25-01-2012 12:47 Hotel and Resort photography and video by PhotoWeb (photowebusa.com) ***************************************************************** Hotel and Resort still photography, video and YouTube videos by PhotoWeb (photowebusa.com). PhotoWeb's Virtual Tours, videos, YouTube videos, Digital Stills and Worldwide Distribution allow clients to put their most powerful media where the booking decisions are made. Photo Web has been providing cutting edge imaging services since 1996. With offices in the US, UK, Australia, Japan, India, and Colombia, PhotoWeb provides services worldwide. For further information, please contact sales@photowebusa.com or telephone: +1-614-882-3499. Video © 2011, Photoweb Pure Digital Photography Inc.

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New York, NY. (PRWEB) February 06, 2012

NEW YORK, NY. February 6, 2012 – ShoreGroup, Inc., a premier professional services and software solutions firm, today announced that it has achieved Identity Services Engine (ISE) Authorized Technology Provider (ATP) designation from Cisco Systems. This core specialization recognizes ShoreGroup’s knowledge and expertise in designing, deploying, and supporting comprehensive Cisco ISE products and services.

With the Cisco ATP for Identity Services Engine designation, ShoreGroup is qualified to support the requirements that mid-sized to enterprise-scale organizations have when deploying a wide-range of network security technologies and applications. Earning this credential validates that ShoreGroup possesses the specialized architectural and engineering skills as well as the resources necessary to build comprehensive, next-generation identity and access control solutions that enable enterprises to enforce compliance while enhancing infrastructure security and streamlining service operations. Cisco ISE is a policy component of Cisco TrustSec® that integrates with Cisco Network Admission Control (NAC), and can be deployed as an appliance or virtual machine to enforce security policy on all devices that attempt to gain access to network infrastructure.

“With the continued growth in telecommuting and enterprises now adopting ‘bring your own device (BYOD)’ policies, managing access control and devices to unmistakably know who was on your network, where they went, and what they accessed is growing more complex,” said Barry Katzman, ShoreGroup’s Director of Sales Engineering. “Obtaining the Cisco Identity Services Engine Authorized Technology Provider designation further bolsters ShoreGroup’s expertise in designing and supporting enterprise-class security solutions that leverage the intelligence of the network to protect infrastructure and intellectual data.”

“Earning the ISE Authorized Technology Partner designation not only recognizes ShoreGroup’s ongoing commitment to providing exceptional security-based solutions to our customers, but also distinguishes ShoreGroup from other network infrastructure security providers in the market,” added Robert Ditta, ShoreGroup’s Executive Vice President. “ShoreGroup’s ongoing commitment to invest in training and education demonstrates our responsibility to offer our customers best-of-breed products and services to protect their network infrastructure.”

In addition to being a Cisco Authorized Technology Provider (ATP) for Identity Services Engine, ShoreGroup is a Cisco Gold Partner holding the Cisco Master Unified Communications Specialization. ShoreGroup has also achieved Cisco Advanced Specializations in Data Center Networking Infrastructure, Data Center Storage Networking, Routing and Switching, Security, and Wireless LAN. The company is a Cisco Authorized Technology Partner (ATP) for Customer Voice Portal and Unified Contact Center Enterprise, and is a TelePresence Commercial Partner.

ShoreGroup’s Cisco Managed Service certifications include Managed Services Master Channel Partner for Cisco Managed Unified Communications, Managed Contact Center Services, and Managed Service White Label Producer.

About ShoreGroup, Inc.

ShoreGroup provides industry-leading management applications, maintenance services, professional services and product solutions for unified communications, contact centers, virtualized data centers and networks.

ShoreGroup develops innovative, automated management software applications on its dynamic CaseSentry® platform, which eliminates the pitfalls of traditional enterprise management software to empower IT, telecom and contact center support organizations to easily and effectively manage availability, performance and service processes within complex networked environments. The company's ShorePatrol® Remote Management Service expands upon CaseSentry to include quality maintenance and support services that clients rely upon to ensure the availability of their vital business processes. ShoreGroup’s management platform and remote management services are also available globally through OEM relationships with major industry-leading manufacturers and service providers. ShoreGroup’s Sextant™ Contact Center Analytics solution provides the operational and business visibility that enterprise contact centers require to drive performance and efficiency.

ShoreGroup’s professional service portfolio includes leading product solutions and complete consultation, design and implementation services for high-availability networks and data centers. The company’s expertise in advanced network technologies including unified communications and contact centers, collaboration, data center, LAN/WAN, wireless and security produces effective solutions that enable clients to derive the maximum business advantage and value from their information technology investment. As a Cisco Gold Certified Partner with Masters and advanced specializations, ShoreGroup’s services are backed by solid industry credentials.

Additional information about ShoreGroup’s products and services can be found at http://www.shoregroup.com.

Cisco and Cisco Systems are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. in the U.S. and certain other countries. ShoreGroup®, SG Logo®, CaseSentry®, ShorePatrol® and THE ART OF IT® are registered trademarks, and Sextant™ and THE ART OF IP™ are trademarks of ShoreGroup, Inc. All other marks are property of their respective owners.

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ShoreGroup Achieves Cisco ATP for Identity Services Engine Designation

(MENAFN - Qatar News Agency) Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company, an international leader in sustainable development, has won an award on its Diar Dushanbe mixed-use development this month, as the company opens construction tendering and begins earthworks at the development site.

A Diar press release, issued today, said the Diar Dushanbe project was named "best decorative" architectural project in Tajikistan for 2011 and will provide a range of residential, commercial and entertainment opportunities in the country s capital, Dushanbe.

The award honored Qatari Diar s "Diar Dushanbe" project for excellence in architectural decoration, and was presented by the Tajik government s Agency of Construction and Architecture and the Association of Builders of Tajikistan.

"We are honored to receive this recognition from the Tajik government and the Association of Builders in Tajikistan. Diar Dushanbe has been carefully designed to bring together the best of modern architecture with the beauty of traditional patterns and design in a contemporary urban setting," commented Eng. Mohamed bin Ali Al Hedfa, Group CEO of Qatari Diar.

"Residents of Diar Dushanbe will enjoy an affordable and high-quality lifestyle, complete with world-class residential services, at the heart of the Tajik capital," added Al Hedfa.

In late August of this year, the State of Qatar and the Republic of Tajikistan signed an agreement permitting Qatari Diar to begin work on Diar Dushanbe. After an extensive study and rigorous design and planning process, the company has wasted no time in starting work on the 68,000 square-meter Diar Dushanbe development.

"We are eager to start work on our first project in Central Asia and we are proud to be bringing local contractors on board to do so. Through Diar Dushanbe, Qatari Diar is not only signaling our support for Tajikistan s economy and our confidence in the country s real estate market We are providing jobs and a new urban lifestyle for Tajik nationals and residents," said Al Hedfa.

This month, the company began tendering for the first phase of construction on the project, which will include a 67-units residential tower, an office building, the central plaza. Qatari Diar has appointed five local Tajik contractors to start site preparation and earthworks, utilities replacement, site fencing, and construction of the Diar Dushanbe sales center.

The company has also invited international consultants to tender for detail design services for the development s second and third phases, which includes residential and commercial buildings with extensive retail and office space.

Qatari Diar also plays an active role in supporting various aspects of the local business sector in Tajikistan. Recently, the company sponsored the Second National Tourism Conference in Tajikistan in a gesture of support for the country s tourism sector. The conference, held on the 27th of September last year, brought together key stakeholders in Tajikistan s tourism sector to discuss the sector and its role in the country s economic development. The company previously sponsored the Organisation of the Islamic Conference s (OIC) Business Forum in Dushanbe in May 2010. The forum was aimed at promoting trade and joint venture investment among Islamic countries.

Wholly owned by Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company, Diar Dushanbe will create an integrated community development on the idyllic waterfront of the Gissar Canal overlooking the Kuli Javonon Lake. Diar Dushanbe will also provide a variety of leisure facilities, a shopping center, and a waterfront promenade surrounded by ample green spaces and landscaped gardens.

Diar Dushanbe will provide 1,500 jobs during project implementation and 400 jobs for the ongoing operation of the hospitality component, stores, restaurants and other facilities included in the development. The first phase of construction is expected to commence in early 2012.

Qatari Diar Tajikistan, the company responsible for managing the development of Diar Dushanbe, is a limited local company wholly owned by Qatari Diar that was established in May 2008. The company s team will combine local knowledge with international expertise to bring the Diar Dushanbe development to life.

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Qatar- Diar Dushanbe "Best Decorative" Architectural Project in Tajikistan for 2011

By Sandra Baker

sabaker@star-telegram.com

Donnie Sherwood, managing director of the Fort Worth office of Integra Realty Resources, has been named the 2011 recipient of the Charles D. Tandy Commercial REALTOR Award from the Society of Commercial Realtors.

The award is given to an SCR member who best exemplifies the highest professional standards for a commercial realtor. It has been handed out since 1990."It is truly a great honor," Sherwood said. "The ideals of professionalism as a commercial Realtor exemplified by the past recipients set a high standard for me to live up to. Charles Tandy was a great asset to our community, and his leadership helped Fort Worth grow into the vibrant and diverse city we see today."Sherwood has been an appraiser of all types of real property and has been involved in real estate valuation and consulting since 1978.Firm to design schoolVLK Architects in Fort Worth has been awarded work for the design of a new school in Bridgeland, northwest of Houston.The school will be the Cypress-Fairbanks school district's 53rd elementary school. It will be large enough for 1,120 students and will feature a two-story design, the firm said.The school is planned to open in the fall of 2013.Firm sells buildingResidential architect company PlanStyles by Ken Dick has sold its 3,300-square-foot building at 4320 W. Vickery Blvd. to the Parthenon Group.The company is moving to an office at 3537 W. Seventh St.Jayson Williams with Innovative Developers represented the seller.Kirk Kelly and Jay O'Jibway with Transwestern represented the buyer.Transactions100 Lexington St., Fort WorthSlack & Davis law firm has leased 3,251 square feet in Lexington Place. Grant Huff with Transwestern represented the tenant. David Cason with Centra Partners represented the landlord.2900 Dean Road, Fort WorthGoFrac, an oil and natural gas fracturing services firm, has leased 14,371 square feet of industrial space from Barney Holland Oil Co. Todd Hawpe and Jeff Givens with Transwestern negotiated the lease.675 N. Henderson St., Fort WorthO'Neal Drilling, an oil and natural gas producer, long located at 920 N. Main St., has bought a 13,588-square-foot building from Trinity Property. Jack Huff and Kyle Poulson with Transwestern represented the buyer. Frank Taylor and David Walters with Jones Lang LaSalle represented the seller.1000 S. Main St., MansfieldAvery Oil and Tool has leased 10,000 square feet of office/warehouse space. Jordan Foster and Jim Maibach with Peyco Southwest Realty represented the landlord.6720 Exchange Drive, MansfieldPremier Diesel and Auto Repair has leased 12,000 square feet of office/warehouse space. Jordan Foster and Jim Maibach with Peyco Southwest Realty represented the landlord. Sarah Zafarano with Mote & Associates represented the tenant.

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Fort Worth Realtor is 2011 recipient of Tandy Award

Romania's president has nominated a new prime minister, hours after the government resigned. Former leader Emil Boc faced public protests and an opposition boycott of parliament due to his stringent austerity program.

Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc resigned on Monday after weeks of protests against austerity measures he introduced.

"I have decided to tender the resignation of my government," Boc said in a cabinet meeting that was broadcast live.

DW.DE

Frustrated Romanians have been marching in Bucharest and other large cities for several days, armed with a growing list of grievances. Government officials have called for calm, but there's no end in sight. (17.01.2012) 

He defended his record, saying that he had "taken difficult decisions thinking about the future of Romania, not because I wanted to, but because I had to."

President Traian Basescu later appointed foreign intelligence chief Mihai Razzvan Ungureanu as the new prime minister, asking him to form a Cabinet, which must subsequently be approved by parliament.

Ungureanu said in a brief statement that his priority would be "the economic and political stability of Romania." The 43-year-old, a former foreign minister, is considered a loyal ally of Basescu. The opposition Liberal party, which opposes Basescu as it did Boc, has said that its parliamentary boycott is likely to continue.

Prior to announcing Ungureanu as his nominee for prime minister, Basescu had appointed Catalin Predoiu to serve as caretaker prime minister until a new Cabinet could be assembled. The lawyer was chosen as the only politically independent cabinet minister; he resigned from the opposition Liberal Party in 2008.

Controversial austerity measures

Tens of thousands of people had braved extreme cold over recent weeks to protest the social hardships caused by government belt-tightening.

Boc was a casualty of austerity

Boc's center-right cabinet pushed through harsh austerity measures, which included tens of thousands of job cuts, public salaries being slashed by a quarter and tax hikes. In return Bucharest received a 20-billion-euro ($26.3-billion) bailout from the International Monetary Fund and European Union.

The former leader's Democratic Liberal Party saw its support fall to 15 percent within a month and opposition politicians had been calling for new elections.

Boc, who took office in 2008, urged politicians on Monday to quickly organize snap elections. Parliamentary elections had been planned for later this year.

ncy/msh/ccp (Reuters, DAPD, AP, dpa)

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Romania scrambles to appoint replacement PM

ASPEN — Construction activity in unincorporated Pitkin County continued to slide in 2011, while building within the city of Aspen picked up slightly, according to year-end figures compiled by the building departments for both governments.

Both the city and county have trimmed their building staffs in response to the downturn in activity over the past few years, but in the city at least, potential interest in projects began to rebound last year, according to Chris Bendon, community development director. Preapplication conferences and plan reviews in Bendon's office are the first step in issuing construction-related permits, and Bendon said his staff saw an uptick in those services during 2011, though the number barely exceeded 2010's totals.

It's difficult to know if consultations will lead to actual building applications, Bendon added.

“We are seeing more preapplication conferences … more interest in properties — definitely an increase in activity over years past,” he said. “Certainly, it's not where we were in '07, '08.”

The city issued 628 building permits in 2011 worth $134.9 million in construction value. The total includes 339 permits for commercial projects and 289 for residential work. The figures represent new construction, expansion and remodeling work.

In 2010, the city issued 622 permits worth $70.2 million, including 305 permits for commercial projects and 317 for residential.

Both years were an improvement over 2009, when the city issued a total of 567 permits, including 239 for commercial projects and 328 for residential work, with a total value of $65.8 million.

“It feels like it's thawing out a little bit,” said Mike Metheny, building inspection manager for the city.

The huge jump in overall project value between 2010 and 2011 reflects the Aspen Valley Hospital expansion in large part, he said. That work accounts for $52 million of the 2011 total.

The city expects to see another big project break ground this year, with construction of the new Aspen Art Museum scheduled to begin this spring.

Pitkin County tallied 79 residential construction permits in 2011, worth $68.9 million, plus 29 nonresidential projects worth $7.7 million. The residential numbers are the lowest the county has seen in nearly two decades.

Home construction and remodeling makes up the bulk of the building activity in unincorporated parts of the county. Since 1992, the number of residential building permits issued has dropped below 100 only twice, in 2009 and last year. During the peak of the building boom, in 2000, the county issued 278 residential permits.

County revenues from building fees have plummeted and are not projected to recover to any large degree in the coming years, according to County Manager Jon Peacock.

“Construction is not coming back. We don't see the fundamentals for construction coming back in the near future,” he told the Aspen Chamber Resort Association board of directors last week. Peacock defined those fundamentals as financing and demand.

When construction was booming, its impacts were regularly a source of complaint in the community, but builder John Olson, a new member of the ACRA board, in part blamed the local government attitude toward the building industry and a lack of development incentives for the continued slump.

“In November, almost every single fee you could pay for construction in the city and the county almost doubled,” he said. “In terms of the new normal, or what the new normal should be, that's not the way to get there.”

As the local construction industry continues to lag behind pre-recession levels by a significant degree, so does employment in that sector. In 2010, the latest year for which statistics are available, construction accounted for 1,087 jobs in Pitkin County, according to a report compiled for county commissioners. A decade earlier, 1,941 jobs were attributed to construction.

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The Union Minister of State for Power K.C. Venugopal has said that the work of the Mysore-Kozhikode transmission line will start soon as the project got the final environment clearance from the Union Ministry of Forest and Environment.

Addressing a press conference here on Monday the Minister said that this line will help to bring power allotted from Central pool to Kerala and solve the voltage problem in Malabar area.

He said that the in the next five years 75000 MW additional power will be generated in the country to meet the growing energy requirement. The major share of this power will be produced from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

Since Kerala is not in a position to take up new hydel projects due to environmental problems more allotment of power from the Centre is required to meet its requirements. Thus the State was allotted 500 MW of power from Central pool. So to bring power from Central pool, power corridors will be constructed in the State, he said.

After making a review of the progress of the construction of 400 KV substation at Elappully near Palakkad, the Minister said that the Rs.170 crore substation will be commissioned in the third week of March, 2012.

The substation has cost Rs.110 crore and its power line Rs.60 crore. The commissioning will partially solve the voltage problem and the help to provide good quality of uninterrupted power to industries in Kanjikode-Pudussery-Walayar

He said that 80 per cent of the power in the State is generated in the southern districts. But the northern districts required daily 1200 MV of power. When the power is brought from south to north there is huge transmission loss.

He said that the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vaidyutheekaran Yojana to provide free power connection to BPL families was not properly implemented in Kerala though the Central government had allotted funds.

He said that a special package to provide electricity to the tribal hamlets of Attappady and Nelliampathy will be taken up under this project in Palakkad district. Kerala State Electricity Board was directed to prepare the scheme.

The inaccessible tribal colonies in the forest areas will be provided electricity from non-convention energy source. He said that to solve power distribution problems in Kerala schemes worth Rs.1170 crore is under various stages of implementation. In 43 towns of the State the first part of Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme is under implementation.

Palakkad Municipality was allotted an amount of Rs.55 crore; Ottapalam Municipality Rs.3.27 crore; Chittur Municipality Rs.8 crore and Shoranur Municipality Rs.4.76 crore under this scheme.

The Minister said the coal mine allotted to Kerala in Orissa will be utilised to implement a joint venture power project to produce 2000 MW. The talks are going on with Orissa government for the implementation of this mega project, he said.

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Decks cleared for Mysore-Kozhikode transmission line project

KATHARINE SCHROEDER PHOTO | Houses along the shore to the west of Southold's Town Beach.

A longer and more expensive permit application process for new construction, stricter enforcement, stiffer penalties and a hot line to report illicit discharging.

These are some of the code changes the town is pursuing to comply with new federal and state mandates aimed at improving water quality.

During an informational meeting at Town Hall Jan. 19 — ironically, during the peak of a heavy rainstorm — town engineer Jamie Richter presented proposed code amendments that are required to go into effect by March.

Under orders from both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and state Department of Conservation, the town not only must act to improve quality in waters that fail to meet federal clean water standards, but must also record and report each plan developed and each step taken.

Although the town enacted its own stormwater management plan in 2003, in 2009 the DEC designated the town as a municipal separate storm sewer system operator, commonly known as MS4. The MS4 designation means the town must develop, implement and enforce a stormwater management program requiring developers to submit more stringent pollution prevention plans proposals to ensure building projects don’t contaminate wetlands.

A basic plan is required for single-family homes and residential subdivisions involving soil disturbances on one to five acres. A more detailed approach is required for more intense projects, such as commercial developments and roads. All must be approved by the DEC.

Supervisor Scott Russell said although stricter requirements for development plans will help improve water quality, he disagrees with some of the DEC’s mandates.

For example, the town is required to identify the cause of high bacteria counts in local waters. But if tests show animal droppings are contributing to the contamination of a body of water, the town can’t legally take corrective action.

“Hunting of deer and geese is regulated by the state, so while we’re required by the state to come up with a plan, we don’t have the authority to implement it,” Mr. Russell said.

Animal waste, as well as pet droppings and home septic systems, can all introduce coliform bacteria into surface waters. High bacterial counts result in the closing of shellfish beds.

Another challenge the town faces is financing stormwater mitigation projects. Many town roads end close to waterways and the pavement serves to channel runoff directly into the water. One proven solution is to remove the asphalt at the very end and install a drainage collection system that includes a vegetative buffer.

“It will become one of our biggest challenges over the next few years,” Mr. Russell said. He described road runoff as “one of our biggest threats and, from an expenditure point of view, it’s going to be very costly. People shouldn’t have any allusions.”

Last year, the town spent over $2 million for stormwater mitigation for about four roads, mostly on Fishers Island.

“We’ve been investing as much as we can without breaking the bank,” Mr. Russell said. “It’s a well-intended program on the state and federal level. The administration of it is what becomes a difficult process.”

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State, federal mandates force town to take steps to limit water pollution

07-09-2011 15:14 More coverage of the World Trade Center from The Architect's Newspaper at archpaper.com Piranha was commissioned by Silverstein Properties to create a short film depicting the completion of The New World Trade Center site. Piranha wrote, produced, art directed, filmed, and finished all vfx for this inspiring piece marking the 10th year anniversary of 9/11.

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World Trade Center Construction - Video

27-09-2011 18:36 St. Michael Catholic Church, Keren/Eritrea 20 Jan 2011

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