I've wondered if this applies to only first impressions or any impression.  We've all heard the expression "You only have one chance to make a first impression" and that certainly is true but is that the only chance you have to make an impression.  This concept keeps coming up as it relates to historic preservation and it's impact on a community.  Here in Florida, our economy is and most likely always will be heavily tourism based.  Not everyone comes to Florida to experience Disney.  With that it mind, a large number of tourists actually seek out quaint, older towns that have a lot of charm.  That charm comes primarily from the sense of space and place that can only be achieved by the preservation of the original structures built when the community was born.  You just can't build old, no matter how "look-a-like" it might be.  
That said, many communities, especially smaller towns, have been successful in attracting some of those tourist dollars to their towns by being willing to make a second first-impression to preservation of their assets.  Just someth
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If you are a residential water account holder in the City of Tampa you may be eligible for a $250 rebate to switch from a working in-ground irrigation system to a new micro-irrigation system.  The City is offering this rebate for irrigation of no-turf areas of your landscape in an effort to improve water efficiency throughout the City.  I installed a micro-irrigation system when we first planted ground cover (instead of sod) throughout our entire front yard.  The watering restrictions for micro-irrigation systems were non-existent at that time.  I'm happy to say that our ground cover now survives on rainfall alone and we were able to remove the micro-irrigation system and move it to another area of the yard.  Go to www.Tampagov.net/SaveWater to learn more about these rebates.
PS:  Hillsborough County's Extension Office offers a FREE micro-irrigation workshop to any Hillsborough County resident.  You know I love free!!!! See their calendar of upcoming workshops at http://hillsborough.extension.ufl.edu/calendar.html

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In Florida, which is where I am, the typical duct tape used to connect one section of duct work to another does not stay "stuck".  Most duct work is located in the attic and that attic is very hot and very humid.  As the adhesive in duck tape gets hot, it begins to soften (aka melt) and the duct work begins to separate.  This causes gaps to form allowing the cool air in the duct to escape into the attic.  The mice in the attic say thank you but your wallet says "Yeow!!!!!".  Using mastic instead of duct tape overcomes this problem.  You want to make sure you ask for this type of connecting adhesive when you new a/c system is installed.  Too late?  Ask the company that services your a/c unit every year about replacing the duct tape with mastic.  It may be worth the investment.
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Hi All.  This is a link to an interview I had with Focus Magazine South Tampa edition for their April issue.  Let me know if this is useful to you.
http://issuu.com/focusmag/docs/www.focussouthtampa.com/19
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Here is tip #2 in my series of "Green Things" videos.  I hope you find these useful.
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Water is actually cosidered a solvent - most people were not aware of this. Watch for suggestions are where to inspection - regularly!!!!
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A few of us have been talking about what our own challenges have been, on a day-to-day basis, about maintaining our houses.  Aside from the usual "I can't get a handle on the clutter" or "I wish I could win the lottery so I can have a full time housekeeper" comments most of us agreed that caulking was the biggest needed task andyet is the least likely to be done regularly chore.
As a contractor I recognize that there is a reason water is considered a solvent.  It is very destructive regardless of the source.  Nothing is safe when it comes to water leaks/seeps/weeps.  I hate to caulk about as much as I hate filing but I also know how expensive it will get if I get lazy on this one small, very inexpensive, chore. 
What is your biggest UGH
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In the more recent years we have seen an increase in requests for "second opinons" on construction projects.  These requests have been primarily from homeowners who want to do portions of the projects themselves but need the services of a contractor for the portions that are beyond the homeowner's skills. 

First, I applaud the Homeowner who recognizes their own limitations.  We all have them, we just don't all acknowledge them.  Second, I applaud the Homeowner who will seek out advice.  So often we are left with the notion that we must do all of the research ourselves in order for the information to be reliable.  This could not be further from the truth.  Ask for help...

If you have a specific question or need some general direction, ask the question.  Ask the question here.  I would rather come in and finish a project that had been started and done well then have to straighten out a project that was done poorly.  Folks I can tell, this is when it gets expensive.  Funny, there is never enough money to do it right the first time but we seem to find the money to do it a second time when it was done wrong the first time.  I don't get it.
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Post Title. 12/31/2011
 
The gang at Innovative Restorations Inc. wants to wish you all a very Happy New Year!
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