New Photos

Frequent inspection tours ~ 

Wouldn't you, if it were yours??

One door on the conference room (and one to go) ~

(If you went to Brighton Elementary, you might remember these doors.)

Trim surrounding the office doors and windows ~ 

Custom-made trim on architectural features, and sconce lighting ~ 

New cabinets in the work area ~ 

In lieu of 1,000 words …

Problem: the new steel ceiling panels in Apartment 2 don't blend with the 80 year old ones. 

Solution: Mike's hidden talent as a spray paint artist. 

In Commercial 1, future home of the Bryson Village - drywall!

In the Chamber of Commerce office area, view from the front door towards the work area, 

and turning slowly to the right, the stairs and two offices ~ 

From the Main Street office *fingers crossed!* on the mezzanine looking back toward the front door ~

the lighted doorway and window above are in the conference room,

and hex tile flooring in the bathrooms. Let the plumbing begin!

Hangin' Near the Ceiling

Hector is sealing the little irregularities in the tin ceiling before painting this section. Looking down is not an option -- this is the 26' high section! The mezzanine railing is visible just behind the scaffolding.

In other news ~

There is paint in the offices, and there is tile on the bathroom floor (singular - one down and one to go). The monster scaffold has moved to a new location and the ceiling and walls in that area are getting paint, too. Window trim has been installed over the main stairway.

Catching up with the Chamber Offices

Sunday, January 13, 2008

brr-ring … brr-ing
Me: Hello?
Caller: Hi, this is ___. Um, you might want to put the Chamber of Commerce offices on a fast track.
Me: Why?
Caller: Their building is on fire.


Yes, it was.

Dramatically!

So we did.


Painting the ceiling had already started, and the primer and finish color went on the walls in the next few days.

Meanwhile, on Monday morning, the Chamber of Commerce and WEDG "moved" into a nearby storefront and went back to work. Apparently some leftover furniture, a bit of good luck, a new telephone, and a lot of heart is all it takes to keep on ticking.
No, I know they had a lot of help, but the grace and speed with which this crisis was handled was impressive.

Open For Business

Washington Soup Kitchen has passed all inspections, and is open for business on Tuesday through Saturday evenings, starting at 5:00 pm.

~ view of the lobby as one departs ~


~ great drinks!


~ decor is taking shape, like this gold plated jazz trombone ~
What's a jazz trombone? You'll have to ask Tim about it.

Yes! We Made It!

Opening Night ~ December 31, 2007







Catfish

Monday, December 31, 2007

9:15 AM
With the tables and chairs unpacked and scattered throughout, it was almost no time until the first customers were seated.


These three are actually Jason, Troy, and Walt, and without their energy and dedication, there is no way we would have opened tonight. Thanks, Guys! (Oh, they said to be sure and tell you that they are just on break.)

10:45 AM
Terry hangs the stage curtains, with supervision and help from Julie.



Meanwhile, Mike is assembling the shelving unit which holds the sound system,



and Vicky is working on the temporary bar top, sanding and staining it.



1:30pm
Craig came in with Art and worked on more tables. Art was already hung - over the food table, and on the south wall.



Joe and Mike put up the stage lights, and then testing began on the sound system.



3:34 pm
Finally the plumbers turned on the water! We were through cleaning without water, and going half way around the block to get to a restroom.


Well, that's what we thought. The water coming through the wall and training across the floor said otherwise. Repairs began immediately.

4:00 pm
Wait staff arrive for their last minute instructions.


They seem to be running around in a tizzy, you say? Yup.

4:30 pm
Construction crews were packed, the trash was gone, and one of the last signs of construction, our 'chandelier' was taken down.



The inspectors came in one by one and took their clipboards for a tour. Christine brought the food; Cindy brought supplies. Ryan put up the thermostat and changed the furnace filter. I left to go home for dinner before dressing up and returning to the Washington Soup Kitchen's New Year's Eve party.


Outside, the snow had stopped and it was cold and clear.

Happy New Year, Washington!

Dec. 30 Comes and Goes Quickly

There were lots of helpers of all ages and may things were accomplished.


Booths in place √


Tables assembled √


Chairs unpacked √


It took some serious discussion, and two tries to get the back bar in place.


Painting stopped about 10:00 pm.

Saturday Noon

Exit door with lighted exit signs √



Lavatories in the Ladies √ (flooring and stalls and um…'fixtures' √ too)



Back room prep and cleanup area - no √ yet



But the lights are ON!



and the bar is almost √


The lighted effect is just a work light right now, but the whole bar will be lighted when it's finished.

Race Against Time!

Grand Opening New Year's Eve ~ click for details ~


The glass block bar is under construction. Photo taken Dec. 27.


Lighting over the booths. Photo taken Dec. 27.


All important feature in any entertainment venue. Photo taken Dec. 27.

Painting is in progress in areas that have been finished. All construction crews are working as fast as they can.

Tables & chairs & booths √
Sinks √
Fire alarm system √
Food and beverages √
Entertainment hired √
Stemware & plates √
Paper goods √

"Save panic for last."

The Chamber's Chambers

Be sure to click on the photo so you can read the notes.

Let's just say that there has been a LOT of drywall compound applied this week, but since it all looks the same, one photo will tell the story. The scaffold is a construction marvel all by itself.

This view is from the south end of the mezzanine, looking toward the front door on the main floor. That's the NEW front door, located at 205 W. Main Street. The small rectangle of light is the sidelight by the door.

If you're looking from outside, the two arched windows are the two nearest the back of the building (west).

The Work Goes On

Starting in the basement, we can see the dramatic effects of a work party. Friends and relatives arrived last weekend and produced part of a walk-in cooler



and reinstalled most of the metal ceiling. The furnace and ductwork are installed and working, too.



The special wall surfaces are going up in the prep area



and the rainbow truck has delivered miles of wire for the sound system.