GLENWILLOW, Ohio, March 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --As American families are focused on taking care of their homes now more than ever, Hoover and Dirt Devil - America's top brands in home cleaning - are leading the charge with new products and high-tech tools showcased at the 2012 International Housewares Show, taking place March 10-13 in Chicago.

According to recent reports, sales of existing homes are ticking up and home-improvement projects are on the rise.(1) For families across the country that means taking more time to care for and clean the house themselves, according to Stephanie Begley from TTI Floor Care, the company behind the iconic cleaning brands Hoover and Dirt Devil.

"People are looking for affordable innovations to help them clean and take care of their homes," said Begley. "As trusted American brands, Hoover and Dirt Devil are excited to offer the latest technology across an array of products to help families clean their homes faster, easier and better than ever before."

From disinfecting steam mops to ultra-lightweight vacuum cleaners to portable hand vacs, Hoover and Dirt Devil use their in-house experts to help families keep their homes fresh and clean. Harkening to their legacy of cleaning and American roots, all products are designed by U.S. engineers, designers and technicians based at the Ohio company headquarters. This year the company took the unprecedented move to pull customer service in-house for both Hoover and Dirt Devil brands as well.

"It's important to listen to our customers and work with people one-on-one to continually provide not only the products people want, but the best service to help use them most effectively," said Begley. "Hoover consistently receives top product ratings, including high marks for quality and reliability."

Hoover. Nobody does it like you.At the 2012 International Housewares Show, Hoover is showcasing three products every family needs to help keep their homes fresh and clean.

Dirt Devil Fights DirtyFrom hand vacs to compact uprights, Dirt Devil is introducing the newest members of its Fight Dirty line-up for 2012.

For More Information To learn more about innovative Hoover products visit Hoover.com or connect with us at Facebook.com/Hoover. To learn more about Dirt Devil products, visit DirtDevil.com or connect with us on Facebook.

About Hoover and Dirt DevilFrom the first Hoover vacuum launched in 1908 to the Hoover WindTunnel MAX Multi-Cyclonic Bagless Upright in 2011, the Hoover brand continues a tradition of innovation through a comprehensive line of floor care products, including lithium-ion battery powered cordless vacuums, full-size, bagged and cyclonic upright and canister vacuums, carpet cleaners, hard-floor cleaners and central vacuum systems. Dirt Devil is known for fully featured lightweight, powerful vacuums, available in a signature red color. It derives its heritage with the launch of the first corded handheld vacuum with belt driven brush roll more than 20 years ago, and today offers a full line of vacuums and accessory cleaning products. Part of the TTI Floor Care family, Hoover and Dirt Devil appliances and accessories are available at major retailers and independent dealers throughout the United States and Canada.

CONTACT: Etosha Moh emoh@talktocurrent.com 312-929-0513

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Hoover and Dirt Devil Showcase Latest Home-Cleaning Technology at International Housewares Show

FREDERICTON It's a dispute that no one wants to resolve.

It's been more than a decade since Neil Lemon climbed a hydro pole outside his Lower Durham, N.B., home in a desperate attempt to draw attention to his feud with NB Power a dispute over an unpaid bill that led to his power being disconnected.

Nearly 13 years later, Lemon's small weather-beaten bungalow still has no electricity.

"They've just got no feelings whatsoever for what they've done and don't even try," Lemon said this week. "Over the simple thing of what happened here; it just boggles my mind how it could get this far for something as simple as that."

In 1999, Lemon's home was disconnected five times during the height of the dispute, but four of those times he reconnected the power himself.

The last time the stoppage was permanent.

At the time of the final disconnection, Lemon claimed he'd offered half of his $746 income to the utility toward the $850 he owed, but was told to pay the total amount.

"This is not the way to go through the last years of your life," Lemon said, "You've got no power and you die of old age and never had power because of something stupid a mix-up in a bill."

Lemon said his life now consists of lugging several gallons of water for a flush, pets, washing and cooking every day. He has done that for 365 days a year since the plug was pulled.

Lemon, 57, heats his house with wood.

See the article here:
New Brunswick man without electricity for 13 years in bizarre power struggle

Collections of things are fun. Collections of things that serve a purpose are even more fun.

Collections of things that serve warm baked breads and savory cheeses are my favorite.

Perhaps that's why I've begun my hunt for vintage breadboards, both for their design and function.

Whether hanging from hooks above your stove or propped up against the wall on countertops, breadboards are becoming an unassuming design element in many kitchens.

They are subtle and unobtrusive, always ready to be put to work. Without calling attention to themselves, they unpretentiously make a space warmer simply by their presence.

Come to think of it, sounds a lot like my grandma.

Consider using breadboards as a backdrop on open shelves or behind dishes in a china cabinet.

These boards also create excellent wall art. Group different shapes and sizes together as an alternative to artwork, or mix various items in with the boards: paintings, rolling pins and other serving dishes.

Breadboards are available in an assortment of shapes and sizes, making them the ultimate serving platter. Here's how:

Group a variety of sizes and shapes for use as serving dishes on your next buffet, simultaneously providing a visual feast.

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Molly Johnson Stracuzzi: Humble breadboard works way into kitchen decor

DAVID CITY When a basement needed remodeling, some wallboard hung or a new video game conquered, Anthony Palensky was there to help.

If anybody needed anything didnt matter who it was he helped out, William Palensky of Lincoln said of his youngest brother.

Anthony died Thursday while trying to rescue their grandfather, Leonard T. Palensky Sr., from a burning house, William said.

The David City house Anthony shared with his 87-year-old grandfather caught fire just after 2 a.m. Thursday, and the 25-year-old couldnt abandon the older man, family members said.

Anthony was being Anthony, being a hero, said Rachel Johnson of David City, another of Anthonys eight siblings. He wasnt going to leave his grandpa in there.

Firefighters pulled the men from the burning house and took them to the Butler County Health Care Center, where they were pronounced dead of asphyxiation from smoke inhalation, Butler County Attorney Julie L. Reiter said.

Neighbors said someone passing by on the way to Lenten services at St. Marys Catholic Church reported the fire.

Investigators with the state Fire Marshals Office determined the fire started near a brick chimney. The cause remains under investigation.

The family is no stranger to tragedy.

Thursdays deaths came almost five years after a single-vehicle crash near Dwight killed Anthonys 18-year-old sister, Renee Palensky of Linwood.

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Man, 25, dies trying to save grandfather

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Phototron Announces Indoor Growing More Attractive as Municipalities Including Yuba City Ban Outdoor Growing

Ashley McGraw Architects announced the addition of ELIZABETH SAYED as a project architect in the college and university studio. Sayed has five years of professional experience, having worked at Ithaca College, Onondaga Community College, State University College at Brockport, State University College at Cortland, State University College at Oneonta and Syracuse University. She is a 2007 graduate of the Syracuse University School of Architecture.

VIP Architectural Associates, PLLC, announced KATIE CARROLL and BRIAN DIONNE have joined the firm as intern architects. Carroll, of Syracuse, and Dionne, of Canastota, earned a master of architecture degree at Syracuse University.

APRIL WHISENHUNT has joined M&T Bank at the Canastota branch at 3375 Seneca Turnpike as branch manager. She has more than 13 years of banking experience. Her experiences include a position as the regional office manager for the Oneida Savings Bank; money manager for Carolina First Bank; and customer representative at Citizen Financial Group.

Gilberti Stinziano Heintz & Smith, P.C., announced the following new hires: CHRISTOPHER J. STEVENS, has been hired as an associate attorney in the litigation department. Stevens previously worked under the Justice Leslie E. Stein, New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Department. He received his law degree from Albany Law School, graduating magna cum laude. PATRICK D. DONNELLY, has been hired as an associate attorney in the real property tax assessment and condemnation practice group and also the environmental practice group. He previously was an associate with Jacobowitz & Gubits, LLP. He attended Pace University School of Law.

The following individuals joined St. Josephs Hospital Health Center as active medical staff: Dr. ARAN W. LAING of Penfield, internal medicine; and Dr. LOUIS C. RIVERA of Oakland, Calif., emergency.

Turning Stone Resort Casinos The Villages RV Park has received a perfect score in the 2012 Trailer Life RV Parks and Campgrounds Directory. The Villages is one of only 18 Good Sam RV parks in the U.S. and Canada and the only one in New York to earn a score of 30 out of 30 points.

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has been named among the Healthiest Companies in America by Interactive Health Solutions Inc.

Submit announcements about people in your company to business@syracuse.com. Please include text in the body of the e-mail, not as an attachment. Photos, color preferred, can be sent as attachments.

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Company News: Elizabeth Sayed hired by Ashley McGraw Architects

FAIRFIELD, N.J., March 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Providing the same unparalleled performance and architectural elements that lighting professionals enjoyed with the original Evoke family, Amerlux debuts high-performance, energy saving Evoke 2.9 G2 LED Downlights in round and square profiles for a sleek, contemporary inconspicuous appearance. A leading provider of task-specific, energy-efficient lighting solutions, Amerlux offers Evoke 2.9 G2 LED Downlights for inclusion in sustainable strategies recognized by organizations such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and The U.S Green Building Council. The new generation offers an array of compact, architecturally styled luminaires for a wide variety of applications.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120309/NY67599 ) (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120118/NY36894LOGO )

"The second generation of Evoke 2.9 Downlights is the result of many years of research and development combining LED energy efficiencies and cost savings without compromising appearance or performance," said Frank P. Diassi, Chairman and Founder of Amerlux. "The family is ideal for upscale residential, retail and a variety of commercial applications in North America and on a global scale as well."

Specifically engineered around the latest LED light sources, the 12-watt Evoke combines uncompromising energy efficiency and superior aesthetics with a miniature 2.9-inch aperture. Evoke offers architects and lighting designers the flexibility to create complete sustainable lighting schemes including general, accent, task and wall washing applications.

"Harnessing the power of LED, Evoke luminaires combine the robust features, fit, finish and details with the latest sustainable lighting technology," explained Chuck Campagna, CEO and President of Amerlux. "Engineered using the highest quality world-class diodes and ceramic circuit boards, Evoke delivers superior efficacy, light output and lamp life."

The family offers warm 2700K, crisp 3000K, bright white 3500K and cooler 4000K LED sources that can be used in highly switched areas or applications requiring dimming capabilities. Consuming just 12 watts, Evoke LED is capable of producing over 670 net lumens of uniformed light in 15- to 60-degree beam spreads. Tightly binned LEDs ensure excellent fixture- to-fixture consistency and a superb CRI (color rendering index) of 82 to 90.

To maximize their rated life, Evoke 2.9 G2 LED Downlights combine conduction, convection and radiation elements to divert damaging heat away from the LEDs with a multi-faceted thermal management system. A patented ceramic circuit board ensures that the LEDs are driven to their optimal performance while the highly engineered heat sink conducts heat away from the diodes above the ceiling line. This unique combination provides additional thermal protection, allowing for a tight cluster of high output LEDs to be used in this discreet aperture size. The result is a long lasting fixture capable of significantly reducing operation costs by maximizing energy efficiency and minimizing maintenance.

The patented heat sink reduces fixture temperature for an unparalleled LED rated lamp life of 50,000 hours at 70 percent initial output. The compact LED module produces over 670 net lumens of light while consuming just 12 watts of energy. A unique slide mechanism offers easy access to the LED driver to simplify inspection and maintenance. The luminaire boasts a precise beam spread range from 15- to 60-degrees that makes it ideal for lobbies, conference rooms, private offices and elevator banks.

Evoke 2.9 G2 LED Downlights are designed with a reflector trim that sits flush with the ceiling line, for a minimal edge detail. A trimless fixture is also available with a perforated plaster ring that mounts to the aperture for the application of drywall compound, which is applied directly to the plaster ring and feathered away for an even cleaner installation and look. High performance lighting applications are effectively achieved from above a smooth, uninterrupted surface, for a clean, unobtrusive aesthetic.

Evoke delivers clean consistent beams free of projected heat and UV/IR radiation, making it optimal for lighting color or heat sensitive merchandise. With full range dimmability and specialized optics, the luminaires are offered in the round, square, round glass and square glass decorative styles.

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Amerlux Debuts Evoke 2.9 Second Generation Downlights

PBD was recognized for their outstanding work on projects for Navistar, Coyote Logistics and HiMSS.

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) March 09, 2012

This years Chicago Commercial Real Estate Awards winners were announced at the Awards Dinner, presented by Associated Bank and Crains Chicago Business, on Thursday, March 8, 2012 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.

Im thrilled to see our teams hard work recognized by their peers and the industry as a whole, said Ron Carlson, PBD founder and CEO. Its a privilege to be part of a group that has had such a central role in real economic revitalization this year in Chicago.

Panelists and voters, comprised of previous year award winners and real estate professionals, evaluated the project submissions on a range of criteria, including commercial success, project complexity, innovative problem solving and community and environmental impact.

PBD submitted three local projects, completed within 2011: a 1.25 million square foot project for Navistar, a 96,000 square foot project for Coyote Logistics and a 28,550 square foot project for HIMSS (Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society).

The Navistar project highlighted all phases of PBDs tailored design services. PBD redesigned the entire 88-acre Lisle, Ill. campus, once home to Alcatel-Lucent, converting an IT work environment to the corporate, planning and R&D function of Navistars global headquarters . PBD also designed and constructed two ground-up buildings on the campus. For the renovation phase, PBD oversaw the master planning and design of Navistars corporate offices, truck bays, testing facilities, museum and customer welcome center.

HIMSS, a non-profit organization focused on healthcare IT and management systems, hired PBD to assist with the relocation and redesign of their Chicago offices. PBD led the renovation of an existing commercial office space, creating collaborative work environments and a rotunda to reinforce HIMSS culture and mission.

With Coyote Logistics, PBD spearheaded the design phase of the companys relocation from Lake Forest, Ill. to the third and fourth floors of Chicagos Green Exchange Buildingthe countrys largest sustainable business community committed to environmental responsibility and positive social impact. PBD incorporated sustainable best practices through all phases of the projects development.

About Partners by Design

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Partners by DESIGN incorporated wins Design Firm of the Year for the third time at the 2012 Chicago Commercial Real ...

Water lines break. Sewers back up. Sump pumps fail. Fires happen.

For some, these problems are colossal headaches.

For the folks at Certified Restoration in Huron, this is a good day at the office.

The company opened its Cleveland Road location this week, with a mission to help homeowners battle the nightmarish disasters that can strike at any hour.

Other than family, the home is the next closest to your heart, said Jim Mazza, the companys water damage restoration technician and director of business development.

Certified Restoration, owned and operated by Larry Fawcett, has been months in the making.

The company specializes in minimizing damage to homes by quickly removing water or sewage, and killing microbes that cause odor and deterioration. The workers also clean up fire damage and help homeowners tackle stubborn mold problems.

Given that crisis can strike at any time, Certified Restoration has an answering service that fields call at any time, day and night.

The companys employees have certifications through various national industry organizations, such as the Indoor Air Quality Association or Clean Trust.

For his part, Fawcett has a number of certifications and credentials hes a council-certified residential mold inspector, an indoor environmental professional and a certified water damage restoration technician.

Originally posted here:
New Business: Certified Restoration

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Fitch Ratings affirms the 'A+' rating on the following Kentucky State Property and Buildings Commission (SPBC) revenue bonds as part of its continuous surveillance effort:

--$14.7 million in outstanding agency fund revenue bonds, project 91.

The Rating Outlook is Negative.

SECURITY

The project 91 bonds are special and limited obligations of the SPBC, payable solely from revenues derived under financing/lease agreements between the commission, as lessor, and the commonwealth's finance and administration cabinet and the Kentucky River Authority (authority), as lessee. In addition, the commonwealth's secretary of finance has covenanted to seek commonwealth general fund appropriations to replenish the debt service reserve in the event of a draw upon it.

KEY RATING DRIVERS

BONDS PAID BY KENTUCKY RIVER AUTHORITY: The rating, one notch below that of most of the commonwealth's appropriation debt, reflects the narrow source of pledged funds, which are derived from the revenues of the authority rather than the general fund. Fiscal 2011 revenues provided 1.3 times (x) coverage of maximum annual debt service (MADS).

MOST STATE DEBT IS APPROPRIATION BACKED: Kentucky has a well-established mechanism for lease financing, highlighted by automatically renewable leases and covenants to seek appropriation for debt service. The commonwealth's debt is primarily in the form of lease rental bonds, requiring appropriation, and appropriations debt is recognized and accepted as commonwealth debt obligations.

GENERAL FUND MORAL OBLIGATION: The commonwealth has covenanted to request general fund appropriations for replenishment of the reserve fund to its requirement of MADS upon a draw down, mitigating concerns about the narrow pledged revenue source.

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Fitch Affirms Kentucky SPBC's Project 91 Revenue Bonds at 'A+'