Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute Awards First Cradle to Cradle Product Certifications to Shaw Industries

Dalton, GA (PRWEB) March 05, 2012

The products are among the first in the world to achieve certification through the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute, which independently operates and audits the certification process. Based in San Francisco, California, the Institute was formed in March 2010 by William McDonough and Michael Braungart. The Institutes objective is to make the rigorous Cradle to Cradle product certification program (originally founded in 2005 by McDonough and Braungart) more accessible and available to a larger public.

In 2005, Shaw Industries became the first flooring company in the world to introduce fully certified Cradle to Cradle flooring products. Today, nearly 75 percent of the companys sales come from Cradle to Cradle certified product, including residential and commercial carpet, carpet tile, rugs, and hardwood. In addition, the company recently introduced LokDots, the worlds first Silver level Cradle to Cradle CertifiedCM installation system, for use with the companys EcoWorx carpet tile.

According to Shaw Vice President of Sustainability Paul Murray, certifying EcoWorx through the new Cradle to Cradle Institute process is a fitting next step for the company that pioneered flooring designed according to Cradle to Cradle principles.

A dedication to Cradle to Cradle principles is an integral part of our commitment to Sustainability through Innovation the Shaw Green Edge, Murray said. Our introduction of EcoWorx carpet tile with Eco Solution Q fiber more than a decade ago changed the definition of sustainable flooring for our industry. Becoming the first flooring manufacturer in the world to earn Cradle to Cradle certification for these products, and subsequently embracing Cradle to Cradle principles across the spectrum of product design, manufacturing, reclamation and reuse continues to help us push the envelope of innovation for both our organization and our industry.

We are proud that the flagship Cradle to Cradle certified flooring product has come full circle and is now among the first products in the world to receive certification via the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institutes new certification process, Murray added.

As the new manager of the Cradle to Cradle certification program, the Institute works with leaders from academia, the NGO environmental community, government, and industry to further Cradle to Cradle as a comprehensive quality rating system for the assessment and continuous improvement of products based on five categories:

Products that meet the criteria of this rating system receive the Cradle to Cradle certified mark. To date, more than 90 companies worldwide have engaged in the Cradle to Cradle certification process through McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC), working with assessors MBDC in the United States, and the Environmental Protection Encouragement Agency (EPEA) in Germany.

From the worlds first Cradle to Cradle designed flooring products to their continued development of new Cradle to Cradle products and collections, Shaws commitment to sustainability through innovation is one that clearly embraces and integrates the tenets of Cradle to Cradle design through every aspect of their business, said designer and architect William McDonough. Mr. McDonough and Dr. Michael Braungart co-authored the book Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things, now a seminal text within the sustainable design and business movement.

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Shaw among first to garner Cradle to Cradle Certification via new institute

PHILADELPHIA, PA--(Marketwire -03/05/12)- The Master Plan for the Central Delaware is a 2012 recipient of the American Institute of Architects' (AIA) Honor Award, the profession's highest recognition of work that demonstrates excellence in architecture and urban design. Selected from over 700 total submissions, 27 recipients from around the world will be honored at the AIA 2012 National Convention and Design Exposition in Washington, D.C. on May 18.

The American Institute of Architects has a long tradition of recognizing individuals and organizations for their exceptional achievements in support of the profession of architecture. The Institute Honor Awards for Regional and Urban Design highlight the renowned use of architecture in urban design, city planning, and community development and recognize projects that contribute to the quality of the urban environment. The Master Plan for the Central Delaware was one of eight awards distributed in the category of Regional and Urban Design.

This Honor Award acknowledges the vision and reality of the City of Philadelphia's plan for the future of the sweeping Delaware River waterfront. The plan strikes a strong balance between urban design and economic reality, proposing both public and private development to transform and regenerate six miles of waterfront. The plan focuses on implementing new parks, trails, and transit that will catalyze development. Projects will begin first at three priority sites: Spring Garden Street, Penn's Landing and Washington Avenue.

The AIA praised the master plan's goal of providing "a practical implementation strategy for the phasing and funding of public realm enhancements to the waterfront, including the locations of parks, a variety of waterfront trails, and connections to existing upland neighborhoods."

"The Master Plan for the Central Delaware is truly deserving of this honor," said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. "This plan lays out the necessary steps to transform Philadelphia's waterfront. Like many others, I am very excited to see new projects and development occur. I thank the AIA for this recognition."

The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation commissioned this plan which was prepared by an incredible team led by Cooper Robertson & Partners, urban designers; KieranTimberlake, architects; OLIN, landscape architects; and H&R&A, economic advisors. The Master Plan advanced the goals and objectives of an extensive civic engagement process led by PennPraxis to bring attention to the future of the Central Delaware River waterfront. Public forums and meetings continued throughout the master plan process, culminating in a public unveiling with over 500 community representatives and stakeholders in June of 2011 prior to the plan's adoption by DRWC.

"We at DRWC are delighted that the master plan is being recognized with this prestigious award, which advances our goal of regenerating the historic Delaware River waterfront as a distinctive and welcoming asset for public use and private investment," said Marilyn Jordan Taylor, Dean University of Pennsylvania School of Design and DRWC Planning Committee Chair. "The award commends not only the exceptional work of the master plan team, but also the commitment of the community members and numerous stakeholders whose participation has truly shaped this plan."

To view the final plan, please visit http://www.plancentraldelaware.com. The full list of master plan team members includes:

About The American Institute of ArchitectsFor over 150 years, members of the American Institute of Architects have worked with each other and their communities to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings and cityscapes. Members adhere to a code of ethics and professional conduct to ensure the highest standards in professional practice. Embracing their responsibility to serve society, AIA members engage civic and government leaders and the public in helping find needed solutions to pressing issues facing our communities, institutions, nation and world. Visit http://www.aia.org.

About DRWC: The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC) is a nonprofit corporation organized in January 2009, exclusively for the benefit of the City of Philadelphia and its citizens. DRWC acts as the steward of the Delaware River waterfront to provide a benefit to all of the citizens and visitors of the City.

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The Master Plan for the Central Delaware Receives Prestigious Award From the American Institute of Architects

BOSTON, March5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --The Financial Architects Partners, LLC, a leading estate planning life insurance firm based in Boston, today announced the opening of its fourth regional office in Minneapolis, MN(1), headed by Jon Christie. Mr. Christie will be joining Financial Architects Partners (FAP) as Managing Director. From the Midwest location, he will provide wealth transfer life insurance planning for ultra-affluent families and their advisors. He will be a resource for estate planning attorneys, tax specialists, family offices, and wealth managers helping to integrate the life insurance asset into the families' overall estate and financial planning.

Mr. Christie has over 25 years of life insurance industry experience. Most recently, he founded Christie and Associates in 1986 where he provided diversified financial services for the planning needs of small to mid-market corporations and affluent families. During this time, Mr. Christie focused on complex life insurance planning, designing unique and innovative solutions for each of his clients' estate plans.

David J. Carroll, CEO of FAP commented, "Minneapolis is an important community to us and adding this office enhances the FAP network. Jon Christie has the experience, skills, and reputation that we look for to represent the FAP team. We are thrilled to add Jon as a key member of our national firm, and we look to add additional key personnel to our Minneapolis office in the near future."

Financial Architects Partners is a 40 person firm with offices in Boston, Providence, Minneapolis and Palo Alto consisting of individuals with backgrounds in legal, tax, investment, and life insurance.FAP actively manages over $6B of trust owned life insurance for approximately 225 families. FAP is an independent provider with access to all top US and Canadian carriers and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of National Financial Partners Corp. NFP, and its benefits, insurance and wealth management businesses provide diversified advisory and brokerage services to companies and high net worth individuals, partnering with them to preserve their assets and prosper over the long term. NFP advisors provide innovative and comprehensive solutions, backed by NFP's national scale and resources. The partnership affords FAP significant carrier leverage in underwriting and product procurement.

(1) Securities and Investment Advisory Services are not available at this location.

Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through NFP Securities Inc.

Member FINRA/SIPC. Financial Architects Partners is an affiliate of NFP Securities, Inc.

and a subsidiary of National Financial Partners Corp (NFP).

Not all individuals using these materials are registered to offer securities or

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Financial Architects Partners Announces Opening of Midwest Office

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., March 5, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Representatives from the Supportive Housing Coalition of New Mexico (SHC-NM), Los Alamos National Bank, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas), and a plethora of local and state officials gathered Thursday, March 1, to celebrate the opening of Silver Gardens II, the second and final phase of Silver Gardens Apartments.

Photos accompanying this release are available at

http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=11902

http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=11903

Silver Gardens Apartments is a mixed-income housing development in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The project houses an integrated tenant mix, ranging from units for very low-income tenants to units that are leased at market rate. The units are a mix of studios, and one and two-bedroom units. The U-shaped, four-story structure with a private interior courtyard incorporating Native American art, play structures, and a community garden occupies a city block bordered by First and Second streets and Silver Avenue. Phase I, consisting of 66 rental homes, was completed in Spring 2010 and is fully occupied.

Silver Gardens II contains 55 units, 14 of which were set aside as permanent supportive housing for residents with special needs.

The project leveraged an array of city, state, federal, and conventional financing. Sources of funds include a conventional first mortgage, housing tax credit proceeds, and a city of Albuquerque Workforce Housing Grant. The adjacent parking garage was funded by $3.4 million from the city of Albuquerque.

FHLB Dallas and Los Alamos National Bank awarded Silver Gardens II a $315,000 Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grant in 2010.

"We are very pleased to be involved and appreciate the investment FHLB Dallas has made through the AHP. We're excited to see the impact this new development will have on our community," said Jill Cook, senior vice president of Los Alamos National Bank.

Al Hernandez, a senior banking officer at Los Alamos National Bank, attended the grand opening ceremony Thursday, and touted the benefits of Silver Gardens to Albuquerque.

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Photo Release -- Los Alamos National Bank and FHLB Dallas Grant Assists in Construction of Final Phase of Silver ...

FRANKLIN (SOMERSET) When Thai Lee acquired Software House International in 1989, nobody expected it to become the international powerhouse that it is today. But in just over 20 years, the Harvard-trained Lee has transformed the spin-off company from the division of another company to an independent, multibillion dollar global provider of technology products and services with 25 offices in North America, Paris, the United Kingdom and Hong Kong.

Today, it is the largest minority/woman-owned company in the U.S., and its based right here in Central Jersey.

The company began under Lees leadership in the Somerset section of Franklin, moved to larger headquarters in Piscataway in 2008, and recently completed a move back to Somerset to accommodate its continued growth. SHI now occupies the former ATT building on Davidson Avenue that had been vacant for about a decade. The company has about 1,800 employees, with 200 added last year, most of them at the Franklin location.

According to Ed McNamara, director of communications for SHI International, Lee has been a smart, hands-on shepherd for the company. She does not believe management should be stratified above the other employees with special privileges. In fact, there are no reserved parking spaces at the SHI International parking lot for anyone but expectant mothers. Lee knows the names of just about everyone at the company, and McNamara said she works very hard.

Another way she has differed from many of her competitors has been that she has carefully managed the companys assets, keeping her costs low and not leveraging the company as others might have done.

As a result, McNamara said, Lee has been able to move closer to our customers when competitors have pulled back. This has enabled SHI to take advantage of the downturn in the economy, growing the business and opening 20 new offices around the country and then the world in 2008 and 2009.

When she realized that the company was outgrowing its new headquarters in Piscataway after just a few years, Lee brought in Cornerstone Architectural Group, a leading full-service architectural firm based in South Plainfield, to design a renovation of the ATT building on Davidson Avenue for her new headquarters. Cornerstone had designed the Piscataway headquarters, and the two companies had a history of working together.

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This project, one of the largest in the tristate area, embodies SHIs core values of innovation, early adoption and pioneering on the cutting edge, said Robert F. Barranger, co-founder and partner at Cornerstone Architectural Group.

The 15-month, multiphased fit-out entailed a major energy-efficient lighting retrofit on which Cornerstone worked closely with California-based Finelite, a leading manufacturer of high-performance lighting systems, and independent lighting manufacturer representative Jeffrey Maglietta of the Chatham-based Liberty Lighting Group Inc., to design a system that provided a higher-quality light while realizing a 50 percent reduction in energy consumption for lighting and the number of fixtures.

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SHI International matches growth with green living

As Los Angeles came of age in the 20th century, a stately Windsor Square mansion served as a command post for the city's most powerful couple.

The longtime home of publisher Norman Chandler, "Los Tiempos" (The Times) was where his wife, Dorothy Buffum Chandler, raised funds to build a nationally recognized music center and where she urged son Otis Chandler to transform the Los Angeles Times into an award-winning newspaper.

Today, the city-designated historic-cultural monument is the focus of an unseemly dispute involving two house hunters who claim they were swindled into buying the compound for more than $8 million, only to find that it was "rotten to the core," according to arbitration documents.

They allege they were deceived by a media-savvy designer and his broker acquaintance, who used lavish decorations to conceal faulty water pipes, leaky roofs, black mold, raw sewage and dangerous wiring.

Through their lawyer, the defendants deny the allegations.

Commissioned by Peter Janss, whose real estate empire developed Westwood, the century-old Beaux Arts estate at 455 S. Lorraine Blvd. features soaring pillars and travertine walls. It was designed by associates of trailblazing female architect Julia Morgan.

"The fact that L.A. is now regarded as one of America's major cultural centers all of this was due to what went on in that house," said David Wallace, author of "Dream Palaces of Hollywood's Golden Age." The Chandlers "were people, love them or hate them, with a real vision for making L.A. a major player in America, rather than just the Left Coast."

Years after Norman Chandler's death in 1973, Dorothy Chandler, known as "Buff," retreated from the public eye and into a second-story bedroom. After her death in 1997, interior designer Timothy Corrigan bought the house for $2 million, according to the Los Angeles County assessor.

"They let the house go to hell," Corrigan said of Dorothy Chandler's hired help in the Otis Chandler biography "Privileged Son." "There was lard dripping from the ceiling and water damage everywhere."

In media reports, Corrigan, a former advertising executive, preached the aesthetic of "comfortable elegance" and showcased extravagant interiors. On the television show "How'd You Get So Rich," Corrigan was said to have amassed a $50-million fortune and told host Joan Rivers that he owned a 40,000-square-foot country manor in France.

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Longtime home of former Times publisher is focus of dispute

SACRAMENTO, Calif., March 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Although it took nine years to sentence Michael Amzie Holley of Orange County-based So Cal Roofing, contractors throughout California are pleased that justice is finally being served. In late February 2012, Holley was sentenced to time in jail for multiple felony counts of insurance fraud, including failure to pay more than $500,000 in workers' compensation insurance. "It is unfortunate that it took so long to bring this criminal to justice," said California Professional Association of Specialty Contractors Executive Director Brad Diede. "It's our hope that enhanced, coordinated efforts by state agencies, such as the Department of Insurance's Labor Enforcement Task Force (LETF) and the Employment Development Department's Joint Enforcement Strike Force, will educate and force contractors to comply or put them out of business more quickly."

According to a recent media report, Holley carried only the minimum amount of workers' compensation insurance while failing to declare he was employing subcontractors, hiring unlicensed employees, falsifying state payroll reports and paying workers under the table.

"The Roofing Contractors Association of California (RCAC) is encouraged by the conviction of Holley, and we applaud the Orange County District Attorney's office for seeing this case through to a successful conclusion," said RCAC's Executive Director Marc Connerly. "Unfortunately, thistype of fraud is far too prevalent in California's roofing industry, which is why RCAC is sponsoring AB 2219. This bill will extend the mandate that all roofing contractors must carry a valid workers' compensation insurance policy and will require insurers to perform an annual in-person audit of the payroll records and place of business in order to ascertain the true size of roofing company operations."

The Construction Enforcement Coalition, comprised of employers, businesses, associations and labor groups, has been working tirelessly since its formation in 2010 to encourage state agencies to coordinate in apprehending contractors who are intentionally skirting the law and costing the state billions of dollars in unpaid payroll taxes and workers' compensation insurance. According to the Contractors State License Board (CSLB), more than 50 percent of the roofing companies in test cases conducted in three California counties were underreporting payroll, resulting in a significant loss of revenue to the state, unnecessary exposure for employees and property owners and substantially inflated insurance premiums for honest roofing companies.

"Legitimate roofing contractors should win the bids for work," said John Upshaw, Executive Director of the Independent Roofing Contractors of California. "Too often, non-compliant contractors refuse to pay unavoidable fixed costs and underbid jobs while owners, builders, general contractors and awarding authorities let them get away with it. It's clear we need to identify these bad actors much sooner, denying them access to the bid process before they get in front of legitimate contractors."

The Union Roofing Contractors Association (URCA) members support the effort to bring non-compliant contractors to justice. According to URCA's Executive Director Ron Johnston, "Roofing contractors who act unlawfully to 'con the system' fly in the face of what we stand for and must pay for their actions. We all need to unite to combat this problem of low-bidding, cheating contractors stealing work from legitimate contractors."

Another example of successful partnering between state agencies was the apprehension of Orange-County contractor Benito German Lopez Cruz by the CSLB and LETF last month. Lopez Cruz was contracting for swimming pool and plastering business without a license, paying employees in cash and not carrying workers' compensation insurance.

"Unfortunately, the swimming pool and plastering business is fraught with noncompliant contractors," said John Norwood, President, California Spa & Pool Industry Education Council. "Homeowners believing they are only paying for a pool could end up paying for much more, including the shoddy work of unlicensed contractors and, even worse, an injury to a worker on their property if the contractor is not licensed and doesn't carry workers' compensation insurance."

In 2010, CALPASC instituted the LEVEL Program to work closely with state agencies in cracking down on contractors and is a leader in the Construction Enforcement Coalition.

"We must continue advocating for efficiencies and effectiveness in enforcement," said Diede. "Through the LEVEL Program and Coalition, we will continue fighting to eliminate unfair business practices and leveling the playing field."

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Contractors See Payoff in Justice Being Served

March 5, 2012 - Northwoods League (Northwoods) Wisconsin Rapids Rafters Wisconsin Rapids, WI - March 5, 2012. The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters added two right-handed hurlers to the 2012 pitching staff today by announcing the additions of junior Ben Heller (Olivet Nazarene University) and sophomore Cole Webb (Coffeyville Community College). Webb is currently playing for former Rafters manager John Martin, who was named head coach of Coffeyville Community College (Kansas) last July. Current Rafters manager Jake Martin is working as an assistant coach at the College this spring.

"We are excited to add these two experienced pitchers to this year's team," said manager Jake Martin. "Ben is a hard-throwing, right-hander who will bring past summer league experience to Wisconsin Rapids. Cole is a hard worker that pitches and also provides a utility option in the field. On the mound he attacks the zone and is capable of filling in at a variety of positions on the diamond."

RHP-Ben Heller, 6'3", 205 lbs (R/R) Junior, Olivet Nazarene University

Ben Heller has gotten off to a tremendous start to begin his junior season at Olivet Nazarene University (Illinois). Through his first three starts of the season Heller has pitched 18.2 innings, allowing only 11 hits and one earned run, while recording 25 strikeouts. He currently carries a 2-1 record with a miniscule 0.48 ERA. The Olivet Nazarene University baseball team is coming off a 33-win season and a third consecutive trip to the NCCAA World Series.

Heller will bring summer league experience with him to Wisconsin Rapids after spending the 2011 summer pitching for the Athletes in Action Fire in the Alaska Baseball League. He finished with a team-best 2.20 ERA in 14 appearances and was selected to play in the league's All-Star Game. Athletes in Action is a campus and pro sports ministry.

As a sophomore at Olivet Nazarene, Heller appeared in 14 games (13 starts) and finished the season with a 4-6 record. In 66.1 innings pitched, he struck out 55 batters while allowing 27 walks. He was named Academic All-Conference during the spring of 2011. As a freshman, he appeared in 16 games (13 starts) and posted a 6-6 record and 4.11 ERA. In 76.2 innings on the mound he struck out 41 batters.

Heller is a native of Whitewater, Wisconsin where he earned First Team All-Conference, Academic All-State, and First Team All-District baseball honors as a senior in 2009.

RHP-Cole Webb, 5'10", 180 lbs (R/R) Sophomore, Coffeyville Community College

Cole Webb has created a favorable first impression for his new manager this spring. Playing for former Rafters manager John Martin, who is now the head coach at Coffeyville, Webb began his season by throwing a no-hitter against Western Oklahoma on February 17th. Webb pitched seven innings and recorded six strikeouts in the dominating performance.

His second appearance of the season appeared to be headed for a similar result. Webb had an opportunity for a second no-hitter on February 26th as he held Redlands Community College hitless through five innings, before allowing two hits and a pair of runs in Coffeyville's 12-2 win. Webb walked three and struck out seven batters in the outing. Through three starts this spring, spanning 19 innings, Webb has allowed only 6 hits and has struck out 19 batters. He carried a 3-0 record and 2.21 ERA through March 3rd.

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Rafters Lock-Up Pair of Promising Pitchers for 2012

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire -03/05/12)- U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) President, CEO and Founding Chair Rick Fedrizzi, and Hearst Corporation CEO Frank A. Bennack, Jr., today announced that Hearst Tower is the first commercial office building in New York City to be recognized by the USGBC for achieving both LEED Gold for new construction and LEED Platinum for the operations and maintenance of its existing building.

Established by the USGBC and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI), LEED is a voluntary, consensus-based global rating system for buildings, homes and communities that are designed, constructed, maintained and operated for improved environmental and human health performance. In 2006, Hearst Tower became one of the first green office buildings in City history, and now with this second certification, Hearst has been awarded the highest possible rating for sustainable building operations and best maintenance practices.

Through this program, as well as energy efficiencies built in the Tower and regular evaluation of energy saving measures over the years, Hearst has reduced its total energy consumption by 40% -- putting the company in the top 10% of efficient commercial office buildings in the country. In addition, the company reduced total waste going to the landfills by 82% and became the first commercial office building in New York City to adopt an extensive composting program which composts 100% of its wet food waste. Hearst also has 100% use of reclaimed non-potable rainwater for hardscape/sidewalk cleaning and controlled water usage throughout the building that has reduced water usage at Hearst Tower more than 30% annually.

"Receiving this recognition from the USGBC is no small accomplishment and one all Hearst employees should take great pride in," Bennack said. "I would like to thank the LEED project team and everyone who has worked so hard to carry through on the forward-thinking vision that went into the creation of this Tower. As we begin to celebrate a remarkable 125 years since our company was founded, this certification of excellence is the most fitting tribute to William Randolph Hearst for it embodies everything he stood for, and reflects the company's commitment to being grounded in the past and inspired by the future."

"Hearst revolutionized the New York City skyline when it first earned LEED certification in 2006, and five years later it upholds its commitment to striving for high performance through green operations and maintenance," said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair, USGBC. "We applaud Hearst Corporation for the role it is playing to raise the bar everywhere for what we should expect from our built environment."

"Mayor Bloomberg has made the integration of sustainability and economic development a hallmark of his administration, and we are thrilled that Hearst Tower has become the first commercial office building in the city to achieve LEED Platinum status," Deputy Mayor Robert K. Steel said. "On behalf of Mayor Bloomberg, congratulations to Frank Bennack and the entire team at Hearst not only for this important sustainability accomplishment, but also for 125 years of success in New York City and around the world."

"We're so proud of the recent accomplishments of Hearst Corporation," said New York City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn. "The company's actions are helping the City achieve its PlaNYC goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2030. Hearst has set a great example and we look forward to seeing other buildings follow in its footsteps."

In order to achieve Platinum using the LEED for Existing Buildings: O&M rating system, Hearst Tower went through an extensive three month performance period process for the certification, which included: re-commissioning of all its major HVAC systems to identify all opportunities for improvements and addressing them; an energy audit to reveal low-to-no-cost energy efficiency measures and capital improvement measures; implementation of a high performance green cleaning program; a waste audit to measure how much trash is going in and out of the building and to the landfills (composting and recycling programs); and an indoor air quality audit to identify areas to improve on air quality in the building. All audits were performed and more stringent policies were implemented in the areas of energy efficiencies, water efficiencies and indoor air quality.

The Hearst LEED project team was led by Senior Director of Corporate Real Estate Lou Nowikas and LEED Project Manager Victor Liu. The team worked with its building partner, Tishman Speyer, which helped the Hearst Corporation originally construct the building and has managed it since it opened in a highly energy efficient, healthy and sustainable manner. Other partners included: Flack + Kurtz Engineering; ABM Cleaning Services; IESI Waste Services; Tea Environmental, IAQ services; and YRG Sustainability Consulting.

About Hearst CorporationHearst Corporation (www.hearst.com) is one of the nation's largest diversified media and information companies. Its major interests include ownership of 15 daily and 37 weekly newspapers, including the Houston Chronicle, San Francisco Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News and Albany Times Union; hundreds of magazines around the world, including Good Housekeeping, Cosmopolitan, ELLE and O, The Oprah Magazine; 29 television stations, which reach a combined 18 percent of U.S. viewers; ownership in leading cable networks, including Lifetime, A&E, History and ESPN; significant holdings in the automotive, electronic, medical/pharmaceutical and financial information industries; Internet and marketing services businesses; television production; newspaper features distribution; and real estate.

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Hearst Tower Upgraded From Gold to Platinum

As a state House member, Rep. Stan Saylor is paid more than $80,000 and will receive a pension that makes private sector employees envious, says constituent Bryan Yingling

But while Yingling is helping to pay Saylor's salary, the representative is one of several in the House who want to lower Yingling's wage, he said.

That's why the 54-year-old carpenter from Chanceford Township was one of about 40 construction workers who picketed outside Saylor's Main Street Red Lion office Monday, he said.

The issues: Members of the group were stationed at each corner of the square of Red Lion, distributing flyers addressed to the "Working Citizens of York County."

At issue are 12 bills Saylor supports, including prevailing wage reform and right-to-work legislation.

Under prevailing wage, workers are paid more to work on public projects, such as school construction. And right-to-work legislation, which has drawn ire from union advocates, would bar union contracts from requiring non-union members to pay representation fees.

"Take a look at his wages and benefits, and yet he wants to lower construction workers' wages," said Stanton Bair, 54, of Dover Township.

Members of the group said they represented no union or other organization, but were simply "concerned taxpayers."

And Saylor isn't the only York County legislator being targeted. They'll also soon make appearances at the office of state Rep. Ron Miller, R-Jacobus, who chairs the House Labor and Industry Committee, and others, they said.

Yingling said Saylor and other legislators claim prevailing wage is unfair because York County workers are paid the same wages as workers in areas where the cost-of-living is higher, such as Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. But Yingling said he's paid a lower York County rate, about two-thirds of the big-city pay.

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Construction workers protest outside state lawmaker's office