#portland tile stores

[simplefloorspdx]

Portland Tile Stores -Simple Floor Portland

Looking for the Best Portland Tile Stores? Look no further than Simple Floor Portland. We offer a stunning selection of tiles in various styles, colors, and materials to suit your unique design preferences. From ceramic and porcelain to natural stone, our high-quality tiles are sure to enhance the beauty and functionality of any space. Our knowledgeable team is dedicated to providing exceptional customer service, assisting you in finding the perfect tiles for your project. Whether it's a kitchen renovation, bathroom remodel, or any other tile application, trust Simple Floor Portland, the go-to tile store in Portland, to make your vision a reality.

[bonnieventure]

there was someone outside the bathroom tile store, sketching the window tile displays outside in the rain...portland is so back babe

[21astor]

Say Hello to luxury apartments portland oregon

Meet Robert Ball

Robert Ball is synonymous with luxury residential apartments in Portland, a reputation built on a foundation of hard work and dedication. His passion for renovation and real estate began nearly 25 years ago.

Journey to Portland’s Contemporary Luxury Apartments in Portland

After refining his skills in purchasing and rehabilitating small properties, Ball acquired his first apartment building in Portland’s Nob Hill District. With substantial effort, he transformed the 1920s-era Sara Ann Apartments into a Class A apartment community, achieving the highest quality rating for a property.

Becoming a Leading Developer in Portland

Following the success of the Sara Ann Apartments, Ball’s passion for revitalizing aging properties only grew. He has since completed six high-profile projects in the heart of Portland’s downtown, including the stunning 21 Astor.

By merging classic architectural character with modern design, Robert Ball and his team create refined, luxurious living experiences that honor the rich histories of their neighborhoods. Several of Ball’s ventures are even listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Introducing 21 Astor

Now, let’s focus on the highlight — the 21 Astor community and its 27 impeccable units. Residents benefit not only from decades of residential development expertise but also from a deep-rooted philosophy of service, style, functionality, attention to detail, and excellence. Here’s why 21 Astor stands out among other best apartments in portland oregon:

Prime Location in NW Portland

Situated just steps from the renowned NW 23rd Avenue in the Nob Hill District, 21 Astor’s LEED-certified homes boast an impressive walk score of 97. Residents have easy access to Portland’s top coffee shops, restaurants, major grocery stores, boutique shopping, banks, houses of worship, and local health-support businesses.

Meticulously Curated Features and Amenities

Building Features:

- Timeless red brick exterior

- Controlled access and exterior call box for guest admittance

- Statuary Carrara marble slabs and 24k white gold Bisazza “cut-tile” mosaic in the lobby

- Neoclassical designs

- Ground-floor restaurants and storefronts

- Private balconies for street-facing apartments

- Nearby public transportation options

Community Features:

- On-site, indoor parking

- In-house management services

- Reserved storage spaces on each floor

- Bike storage and maintenance areas

- Pet-friendly facilities including a washing station

- Package acceptance and holding

Exquisite and Spacious Apartment Homes

Robert Ball Companies understands that an exceptional community must be complemented by exceptional apartment homes. 21 Astor seamlessly merges functional and sophisticated elements to create ideal living spaces for the contemporary Portlander.

Portland’s downtown area is a prime location for those seeking the Best Luxury Downtown Portland Apartments for Sale. These residences offer an exceptional living experience with sophisticated designs, top-tier amenities, and stunning city views. Buyers can enjoy spacious layouts with modern finishes, gourmet kitchens featuring high-end appliances, and luxurious bathrooms with premium fixtures. Many of these apartments include floor-to-ceiling windows, private balconies, and smart home technology. Residents also have access to exclusive amenities such as rooftop terraces, state-of-the-art fitness centers, concierge services, and secure parking. Centrally located, these apartments provide seamless access to Portland’s vibrant cultural scene, acclaimed dining, upscale shopping, and a wealth of entertainment options.

Additionally, Portland is witnessing a surge in luxury apartment developments Portland, each offering a blend of style, comfort, and convenience. These developments are characterized by innovative architectural designs that complement Portland’s eclectic vibe. Prospective residents can choose from a range of floor plans, from sleek studios to spacious multi-bedroom units, all equipped with high-end finishes and contemporary features. The amenities are tailored to enhance the living experience, including fitness centers, rooftop lounges, co-working spaces, and pet-friendly facilities. Located in some of Portland’s most desirable neighborhoods, these developments provide easy access to the city’s best dining, shopping, and entertainment, making them ideal for those seeking an upscale urban lifestyle. Meanwhile, Nob Hill Apartments Portland Oregon continue to attract residents with their charming blend of historic architecture and modern amenities, offering a unique and luxurious living experience in one of Portland’s most coveted neighborhoods.

Apartment Floor Plans:

- 2 Bedroom luxury apartments Portland: Ranging from 933 to 1,165 square feet, these units showcase large living and dining spaces, pass-through style bathrooms (with the master including a stand-up shower and double vanity sinks), and large walk-through closets. Bedrooms are located on opposite sides for maximum privacy.

Apartment Features:

- Crisp, clean, modern designs and fixtures

- Wrap-around kitchens with top-of-the-line stainless steel appliances

- Breakfast bar seating

- Lofty ceilings

- Conveniently located stackable washers and dryers

- Air conditioning

- Quartz Carrara countertops and shaker cabinets with ample space

- Tiled bathroom floors and tiled shower/tub surrounds

- Food pantries and linen storage

- Extra storage lockers available

Experience the Extraordinary at 21 Astor

With only 27 units, our dedicated team ensures that every resident feels truly at home. Our goal is to cultivate an upscale experience that perfectly complements how you live, work, and play.

Are you looking for a place in Portland that offers something extra, both inside and out? 21 Astor’s luxury apartments near the Pearl District provide an unprecedented levelof comfort for those seeking a refined living experience in NW Portland.

The leasing agents at 21 Astor would love to hear from you! Connect with us to learn more about Portland’s newest luxury apartments.

[rachel-blue]

2023.

Saying this year was rough is an understatement. It's been a hard year for so many people in so many ways and I'm still having difficulty reconciling it all. It's been a year of loss and grief and stress and anxiety and it seems oddly appropriate that I'm wrapping up 2023 sick on the couch.

2023 Highlights:

House Remodeling. We bit off a lot this year, with a half-bath remodel (first major project) and a kitchen remodel (almost done!). This house feels more like us every day and it's rewarding, though time-consuming and expensive. We've replaced all of our kitchen appliances (including installing an over-the-range microwave) and learned how to drywall, how to lay tile, and how to extend our drip sprinkler system. We've also learned how to turn off our water main and that cutting tile is not a skill I'm blessed with.

Cup In Six. Zero regrets about spending an entire bonus (and then some) on the two worst tickets in the stadium so we could be in attendance for a Stanley Cup Finals game (that we won by a good few goals!). Getting to watch the actual Cup winning game from outside the stadium a few days later and be in the midst of an entire crowd singing "We Are The Champions" was absolutely something else. It's been incredible watching this team do what they've done and the way this city has embraced them from day (fucking) one.

Little Free Library. I always wanted to set up a Little Free Library after first encountering them on my first trip to Milwaukee back in 2013. Owning our home (and not having an HOA to deal with) finally gave me the opportunity to do so. It's allowed me to set up something with some Route 66 vibes and also to stock the library with copies of some of my favorite reads (primarily LGBTQ+ YA and children's books). We get a lot of use from the kids in the neighborhood and I'm excited I'm not the only one getting enjoyment from it.

Unraveled. It took me far too many years to evolve my knitting past scarves and the occasional blanket, but learning to knit sweaters and shawls and to appreciate the art ($30 skein price tags and all) of hand-dyed yarn has really enhanced my craft. I've complete multiple sweaters this year and learned to knit cables, and I have a whole collection of yarn and planned patterns in store for the coming months. Next year's goal is to complete my first pair of knit socks.

Continued Travels. Spain, Oakland (x2), Reno/Tahoe, Portland, Denver/Colorado Springs. While the race travels continue to be on pause, there have still been the occasional getaways, mostly brief. I'm being as intentional as I can with making plans to see friends and family. The times come less frequently as the years go, making the moments spent together that much more important.

Books read this year: 103

‘23 playlist (in no particular order): Moulin Rouge Broadway Cast - “Your Song” Alabama - “I'm In A Hurry (And Don't Know Why)” The Front Bottoms - “2YL” The Mowgli's - “Time” Bowling For Soup - “Already Gone” Frank Sinatra - “My Way” Micah Schnabel- “Not The Boy You Used to Know” Otherwise - “No Rain" Queen - “We Are The Champions" Defiance, Ohio - “Anxious and Worrying” Frank Turner - "No Thank You For The Music"

[2022. 2021. 2020. 2019. 2018. 2017. 2016. 2015. 2014. 2013. 2012. 2011. 2010.]

[anzhali]

Masonry White Cement Market Size ,Share with market analysis

The masonry white cement market refers to the market for white cement specifically used in masonry applications. White cement is a specialized type of cement that is manufactured to have a white color, as opposed to the gray color of ordinary Portland cement. It is commonly used in architectural and decorative applications where a white or light-colored finish is desired.

The masonry white cement market was experiencing growth due to increasing demand in construction and renovation projects that require aesthetically pleasing and high-quality finishes. Masonry white cement is often used in applications such as interior and exterior walls, facades, precast concrete products, tiles, and decorative elements.

For customization :-https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-for-customization/3045

Inquiry before buying:- https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/3045

The global masonry white cement market is segmented based on type, application, and geography. The type segments include type N, type S, and others. On the basis of application, the market is divided into residential construction, non-residential construction, and industrial construction. Geographically, it is analyzed across North America, Europe, As

The market for masonry white cement is influenced by factors such as construction activity, infrastructure development, and architectural trends. It is also affected by the availability of raw materials and production capacity of white cement manufacturers.

To obtain the most up-to-date information on the current market conditions, trends, and key players in the masonry white cement market, I recommend referring to industry reports, market research publications, and consulting firms that specialize in the construction materials sector. These sources can provide valuable insights into factors such as market size, growth projections, regional trends, and competitive landscape in the masonry white cement market.

Contact to analyst :- https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/connect-to-analyst/3045

About Us: Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of “Market Research Reports” and “Business Intelligence Solutions.” AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.

Contact Us: David Correa 5933 NE Win Sivers Drive #205, Portland, OR 97220 United States USA/Canada (Toll Free): +1–800–792–5285, +1–503–894–6022 UK: +44–845–528–1300 Hong Kong: +852–301–84916 India (Pune): +91–20–66346060 Fax: +1(855)550–5975 help@alliedmarketresearch.com Web: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/reports-store/construction-and-manufacturing

[businessarticlesclone]

Understanding Tile Adhesive: Types and Options for a Successful Tile Installation

Tile adhesive is a vital component in achieving a successful tile installation. It serves as the bonding agent that holds tiles firmly in place, ensuring a durable and long-lasting finish. With various types of tile adhesive available in the market, it's crucial to understand the options and choose the right one for your specific project. In this article, we will explore different types of Tile Adhesive, their characteristics, and their recommended applications. Let's dive in!

Traditional Cement-Based Tile Adhesive

Cement-based tile adhesive is one of the most commonly used options. It consists of Portland cement, sand, and sometimes additional additives for improved performance. This adhesive requires mixing with water to form a paste-like consistency before application. Here are some key points to know about traditional cement-based tile adhesive:

a. Versatility: Cement-based adhesive is suitable for various tile types, including ceramic, porcelain, natural stone, and quarry tiles. It can be used for both interior and exterior applications.

b. Strength and Durability: Once cured, cement-based adhesive forms a strong bond that withstands heavy traffic, moisture, and temperature changes.

c. Flexibility: Some cement-based adhesives offer flexibility to accommodate slight movements in substrates, reducing the risk of tiles cracking or popping.

Pre-Mixed Tile Adhesive

Pre-mixed tile adhesive comes ready-to-use in tubs or buckets. It eliminates the need for mixing with water or any additional additives. This type of adhesive offers several benefits:

a. Convenience: Pre-mixed adhesive saves time and effort as it can be applied directly from the container. It is an ideal choice for DIY enthusiasts or small-scale tile installations.

b. Easy Application: The smooth consistency of pre-mixed adhesive allows for easy spreading and troweling. It ensures consistent coverage and minimizes the chance of uneven tile placement.

c. Non-Slip Formulations: Some pre-mixed adhesives are formulated with non-slip properties, providing better support for wall tiles, especially in vertical installations.

Epoxy Tile Adhesive

Epoxy tile adhesive is a premium option that offers exceptional strength and performance. It consists of epoxy resins and a hardening agent, which must be mixed together before use. Consider the following aspects when considering epoxy adhesive:

a. Superior Bonding: Epoxy adhesive creates a bond that surpasses other types. It is an excellent choice for heavy or large tiles, high-traffic areas, or applications where maximum durability is required.

b. Chemical Resistance: Epoxy adhesive exhibits excellent resistance to chemicals, making it suitable for environments exposed to harsh substances or frequent cleaning.

c. Slow Curing Time: Epoxy adhesive has a longer curing time compared to cement-based options. This can be a disadvantage if quick completion of the project is essential.

Organic Mastic Adhesive

Organic mastic adhesive is a popular choice for smaller tile installations and wall applications. It comes in paste form and is typically applied with a trowel or notched trowel. Consider the following factors when working with organic mastic adhesive:

a. Ease of Use: Mastic adhesive is easy to work with, particularly for DIY projects. Its thick consistency allows for good adhesion on vertical surfaces.

b. Limited Applications: Mastic adhesive is not recommended for high-moisture areas or floors. It is more suitable for dry, low-traffic spaces like backsplashes or bathroom walls.

c. Shelf Life: Organic mastic adhesive has a limited shelf life compared to other options. It can harden or become less effective if stored for an extended period.

Conclusion

Choosing the right tile adhesive is crucial for a successful tile installation. Understanding the different types of adhesive and their respective characteristics is key to achieving the desired results. Let's recap the options we've discussed:

Traditional cement-based tile adhesive offers versatility, strength, and durability. It is a reliable choice for various tile types and can be used both indoors and outdoors.

Pre-mixed tile adhesive provides convenience and ease of use. It eliminates the need for mixing and is suitable for smaller-scale projects or DIY enthusiasts.

Epoxy tile adhesive is a premium option known for its superior bonding and chemical resistance. It is ideal for demanding environments or applications requiring maximum durability.

Organic mastic adhesive is user-friendly and commonly used for smaller tile installations and wall applications. It offers good adhesion on vertical surfaces but has limitations in terms of moisture and shelf life.

When selecting the right adhesive for your project, consider the following factors:

Tile Type: Different types of tiles require specific adhesives. Ensure that the adhesive you choose is compatible with the tile material, such as ceramic, porcelain, or natural stone.

Application Area: Consider the location of the tile installation. Some adhesives are suitable for both floors and walls, while others are designed for specific applications. Take into account the level of moisture, temperature changes, and the presence of chemicals in the area.

Project Size: The scale of your project may influence the choice of adhesive. Larger-scale installations may benefit from stronger and more durable adhesives, while smaller-scale projects can utilize pre-mixed or organic mastic options.

Time Constraints: Some adhesives have longer curing times than others. If time is a critical factor, choose an adhesive that allows for a quicker completion of the project.

Environmental Considerations: Take into account any environmental regulations or guidelines specific to your region. Some adhesives may have limitations or restrictions due to volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions.

In conclusion, selecting the right tile adhesive is essential for a successful tile installation. Consider the characteristics and recommended applications of each type of adhesive discussed in this article. Assess the specific requirements of your project, including tile type, application area, project size, time constraints, and environmental considerations. By doing so, you can make an informed decision and ensure a durable and aesthetically pleasing tile installation that will stand the test of time.

The best quality dry mix products in Qatar include Cement Plastering Work, Cement Plaster, and Gypsum Plaster.

[microwavestuff1]

bioshock map

ok I was in portland walking city to city till i hit stockton/hollister and decided to walk to nevada so i hit turlock and bought a 1998 map from a thriftshop for $5

portland has hexagonal tiling for the bank door and portland outdoor store angelcamp bank has the same design and there is a building in turlock like that so im thinking that headed to nevada and I get the map and im like wait are the citys all similar then I noticed the grid layout on the thomas map

and the first thing that pointed out was the SE border of merced aligned to the grid along with grid numbers 110- 53 are obvious BUT WAIT its the cover of the book I'm stating clearly all of those "driving tour" areas are citys designed by engineering teams I want to see every state on a grid like this and when I passed through the nevada border I checked their state .gov map the free ones at the stands of ski resorts and the main grid for the military is a different perfect square resolution but the small resolution still aligns to places in nevada so obviously the cali map proves AZ is on the same grid I want it done to africa

this is also what I did aside in my map I also had a foldout $5 map that came with it so what I did is scribble tiny where the streets are in every grid box so I could see all of cali and multiple places prove that the citys are designed to it like one gridbox in redding where its nothing but streets then its a blank grid box I lost the backpack with the map drawn so someone one is going to have to just do that themselves I also kinda get that I have experience in long distance walking so 70-150 miles to me looks different to someone who doesnt want to walk 20

so I took from their they like to build citys and their bioshock game is the same design when I seen the driving tour stuff with all the hotel and resort crap something I payed attention to the way that books written is the city streets are made to be memorized with like here's 10 of the same name with different cross numbers I grew up in phoenix and its the same name crap here

what did I want, I seen a duck cartoon of hitler a long time ago about splicing genetics from disney and I can see that where they put LA is on top of the la brea tar pits they knew this was all ocean and in 1800 there was no one living here, all these citys share a birthdate

the map I found from the internetarchive that looks painted counties looks original

heres the maps :)

[fresafresitawrites]

paloma’s cards and water

my latest creative writing assignment! adding onto the next series of my vignettes! involving my oc andrew as the main boi. u can find them all here  this one is a lil long but my prof really liked it so im happy w it. rest is under the read more! id be so happy if anyone reads this slkajf inspired by tarot reading, my grandma, and that one chapter in the house on mango street w the tarot reader 

I was on the first floor of my building getting the mail when I heard my downstairs neighbor sweeping her entrance mat.

“Buenos días, m’hijito.” Her voice was like the strum of a guitar.

“Buenas, Señora Paloma.” I replied. I gave her a quick glance as I skimmed a letter about my academic probation from last semester.

She set the broom aside and looked up at me.

“Ah, so formal now that you’re older, and taller too. You’re always getting taller and taller.” I’m only five foot six, five foot eight when anyone asks. “I haven’t seen you too much lately.”

“Oh, disculpe.” I crammed the envelopes into my messenger bag. Most of them were junk anyway, like dollar store advertisements or auto companies offering me a car loan. “I’ve just had a lot on my mind, a lot going on with school and work and everything.” I closed the mailbox unit.

“Ay, perdón, Señor Ibarra,” she teased. Somewhere after I turned eighteen, I went from calling her Mama Lola to using formalities. “Do you have some time, actually? I need help with something, si puedes.”

I checked my phone. I had work in an hour. “Sí sí sí, yeah, whatdya need?” I cracked my knuckles. Usually, she just wanted me to move furniture or get something from the top shelf of her kitchen cabinets, like the blender she used during the summer to make watermelon juice. Her oldest son also bought her an iPad for Christmas three years ago when he visited from Buffalo, and I’ve memorized the passcode after troubleshooting it for her so many times.

Paloma waved me inside her one-bedroom apartment, two floors directly underneath my family’s. We lived in an old house with four floors that probably used to belong to one rich family in the nineteenth century but was now broken up into several apartments. Paloma’s door was the first one on the ground floor across from the staircase. Her apartment always smelled like dryer sheets, and the television was always on some Spanish talk show, and water was always boiling over the kitchen stove because she didn’t trust the pipes. The yellow walls were adorned with Mexican folk paintings, plastic floral garlands, and family photos attached with Scotch tape. In every corner there were figurines of Catholic saints.

A few years ago, I asked Paloma to watch Sofi and Eli for me. I had tickets to see The Strokes at Madison Square Garden and only that morning did I double check the date of the concert. My mom was at a student’s piano recital, and I agreed a week earlier to watch the girls that night.

I was carrying Eli in one arm and held Sofi’s hand with the other outside Paloma’s door. The girls were four at the time, so I just gave them each twenty bucks to never say anything.

“Hmm!” Paloma lifted her eyebrows and crossed her arms. “And you think your momma won’t find out?”

I thought about it. “Well, don’t tell her.”

Paloma laughed, squinting her dark eyes like a fox.

Thankfully, Ma’s train got delayed on the way home that night.

In Paloma’s kitchen, two Devil’s Ivy plants sat in the sink with their vines trailing over the edge, hesitating to touch the tile floor. On the left was the glass door to her own small patio, where a few stray cats lay across the concrete. Paloma pointed to her wooden breakfast table, leaving her broom aside, so I pulled out a chair.

She sat down across from me, laying a purple and gold silk cloth between us and placed two tea lights on each side.

“Oh, is this what you wanted me for?” I sat up, surprised. She tied her long, gray-brown hair into a bun.

Paloma has never tried to use her cards on me before. I was never interested in these things. Hemera was the one who came to visit often after her break-up during freshman year with this film studies major, Vladimir, who played the accordion and was originally from Portland. Hemera and Paloma would lean over the tarot cards, speaking low, like candleflames. I usually sat on the couch and watched Looney Tunes, since Boomerang was one of the only channels on Paloma’s television other than the news or Telemundo.

“How’s your friend?” Paloma asked as if she read my mind. “Is she your girlfriend yet? Or has she found someone?” She pulled out the deck of cards from her apron pocket and shuffled them.

            “Oh, no, she’s okay. She’s doing okay.” Hemera told me two weeks ago she was “focusing on herself” which meant she deleted Tinder and would reactivate it within the next week. “And nah, she’s like a sister to me. That’d be weird.”

            Paloma watched me. “You cold?”

            “What? No…” Well, now that she mentioned it… ‘Actually, yeah, kind of, maybe.” I zipped up my wool sweater. Was there a breeze?

            “Good.” She spread the cards out with her delicate hands. “That means the spirits are here.”

            “Uh, okay. Sure, Paloma. They are.” I tried not to sound too sarcastic.

            I closed my eyes and hovered my left hand over the fanned-out cards, mimicking how Hemera used to do it. I tapped three random cards and Paloma flipped them over.

            She read them out loud. “El ermitaño, la rueda de la fortuna, y la muetre.”

            The late February sun casted a soft glow over the kitchen like a dream.

            “Your past, present, and future cards.” Paloma’s tone shifted into something softer, as if her words descended from the clouds. “Ah, look at you. Always keeping to yourself, always, always. Like the old man here on the card… alone on the mountain, holding a lantern trying to illuminate his path.”

            I tilted my head.

            “Right now, you’re in a critical position. It’s a marvelous position to be in! See all the arrows on the wheel going in all directions? They can lead you anywhere. You just steer the wheel like the helm of a sailboat and go wherever the wind takes you. How exciting!”

             I leaned forward. I examined the card that depicted what looked like a large, gold coin covered in strange symbols and surrounded by hybrid animals and angel figures.

            “And here, look, don’t be afraid of this last one. Everyone’s always afraid of this card, but don’t take it too literal. This card means transformation, it means upheaval, it means purging, it means endings.

            I picked up the card, fixated on the small boy kneeling before the skeleton-knight riding a white horse. I put the card back down.

            “This sounds… vague.” I leaned back in my chair, half skeptical and half on edge from her reading, but I didn’t want her to know the last part. “I thought you’d tell me something terrible would happen, or something like who I’m going to marry or whatever. Not that I would believe it, but I’m just wondering why you wanted me here right now.”

            Paloma smiled and crossed her arms. She’d been expecting this reaction. “It’s not like that. It’s not a math test, like in school. There are no right or wrong answers here. I know you don’t like that. Frustrating, no?”

            “Yeah, a little.”

            “Half of the work is you. It’s like looking at art or reading poetry. You’re participating. You’re drawing your own conclusions.” She placed the deck back into her pocket. “You have to marinate on the words, m’hijo. Everything will reveal itself.”

            I took a deep breath, swung my bag over my shoulder, and checked my phone.

            I had work in five minutes.    

[simplefloorspdx]

You've been working on your project, and now it's time to choose your hardwood flooring, but all of a sudden, the scenario with the coronavirus COVID-19 arises, leaving you helpless. Although we are all navigating new territory at the moment, we believe we have some flooring alternatives for our consumers to consider. The health and safety of both our customers and workers are very important to us. We also recognize that, despite the fact that many merchants and other companies have stopped, your home project cannot. Therefore, we have taken a number of actions to assist our clients throughout the coronavirus epidemic. If there is anything further we can do to help, please let us know.

[architectnews]

The Dezeen guide to stone in architecture, interiors and design

Thinking of using stone in your project? Our latest Dezeen guide includes 15 popular types of natural rock used in architecture, interiors and design with links to hundreds of examples to inspire your own work.

Alabaster

Alabaster is a soft, fine-grained stone that has been used for centuries to carve elaborate forms and ornaments. However, its solubility in water means that it is best suited for indoor use.

In its pure form, alabaster is white and translucent, which makes it ideally suited to lighting design.

Studio Tack used tubular light shades made from alabaster to softly illuminate a cosy Japanese restaurant in New York (above), while lighting studio Allied Maker used the stone to create ornate totemic floor lamps.

Amarist Studio showcased the sculptural possibilities of the stone in its Aqua Fossil collection, which includes a coffee table with swooping, curved legs.

See projects featuring alabaster ›

Basalt

Basalt is a dark-coloured igneous rock that is formed when lava cools rapidly. It is most frequently used as an aggregate for concrete as it is low-cost and high-strength, but it is also a popular cladding and flooring material, especially when polished.

Examples of this include the facade of a small gallery in Amsterdam by Barend Koolhaas and a Hawaiian holiday home by Walker Warner Architects in which slender basalt cladding tiles are contrasted with cedar detailing (above).

Icelandic studio Innriinnri used two sculpted slabs of basalt stone to create a sculptural table that doubles as a stool or a piece of art, while South Korean artist Byung Hoon Choi polished the stone to create oversized outdoor furniture.

See projects featuring basalt ›

Flint

Flint is a highly durable stone found in abundance as irregular-shaped nodules in sedimentary rocks such as chalk. It has been used as a construction material since the Roman era, though it is not often seen in contemporary architecture.

Flint varies in colour, but it is commonly glassy black with a white crust. In architecture, it is usually knapped – split to expose its glossy inner face – before being laid in mortar.

Skene Catling de la Peña used a combination of knapped and unknapped flint to cover a wedge-shaped house in Buckinghamshire (above), which creates a subtle colour gradient across its facade.

See projects featuring flint ›

Gneiss

Gneiss, a robust metamorphic stone composed of alternating layers of different coloured minerals, is popular to use for flooring and worktops. Hues can range from pinks and golds to greens and dark greys.

Peter Pichler sourced grey gneiss with black-and-white bands from Passeier Valley in South Tyrol to create a large counter in the bar of an Italian Alpine hotel (above).

It can also be used as a cladding material, such as in Bernardo Bader Architekten's ski resort office in Austria and a radio broadcasting station in Nepal by Archium.

Granite

Granite is one of the most widely used stones in architecture and design. It forms from the slow crystallisation of magma beneath the Earth's crust. It is used for everything from load-bearing structures to cladding, worktops and furniture.

Its popularity is down to its high compressive strength, durability and low porosity. Granite is also found in an array of colours, making it suitable for a range of spaces and styles.

Heatherwick Studio recently used green granite to make a trio of its sculptural Spun chairs (above), while Snøhetta has used a grey variety to cover almost every surface of an Aesop store to emulate a rocky coastline.

Architecture studio NOARQ tested the material's strength by elevating a cabin on thick blocks of granite over the entrance to a stone villa in Portugal.

See projects featuring granite ›

Laterite

Rusty-red laterite stone is formed from the leaching of rocks and soil during alternating periods of high temperature and heavy rainfall in tropical areas. This process leaves behind a high concentration of insoluble iron oxides, which gives the rock its colour.

Laterite is typically used in construction in Africa and Asia in the form of bricks, which have excellent thermal mass and a low embodied energy. These bricks are made by cutting the rock out from below the water table when it is moist and leaving it to harden in the air.

Architect Francis Kéré used locally sourced laterite to build the walls of a school in Burkina Faso and Studio Lotus has used it to create the pedestal of a government building in India (above).

Limestone

There are many different types of limestone, a sedimentary rock composed mainly of calcium carbonate. It is considered a good all-round building material as it is easy to cut and carve and usually has a uniform texture and colour.

Popular limestone varieties include travertine (see below) and Portland stone, which is used on notable buildings in London such as St Paul's Cathedral and Buckingham Palace.

David Chipperfield Architects recently used limestone to clad the Kunsthaus Zurich museum extension in Switzerland and John Pawson used it to line the surfaces of a minimalist flagship store in Japan for fashion label Jil Sander.

Design projects that utilise limestone include a blocky furniture collection called Dig Where You Stand by students from the Estonian Academy of Arts (above).

See projects featuring limestone ›

Marble

Marble is a metamorphic rock with veins of calcite crystal. It forms from limestone that has been exposed to heat and pressure and is found in many colours. Marble is strong but easily carved and polishes well, making it suitable for numerous applications.

It is most popularly used in kitchen and bathroom designs, but it is often used as cladding too, such as in Alexander Owen Architecture's garden room in London (above).

See projects featuring marble ›

Onyx

Onyx is a translucent gemstone composed of parallel bands of quartz, found in almost every colour. It has a long history of use in sculpture and jewellery but is less commonly found in architecture and design. However, onyx is sometimes used as a facing or lighting.

Projects that use onyx include a mausoleum in Minneapolis by HGA and an office by Anne Claus Interiors where it has been used to clad a multi-coloured bar (above).

See projects featuring onyx ›

Porphyry

Porphyry is a strong and hard-wearing igneous stone that comes in reddish-brown to purple hues. It is composed of large-grained crystals embedded in a fine-grained groundmass.

It has been used in architecture and design since antiquity, though it is rarely seen in contemporary architecture and design. Today it is mostly used as aggregate in the construction of roads in places where cars require studded winter tires.

Pedevilla Architects used a block of porphyry as a kitchen island for a cookery school in South Tyrol, while architect Claudio Silvestrin used it to line the walls of a Milanese fashion boutique.

Quartzite

Formed from sandstone exposed to high heat and pressure, quartzite is a very hard and durable metamorphic rock. It is usually found in white and grey shades.

Quartzite is a popular material for kitchen countertops as it is resistant to staining, but is most commonly used as a decorative cladding or flooring.

Examples of this include a dwelling in Utah by Klima Architecture, Peter Zumthor's Therme Vals spa (above) and a monolithic Parisian library by Agence Pascale Guédot.

See projects featuring quartzite ›

Sandstone

Sandstone is composed of fine silicate grains that have eroded from other rocks, giving it either a warm red, yellow or orange colouration.

Used for construction since prehistoric times, sandstone continues to be a popular choice in architecture and design as it is abundant, durable and easy to handle.

Recent architectural projects that use the material include a cathedral extension by Feilden Fowles, a museum by Álvaro Siza, and an oval-shaped all-girls school in India (above) that is designed to blend into its desert surroundings.

See projects featuring sandstone ›

Shale

This grey fine-grained stone is one of the most common sedimentary rocks on earth. It is formed from the compaction of silt and mud into thin, fissile layers. In architecture and design, shale is usually crushed and processed into bricks, tiles and pottery, or heated with limestone to make cement.

Aketuri Architektai used shale tiles to clad a pointy woodland house in Lithuania (above), while Spaceworkers wrapped the stone around the basement of a Portuguese house to provide it with a raw, rugged aesthetic.

See projects featuring shale ›

Slate

Slate is a dark fine-grained stone that is formed when a sedimentary rock, such as shale, is subjected to high pressure. It is a foliated rock, meaning it is made up of thin sedimentary layers, which allows it to be split – or riven – into thin slabs.

Slate is durable and weather- and frost-resistant, making it a popular material choice for cladding, roofing and paving.

In interior projects, the material is often also used as floor tiles, hearths and kitchen worktops. Natalie Weinmann sanded and polished the stone to create a blocky furniture collection.

TRIAS used it to clad a small writer's retreat in a Welsh valley while Austin Maynard Architects diamond, scalloped and brick-shaped slate shingles to cover a Melbourne house (above).

See projects featuring slate ›

Travertine

One of the most commonly used forms of limestone is travertine, which has been sourced from mineral springs for use as a building material for centuries. The largest building in the world made from this stone is the Colosseum in Rome.

Today, travertine is mostly processed into tiles for internal and external surface coverings, but it is also a popular material for bathroom fit-outs. As it is found with troughs on its surface, processing travertine usually involves polishing its surface.

Projects that use travertine include an extension to a German museum by Bez + Kock Architekten (above), an apartment renovation in Lithuania by 2XJ, and a furniture collection by David/Nicolas.

See projects featuring travertine ›

Recent popular stone projects on Dezeen include an inconspicuous house on the island of Serifos, a monolithic spa by Smartvoll, a collection of luxury lodges on England's Jurassic Coast and a coffee table by Studio Twenty Seven.

The main image is of Rajkumari Ratnavati Girls' School by Diana Kellogg Architects taken by Vinay Panjwani.

The post The Dezeen guide to stone in architecture, interiors and design appeared first on Dezeen.

[stucco1]

Why You Need a Stucco Contractor For An Effective Finish

When they are trying to decorate their homes with stucco or other siding projects, many homeowners often overlook the importance of hiring a qualified and dependable stucco contractor. Some might think that a novice easily accomplishes the job of painting or staining. This might be true in some cases, but the process required to get the final product is not straightforward in most cases. The result is a damaged surface with uneven color. Such damage can occur if the finishing compound used is not of good quality or wrong ingredients are used in mixing the stucco.

A Stucco contractor should be consulted when there is a problem with the drywall or plastering of interior walls. Drywall problems can occur when there are cracks in the drywall, the wall is uneven in shape, the joint between the drywall and the plastering is rotten, or the wall has been completely gutted. A skilled contractor can check whether all these conditions are present in the house before proceeding with the repair. If any of these are the case, they will suggest remedial action.

Stucco Contractor Las Vegas have different approaches to different jobs. Some specialize in only wall finishing, while others work on complete structures such as facades, porches, and exterior doors. Therefore, it is essential to hire a contractor with the right expertise and who is experienced in finishing houses. The contractor should know about various stucco products such as joint compounds and be familiar with different paint techniques. The contractor should also be familiar with the various types of finishes available for the exterior surfaces.

Stucco is a mixture of Portland cement and sand. It is used as a building material that can prevent water from entering the interiors of homes. While stucco has many positive effects, it can also cause damage if not installed correctly and maintained properly. If water penetrates the surface, it may cause damage to the structure of the house. Moreover, excessive moisture can also cause structural damage to home improvement.

The main reason why stucco contractors are necessary is that many people use stucco in their houses. It is seen on walls, ceilings, doors, and windows. However, it is not advisable to use it for other purposes as it might cause harm to the structure and health of the people residing inside the house. It is recommended to get a new siding done once in a while. Many homeowners prefer to use vinyl tiles on the walls and roofs.

A stucco contractor is important because they provide quality services at reasonable rates. For example, getting a licensed and insured stucco repair contractor is essential to avoid damage or injury to you and your property. You can look for licensed and insured contractors online. Once you have their contact number, you can call them, and they will respond to you within 24 hours. Besides providing quality service, licensed and insured contractors also offer a guaranteed finish on stucco installation.

There are different types of stucco materials that you can choose from. In addition to wood, there are also ceramic tiles, ceramic blocks, and natural stones. Each one has its properties, so you should know the specific requirements of the job you want to have done before buying the materials. For example, wood is more suitable to be used for exterior walls. However, you can also use stone and clay for interior stucco installation. Although it costs more initially, it will last for a long time because wood is a natural product, whereas ny cement is artificial and will quickly degrade.

Moreover, it is best to consult a professional stucco expert before you start the stucco installation work. Although you can purchase any cement from hardware stores, you should ask the experts about the stucco materials that are suitable for your home. A reputable stucco expert can help you get the perfect finish for your home exterior walls without compromising on the price.

[21astor]

Say Hello to New luxury apartment developments in Portland

Get to Know Robert Ball

Robert Ball has become synonymous with luxury residential apartments portland, but that reputation didn’t come without paying the dues of hard work. Robert Ball’s passion for renovation and real estate began nearly 25 years ago.

On the Road to Portland’s Premier Luxury Apartments

After honing his incredible talent for purchasing and rehabilitating small properties, Ball purchased his first apartment building in Portland’s Nob Hill District. With a ton of elbow grease, he was able to transform the 1920s-era Sara Ann Apartments into a Class A apartment community, with the highest quality rating for a property.

Becoming One of Portland’s Leading Developers

Following the Sara Ann Apartments, Ball’s passion for revitalizing aging properties has grown exponentially. Robert Ball has completed six high-profile projects, in the heart of Portland’s downtown, including 21 Astor.

And now on to the star of the show — the 21 Astor community and its 27 impeccable units. Residents not only benefit from decades of experience in residential development, but also a deep-rooted philosophy of service, style, functionality, attention to detail, and excellence. There are many reasons why 21 Astor is distinct from other luxury apartments in Portland:

An Incredible Location in NW Portland

Located steps from the notable NW 23rd Avenue in the Nob Hill District, 21 Astor’s LEED-certified homes have an impressive walk score of 97. Tenants have everything they could need right at their fingertips. In addition to Portland’s top coffee shops and restaurants, there’s no shortage of major grocery stores, boutique shopping, banks, houses of worship, and local businesses that support health needs.

The Robert Ball team worked hard to incorporate equally elegant and purposeful features. This ensures that every resident experiences the seamless harmony between a vibrant urban center and chic, comfortable apartments:

Building Features

Timeless red brick exterior

Controlled access and exterior call box for guest admittance

Statuary Carrara marble slabs and 24k white gold Bisazza “cut-tile” mosaic in the lobby

Neoclassical designs

Ground-floor restaurants and storefronts

Private balconies for street-facing apartments

Public transportation options nearby

Community Features

On-site, indoor parking

In-house management services

Reserved storage spaces on each floor

Bike storage and maintenance areas

Pet-friendly facilities including washing station

Package acceptance and holding

Exquisite and Spacious Apartment Homes

Robert Ball Companies knows it is crucial for an exceptional community to be impeccably complemented by an exceptional apartment home. 21 Astor merges functional and sophisticated elements to create ideal living spaces for the contemporary Portlander:

Apartment Floor Plans

One bedrooms luxury apartments range from 701 to 743 square feet and boast fabulously unique living and dining spaces larger than other apartments in Portland’s Pearl District. Every one bedroom also includes an en-suite, pass-through style bathroom and large walk-through closets with plenty of storage.

Two bedrooms luxury apartments Portland range from 933 to 1,165 square feet. All units spotlight large living and dining spaces, pass-through style bathrooms (with the master including a stand-up shower and double vanity sinks), and large walk-through closets. Plus, each bedroom is located on the opposite side from the other so as to generate as much privacy as possible.

Apartment Features

Crisp, clean, and modern designs and fixtures

Wrap around kitchens with top-of-the-line stainless steel appliances

Breakfast bar seating

Lofty ceilings

Conveniently located stackable washers and dryers

Air conditioning

Enormous windows that allow plenty of natural light

Quartz Carrara countertops and shaker cabinets with abundant space

Tiled bathroom floors as well as tiled shower/tub surrounds

Food pantries and linen storage

Extra storage lockers available

As you can tell, we’ve built something remarkable here at 21 Astor. With only 27 units, our team is able to put all our time and energy toward making sure every resident feels that they are truly at home. Our goal is to cultivate an upscale experience that’s a perfect complement to how you live, work, and play.

Are you searching for a place in Portland that’ll provide a little something more, both inside and out? 21 Astor’s luxury apartments near the Pearl District provide an unprecedented level of comfort for those looking for a refined living experience in NW Portland.

The leasing agents at 21 Astor would love to hear from you! Connect with us to get more acquainted with our Portland’s Newest Luxury Apartments!

[aspencreek]

Smoke Bitten Excerpt

1 "Are you okay, Mercy?" Tad asked me as he disconnected the wiring harness from the headlight of the 2000 Jetta we were working on. We were replacing a radiator. To do that, we had to take the whole front clip off. It was a rush case on a couple of fronts. The owner had been driving from Portland to Missoula, Montana, when her car blew the radiator. We needed to get her back on the road so she could make her job interview tomorrow at eight a.m. The task was made more urgent by the fact that the owner and her three children under five were occupying the office. She had, she told me, family in Missoula who could watch her children, but nobody but her alcoholic ex-husband to watch them in Portland, so she'd brought them with her. I wished she had family here to watch them. I liked kids, but tired kids cooped up in my office space were another matter. To speed up the repair, Tad was taking the left side and I was working on the right. Like me, he wore grease-stained overalls. Summer still held sway-if only just-so those overalls were stained with sweat, too. Even his hair showed the effects of working in the heat, sticking out at odd angles. It was also tipped here and there with the same grease that marked the overalls. A smudge of black swooped across his right cheekbone and onto his ear like badly applied war paint. I was pretty sure that if anything, I looked worse than he did. I'd worked on cars with Tad for more than a decade, nearly half his life. He'd left for an Ivy League education but returned without his degree, and without the cheery optimism that had once been his default. What he had retained was that scary competence that he'd had when I first walked into his father's garage looking for a part to fix my Rabbit and found the elementary-aged Tad ably running the shop. He was one of the people I most trusted in the world. And I still lied to him. "Everything's fine," I said. "Liar," growled Zee's voice from under a '68 Beetle. The little car bounced a bit, like a dog responding to its master. Cars do that sometimes around the old iron-kissed fae. Zee said something soft-voiced and calming in German, though I couldn't catch exactly what the words were. When he started talking to me again, he said, "You should not lie to the fae, Mercy. Say instead, 'You are not my friends, I do not trust you with my secrets, so I will not tell you what is wrong.'" Tad grinned at his father's grumble. "You are not my friends, I do not trust you with my secrets, so I will not tell you what is wrong," I said, deadpan. "And that, father of mine," said Tad, grandly setting aside the headlight and starting on one of the bolts that held in the front clip, "is another lie." "I love you both," I told them. "You love me better," said Tad. "Most of the time I love you both," I told him before getting serious. "Something is wrong, but it concerns another person's private issues. If that changes, you'll be the first on my list to talk to." I would not talk about problems with my mate to someone else-it would be a betrayal. Tad leaned over, put an arm around me, and kissed the top of my head, which would have been sweet if it weren't a hundred and six degrees outside. Though the new bays in the garage were cooler than the old ones had been, we were all drenched in sweat and the various fluids that were a part of the life of a VW mechanic. "Yuck," I squawked, batting him away from me. "You are wet and smelly. No kisses. No touches. Ick. Ick." He laughed and went back to work-and so did I. The laugh felt good. I hadn't been doing a lot of laughing lately. "There it is again," said Tad, pointing at me with his ratchet. "That sad face. If you change your mind about talking to someone, I'm here. And if necessary, I can kill someone and put the body where no one will find it." "Drama, drama," grumbled the old fae under the bug. "Always with you children there is drama." "Hey," I said. "Keep that up, and next time I have a horde of zombies to destroy, I won't pick you." He grunted-either at me or at the bug. It was hard to tell with Zee. "No one else could have done what I did," he said after a moment. It sounded arrogant, but the fae can't lie, so Zee thought it was true. I did, too. "It is good that you have me for a friend to call upon when your drama overwhelms your life, Liebling. And if you have a body, I can dispose of it in such a way that there would be nothing left to find." Zee was my very good friend, and useful in all sorts of ways besides hiding dead bodies-which he had done. Unlike Tad, Zee wasn't an official employee of the garage he'd sold to me after teaching me how to work on cars and run the business. That didn't mean he was unpaid, just that he came and went on his own terms. Or when I needed him. Zee was dependable like that. "Hey," said Tad. "Quit chatting, Mercy, and start working. I'm two bolts up on you-and one of those kids just knocked over the garbage can in the office." I'd heard it, too, despite the closed door between the office and us. Additionally, just before the garbage can had fallen, I'd heard the tired and overworked mom try to keep her oldest from reorganizing all of the parts stored (for sale) on the shelving units that lined the walls. Tad might be half fae, but I was a coyote in my other form-my hearing was better than his. Despite the possible destruction going on in the office, it felt good to fix the old car. I didn't know how to fix my marriage. I didn't even know what had gone wrong. "Ready?" asked Tad. I caught the cross member as he pulled the last bolt. A leaking radiator was something I knew how to make right. Before I'd left work, I had showered and changed to clean clothes and shoes. Even so, when I got home, IÕd gone across the back deck to go in the kitchen door because I didnÕt want to risk getting anything from the shop on the new carpet. I'd disemboweled a zombie werewolf on the old carpet, and one of the results of that was that I'd finally discovered a mess that Adam's expert cleaning guru couldn't get out of the white carpet. All of it had been torn up and replaced. Adam had picked it out because I didn't care beyond "anything but white." His choice, a sandy color, was practical and warm. I liked it. We'd had to replace the tile in the kitchen a few months earlier. Slowly but surely the house had been changing from the house that Adam's ex-wife, Christy, had decorated into Adam's and my home. If I'd known how much better I'd feel with new carpet, I'd have hunted down a zombie werewolf to disembowel a long time ago. I toed off my shoes by the door, glanced farther into the kitchen, and paused. It was like walking into the middle of the last scene in a play. I had no idea what was causing all the tension, but I knew I'd interrupted something big. Darryl drew my eye first-the more dominant wolves tend to do that. He leaned against the counter, his big arms crossed over his chest. He kept his eyes on the ground, his mouth a flat line. Our pack's second carried the blood of warriors of two continents. He had to work to look friendly, and he wasn't expending any effort on that right now. Even though he knew I'd come into the house, he didn't look at me. His body held a coiled energy that told me he was ready for a fight. Auriele, his mate, wore an aura of grim triumph-though she was seated at the table on the opposite side of the kitchen from Darryl. Not that she was afraid of him. If Darryl was descended from Chinese and African warlords (and he was-his sister, he'd told me once, had done the family history), Auriele could have been a Mayan warrior goddess. I had once seen the two of them fight as a no-holds-barred team against a volcano god, and it had been breathtaking. I liked and respected Auriele. Auriele's location, which was as far as she could get from Darryl and remain in the kitchen, probably indicated that they were having a disagreement. Interestingly, like Darryl, she didn't look at me, either-though I could feel her attention straining in my direction. The last person in the kitchen was Joel, who was the only pack member besides me who wasn't a werewolf. In his presa Canario form, he sprawled out, as was his habit, and took up most of the free floor space. The strong sunlight streaming through the window brought out the brindle pattern that was usually hidden in the stygian darkness of his coat. His big muzzle rested on his outstretched paws. He glanced at me and then away, without otherwise moving. No. Not away. I followed his gaze and saw that the door to Adam's soundproofed (even to werewolf ears) office was shut. As I turned my attention back to the occupants of the kitchen, my gaze fell on my stepdaughter's purse, which had been abandoned on the counter. "What's up?" I asked, looking at Auriele. Maybe my voice was a little unfriendly, but Jesse's purse, the shut door of Adam's office, Darryl's unhappiness, and Auriele's expression combined to tell me that something had happened. Probably, given the people involved and my insight into a few things going on in Jesse's life, that something had to do with my nemesis, Adam's ex-wife and Jesse's mother, Christy. The bane of my existence had finally returned to Eugene, Oregon, where I'd optimistically thought she might be less of a problem. But Christy had a claim on my husband's protection and a stronger claim on my stepdaughter's affection. She was going to be in my life as long as they were in my life. Christy's strikes on me seldom rated a level above annoyance. She was good at subtle attacks, but I'd grown up with Leah, the Marrok's mate, who had been, if not as intelligent, infinitely more dangerous. I would pay a much higher price than dealing with Christy to keep Adam and Jesse. That didn't mean I was going to be happy about her anytime soon. I might be able to take her on just fine, but she hurt Adam and Jesse on a regular basis. Auriele's chin rose, but it was Darryl who spoke. "My wife opened a letter meant for someone else," he said heavily. "This is your fault," she snapped-and not at Darryl. "Your fault. You have Adam, her place in the pack, the home that she built, and you still won't let Christy have anything." I might like Auriele, but the reverse was not true because Christy had a way of making everyone around her hyperprotective of her. Auriele was a dominant wolf, which meant she started out protective anyway. Christy just put all of Auriele's instincts into overdrive. Still, I couldn't see her opening anyone else's mail because I was Adam's wife instead of Christy. I decided I didn't have enough information to process her accusations. So I asked for clarification. "You opened a letter from Christy? Or for Christy?" "No," said Darryl, staring at his mate. "She opened a letter for Jesse." Auriele glanced at the table, and I noticed, for the first time, that on the table in front of Auriele was a stack of mail. On the top of the stack was a white envelope with Washington State University's distinctive cougar logo-and all the pieces clicked. I pinched my nose. It was a gesture that Bran, the Marrok who ruled all the packs in North America except ours, did so often that it had spread to anyone who associated with him for very long. Since I'd been raised in his pack, it was bound to get to me sooner or later. It didn't help with the frustration, though I felt like it helped me focus. Maybe that was why Bran used it. "Oh, for the love of Pete," I said. "Jesse told me she was going to call her mom a week ago. Let me guess-she put it off until yesterday or this morning. And Christy called you. You came over, found the letter from WSU on the table-" "In the mailbox," said Darryl. I raised my eyebrows, and Auriele's chin elevated a bit more and her shoulders stiffened. Yep, even in her current state of Christy-born madness, she was a little embarrassed about that one. "We got here just as the mail carrier left," she said stiffly. "I thought we could take the mail in." "You found the letter in the mailbox," I corrected myself. "And, given the urgency and trauma that Christy expressed to you about her daughter's change of plans, you had to open it to find proof that dire shenanigans were afoot." Jesse had been accepted to the University of Oregon in Eugene, where her mom lived. She had also been accepted to the University of Washington in Seattle, where Jesse's boyfriend, Gabriel, was attending school. Both were good schools, and she'd let her mother think that she'd been debating about which way to go. Adam and I had both been sure she intended to follow Gabriel-boyfriends outranked parents. I understood why Jesse hadn't wanted to tell her mother-witness the current scene with Auriele. Though putting it off had just been postponing the explosion. But all of Jesse's schooling plans had changed thanks to recent events. Our pack had acquired some new and very dangerous enemies. A week ago Jesse told me she'd decided to stay here and go to Washington State University's Tri-Cities campus. I'd agreed with her reasons. Jesse was a practical person who made generally good choices when her mother wasn't involved. The only advice I'd given Jesse was that she needed to tell Adam and Christy sooner rather than later. "Hah," Auriele said with bitter triumph, pointing at me. "I told you it was Mercy's idea." I opened my mouth to retort, but the door to Adam's office jerked open and Jesse stalked out, her cheeks flushed and her fists clenched. She glanced past me at Auriele and gave her a betrayed look that lasted for a long moment until she rounded the corner and took the stairs at a pace that was not quite a run.

[abdulrimaazuk]

How to start a construction business?

Starting a construction company or a construction business is a profitable way to start in a robust sector with an extensive field of action. However, careful planning and extensive market research is required here . And this in order to be clear about the challenges and opportunities that you will face along the way. Next, we will mention some key aspects to consider when creating this type of business:

 Business plan

 It is the guide on which you will give a structure to your company and you will carry out all the actions to meet your objectives . Here you must define the business idea and analyze the environment (market, competitors, audience, etc.). As well as planning marketing strategies, estimating the budget and projecting profits.

 Name and legal procedures

 You will also have to give your business a name and legally register the business name with the competent authorities. The legal procedures for the creation of new companies generally involve choosing a legal structure and registering with the commercial register. Like making a public deed and appointing a legal representative.

 Licensing

 Depending on the country you are in, you will have to manage the specific licenses and operating permits for this type of activity. Consult the regulations established by the national government and get advice from the entities that regulate the creation of businesses.

 Suppliers and inventory

 Search and select quality suppliers that provide you with all the necessary inputs to start your business. Depending on the nature of the company and the type of products and / or services that you are going to sell, you can establish the inventory . It will include all the tools and equipment for carrying out construction tasks by Abdul Rimaaz MT65 SOLUTIONS LTD.  

Budget and financing

 The budget must include all the investment costs necessary to start the business . These include branding, legal paperwork, licenses, location, equipment and supplies, starting inventory, etc. Therefore, you should look for a search engine positioning to cover these costs, either your own through savings, or external by requesting a loan from third parties.

 Promotion

 A business that is not shown does not sell. Therefore, it is essential to plan and manage marketing strategies to promote it , make it known and connect it with the audience. This is one of the key aspects in successful construction businesses, since investment to position itself in the market is crucial to boost growth.

 The above, through traditional marketing techniques such as print advertising or merchandising. As well as digital marketing techniques such as social media marketing, video marketing or search engine optimization .

 8 construction related business ideas

 In a construction business it is possible to market different products and services related to this economic activity. The variety is wide and you can even combine one or more alternatives. So pay close attention to the following list of 8 successful construction business ideas . With them, you can start your business in this sector.

 1. Manufacture or distribution of cement

 Cement is one of the most demanded products in the construction industry , as it is used to join blocks, cure surfaces, make bricks, etc. This is a mixture of clay, alumina, calcium carbonate, and other elements. According to the need or type of construction, different varieties of cement are used, such as Portland cement for the manufacture of concrete, .

 Here you have two business alternatives , one is to set up a cement production plant , and the other is to distribute recognized brands of cement . The first is an idea that requires more capital, since you must have a large structure and specialized machinery, as well as quality raw materials, fuels and high-power electricity. In addition, you must manage some compulsory environmental permits and licenses to be able to carry out the activity.

Read also: How to start a construction company

For its part, the second option does not require taking over production and a location is not strictly necessary. With a medium warehouse to store the product inventory it will be enough. The idea is that you carry out a study of the national and foreign cement brands and that you make a careful selection of which ones to sell, taking into account aspects such as the variety of the catalog, the quality of the products, the prices and the demand in the market. After that, you can make alliances with the same brands or with wholesale stores, assemble your inventory and start selling.

 2. Post-construction cleaning service

 After a construction work is finished, there are surplus materials, residues and waste that must be collected and disposed of correctly . This before the final closure of the project. Therefore, many companies in the union decide to hire providers of final cleaning services on site to take care of this work and thus save time and optimize functions. This results in a very valuable opportunity to enter successful construction businesses.

 The portfolio handled by construction cleaning companies includes debris management, blemish removal, air freshening and deodorization. This is ideal to complement the construction tasks properly, because while these types of businesses are in charge of cleaning, builders can perform other types of finishes and finishes.

 Here you need trained and experienced personnel, specialized cleaning machinery and sustainable cleaning products. In addition to knowledge of occupational health and safety protocols to control risks within construction.

 3. Plumbing services

 Another complementary service that can be offered in successful construction businesses is plumbing. There, work is carried out such as installation and maintenance of sewage and inspection of wells and sewers. Plumbers also take care of locating pipes and plumbing and plumbing in buildings. Without a doubt, indispensable and highly required tasks regardless of the type of project.

 One of the advantages of this business is that you can start as an independent , offering professional services to construction companies. This if you have the experience, the certified knowledge and the equipment for it. In this way, you will be able to consolidate a client portfolio and work alternately on several projects .

 Then, as you gain recognition, you can expand the business , including more staff and setting up a company specialized in this work.

 4. Sale of sand

One of the essential materials in construction is sand. Although there are many stores that sell it, construction companies look for suppliers that work exclusively with the trade of this material, with the intention of making wholesale purchases and guaranteeing its acquisition in large quantities.

 This is why this is one of the successful construction businesses that many independents point to. To start it, it is important that you carry out an investigation about the allowed locations for the extraction of sand . And that in turn you inform yourself about the legislation of your country that governs this type of activity.

 Once the above is clear, the sale of construction sand can be worked in two ways. The first is through a sand deposit in the city , where you can store the material, serve customers and sell directly on site.

 The second way is by dispatching the material at home and having only one storage warehouse. Here you can also offer the option for the client, after the purchase, to collect the material at the warehouse location.

 In any of the options, remember to choose a location close to the extraction site that is easily accessible. And that it has the optimal conditions for loading and unloading the material.

 5. Rental of construction machinery

 In many construction projects, the choice is to rent the machinery instead of buying it, in order to execute medium and short-term contracts and thus reduce costs . As well as to carry out projects faster and contribute to business development.

 As a result, this is a business that has a significant demand in the market, because the service can be requested by bricklayers, independent builders and large construction companies .

 There is an extensive range of construction machinery, so the main thing is to identify the needs of your potential customers . And thus have the equipment most required in the sector, such as:

 ·         Mixers

·         Rammers

·         Water pumps

·         Concrete mixers

·         Concrete trowels

·         Air compressors

·         Excavators

·         Lift truck

 You can start with the equipment with the highest demand and as the business grows, offer the most specialized and exclusive rental of machines .

 6. Building materials business

 This is one of the successful construction business ideas that encompasses almost all of the above ideas . Here you will have to select a location, set up a store and create alliances with suppliers and wholesalers. In addition, you must do a market study to gain knowledge of the most popular products . This with the aim of putting together a catalog that meets the needs of buyers. Finally, you will have to plan a promotion and sales strategy to boost the growth of your store.

 Some of the materials that you can distribute in your business are:

 ·         Cast

·         Cement

·         Bricks

·         Steel

·         Glass

·         Sand

·         Roof tiles

·         Tiles

·         Metallic profiles

·         Scaffolding

·         Rods

·         PVC pipes

 In the same way, you should include hand tools, instruments and equipment such as:

 ·         Gauges

·         Hammers

·         Pliers

·         Wheelbarrows

·         Drills

·         Sanders

·         Saws

 7. Demolition company

 Another successful construction business, which is rarely talked about but has a considerable market share, is demolition services. Here, basically, you are in charge of demolishing homes, buildings and constructions located on land destined for new works.

 You will offer your services to private and public entities that require it and that have the pertinent permits to carry out the demolition.

 Demolitions, generally, are carried out in large cities or capitals , so it is important that you locate yourself, positions and offer your services in these locations. In addition, these types of companies usually offer excavation and rubble collection services. And they focus on the industrial and residential sectors mainly.

 8. Remodeling of buildings

 We end our list of successful construction businesses with this idea that is the protagonist in civil construction works. Well, the sector is not only concerned with carrying out building projects from scratch. It also handles renovation works for buildings that have flaws in their architecture, design or distribution of spaces . Therefore, the services of remodeling professionals are very necessary.

 Here, you can partner with construction companies to be part of their supplier portfolio and work with them on different projects. In the same way, you can dedicate yourself to offering these services on your own and set up a remodeling and interior design agency . And so, take care of the remodeling of houses, apartments, offices and commercial establishments.

 Final words

 The construction industry MT65 SOLUTIONS LTD is in constant motion, because regardless of the season of the year it is common to see that new building works are started, as well as architectural projects, public works, structural reforms, etc. So if you are interested in this area and have the experience and knowledge to offer any of the related services, do not hesitate and start your venture.

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Dyson Repairs

We carry more than 4 million parts from over one hundred seventy five major brands, so chances are, we have the part you need. Find appliance elements, lawn & garden equipment parts, heating & cooling parts and more from the highest manufacturers within the business right here. He holds his staff to the same normal, and is always willing to impart his vast information to anyone who wish to be taught. Just watch a couple of of his classes, and you will clearly see that the distinction with Mars Discount Vacuum, is the value you get from the experience and information we now have. We supply free in-retailer estimates, and free in-home central vac estimates. We restore ALL makes and fashions together with Dyson, Kirby, and Kenmore. It journeys a breaker in the house whenever you attempt to vacuum. Stop on by our Pewaukee storefront to search out exactly the vacuum accent you’re on the lookout for. Whether you want a new vacuum, your present one just stopped working otherwise you’re in search of a particular attachment, 3G Vacuum is certain to have what you need. Loosen the screw on the within of your new plug so you can loop your wires round them. Wrap the white impartial wire onto the screw attached to the left prong and the black scorching wire to the screw for the proper prong. Do not cut by way of any wires whereas your vacuum is plugged in since you can get shocked. Cut the existing plug off of your vacuum with a wire cutter. Use a pair of wire cutters to chop via the twine. Now with Olson Vacuums being your MIELE VACUUMsales and service center, stop by both of our 2 places to test them out. One single mud ball can contain as a lot as 250,000 home dust mites, each certainly one of them scary allergy symptoms and bronchial asthma. You consent to our cookies when you proceed to make use of our web site. Start doing it yourself with the boldness that comes with one hundred+ years of expertise. We've got tens of millions of parts, hundreds of brands, and hundreds of step-by-step movies— every little thing you have to discover it, repair it and end the job right. Most doubtless it is a wiring/electrical problem--not something you wish to mess with your self until you could have experience with rewiring home equipment. Your best wager is taking it in to be repaired by an expert. Put the new filter sheets again between the bag and the nozzle as well as over the exhaust vent. Seal your vacuum so the filters are held in place and check out the vacuum once more. If it doesn’t work, check that your wires are attached to the proper prongs. Buy a new vacuum if you recycle and we will provide you with as much as $200 off on select fashions. Free Estimates– Bring your vacuum to any of our nine places and we are going to provide a quick and full diagnostic to give you an estimate when you wait. Free Expert Help– As our buyer, you’ve made a good friend for life. Call us, text us or come visit and we will be happy to offer you any help we can. We Guarantee our Work– If something goes mistaken with a repair we’ve carried out, we’ll happily fix it. If they are, then the plug was not the difficulty together with your vacuum. Tighten the screws on the aspect of the prongs so the wires have full contact. Slide the base of the plug over the wires to hide them and screw the base into the prongs. Trade in your vacuum at Handy Andy's in New Bedford and get a Handy Andy's Quality Vac™ Best Vacuum, Best Guarantee, Best Service. This could possibly be an indication of a motor at the end of its life. Unusual noises may be brought on by worn motors or jammed parts. If your vacuum is cutting off, you can have an electrical drawback. Unplugging the vacuum from the wall socket will usually flip it off. However, this shouldn't be seen as an alternative to shutting the vacuum off appropriately, as unplugging it with out turning it off might harm some models. It's stuck being on, and when I try to push the off swap it won't turn off. If it doesn’t work or it begins and stops randomly, the plug could also be broken and have to be changed. Replacement vacuum belts could be purchased from house enchancment shops in addition to online retailers. Check the attachments on the tip of your vacuum hose as nicely to see if something is clogging them when you’re making an attempt to use it. Also providing free transport or local supply orders over $25.00. Our 65 years of experience means you can be sure you'll be joyful together with your vacuum and also you ll get a fantastic product for an excellent price that will last. At Mars Discount Vacuum, our proprietor Larry Watkins firmly believes that an knowledgeable buyer is the happiest and best type of customer. With over 30 years expertise in the vacuum business, Larry actually has earned the title “Vacuum Expert”. If your vacuum is exhibiting any of these issues, convey it to Vacuums 360. Manufacturers counsel an annual 24-point Tune-Up to keep your vacuum working like-new for years to come back. We use cookies to personalise content and advertisements, to provide social media options and to analyse our visitors. Our Handy Andy's Quality Vac is a really efficient vacuum that is nicely designed with attachments and options that make it very straightforward to make use of with little effort. Vacuum from one room to a different without unplugging the ability twine. Stark’s Vacuums recycles your old vacuum, whether you buy a brand new one from us or not! Bring your old or broken vacuum and we are going to recycle it accordingly to help defend our landfills. Loaner Vacuum – If we are unable to fix your vacuum on the spot, we'll give you a FREE loaner vacuum to use until yours is mounted. 10% discount on all vacuum equipment, luggage, belts, filters and parts. Make your cut on the base of the plug so that you don’t shorten your twine. Once the plug is cut off, you must see 2-3 inside wires inside the principle cable. If that’s the case in your vacuum, press down on the clip tab and pull it out from the port. Be cautious to not reduce the bristles on your curler or else your vacuum may not work as effectively. Try plugging your vacuum in and turning it on with the swap. Our skilled technicians give you the peace of thoughts knowing the job might be done right. Cleaning your home won’t really feel like a chore with the proper vacuum! Make certain you’re getting essentially the most worth for your cash when you put money into a vacuum from us at Vacuum Doctor. Amazon calculates a product’s star rankings based mostly on a machine discovered model instead of a uncooked knowledge average. The mannequin takes under consideration elements including the age of a score, whether or not the ratings are from verified purchasers, and factors that set up reviewer trustworthiness. Reach all the best way up stairs with out lifting the vacuum. Vacuum tall ceilings, cathedral ceilings, foyers, skylights and ceiling followers and not using a ladder. Best vacuum for hardwood floors, wooden floors, laminate flooring, tile floors, vinyl floors, onerous surfaces and bare flooring of any sort. We've helped 1000's of house owners with their buy of a great vacuum or set up of a central vacuum system. If you are traveling an extended distance in your Oreck tune-up, then please name forward to arrange identical-day service. Because it might shrink, the belt should by no means be close to water. Always store your vacuum in a temperate place so the belt would not turn into brittle and crack. You likely wash your palms a number of occasions a day, but are you doing so effectively? Learn how to minimize the spread of germs with an extra few seconds of scrubbing. When you want a comforting meal however haven't got plenty of time, whip up considered one of these fast pasta recipes. Thanks to all authors for making a page that has been read 544,012 instances. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Clean out the within of your vacuum every 3 months to maintain it working and functioning. Make sure vacuum cleaner repair near me is off and unplugged, then use a pencil or ruler to examine and remove any foreign object. You have come to us so we give you a service, and that's what we intend to do. To preserve the belt, wipe it with a paper towel or cloth. Complete the form or convey your vacuum into any of our 9 Portland, Vancouver or Bend area Stark’s Vacuums locations for a FREE estimate. We Recycle– Bring your vacuum to any of our locations and we'll recycle it at no cost. Click on Shop Parts, or select the type of product you're working with on the left and we'll help you discover the best half. But members who presently personal a corded stick vacuum are much less likely to substitute it with another corded stick vac. Twenty percent of current corded stick vacuum homeowners need their next buy to be a cordless stick vacuum. By distinction, despite the battery issues, just 4 % of cordless stick vacuum house owners wish to buy a corded stick vacuum for his or her next purchase. An average of 14 p.c of uprights had broken belts. Though Shark will get an Excellent score and Miele a Very Good, Black & Decker notched a Poor ranking. Four brands—Bissell, Dirt Devil, Hoover, and Royal—notched blended reviews, getting satisfactory scores for reliability but a Poor rating for owner satisfaction. There are greater than a dozen Shark uprights in our ratings, and also you’ll see the best clustered near the top; 10 make our recommended list. Problems with battery-powered stick vacs are just too prevalent. We are an sincere, treat-the-buyer-like-we-need-to-be-handled household run enterprise. Longwood Vacuum is your positive bet for a educated employees, friendly service, warranted services and products in Central Florida. Plug in your vacuum to an outlet and try turning it on to see if it works. Wrap the wires by hand across the ports of your new plug. Of these, the belts of Dirt Devil, Eureka, Hoover, Kirby, and Oreck break at a higher price than is typical. Here's a have a look at the top-rated cordless stick vacuum from Consumer Reports' lab exams. The remaining six manufacturers all rated Very Good for reliability, but their proprietor satisfaction rankings had been a bit lackluster, ranging from Good to Poor. Three of the 9 brands lined in our survey earn an Excellent rating for model reliability—Shark, Miele, and Black & Decker. But owner satisfaction for these three manufacturers is a special story.

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Best Oregon Coast Shopping Antique Stores

Cannon Beach is pure pleasure to explore, whether you're a client or only a browser. Contemporary portray, sculpture, blended media, jewellery and more from native and nationwide artists. Domestic & worldwide wines & specialty meals in Nye Beach Oregon Coast shopping since 1998 https://oregonsnorthcoast.com/.

Wondering where you’ve heard the town title “Tillamook” before? Taste the answer at theTillamook Cheese Factory, the place samples of cheddar, cheese curds and delectable ice cream demand a cease. All along the coast, dozens of Oregon state parks provide great spots for hikers and campers. Favorite parks for tenting embrace Fort Stevens and Nehalem Bay (both on the north coast) and Honeyman on the central coast.

The Heron's Nest features a big number of presents, collectibles and souvenirs for all ages. Also it’s Christmas 12 months-round at The Heron's Nest with traditional and beach theme decor and gifts for the vacations.

Nye Cottage offers up beads, beading provides, playing cards, books, and presents. It lately moved only a wee bit up the street to 258 NW Coast Street, # I. Newport Tile Works is an artisan tile studio with handcrafted photographs impressed from the shore and the garden. These individualistic tiles are excellent as accent items or for full bathroom, kitchen, or home installations.

Cannon Beach galleries are caught within the '80s, rife with bronze bear sculptures and rainbow sunsets. For anyone able to vomit on that next watercolor of Haystack Rock, Archimedes is not a lot a breath of recent air as a hallelujah chorus. Limited-edition prints show Darth Vader blowing an epic bubblegum bubble or Dan May's depressed storybook creatures, which will look familiar to anyone who's attended a Portland road honest.

The Kite Company is positioned immediately on Highway 101 in Newport. For a style of the dramatic Oregon coastline, drive 10 miles (sixteen km) west of Tillamook to Cape Mears, the first stop on the popular Three Capes Scenic Drive. Enjoy Cape Lookout and Cape Kiwanda before rejoining Highway one hundred and one a few half-hour south of Tillamook. Cannon Beach, 20 minutes further down the highway, can appear a world away, with a laid-again, artsy seashore-city vibe that compels visitors to take it gradual — particularly when the solar is setting behind picturesque Haystack Rock.

This store is Anthropologie-meets-Macys, with a classy seaside fashion. Offering two levels and 6,000 sq. feet, you may savor a visible feast of housewares, furniture, work, clothes and jewelry. The art of interiors is on lovely display in each detail, with each room staged in such comfy magnificence and refined design that you will wish to cozy up and transfer proper in.

Where to Shop?

Monthly author visits, annual e-book festivals and other occasions are provided as properly. World of Gifts in Seaside is the place buyers can discover a large choice of odds and ends as well as trinkets and souvenirs.

features a rainbow of gemstone jewellery from the whimsical to the elegant, in addition to crafts and artworks by a wide range of artists. Glass artwork, bronze and wood sculpture, and metal wall hangings are additionally specialties of the house. For extra data on Nye Beach, see For extra info on Newport, see Beach Connection's digital tour of the area. The items at Toujours Toujours Boutique is a hub of exotic, eclectic, energizing, thrilling pure fiber clothing and accessories for girls, often with a world flair and all the time distinctive.

Seafood carry items to remind you of the bounty of Oregon's ocean and river sources.

Pick up your java at Waves of Grain Bakery (3116 S Hemlock St.; 503.436.9600), which serves domestically roasted Sleepy Monk coffee—along with delectable cinnamon rolls and sticky buns.

Well thought to be the whale watching capital of the Oregon coast, the western edge of Depoe Bay is outlined by a wonderful cliffside seascape that's excellent for recognizing whale spouts.

Surrounding Haystack Rock to the north and south, a white- sand beach invitations sunbathing, sandcastle constructing, and sometimes good conditions to fly a kite.

The organized interior makes the shop straightforward for you to navigate to the trinkets and treasures that you want.

Despite a relatively low inhabitants (less than 1,000 folks), Manzanita supplies plenty of cultural attractions together with stay music, which might usually be heard flowing via the streets. Manzanita additionally supplies a properly-stocked market and loads of places to spend the evening, together with the welcoming The Inn at Manzanita. If you occur to be visiting in September, particularly in case you are a dog owner, make sure to check out the annual Muttzanita Dog and Beach Festival. Inland and surrounding town, the Siskiyou Mountains provide a shocking backdrop and much more to explore.

The Aspirin Shop

Patrons of the Seaside Thrift Store will discover clothes, jewelry, collectibles, furnishings plus many American made and unique gadgets. Blue Bond Studio and Gallery options work by artist Blue Bond carried out in oil on canvas. Animals, people, still life, and surroundings footage delight guests.

Explore Places to Shop

Blue can also be a trainer, and enjoys passing on his huge knowledge to novices and skilled painters alike. The Westport Winery Tasting Room in Seaside presents wine, olive oil, vinegar and gourmand food tasting, plus a fantastic number of wine, decor and coastal gifts. Beach Books is a regionally owned guide retailer that includes best sellers and titles by regional authors.

The Blue Heron additionally presents a wonderful petting farm for the children to visit. If you are in search of a incredible place to eat lunch, attempt the Blue Heron Deli with fresh baked bread and do-it-yourself soups and salads. For a great coastal getaway with out the crowds, Manzanita encourages guests to benefit from the seashore nevertheless they like. Manzanita is a bit more sleepy than different towns on the coast, and this provides to the enchantment if you are looking for a spot to rest and loosen up.

The retailer shares more than 6,500 square ft filled with delta kites, dragon kites, field kits and critter kites. In enterprise since 1991, the retailer also supplies banners and flags.

Spirit of Oregon

The only beach scenes listed here are pop artwork prints from former REI designer and California surfer dude Erik Abel. It's snack time, and lucky for you this retail attraction, with two areas, offers a generous inventory of free samples and treats. Here in the heart of cranberry nation, lovely bogs line the panorama and a rich harvest historical past continues to grow. For nearly 50 years, this household-owned enterprise has created a bounty of cranberry-infused creations, together with candies, cookies, jellies and chocolates. Tradition still runs this show, where all candies are made by hand in small batches — from Oregon's very personal cranberry capital.

Bevens' Market & Deli