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The Mission Springs Water District has three open seats this year and six candidates.(Photo: Desert Sun file photo)

Three seats on the Mission Springs Water District's five-member board of directors are up for election next month. Two will appear on the ballot andone will be automatically reseated.

Formed in 1953 to provide water to a territory covering one square mile, MSWD now serves 135 square miles around Desert Hot Springs. In June, the district approved an ordinance allowing the first election by divisions, as it and other public bodies move away from at-large elections.

Candidates fielded questions from The Desert Sun about their priorities for the upcoming term. Some answers have been edited for length and clarity.

Division 2 incumbent Randy Duncan, an insurance agent and veteran who has lived in Desert Hot Springs for more than three decades, is being challenged byLarry Przybylski, a retired technical college instructor,and Patricia Schniebs, a full-time caregiver who previously owned an art gallery and fashion boutique in Laguna Beach.

Duncan first served on the board between 2005 and 2009 and then again since 2014. He is also an alternate at the Coachella Valley Association of Governments and serves on the board of thenonprofit Urban Water Institute.

According to the county's voter guide, Przybylski has lived full-time in Desert Hot Springs for the past six years and touts his knowledge of business operations as a main reason to vote for him. "I would be honored to represent the citizens of Desert Hot Springs, as a member of the Mission Springs Water District Board of Directors, Division 2," he said in the guide, adding that it's "crucial" to maintain high water quality.

Schniebssaid her main campaign promiseis to protect against price hikes and payroll increases to the board of directors.

The Desert Sun: Where do you stand on the litigation with the Desert Water Agency over groundwater management?

Randy Duncan(Photo: Desert Sun file photo)

Duncan:I believe each agencyshould be in complete control of our respective waterand water management.I have spent over two years negotiation with (DWA board President) Joe Stuart trying to settle our dispute over water management.I would much rather talk things out with them and come to a mutual agreement and avoid any expensive legal battles.We were close to reaching an agreement, but a boundary dispute put a stop to negotiations....

Schniebs:I stand with the Water Rights Study Group. ... I strongly recommend that all voters take the time to read this publication. ...

(Editor's note: The group published a report in April 2019 after a six-week study into the issue. It recommended restoring MSWD's ability to continue managing groundwater within its service area via legislative action, taking control away from DWA's board of directors and holding a public outreach program to educate the public on the dispute. The group'sfindings are available here:https://www.mswd.org/documents/Water%20Rights%20Study%20Group%20Final%20Report%20(English).pdf.)

TDS: How should conservation fit into the district's mission?

Duncan:Conservation is always at the top of our list, whether we are in a drought or not.Our board and staff have developed several programs, along with state funding, to reward our customers for replacing grass with water-saving plants/landscaping, replacing older toilets and shower heads with water-saving ones and implemented tiered water rates, which encourages people to use less water.Our conservation efforts have made MSWD customers the lowest per-capita consumption users in the valley.

Schniebs:Conservation should definitely be a priority, as clean, potable water is our most essential need and human right.I believe this right extends to all life on Earth and as guardians of this planet we must assume responsibly. Children should be educated from an early age about theimportance of conservation, and I would encourage field trips and/or assemblies to encourage their interest.

I would also like to investigate other avenues we have in Desert Hot Springs to acquire water to refill our water catch locations that replenish our aquifers. The water that is currently being used to refill our water levels by the DWA is considered to be of an inferior quality.

TDS: In recent months, there have been reports of large hikes to water bills and register malfunctions. What needs to be done to ensure these and similar issues are fixed and preempted in the future?

Duncan:Since we have replaced malfunctioning meters with more sensitive and accurate meters, a lot has been discovered. ...

All of those (huge spikes) have proven to be a leak on the customer's property, and once the leak was fixed, the bill returned to normal.We are sending service representativesto homes and reviewing water meters and consumption with the customers. Several things are discovered: If the customer has a constant flow, then they typically have a leak. ... Quite often, the customers don't have a leak but rather have an irrigation system that runs for several hours instead of 10 or 15 minutes like the homeowner thought.

Our new meters aren't malfunctioning but rather are more sensitive and accurate than past units, which explains smaller spikes. Another reason for smaller jumps is that some customers have had their bill estimated for up to a year-and-a-half. ... When the new meters are installed, they pick up our customers new water usage habits, which are often not very conservative.If, for some reason, our service representatives can't find a leak or satisfy our customers' concerns, we are hiring a leak detection company to meet with the homeowners. ... We are working on a smart phone technology that will allow customers to control and review their water usage in real time.

Schniebs:Some forensics accounting is in order. Many consumers are doubting the word of the directors that are currently holding positions with MSWD. Ifvoted into office, I would plan or assist with any and all attempts to explain clearly and intelligibly what steps have been taken to get to where we are today. Consumers specifically want to know why theyre paying what theyre paying. The public deserves clear and concise answers.

TDS: What are your priorities, if elected?

Duncan:My main priorities deal with waste water as well as potable watergetting our regional treatment plant built and continuereplacing septic tanks with a complete sewer system.Also, we have won nine medals from the Berkeley Springs international water tasting event held annually in West Virginia, and I would like to continue protecting our water tables so we can continue to provide safe, clean, great-tasting water to our customers.

Schniebs:Communication efforts need to be addressed. There needs to be clear, open and honest conversation between MSWD and the public. Our ratepayers deserve it.

... I would encourage (conservation) education at an early age for all children in Desert Hot Springs as well as the entire Coachella Valley about the importance of lifes most precious resource through interactive field trips and assemblies. I want to see stable water rates and happy customers.

Przybylski:(Larry Przybylski did not respond to requests for comment.)

Incumbent Russ Martin is challenged for the Division 3 seat by Terressa Powell, whois running on a platform of addressing public service complaints and water rate increases. Powell is a doula by training and activelyvolunteers with nonprofits and other causes, including organizing a holiday toy drive.

Martin has served three terms as MSWD board president and four terms as vice president. He also currently serves on the board of directors for the Agua Caliente Water Authority, among various other positions both past and present with county and city governmental boards, business groups and nonprofit organizations. He worked for three decades with the Santa Monica Police Department before retiring to Desert Hot Springs.

"I have dedicated my life to serving my community," Martin said.

TDS: Where do you stand on the litigation with DWA?

Russ Martin(Photo: Russ Martin)

Martin:Approximately five years ago, under the provisions of new legislation, DWA applied to be designated as anexclusive groundwater sustainability agency with the state over the west end of the Coachella Valley. Unbeknownst to MSWD, their application not only included their boundary but ours, giving them groundwater management over our jurisdiction. ...

If not challenged, under certain circumstances, this would give them the authority to limit our pumping, restrict us from sinking a well and impose a building/development moratorium within our jurisdiction due to an overdraft that was hypothetically caused by their customers. This is unacceptable. I have been on the negotiating team and participated in court-mandated mediation and separate informal meetings with representatives of their board of directors. Unfortunately, these meetings were unsuccessful.

At this stage, I see no alternative but to pursue this matter in court.I am confident that we will prevail.

Powell:(Powell did not provide an answer.)

TDS:How should conservation fit into the districts mission?

Martin:Conservation has always been an MSWD priority.In the last 10 years, we have installed sewers for 2,000 homes, removing pollution-prone septic systems.An additional 2,400 homes have been approved for sewers, pending funding.

We work with schools stressing the importance of water conservation at home, providing projects that families can work on together. We team up with the city and developers promoting desert landscaping and have a turf rebate program. Soon, we will have a toilet rebate program that is designed to replace inefficient toilet bowls. We can only accomplish effective conservation by working with the community. For the most part, our efforts have been very effective in that the per-capita water consumption in our jurisdiction is lower than most of our neighbors.

Terressa Powell(Photo: Terressa Powell)

Powell:Water conservation education is important for many reasons here in Desert Hot Springs. First, it helps us all save money. It's most important because using less water at each of our homes and businesses allows water managers at DWA and MSWD to import less low-quality Colorado River water. ... The amount of salts added to our watershed must be minimized by importing less water to our recharge basin and ultimately to our Mission Creek Aquifer.

TDS: How would you address community concerns over high water bills and register malfunctions?

Martin:Due to the financial crisis caused by the pandemic, I support a rate rollback to that of January 2019. We recently experienced the perfect storm." In 2015, through a collaboration with a citizens advisory committee, we came up with a five-year rate adjustment to address increased district costs. Pursuant to law, we initiated a 218 process which requires an approval by ratepayers for a water rate increase. The measure passed overwhelmingly.

Approximately, two years ago we started noticing the meters were malfunctioning. During meter replacement, water usage was estimatedto an average consumer use from the preceding year, minus 3%. ...When the new meters were installed, water bills reflected actual use rather than estimated, resulting in a jump from estimated to actual.

Then the pandemic hit. Many people were forced to remain at home with kids not in school and weve had 140 days of record-breaking, triple-digit heat, all of which resulted in even more water consumption. The new meters are accurate. Those customers who have experienced significantly high water bills, have leaks verified by independent leak contractors. In the future I will oppose long range multi-year rate adjustments.

Powell:Far too many customer have experienced wildly high spikes in their water bills only to be told they have a water leak. Many customers have found no leaks, even after calling in a professional leak detection company. Where leaks have been found, the leak is to small to be responsible for the high water bill spike.

... The "guessing"/"estimating" needs to end. The customers deserve true and accurate billing. ... Customers are receiving a water bill that is hundreds of dollars higher than their most recent bill. MSWD needs to stop guessing at the expense of residents and fix this problem. It's MSWD's problem.

TDS:What would be your priorities, if elected?

Martin:My first priority is the completion of the new MSWD Water Treatment Facility in the early stages of construction. This project is necessary to accommodate future development in the Desert Hot Springs area. Next, obtaining funding for sewer installation to the 2,400 homes already approved for sewers. And last, successful outcome in our litigation with DWA. It is important for all of us to work together in cooperation to effectively manage our most important resource: water.

Powell:Any customer experiencing a water bill spike that is hundreds of dollars higher than their prior bill should have their bill frozen at the prior most recent month's rate while an investigation into the true cause is made. MSWD should provide leak detection services, at its own expense, to determine if a leak actually exists and if the size of the leak matches the amount of consumption being claimed. ... If a leak is detected that is responsible for a very high bill, MSWD should offer customers the option to have the leak repaired and the amount of the repairs spread out of two years of future water bills.

An independent company one not selected by MSWD should be hired to determine and report on the cause of the new unusually high water customer billings. ... Salaries of top management are excessive, especially for a very small water district like MSWD. ... Legal bills have also been wildly excessive. An organization with very high legal bills has a management problem, not a legal one. ...

If there is not a change on the Board of Directors, the problems at MSWD will not be fixed and instead will continue to be blamed on the water customers.I could not sit by and let that happen without being challenged.I'm running for the District 3 Board seat to ensure the water customers get representation for a change, one in their favor.

Ivan Sewell is running unopposed and will retain his seat without appearing on the ballot.He was born and raised in Desert Hot Springs and owns TOP Shop, a printing and graphic design business, with his wife. He has served on the board since 2017 and is also a commissioner with the Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District.

Ivan Sewell(Photo: Ivan Sewell)

TDS: Where do you stand on the litigation with DWA?

Sewell:... I was in favor of trying to come to an agreement through mediation. We have attempted to find a solution that would work for both parties twice now and have not been able to come to an agreement. The management of our groundwater is something we have been overseeing since the beginnings of MSWD.

I believe control of our own groundwater is something our community deserves and should demand. Prior to DWA electing themselves the groundwater sustainability agency over MSWD territory, multiple meeting attempts were made by both MSWD and the city of Desert Hot Springs. DWA declined and elected itself the GSA. That action is what initiated the litigation and I believe was the only correct course of action for MSWD. It is odd that DWA is so set on managing the groundwater outside of their retail water service area, most of which is in an entirely different aquifer. Our community deserves to have complete control over the groundwater within our district boundaries. Our water will determine the future growth and prosperity of our community.

TDS: How does conservation fit with MSWD's mission?

Sewell:Education is critical to understand how to preserve and protect our water. Our population is growing and our water is becoming more precious. The state of California has set upcoming per-capita water use goals that are going to be difficult to reach.

Currently, we are working on a turf rebate program to lessen outdoor usage. We promote the use of high efficiency appliances and fixtures to lessen water use inside the home. In addition our Waterwise program in partnership with our local schools teaches students the importance of conservation through hands on activities. The students are given various assignments to complete both in class and at home, often with parents' participation. Each student is also sent home with various tools such as high efficiency shower heads and hose nozzles. Education will improve conservation both now and in the future.

TDS: How will you address reports of hikes to water bills?

Sewell:First and foremost I apologize for any issues and added stress that any of our families have experienced here in our district. If you or anyone you know is having problems or issues with your bill please call us immediately at 760.329.6448. Each property is different and speaking one-on-one with our service team is the best course to find the root of the problem. If you are not satisfied please contact me directly at isewell@mswd.org.

MSWDs previous meter manufacturer provided us with meters that failed prior to their typical lifespan. Approximately one-third of our previous meters registers failed. This failure was out of our control and our board reacted promptly. We researched and approved new meters that are produced by a different manufacturer. These new meters can be read three different ways, this redundancy will eliminate issues in the future. We are also working on a new customer portal using the new technology that will allow MSWD and our customers to see real-time water usage. This will help our community better understand and manage their water use.

TDS: What would be your priority to address this term?

Sewell:My number one priority is our customers. I will guarantee that they are provided a safe, reliable water supply for years to come. I will push for continued rate studies to make sure our rates are as low as possible. I will focus on additional grant funding to complete our Groundwater Protection Program. I will see the completion of our Regional Water Management Facility, which will protect and replenish our water supply. I will continue to be honest and respectful in all of my duties. I am determined on making the best decisions for our customers and the future of our community.

Mark Olalde covers the environment for The Desert Sun. Get in touch at molalde@gannett.com, and follow him on Twitter at @MarkOlalde.

Read or Share this story: https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/10/20/election-2020-mission-springs-water-district-candidates-detail-priorities/3653349001/

Originally posted here:
Mission Springs Water District candidates sound off on their election platforms - Desert Sun

The Historic District Commission approved the application on Oct. 20 of Austin Willis to restore a stone cottage to its original design by removing surrounding additions at the former Cluny School property.

I am so excited about this, HDC member Diana Szapary said.

Chair Karl Bjork called the restoration of the stone cottage fantastic.

It is due to the vision of my clients, said architect Paul Weber, who provided the plans.

The majority of the restoration would occur at the northwest side of the building where the 1965 addition connects to the stone cottage. The southeast, southwest and northeast elevations are relatively untouched by the addition. All restoration would match existing details and materials. Any roof repair would include slate roof matching the existing roof, while the adjacent building to the north of the main Cluny School structure would be demolished.

After four meetings and many changes, the HDC failed to approve the petition of David Elwell of 96 Harrison Ave. for permission to construct an attached two-car wood frame garage, modify the main entrance, repair and relocate windows and exterior doors, and replace a slate roof.

The plan went under significant modifications under architect Steve Laurin, but ultimately resulted in a 3-3 deadlock.

I still have a problem with the attached garage, said HDC member Howard Elliott.

Szapary had issues with the proposed elevation of the new building. Its a carriage house, she said. With the proposed changes, it looks like a large manor house. I couldnt approve that. It is turning this into something that it isnt.

HDC member Donald Ross disagreed. This is a very good redo. I think they have gone the extra distance, he said. I think this is a very good approach to rescuing the building. If something isnt done, I have very grave concerns about the future of this building. I think it does preserve historic character.

The house is currently a twofamily house, Elwell said. We are bringing the kitchen and the living room down from the second floor to that first-floor space where the garage is, he said. I think we have made some meaningful changes. We believe we have been quite responsive to what the commission had concerns about.

Elwell must now submit a new plan for HDC consideration.

Much of the meeting concerned three separate home petition hearings for owner Luke Fleury, who is renovating properties at 41 John St., 1 Maitland Court, and 34 Elm St.

The HDC voted to delay hearing the 41 John St. petition due to needing samples for the 30 windows that Fleury wants to replace, along with doors and much more. The commission approved 1 Maitland Court, which is in dilapidated condition, with new conditions that the applicant save the stained-glass window and salvage as many windows as possible before replacing others using the most authentic materials possible.

The commission approved 12 other petitions and delayed seven to November.

Will you help Newport This Week continue coverage on the local election, COVID-19 updates and municipal news during these unprecedented times with a monetary donation? Any amount helps!

Excerpt from:
HDC Approves Cottage Restoration at Former Cluny School - Newport This Week

We finally know the name of Michael Jordans long-anticipated team: 23XI Racing.

Of course, Jordan wont be the first superstar athlete to make the plunge into NASCAR ownership, nor will he be the first multi-billionaire. However, at age 57, Jordan will be a significantly younger face than many of his counterparts competing in the NASCAR Cup Series

While much focus has been put on the basketball legends highly polarizing foray into NASCAR with partner Denny Hamlin and driver Bubba Wallace, it may be easily overlooked to see that Jordon is potentially giving a solution to a lesser-known problem within NASCAR.

For years, many in the NASCAR community have shown increasing concern with NASCARs aging ownership, as many competitive owners, such as Roger Penske, Richard Childress and Joe Gibbs, are well into their 70s and beyond.

In fact, of the top 20 cars in the current 2020 Cup owner points, each of their owners is beyond the age of 70, with the exception of 49-year-old Tony Stewart and 62-year-old Chip Ganassi.

Still, Jordans team has promised to be competitive from the get-go, meaning he will indeed become the most youthful face in the top half of the garage, assuming his promises hold true.

However, Jordan wont be the youngest in the entire field. In fact, he is not even going to be close, which is especially promising compared to the lay of the land in 2017.

Andrew Murstein (56 years old) is one of the eight majority team owners (or ownership groups) who will be younger than Jordan entering the 2021 season. Murstein, the co-owner of Richard Petty Motorsports, has been leading the charge to transform RPM back into a competitive force, evidenced most recently with the hiring of Erik Jones.

Carl Long (53)has continued to expand his MBM Motorsports team after returning to Cup in 2017. 2020 has marked MBMs first full-season effort.

Following NASCARs two-month hiatus in response COVID-19 pandemic, Tommy Baldwin (53) restarted his part-time team this season after several seasons of no-shows.

The aforementionedTony Stewart (49)has been one of the few owners under the age of 50 across the last decade. Still, Stewart and business partner Gene Haas have transformed their team into a four-car organization that has claimed two championships.

He may have only entered one Cup race so far in 2020, but Matt Kaulig (47) has enthusiastically transformed his NASCAR involvement from a small sponsorship deal to a multi-car powerhouse team in the Xfinity Series. Kaulig has indicated he would like to take his team Cup racing full time in the future.

A relatively new team,Jeff Dickerson (44) and TJ Puchyr have also jumped head-over-heals into NASCAR ownership over the past two years. The co-owners of Spire Motorsports are set to expand from one charter to three (one leased) in 2021.

Michael Jordan isnt the only new owner for 2021, as former driver Justin Marks (39) will introduce his premiering Trackhouse Racing Team with driver Daniel Suarez. At 39, Marks will become the youngest full-time bossman, barring any younger additions.

Then theres owner-driver BJ McLeod (36) taking his team Cup racing for the first time in 2020. Despite just being a part-time Cup effort, McLeod readily expanded his Xfinity team over the last several years and looks to further continue to enrich his NASCAR involvement, with rumors holding that McLeod could be jumping into the series full time in 2021.

While the modern ownership model is slowly shifting younger thanks in part to new owners like Jordan and Marks, it has been painfully gradual.

The NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series is a polar opposite.

Interestingly enough, if Jordan were to make the dive into Truck ownership, he wouldnt be in the top 10 of the youngest owners. He would become the eighth oldest owner, only behind Maury Gallagher, Al Niece, Duke Thorson, Bo LeMastus, Tim Self, Norm Benning and Jim Rosenblum.

It is worth noting that the average age of a Truck owner is well under 50. A great deal of this trend is owed to the resurgence of independents and owner-drivers such as 29-year-old Jordan Anderson and 30-year-old Josh Reaume.

Father-son ownership duos like Kevin and Dawson Cram and Ken and Korbin Forrister have moved the needle down too.

Still, the Truck Series is a development series, both for drivers and owners. While there is youth spread across the board, Marks and McLeod have been the only two who have made the scary jump to the top.

Will Jordans youthful enthusiasm for NASCAR perpetuate a cascade of followers? Only time will tell.

More here:
NASCAR 101: The Youngest Active Owners in NASCAR - Frontstretch.com

These homes from South Yarra to Sorrento and in between are top of our list to inspect.

8 Kintore Street, Camberwell VIC 3124

Camberwell calls for those dreaming of leafy suburbs, good schools and impressive period homes. Part of the coveted Tara Estate, this 1901 late Victorian house was builder Henry Hutchinsons own home. Not surprisingly, he splashed out with fine architectural details including rare tri-coloured brickwork, a return verandah, marble mantelpieces, tiled fireplaces, delicate cornices and stained-glass windows.

The grandeur of the past lives on in the formal sitting and dining rooms family celebration, anyone? Modern additions include a family room, conservatory, upstairs bedroom and en suite. Perfect for a growing family, there are five bedrooms and two bathrooms. The block is large, as is the salt-water swimming pool, and Bourke Road shops are just around the corner. Selling agent Nikki Van Gulick says the house has been well maintained by the owners who are moving after 21 years. The garden is beautiful and you can see it from almost every room.

Expressions of interest: close 5pm November 9

Agent: Marshall White, Nikki Van Gulick 0419 325 911

14 Avoca Street, South Yarra VIC 3141

This pretty terrace offers a lot more than meets the eye. Victorian features happily mix with contemporary chic. Just steps away from Toorak Road shops, the Royal Botanic Gardens is also nearby. Those needing top schools are well catered for. The formal lounge and dining rooms are nicely connected while the kitchen and family zone overlook a generous terrace. Upstairs is a main bedroom, en suite and retreat plus another two bedrooms and bathroom. The surprise here is the basement-level gym, cellar, cinema, bedroom and bathroom. It has an oversize double garage, which is worth its weight in gold in South Yarra, says the agent.

Expressions of interest: close 3pm, November 6

Agent: RT Edgar,Mark Wridgway 0419 510 777

129 Wellington Parade South, East Melbourne VIC 3002

Is this city living at its best? Architect Rob Mills designed this uber-cool town house over three levels to take advantage of its city and park views. Its close to the MCG and the city is within walking distance. Outdoor terraces, high ceilings and beautifully detailed finishes put this in a luxury league of its own. The ground floor comprises a double garage and bedroom or home office. The living areas on the first floor are bookended by terraces with Jolimont Reserve peeping up on the north. Three bedrooms with balconies are on the top floor. The internal lift ensures the longevity of the home, the agent says.

Expressions of interest: close 5pm, November 4

Agent: Kay & Burton,Monique Depierre 0407 881 327

33 Wells Road, Beaumaris VIC 3193

Deep within this striking residence opposite Ilaroo Reserves playground is the warm heart of a 1970s brick house that was waiting for a magic wand. The magic came in the form of a new ultra-modern facade of Monument standing-seam matt cladding an audacious change by the project-driven owner and Black Rock architect Rohan Murley. The practical floor plan was retained and a luxury main bedroom suite was extended into the over-sized front garden. Its an amazing job, says the agent, noting its up-to-the-minute textural finishes, skylights, vertical split doors to an over-sized pantry and a huge all-weather curved deck facing the rear lawn.

Auction: 10am, October 31

Agent: Marshall White, Matthew Pillios 0408 145 982

11/17 Como Avenue, South Yarra VIC 3141

The serene side of South Yarra encircles this petite townhouse in the Como precinct. Cycle beside the Yarra, let the dog run free at Como Park, sip a soy latte from Kanteen and grab a picnic baguette from The Stables of Como Cafe, across the road. The property, in a 1978 low-rise development, has two bedrooms upstairs and a modern kitchen adjoining a living room (with fireplace) opening fully to a west-facing courtyard. Theres an English charm to the place, the agent says. Its a perfect pad for the younger generation, professional couples, those scaling down or for investment.

Auction: 2pm, October 31

Agent: Kay & Burton, Tom Staughton 0411 554 850

21 McCormack Street, Port Melbourne VIC 3207

More than simply an outdoor space, the rooftop terrace on this city-edge townhouse is both a private escape from the ordinary and a fabulous party venue. Its like a world on its own up there, so private and with majestic city views and catching the sun, the agent says. It also has provisions for a barbecue kitchen. The townhouse, built in 2012, is surrounded by popular parks and is 10 minutes walk from the beach. The vendors upgraded the downstairs deck and resurfaced the double-garage floor to make the most of every space.

Auction: noon, October 31

Agent: Belle, David Wood 0418 315 114

26 The Ridgeway, Kensington VIC 3031

4

Beds

2 Baths

Parking

This double-fronted Victorian-era family home is on a generous 400 square metres in a residential pocket that rates 10 out of 10 for walkability to local amenities, the agent says. Its even more of a hotspot since the City of Melbourne nominated nearby Bellair Street as a key precinct for post-lockdown outdoor dining. Block-fronted Fairhaven, where the vendors have lived for 30 years, has a priceless original iron-lacework verandah and scope to upgrade inside. Its convenient here, its quiet, and it has a versatile floor plan with a fourth bedroom that works as a home office, the agent says.

Auction: noon, October 24

Agent: Nelson Alexander, Jayson Watts 0415 940 227

2 Evans Street, Somers VIC 3927

Brimming with top-notch detail, romantic ambience and coastal elegance, this six years young home and its pool, terrace and decks nestle into the lush informal garden nurtured by the green-thumb vendor. The 1450-square-metre corner site features native plantings, sculptural shapes and bursts of colour; pride of place is earned by a multi-trunk lemon-scented gum favoured by visiting koalas. The interior will impress all other visitors. High ceilings, clerestory windows, beautiful timber floors, Italian marble, classic architraves and skirtings the agent lists. Its very evident that its generous in size and quality.

Expressions of interest: close 4pm, November 11

Agent: RT Edgar, Michael Parker 0428 540 500

170 One Tree Hill Road, Smiths Gully VIC 3760

A tight collection of tiny houses forms a romantic Tuscan-look micro-village within exquisite gardens at this surprising eight-hectare property. Various combinations of living areas, kitchens and bedrooms are found in each of the main house, second residence, cottage (the first one built circa the 1930s), a guest house, studio and barn-style loft, along with city views and remarkable bagged mudbrick walls, reclaimed timbers and wood fireplaces. The right person will say this is what theyve been dreaming of, says the agent, a near-neighbour. The lifestyle property with dams and grazing land will appeal for multi-generational living and B&B income.

Private sale

Agent: Jellis Craig, Scott Rawlings 0409 675 408

1330 Frankston-Flinders Road, Somerville VIC 3912

Fernbanks 140-year-old charms have been enhanced by a recent sensitive renovation that has added a new kitchen and casual living area at the back, as well as a large main bedroom, with an en suite and walk-in wardrobe, and a study. The double-fronted late-Victorian weatherboard is on 3550 square metres and is set well back from the road.

Vine-clad verandahs run around three sides of the house and white windows are set against muted exterior paintwork. Inside, the recent renovation has added a contemporary touch to the original large rooms. Three bedrooms are near the front of the house and open from the central hallway. They all have built-in wardrobes and two have fireplaces. A formal sitting room is opposite, and it adjoins the newly added open-plan area.

Private sale

Agent: Bonaccorde Property, Andrew Gillespie 0414 680 512

12 Canterbury Street, Sorrento VIC 3943

Newly built, this large contemporary-style house, which features timber highlights and polished concrete floors, is a short walk to Sorrentos shops and bay beach. A large kitchen, living and dining room extends to a covered outdoor dining area that is, effectively, another room and this overlooks the large north-facing pool and spa that are the focus of the house. Three childrens bedrooms are in a wing to one side of it and the large main bedroom, with an en suite and walk-in wardrobe, are on the other. A theatre, lift, study, games room, parking and storage complete a great package.

Private sale

Agent: Whitefox Real Estate, James Hallahan 0434 517 572

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What to see this weekend: the best properties for sale around Victoria right now - Domain News

Forty years ago seems like such a long time. We were just getting into high school. The president was Jimmy Carter. Voyager was able to show the world the rings of Jupiter and The Knack had the top spot on Billboard with the hit song My Sharona. For some it seems like forever ago but for Toyota It marked the year that the brand TRD (Toyota Racing Division) had made and appearance in the U.S. of A.

Over those 40 years the TRD division has been involved in everything from NASCAR and drag racing to making some of the most popular pickup trucks on the market with the Tacoma and Tundra. It only seemed to make sense with all this diversification of product and brain power that they make the jump into the consumer sedan market.

So after a 40 year presence here in America with the TRD brand the folks at Toyota have given their two most popular sedans, the Camry and Avalon an injection of muscle and coolness, and pinning both with the TRD logo!

Right off we were quick to notice many design changes on the exterior of the TRD Camry in very visible aero elements that have been added. Most striking was the addition of a wing across the back on trunk line giving us pause, as we called it our racing Camry for the week.

The designers from Calty Design Research, Toyotas design studio have also given the sedan a more aggressive stance by lowering the body 0.6 inches, adding red brake calipers and an impressive TRD badge for each new Camry.

As an instant testament to the awesome new design, as we pulled into the parking lot of CupBop Korean take-out restaurant stand near Brigham Young University on the Friday night of our test drive, two students appeared almost as if on cue. Both began to question us as to the availability and what it was like to drive the TRD Camry.

Its always a great opportunity to talk with folks about the vehicles we review and test each week but this reaction was not what we had expected from a Toyota Camry. At the end of the 20-minute discussion they both wanted photos of the new TRD-enhanced vehicle to send to their friends and family!

We had to admit after just a few hours of diving the new Camry who really wouldnt want a 300-horsepower sedan, with looks to back up that kind of power? It also comes to reason that there are already many aftermarket parts available for the TRD including a new performance exhaust system. It shouldnt be long until 300 horsepower is just the benchmark for buying a new TRD.

The new Camry comes with a DOHC 3.5-liter V-6 power plant that is tied to an eight-speed automatic transmission and that has a sport mode and paddle shifters on the steering column. The engine also has a specially tuned cat-back dual exhaust that we found gives the TRD a very nice exhaust note. This was especially evident every time we started the sedan in our garage but was also a great edition out on the open road if we gave it just that little extra push for speed.

Over the week of driving and almost 500 miles in mostly an urban setting we did average a very nice 26.5 mpg. We also found the Camry with all of these great additions not only way more fun to drive but it also had some great road manners staying very planted and controllable even on very twisty turns.

Other additions that made for this awesome sport drive were a unique set of TRD shock absorbers along with summer tires that are included on the Camry only. Sport enhanced black alloy wheels rounded out the exterior, and coupled with the dual piston brakes made the Race Camry even better.

The design folks did not leave out the interior when they started changing things around for the Camry, as the red theme played out throughout along with the TRD concept. Red stitching in the seats and on the dashboard along with red TRD logos in the headrest add to the look.

Red is also the theme in the drivers console with red speedometer and tachometer. And if that were not enough, red seat and shoulder belts really made us feel even more like racing around in the Toyota.

The seats were very comfortable and made from a black SofTex with fabric inserts. The only downfall was that they were not heated as Mother Nature finally added a little fall to our weather the day after the Labor Day holiday.

After our week with the TRD version of the Camry we were very impressed with not only the design and handling of the Camry but with how it now stands out in a crowd. Our hats are definitely off to those at Toyota for making this happen.

It has to be hard to take what has become an icon in the automotive world and make something new and exciting with that product. For years the Camry has been the bread and butter sedan for the company, now through the use of the TRD division they have taken the Camry right off the NASCAR circuit and put it right in anyones driveway.

Check out the new Race inspired TRD Camry and add a little excitement to your life. We sure did at least for a week!

Link:
Sunday Drive - 2020 Toyota Camry TRD - Daily Herald

London Bay Renovation was recognized with a top Sand Dollar Award for Best Whole House Remodel of a private residence in Miromar Lakes Beach & Golf Club.

London Bay Homes has earned its reputation by building luxury homes in Southwest Floridas most exclusive neighborhoods for nearly three decades. And while homebuyer interest in custom building continues to grow, renovation is gaining in popularity among homeowners who prefer to modify their current home to fit their styles of today.

When you bought or built your home five or 10 years ago, it may have been perfect for your needs at the time. But over the years, styles have changed, said London Bay Homes President and CEO Mark Wilson. Maybe youve added grandchildren into your life or developed a new hobby that requires a dedicated and specialized space. Or you find yourself living in a Mediterranean-style home when your design preference skews more coastal contemporary these days. Whatever the reason is, our team works to meld past with present preferences to create seamless new home designs.

This was especially true for one family who had their eyes set on a home in Miromar Lakes Beach & Golf Club. While the home had stunning views and great bones, its 20-year old faade left some elements to be desired.

Before

The Hellers asked London Bay Renovation to weigh in on the four-bedroom, five-bath residence that caught their attention, and as a collective group, concluded the home needed a complete interior redesign, coupled with some exterior modifications.

It is the second London Bay home we have had, with the first being new construction, said Karen Heller. As satisfied London Bay homeowners, when we decided to do a whole house renovation, we didnt hesitate to work with them again. We knew we would receive excellent workmanship, the highest quality and that they would stand behind everything they did.

The project required gutting of most of the interior from ceilings and walls, to the electric and air conditioning systems. The master suite, a guest bedroom and the laundry room remained intact. The plan also called for adding an additional 500 square feet for a new guest suite to accommodate visiting family and friends.

A granite-heavy kitchen with a banquette was replaced with white marble countertops, crisp white Shaker-style cabinetry with brushed brass hardware and decorative glass-front doors, and a navy-painted island paired with nail-head stools for additional casual seating.

We took a home that was quite dated and focused on a renovation to open up common spaces to the views outside, said Bill Blanchard, Director of Construction for London Bay Renovation. The interior renovation focused on updating the old angular plan with a new rectilinear design that reclaimed wasted space and modernized the home.

Opening common spaces to enhance outdoor views was an equally important goal. The revised plan introduced a great room that opens up to the outdoor living area enhancing the overall livability and function of the home.

To update the homes Neo-Mediterranean exterior, the team retained the arched doorway but eliminated precast elements and heavy details around the entrance. Eschewing the dated terracotta and ochre palette, the exterior was painted to create a fresh lightness, with a dark tone introduced on the garage door and tile roof for dramatic contrast. The transformation continued by adding Bermuda shutters and dark trim to create a clean and timeless design that will look great in another 20 years, and beyond.

Before

We are thrilled with our newly renovated home, added Heller. The end result did not disappoint. It is a dream home that we will enjoy for years with our children, grandchildren, extended family and friends. The home was recognized by the Collier Building Industry Associations Sand Dollar Awards program for a top award in the $800,001-$900,000 category for Best Whole House Remodel.

London Bay Renovation covers the spectrum of home-improvement services, from complete interior and exterior makeovers and room additions, to kitchen and bath renovations and architectural and design accents. The companys commitment to Private Label Living ensures each project reflects the individual client and the home they envision. London Bay Renovation works in Southwest Floridas most exclusive neighborhoods to renovate luxury homes and condominiums built by both London Bay Homes and other builders. Its in-house team of experts includes designers and contractors, construction management and the award-winning design professionals working together to develop inspired design solutions that are in total alignment with homeowners goals. The experience is complimented by London Bay Homes personalized design process through its Selection Studio. The 3,500-square-foot studio showcases the latest design trends from flooring and cabinet selections to countertops and appliances, clients can enjoy a smooth renovation process all under one roof.

To schedule a visit and learn more about renovating with London Bay, call 239-298-7623 or visit http://www.LondonBay. com/ Renovation.

View original post here:
London Bay Renovation transforms 20-year old home into award-winning design - Florida Weekly

TheU.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has granted FMC Corporation registration for Vantacorinsect control in a range of crops including cotton, soybeans, corn, peanuts, potatoes, sweet corn, sugarcane and onions.

Vantacor is a highly concentrated formulation of Rynaxypyractive the industry standard for long residual control of Lepidopteran pests. It offers the same pest spectrum and activity as Prevathoninsect control powered by Rynaxypyrbut with a much lower use rate typically 0.7-2.0 fluid ounces per acre compared to 14-20 fluid ounces per acre. It also offers extended residual control of key worm species, reducing the need for multiple applications per season.

All the things growers know and love about Prevathon insect control extended control of Lepidopterans, tank-mix flexibility, no flaring of mites or aphids and preservation of many important beneficial insects are also conveyed by Vantacor insect control, says John McCool, FMC Insecticides Product Manager. In addition, the new formulation offers improved mixing, low use rates and less packaging. That means growers will spend less time handling and hauling jugs, shuttles and pumps to and from fields. Overall, it enhances growers productivity whether its in the form of time or fuel savings.

The list of Lepidopteran pests controlled by Vantacor includes:

FMC is committed to delivering products that maintain a safe and secure food supply with minimal impact on the planet. The company has pledged to invest 100% of its research and development spend on sustainably advantaged products by 2025.

Vantacor insect control is an example of FMC using its formulation expertise to shrink our environmental footprint while still delivering reliable insect control,says McCool. Thats a win for the grower, the environment and FMC.

More information about Vantacor insect control is available online or from your FMC Star Retailer.

Based on information provided by FMC Corporation

Go here to read the rest:
EPA Approves Vantacor Insect Control for Cotton and Other Crops - Cotton Grower

When thinking about renovating their homes, homeowners may imagine changing wall colors, expanding room sizes or upgrading appliances and fixtures.

However, unless people take inventory of the less glamouros components of the home, such as structure, plumbing, heating and cooling and insulation, other improvements may be for naught.

A home insulation project certainly doesn't offer the wow factor of a kitchen remodel, but insulation serves a vital function in the house that helps keep people comfortable and reduces energy consumption.

Insulation is typically placed in areas where air escapes, such as between the stud cavities inside the walls and in the attic, and serves to slow and reduce heat transfer.

The U.S. Department of Energy says between 50 and 70 percent of the energy used in homes is for heating and cooling. By improving home insulation, homeowners can make their homes more comfortable, consistent and efficient. In fact, the ENERGY STAR program overseen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says homeowners stand to save an average of 15 percent on heating and cooling costs by adding proper insulation.

To do so, homeowners can take a crash course in home insulation and find the products that fit their needs.

Blanket batts and rolls typically are constructed with fiberglass, so proper safety gear, such as a mask and gloves, is needed when handling them. Installing this type of insulation is relatively easy since the materials are designed to fit the standard width between studs, rafters and floor joists.

Loose fill is usually made of fiberglass or cellulose (recycled paper fiber). It is blown or sprayed into place with pneumatic equipment, according to The Home Depot.

Loose fill can be ideal for hard-to-reach areas in attics or inside wall cavities. It's good for adding insulation to irregularly shaped areas. Since it requires special equipment, this is a job best left to professionals.

Sprayed foam is just as the name implies, a foam made from polyurethane, polyisocyanurate, cementitious or other materials that are applied by a spray container. DIYers who need only small applications can use canned products . Large quantities are pressure-sprayed by professionals.

Ideal for unfinished walls, such as basement or foundation walls, floors and ceilings, these are boards of polyurethane or polystyrene. Foam boards tend to reduce energy consumption more effectively than other types of insulation.

See the original post here:
Types of home insulation and where to install them - Reading Eagle

While President Donald Trump has baselessly attacked plans to eradicate fossil fuel-based sources of energy from the United States' power grid on the grounds that doing so would be expensive and economically destructive, a new analysis reveals the opposite to be trueaggressively transitioning to 100% renewables would save Americans up to $321 billion per year while reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions that are heating the planet.

The report (pdf), No Place Like Home: Fighting Climate Change (And Saving Money) by Electrifying America's Households, published Wednesday by Rewiring America shows that a complete switch to clean energy sources like solar and wind would not only put the U.S. on a path toward zero emissions, but it would also save each household on average between $1,050 to $2,585 per year on utility bills.

"Too often we are told doing the right thing for the environment requires sacrifice and costs more," Adam Zurofsky, executive director of the energy policy organization, told The Guardian. "But no one is talking about the upsidewe can actually make a better economy and save people money and a byproduct will be to cut emissions from residential buildings."

According to the study, more than 40% of the nation's energy-related carbon emissions are determined by daily activities like bathing, cooking, and commuting. Today, most of the household appliances and neighborhood infrastructure used to facilitate refrigeration, lighting, heating, cooling, and mobility are powered by fossil fuels.

But, the researchers explain, the process of extracting and delivering dirty energy to households and communities is enourmously wasteful and costly.

If we "electrify" residential buildings and "decarbonize" what the authors call "life infrastructure" by linking household consumption to renewable sources of power, we can reduce energy use, costs, and emissions, they say, and therefore "fight climate change starting right in our own homes."

The report states that "electrification is the only viable pathway to decarbonizing a household." The authors say that doing so "is possible with the technology we have now," giving several examples of changes that could be adopted:

We can decarbonize our driving with electric cars, and charge them cleanly with solar on our rooftops and renewable electricity from the grid. Where most homes now burn methane in the kitchen to run the stove, we can switch to electric induction for cooking... We can use electric water heaters, or better still, heat pump hot water heaters that more efficiently provide us with hot showers and warm water. A heat pump, potentially with energy storage cheaply attached, can replace our furnace or other heating systems with electricity. We can buy electric clothes dryers to replace natural gas ones.

"To make this all work," the report notes, "we need to install a bigger load center, wire in electric car chargers, and attach a battery capable of running the loads in the house for a half day or so."

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One of the biggest barriers to change may be the high upfront costs associated with upgrading household infrastructureyet, as the report points out, "we only succeed in fighting climate change if all households can transition to the new economy."

In order to ensure an equitable and environmentally just future, the authors advocate harnessing the power of the state to implement "creative policy solutions," from low-cost financing to direct purchasing assistance for low- and moderate-income households and those with low credit scores.

Zurofsky told The Guardian that "the federal government can make it 'dirt cheap' for people to switch to renewables," especially now that solar is the cheapest form of electricityin human history.

In addition to public subsidies, the report acknowledges that "regulatory reform and restructuring of monopoly control of energy services is absolutely necessary."

Transforming household energy consumption would not only result in the decarbonization of more that 40% of the U.S. economy, but the efficiency gains would also generate savings that "are more than enough to return money to households," Zurofsky said.

As the report notes, "It is the poorest households that have the most to gain from household energy savings."

The authors write that "if we apply the same technologies and approaches to the commercial sector, it would eliminate around 65% of emissions."

Bryan Snyder, an energy and environment expert at Louisiana State University, told The Guardian that such an undertaking would be difficult because it would require the country "to build an electrical generation system on top of our roofs that is the same size as contemporary U.S. generation," while regional inconsistencies in sunlight would add to the challenge.

Zurofsky retorted that the widespread adoption of rooftop solar power is feasible. "That does not mean it will be easy to do," he said, "or that we won't have to stretch our existing capacities to make it happen."

According to Zurofsky, Rewiring America's new reportwhich echoes a recent study by the Economic Policy Institute confirming thatinvestments in energy efficiency and clean energy would create millions of jobsis meant to demonstrate "what the future can look like if we are motivated to make it so."

The rest is here:
'What the Future Can Look Like': Study Shows US Switch to 100% Renewables Would Save Hundreds of Billions Each Year - Common Dreams

Press release from North Haven Fire Department:

Oct. 22, 2020

Chief Paul Januszewski and the North Haven Fire Department encourage residents to test their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors when setting their clocks back for daylight saving time.

Daylight saving ends Sunday, Nov. 1 at 2 a.m.

"Testing and changing batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are quick and easy habits that can prevent fires and save lives," Chief Januszewski said. "We encourage all of our residents to change the batteries inside their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors when they change their clocks for daylight saving time."

According to the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF), working smoke detectors decrease the risk of dying in home fires by nearly half. Additionally, in many reported home fires in which smoke detectors were present but did not operate, the batteries had been removed or the detector was disconnected due to dead battery alerts or nuisance alarms.

The National Fire Protection Association reports that three of every five home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke detectors (38%) or no working smoke detectors (21%). Additionally, dead batteries caused one-quarter (24%) of the smoke detector failures.

The North Haven Fire Department also asks that all business owners not only change their clocks, but also change the batteries in their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and replace the batteries on wall mounted emergency lights and exit signs. All businesses should have emergency backup lighting as a safety feature to provide temporary lighting in case of power failure.

In order to keep your family and home safe, North Haven Fire recommends that residents follow safety tips outlined by IAFF:

The North Haven Fire Department would also like to remind residents that carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are not interchangeable and should never be disconnected. The best practice for checking your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors is to do so monthly.

From Monday, Oct. 26 to Friday, Nov. 13, the North Haven Fire Department will be offering free 9-volt batteries for North Haven residents. Residents interested in receiving 9-volt batteries can pick them up at the Fire Headquarters, 11 Broadway, North Haven, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Supplies are limited.

For more information on smoke detector and CO detector safety, visit the IAFF website or contact the North Haven Fire Department at 203-239-5321.

This press release was produced by North Haven Fire Department. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Read more from the original source:
North Haven FD: Check Smoke And CO Detectors - Patch.com