HAUPPAUGE, N.Y., May 8, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Veteran photo editor and producer Andrea Maurio has become Agency Access' newest expert consultant.

Ms. Maurio's two-decade professional career includes stints at some of the nation's most popular and prestigious publications. She'll work primarily on Agency Access' Campaign Manager Pro program, overseeing personalized editing and marketing services for commercial photographers.

"After almost 20 years in the photography business, I'm taking my career in this slightly different direction because I want to work more directly with photographers," Ms. Maurio said. "My goal is to help them achieve marketing success and further their careers, and I believe the best way to do that is through Campaign Manager Pro."

Agency Access is a consultancy and direct-marketing agency for commercial photographers, illustrators, artist reps and stock agencies. Campaign Manager Pro, an all-inclusive program that plans and executes photographers' marketing programs, combines Agency Access' data, editing and promotional services under the guidance of a specialized marketing team, including a campaign manager, graphic designer, cold-calling expert and a supervising artist consultant like Ms. Maurio.

"Agency Access really shares my passion for photography and my commitment to helping artists succeed," she said. "I can't think of a better place to apply everything I've learned about this industry."

Ms. Maurio comes to Agency Access after serving over five years as photo editor and shoot producer at Runner's World magazine. She's worked as a freelance photo producer for high-profile magazines including Maxim, Stuff, Shape and Women's Wear Daily, and as a photo editor for New York magazine, Hers magazine, Who magazine (Australia's weekly version of People magazine) and the former online beauty resource Gloss.com.

She's also been a photo editor for book publisher Rizzoli/Universe Publishing and has worked on special photography projects for Men's Health, Parents, People and Entertainment Weekly magazines, among others.

Ms. Maurio earned a bachelor's degree in photography from the Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, Calif., and an associate's degree in video production from Mercer County College in Trenton, N.J.

In addition to consulting through Campaign Manager Pro, Ms. Maurio will be a regular contributor to The Lab, Agency Access' interactive blog where industry experts answer artist's marketing and creativity questions.

"We're very excited to add someone with Andrea's experience to the team," said Agency Access CEO Keith Gentile. "Her desire to help freelance artists succeed is directly in line with our corporate mission, and her talent and personality are perfect matches as well."

The rest is here:
Agency Access Welcomes Veteran Photo Editor

Salines DesignHub Develops New Web Site for Process Results: DesignHub Inc. of Saline has designed and developed the new website for Process Results, Inc., an engineering services firm also based in Saline. The new site, http://www.processresults.com, describes Process Results ervices across a range of industries commercial, industrial, municipal, educational, and more. The company provides consulting engineering and technical know-how to clients in chemical processing, pharmaceutical, green technology, automation and controls, energy management, facilities/industrial, commercial/architectural, forensic engineering, and other application areas. Visitors to the new site learn about Process Results work on high-profile projects. Case studies tell how the company has helped clients meet engineering challenges and solve business problems in specialized areas such as research and development, wet and dry laboratories, HVAC, electrical study, hazard analysis, and others.The site outlines Process Results eight-stage approach to engineering projects. The companys professional credentials and affiliations are detailed. Other site highlights include a brief history of the company and profiles of the companys principals. News from Process Results appears on the home page and is archived within the site. There are also answers to frequently asked questions about the company and its services. DesignHub built the site upon its own content management system, called ContentHub, based on open-source software tools. ContentHub lets authorized site administrators at Process Results make day-to-day changes to the sites variable content themselves. Process Results was founded in 1991. The company today employs 25 consulting engineers and other professionals. DesignHub is a creative services and marketing firm. It works with clients on website design and development, brand development, brochures, annual reports, newsletters, advertising, public relations, direct marketing, search marketing, social media, packaging designs, signage, and trade show displays, as well as marketing strategies and plans. The company was founded in 1999. More at http://www.design-hub.com.

Ballard Benefit Works Selects Online Techs HIPAA Cloud: Ballard Benefit Works, a Howell-based full service employee benefit and health care finance consulting firm, has selected Online Techs independently HIPAA audited cloud system. By partnering with an independently HIPAA audited data center, companies can be assured their data and applications are hosted in facilities that operate and implement HIPAA compliant controls and security measures. Like many companies in the employee benefit and health care industry, Ballard Benefit Works biggest concern was the integrity and protection of their data and clients data. In addition, they were required to adhere to all HIPAA privacy and security regulations. While searching for a HIPAA compliant cloud provider that would meet their high standards, Ballard Benefit Works found many companies claiming to be HIPAA compliant and secure, but without documentation from an independent auditor to back it up. One of Online Techs biggest attractions was they put forth the effort to receive third party audit reports from qualified assessors and put it in writing they are HIPAA compliant, says Justin Spewock, Ballard Benefit Works CEO. Online Tech is the only independently HIPAA audited managed cloud provider. Their HIPAA compliant cloud meets 100 percent compliance across all 54 HITECH citations with no exceptions as determined by an independent Certified HIPAA Security Specialist (CHSS). Online Tech meets all of the HIPAA requirements including meeting the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) rules and regulations 164.308, 164.310 and 164.312. Compliance with the HITECH Act requires policies that protect the availability, integrity and confidentiality of PHI (Protected Health Information), Business Associates Agreements, and preparedness to report any violations of PHI misuse to the Office of Civil Rights (OCR). Online Tech signs a BAA (Business Associate Agreement) with every client in the healthcare industry that clearly defines the obligations and responsibilities of both parties to ensure PHI is protected. Ballard Benefit Works cloud is hosted in Online Techs high availability data center infrastructure with rigorous physical and network security safeguards and warm site disaster recovery options to ensure PHI is private, protected, and always available. More at http://www.onlinetech.com or http://www.ballardbenefitsworks.com. Ballard Benefit Works Selects Online Techs HIPAA Cloud: Ballard Benefit Works, a full service employee benefit and health care finance consulting firm, has selected Online Techs independently HIPAA audited cloud system. By partnering with an independently HIPAA audited data center, companies can be assured their data and applications are hosted in facilities that operate and implement HIPAA compliant controls and security measures. Like many companies in the employee benefit and health care industry, Ballard Benefit Works biggest concern was the integrity and protection of their data and clients data. In addition, they were required to adhere to all HIPAA privacy and security regulations. While searching for a HIPAA compliant cloud provider that would meet their high standards, Ballard Benefit Works found many companies claiming to be HIPAA compliant and secure, but without documentation from an independent auditor to back it up. One of Online Techs biggest attractions was they put forth the effort to receive third party audit reports from qualified assessors and put it in writing they are HIPAA compliant, says Justin Spewock, Ballard Benefit Works CEO. Online Tech is the only independently HIPAA audited managed cloud provider. Their HIPAA compliant cloud meets 100 percent compliance across all 54 HITECH citations with no exceptions as determined by an independent Certified HIPAA Security Specialist (CHSS). Online Tech meets all of the HIPAA requirements including meeting the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) rules and regulations 164.308, 164.310 and 164.312. Compliance with the HITECH Act requires policies that protect the availability, integrity and confidentiality of PHI (Protected Health Information), Business Associates Agreements, and preparedness to report any violations of PHI misuse to the Office of Civil Rights (OCR). Online Tech signs a BAA (Business Associate Agreement) with every client in the healthcare industry that clearly defines the obligations and responsibilities of both parties to ensure PHI is protected. Ballard Benefit Works cloud is hosted in Online Techs high availability data center infrastructure with rigorous physical and network security safeguards and warm site disaster recovery options to ensure PHI is private, protected, and always available. More at http://www.onlinetech.com or http://www.ballardbenefitsworks.com.

Visit link:
Client Wins From May 8

Careful real estate investors get a Commercial Building Inspection or Property Condition Report prior to buying a commercial asset. There are multiple grades of commercial building inspections and there are a lot of different types of professionals performing theses services, all of which are appropriate for one situation or another.

A few of the classes of professionals that perform commercial building inspections are:

1) Due Diligence Firms. These firms usually call their commercial building inspections Property Condition Assessments or Property Condition Reports. My firm Partner Engineering and Science, Inc. is included in this group. The better of the due diligence firms employ registered engineers and architects and have a specific engineering inspection practice. I am not saying that the best inspectors are necessarily engineers or architects; rather that quality inspectors can work under the responsible charge of an engineer or an architect very effectively.

2) Home inspectors who do commercial too. This group varies widely in my opinion. Some are very good no doubt.

3) Architectural firms. Architects know buildings and building codes well. They are a very good choice when you are planning to do a major renovation after purchasing the building.

4) Structural engineering firms. Structural engineers tend to focus on structural issues as opposed to all building systems, but there are no doubt plenty of structural engineers with broad building systems knowledge.

5) General Contractors. GCs generally know buildings well too. Contractors also run the gamut from very good to less so. A general contractor is great at providing cost data for a renovation, and GCs tend to be a practical group A GC generally does not want to produce a long narrative report.

As my firm is an engineering due diligence firm, I would recommend the first choice; however, I have seen all five of these types of commercial building inspectors yield high quality work. I have also seen due diligence firms, especially firms that are really environmental firms trying to add this service to their offerings, produce really low quality work.

See the rest here:
All Commercial Building Inspections Are Not Created Equal

CEDAR RAPIDS A restoration that is breathing new life into a historic pipe organ at Coe College took a major step forward last week, when the lungs of the instrument were reinstalled after a year of repair.

The airtight maze of metal ducts and two large turbines were installed in the new environmentally controlled blower room beneath the Sinclair Auditorium stage. The blower provides the air, or wind, that makes the sounds for the Skinner organ.

Doug Cornell from Climate Engineers checks the fit of segments of pipe as he works in the organ chamber in Sinclair Auditorium at Coe College. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG)

This is the lungs of the colossus, said Jeff Weiler, a 1981 Coe graduate and organ curator based in Chicago who is leading the restoration. What this represents is the first major phase of a multiphase, multiyear project that will restore this instrument to its 1929 condition.

Its important for the college and the Cedar Rapids community to understand that they are home to one of the most important pipe organs in the world, Weiler said.

Its an enormous cultural asset, he said. Its iconic in terms of its heritage value.

Constructed by esteemed builder Ernest M. Skinner, considered the best of the best in American organ building, it will be one of few Skinner organs in the country to be fully restored upon completion of this project in several years, Weiler said. And the Coe organ represents the work of the Skinner firm at the zenith of the company, he said.

Skinner organs are no longer made. To build something like this today would cost millions of dollars, and certain materials used in the instrument are no longer available, said Weiler, a Traer native.

The old blower room was located in an unsuitable environment, next to where steam entered the building, he said. Burst steam pipes on several occasions caused water and mold damage to some of the old blower components, so a few portions were rebuilt with new materials.

But the rest of the blowers original parts were restored in this project, Weiler said. The blower also will be restored to full voices, since the instruments power was tamped down in the move to Sinclair Auditorium in 1952.

Read more:
Noteworthy: Restoration of historic pipe organ reaches a milestone

BEIRUT: Tens of people caused heavy traffic for approximately three hours Tuesday morning in a protest against the government's failure to construct an alternative bridge to the one it dismantled earlier this year.

Metn residents holding Lebanese flags blocked the Beirut-Jounieh highway in an on-and-off manner Tuesday morning while motorists were left stranded in their vehicles.

Some protesters distributed Kanafeh to drivers while others sat down on mats, smoking nargileh and playing cards.

During the protest, which saw the closure of the highway several times, many drivers left their cars on the side of the highway and walked to their workplace. Others took out portable chairs from their cars and took shelter on the sides of the roads from the blinding sunlight.

Motorists have asked security forces to reopen the highway.

Several MPs participated in the protest with Change and Reform bloc MP Ibrahim Kanaan signing the protesters' proposal for an alternative bridge.

The Jal al-Dib Bridge, north of Beirut, was built shortly after the start of the Civil War in 1975 and dismantled earlier this year following warnings by various officials that it was at severe risk of collapsing.

The government said it would build an alternative bridge to replace it but no plans have been implemented yet.

Local media quoted Interior Minister Marwan Charbel promising protesters to discuss an alternative bridge in the Cabinet session scheduled for Wednesday.

This is the third protest since Metn residents vowed to take to the streets if their demands for an appropriate exit and entry system to the Metn from Jal al-Dib are not met.

See the rest here:
Protest resumes over lack of Jal al-Dib bridge replacement

07-05-2012 20:43 **CRISTAL INDIGO SERVICES** In this video above we present to you one of our latest, successful project near West Palm beach. We specialized on bathroom remodeling, kitchen, living room, offices, and outside the house remodeling.. ect. **COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL** Interested by our work? This could be your own dream bathroom!! Contact us for more information or a FREE estimate - BROWARD COUNTY FL: (954) 607-8684 MIAMI-DADE COUNTY FL: (305) 576-7988 WEST PALM BEACH COUNTY FL: (561) 630-8966 Or simply visit our website at God bless you and have an amazing day!

View post:
Bathroom remodeling video complete - Video

By MONICA DRAKE monica.drake@oakpress.com; Twitter: @monica_adele

Students wait in the lunch line at Clarkston High School recently. The Clarkston School District is the subject of a $20 million bond issue that raises annual taxes by 1 mill per year for Clarkston residents. The Oakland Press/TIM THOMPSON

Residents within the Clarkston School District will have a decision to make on Tuesday, May 8 whether to support the $20 million school bond proposal.

The bond would be used for remodeling, equipping and furnishing school buildings; acquiring and installing educational technology in school buildings; and developing and improving athletic facilities and sites.

Every student and teacher within the school district would have access to a handheld technology device, such as an iPad, according to administration.

The current enrollment of the school district is about 8,100 students. The bond series would provide the district with $10 million in 2012 and $5 million each in 2016 and 2020.

Supporters, who call themselves Clarkston Kids First, stressed that this bond will allow the school district to catch up with surrounding districts.

Clarkston Kids First member Aimee Baker, mother of a fifth-grader and a ninth-grader, said, Were not trying to lead the way. Were just trying to catch up.

George White, former principal of Pine Knob Elementary and former Clarkston High School teacher, said, Were trying to provide an opportunity for our kids to be competitive when they leave Clarkston Schools and go into the work force so they have similar skills and a similar background to move forward.

Excerpt from:
$20M Clarkston school bond includes remodeling plan, iPads for students WITH VIDEO

by Martin Moylan, Minnesota Public Radio

May 7, 2012

ST. PAUL, Minn. Peg Wangensteen and her husband, Doug, had been in their St. Paul home for about 40 years when a number of things inspired them to remodel their upstairs bathroom this spring.

"One was our granddaughter saying to us, 'Grandma why do you have paint peeling off the ceiling of your bathroom,'" she said. "But it was also that the water pressure wasn't as good. It was the room was kind of cool because it had two outside walls."

Workers gutted the bathroom to the studs and installed new insulation, sheetrock and tile. They also replaced aging pipes, along with the bathroom window, sink, toilet and tub.

It was a significant expense but the Wangensteens think they received a good deal, saving about $1,000.

"We thought the bids were going to be better than they might be in a few years from now," she said. "We have a sense that there isn't as much remodeling going on and that people want the work. We were hoping to tap into that."

As more homeowners undertake such projects, the hard-hit construction industry appears to be recovering slowly -- improvement is starting to show up in the remodeling business.

But times are still tough in the building trades. These days there's often intense competition for the remodeling work that is available. That's pushed down the cost of home renovations.

Many remodelers agree with Peg Wangensteen's read of the market.

Read the original here:
Slow building recovery boosts remodel business

Credit: Brent Bingham dba Foto Fx

Green roofs may only represent a very small part of the total U.S. residential market, but the industry still saw triple-digit growth last year.

The green roof industry grew by 115 percent over the course of 2011, up significantly from 28.5 percent growth recorded in 2010, says Steven W. Peck, president of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC), an association that promotes the development of green roofs and walls in North America.

The association has a theory for the strong growth over the last year. We are definitely beginning to see results from policy support that has increased over the past few years, says Jeffrey L. Bruce, chair of GRHC. The industry is also benefiting from the more than 500 accredited green roof professionals (GRPs) in the market, who are committed to driving future industry growth.

At the same time the group released it numbers, it announced that Washington, D.C., for the first time jumped to top of the metro rankings with more than 800,000 square feet of green roofs installed in 2011. Washington, D.C., Mayor Vincent C. Gray says it shows that the citys aggressive adoption of green infrastructure continues to pay off.

This is evidence that the District is moving toward my vision for a sustainable D.C. and will lead the nation in implementing green practices and growing a green economy, the D.C. mayor says. We are fully committed to being No. 1 again next year.

Chicago is still the green roof leader among metro areas over the past decade, the association adds. With a total of over five million square feet of installed green roofs, it is one million square feet ahead of any other metro region since the survey started in 2004, the GRHC says.

A green roof is one that consists of several layers of protected membranes and soil medium, and planted with any type of vegetation, including succulents, grasses, and other plants. Green roof advocates say the system offers a tremendous amount of benefits, including increased insulation for the building, added energy efficiency, and stormwater management.

In urban applications, green roofs help clean the air, reduce the stress off sewer systems through stormwater retention, and help reduce the heat island effect that makes urban temperatures climb in the summer.

Paul Erlichman, membership coordinator for the association, says the institutional sector of the market saw the biggest green roof gains, but he says commercial, multi-unit residential, industrial, and single-family residential also saw strong growth. This is based on total square footage, and institutional projects tend to be largest, he adds.

Continued here:
Green Roofing Grows a Whopping 115% in 2011, Industry Announces

Columbus, Ohio - April 2012 - Local Columbus firm, Holland Roofing of Columbus Inc., is recognized by Firestone Building Products Company, LLC, with the 2012 Firestone Master Contractor Award. From a network of more than 3,000 Firestone-licensed roofing contractors, the esteemed firm is among the top 256 to be honored for high-quality roofing system installation and outstanding service.

"Contracting a Firestone Master Contractor provides building owners and roof consultants with the assurance that their roofing project will be completed with great skill and expertise," said Tim Dunn, president of Firestone Building Products. "Firestone congratulates Holland Roofing of Columbus Inc. for providing exceptional client services and delivering superior products, solutions and installations. Throughout this past year, this firm consistently demonstrated top-quality workmanship that merits the Master Contractor award."

Celebrating its 25th year, the Master Contractor program has commended notable roofing firms for attaining Firestone's high level of standards, which are based on total square footage installed and outstanding inspection ratings. Firestone's first-rate contractor firms in United States, Canada and Mexico are eligible for the award.

For information on roofing services provided by Holland Roofing of Columbus Inc., please contact Ed Calfe at 614-430-3724 or via email at info@hollandroofing.com. You may also visit the company's website at http://www.hollandroofing.com/columbus.

Celebrating its 25th year, the Master Contractor program has commended notable roofing firms for attaining Firestone's high level of standards, which are based on total square footage installed and outstanding inspection ratings. Firestone's first-rate contractor firms in United States, Canada and Mexico are eligible for the award. For information on roofing services provided by Holland Roofing of Columbus Inc., please contact Ed Calfe at 614-430-3724 or via email at info@hollandroofing.com. You may also visit the company's website at http://www.hollandroofing.com/columbus.

About Firestone Building Products Company, LLC Firestone Building Products Company, LLC (FSBP) is a leading manufacturer of EPDM, TPO, asphalt and metal roofing systems, polyiso insulation and accessories for the commercial roofing industry. Firestone also offers a number of green roofing products including photovoltaic, daylighting and vegetative roofing systems. Beyond superior roofing products, FSBP offers installation expertise and product support through roofing solutions and technical services departments and an international network of roofing contractors, distributors and field sales representatives. FSBP is headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind. Visit the FSBP website at http://www.firestonebpco.com.

To stay competitive, you must employ the latest manufacturing technologies to reduce cycle times and increase throughput. IMTS 2012 features world-class solutions -- machines, tools, software, systems, testing -- to improve your processes.

Be There!

Eliminate sensor failure from target impact and the harsh effects of extreme environments. Ifm's 316 stainless steel, metal face sensors resist aggressive chemicals, will not corrode, and offer a true non-flush operation with no false outputs.

Visit ifm efector

Read the original:
Firestone Bestows Columbus Company with 2012 Distinguished Roofing Industry Award