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MAACO rolls out satellite concept with Pep Boys - 28 Feb 2016 11:24

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[[html]]Maaco, an automotive paint and collision repair, announced a partnership with Pep Boys,the nations leading automotive aftermarket chain,to launch an automotive retail concept across the United States. The first two of many planned Maaco satellite shops will open inside existing Atlanta Pep Boys locations at 1531 Cobb Parkway South in Marietta and 5000 Highway 138 in Union City.<br><br><img style="float:left;margin:10px;border:none;" src="http://lexappliancerepair.com/support/applianceserviceoflex_logo.png" width="322" /><br><br>The initial launch of the two Atlanta-area satellite shops will trigger a nationwide rollout with three locations planned for the Los Angeles area in the coming weeks. These new shops will launch with new digital merchandising boards that will save space and offer a unique customer experience.<br><br>These shops offer full-service automotive appearance services, including: auto painting, collision repair, insurance claims, fleet and industrial services, paintless dent repair, scratch repair, detailing, trim installation and decaling with the support of local Maaco production shops.<br><br>The partnership with Maaco and Pep Boys is a <a href="https://www.coursera.org/user/i/850757e055c99fe8b1a5522a7847a569">microwave service</a> natural fit and we look forward to maximizing this relationship, said Jose Costa, group president of the Paint and Collision Division for Driven Brands. Millions of people visit Pep Boys annually; these satellite locations will add to the continued growth of Maaco and allow us reach a much broader customer base.<br><br>This partnership allows Pep Boys to enhance their position as a one-stop shop for automotive needs, including under-the-hood repairs, tires, retail supplies and now auto body paint and collision repair.<br><br>Easy access to Maacos services will be a great addition for our customers, said Joe Cirelli, senior vice president of Real Estate &amp; Construction for Pep Boys. Maaco has a reputation for quality work, and Pep Boys customers now have a truly full-service automotive maintenance shop for all of their needs.<br><br>As Maaco continues to expand with the goal of 1,000 locations by 2020, finding new ways to conveniently service customers will be key.<br><br>This unique opportunity could pave the way for a stronger Maaco system, said Jason Ryan, president of Maaco. The success of this program depends heavily on both companies working together to deliver a positive overall experience to our shared customers, and Im confident that together well continue to grow.<br><br>Maaco Auto Painting &amp; Collision Repair a part of the Driven Brands Inc. is a family of automotive aftermarket franchise brands based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Maaco provides automotive paint and cosmetic repair services for almost 500,000 drivers annually and has more than 470 independently owned and operated franchises across the U.S. and Canada.<br><br>Maaco has restored the safety and appearance of more than 20 million vehicles over 40-plus years. It has been named a top automotive franchise numerous times by Entrepreneur Magazine in its Annual Franchise 500 ranking. It also has been included on Franchise Times list of Top 200 franchises.<br><br>Since 1921, Pep Boys has been an automotive aftermarket chain and has more than 7,500 service bays in over 800 locations in 35 states and Puerto Rico.<br><br>For more information, visit<br><br>www.Maaco.com, www.MaacoFranchise.com or www.pepboys.com. <br><br>[[/html]] - Comments: 0

Omni Hotels & Resorts Sponsors Aussie Matt Jones on PGA TOUR | Reuters - 25 Feb 2016 02:06

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[[html]]&#13;Omni Hotels &amp; Resorts Sponsors Aussie Matt Jones on PGA TOUR&#13;<br><br>&#13;&#13; Omni Hotels &amp; Resorts today announced its sponsorship of PGA TOUR &#13; player, Matt Jones. The Australian golfer was winner of the 2014 Shell &#13; Houston Open.&#13; <br><br>&#13;&#13; If their first tournament together is any indication, Omni and the &#13; veteran Australian golf star are going to really enjoy <a href="http://www.geekspeek.org/basic-golf-tips-to-help-you-play-like-a-pro/">golf courses</a> their new &#13; relationship. Jones made his debut as an Omni-sponsored player at the &#13; AT&amp;T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am on February 12. He sported his &#13; Omni-branded polo and golf bag as he tied for seventh place, his best &#13; finish of the season. Jones shot rounds of 65-66-67 to put himself in &#13; the final group of the nationally televised closing round. He followed &#13; up his Pebble Beach performance in Los Angeles the following week, &#13; finishing in a tie for 14th place at the Northern Trust Open.&#13; <br><br>&#13;&#13; Jones partnership with Omni Hotels &amp; Resorts extends through the 2015 &#13; season, during which he will be featured in special events and contests. &#13; As part of this partnership, Jones will stay at several Omni properties &#13; throughout the tour schedule including Omni Orlando Resort at &#13; ChampionsGate during the Arnold Palmer Invitational, March 19-22.&#13; <br><br>&#13;&#13; Located in some of the countrys most beautiful destinations, Omni &#13; Hotels &amp; Resorts golf courses are designed by award-winning golf &#13; architects, some of who are legendary champions of the game. Each golf &#13; resort is complete with luxurious accommodations and superior service, &#13; on and off the course.&#13; <br><br>&#13;&#13; Omni golf destinations offer challenges for golfers at all levels of &#13; play, so pros, amateurs and their families alike can find courses to &#13; enjoy, creating distinct golf vacations in prime locations on legendary &#13; fairways and greens.&#13; <br><br>&#13;&#13; Several courses in the Omni golf collection have a history and tradition &#13; of hosting PGA TOUR events, as well as national and international &#13; championship competition:&#13; <br><br>&#13;&#13; Omni Tucson National Resort hosted more <a href="http://www.amigo4golf.com/golf-tips-and-tricks-to-enhance-your-swing/">play golf</a> than 30 events between 1965 &#13; and 2006, featuring one of the TOURs most challenging finishing holes.&#13; &#13;&#13; The historic Donald Ross course at The Omni Grove Park Inn was not &#13; only a tour stop from 1933 through 1951 but also where the PGA of &#13; America was born.&#13; &#13;&#13; Omni La Costa Resort &amp; Spas history with both the PGA and LPGA Tours &#13; dates back to 1965.&#13; &#13;&#13; Omni Barton Creek Resort &amp; Spa hosted the Champions Tour Legends of &#13; Golf from 1990-1994.&#13; &#13;&#13; The Champions Tour Father-Son Challenge was played at Omni Orlando &#13; Resort at ChampionsGate from 2003-2008.&#13; &#13;&#13; The Omni Homestead Resort has hosted the U.S. Womens Open, U.S. &#13; Amateur and U.S. Womens Amateur Championships, Curtis Cup and NCAA &#13; mens championships, as well as PGA TOUR Champions Tour events.&#13; &#13;&#13; The Bedford Springs Open, a precursor to modern tour events, was held &#13; at Omni Bedford Springs Resort in the 1930s.&#13; &#13;&#13; Jones, who turns 35 in April, is from Sydney, Australia. As a junior &#13; champion he competed at Arizona State University, where he was a &#13; first-team All-America selection. He turned pro in 2001 and has won &#13; close to $8 million on <a href="http://www.dsttds.com/uncategorized/1st-day-on-the-green-making-an-impressive-golf-swing/">PGA golf</a> the PGA TOUR. He and his wife, Melissa, a former &#13; Miss Idaho, have two young daughters.&#13; <br><br>&#13;&#13;About Omni Hotels &amp; Resorts Golf Portfolio&#13;<br><br>&#13;&#13; Located in some of the countrys most beautiful destinations, Omni &#13; Hotels &amp; Resorts golf courses are designed by award-winning golf &#13; architects, including legendary champions of the game. Each destination &#13; offers challenges for golfers at all levels of play, so pros, amateurs &#13; and their families alike can find courses to enjoy, creating distinct &#13; golf vacations in prime locations on legendary fairways and greens. Each &#13; of the 11 golf resorts (360 total holes) is complete with luxurious &#13; accommodations and superior service, on and off the course.&#13; <br><br>&#13;&#13; For additional information or to book tee times, visit www.omnihotels.com/destinations/golf.&#13; <br><br>&#13;&#13;<img alt="" src="http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=bwnews&amp;sty=20150310006639r1&amp;sid=hptr3&amp;distro=nx&amp;lang=en"/><br><br>&#13;&#13; Omni Hotels &amp; Resorts<br><br>Media Contact:<br><br><img src="http://wallarthd.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/3D-Golf-Wallpaper-HD.jpg" width="325" /><br><br><object width="400" height="241"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ikRenKroY5E&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ikRenKroY5E&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="241"></embed></object><br><br>Karen Moraghan, &#13; 908-963-6013<br><br>moc.rp-retnuh|nahgaromk#moc.rp-retnuh|nahgaromk<br><br>or<br><br>Omni &#13; Contact:<br><br><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AW8jcsAgn5o/ULyFEe7LZcI/AAAAAAAACg8/yHZ9AP-v3OM/s1600/beautiful+golf+wallpaper+nature+green.jpg" width="264" /><br><br>Rachel McCartha, 972-871-5556<br><br>moc.sletohinmo|ahtraccm.lehcar#moc.sletohinmo|ahtraccm.lehcar&#13;<br><br>&#13;<br><br><object width="400" height="241"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rFxh7hhXwjI&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rFxh7hhXwjI&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="241"></embed></object><br><br>[[/html]] - Comments: 0

The Lucrative Business Of Construction Debris Removal Companies - 23 Feb 2016 02:39

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[[html]]As long as congestive cities and small suffer from a lack of space the construction industry will always have work. But one of the extra benefits of new buildings going up is OLD buildings being torn down! Thanks to all the long-term debris of construction site work an entire new industry was started, construction debris removal and construction clean-up!<br><br>Operating a construction debris removal or construction clean-up company can be a very profitable business. And lest you think that contracted construction companies are liable for the removal of ruined buildings and debris, than think again! When a new building gets built, the company contracted to do the work is liable for its own mess so to speak. But when the work involves a change of some sort, other independent construction debris removal teams and construction clean-up crews are imported to eliminate a site clean.So what precisely are construction debris removal and construction clean-up crews responsible for?<br><br>On big jobs the debris removal team will come in and dispose of everything from concrete to wood including the exterior and interior support structure. <iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=zT1Oh1zZuf1E.k9SZpPDoAMow" width="640" height="480"></iframe>Typically, these companies bill by the amount of hauling space is used in a flatbed truck. Another method is how many trucks are needed for the job. Strangely enough, the refuse debris that construction debris removal teams and construction clean-up crews take away is minor.<br><br><img src="http://www.slm-construction.fr/images/background.jpg" width="343" /><br><br>Rather, the area of space, containers and trucks needed create the baseline for any disposal job. The cost is based on the space used in the disposal vehicles. Customers would only be responsible for the exact space used in a truck relative to how much debris is hauled away. Invoices include two crew members to move items from inside the home, office or business into the truck and proper disposal of the items.<br><br>The x factor of construction debris removal and construction clean up is TIME. These crews are not working by the hour per se. Their work is based on the quantity of debris to haul or area to clean. Thus, the crews that have the most success are the ones that work the quickest. The invoice for this kind of work can be about $100.00 to several hundred or <a href="">project management company</a> for larger jobs from $1000.00 to several thousand dollars.<br><br>The like logic that is applied to big jobs can be applied to smaller jobs. In fact, investigation has shown that over majority of contracted by construction debris removal teams and construction cleanup crews take place from homes and apartments that need debris hauled away for <a href="http://www.showmelocal.com/profile.aspx?bid=18770491">construction management companies</a> one reason or another. Consider the following needs and you can see why the construction debris removal and construction cleanup business can lead to a lucrative career.<br><br><img src="http://www.jobmail.co.za/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Construction-Industry-job-vacancies.jpg" width="276" /><br><br>1. Rooms and office space: Apart from hauling debris, construction cleanup crews may additionally clean, dust and vacuum and do any other job that offers a organized work area.<br><br>2. Bathrooms: If it is an modern structure the cleanup team will not <a href="http://citysquares.com/b/potomac-construction-services-21995312">construction project management</a> only clean the bathroom but will sanitize and deodorize. This can include washing mirrors, toilets, floors and walls.<br><br>3. Kitchens: Clean appliances, counters, cabinets, table &amp; chairs.<br><br>Creativity is the key. In addition to removing debris and hauling away unwanted items. Cleanup can create its own rewards. So whatever your constructions disposal needs are whether it involves wood or concrete debris that is the result of a renovation or construction project, or just have old items or furniture you need to have hauled away, construction debris removal and construction cleanup crews are the way to go!<br><br>By: Tatw<br><br>Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com<br><br>Tanya Wiseman writes for:<br><br><img src="http://www.sbe.hw.ac.uk/img/Construction-Management-Innovation.jpg" width="319" /><br><br>Replacement Foundation<br><br>Or see more information on my blog:<br><br>Foundation Bolting<br><br>[[/html]] - Comments: 0

Music Gear Insurance Ensure That Your Asset Is Safe Under All Circumstances - 18 Feb 2016 23:02

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[[html]]<img style="float:left;margin:10px;border:none;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UNLeypVODtU/UkLx5Plh_1I/AAAAAAAAAB8/D7RBwgh5tE0/s1600/Car-Insurance-Online1.png" width="270" /><br><br>By: Michel Jordan<br><br>For a true musician there is nothing as painful as news of misplacement or damage of his/her much adored instrument. Especially when the instrument is highly valuable or is of limited edition, the pain and the grief magnifies enormously as such musical gears are not that easy to be substituted. If you glance around you will hear stories about losing drum, flute and other exclusive instruments being stolen from an unattended tour van, or even being damaged due to the casualness of the reckless baggage supervisor at the airport.<br><br><img style="float:right;margin:10px;border:none;" src="http://personal-finance.thefuntimesguide.com/images/blogs/auto-insurance-by-daveynin.jpg" width="336" /><br><br>In Music fraternity such happenings are quite common and a regular affair; and as a musician you have to keep on moving and entertain your friends, followers and admirers. This is the reason insurance vendors have introduced Music Gear Insurance and gives you some comfort at the time of pain; though there is no solution for the amount of emotional loss that you have suffered. You can request your vendor to take care of inclusions and exclusions.<br><br>Tunes and rhythms generated by different kinds of instruments are different; and this is the reason you will find all set of instruments being played in an orchestra. <iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=zT1Oh1zZuf1E.kG7c6rSCJMo4" width="640" height="480"></iframe>Different instruments means different type of insurance packages; and this will definitely prove to be costly at times. Often there is an overlap of clauses, and it means extra payment against premiums. Here, comes the creative aspect of insurance vendors. In order to give an ease to orchestras and ensembles, most of the Music Insurance providers offer adapted plans under Orchestra Insurance; where leads of orchestras and ensembles can acquire an insurance plan for entire set of instruments and equipments used by them through a single insurance policy. Such an arrangement is helpful for these leads, as this gives them an ease to manage their financial affairs under one paper instead <a href="http://www.dexknows.com/business_profiles/-l2585006581">life insurance policy</a> of managing heap of papers (individual insurance for individual instrument). As a result they can pay attention in attaining the finesse in the performance of orchestra. It is better to update the insurance provider about the amount of travel you take along with your troupe so that he can analyze the risk factor and fix premiums accordingly.<br><br>Whether you are planning to acquire security coverage for your entire set of equipments from fresh or willing to upgrade the level of the plan, you need to find a vendor that has a niche in tendering such services. Make sure to pick a one that has a strong stature among music professionals (including amateur and professional lot); as it is easy to verify the credentials of the established insurance providers. Do an extensive research of insurance firms, and before zeroing down; always take a feedback from fellow musicians that whether the company is offering the kind of insurance plan which is required by you. A careful and attentive research will help you, not only in securing your prized possession, but also much required peace of mind that is of utmost importance for a creative artist.<br><br>About the Author:<br><br>In this write up, writer has explored the benefits of acquiring Music Gear Insurance; and the manner in which Orchestra insurance helps ensembles and orchestras.<br><br><img src="http://www.carinsurancecomparison.com/Images/GAP-car-insurance.jpg" width="398" /><br><br>Article Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com - Insurance<br><br>Insurance RSS Feed<img src="http://static.articlesnatch.com/i/feed-icon-14x14.png" width="14" height="14" title="Articles about Insurance" border="0"/> | RSS feed for this author<img src="http://static.articlesnatch.com/i/feed-icon-14x14.png" width="14" height="14" title="Articles From This Author Feed" border="0"/><br><br>Viola Insurance Offers You 360 Protection From Potential Risks By: Michel Jordan - Do you play the viola? Have you got your instrument insured? A decade or two back a small percentage of the musicians would insure their instrument and many wouldnt have even heard about mu … Tags: viola insuranceStudio Insurance - Things That Are Covered Under Studio Coverage By: Michel Jordan - If you own a music studio you would have invested thousands of dollars into setting up all the infrastructure and buying equipment. Whether you rent out the studio for recording purpose or sim … Tags: studio coveragePiccolo Insurance Offers The Relaxation You Need By: Johnson Charlse - What is the most important ingredient for composing soothing music? A calm and peaceful mind would surely be the answer. But piccolo players like all other modern musicians are pre-occupied wi … Tags: piccolo insuranceEvent Liability Insurance Protects You Against All Odds By: Joseoh White - There are more than 500,000 people who work as event planners in the United States. Majority of them are engaged in organizing musical events. While most of these are small events that may not … Tags: event liability insuranceWhy Let Accidents Rule Your Life? By: Shaheen Shaikh - You may not be able to avoid an accident, but you can take away the financial burdens associated with it. Accidental insurance can help you out.Tags: accidental insurance, accident insurance, personal accidentReduce The Financial Burden Of Medical Problems By: Shaheen Shaikh - Here is a primer on <a href="http://www.localpages.com/lpd-bizinfo.php?listId=3004148&for=business&type=lpd">homeowners insurance quote</a> ensuring that you protect yourself and your loved ones from the effects of expensive medical treatment.Tags: Mediclaim, mediclaim insurance in India, mediclaim policyWhy Concert Insurance Is Must For Any Music Promoter By: Joseoh White - Life on the road as a music promoter can be thrilling but as they say it is rife with challenges. This is perhaps the reason is why being a music promoter is one of the toughest jobs in the in … Tags: concert insurance, Music Teacher InsuranceDram Shop Insurance Illinois: Your Best Remedy For Settlement By: changbiscoe10 - Everyone knows that there is an enormous cost of the alcohol abuse - increased violence, or increased violence, severe car crashes, and other societal ills. A lot of people are aware of the le … Tags: dram shop insurance illinois, business insurance chicago ilHow Insurance For Retailers Would Protect You Against All Odds By: Johnson Charlse - Managing a retail business, selling musical instruments and accessories is no easy job. You would have to sell a wide range of instruments and accessories to become a preferred store among the … Tags: insurance for retailersWhy You Need To Buy A Piano Insurance Plan By: Johnson Charlse - Do you own a piano? It is surely one of the finest musical instruments in the world that has a sense of class attached to it. Being large in size and coming for a handsome price, pianos have a … Tags: piano insurance<br><br>[[/html]] - Comments: 0

Starting a construction company? 5 things to consider - 17 Feb 2016 21:57

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[[html]]Construction is a tough industry. Numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau reveal that this industry has the highest five-year start-up failure rates. <iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=zT1Oh1zZuf1E.k9SZpPDoAMow" width="640" height="480"></iframe>However, with careful and strategic planning, a construction business can also be <a href="https://local.yahoo.com/info-91321805-potomac-construction-services-bethesda">construction</a> a profitable venture. If you are planning to start your own, here are some of the vital aspects you should consider.<br><br>1. License<br><br>Ensure you have the right licenses and permits to protect yourself, your business and your clients. Go to your local courthouse and find out what documents are mandatory for your construction business, depending on your location. Some of these licenses are secured after taking a test or series of tests. Starting your company in a legitimate way will make you appear professional and reliable.<br><br><img src="http://www.midtowninsurancegroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/construction-worker.jpg" width="279" /><br><br>2. Insurance<br><br>You will need several types of insurance, depending on the nature of your work. General liability, vehicle and property insurance are the basic types to secure. It will protect you and your company against claims related to property damage and personal injury as well <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/potomac-construction-services-bethesda">building project manager</a> as provide you defense of these claims. In some cases, it also covers yourself in the event of work-related injuries.<br><br><img src="http://www.jobmail.co.za/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Construction-Industry-job-vacancies.jpg" width="276" /><br><br>Some states require construction companies to carry specific insurance. Likewise, some clients won't allow you to work at their job site without proper insurance papers.<br><br>Meet with an insurance agent to find out what coverage you need.<br><br>3. Business plan<br><br>Your business plan is the road map to your success. Put one together to establish your business goals. It doesn't really have to be long or fancy; what's important is that it meets the needs and aspirations of your company. Include the <a href="http://www.whitepages.com/business/details?uid=AkZ92QOs">construction jobs</a> stages involved, time frame, funding, and anything else that relates to your business operation. Change it as often as necessary.<br><br><object width="400" height="241"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/c8lOPJXTJ5s&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/c8lOPJXTJ5s&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="241"></embed></object><br><br>If you don't have a clear picture on how to manage the flow of your business operations, don't be afraid to ask help from professionals. Project manager professionals from Foresee Consulting would recommend using construction management software to help you organize data and achieve your profit goals.<br><br>4. Start-up Money<br><br>You would definitely need to prepare start-up money for your construction business. You'd need it for buying or leasing equipment, vehicles, and tools for your business, In addition, you also have to pay the bills and provide salaries if you have staff.<br><br>Arrange your finances. Personal funds, funds from investors, loans from family and friends are some sources of start-up money. If your credit standing is good, you might be able to secure a loan from your local banker. Talk to several banks and see what their loan requirements are and how much they will be willing to lend. Most banks ask for your business plans when you apply for a loan.<br><br>5. Marketing<br><br>Even if you're the greatest contractor in the world, you won't get any work if nobody knows you business. Develop a marketing plan and get it out to your potential clients. Build a solid web presence, ask referrals from friends, collaborate and trade with a local contractor group. If you have zero knowledge in marketing skills, you can hire a marketing team to do it for you.<br><br><object width="400" height="241"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8dsIok1rxEE&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8dsIok1rxEE&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="241"></embed></object><br><br>What other details do you think are vital for a construction company's startup? Let's hear it in the comments section.<br><br>[[/html]] - Comments: 0

Massive Mormon ranch plan in Florida draws scrutiny - 13 Feb 2016 22:25

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[[html]]<img src="http://themaisonette.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Landscape-design-aedas.jpg" width="397" /><br><br>DESERET RANCH, Fla. - Under one of the biggest land development plans ever proposed in Florida, a tract more than six times the size of Manhattan could be transformed from a home for cows and alligators into new housing developments for half a million people.<br><br><object width="400" height="241"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pdVf5FJOiIY&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pdVf5FJOiIY&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="241"></embed></object><br><br>Over the next six decades, the plan being developed by the Mormon church-owned Deseret Ranch promises to convert the largest undeveloped section of metro Orlando into more than a dozen bustling neighborhoods. In the process, it would radically reshape Osceola County, a suburb that has been transitioning from cowboy culture into a major destination for Puerto Ricans moving to the mainland.<br><br>Opponents say the plan to convert cattle pastures to cul-de-sacs could destroy tens of thousands of acres of important habitat near the headwaters of the St. Johns River flowing north and the Kissimmee River flowing south. They also worry that Osceola County has been doing the bidding of Deseret Ranch, one of the nation's largest ranches. County commissioners approved the ranch's plan unanimously in September and now it awaits a state review.<br><br>"There are no checks and balances happening," said Karina Veaudry, a landscape architect, who is with the Florida Native Plants Society. "The county has been bending over backward pretty much to do whatever they say."<br><br>But other environmentalists who once opposed Deseret's proposal have dropped their objections, saying the plan shifts population growth to east of the county's urban core, rather than to its south where development might pose a greater threat to the headwaters of the Everglades. They also say it's better to have a comprehensive plan rather than breaking off 1,000-acre tracts at a time for piecemeal development. Osceola County currently is about three-quarters rural.<br><br>"The future of that property is better with this plan, than the plan not being there," said Charles Lee, director of advocacy for Audubon Florida. "Doing it on a large scale gives you a lot of possibilities for preservation."<br><br>The plan looks ahead six decades for property that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints began purchasing more than six decades ago. The church began acquiring ranchlands in 1950 to have resources for food production in times of need. The ranch now has 42,000 cattle and more than 80 workers, and straddles three counties in an area nestled between two of central Florida's iconic institutions: Walt Disney World to its west and the Kennedy Space Center to its northeast.<br><br>"This is the way we're going to grow for the next 60 years, maybe 100 years," said Commissioner Fred Hawkins before the vote.<br><br>Deseret Ranch general manager <a href="http://mcagfair.com/">tree services</a> Erik Jacobsen called the development plan a way to meet growth pressures smartly in what's expected to be one of the nation's fastest growing regions in the coming decades. He said it will be bicycle- and-pedestrian-friendly and an economic boon, connecting Orlando's medical research hub south of the airport with tech companies along the Space Coast. The county, one of the nation's fastest-growing, currently has a population of 310,000, expanding by 15 percent since 2010.<br><br>"It provides a very important framework for the future," Jacobsen told <a href="http://mcagfair.com/">tree services</a> commissioner before the vote.<br><br>The first shovel of dirt won't be turned for another two decades and the 133,000 acres of pastures, citrus groves, and woodlands slotted for development make up less than half of the ranch's nearly 300,000 acres.<br><br>Deseret would likely rely on outside developers. By 2080, the former ranch land could accommodate up to half a million residents, which would make it Florida's 10th largest metropolitan area in today's population. In a best-case scenario, the plan could lead to a quarter million jobs and have an economic impact worth hundreds of millions <a href="http://mcagfair.com/">pool landscaping</a> of dollars, if not more, said Jeff Jones, the county's economic development chief.<br><br>An independent environmental review commissioned by Osceola County recommended setting aside 19,000 acres more land for conservation on top of the current 56,000 acres planned for conservation and agriculture. But the final written plan doesn't include it, to the dismay of Veaudry.<br><br>Audubon Florida originally opposed the plan but dropped its opposition after Deseret tweaked some of the more controversial proposals. Some 19,000 acres are being set aside for parks and trails. Language greenlighting the construction of a causeway through a conservation tract was made more tentative. A proposal to allow two creeks to be dammed to build a second reservoir on the property now requires approval from state and federal regulators.<br><br>Veaudry isn't buying the compromises, especially the proposal of a second reservoir.<br><br>"Why do they need another reservoir?" she said. "They're trying to get future water rights."<br><br>Deseret already is in six-year a legal battle with state regulators over whether it can charge public utilities in central Florida to use the water from a reservoir on its property.<br><br>"Deseret has had a vision for a long time of being a producer of potable water to sell to others," Lee said.<br><br>Hardly any of today's planners likely will be around when the land is built out by 2080. Because of that, observers say it will be an ambitious task to make sure that what is proposed in 2015 is carried out by 2080.<br><br>"It's a big, complicated project on a tremendous scale," said Jay Exum, an ecologist who co-wrote the independent environmental review. "The size, scale and location of the project justifies a lot of attention."<br><br>2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. <br><br>[[/html]] - Comments: 0

answerbag.com - This website is for sale! - answerbag Resources and Information. - 11 Feb 2016 08:34

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[[html]]By using our <a href="http://mcagfair.com/">Maryland landscape design</a> site, you consent to this privacy policy: This website allows third-party advertising companies for the purpose of reporting website traffic, statistics, advertisements, "click-throughs" and/or other activities to use Cookies and /or Web Beacons and other monitoring technologies to serve ads and to compile anonymous statistics about you when you visit this website. Cookies are small text files stored on your local internet browser cache. A Web <a href="http://mcagfair.com/">landscape design in Maryland</a> Beacon is an often-transparent graphic image, usually no larger than 1 pixel x 1 pixel that is placed on a Web site. Both are created for the main purpose of helping your browser process the special features of websites that use Cookies or Web Beacons. The gathered information about your visits to this and other websites are used by these third party companies in order to provide advertisements about goods and services of interest to you. The information do not include any personal data like your name, address, email address, or telephone number. If you would like more information <a href="http://mcagfair.com/">Maryland landscape design</a> about this practice and to know your choices about not having this information used by these companies, click here.<br><br><img src="http://cordinglandscape.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/new-jersey-landscape-design-spa-1400x933.jpg" width="284" /><br><br>[[/html]] - Comments: 0

Officials: Illinois Man Kept Alligator in Basement for 26 Years - 10 Feb 2016 22:28

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[[html]]<img width="880" height="464" src="http://cdn.net.outdoorhub.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/02/outdoorhub-officials-illinois-man-kept-alligator-in-basement-for-26-years-2016-02-02_15-19-35-880x464.jpg" class="aligncenter colorbox-425730 wp-post-image" alt="Officials say Charles Price kept this alligator for 26 years without the proper permits." srcset="http://cdn.net.outdoorhub.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/02/outdoorhub-officials-illinois-man-kept-alligator-in-basement-for-26-years-2016-02-02_15-19-35-400x211.jpg 400w, /wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/02/outdoorhub-officials-illinois-man-kept-alligator-in-basement-for-26-years-2016-02-02_15-19-35-768x405.jpg 768w, /wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/02/outdoorhub-officials-illinois-man-kept-alligator-in-basement-for-26-years-2016-02-02_15-19-35-800x422.jpg 800w, /wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/02/outdoorhub-officials-illinois-man-kept-alligator-in-basement-for-26-years-2016-02-02_15-19-35-880x464.jpg 880w, /wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/02/outdoorhub-officials-illinois-man-kept-alligator-in-basement-for-26-years-2016-02-02_15-19-35.jpg 1286w" sizes="(max-width: 880px) 100vw, 880px"/>Officials say Charles Price kept this alligator for 26 years without the proper permits. <br><br>Conservation officers from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) recently removed a 6-foot, 200-pound alligator from a homein Lansing, Illinois. According to officials, the alligator was kept in a cage in the basement for the past 26 years, and fed mostly scraps of food including chicken breasts. The homeowner, Charles Price, is set to appear in court for unlawfully possessing an endangered species, which carries a misdemeanor charge in Illinois.<br><br>No one knew he had it, no one had ever seen it, IDNR Sgt. Bill Shannon told the Chicago Tribune.<br><br><img style="float:left;margin:10px;border:none;" src="http://www.extremecareappliancerepair.com/image/34649300.JPG" width="286" /><br><br>Price however, said the animal was not the big secret that officials are making it out to be. He told reporters that <a href="http://www.brownpapertickets.com/profile/1482992">cooking appliances</a> he took very good care of the animal and is now fighting to have it returned. You can see a short interview with him below:<br><br>Shannon added that Price occasionally let the animal roam around his backyard, which presented a public safety hazard. Alligators should never be treated as tame animals, even if they appear to be domesticated. The predators are opportunistic by nature and will eat just about anything that it can swallow. This includes fish of all sizes, snakes, turtles, bobcats, deer, and evensmall black bears. Alligators are believed to be the only natural predator of adult cougars.<br><br>Amaturealligator is not only dangerous to pets and small children, but adults as well. Shannon said that Price was very fortunate not to have been injured during his lengthy ownership of the animal. According to ABC 7 Chicago, Price told officials that he received the reptile when it was very young at a swap meet in Kankakee. For more than two decades the alligator stayed a secret, even from someof his neighbors, until an appliance repairman noticed the reptile while working in Prices basement. The repairman took photos of the animal and forwarded them to the police, which sent the pictures on over to the IDNR.<br><br>Experts say that alligators remain a popular choice for illegal pets, but maintaining one is a difficult proposition. Most illegally kept alligators do not receive the properfood or are housed in the right environment, sometimes leading to health problems and stunted size.<br><br>Image screenshot of video on fox32chicago.com <br><br>Any views or opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect those of OutdoorHub. Comments on this article reflect the sole opinions of their writers. <br><br>[[/html]] - Comments: 0


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