Verdict

GREEN FLAG lost his unbeaten record over fences when second to Annacotty in the Grade 1 Feltham at Kempton on Boxing Day but Lucinda Russell's charge can return to winning ways in this company. Shutthefrontdoor was progressing well before a below-par effort at Cheltenham, though strictly on the book his earlier defeat of Beeves gives him something to find with Ely Brown. The latter won easily at Leicester in December on only his second start over fences and is preferred to Coverholder, beaten a long way when second at Haydock to Tarquin Du Seuil. Milborough came a cropper at Ayr last month having won on his chasing debut at Uttoxeter while Strike Fast is even harder to fancy making his racecourse debut at this level.

Shutthefrontdoor (IRE) 13-8fav (11-6) Held up behind leaders, not fluent 17th, hit 4 out and stumbled slightly, soon ridden and no impression, well beaten after 3 out, lost 3rd next, last of 4, 35l behind Sam Winner (11-1) at Cheltenham 3m 1f nov chs (2) gd in Dec.

Ely Brown (IRE) 13-8fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, challenged 7th, led next, mistake 8th (water), mistake 14th, drawing clear when edged left before last, stayed on, won at Leicester 2m 7f nov chs (3) gs in Dec beating Beeves (11-7) by 16l, 4 ran.

Milborough (IRE) 5-4 (11-7) Tracked leaders in 3rd, pecked 1st, mistake 2nd, took keen hold, led 6th, headed before 9th, a close 2nd when fell 4 out, in a race won by Swatow Typhoon (11-7) at Ayr 3m 1f nov chs (4) hvy in Jan, 3 ran.

Strike Fast (IRE) 5-2 (12-5) Prog 15; one pce 2 out, 3rd of 16, 4 1/2l behind Dodgey Dream (12-5) at Aspatria 3m ptp gs in May '11.

Coverholder (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) With leader, led before 8th, headed 5 out, with winner 4 out, not fluent 3 out, soon beaten, 2nd of 4, 17l behind Taquin Du Seuil (11-7) at Haydock 2m 5f nov chs G2 (1) hvy in Jan.

Green Flag (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Chased leaders, went 3rd after 11th, under pressure 4 out, kept on after next, never a threat, 2nd of 5, 10l behind Annacotty (11-7) at Kempton 3m nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) sft in Dec.

Link:
totepool Towton Novices' Chase (Grade 2) 3m 1f

One thing no one ever plans for is loss. But it is beyond wishing it away, there is need to plan against losses.

This is true about avoiding electric sparks or a fire incident arising from it. Despite not planning for one, records abound on a yearly basis of property and lives lost to fire from electric sparks.

This week, Power Talkback brings you expert recommendations on how to avoid suffering such losses. Please note that the principles apply at homes and offices.

The first point to note is never to ignore a spark, no matter how harmless it appears. This is because every spark could result in a fire.

It is important to take good care of worn out plugs, cables and meters of wires, sockets among others.

Therefore, always look out for warning signs, as there is usually a clue that something could go wrong before a fire starts.

And when you notice the signs, insist that a qualified electrician assesses the situation.

Some warning signs could include:

A spark or smoke around a socket

Smell of melting plastic on cables and casing

More:
How to avoid electrocution, fire outbreak

Sedona, AZ (PRWEB) January 31, 2014

The Solar Dogs typically find themselves entertaining customers and guests of Ambassador Energy and students of Ambassador Energy College in their sleepy town of Murrieta, CA. This week, however, they enthusiastically joined their parents on a trip to cultivate new solar relationships in Arizona specifically, General Contracting, roofing and electrical firms, who are looking to add solar PV to their portfolios.

We had business to do in Phoenix and Sedona, so we added a little fun to the trip by bringing Lobo and Woofy. They are at the AE office and training center with us every day, so they can help us, because they know solaror at least, thats what we tell people, Steve Fulgham, CEO of Ambassador Energy said with a grin. "Lobo thinks there should be more solar in Arizona."

Lobo became Lobo the Solar Dog several years ago when the Ambassador Energy marketing department used her as their model on their first billboard. They had the sign company construct giant cutouts for her iconic ears on the sign, which welcomed passersby on the historic Route 395 in Southern California.

Lobo and Woofy are a huge part of our company, said Julia Oliver, Director of Operations for Ambassador Energy. If they stopped coming to the office each day, I think many on our staff would quit. Our company culture really benefits from having these precious babies around. Im glad that the Solar Dogs are spreading solar cheer in Arizona. We can spare them this week for that and look forward to helping our Arizona agencies install more solar.

About Ambassador Energy Ambassador Energy [AE] has a three-pronged business model, which includes Ambassador Energy College Solar Training, the Ambassador Energy Agency Program and the installation arms, Ambassador Energy and Ambassador Solar. On staff are NABCEP Certified PV Installers, NABCEP Certified PV Technical Sales professionals [Fulgham/Kelso] and multiple NABCEP EL graduates. AE holds California licenses General Contractor B, C10 Electrician and C46 Renewable Energy. Ambassador Energy is IREC/ISPQ accredited. AE Agencies are nationwide. Ambassador Energy installs residential and commercial PV systems throughout California and the US.

Read more:
California Solar Dogs Travel to Arizona to Share the Good News About Solar PV

Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas obtained a building permit Friday to renovate what appears to be an improperly converted garage at his Leimert Park home by adding a carport and removing a section of the detached building.

The request to approve the work comes after The Times reported that county-paid crews installing a security system last year replaced his garage's interior walls, installed electrical wiring and equipment, and put in appliances without city permits.

The newspaper reported that the detached garage had been converted into an office with a restroom before the work was done, apparently without permits.

Online records show that city building officials issued a permit Friday to add a two-vehicle carport and convert the garage into a recreation room with a half-bathroom. In addition, the permit calls for the removal of a five-by-19-foot section of the building.

Bob Steinbach, a spokesman for the city's Department of Building and Safety, said inspectors have visited the home as part of an investigation into whether Ridley-Thomas' garage had been converted without permits. The probe was launched in response to a complaint after the Times report about the county work performed at the supervisor's home.

Steinbach said city officials still have to perform further inspections of the garage. As part of the permit sought Friday, he said, inspectors would conduct a thorough review of any work previously done without approval. He said inspectors, for example, usually punch holes in drywall to examine unpermitted electrical and plumbing work.

"That will all be part of the permit," he said. "There are a lot of inspections that have to happen."

Lisa Richardson, a spokeswoman for Ridley-Thomas, said the work proposed under Friday's permit "is a private matter and no public employees are involved." The permit lists the contractor as Yor Construction and Investments Inc., a Valley Village-based firm.

Ridley-Thomas has declined repeated requests from The Times to answer questions about last year's work by county-paid crews on his garage.

In an interview last week with radio station KCRW-FM (89.9), he said the garage had been converted before he bought the home more than 20 years ago. A Times check of city building records turned up no permits for the conversion or for last year's work by the county.

Read more here:
Ridley-Thomas obtains building permit to renovate garage

Old University Ave bridge demolition begins Friday
Old University Ave bridge demolition begins Friday, Lowell.

By: LowellSun

Link:
Old University Ave bridge demolition begins Friday - Video

Stanvac Smoke Stack Demolition Jan 31 2014
Unique view of a local landmark coming down.

By: sean shaw

Read the rest here:
Stanvac Smoke Stack Demolition Jan 31 2014 - Video

District Infirmary, Ashton under Lyne, ongoing demolition Feb 2014
Demolition is well underway now, it won #39;t be long before it #39;s gone forever.

By: Vanessa Dixon

Read this article:
District Infirmary, Ashton under Lyne, ongoing demolition Feb 2014 - Video

GRID 2 - Let #39;s Play Demolition Derby LIVE - Platform32
GRID 2 - Let #39;s Play Demolition Derby LIVE - Platform32 All games are TM and their respective publishers and/or developers. All game footage is used with pe...

By: Platform32

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GRID 2 - Let's Play Demolition Derby LIVE - Platform32 - Video

Doylestown, PA (PRWEB) January 30, 2014

An expert in the construction industry will help business executives identify potential markets for their products and services in the next five years, while another will present strategies for employee retention and recruitment at the National Demolition Associations 41st Annual Convention February 22-25 at The Mirage in Las Vegas.

Grant Thayer, senior consultant with FMI, the leading provider of research to the construction-related trade industries including demolition will speak on The Current State of the American Construction Industry on Tuesday, February 25 at the gathering. The NDA Convention is the largest exposition of demolition products and services in the world.

Later in the day, Dr. Shirley Ramos, also with FMI, will lead an educational session entitled Building Your Talent Pool for Future Growth. Now that the industry is beginning to heat up, there will be a battle for top talent, according to Dr. Ramos. She will arm attendees with the right strategies to retain and recruit the best employees and also examine training and education trends, and innovations that can maximize employee performance and promote leadership.

The 2014 NDA Convention includes presentations from former US. Secretary of Energy Dr. Stephen Chu who will speak on innovation and energy. There will also be a common sense explanation of the Affordable Care Act and a look at NDAs new member resources program. There will also be a Leadership Training Program for key personnel on Sunday February 23. The day before, the NDA holds it 27th annual Golf Tournament and its Monday night extravaganza will be spectacular, with this years theme NDA in Paradise.

For more information about registering as an attendee, booking a hotel room, or checking on last-minute opportunities for exhibitors, go to the NDA website http://www.demolitionassociation.com and visit the Events section.

About the National Demolition Association

The National Demolition Association is a non-profit trade organization representing approximately 800 U.S. and Canadian companies and many international firms that are involved in the demolition process. Membership includes demolition contractors, general contractors, civil engineering firms, and recycling, landfill, and salvage operations. The associations efforts help members stay abreast of environmental, regulatory and safety matters, keep regulators informed about issues facing the industry, increase public and industry awareness, and provide members with networking opportunities and information on the latest technical advances in equipment and services. The website is http://www.demolitionassociation.com. Follow on Twitter: @ndamakingway and Facebook http://www.facebook.com/DemolitionAssoc.

Read the original here:
Association Puts Spotlight on Business-Building Sessions at Demolition Convention

Published: Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014, 5:18p.m. Updated 9 hours ago

Controlling costs when building a home is a job that often hinges on per-square-foot estimates, allowances for each room, books that list the costs of everything even something like architect-builder-owner master classes.

But then, as builders Dan Meade and Joe Cortes say, the prices go up.

It is more an art than a science, Greensburg architect Lee Calisti says about the method of coming up with a cost for building a home.

Some costs are fairly consistent. If a buyer goes to a development planned by a builder and chooses one of the plans even customizing it to a degree the costs are rather well known.

But a custom design makes matters different. Then, builders, architects, even homeowners say it is important to control the unknown.

Come up with a realistic idea of costs and stick to it. Remember, when one room goes over cost, you probably aren't going to make up for it elsewhere.

Act as your own general contractor and keep a close eye on all the costs.

Get a builder involved early so planning can be discussed from a practical sense.

The secret generally is controlling the variables in design and construction, South Side architect Gerald Lee Morosco says. For instance, he says, is it fairly realistic to estimate a house can be built at $175 per square foot.

More here:
Controlling costs of home construction requires diligence