ROCKFORD The window is quickly closing to apply for Rockfords sole federal magistrate judge position.

The $160,080 position has been held P. Michael Mahoney since 1976. He plans to retire Dec. 31. There are 29 judges in Rockfords federal and state court systems. The jobs pay $160,000 to nearly $180,000 annually, and competition to fill a vacancy typically is steep with dozens of lawyers submitting applications.

District judges are hand-picked by the U.S. president and confirmed by the Senate, but magistrate judges are appointed by the federal courts district judges, similar to associate judges in state court.

Mahoneys vacancy is in the Western Division of the U.S. District Courts Northern District of Illinois, hearing cases in the new Stanley J. Roszkowski Courthouse in downtown Rockford. It is an eight-year appointment.

Completed applications must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. Monday.

Information on eligibility, salary and benefits and how to apply is available at ilnd.uscourts.gov. Clerk Thomas Bruton said the court will not release the names of the applicants or the number of applications it receives.

Once the application period closes, a panel of residents and lawyers of the Western Division will review the applications, make recommendations and narrow the field.

Once the panels work is complete, the judges of the Northern District of Illinois will select Mahoneys replacement. The new judge should be selected in January or February.

Corina Curry: 815-987-1371; ccurry@rrstar.com; @corinacurry

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Wanted: New magistrate judge for Rockford's federal court

The Manheim Town Council last month voted unanimously to seek out a contractor to replace the vinyl siding on the town office building on State Route 167. The council authorized advertisement for bids for the siding and window trim, which they said is in dire need of replacement. Town officials said the siding and window sills are beginning to rot and separate from the building, and they are concerned water may cause further damage. Speaking during Tuesday evenings council meeting, town Supervisor John Haughton reiterated the issue with the siding is not a good situation and remains something that needs to be looked at. Since the last meeting weve learned the siding has a 50-year warranty on it, so a representative from the company that manufactured it will come and take a look at what is happening, he said. The concern is if water gets behind the siding, the building will have bigger problems in the future. Prior to authorizing advertisement for bids last month, the council discussed the possibility of replacing the window trim only, however, Councilman Peter Jaiken said that could prove more costly. If the trim is replaced now, it would have to be ripped up and replaced again when the siding is replaced or it wouldnt match, he said. If it is going to be replaced, it would make sense to replace the siding and the trim at the same time so everything is done properly and everything matches. Tuesday evening, Haughton said the town would meet with the representative from the manufacturer of the siding before making a decision on how to proceed with the repair. If the siding is under warranty like we have been told, then cost should be lower, he said. The council previously decided if the bids were determined to be too high for the current budget year, they would likely be rejected as the town does not have to accept any of the bids it receives. The specifications for the project are to be drawn up by Highway Superintendent Carl Stallman.

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Manheim waits to make decision on office work

Northwest Exteriors, a leading replacement window and siding installation company for residential customers in California, Nevada and Hawaii, today announced it has expanded and established a new location in San Diego (http://northwestexteriors.com/window-installation-san-diego.php). Bringing the total to five offices in the Western Region, the Northwest Exteriors new office will now serve the San Diego, South Orange County and Temecula areas. The office employs 15 employees and customers will now have access to products spanning windows to sun rooms to solar panels.

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) October 11, 2012

With more than 30 years experience in home improvement, we continue to extend our sales and services network to areas that will benefit from our product offerings and expertise, said Tom Orr, president of Northwest Exteriors. Over the past two years, we have expanded our products beyond windows and doors into solar panels, covered patios and walk-in tubs and believe San Diego is an ideal fit for these offerings. We look forward to serving the San Diego, South Orange and Temecula communities with our quality products and services.

A complete listing of Northwest Exteriors products and services can be found at http://www.northwestexteriors.com.

The new office is located at at 5125 Convoy St. Suite 207, San Diego CA 92111. Phone: 1-800-510-0007. Eddie Tecson is the General Manager, overseeing the San Diego operation. Email: Eddie(at)northwestexteriors(dot)com

Founded in 1995, Northwest Exteriors' representatives are familiar with government programs and financing solutions, and they ensure homeowners have everything they need to maximize available incentives and affordably install their projects. The company is also a master distributer of Anlin Window Systems; installs Craneboard, CertainTeed and James Hardie siding products; and is an authorized dealer of SunPower solar panels. Northwest Exteriors is a member of the PG&E Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program.

Northwest Exteriors offers a variety of home improvement products to residential customers throughout California, Nevada and Hawaii. More information can be found at http://www.northwestexteriors.com.

David Rose D2M Interactive (408) 315-6802 Email Information

Originally posted here:
Northwest Exteriors Expands To San Diego Offering Replacement Windows, Solar Installation, and Walk-In Tubs

Lanham, MD (PRWEB) October 09, 2012

Thompson Creek Window Company, the mid-Atlantics leading home improvement replacement products company, today announced they have been named #1926 on the 2012 Inc. 5000 List a compilation of the countrys fastest-growing companies, across all industries.

According to Inc. Magazine, Americas fastest growers span 25 industries, all 50 states, and metro areas ranging from Boston to San Diego. New York City had the most honorees, with 350--three more than runner-up Washington, D.C. While nearly half the winners had revenues between $2 million and $10 million, more than 50 took in over $1 billion.

Thompson Creek Window Company is proud to be one of the few regional home improvement replacement product companies honored with a repeat visit to this national list, a sure sign that the company has not only weathered the nations economic downturns, but has bucked tradition and grown substantially.

Rick Wuest, president of Thompson Creek Window Company, said I am thrilled to be included in such a recognized and esteemed group of companies. This achievement is a direct result of the dedication we have to our customers. The relationships we have developed with those customers, and the recommendations they share with their friends and neighbors, are paramount to our continued growth and success. Our inclusion in this list is a direct reflection of that success.

To download the complete list, please click here.

About Thompson Creek The Thompson Creek Window Company is a privately owned and family-operated manufacturer and installer of energy-efficient home improvement replacement products. Founded in 1980, Thompson Creek Window Company began as a manufacturer of energy-efficient, maintenance-free vinyl windows. Since that time, Thompson Creek Window Company has evolved into one of the leading specialty home improvement contracting companies in the nation. The companys product mix includes replacement windows and doors], vinyl siding and a clog-free gutter system. Thompson Creek Window Company is headquartered in Lanham, MD with an 80,000 square-foot manufacturing facility in Landover, MD.

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Thompson Creek Windows Ranked #1926 on 2012 Inc. 5000

Update, 3.05pm: Train services on the Joondalup line may not return to normal until Friday after a power line crashed onto a city bound train this morning, according to Transport Minister Troy Buswell.

Passengers endured a terrifying few minutes when a downed power line hit the train, slamming against a window and sending people ducking for cover as they feared the windows could smash.

The power line and supporting poles were ripped out as the Joondalup line train continued along the track for about a kilometre after becoming tangled in the line.

Debris showered vehicles travelling along the freeway.

Train transport was in chaos with hundreds of people stranded at stations. The interruptions have extended into this afternoon with replacement buses used to clear the backlog.

Passengers were initially stranded on the disabled train this morning.

Do you have pictures from this morning? Send them in

Trains have been stopped between Whitfords and Leederville and Mr Buswell said the trains may not return to normal until Friday.

Mr Buswell described the incident as significant and said it had caused damage to 1.5km of overhead wire and to some rail infrastructure.

He said all rail crews were working to repair the line and a full investigation was underway to find the cause.

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Power lines down in train chaos

Experts at Simonton Windows offer timely tips for homeowners to enhance the energy efficiency of their windows and doors during Octobers National Energy Awareness Month.

Columbus, OH (PRWEB) October 02, 2012

Virtually every building component in a home needs to be replaced at some point, and windows are no exception, says Gary Pember of Simonton Windows. Wed like to think that our roof, siding and windows will last forever, but they wont.

Marking your calendar each October to routinely check your windows and patio doors helps ensure they are performing the way they were designed to perform. These checks also help determine when its time to consider a window replacement project that can offer you long-term energy savingsespecially if you live in an older home.

Pember recommends the following do-it-yourself tips to gain an initial impression of how well your current windows and patio doors are functioning:

Tip #1 - Examine the inside of your windows and patio doors for hot and cold drafty spots (or drafty areas). This indicates air infiltration which can lead to reduced energy efficiency.

Tip #2 - Check every window and door to make sure there is adequate weatherstripping and caulking around the units. This helps eliminate air infiltration and ensure a weather tight, secure seal.

Tip #3 Look for burnt out or faded areas on your furnishings and carpeting. This could indicate harmful, damaging UV rays are entering your home through your windows or doors. You may want to consider replacement with more energy efficient units containing Low E coatings on the glass.

Tip #4 If your windows no longer open or close easily--or if they need to be propped open--it could mean key components within the units are damaged or need adjustment. It could also mean the unit needs to be replaced entirely.

Tip #5 Check the fit of your current windows or patio doors by having someone stand outside the units at night. With a small flashlight, stand inside and travel around the edge of the units. If the person outside sees light coming through the edges, this indicates a poor installation and is resulting in energy loss.

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Schedule a Window Check-up During October’s National Energy Awareness Month

Lanham, MD (PRWEB) October 02, 2012

Thompson Creek Window Company, the mid-Atlantics leading home improvement replacement products company, today announced they have been named #8 on Remodeling Magazines annual list of the top 550 replacement contractors in the United States.

Methodology The magazine leverages residential remodeling revenue data gathered from a web-based survey conducted jointly by Remodeling Magazine and its sister publication Replacement Contractor. Specpan, a third-party data collection provider, hosted the survey and compiled the data. Additional information was gathered via mailings, phone calls and public information sources.

Thompson Creek Window Company is proud to be one of the few regional replacement companies that make this esteemed list year after year..

Rick Wuest, president of Thompson Creek, said I very excited to be recognized as one of the top remodelers in the country. Sustainability in our business requires a dedication to 100% customer satisfaction. Total customer satisfaction has always been our focus. This achievement is a direct result of the relationships we have developed with satisfied customers and the feedback and recommendations they share with their friends and neighbors. Our inclusion in this list is true validation that we are continuing to succeed in our mission.

About Thompson Creek The Thompson Creek Window Company is a privately owned and family-operated manufacturer and installer of energy-efficient home improvement replacement products. Founded in 1980, Thompson Creek Window Company began as a manufacturer of energy-efficient, maintenance-free vinyl windows. Since that time, Thompson Creek Window Company has evolved into one of the leading specialty home improvement contracting companies in the nation. The companys product mix includes replacement windows and doors, vinyl siding and a clog-free gutter system. Thompson Creek Window Company is headquartered in Lanham, MD with an 80,000 square-foot manufacturing facility in Landover, MD.

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Thompson Creek Windows Ranked #8 on 2012 Remodeling 550

Preservation Green Lab's report offers affordable alternatives for homeowners seeking to save money and help the environment

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new study released today offers welcome insight for homeowners weighing the financial and energy tradeoffs between replacing or repairing older, less efficient windows. The report, "Saving Windows, Saving Money: Evaluating the Energy Performance of Window Retrofit and Replacement," was commissioned by the Preservation Green Lab and funded by The National Park Service's National Center for Preservation Technology and Training.

It analyzes decades of research about the performance of double hung windows, comparing the relative energy, carbon and cost savings of various choices in multiple cities across the United States. The report concludes that upgrading windows (specifically older, single-pane models) with exterior storm windows and insulating shades can result in substantial energy savings across a variety of climate zones.

"A number of existing window retrofit strategies come very close to delivering the energy benefits of high-performance replacement windows at a fraction of the cost," said Mark Huppert, technical director of the Preservation Green Lab. "From weather stripping and sealing, to installing exterior storm windows or interior cellular shades, almost every retrofit option offers a better return on investment than outright replacement."

These findings have important environmental and economic ramifications for consumers. Residential buildings are responsible for approximately 20 percent of total U.S. energy use and carbon dioxide emissions. Many of these buildings are single-family homes where heating and cooling represents the largest uses of energy, and where windows are an important factor in home energy efficiency. Americans spend over $17 billion annually on heating and cooling.

"Homeowners and designers who want to upgrade existing windows have many choices: from simple low cost, do-it-yourself solutions to complete replacement, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars," said David J. Brown, executive vice president and chief preservation officer of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. "This report provides the context and data to help budget conscious consumers make sound decisions."

Whether you live in Boston, Chicago or Phoenix, the conclusions are nearly identical," said Kirk Cordell, the executive director of the National Center for Preservation Training and Technology. "With careful planning, it's possible to affordably increase the energy efficiency of a home or residential building without compromising its design quality or historic character."

Research support for the study was provided by Cascadia Green Building Council and Ecotope, a consultancy focused on energy efficiency and sustainability.

The full report is at http://www.preservationnation.org/saving-windows-saving-money.

About the Preservation Green Lab The Preservation Green Lab is a sustainability think tank and national leader in efforts to advance the reuse and retrofit of older and historic buildings. A project of the National Trust for Historic Preservation (www.preservationnation.org), the Green Lab was launched in 2009 and is based in Seattle, Wash.

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New Study Shows Window Retrofits Provide Significant Energy Savings at Less Cost than Full Window Replacement

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Serious Energy, Inc. has sold its architectural glass and fiberglass window business in Longmont, CO to Alpen High Performance Products. Alpen HPP will continue to manufacture architectural glass and fiberglass windows at its Longmont facilities. Alpen HPP will concentrate on its successful high-performance, custom fiberglass residential and commercial window products. Serious Energy will retain its residential vinyl window and door operations produced at its Vandergrift, PA plant. Serious Energy and Alpen, which have a longstanding relationship and a shared interest in high-performance suspended films, are exploring opportunities for future product, distribution and technology collaboration.

According to Serious Energy CEO, Tassilo Baeuerle, We believe we can provide better customer service and accelerate growth by focusing on our core competencies in energy-efficient windows (Serious Glass suspended film products), and acoustical products (QuietRock sound-damping drywall) for the built environment. Given our long history with Alpen, we were happy when they sought to acquire the architectural glass and fiberglass business. Both companies are committed to a smooth transition, and we look forward to continuing our mutually supportive relationship. Serious Energy remains focused on enabling our vinyl window customers to receive the same high performing, energy efficient windows they have come to expect over the years.

Alpen CEO, Brad Begin, added that Alpen expects continued success as the long standing Colorado team now fully concentrates on the innovative high performance fiberglass product line and its historical strength in the high performance architectural glass market, led by veteran industry innovator Robert Clarke.

Serious Windows residential vinyl products offer high energy efficiency ratings and are popular with homeowners and contractors. Serious also continues to market its iWindow commercial replacement product. According to Mr. Baeuerle, Q2 results were strong for the window segment: Total window sales posted very positive gains in Q2 2012.

QuietRock ES, Serious Energys fast-growing soundproofing drywall panel, delivers industry-leading Sound Transmission Class (STC) ratings while providing an easy-to-install conventional drywall solution, making it the primary choice by professionals. Although its products have broad market appeal, QuietRock products meet the exacting requirements of architects involved in sound attenuation. In 2012 QuietRock ES sales has seen impressive double-digits growth rates over prior year. The company experienced increased sales on both the East and West coast, and in both commercial and residential markets. The company will continue to expand in all regions.

Serious Energy, Inc. manufactures and markets acoustical and thermal solutions to the built environment through its QuietRock, Serious Window and iWindow brands. With an advanced development team, multiple manufacturing plants and a broad network of distributors throughout the U.S. and Canada, Serious Energy products have been installed in thousands of projects worldwide, including the Empire State Building. For more information, visit http://www.SeriousEnergy.com.

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Serious Sells Architectural/Fiberglass Windows Division to Industry Ally and Delivers Strong First-Half 2012 Growth

DANVILLE The Danville school district could kick off a project to replace the windows at the high school.

School board members on Wednesday will vote on whether to pay Schmidt Associates, Inc. $15,000 plus mileage and printing fees to provide architectural drawings and bid specifications for the project, which could begin next summer.

The Danville School Board will meet at 6:30 p.m on Wednesday at the Jackson Building, 516 N. Jackson St., Danville. A copy of the agenda is available online athttp://bit.ly/OXtlD7.

"The high school is so big. We would have to replace the windows over a period of time to ease both the expense as well as the disruption and cleanup of the building," Superintendent Mark Denman said.

The project calls for demolishing and replacing the exterior windows on the school's west facade, along North Jackson Street, except for a curtainwall system on the northwest side of the building that already has been replaced. The work is estimated between $300,000 to $500,000.

Denman said the window replacement is recommended in the district's health life safety plan.

Also at the meeting, board members will hold a public hearing on a proposed budget for the 2012-13 fiscal year and then vote on whether to adopt it.

The proposed spending plan, which has been on display at the Jackson Building, would spend about $66.1 million, and bring in about $63.67 million in revenue. The district would cover the projected $2.43 million deficit with reserve funds.

The education fund which pays for most salaries and day-to-day expenses would spend about $50.16 million and generate about $49.87 million in revenue, leaving a $292,798 shortfall.

"Like other public school districts, we're seeing a decrease in general state aid and ... a loss in federal (jobs bill) funding," Denman said. "We're also anticipating a 5.9 percent reduction in (equalized assessed valuation of property) in the district, which will be a loss of more than $900,000 in property taxes. That's why we must continue to be cautious with our expenses."

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Danville board to consider window replacement at high school