Arlene Phillips hangs up the phone. New customer, same old story.

Getting rid of oak is keeping us in business," she said.

Actually, the Kitchen Tune-Up franchise that Phillips owns with her husband, Jim, does a lot more than just redo oak cabinets. But that work has been a mainstay.

Asked what customers prefer over oak, Jim replied: Anything else."

The Phillipses started Kitchen Tune-Up in the summer of 2005, after Jim had spent 17 years working for Learjet.

Whats the politically correct way to say this?" he said. I was ready for a change."

Arlene, meanwhile, had just retired as a school secretary for Maize. That job, she said, prepared her for the customer service aspect of owning a small business.

Arlene answers the phone and handles the paperwork while Jim, who always has been good with his hands, oversees the physical work; both do estimates and sales. They work out of their home in west Wichita and employ two people Charlotte Martin and Austin Koehn whom Arlene calls gold."

Kitchen Tune-Up is a franchise operation headquartered in Aberdeen, S.D. The couple considered a dozen different business opportunities, including starting their own business from scratch, before finding Kitchen Tune-Up through a franchise broker. They are the only franchisees in Kansas.

Jim said paying for a franchise was worth it because of the associated benefits, from training to help with marketing to being part of a buying network.

Original post:
Cabinet makeovers keep Kitchen Tune-Up franchisees busy

by Charli Engelhorn staff writer Moab Times Independent

Students at Helen M. Knight Elementary School participate in a lesson in the schools library. The architectural firm that designed the school recently received an honorable mention award from Learning by Design magazine for outstanding educational facility design. Photo by Scott Zimmerman

The accolades continue to come in for the Grand County School Districts Helen M. Knight Elementary school building and MHTN Architects, the Salt Lake City-based company that designed the facility. MHTN Architects recently received an honorable mention award from Learning by Design magazine for outstanding educational facility design for HMK .

The firm received one of five honorable mentions out of 30 K-12 facility designs submitted to the magazine, with three other facilities taking the grand prizes, according the a news release issued this week by MHTN.

This award is a great honor for our firm and Grand County School District and its patrons, said Peggy McDonough, president of MHTN Architects. The design of Helen M. Knight was created through collaboration with the district, its teachers and students, which resulted in an extraordinary learning environment connected to the culture of Moab.

The judges said the school resembles a contemporary cliff dwelling and has a nice visual connection to the environment. They noted that the connection goes beyond aesthetics and serves as a landscape for learning, with aspects such as an interior rock garden that allows students to study local plant life.

With just the right moves, what could easily be a simple double-loaded corridor creates little found space that makes all the difference, judges said, according to the news release.

MHTN was also recognized for their use of sustainable local materials.

MHTN and the district were previously recognized for the facility and community design process in August 2011 by the Council of Educational Facility Planners International. HMK was one of four schools in the country named as finalists for the prestigious James D. MacConnell Award, given for the level of community engagement and design standards for the construction of a learning facility. Although HMK and MHTN did not win the award, the architects and district officials did attend the awards ceremony in Nashville, Tenn., where their accomplishments were acknowledged.

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HMK architects receive honors for facility design by national magazine

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

As the Florida AIA (American Industry of Architects) prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary later this year, the Florida Natural Gas Association has kick-started the festivities early launching their first annual Creative Energy Award.

Aiming to reward and recognize the creative use of natural gas energy and/or appliances in existing Architecture, the award will go to the Florida Architect who illustrates the most creative overall building design enhanced by the most relevant use of natural gas along withmerits of style, function and ingenuity.

In addition to receiving a $500 American Express gift card, the winner will be recognized with an engraved plaque at the AIA 2012 Convention and a feature advertorial in the 2012 Winter Edition of Florida/Caribbean ARCHITECT magazine.

With entries being accepted now through July 12th, interested Architects can enter at the FNGA web site by completing a simple form and submitting a few photos that convey their creative use of natural gas. The winner will also be recognized at the AIA 2012 Annual Convention in July, but he or she does not need to be present at the Convention in order to win.

The (FNGA) is non-profit organization that promotes and encourages the growth of the natural gas industry in the state of Florida. It also seeks to protect the interests of the industry, its members and consumers. Our members include distribution companies, transmission, gas supply marketers and affiliate members. With a membership of more than 100 companies, FNGA represents every segment of the natural gas industry.

For more information, please contact Jenna Bernardo, FNGA staff member, phone. (321) 779-1010, jenna@mtninc.com.

Continue reading here:
The FNGA Fuels Some Friendly Competition Among Architects With Their First Ever ‘Creative Energy Award’

SOQUEL - Three years after a devastating fire, brothers Brian and Kevin Dueck are almost ready to open a new commercial development, Retail 41. Their investment: More than $1 million.

While other landlords have vacancies, the Duecks have signed leases for two new businesses, Discretion Brewing and Crossfit Now, and are reviewing proposals from other would-be tenants for units in the 10,500-square-foot space at 2703 41st Ave. across from Home Depot.

"We have three letters of intent, and two more coming in," said Kevin Dueck.

"You never know when you build these things what's going to happen," said Brian Dueck, who helped supervise the construction. "It's good to see people interested in leasing new space in these times."

Offers have come from a furniture store, tanning salon, hair salon and commercial kitchen, according to real estate broker Steve Allen. Only two of the eight spaces are left.

The Dueck family, which own the furniture stores HomeSpace and WorkSpace at this location, debated how to proceed after losing a 20,000-square-foot showroom and warehouse.

The brothers considered rebuilding, then looked at building with a multiple-tenant space, with Swift Street Courtyard and the Sash Mill as inspiration. Finally, they downsized the tenant spaces to increase their affordability.

"If spaces go for $1 a (square) foot, we're going to get more offers than if we're in the $2 range," said Kevin Dueck.

"We went back to the drawing board because of the economy," said Brian Dueck. "We're happy we went that route."

Their asking rate in the $1 range is lower than average rate in the fourth quarter of 2011, which was $1.97 per square foot, according to Cassidy Turley Commercial Real Estate Services.

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Soquel retail complex on 41st Avenue emerges from devastating blaze

Houston real estate development firm Williams-Meridian Companies has been hired to advise on a planned 174 acre mixed-use development project in Victoria, Texas. The project is being planned over several development phases to include single family residential, multifamily apartments, office or medical office condos, retail shops, and restaurants, with the potential for a hotel or small convention center.

Victoria, Texas (PRWEB) February 29, 2012

Houston-based real estate development firm, Williams-Meridian Companies continues its expansion on a number of fronts by targeting communities in the Eagle Ford shale and surrounding areas that stand to benefit from this boom.

Williams-Meridian was recently hired as the project's lead development adviser by SunMark Development & Investment, to assist the project team throughout the entire development process. Over the course of the project, Williams-Meridian will provide land planning, architectural and engineering review, a comprehensive market assessment, and lead the selection of all development partners, prior to commencing its development activities.

As part of its real estate development and management services, Williams-Meridian will oversee the entire pre-development planning process, including working closely the local firm Urban Engineering, and the architectural firm Kitchen & Associates.

When asked about the project's impact on Victoria, Philip Williams, the founder and president of Williams-Meridian, was quoted as saying "This project has the potential to transform Victoria into an even greater regional hub, providing the city with the ability to meet its growing real estate demands. Victoria is a charming city that has a very low unemployment rate of just over four percent, a strong and growing manufacturing base, and most importantly is in a great position to benefit from the shale activity."

Later in the interview, Mr. Williams continued by saying, "The city has a strong school system, proactive economic development corporation, and strong demand for real estate. I firmly believe that the economic boom created by the Eagle Ford shale will have a similar impact as the Bakken, but cities such as Victoria will be much better equipped at handling this demand from an urban planning perspective. It's clearly an exciting time for Victoria in general".

For more information on this mixed-use development by Williams-Meridian, please visit the company's website at http://www.williams-meridian.com.

Company Overview

Williams-Meridian Companies is a privately held, commercial real estate development firm providing creative, full-service solutions to its valued partners. Based in Houston, Texas, Williams-Meridian offers a wide range of commercial real estate services to clients across the nation, including real estate consulting, corporate real estate strategies, leading or co-developing projects, or providing joint venture equity on select real estate investments or development projects across all real estate asset classes.

Originally posted here:
SunMark Development & Investment Hires Williams-Meridian As Commercial Real Estate Development Adviser for Mixed-Use ...

PASADENA, Calif., March 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Bluebeam Software, leading developer of PDF-based workflow solutions for the design and construction industry, announced today that its platform PDF solution, Bluebeam PDF Revu, has been named a commercial winner in the Constructech Top Products. Held annually, the Constructech Top Products awards honor technology solutions that have demonstrated the greatest innovations geared toward the commercial construction market.

As a commercial Top Product, Revu will be featured in the March/April 2012 issue of Constructech. In the issue, the magazine's editorial team praises several of Bluebeam PDF Revu's key features including its ability to redline PDFs in real-time through its online collaboration feature, Bluebeam Studio. Another innovative functionality that caught the judges' attention is Revu's compatibility with tablet PCs, which allows the technology to be used at jobsites and on the road.

"We are excited to earn this recognition from Constructech, the authority for technology-related matters in the construction industry," said Stephani Haynes, VP, Global Marketing for Bluebeam. "Revu continues to stand out for its ability to enable digital project collaboration and paperless workflows for building and infrastructure projects. Annual releases of Revu allow us to stay at the technology forefront, and we look forward to delivering even more innovative tools for many years to come."

Bluebeam PDF Revu gives architects, engineers and construction professionals a powerful, sustainable way to communicate with project teams digitally and in a paperless environment. The software significantly reduces unnecessary paper usage and costs, while also increasing collaboration. For more information about Bluebeam PDF Revu, visit http://www.bluebeam.com.

For a complete list of the commercial Constructech Top Products for 2012, visit http://www.constructech.com/awards/top_products/winners.aspx.

About Constructech Magazine

Constructech magazine is the technology advocate for the construction industry, helping builders, contractors, and corporate owners make educated decisions on software and systems, both in the office and in the field. With unbiased opinions and informative news on software, hardware, automation, and services, Constructech has been a highly respected and trusted resource in the industry for more than 10 years.

About Bluebeam Software

Not your typical software company, Bluebeam Software makes smart, simple solutions for paperless workflows based on the PDF format. Founded in 2002 in Pasadena, California to support CAD-to-PDF creation for the aerospace industry, Bluebeam's award-winning PDF creation, markup and editing solutions are used today by the world's top architectural, engineering and construction firms, as well as government agencies, accountants and even attorneys, as an intuitive, easy-to-use, PDF-based solution for dramatically improved workflow and more sustainable, paperless operations. For more information, visit http://www.bluebeam.com.

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Bluebeam® Software Wins a Constructech Magazine Top Product Award

Biddle & Brown Fence Company has been formed in Phoenix, AZ by two long-time commercial fencing executives.

Phoenix, Arizona (PRWEB) March 01, 2012

Owners Scott Biddle, president, and Roger Brown, vice president, said B&B will design and install custom architectural fence, chain link fence, ornamental iron fence and all types of industrial security fencing. The two veteran commercial fencing experts added that the firm, headquartered at 895 W. Elwood St. in Arizonas capitol city, also will offer electric gate operators and handle fence and gate repair.

Sports field fencing, another B&B specialty, will also play a prominent role in the new companys product and services lineup.

Biddle & Brown Fence Company is a fence installation contractor specializing in ornamental iron, chain link fence, wire mesh architectural panels and electric gate operators. Incorporated in May, 2011, it has an experienced sales, management and installation team that has completed thousands of projects at schools, fire stations, water treatment plants, military installations, commercial and industrial facilities and municipal facilities over the last 35 years.

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Roger Brown Biddle & Brown Fence Company 602-456-8999 Email Information

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Arizona Fence Firm Formed by Industry Veterans

Patna, Feb. 29: The state cabinet today gave the nod to the Bihar Shatabdi Unorganised Sector Workers and Artisans Social Security Scheme, 2011.

The scheme will replace the Aam Admi Bima Yojana ' a central programme that covers death and permanent disability for the benefit of landless families in rural areas.

The new scheme will benefit and be payable to workers and artisans or their dependents and children under various schemes.

The programme, which will be extended to entire Bihar, will take into account the beneficiaries from April 1, 2011.

Under the scheme, a self-employed person of the state, who earns a livelihood from professions like blacksmith, basket making, bullock/cycle or hard cart pulling, carpentry, autorickshaw driving and others, are covered.

The labour department would implement the scheme and the money would be given to the deserving persons through the district administration.

Sources said in case of accidental death of a worker or an artisan, a grant of Rs 1 lakh shall be paid to his/her legal dependent under the scheme.

In case of natural death of a worker or an artisan, a grant of Rs 30,000 shall be paid to his legal dependent.

Moreover, in case of permanent total disability, a grant of Rs 75,000 shall be paid while in case of partial disability a grant of Rs 37,500 shall be paid. Apart from these, the scheme also covers the provision for scholarships to children of workers and artisans.

Under the scheme, Rs 1,200 (Rs 100 every month for a year) shall be paid as scholarship to a maximum of two children of a worker or artisan studying in classes IX to XII, government polytechnic and long-term trades in government industrial training institutes in Bihar.

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Worker security on govt agenda

Islamabad (Dawn/ANN) - The Pakistan federal cabinet on Wednesday flung open the doors for trade with India by raising the number of items that can be imported from the country from 1,946 to almost 5,600.

The decision overruled reservations of the ministries of textile and industries which had been pushing for restricted trade with India to protect domestic manufacturers.

The cabinets decision will allow the import of about 90 per cent of all the items that India normally exports.

Before this decision, the "positive list" allowed only 17 per cent Indian export items.

From January 1 next year, India will be able to export all its products to Pakistan without restrictions.

The cabinet also decided to do away with the 'negative list of 1,209 items by the end of this year.

The ministries of textile and industries wanted the restrictions to continue for five years.

Information Minister Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said the cabinet had unanimously approved switching over from a positive to negative list trade regime with India.

"The products from negative list will be completely phased out by December 31."

She said the move would pave way for complete liberalisation of trade by the end of the year to culminate in an MFN (most favoured nation) status to India.

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Pakistan lifts trade restrictions with India

CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio, March 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Associated Materials, LLC today announced the appointment of Paul Morrisroe as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary. Mr. Morrisroe, previously Vice President of Finance, Precision Components at Barnes Group Inc., brings over 20 years of management experience in manufacturing and logistical services companies, including three years serving in a senior management capacity. He takes over for Chief Financial Officer Stephen E. Graham.

Jerry W. Burris, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are thrilled that Paul will be leading the AMI finance organization. He brings a proven track record and will play an integral role in creating business and financial metrics to drive sustainable profitable growth. Paul's knowledge of financial and operational management will provide valuable leadership to the organization as we continue to strengthen and grow our business."

Mr. Morrisroe, originally from Connecticut, earned a B.S. in accounting from the University of Connecticut and an M.B.A. from Purdue University. Prior to joining Associated Materials, Mr. Morrisroe served in various management positions within Barnes Group Inc. over the course of 15 years, including as Vice President of Finance, Precision Components from April 2011 to February 2012, Vice President, Internal Audit from February 2009 to March 2011, Barnes Industrial Group Controller from 2005 to 2008, Barnes Aerospace Group Controller from 2000 to 2004 and Director of Accounting and Planning from 1997 to 2000.

About Associated Materials

The Company is a leading, vertically integrated manufacturer and distributor of exterior residential building products in the United States and Canada. The Company produces a comprehensive offering of exterior building products, including vinyl windows, vinyl siding, aluminum trim coil and aluminum and steel siding and accessories, which are produced at the Company's 11 manufacturing facilities. The Company also sells complementary products that are manufactured by third parties, such as roofing materials, insulation, exterior doors, vinyl siding in a shake and scallop design and installation equipment and tools that are primarily distributed through its company-operated supply centers. The Company's products are sold primarily through its extensive dual-distribution network, consisting of 121 company-operated supply centers, through which it sells directly to its contractor customers, and the Company's direct sales channel, through which it sells to approximately 250 independent distributors and dealers, who then sell to their customers. The Company maintains a website athttp://www.associatedmaterials.com.

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Associated Materials Announces Appointment of Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary