— FORT GIBSON — Fort Gibson’s Board of Trustees has announced it will give back a $150,000 Recreational Trails Grant intended to revamp Clinkenbeard Park and the Jean Pierre Chouteau Trail. Because of the Native American history in the area, the Army Corps of Engineers was required to notify 19 tribes of the proposed project. at least one tribe responded by telling the corps it had concerns there were Native American graves in the area, and authorities found an 1880s hand-drawn government map that indicated there were graves in the area. Consequently, the corps decided not to allow the town’s entire proposed project to go ahead — something the trustees felt put a stop entirely to the project, Mayor Steven Hill said. “The restrictions just took enough out of the project we felt like it wasn’t worth pursuing,” Hill said. “We’re disappointed the project couldn’t move forward because of the objections that came from the archeological review from Native American tribes.” The town originally planned to use the money to put in new bathrooms, better lighting, more parking and RV pads with electric and water hookups and clean up the trail. The Board of Trustees heard a report from Town Administrator Kathy Carson at its recent regular meeting. “The items they would approve would be the restrooms and showers — as long as nothing archeological was found — and the fish cleaning station and trail improvement,” Carson said. “Excluded are RV sites, expanded parking, light poles and signs.” The town would be required to hire an archeologist to be on the site during construction, and work would be halted if any artifacts were found. instead, Carson said, there are volunteer groups interested in working only on the trail. After Carson’s report, the trustees discussed the project and voiced their disappointment. “all that, even though the site has been worked on for years?” Brad Clinkenbeard said. “There’s already paving, lighting, a street that had already been oil chipped. we give back the money.” Carson said that although the grant was awarded in 2010, the town hadn’t actually received the money, so it wasn’t too difficult to return. Hill said, “I’m going to move that we abandon the Oklahoma Recreational Trail Grant.” Trustee Jim Huggins seconded the motion. “just make sure the letter says why we abandoned it, not because we really wanted to,” Huggins said. The trustees unanimously voted to return the grant. “It’s a shame. It’s a shame,” Myra Cookson said. Reach Wendy Burton at (918) 684-2926 or wburton@muskogeephoenix.com.
After nearly 50 years of use, the International Gateway House was closed in fall 2011 to undergo major renovations. the two-tower, ten-story building houses 218 residents in double-room suites with shared bathrooms. Gateway reopened in early August 2012, ready for students to move in.
FROM THE INSIDE OUT
The building now boasts a fresh paint-job, new windows, doors, landscaping and front entrance with an added ADA ramp. the lobby and front desk were also updated when the 11-month construction project ended.
According to Student Housing Services’ office manager Janet Pinho-Goldman, the $12 million project began in September 2011 to include construction, IT upgrades and changes to the exterior and interior. New furniture, flooring, public areas and student rooms were also added. Renovations were not purely aesthetic: a new fire alarm system, plumbing, electrical wiring, Wi-Fi, and greener LED and flourescent lightings were also implemented.
WITH STUDENTS IN MIND
Located near the intersection of Dole Street and East-West Road, Gateway is a two-minute walk from campus. the building also boasts a buffet-style cafeteria on the ground floor where students, faculty, staff and visitors can enjoy a variety of foods for under $10.
After renovations, students can now ditch ethernet plug-ins and enjoy Wi-Fi throughout Gateway. they can do online research while relaxing in the remodeled study lounges on floors three through 10 in both towers. if you need a break, there are larger social areas on the second floors. Both towers also have improved public kitchens and laundry rooms.
Dorm rooms also received renovations. in addition to the fresh paint, flooring, lighting, drapes, closets and furniture, students will benefit from the renovated bathrooms, which include new fixtures, tiling, shelving, and lighting.
Following the completion of the Gateway remodeling, Student Housing Services invited the UH community to take guided tours in
Ceiling lights in the bathroom are a much needed, quick and easy way to light the entire room. while we are advocates of the use of ambient lighting here at All Lit Up HQ, especially in the bathroom, this is one room where having a choice in the lighting you use can make all the difference, especially if your bathroom is naturally dark or has no window.
But that’s not to say that ceiling lighting has to be practical, without being beautiful. There’s no reason you can’t combine both, so we thought we’d share our Top 5 Bathroom Ceiling Light choices to help inspire you to create your own stunning yet practical bathroom!
First up is the Astro Como Chrome Round Bathroom Ceiling Light. With three spotlights, finished in gleaming chrome, this is a great light that can really help you brighten up every corner of your bathroom. Each spotlight is adjustable, so you can direct the light to where it’s needed most, and it’s IP rated for bathroom use. Flexible, gorgeous, and part of a matching range, this is a lovely contemporary light that’s designed for bathroom use.
Next is the Astro Mashiko Classic 200 Bathroom Ceiling Light, a modern light with a slightly retro twist. It has a polished chrome frame surrounding a white glass diffuser to produce soft light in a mostly downward direction. Again, this is an IP rated light suitable for use in the bathroom, and it’s from a large range of different sized ceiling lights with low energy options available throughout the range.
The Astro Dakota Classic 300 Nickel Bathroom Ceiling Light is a round ceiling light in brushed nickel with a white glass diffuser for a simple, economical choice. Available in two sizes and two finishes this is a sleek, contemporary light suitable for anyone on a budget. the light given off is mainly in a downward direction, with low energy lighting options available, and is a great choice for bathrooms, downstairs toilets or anywhere else that you may need simple overhead lighting, such as in a hallway.
For something a little bit different, why not choose the Astro Zeppo Semi Flush Bathroom Ceiling Light. the white glass shade stands away from the gleaming chrome base to create a stunning, modern light that would suit any bathroom. IP rated for bathroom use, this beautiful light is a more unique choice than the normal flush ceiling light fittings.
And finally, the Dec Low Energy Bathroom Ceiling Light in polished chrome with a matt opal glass diffuser. Simple, modern, and very very bright! Requiring two bulbs to power, this is a great light for a larger room, and is low energy to help you reduce your electricity bill. IP rated for bathroom use, you can nevertheless use this light anywhere you need bright overhead lighting.
While most bathrooms will depend on ambient lighting for soaking in the bath, or late night visits to the loo, when it comes to those times when you really need to light up the room, you can’t do better than a ceiling light. Simple. Stunning. Practical. take a look at our full bathroom lighting collection online.
Have you got the bathroom blues? is it all a bit cold and dim in your wet room? If the answer is ‘yes’ it may be time to brighten up your bathroom.
Maybe it is too bright in your bathroom and you want to make your lighting more ambient. you may also want to make sure it is cosy, snug and warm at all times.
What you should be looking for when it comes to bathroom lighting is a contrast between practicality and mood. There is no point in having atmospheric lighting that makes it too dark to be able to shave properly.
On the other hand you don’t want the bathroom to be lit too brightly. the key is to direct the light into the areas you need it to be.
So you could add a bathroom mirror with lights either side of it so that you can see your face as you apply your mascara. With the light coming from the mirror you should not be affected by shadows and will be able to see yourself properly.
The rest of the bathroom could then be lit by a few recessed or frosted lights which will give a nice muted effect. Bathing in diffuse lighting will be more relaxing than the glare you get from an ordinary bulb.
There are two main options to keep your bathroom nice and warm. they are electric underfloor heating and radiators.
Radiators don’t have to be ugly. Add style and warmth to your bathroom with designer radiators. they are a modern, elegant solution to heating your bathroom. If space is tight you might want to look at vertical radiators.
Underfloor heating will maintain a constant heat within your bathroom and it means that when you step out of the bath on a cold winter’s morning the floor will be warm. It can also work out to be cheaper than using radiators as it keeps the room warm while using less energy.
With the temperature being constant there is no danger of burning yourself and as it is embedded under the floor you can’t trip over it.
When you fit lighting and heating in your bathroom make sure that it adheres to safety laws because electricity and water are not the best of friends. If they meet you will get more heat and light than you bargained for.
You’ve heard of boomerang kids – young adults who move back in with their parents. Another trend: aging parents moving in with their middle-age children. One in six American families now live in multigenerational households, an increase of 10 percent since the start of the economic downturn in 2008, according to Generations United, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit.
The rise in multigenerational households, as well as a rapidly aging population, has fueled interest in universal design – barrier-free access for people of all ages and abilities. Stepless entries, wide doorways, pull-out kitchen storage and lever-type door handles are just as handy for a young mother with a stroller as for an elder with a walker.
A health emergency often spotlights a home’s difficulties for elders. “when you pull up to your driveway, you don’t see all the obstacles your house poses for an older person,” says Tom Ashley, who has special certification for remodeling homes for seniors. “a flight of stairs or narrow doorways and a lack of a ground-floor bathroom may be the reason your mom isn’t visiting anymore.”
More than 3,700 remodelers, as well as builders, architects and designers, are certified as aging-in-place specialists by the National Association of Home Builders. To find a specialist in your area, go to nahb.org and type “aging in place” in the search engine.
If budgets are tight, remodelers advise concentrating on bathrooms and transitions into the house. a landscaped ramp or walkway costs from $2,000 to $5,000. a bathroom remodeled with grab bars, an elevated toilet and a curbless shower will run $6,000 to $18,000 or more.
In your loved one’s bedroom, focus on safe flooring, lighting and bed height, says New York City gerontologist and interior designer Rosemary Bakker. “Area carpets can cause a fractured hip,” she says. “Replace them with a bare floor or nonplush wall-to-wall carpeting and a thin underpad.” a bed should be no higher than 18 to 24 inches, for ease in climbing in and out.
Lavish mother-in-law suites and two-story additions can run as high as $100,000 or more. “but an assisted-living facility can cost upward of $60,000 a year, so a big remodeling project can be cheaper in the long run,” Ashley says. “plus you add value to your property, and someday you, too, can age in place gracefully.”
If you can’t afford a major remodel, you can elder-proof a house by removing clutter, says Wid Chapman, an architect and co-author of “Unassisted Living: Ageless Homes for later Life” (Monacelli Press, $45). “Get rid of lamps with cords and any unstable furniture,” he says.
Elizabeth Pope writes for Kiplinger’s Money Power. Send your questions and comments to moneypower@kiplinger.com. and for more on this and similar money topics, visit Kiplinger.com.
COLTS NECK — Municipal officials may need to hit the lottery to cover a wish list of improvements to Colts Neck’s recreational facilities that were described at the July 11 Township Committee meeting.
Mayor Jarrett Engel noted that the proposed improvements have not received approval from the governing body and do not yet require funding. rather, he said, the discussion was meant to begin to forge a unified vision for the future of Colts Neck’s recreation department.
“We need to cast a wide net and do our best to determine what the recreation needs of our community are as a whole, before attempting what oftentimes become independent projects that are narrow and myopic in scope, and in the future, might just get us nowhere,” Engel said.
The mayor added that if the township received a sizable donation to be used to further the recreation program, members of the Township Committee would be unsure as to how they could effectively allocate the funds.
The list of potential upgrades and their corresponding costs, as presented by Department of Recreation and Parks Director Thomas E. Hennessy Jr., served as the first step in building a course of action.
Hennessy said he conducted polls and compiled information from various residents to develop the ideas found in his presentation.
In total, the proposed plan reached about $5 million, Township Administrator Robert Bowden said.
Included on the list was a $2.3 million complex dubbed Cougar Stadium.
Colts Neck High School’s sports teams are named the Cougars.
According to the presentation, a turf field at Cougar Stadium would accommodate football, lacrosse and soccer games at Cedar Drive Park, near the Cedar Drive Middle School, Hennessy said. he added that lighting, a snack bar, bathrooms and parking stalls would add to the cost of the facility.
“For those people who have been around for a while, this is something beyond your wildest dreams,” Hennessy said. “For those who have children in the Colts Neck Sports Foundation, which is about 600 families strong, you are looking at the fact that they go to other locations and see these types of facilities.”
The installation of a multipurpose turf field at the Bucks mill Recreation Area would run $1.5 million, Hennessy said. One grass field would be eliminated in the Bucks mill turf field proposal and the estimated cost includes lighting and other work.
Lighting would be a critical part of any effort in order to maximize the use of the fields, Hennessy noted.
A $102,000 irrigated field, a $67,500 playground and patio area, and a $40,000 Tball field were mentioned as possible additions to the Laird Road Recreation Area.
Hennessy also described a series of improvements that could be made to existing athletic fields in the Laird Road park. those measures include enhancements to the irrigation, drainage and electric infrastructure, along with the placement of synthetic infields to help baseball fields withstand the elements.
At five Point Park, Hennessy said, a sprinkler system and the enlargement of a current field could benefit the community.
The township could support some of the projects through grants, he added. Independent athletic organizations might also shoulder some of the costs.
While nothing is set in stone, municipal officials encouraged residents to contact Hennessy with their recommendations. the Department of Parks and Recreation can be reached at 732-780-6666, or send an email to cnrecpks@verizon.net.
Bathrooms are probably the hardest-working area in a house these days as we demand more of them than ever before.
To be successful, they should work as a practical space for the daily wash-and-go as well as being a haven dedicated to wellbeing and pampering.
“Long gone are the days when the bathroom was simply a functional space. People are moving away from the Victorian-style basic bathroom and towards the modern, spacious spa feel,” says Anthony Howells, bathrooms buyer for B&Q.
“they want the clean lines, minimalism, wet rooms and walk-in doorless showers, enhanced by chunky floating yet stylish fixtures such as units and frosted glass, which they see when they stay in hotels and want to replicate.”
He predicts that, where space allows, the popularity of free-standing baths, becoming more sculptural in shape, will continue to grow as they provide a focal point in large bathrooms.
Experimenting both with design and colour is a growing trend, according to Rita Rendo Castro, sales and marketing manager at Catchpole & Rye.
“People are becoming increasingly design confident, with more opting to make a statement with a brightly-painted bath or patterned tiles,” she says.
“The bathroom is an ideal space to try out new colours in a small area which wouldn’t necessarily work in a larger living space. Dove grey is a chic but safe choice for walls and gives a neutral base which can be enlivened by other colour choices. Salmon pink and yellow are one of my favourite combinations as they’re elegant but have a warm, summery feel.”
Taking the waters has never been more pleasurable – so check out a bathroom solution for your home.
Bathrooms are embracing technology so that they can be the ultimate, flexible retreats, says Cheryl Gurner, creative director at Bathrooms International.
“The bathroom has benefited hugely from advances in technology in recent years. Bathroom-friendly flat screen televisions, fibre-optic lighting in showers which mimic a twinkling star effect and hidden speakers offering surround sound – all add up to the wow factor in this most personal space.”
While Paul Flowers, senior vice president of design at Grohe, predicts that the bathroom will be transformed in the next 10 years, as it develops into a space fully-equipped to cater for health and wellbeing.
“Developments in technology are already allowing us to equip it with personal lifestyle and health functions such as diagnostic mirrors, which measure and monitor the status of our physical health.
“Lighting, projection and sound are bringing “entertainment” into the room, and can be programmed, just like showers, to precisely suit your mood at different times of the day.
“As the barriers between the bedroom and the bathroom blur, the space will become more sensual, decorative and truly have the atmosphere of a fully-equipped indulgent zone.”
Splash out solutions: Grohe Power & Soul showerhead starts from £70 and offers 11 different spray patterns.
Or take a light-changing, mood-enhancing shower with a colour range including green for balance, blue for relaxation and red for energy. Sky Shower Chromotherapy, from £3,500, from Bathrooms International.
Small but perfectly formed
Although the glossy interiors magazines feature vast bathrooms, the UK has the smallest bathrooms in Europe.
“but just because your bathroom’s small it doesn’t mean you need to compromise on the quality or style of fittings,” says Robin Levien, design director of Ideal Standard, which has a Space range designed for compact areas.
“By utilising innovative design and clever storage, your bathroom can still be well equipped and a calm rather than crowded space.”
He suggests wall-hung toilets with a cistern neatly hidden behind a wall or fitted unit; basins and showers which fit snugly into corners, and clever features such as a bath with storage drawers at one or both ends.
“A sliding door can release further space, while large-size tiles create an illusion of more space more effectively than small ones,” he says.
“Don’t pack out the walls with cupboards and definitely avoid too much at high level as this can reduce ‘head space’ which, if the area is small, is claustrophobic.”
Splash out solution: Ideal Standard’s Space range includes an offset corner basin with semi-pedestal, £165.75, and Moments furniture bath with two end storage units, £3,611.
Colour’s back in fashion in homes and that’s being reflected in new ranges of bathroom furniture in a range of rainbow colours, which can brighten even the dullest space.
“Add a pop of colour to your bathroom by installing a brightly-coloured basin or furniture,” says Ellen Tietz, marketing manager at Villeroy & Boch.
“Sunflower orange, olive green and petrol blue are popular at the moment and sit beautifully alongside clean bright white ceramics.”
Splash out solutions: Villeroy & Boch’s Subway bathroom furniture is available in petrol blue, as well as white and glossy grey. Vanity unit from £456.
Revamping a whole bathroom isn’t always possible if the budget’s tight, so it’s worth looking at a more affordable update of features and accessories.
“an easy, affordable and effective option is to replace some of the brassware and accessories, such as taps, radiators and mirrors,” says Emma Sturgess, marketing manager at Frontline Bathrooms.
“These relatively simple changes can make a real difference to the look and style of the bathroom – delivering a totally fresh look.”
Splash out solutions: Frontline’s range includes the chic chrome Stream Mono Basin Mixer, £110 (matching bath and bath shower mixer taps also available); a Windsor Mirror with integral lights and accessory shelves, £135.
B&Q: 0845 850 0175/www.diy.com
The Bath Business: 01342 324 577/www.thebathbusiness.com
Jason Hicks, owner and producer at The Electric Company, has his work cut out for him. Named the new General Manager for the Austin Music Hall on July 17, Hicks is determined to renovate and revive the notorious venue. Plagued by acoustic issues, visibility problems and other troubling safety issues for the past several years, the Austin Music Hall needs more than just a little TLC. And Hicks plans to execute those fixes in an efficient and extremely effective manner.
The team is already well into the renovations now. they started with some basic necessities, such as overhauling the artist suites, upgrading the technology for the production offices, repairing major plumbing issues, repainting the walls, and installing a better air conditioning system. A major sound remediation led by Nomad Sound owner and head engineer, Damon Lange, is also underway. the installation of over sixty sound baffling panels along the walls and in the corners will help with many of the unwanted echoes in the space. the installed sound system has been tuned to help compensate for any other challenging sound issues during events or concerts as well.
Other items on the list for attention include:- Looking into changing the current riser configuration on the 2nd level that has proven to be an issue at shows- New lighting and renovations to the bar areas- Commissioned art installations- Cleaning and general maintenance on the lighting, elevator and fire system- Repairs and upgrades to the bathrooms- Landscaping in front of the venue- Updated safety codes and procedures
While there were not enough sound panels completed to hang in time for Tenacious D show on July 19, all of them will be in place in the next month for Matisyahu‘s show. Hicks plans to reevaluate the room at that time to determine what is next in the course of sound remediation. the new website MusicHallAustin.com is also under renovation but should be up in full by the middle of August, so keep an eye on that space.
Best of luck to Mr. Hicks and all the AMH staff – the venue has much unrealized potential, and with passionate music-focused folks driving the direction, there is hope for the space yet.
DoubleTree by Hilton proudly announces a fresh chapter in the life of the DoubleTree by Hilton Metropolitan New York City. The historic, upscale full-service hotel in New York, New York, features all-new guestrooms and 12,000 square feet of newly-renovated meeting space. this iconic, 764-room property, perfectly located at the corner of Lexington Avenue and 51st Street in Midtown’s fashionable East side, is an original design by American architecture maverick, Morris Lapidus.Lapidus broke convention and turned the well-established Midtown grid on its head in 1962 with a design that boasted unusual color, stainless steel design and gentle “Z” shape to increase natural daylight in each room. The newly completed transformation project features interior design that celebrates the Morris Lapidus legacy and incorporates Lapidus-inspired geometric patterns and forms throughout the hotel, from furniture arrangements to carpet patterns.
Dramatic upgrades to the hotel’s guestrooms recall the mid-century origin of the building with warm wood tones and stylish, functional furniture, along with brand new window treatments, decorative light fixtures and Lapidus-inspired carpets and wall coverings. Luxurious enhancements to guest bathrooms include all-new tile, plumbing fixtures, lighting and bath accessories.
To celebrate the unveiling of these new guestrooms, DoubleTree by Hilton Metropolitan New York City has a special offer for you to experience our revitalized hotel with an exclusive “First Look Special” offer. these special rates include complimentary Wi-Fi (a $15 daily value) and two free welcome drinks at the new lobby bar ($24 value).
Refreshing new renovations to 12,000 square feet of meeting space also include wall coverings, carpet, window treatments and decorative light fixtures. The property will continue to stand as a testament to the genius that created the original design, updated and ready to endure.
Rob Palleschi, global head, DoubleTree by Hilton, said, “this DoubleTree by Hilton hotel is a testament to our commitment to preserve the unique history of our properties while also providing a comfortable, amenity-rich hotel experience for visitors and residents alike. DoubleTree by Hilton welcomes new customers and our loyal business and leisure customers to stay with us in New York and experience the new renovations inspired by an architectural icon at this one-of-a-kind hotel.”
The hotel is owned by RLJ Lodging Trust and operated by Highgate Hotels, L.P., under a franchise license agreement with a subsidiary of Hilton Worldwide.
In-room amenities at the DoubleTree by Hilton Metropolitan New York City include new work desks with ergonomic chairs, 37-inch, high-definition, LCD TVs, MP3-compatible alarm clocks, plush bedding and combed cotton linens, and refreshing Crabtree & Evelyn Citron bath and body products. Suitable for hosting events for up to 500 people, DoubleTree by Hilton Metropolitan New York City features 12,000 square feet of flexible conference space for business meetings, banquets and elegant social events. The revitalized function space includes a 7,000 square foot Metro Ballroom that is conveniently located on the Mezzanine Level, easily accessible via grand staircase in the hotel lobby, as well as two preset Boardrooms and two glass-enclosed meeting rooms on the Penthouse Level. The hotel also offers a 24-hour self-service business center featuring high-speed Internet access, laptop connections and fax machines. For guests who wish to keep up with their workout program while traveling at the DoubleTree by Hilton Metropolitan, a 24-hour complimentary fitness facility equipped with state-of-the-art cardiovascular and strength-training equipment is available.
The DoubleTree by Hilton Metropolitan New York City also offers a delightful pair of dining options, the Met Grill, an all-American dining room serving up American or Continental breakfast buffets, and the Met Bar, a trendy spot for unwinding with a cocktail or catching the game. The hotel also serves the brand’s signature Wake Up DoubleTree Breakfast, which includes hot entrees and healthy options to start the day right. Room service also is available during peak dining hours.
DoubleTree by Hilton Metropolitan guests will benefit from the characteristic qualities found at the brand’s more than 300 DoubleTree by Hilton locations in 24 countries, including the signature welcome with the legendary warm chocolate chip cookie presented to every guest at check-in, an array of upscale amenities and guest services, the rewards of the Hilton HHonors guest loyalty program, and a unique and caring team member commitment to the local community.
About DoubleTree by HiltonWith a growing collection of contemporary, upscale accommodations and more than 300 hotels in gateway cities, metropolitan areas and vacation destinations in 24 countries, DoubleTree by Hilton hotels are distinctively designed properties that provide true comfort to today’s business and leisure travellers.
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