyde River Canyon in South Africa.

Bisnow: What were your early impressions of the industry, good and bad? How has your impression changed?

Kraus:When I first started working in New York City, everything seemed big the city itself, the number of people, the construction costs of projects, the list of things to learn. More than a dozen years in, Ive adjusted my baseline for whats big. Now I have no trouble discussing a $400M project sellout or giving someone directions from Midtown to Gowanus. Ive also learned that the NYC design industry is a very small world. Everyone knows each other and is happy to make connections, which helps make a big city feel more manageable.

Bisnow: Have you had a mentor or sponsor? How did that person shape your future in CRE?

Kraus:My first boss had a huge influence on me. He trusted that even though I had very little experience, I was smart and eager to learn. He often threw me into the deep end with new tasks but always gave me the tools to stay afloat. I learned by figuring things out and getting my hands dirty, sometimes literally dirty given the mud on-site. One of the partners at Selldorf Architects was also a wonderful mentor. She is a very talented architect and not only taught me a lot about the profession and design but also gave me the best constructive criticism of my career. It was hard to hear sometimes but I carry the lessons I learned from her with me every day.

Bisnow: What is a key lesson someone taught you, either kindly or the hard way?

Kraus:Years ago, it was pointed out to me that I had a tendency to react negatively when big changes were made late in the life cycle of a project. I was focused on all the time and effort that had gone into the project and how much it would take to make the changes. My boss told me to relax and realize that I am part of a larger team its not on my shoulders alone to get things done. She said, I cant really explain how it happens, but somehow things work out most of the time and you just have to trust the team. The critique was spot on and Im much better at rolling with the punches now.

Courtesy of Whitney Kraus

BHSDM Director of Architecture and Planning Whitney Kraus, right, with her best friend from undergrad (also an architect). They went back to Ann Arbor for a football game last year and got a tour of the football team's practice facility on game day.

Bisnow: What do you warn people about when they join the industry?

Kraus:This is not an industry for the faint of heart. You have to have a thick skin, a lot of initiative and be able to work with a wide variety of people. It takes a huge team of people to get buildings built. Understanding your role on the team and how to add value is what can make or break your success.

Bisnow: If you could do your career all over again, what would you change?

Kraus:I am very proud and thankful for how my career has turned out to date and I dont have many regrets. Id definitely tell my younger self to sleep more during school. If I had to totally start over in a different field, Ive always been curious about medicine and would maybe pursue that.

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Origin Stories: Architect Whitney Kraus On Having Thick Skin And The Small World Of Big Projects - Bisnow

Both are sports car legends in their own right, given the choice to own either a modified NSX or Supra would be a difficult decision to make.

On one hand, the NSX is a proper supercar and first-generation cars are still very quick and competent, even by today's standards, but the core design makes them a harder custom project to work with. Even so, there are some stunning modded cars out there. The Supra, by comparison, couldn't be more different. Whether it's the new or the old model, in many ways the Supra is every customizer's dream car, lending itself well to pretty much any upgrade owners care to throw at it.

Improving on the original is never an easy task. Honda launched their 2018 NSX and managed to win over even the most ardent of fans with the new look, but this didn't stop some from taking things into their own hands. Competing with its rivals necessitated a move to forced indication, and the NSX's engine produces a healthy 573hp.

Dream Project, the work of established tuners Science of Speed, takes the standard car's engine to a higher-level raising output to 610hp through a revised free-flowing exhaust system. The external modifications remain subtle with a custom GT3 race-themed body kit completing the package.

TheSupra, reborn in 2019, isn't quite the iconic Japanese sports car gearheads hoped for, owing much of its chassis and drivetrain to BMW. To return to the main point the A90 whatever its origin is a fantastic sports car.

The Supra has always been popular with aftermarket tuners, lending itself particularly well to higher power figures. Increasingly popular among A90 owners, swapping out the stock engine in favor of Toyota's 2JZ-GTE fitted with a custom HKS turbocharger can free up 700hp.

RELATED:5 Insane Photos Of Widebody Muscle Cars (5 Of JDMs That Are Just As Cool)

Customizing an original 1992 NSX with a widebody kit might seem like a bad move to some gearheads, but there is no denying the impact is nothing less than jaw-dropping. Not for the faint-hearted, every panel undergoes some form of surgery to produce the final Rocket Bunny conversion, no wonder there are just two examples to date.

That's the visuals taken care of, just leaving the NSX's 3-liter V6 in need of some beefing up. When Honda produced the NSX for the first time, 270hp was more than sufficient to compete with its main competitors, but that was a few years ago, light supercharging produced a more respectable 316hp.

Every gearhead knows how good the A80 Supra is, but the success ofFast and Furious turned a great car into one of the most recognizable cars of all time, replicas are common but this is the real deal. Being one of the stunt cars used for filming this is a non-turbo model and will never be a 10-second car,

Technical Director Craig Lieberman provided the quick version, complete with turbonetics blower, NoS, and dozens of other TRD upgrades all finished in a fetching Lamborghini candy orange paint scheme.

It shouldn't come as a surprise that most NSX owners opt for a red paint finish which shade is another issue, but finished in cherry red, we think this 1991 car looks beautiful. Wearing its original bodywork albeit sitting much lower to the ground gives a wider appearance, and yet there is no widebody conversion involved, just a few subtle additions to the side steps and diffusers

The result of one man's personal project, Californian Grown shows what can be achieved with just the right amount of modification. Similar levels of restraint are to be found in the NSX's engine bay, custom exhaust, headers, and a ram air intake are the only additions.

RELATED:5 Japanese Sports Cars That Look Amazing With A Spoiler (5 That Cant Pull It Off)

The Supra A80's arrival in 1993 served as a wake-up call for supercar makers everywhere, here was a mass-produced sports car able to outpace many of the fastest cars on the road. While turbocharging had become common practice, Toyota used a sequential twin-turbo 3-liter engine to produce 326hp, the Supra wasn't just quick it proved to be extremely robust.

A large part of the A80s success stems from Toyota's 2JZ-GTE engine, one of the greatest performance engines ever built and remains a popular choice among tuners. One common upgrade path among owners is to fit larger turbochargers, intercoolers, and exhaust systems that running on pump gas can release 650hp.

Honda's NSX was designed to be driven daily and not just parked up in some dusty garage hoping for some fine weather a couple of days of the year. A similar view can be taken when it comes to modifying the NSX, pasting on a set of decals or other off the shelf accessory isn't cutting to cut it, modifications are supposed to make a car better.

Wearing a GT-themed body kit makes this NSX stand out from ordinary cars, handcrafted custom front, and rear splitters the work of its owner resulting in a unique package complimenting the original body.

The Supra had finally come into its own with the launch of the A70, the first model produced without being tied to the Celica platform and drivetrain, also the first Supra to be delivered with turbocharged engines. All things being equal 230hp should be sufficient for most gearheads but there was a more powerful Japanese market spec car that had twin turbos.

Dropping a smaller 2.5 liter twin-turbo 1JZ unit in the A70 is simple enough bringing with it a more impressive claimed 276 hp, remember that this figure is often cited in JDM cars for legal reasons.

RELATED:These Stunning 80s Sports Cars Are Still Dirt-Cheap (But Soon Wont Be)

Awesomely modified takes on a new significance with Liberty Walk's widebody kit, riding on air suspension certainly adds drama but, those rear arches are a matter of personal taste. Completed as a unique prototype kit the quality speaks volumes about its owner's abilities, it just doesn't make the NSX any better than it left the factory.

Remaining pretty much stock under the hood, replacing the stock system for customized titanium exhaust improves overall performance.

At the time of the arrival of the second generation Supras, things were becoming a bit more interesting, larger in-line six-cylinder engines made their first appearance offering a welcome jump in power to 145hp. Despite using bigger engines the A60 wasn't all that fast needing 9.8 seconds to hit 60mph.

With a bit of patience, the Toyota 2JZ-GTE with turbos fits under the hood bringing new life to the A60 platform as evidenced by this 1985 example. Recently auctioned the previous owner chose to retain the original appearance.

NEXT:We Totally Forgot About These Weird And Wonderful Japanese Sports Cars

Next 8 Modified Camaros We Can't Stop Laughing At (2 That Are Downright Stunning)

Raised in a car-obsessed environment from an early age ensured a keen interest in anything car-related. first and foremost an F1 fan, but also an avid follower of other motorsports. Professional background working closely with a well established UK based Supercar manufacturer in recent years.

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5 Awesomely Modified NSXs (5 Modified Supras We'd Rather Own) - HotCars

TREeCOLOGY Team

BEDFORD, N.Y. (PRWEB) December 10, 2020

SavATree, the industry leader in professional tree, shrub and lawn care, has announced the acquisition of TREeCOLOGY, a tree and landscape maintenance company that has provided high quality tree and shrub care throughout the Twin Cities. This local Minnesota company specializes in maintenance of HOAs and townhomes. TREeCOLOGY will be incorporated into SavATrees existing Hopkins, MN branch.

TREeCOLOGY operates with a focus on client education and involvement in the tree and shrub care process. Services include tree and shrub planting, pruning, cabling, removals, mulching, PHC treatments for insects, mites and disease, application of fertilizers, bio stimulants and growth regulators to keep client properties beautiful, safe and protected.

We are thrilled to join forces with an experienced team and tree company like TREeCOLOGY that specializes in working with property managers, said SavATree CEO Carmine Schiavone. We will continue to support our current and new clients while providing an expanded portfolio of services, including professional lawn care and consulting services. We are confident that our combined expertise will further expand our presence in the commercial sector.

TREeCOLOGY owners Chris Romer and Mary Fontana stated, Were very fortunate to have found a company like SavATree that maintains a great reputation with their clients and in the tree care industry. We have an exciting future ahead!

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SavATree Extends Reach in Minnesota Twin Cities by Acquiring TREeCOLOGY - PR Web

Lindus Construction Owner Andy Lindus was on the show to discuss simple, inexpensive ways to winterize your home.

It's been a nice run Minnesota, but winter is always around the corner.

Lindus Construction Owner Andy Lindus was on the show to discuss simple, inexpensive ways to winterize your home.

She provided the following project ideas:

A Tube of Window Caulk (About $10)

Use this to seal up any spots inside the window frame that allow air to get in. Or, use it in areas where existing caulk has hardened and is breaking away. Be sure to remove the old caulk first. Also make sure to buy 100% silicone caulk as it is waterproof, flexible, shrink-proof and will last over 20 years.

Also, be aware if youre putting lipstick on a pig when it comes to your windows. Sometimes replacement is worth it and windows can be installed even in the dead of winter.

Socket Sealers (24 for less than $3)

This is such an easy, cheap fix that can make a difference. You simply screw off the socket plate, place these socket sealers over the outlet and then screw the outlet plate back in place. (But, before you do that, just feel the draft that comes in once the socket plate is off the outlet!)

Door Draft Stopper (About $10)

This is a simple way to stop those dreaded under-the-door drafts. Just peel of and stick.

Hot Water Pipe Covers (25 ft for $10)

Another quick and easy task. These foam insulators fit snug around your hot water pipes to keep them warm in a cold basement and therefore, saving energy.

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Quick and easy home winterization tips - KARE11.com

MESA, Ariz., Dec. 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --American Warrior Auto Glass is excited to offer free full-vehicle window tinting on all windshield replacements covered by insurance. Because American Warrior Auto Glass accepts any insurance for their services, the top-rated Mesa-based auto glass company is offering this limited-time promo for complimentary window tinting on all insurance-covered replacements both an aesthetic and functional upgrade at no cost to their customers. What's more, they are extending this special offer to windshield replacement services paid at non-insurance cash rates starting at $150. Some restrictions do apply; there are some additional costs for vehicles containing more than six windows, and for vehicles that have existing tint film that needs to be removed.

As a veteran-owned business, American Warrior Auto Glass has one mission: to help their customers enjoy a safer, more comfortable ride in a vehicle with a superior-quality windshield. The entire team shares in founder and owner Ryan Koeppe's values of providing exceptional windshield replacements and window tints installed and applied with the utmost care and precision. Not only that, they install windshields using only the best resins and glass for maximum longevity, and they apply window tints carefully to ensure a smooth application that lasts. All of their work is offered at affordable and competitive rates with prompt turnaround times. What's more, they strengthen their services with quality workmanship guarantees, lifetime warranties, and a steadfast commitment to honesty, integrity, and excellence in everything they do. That said, they are proud to extend additional savings and perks to their customers as a way to say "thank you" for their continued business and loyalty.

American Warrior Auto Glass is recognized as a Top Rated Local auto glass company with outstanding ratings and rave reviews across multiple review platforms and it's easy to see why. With more than a decade of experience under their belt, Koeppe and his dedicated team of highly trained and professional technicians have built an impeccable reputation for providing prompt, reliable, and efficient auto glass replacements and window tints backed by friendly customer service. Not only that, the team is fully invested in the communities they serve and is genuinely passionate about helping their friends and neighbors in Mesa and beyond feel safer and more protected while driving.

If you would like to take advantage of this limited-time offer and get your vehicle ready for the summer heat, please visit American Warrior Auto Glass at https://www.americanwarriorautoglass.com/windshield-replacement/ to explore their windshield replacement services.

About American Warrior Auto GlassAmerican Warrior Auto Glass is a veteran-owned-and-operated company located in Mesa, Arizona, serving Chandler, East Phoenix, Phoenix proper, Mesa, Scottsdale, and Tempe. The team specializes in an array of repair and replacement services for vehicles of all makes and models. In addition to the more traditional auto glass services they offer, they are experts in specialized services ranging from lane departure calibration and power window repair to power defrost repair, tint shade bands, and more. They strive to provide top-quality auto glass services and prompt 24-hour repair turnarounds. Not only that, but they also offer special discounts for military and first-responders. For more information about American Warrior Auto Glass, please visit: https://www.americanwarriorautoglass.com/

ContactRyan Koepp950 West Birchwood AvenueMesa, AZ 85210(480) 719-2099[emailprotected]

SOURCE American Warrior Auto Glass

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American Warrior Auto Glass is Now Offering Free Full-Vehicle Tint on All Insurance-Covered Windshield Replacements - PRNewswire

Residents in Uptown Charlotte and South End say they continue to see issues with groups of people driving recklessly on bikes, ATVs, and dirt bikes.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. A drive into Charlotte's South End neighborhood Tuesday evening turned dangerous for one driver when she said she found her car and others surrounded by a group of teens on bikes.

As she tried to drive away, she said one teen got physical, causing damage to her car window -- and she managed to catch it all on camera.

The confrontation happened near the corner of S. Tryon and W. Carson streets.

As a line of cars waited for the stoplight to turn green, one driver decided to pull out her cell phone to record the group of teens on bikes moving in and out of traffic.

They were messing around in the street a little bit doing wheelies in front of cars, the driver told WCNC Charlotte.

As she prepared to drive off, thats when she noticed one of the teens pick up something from the road and throw it at her passenger window -- smashing it.

Luckily a window can be replaced, but my life and wellbeing can not, she said. Im just glad no one got hurt, including the teenagers.

She added her biggest concern is safety and wants to make sure dangerous situations involving bikers, ATVs, and dirt bikes driving recklessly across town do not continue.

They often drive down the road going the wrong way, playing chicken," she said. "There needs to be some accountability.

The victim said thanks to her video recording, police were able to identify and arrest the teen accused of smashing her window. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said if you ever do encounter these biker groups, call 911.

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There needs to be some accountability | Charlotte woman concerned after car window smashed by group of teens on bikes - WCNC.com

This story is part of our week-long series on the strategic trends among fashion and beauty brands for holiday 2020.

For holiday 2020, department stores ensured their NYC window displays spoke to the unprecedented year that was, while also appropriately sparking some much-needed happiness.

While some retailers lucked out and were able to stick with original window plans, established as far out as a year in advance, others deemed it necessary to overhaul imperfect plans. Social distancing guidelines proved obstacles for construction crews, which can be up to 100-people strong. And, as opposed to the usual, foot traffic-driving IRL events, reveals of displays had to be carried out virtually.

But executives from every store interviewed for this story agreed that skipping the tradition this year was not an option. Along with delivering joy to passersby, they said, their holiday windows also provide a sense of normalcy.

Bergdorf GoodmanLinda Fargo, Bergdorf Goodmans svp of fashion and director of store presentation, said the retailers holiday windows for 2020 reflect the circumstances we find ourselves in. Thats despite that the companys overarching holiday theme of Bergdorf Goodness, centered on a season of giving back, was established back in January.

What did change were the charities the company planned to support, which evolved to reflect the dire crisis of diversity and equality, as well as food insecurity, said Fargo. Partners include City Harvest and the National CARES Mentoring Movement. And the windows presentation shifted away from the complex scenes for which the retailer is known, in favor of providing a more streamlined focus on Bergdorf Goodmans core values, including love, hope, harmony, joy and equality.

How the windows were executed also required new considerations. In most years, we have a beehive of artisans sewing, gluing and building all the complex elements that go into our elaborate windows, said Fargo. But, in the name of prioritizing the teams safety, sets were pre-built, and window director David Hoey oversaw designs and operations remotely.

What was non-negotiable was that we would continue the great tradition of our windows, even if there were less people on the sidewalks, said Fargo. We felt it was imperative to bring some light and joy to the city, and the world.

BloomingdalesFor this year, the holiday windows of Bloomingdales 59th Street flagship were inspired by its Give Happy campaign, meant to highlight positivity and togetherness at the close of a challenging year, said John Klimkowski, Bloomingdales senior director of central visual merchandising in New York City. As such, one color from the campaign is featured in each of the retailers windows along Lexington Avenue. Featured objects include marquee hearts, larger than life dogs and giant snowflakes, to communicate a simple message of cheer, he said.

Necessary adjustments to the usual plan included eliminating the interactive, touch components that have become standard features of the stores windows. Instead, two of the windows emanate holiday scents of evergreen and peppermint. To further their sensorial impact, the windows also feature mirrored edges for an infinity glow effect, said Klimkowski.

In addition, the retailers traditional window unveiling event in NYC was replaced with a virtual holiday benefit supporting the Child Mind Institute, on November 23.

People are looking for a little escape or lift, and our windows can give them that, said Klimkowski. They also provide a sense of normalcy, as theyre a tradition that people look forward to every year.

Saks Fifth AvenueSaks Fifth Avenue set its holiday theme of This is How We Celebrate nearly a year before launching the corresponding windows of its NYC flagship, said Emily Essner, Saks CMO. The intention was to shine a light on the importance of spending time with loved ones and the way different people and places around the country celebrate the holidays. We knew it would resonate even more, after several challenging months for New Yorkers and those around the world, she said.

The resulting six windows were designed to bring different, quintessential NYC moments to life, from a musical celebration playing out in Times Square to a young dancer getting an autograph from a ballerina. Both in-store and window displays feature designs by brands including Dries van Noten and Alexander McQueen, along with elements like Mylar-wrapped trees and scattered musical instruments.

In place of holding a large in-person event for the windows unveiling, the company is hosting multiple livestreams of the displays, hosted by celebrities like Alex Rodriguez. Each benefits a charitable cause, such as Madison Square Boys & Girls Club. Saks is set to donate $100,000 throughout the holiday season to non-profit organizations serving NYC and beyond.

We like to think of our holiday windows as our annual gift to [the city], said Essner. This year, we felt it was more important than ever to uphold this tradition. We hope our windows will deliver fun and escapism this season.

MacysMacys holiday window displays have been a tradition at its 34th Street flagship since 1874. This year, theyre meant to read like a thank-you letter to first responders, essential workers, marchers for equality, and New Yorkers who showed their grit, good humor and hopeful spirit during a tumultuous year, said Manuel Urquizo, Macys national windows director. The windows official theme is Give. Love. Believe.

Typically, Macys holiday window displays take nearly nine months to complete, from concept to execution. In their pivot to honor New Yorkers, Urquizo and his team produced the windows in half the time. That team included Macys display , graphic and sculptural artists, as well as animators, carpenters, electricians and lighting experts.

Indeed, seasonal fashion trends made their way into the design; polished-plaid and high-shine metallic styles are featured.

NordstromNordstroms NYC flagship store doesnt have the boxed-in display windows that are common among department stores; instead, its entire facade is one large window in the seven-floor store, which opened in October 2019. Since Black Friday, red and white lights have illuminated the glass facade and provided a blinking light show for locals still in town.

Nordstrom has a 119-year tradition of celebrating one holiday at a time, said a company spokesperson, explaining the post-Thanksgiving decorations debut.

A crew of nearly 100 Nordstrom team members worked overnight starting on Wednesday, November 25 to transform the 320,000-square-foot interior, much of which is visible from the outside. Added seasonal decorations included 253,000 feet of twinkling lights, over 700 Scandinavian-inspired ornaments, 150 trees, 150 hanging chandeliers, seven 11-foot nutcrackers and a vintage sleigh, among others.

To invite customers into the store to shop, we want to connect the shopping experience in-store to the energy of the city, the spokesperson said.

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How 5 department stores updated their holiday window displays for 2020 - Glossy

A Perth woman has criticised Perth and Kinross Council over the length of time she has had to wait for two smashed windows to be replaced.

Kathryn Garry, who stays in a rented property in the citys May Place, told the PA last week she reported one of her living room windows being smashed by a person or persons unknown way back in March but was still waiting for it to be replaced.

The mother-of-two said she then reported a second living room window being smashed under similar circumstances in July but again was still waiting to be told when it will be replaced.

Ms Garry approached the PA with her complaint over her wait as she is concerned she and her young family might have to wait until after Christmas to see her living room windows fixed.

Staff at hotel will be made redundant just two weeks before Christmas

She believes the breakages are letting the cold in and making it harder to heat her property, and says she and her nine-year-old son are now having to spend the majority of their time in the house in their bedrooms to keep warm and comfortable.

Ms Garry complained: Ive been phoning the council to find out when my windows are going to be sorted and I got told they would only be putting in one of my windows just now because theyve only got one of a particular part they need to replace it.

Im still waiting on a phone call from the glaziers about that but Ive been told Im going to have to wait for the other one to be fixed.

Its just me and my boy in the house but its freezing. I cant have Christmas in my house this year if this is the way its going to be.

Over 150 businesses back 'shop local' campaign ahead of "challenging" Christmas

A Perth and Kinross Council spokesperson said yesterday: We have contacted the tenant in question to apologise for the delay in carrying out this repair.

Our repairs service is extremely busy working on a backlog of repairs that built up over the lockdown period, and the failure to carry out this repair was an oversight on our part.

The repair will now be carried out as a priority.

Our tenants consistently report to us very high levels of satisfaction with our repairs service our latest figures show that 98.5 per cent of tenants said they were satisfied with the service provided to them.

However, we accept that sometimes things can go wrong and when this happens we review the situation so that similar errors can be prevented in future.

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Perth woman waits months for broken windows to be replaced - Daily Record

Jim Thompson|Northwest Florida Daily News

VIDEO: Rare Carpenter Gothic churches in Northwest Florida

Three Carpenter Gothic churches still exist in Northwest Florida

DeFUNIAK SPRINGS Three Northwest Florida churches St. Agatha's Episcopal in DeFuniak Springs, St. Mary's Episcopal in Miltonand First Presbyterian in Lynn Haven are the area's only remaining examples of an architectural style that, while integral to a spiritual sense of place, also presentschallenges for preservation.

The Carpenter Gothic style in church construction traces its roots to the late 1700s and early 1800sas the Anglican Church moved from what had been an austereworship style altarshad been eliminated from churches, and communion was not celebrated back to a more ritualized form of worship.

More: Meet the Female Pastors of the Panhandle

That movement coincided with a revivalof Gothic architecture, a masonry-oriented approach which featured high walls, vaulted ceilings and delicate stonework as seen in grand cathedrals. Eventually, though, the style made its way to much smaller parish churches.

And in places like Florida, where timber was a more readily available material than stoneand where craftsmen and laborers were more familiar with working in wood than stone, that style was replicated in wood. Over the years,though, those churches present significant challenges to theircongregations rotting or termite-infested wood have to be replaced, plaster cracks and falls, and worship spaces have to be modified as technology advances.

Across Florida, the proliferation of Carpenter Gothic churches can be traced to the Rev. John Freeman Young, who served as the state's Episcopal bishop from 1867 until his death in 1885.

Photos: First female chaplain at Air Force Enlisted Village

(On a seasonal note, Young is better remembered as the personwho, in 1859, translated the German Christmas carol "Silent Night" into English.)

While serving in New York, Young became acquainted with noted Gothic Revival architect Richard Upjohn, and by 1853, buoyed by his own knowledge of Gothic Revival architecture, he planned and coordinated construction of a Mississippi church designed by New York architect Frank Wills.

Church architecture was exceedingly important to Young, earning a place in his 1882 message on the consecration of St. John's Church in Jacksonville.

According to areport from the state Bureau of Historic Preservation, Young said at the time, "Wood and stone, and silver and gold, and silk and linen, and diverse colors, are but dead, mute things, which have neither speech nor language inherent in themselves, but under the hand of the cunning craftsman and skillful artificer their voices are heard among them, each one entering into the grand harmony of their utterance, being but a louder or a softer echo of the utterances of the voice of God."

More: Amid the coronavirus, churches are trying different ways to serve their members

Here is how the three Northwest Florida churches are keeping those echoes of Carpenter Gothic sounding today.

'The place where God is'

The aged timber, stained glass and plaster of St. Mary's EpiscopalChurch are so much a part of Mark Starr's life that he dreams about them, although not in the way that you might think.

"I have nightmares about a tree falling on this little church," Starr said on a recent morning inside the 145-year-old structure.

Sunshine coming through stained-glass windows, some of it through the shadows of two large trees flanking the front of the church, lit its varnished wood ceiling, floors and altaras Starr steered his thoughts in a happier direction.

"It's a beautiful place, and more important, the Holy Spirit's in it," said Starr, the church's senior warden.

Erected in 1875, for its first year or so the church had no windows, as finances were strained to secure leaded glass. In the interim, according to church lore, the ladies of St. Mary's covered the window openings with muslin fabric.

A still later addition to the church, a stained-glass altar window featuring Mary surrounded by a host of Christian religious symbols, was installed in 1880. Imported from Czechoslovakia, the window was paid for by the children of the church, who hired themselves out to neighbors to earn money. The window, irreplaceable today, cost $600, at the time "twice the yearly income for a working man in Santa Rosa County in 1880," according to a brief history of the church.

While the Holy Spirit is resident in St. Mary's, its congregation until recently has not been. The coronavirus pandemic forced the church to discontinue services in the tiny building, but earlier this monthit reopened. With social distancing protocols in place, the church can accommodate 35 worshipers.

That's been particularly important for many of the church's older members, according to Starr.

"There are some of our congregationthat feel like this is the place where God is," Starr said.

In the eyes of Ann Odom, who has been attending St. Mary's since 1972, the church's age is an integral part of its specialness as a place of worship. Among the things that make the church special for worshipers, she said, is its "gingerbread" trim elaborately carved wooden features, both inside and out, not found in more modernconstruction.

"They walk in the doorand they feel the spirit," she said.

The church, though, has changed during the decades. The coal-burning pot-bellied stove located in one corner of the sanctuary to keep members warm in winter is long gone, as is its chimney. The old coal storage room attached to the rear of the church remains, but is now used as a nursery.

A bell tower, an elaborate picket fence and a burial yard for cremated remains, complete with a sculpture of an angel, have been added to the church and its grounds, but alwayswith an eye toward remaining faithful to the Carpenter Gothic style.

And while maintenance is an ongoing issue at St. Mary's the sandy soil on which it is built means that it is slowly sinking,a termite infestation required the replacement of some of the wooden sill plates in its foundation, the roof needs work and the church "is in dire need of a paint job," according to Starr the congregation is determined to keep ittrue to its architectural style.

"We're committed to it," Starr said.

St. Mary's EpiscopalChurch is currently pastored by the Rev. Dr. Margaret Shepard, who is serving there as the church awaits a permanent rector.

Preaching in the historic church is a special experience, she said, as its relatively unchanged nature provides "a sense of presence of people past" and of "thankfulness for the church founders."

"There's a real sense of historicity," she said.

Even as the church has been challenged in keeping its building true to its Carpenter Gothic roots, it also has been challenged in remaining openbecause ofits small congregation.

But according to Odom, at least one of the "supply priests" that has served the church in recent years isn't worried about the future of St. Mary'sbecause of its namesake saint.

"He said, 'Ain't nobody gonna mess with Jesus' mama,'" Odom smiled.

'People like the quaintness'

As Carpenter Gothic churches go, 105-year-old First Presbyterian Church in Lynn Haven has succeeded in maintaining its clear architectural identity throughout a series of accommodationsfor the worship experience.

In fact, First Presbyterian is the only church in Lynn Haven still operating out of its original building. And even Hurricane Michael, which laid waste to the city two years ago and caused extensive damage to First Presbyterian, couldn't touch its Carpenter Gothic character. The signature arch over the church's front door, while damaged, was not destroyed in the hurricane, marvels the Rev. Lisa Martin, First Presbyterian's pastor.

"The outside arch was fine, and that was just amazing," Martin said.

Renovations to the interior of the church began a little more than a decade after it was first occupied, as wings were added to either side of the original 42-foot by 34-foot worship space.

Those renovations also included reversing the sanctuaryspace, moving the altar to the western end of the church. The change no doubt came as a relief to some churchgoers, as the original plan had the entrance door immediately adjacentto the altar. That arrangement, Martin said, meant that "if you were late, you came into church in front of the pulpit." And, of course, in front of the congregation.

In addition, the early renovations included the construction of a brick fireplace in a northwest corner of the church, which remained in place for years. Itsremoval in the relatively recent past disappointed some church members.

Locks weren't placed on the church's exterior doors until 1944. It was air-conditioned in 1965. Stained-glass windows depicting scenes from the life of Christ were installed in 1973after some of the old windows, comprising simple panes of colored glass, fell victim to the occasional gunshot, according to longtime church member MartiWillis. The original metal ceilings were covered with a suspended ceiling, and the church's original globe lights were replaced with chandeliers.

But through it all, the church has maintained the essential Carpenter Gothicethos, according to Martin.

"It tends to allow for a more congregational feel," she said."It is unique people walk in and immediately feel at home.

"There's an intimate feel," Martin continued. From the pulpit, "I can see everybody, and that's what I love."

"I think most people who come here like the quaintness," Willis said.

And just as at St. Mary's Episcopal, the ongoing coronavirus has kept the congregation from gathering at the church until a couple of weeks ago. That'swhen a socially distanced worship service began the liturgical season of Advent, the beginning of the Christian church year.

"There was a levelof pressure" from the congregation to get back into the church, Martin said, just one more indication of "the love for this building."

'Into their own hands'

The history of St. Agatha's Episcopal Church begins in the mid-1880s, as the Rt. Rev. Edwin G. Weed, then the Episcopal bishop of Florida, was traveling by railroad to establish churches across Northwest Florida. At the time, there were a handful of Episcopal families in DeFuniak Springs, meeting in private homes andlaterin the county courthouse.

By the end of the decade, a priesthad been assigned to the community, and in 1895construction of the church began.The name "St. Agatha" was chosen because it was the name of a beloved grandmother of the Landrum family, one of the families thatfounded the church.

As the only Episcopal church in North America dedicated to St. Agatha, patron saint of nursing mothers, professional nurses and sexual abuse victims, it is perhaps fitting that women played a pivotal role in the beginnings of the DeFuniak Springs landmark.

By Easter of 1896, the church stood only partially completed, but the women of St. Agatha's wanted to hold Easter services in the structure.

Here's how things unfolded from there, as briefly related in a history of the church:

"The men refused, protesting that Bishop Weed had not consecrated the building nor licensed lay readers. The women took matters into their own hands and decorated the lath (installed and ready for plaster) with magnolia, dogwood and azalea blooms. They read Morning Prayer on Easter morning."

When Weed, whose duties included visiting Episcopal parishes in the state, heard about the persistence of the women of St. Agatha's, he wrote a letter asking that they "cease and desist," according to the history.

"They politely responded that he need not bother to return if he felt that way," the history continues.

And with a bit of editorial license, the history offers the conjecture that "perhaps this was the first effort of women to assert their rights in what was then a male-dominated church."

And indeed, while it apparently took a few years, Weed eventually made peace with the women of St. Agatha's. Sometime around 1900, according to the best guesses from photographic evidence, Weed sent the church the "Passion Flower" stained glass window that still filters sunlight above the altar.

To this day, that window imparts the spiritual nature of the structure to at least one of its members. Melinda Henderson, who has been closely involved with efforts to restore and maintain the 125-year-old church, said that at certain times of the yearduring evening services, "sunlight comes right through the top jewel (of a crown depicted in the window), and you just feel this is a holy place," she said.

As with other Carpenter Gothic churches, upgrades and ongoing maintenance needs have been a part of the life of St. Agatha's for years. In the 1950sit was re-roofed, and the stained wood ceiling, wainscoting and other woodwork was painted. In subsequent years, a pot-bellied stove was replaced by gas stoves for heating, and Plexiglas covers were placed over the stained-glass windows to protect them from hurricane winds and, as with First Presbyterian in Lynn Haven, the occasional bullet.

In more recent years, as the foundations of the sanctuary and other buildings on the St. Agatha's campus required leveling, some of the interior plaster, already cracked and showing signs of leakage, began to fall to the floor. Subsequently, rotted and termite-ridden exterior boards had to be replaced.

Some of the work has been funded with grants from the state, which in many cases have required matching funds. That's something of a reach for a congregation that, at best, numbers just a few dozen, but the larger community has been stepping up to help, according to Henderson.

From overpaying for items offered at church-sponsored garage salesto leaving generoustips at church pancake breakfasts, the community beyond the church has consistently shown its interest in preserving St. Agatha's, shenoted gratefully.

Henderson's involvement in restoration efforts, from doing actual work on the buildings to seeking grants for needed repairs, has made her keenly aware of the physicalaspects of the sanctuary and the two other buildings. It's something she has to watch, she said, lest she forget about deeper connections with the structure.

"You sit in the sanctuaryand you can feel the presence of the saints," she explained, noting that she meant not only actual saints venerated by the church, but members who have passed away in the faith.

"I have to caution myself about thinking about St. Agatha as a place," she said.

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'Echoes of the voice of God': Carpenter Gothic churches rare in Northwest Florida - The Northwest Florida Daily News

Council President Tom Hucker (D-District 5) yesterday introduced two bills intended to improve safety in residential buildings, primarily multi-family and multi-story units.

Expedited Bill 50-20 Landlord-Tenant Relations Fire Safety Removal of Mercury Service Regulators would require landlords to schedule the immediate replacement of indoor mercury service gas regulators with safer, more modern regulators, according to the council staff report.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined that an August 2016 explosion and fire that killed seven people at the Flower Branch Apartments in Silver Spring was caused when a failing mercury service regulator, which was not connected to a vent line, allowed natural gas to build up and ignite.

We have to do everything in our power to ensure that we never have another tragedy like the fatal Flower Branch explosion, Hucker said in a press release. Now that the federal government has told us that many other properties have the type of outdated, dangerous equipment that caused the Flower Branch explosion, we have to make sure that landlords work with the gas utility to replace them.

Bill 51-20 Housing and Building Maintenance Standards Window Guards would require landlords to install and maintain window guards in certain rental housing, and provide for the enforcement of window guard requirements, among other provisions.

As recently as October, a two-year-old boy died after he fell from a third-floor apartment in Takoma Park, according to a press release. In 2019, a two-year-old boy fell from an 11th-floor window and was seriously hurt in Takoma Park.

Public hearings on both bills are scheduled for Jan. 12 at 1:30 p.m.

Photo by Farragutful published theCreative CommonsAttribution-Share Alike 4.0 Internationallicense.

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Hucker Introduces Bills to Enhance Safety in Residential Buildings - Source of the Spring