CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Robstown High School band took part in this Christmas tree forest celebration over at the Johnny Calderon building Friday.

This is the second year for the display.

Each tree is decorated with a different theme to usher in the holiday spirit.

Nueces County Pct. 5 Constable Oscar Mendoza helps put on the event and says it’s a way to honor the meaning of the season.

“It’s just something that — something fun to bring the departments together and have some fun,” he said. 

The Christmas tree forest also provides a bit of healthy competition for folks at the Calderon building.

The tree with the most votes for best-decorated gets bragging rights for the year.

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The roof on this home is being replaced due to damages from a covered peril (windstorm/hail). During restoration the contractor discovers that the roof sheathing is made up of 1″x6″ wood planks that would normally be acceptable in this jurisdiction if the gaps between the planks were within the acceptable range of the shingle manufacturer, which they are not. This causes a non-nailable surface situation where the roof sheathing must be replaced with either planks with smaller gaps, or plywood/OSB panels. During the replacement of the roof sheathing the contractor discovers a ridge board in the site-built truss system that has failed. This section of ridge board must be replaced, along with the rafters attached to it, in order for the remaining roof sheathing to be installed over a safe, sound structure. It is not known whether this ridge board was damaged due to storm-related or other forces, or if it was damaged during the reroof process. The reroof can’t be completed until these components are fixed. Currently, there is no specific building code that is triggering either of these issues to be addressed independently of the reroof, but they both directly affect the reroof process.

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Modern Deck in Classic Board is Abbey Timber’s original board design. It has a simple and classic-looking wood-grain texture for a contemporary appearance. The lightly embossed 3D wood grain is inspired by the look of a modern real timber finish. Available in nine popular colours, its two board sizes are 140 mm × 22 mm × 5,400 mm and 140 mm × 22 mm × 3,600 mm.

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• No maintenance costs of any kind
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• Solid boards (not hollow)
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• 3D anti-slip wood grain
• Realistic colours and grain
• Will not crack, warp, rot or twist
• Free stainless steel clips and screws
• Superior scratch resistance
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• Termite resistant
• Weather resistant

Modern Deck in Classic Board is Abbey Timber’s original board design. It has a simple and classic-looking wood-grain texture for a contemporary appearance. The lightly embossed 3D wood grain is inspired by the look of a modern real timber finish. Available in nine popular colours, its two board sizes are 140 mm × 22 mm × 5,400 mm and 140 mm × 22 mm × 3,600 mm.

Modern Deck uses the latest technology in machinery and materials with a fully capped co-extrusion outer shell that has a unique lightly embossed realistic 3D anti-slip wood grain pattern, which also provides the ultimate protection for the composite core.

• No maintenance costs of any kind
• 25-year limited warranty
• Solid boards (not hollow)
• Full 360° capping for superior protection
• 3D anti-slip wood grain
• Realistic colours and grain
• Will not crack, warp, rot or twist
• Free stainless steel clips and screws
• Superior scratch resistance
• Superior stain resistance
• Superior fade resistance
• Superior mould resistance
• Termite resistant
• Weather resistant

Head Office

Abbey Timber

41 Heathcote Rd

Moorebank, NSW, 2170

02 9774 2…

Request information

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Business

Newsday

57 Minutes Ago

Personal shopper Shivonne Lee Kit –

Bavina Sookdeo

Having weathered economic storms and global disruptions, Shivonne Lee Kit sheds light on the dynamic changes in people’s spending habits, especially during the Christmas season, and how she has navigated the challenges posed by the pandemic and the shifting economy.

Lee Kit’s journey began as interior designer and decorator fresh out of school at the age of 17.

“My grandmother was an interior designer,” she said, and one of her friends asked me to make a wreath for her. She was amazed with the results and referred me to many other people and that is how my journey as an interior designer and decorator began.

From there, the role evolved into her becoming a personal shopper.

The San Fernando-based personal shopper said, “Life had gotten very challenging and hard for me. There was a time in my life when I lost everything. It was one of the most gut-wrenching journeys of my life and I quickly had to ‘woman up’ because I had my siblings to take care of, my mother had passed away due to cancer and we were swamped with medical debt.

“That actually was the start of my journey as a personal shopper. I always loved shopping for others. I like to give people things and see them happy and I love shopping, especially when I know about the person. I aim to hit the nail on the head. When my mom passed, I had no choice – I had old stuff and new stuff and I put a sale together in my house and I called my neighbours, friends and affiliates…that is basically how I started.”

Lee Kit emphasises the importance of evolving in response to economic shifts and online competition. Her dedication to customer satisfaction and willingness to go the extra mile have been crucial in maintaining a recurring clientele. “Years of experience is certainly the trick to the trade, and so too is being willing to learn and accepting criticism and turning it into something positive to evolve yourself into what you are supposed to be in life.”

Asked if she has a lot of competition, Lee Kit said that she does not as everyone’s personality is different so she can bring unique offerings to her customers.

Her journey reflects her adaptability. Her dedication to customer satisfaction and willingness to go the extra mile have been crucial in maintaining a returning clientele.

Curated and personalised gift baskets with items like chocolates, perfumes, gnomes and cosmetics. –

Lee Kit says there was a significant economic slowdown even before the pandemic hit. However, during the lockdowns, her shopping services became a lifeline for clients seeking convenience when traditional stores were closed. The personal touch she offered became invaluable, allowing her to thrive amidst a broader economic downturn.

“People appreciated the personal touch…I still had my leeway because, as a personal shopper, you have to make your services convenient for people that can afford that type of service,” she explained.

Post-pandemic, though stores reopened, Lee Kit saw a further decline in sales. She faced challenges in sourcing items from suppliers abroad, owing to shortages and staffing issues. But her commitment to personalised service kept her afloat.

She identifies a notable change in consumer behaviour, with a preference for more affordable options. Luxury items, once sought after, are now taking a back seat as people face economic hardships. Clients are becoming more stringent with their budgets, requiring Lee Kit to invest more time in research and sourcing from new suppliers.

“People’s budgets are much lower than before, and they are being very specific about it,” she said.

During the Christmas season, Lee Kit sees an uptick in demand with men seeking convenience and a personal touch. Handbags, jewellery and curated baskets with items like perfumes, gnomes and makeup dominate the wishlists. Emerging trends point to a focus on makeup, advent calendars and jewellery.

Global supply chain disruptions and economic conditions still pose challenges for Lee Kit, especially during the Christmas season, and high shipping costs and inconsistent duties have affected her approach. She relies on early planning, time management and not taking on more than she can handle, to ensure timely fulfilment of clients’ requests.

“The early bird catches the worm, so I start early.”

In a world dominated by online shopping, Lee Kit uses her experience to guide clients, providing insights and recommendations that build trust. They seek her expertise to navigate the overwhelming number of options available online.

“It is a matter of being good at what you do and going the extra mile,” she said.

In the context of TT, Lee Kit sees a robust Christmas business climate. She starts shopping for clients in September. The nation’s multicultural celebration of various festivals, she points out, contributes to a unique and diverse shopping experience.

Lee Kit’s journey is a testament to her resilience. She advises Christmas shoppers to set budgets, prioritise and avoid impulsive buying.

“When you buy impulsively, half the time it goes over your budget and you find yourself at a deficit.”

Drawing on her experiences, she emphasises the value of transparent communication with clients about the intricacies of personal shopping.

“Be mindful that you have to survive after December,” she advised.

Set a budget – do not go over it, make a list, look around, look at your price points etc, do not buy impulsively, because it always has a domino effect. Prioritise. Be mindful that you have to survive after December.

Lee Kit offers practical gift suggestions for under $100, considering the economic struggles many face. Food vouchers, purposeful gifts like hairstyling or nail services and even monetary gifts to cover daily expenses showcase her thoughtful approach.

Originally Appeared Here

Our decking ideas are just what you need to elevate your plot – quite literally speaking. And, if you haven’t considered adding a deck before, now’s the perfect time to do so. Decking is super versatile as a landscaping material for your garden and there are plenty of brilliant styles to choose from to fit your theme.

In fact, with decking, the options are almost endless. You could create a fabulous outdoor zone complete with a cover to use whatever the weather, design a decked pathway to the bottom of the garden, or even use it as a sturdy platform to host an alfresco kitchen area.

Decking can also be used around pools or hot tubs. And, if your garden is set out on different levels with sloping sections, it can be a great way to create more practical and useable areas for dining, entertaining, or lounging. And for small gardens, opting for a decked terrace can be a stylish and low-maintenance option for your landscaping ideas.

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If you arrive at Duke’s Grocery in Navy Yard before New Year’s this holiday season, you’ll be met with a mountain of massive Christmas ornaments. If that’s not whimsical enough, you’ll turn the corner to see the walls coated in tinsel and Christmas crackers and twirling ballerinas in pale blue and gold-glitter tutus suspended from the ceiling, pirouetting endlessly. Plus, there are dozens of nutcrackers strung from the ceiling, pasted on the wall and standing guard by the door that faces Nationals Park. The woman behind these decorations isn’t Clara from the ballet — it’s Adriana Salame Aspiazu, the “Pop Up Bae.”

“Dreamland: The Nutcracker-Inspired Bar” at Duke’s Grocery is one of two holiday bars Salame Aspiazu has designed this year. As I sit down to chat with her and the Duke’s team about how the bar came together, a tiny, fluffy head pops out of her bag. Pumpum, her 6-year-old toothless Pomeranian — dressed in a Santa Claus costume, naturally — wakes up to say hello, his tongue flopping out of the side of his mouth. His owner matches in a sweater featuring Lil Nas X dressed as Santa.

How did Salame Aspiazu, a 35-year-old with twinkling eyes and a big, red-lipstick smile, become the sugar plum fairy of choice among D.C. bar owners? Well, settle in, kids, and we’ll tell you a tale.

The D.C. area’s best holiday bars

During her childhood in Ecuador and the United States, Salame Aspiazu’s family were hardly Grinches — aside from a few grumpy exceptions, she notes — but she always had the most Christmas spirit by far. She would spontaneously burst into Christmas carols, helped by the fact that she performed in choirs her whole life, and always looked forward to the warm glow of the holiday season. At a young age, she also found a passion for working with her hands — she would create sculptures from Play-Doh and sticks — and problem-solving. These latter interests led her to pursue a biology degree at Carnegie Mellon University, an experience that she says informed her ability to create an “order of operations” in her design work.

But she fell into decorating much like Clara fell into the world of “The Nutcracker.” In 2015, Salame Aspiazu’s sister, who worked in hospitality, asked her to help manage a Christmas-themed pop-up bar called Miracle on Seventh Street in the Shaw neighborhood of Northwest Washington. She obliged, having worked at bars and in recording studios before — she came to D.C. from Los Angeles, where she worked with famed record producer Chucky Thompson. She teamed up with her business partner and friend Matt Fox to help organize the drinks, decorate the space and work behind the bar. As anyone living in the District back then will tell you, it was a smash hit, and the launchpad for Salame Aspiazu to begin working in bar design full time. It was exhausting, but the feeling of bringing people together with her work made her heart grow three sizes that season.

“It was a crazy winter, but I really appreciated being behind the bar because you could [understand] how people traverse the space,” she says. She learned, for example, that it’s better to hang decor from the ceiling than the walls — otherwise, a patron may leave with a 3-foot-tall reindeer in hand.

As the years went on, Miracle ballooned in scale, including forests of hanging ornaments; references to the Netflix show “Stranger Things,” complete with programmed flashing lights and a Demogorgon; and a “Chinese food and a movie” room to reference Fox’s Jewish heritage. Salame Aspiazu and Fox hosted pop-ups routinely for five years with Drink Company, each with their own theme. For the Cherry Blossom Festival, they launched Cherry Blossom PUB, cloaking the bar in faux flowers and infusing a different homage to Japan each year (one year, they created a Super Mario Brothers/Cherry Blossom Festival fusion that landed them on the Reddit homepage). At full swing, Drink Company hosted up to four pop-up bars a year.

Cut to January 2020: The pair decided to stop working the pop-ups. They had become exhausted by five years of decorating and redecorating, drink planning and bartending. Though they loved the celebrations, they considered pivoting in different directions. Salame Aspiazu returned to Ecuador for eight months after the pandemic hit, spending time with her family and celebrating a smaller-scale Christmas. However, she still made sure to deck the halls of her family home with lights and pine wreaths. She returned to D.C. eight months later and began to field design requests for all sorts of items, this time as a solo designer. One such request was from the Washington Wizards and Michelob, who requested her hand in making plasma-ball chairs. She says this helped launch her solo career in bar design, including her work at Maxwell Park, where she put on a “bejeweled” Taylor Swift-themed Christmas celebration to celebrate the 2022 release of “Midnights.”

“That was definitely a highlight in terms of seeing all the Swifties screaming Taylor Swift at the top of their lungs,” she says, laughing. “I’m pretty sure the bartenders are traumatized — every time they hear Taylor Swift, they have PTSD.”

From conception to execution, Salame Aspiazu says, this year’s Duke’s Grocery design took about four weeks of 15-hour-a-day work. She chose “The Nutcracker” as a reference to Duke’s British theme — the British are very fond of the seasonal ballet, she says — and also because of her own love of music and performance. She researched the ballet, read the story on which it was based and visited the bar to work out the specs.

She then built a 3D model of the decorations using a computer program — a helpful skill set from college — so she could map out where each wreath, mouse king and ornament would go. This also helps her clients remember where decorations go for future years, should they want to reuse anything. With approval from the Duke’s team, she began sourcing her materials. She’s especially proud of the perpetually twirling ballerinas, each of which she hand-painted with glitter, gently laced with gold foil and made spin with “Christmas magic” (read: small motors attached to each dancer). She also modified the oversize Christmas lights on the ceiling by hand.

After the holidays are over? Well, she leaves cleanup for her clients to worry about, in case they plan to reuse decorations in future years. After all, do kids ever clean up their wrapping paper on Christmas morning, or do they leave it for their parents?

These days, Salame Aspiazu designs pop-ups and bars across the country for events all year long, sometimes bringing Pumpum with her, but Christmas is far and away her favorite.

“This type of work and creating these environments so people can have wonderful memories, and enjoy their Christmas — that’s what gets me out of bed in the morning,” she says. “The most important thing is the people’s look on their faces, and [seeing] how all the hard work and all the hours were worth it.”

Originally Appeared Here

12/05/2023
Sharon Swanepoel
Community, Government
0

Gwinnett County officials are urging safety in the home this holiday season.

“Holiday decorations are a joy for many during the sea­son, but it’s crucial to be aware of potential fire haz­ards. Every year during the holiday season, fires injure more than 2,600 people and cause millions of dollars in property damage. No matter your décor choices, it’s essential to follow the manufacturer’s instructions,” officials note in a press release, adding the following tips that will help make the holiday season a safe and enjoyable time for the whole family.

• Maintain your holiday lights
• Avoid overloading electrical outlets
• Never leave holiday lights on unattended
• Water your live tree and check for freshness daily
• Use nonflammable decorations

Holiday Lights

• Maintain your holiday lights: Inspect holiday lights for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinks or wear before they are used.
• Do not overload electrical outlets: Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions specifically indicate it is safe to connect more. Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet. Periodically check the wires— they should not be warm to the touch.
• Do not leave holiday lights on when unattended: Never leave holiday decorations on unattended. When leaving the house, be sure to turn the Christmas tree off and blow out holiday candles.

Holiday Decorations

• Use only nonflammable decorations: All decorations should be nonflammable or flame-retardant and placed away from heat vents. Never put wrapping paper in a fireplace; burning wrapping paper can produce toxic gases.
• Choose the right artificial tree: If you are using a metallic or artificial tree, make sure it is flame retardant.

Candle Care

• Use caution with lit candles: One-third of home decoration fires are started by candles. Be sure candles are in stable holders and cannot be easily knocked over.
• Don’t leave candles unattended: Never leave the house with candles burning. Blow out candles before you leave a room and make sure they’re extinguished.
• Never put lit candles on a tree: Do not go near a holiday tree with an open flame—candles, lighters, or matches.

Finally, as in every season, have a working smoke alarm and portable fire extinguisher (ABC) on every level of the home and develop a home escape plan. Practice fire drills with the entire family.

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Nolan Schultz checked out the decorated Christmas trees at the home of Lorraine Reiter and Dawn Lee, during the Lyon County Historical Society’s holiday home tour on Sunday.

MARSHALL — Santas, snowmen, Christmas trees of all sizes — there was plenty to see on the Lyon County Historical Society’s Holiday Home Tour this weekend. Marshall area homeowners said putting up special decorations to share with area residents was a big undertaking, but a fun one.

Dawn Lee said she had been up until about 2:30 in the morning getting ready for the tour.

“It’s fun,” she said. “I just like sharing the happy.”

The Home Tour, an annual fundraiser for the Historical Society, was held Sunday afternoon. This year’s tour featured the homes of Dennis and Carol White, Lorraine Reiter and Dawn Lee, and Tim and Donna Swenson in Marshall.

The tour is “kind of the kickoff of the holiday season,” said Lyon County Museum director Jennifer Andries. Visitors like to make an event of the tour, and maybe also visiting the museum, or going out for a meal, she said. “People look forward to it every year.”

The homes featured this year covered a range of different eras and architectural styles. The oldest house on the tour was Dennis and Carol White’s home, which was built in 1915. Through the years, the different residents of the house have kept some of its details.

“The woodwork is original,” as were some of the light fixtures, Carol White said. Some of the Whites’ furniture also had its own history that blended in with the style of the house. Carol pointed out some of the pieces that came from her grandparents’ homestead. “I tried to save things,” she said.

Being featured on the tour was a bit of a change for Carol, who is a member of the Historical Society board. But she hoped people had a good time visiting her and Dennis’s home.

“We figured other people might just as well enjoy it,” she said.

Of course, fun collections and decorations were also a big part of what people could see on the home tour. Visitors at the Whites’ house were greeted by a big bunch of holiday teddy bears. At Lorraine Reiter and Dawn Lee’s home, the decorations included 10 different Christmas trees, as well as a collection of Santa Claus figures. Lee estimated that her mother Lorraine had around 500 Santas.

“She’s 90, so she’s been collecting for a long time,” Lee said.

Getting ready for the tour in Marshall began well in advance of the event, Lee said.

“I started probably the week before Halloween,” she said.

At their home, Tim and Donna Swenson shared both special items they had collected – like keepsakes from trips to Ukraine and antique dishes – as well as furniture and decorations they made themselves.

“I enjoy painting, and Tim enjoys working with wood,” Donna said. She had painted many of the artworks displayed around Some of Donna’s acrylic paintings went well with the holiday theme of the tour, like a group of snowman paintings in the living room.

Tim said he had more time to enjoy woodworking after retiring. He had built items like a coffee table and a hexagon-shaped card table in the Swensons’ home. For the top of the card table, he used alternating stripes of black walnut and butternut wood, with inlaid trim. “It was a little bit of a challenge to get all the angles right,” he said.

Andries said the turnout for this year’s tour was looking positive. A steady stream of people visited the tour stops on Sunday, homeowners and volunteers said.

“The biggest part (of the tour) is, the homeowners opening up their homes,” Andries said. “We’re grateful for them, to do that.”

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Available nationwide, across the distributor’s network of 13 depots, Accoya Grey from James Latham, combines the modified timber’s unique attributes with a new, sultry, smoky shade of grey for cladding that delivers both style and substance.

The introduction of a grey variation responds to an increasing appetite amongst architects for more muted colourways, to achieve elegant and understated facades which achieve a balance between the striking and subtle. Full-body coloured, from surface to core, visual consistency is guaranteed even when the material is cut.

Manufactured according to Accsys’ proprietary acetylation process, Accoya Grey is ultra-durable with low porosity making it suitable for most commercial and residential cladding and decking applications. Possessing Durability Class 1 means it’s well-suited for use in locations with adverse weather conditions, particularly wind-driven rain. Furthermore, it requires no coating, resulting in efficiency gains and fewer resources used during installation.

Image credit: James Latham

Similar to all products in the range, Accoya Grey is also easy to work with, the boards are relatively lightweight and can be machined to a wide range of profiles. This is a service that James Latham is also equipped to offer in-house through its specialist timber manufacturing business, Dresser Mouldings. Servicing both the UK and Ireland, the dedicated team can prepare the Accoya cladding or decking panels for contractors to simply plug and play when they arrive on-site.

That’s not all, Accoya Grey is also equipped to meet, and surpass, the strict sustainability requirements found in most contemporary design briefs. This includes Cradle-to-Cradle Certified® Gold, guaranteeing its carbon neutrality and making it an environmentally friendly material choice, particularly when compared to many traditional materials.

Commenting on the introduction of Accoya Grey, Justin Hayward, Technical Timber Manager at James Latham, said: “This new colour within the Accoya portfolio demonstrates how its manufacturer, Accsys, has its finger on the pulse when it comes to trend-watching. Likewise, we’ve noticed an increasing demand from our specifier audience for grey-toned timber, so it’s great to be able to offer such an attractive option that possesses a superior degree of strength and low carbon credentials.”

Accoya Grey is available in a variety of dimensions, with prices available on enquiry, according to project scope and requirements.

> Since you’re here, why not read about a student competition that James Latham was involved in?

James Latham is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

Main image credit: James Latham

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Picture © Pixabay

Shannon will be decking the halls this evening as their Christmas lights will be turned on.

The event gets underway in the Town Park at 5:30pm with the lead up to the countdown, then the night concludes with choir music and a visit from Mr and Mrs Claus.

The Cathaoirleach of the Shannon Municipal District, Donna McGettigan has the role of switching on the Christmas Lights for what she hopes will become an annual event in the town.

 

She is reminding children to be wrapped up for the cold weather tonight before meeting Santa.

Listen to the full interview here

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