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Sabah graduate architects urged to register with PAM

KOTA KINABALU: Malaysian Architect Association (PAM) Sabah Chapter Chairman Victor Wong urged all graduate architects to register and be part of its association. "The registration is free.

There are many programmes being organised for them and to help in their career, both professional and socially.

"All they have to do is to log on to PAM Sabah Chapter website, http://www.pamsabah.com to download the registration form or call the Secretariat at 088-261313 or 088-232524," he said.

He said the association has many programmes to engage its graduate architects not only in preparing them for their future but also in cultivating them to be corporate and socially responsible.

It was also learnt that an architectural ideas competition is in the pipeline for the graduate architects to show off their talents and creativity.

Wong declined to reveal the details as PAM Sabah Chapter is waiting for the final approval from PAM Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia Architect Board (LAM), but said the architectural ideas competition was to encourage the graduates to be socially responsible in helping the local authorities to resolve issues of public interest.

"The education programme for the graduate architects has always been the top priority in our agenda to ensure they mature and become professional architects in the future.

"The Council of Architectural Education Malaysia (CAEM) programme is one that prepares them for the LAM Part 3 professional examination.

"Practising architects are rounded up as volunteer tutors to guide the young graduates in the preparation of their professional examination" said Wong.

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Sabah graduate architects urged to register with PAM

The future of the long-vacant remaining portion of Foster Citys 15-acre site is taking shape as two new developers have come on board to construct the retail and for-sale residential components of the multi-million dollar senior housing project.

Adjacent to City Hall, the city sold its last remaining piece of undeveloped land, that was once considered for a high school when it was 30 acres, for $30 million in November 2013 to the blanket developer The New Home Company. The site off Foster City Boulevard is already starting to bustle with streets being laid. Construction of the very first building will begin Dec. 8, said Community Development Director Curtis Banks.

The council has had a vision for this project for a number of years and its exciting to see that coming to fruition, Banks said. The community is excited to see the vision of the property coming about and you can see now the construction activity has started with the construction of infrastructure and in the near future you can see the start of construction of those buildings.

The entire site is slated to host 155 assisted living units, 66 affordable units, 200 for-sale condominiums, a community plaza and approximately 35,000 square feet of retail and commercial space. With the site being made up of differing housing categories, the New Home Company planned to piecemeal the construction to developers with varying specialties.

On Monday night, the City Council approved allowing Lennar Homes of California to construct the 200 for-sale units and for BHVCP Centerstreet Properties to own and manage the retail component below the affordable and assisted living units, according to city staff reports.

Foster City-based MidPen Housing was assigned the affordable housing component, which served as the linchpin for the entire site since the citys development agreement required the low-income units be constructed first. Atria Senior Living was chosen earlier in the year to develop the assisted living portion of the project.

What Im most pleased with is that [The New Home Company] has selected three outstanding and, as far as Im concerned, the best in their field, Councilman Steve Okamoto said. I think were in pretty good hands.

The New Home Company originally planed to construct the for-sale units, however, it opted to transfer its rights to Lennar instead. Banks said he couldnt speak to the rationale behind the change of plans and The New Home Company did not return a request for comment.

Lennars 200 for-sale units will be made up of two-, three- and four-bedroom units spread between several buildings. The 60-year-old development company is one of the nations largest home builders, boasts a market capitalization of over $8 billion, has constructed more than 750,000 homes in the United States and has experience in senior living arrangements, according to staff reports.

These are all companies that are in the top in their field and it was designed this way because it was a better and easier way to finance the [entire] development, Mayor Charlie Bronitsky said. Therere several different kinds of care and facility types and to be able to bring in those with expertise in that particular kind of development gives us the best of both worlds.

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Foster Square proceeds with new developers: Citys long-vacant site to be home of seniors, retail space

Almost 50 new jobs will be created if expansion plans at Silverlink Shopping Park are given the go ahead.

Property firm The Crown Estate has unveiled intentions to extend the North Tyneside retail park in a 29m redevelopment scheme that will see a host of high street names join the existing line-up of shops and restaurants.

The company which owns the sovereigns land and properties also plans to create new jobs as part of the scheme, which could begin early next year.

The plans come four months after The Crown Estate took back the area leased to Silverlink Travelodge, saying it was considering options for the future of the site.

Now those options have come clear through a planning application submitted to North Tyneside Council, revealing major expansion plans at its Silverlink Shopping Park one of 16 it owns across the UK.

The application details how the former Travelodge site opposite the park will be converted into a new retail scheme.

The proposal would see the old hotel replaced with 102,000sq ft of new retail space split into four units, the largest of which would be earmarked for a flagship Next Home and Garden store.

Part of the plans would also see The Crown Estate work in partnership with North Tyneside Council to deliver two training packages, creating almost 50 new construction jobs for young people, as well as seeing the firm providing funding for improvements to roads and footpaths around the site.

Improved footpaths linking the site to Coast Road bus stops and the creation of a new lane for the A19 to improve access for motorists, have also been put forward.

Potential roadworks would coincide with the Highways Agencys proposal to sink the A19 under the Coast Road, which is due to begin in 2016.

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Silverlink shopping park set for 29m expansion which could create 50 new jobs

Since the early 1990s, there have been multiple initiatives by several UK governments to use IT to modernise public services. For example, in 1996 the UK government was focused on the new possibilities offered by information technology, and it will learn from the way that these are starting to be harnessed by other governments and the private sector. It will change fundamentally and for the better the way that government provides services to citizens and businesses. Services will be more accessible, more convenient, easier to use, quicker in response and less costly to the taxpayer. And they will be delivered electronically.

Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, various administrations viewed e-government as an important way of improving public services, increasing the speed of carrying out transactions, and improving convenience, accessibility, flexibility, and hours of service.

These efforts to reform the use of technology in government, and to apply the lessons of the value of open standards as a means of breaking open the proprietary silos of technology - via initiatives such as the e-Government Interoperability Framework, or e-GIF - achieved very limited success. Some promising early progress such as, for example, putting the income tax self-assessment process online, and the process around payment of the vehicle excise duty remained as front-end, cosmetic one-off initiatives that failed to progress into any meaningful modernisation of the overall processes involved: they were on the web, but not of the web.

In retrospect, it is evident that the UK has historically suffered a recurrent mismatch between political aspiration and any meaningful and sustained technical delivery approach on the ground, despite being a pioneer in many policy areas notably the adoption of open standards and the promotion of open source. There are two important contexts from which to consider the UKs digital public services delivery ambitions - political and socio-technical.

Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, the design and delivery of public services remained in the hands of a small number of dominant external suppliers who used technology mainly to automate previously manual ways of operating public services, rather than using it as a means to re-engineer and improve them around the needs of citizens. In part, this reflects the legacy of an exceedingly complex software real estate derived from a history of inefficient government procurement practices.

However, it also indicates an approach that used technology as a sticking plaster to make public services appear joined-up when in reality they remained fragmented across multiple administrative hierarchies, operational departments, and agencies. In short, there was a focus on technology at the front end, rather than the reform of the often poorly performing organisational structures and processes underlying this shop window.

Equally problematic was the progressive de-skilling of the public sector and its outsourcing of in-house technological expertise to a handful of large external suppliers. These long-term, exclusive contracts meant that even where departments or local authorities had the desire and ability to drive a re-engineering of their services, they were often unable to do so due to a lack of in-house capabilities as well as restrictive contracts that impeded attempts at innovation and reform. Instead of becoming the means to deliver reform and improvement, technology became the biggest blocker; even where the same external supplier provided the solutions, every system was separately built and maintained, often using proprietary and closely-coupled technologies. This siloed architecture cut across the desire to redesign and optimise services around the needs of service users.

In 2011 a cross-party House of Commons Public Administration Select Committee published the results of their investigation into the state of the use of IT in government and was highly critical of the approach, referring to it as a recipe for rip-offs. In response, the current UK government has renewed its focus on digitally-enabled public services but has been pursuing a very different architectural and commercial route for its achievement. The result is that although technology-based initiatives have been around for some time in public services, the current use of the term digital carries a more specific meaning than earlier online and e-government programmes.

Understanding and interpretation of the term digital public service delivery has evolved significantly in the past decade. Effectively, digital is now considered an umbrella for organisational values and practices. While technology is typically the enabler for these opportunities, digital is not principally seen as limited to technology. Successful digital organisations have customer-centric operating models clustered around speed and adaptability, exemplified by maxims such as show dont tell and good enough is better than perfect.

Digital organisations also seek to address the use of mobile devices as the new norm for staying connected across every aspect of our lives. Through the likes of smartphones and tablets, a growing number of people interact with friends, review various news feeds, check availability of local business services, collaborate with colleagues, communicate with vendors and suppliers, and much more. Successful organisations embrace this mobile-first world, and the expectations of an increasingly digitally literate population.

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Toward digital government whats new?

1978 Motorhome Restoration #9
These Motor-home restoration videos document my experience rebuilding my particular RV. I #39;m a novice and any advise, information, ideas expressed or seen are to be used at own risk. This kind...

By: Glenn B

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1978 Motorhome Restoration #9 - Video

SANTA ANA, Calif. (KABC) --

They've been staying at the Red Roof Inn in Santa Ana since October with the help of family and the non-profit Global Heart Vision. Joshua works part-time at a grocery store. His wife works part-time at Disneyland.

"We just live day by day and hope for the best, and make sure we have food on the table and a roof over our heads kind of thing," said Joshua.

The Sayongs used to live in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. In 2012, Hurricane Sandy destroyed everything they owned. The devastation came in the midst of the youngest daughter Melyssa's fight with leukemia. The family moved west to continue her chemotherapy at Children's Hospital of Orange County.

In May, doctors gave the family good news: Melyssa was in remission. Last month during a routine checkup, doctors told the family the leukemia had relapsed. Melyssa must now return to the hospital and undergo intense chemotherapy.

"To have it again was just like the first time, it just kind of hits you in the gut," said her mother Kathleen.

It's a feeling the family knows too well. Kathleen, an ovarian cancer survivor, just found lumps in her breast. The middle child, Keila, is autistic.

But Wednesday marked a big change and a fresh start for the family. The Sayongs opened the door to their brand new 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom apartment in Anaheim.

"We haven't really been able to smile in a long time, a lot of different things going on and to see them smile, just means the world to me," said Kathleen.

The new home is a gift from the Santa Ana police department's HEART program. It stands for Homeless Evaluation Assessment Response Team.

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Homeless family moves into new apartment with help of outreach program

Renovation nations rising again.

Wednesdays report on housing startssuggests a steady trend for construction. But new houses arent the only support to economic growth. Updating a bathroom or adding a deck also contributes.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis tracks home improvements as part of the residential investment sector of gross domestic product. (Single-family homes, the fast-growing apartment sector, dormitories and manufactured homes are also in the residential investment category.)

These are major improvements to your house, saysMichael Armah, a BEA economist. That includes major replacement projects, adding a room and rehabbing a kitchen. Painting a living room or installing a dimmer switch doesnt count.

Like other subsectors of home construction, spending on improvements took a hit in the recession. So far in this expansion, apartment-building has been the lead construction performer because of a consumer shift to renting rather than owning.

But remodeling spending has also climbed back, thanks to the usual upkeep and maintenance, as well as the decision of some homeowners to upgrade or expand their current residences rather than move.

Rising home values have also helped. In Home Depots earnings call Tuesday, the building-supply retailers chief executive Craig Menear said, As home value appreciation has happened, customers are certainly more willing to invest in their homes.

Inflation-adjusted spending on home improvements has slipped a bit in 2014, but in the third quarter it stood just 10% below the subsectors peak in 2005.

In contrast, investment in new single-family homes is still a large 62% off its high of the boom years.

Indeed, real spending on improvements is currently running about even with spending on single-family homes. During the housing boom, investment in new single-family housing outpaced home improvements by a ratio of more than 2.5:1.

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After Recession, Home-Remodeling Is on the Rise

On Nov 19, 2014, we issued an updated research report on Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. ( BECN ). Though the roofing material distributor has successfully expanded its business through strategic acquisitions and diversification of its product offering, its performance might be affected by softer residential demand, difficult pricing environment and volatile exchange rates.

Notably, Beacon Roofing's third-quarter of 2014 earnings were impacted by lower gross margins from reduced selling prices due to weak demand and a continued unfavorable shift in sales mix to lower margin direct shipment and commercial business. This trend is expected to continue through the rest of 2014.

The residential market will remain difficult amid soft volumes and price deflation, consequently affecting Beacon Roofing's performance. Hence, the company lowered its 2014 revenue growth guidance to 4-5% from 5-8%.

Nonetheless, Beacon Roofing's acquisition of Wholesale Roofing Supply (WRS), Applicators Sales & Service (Applicators) and All Weather Products Ltd. (AWP) will aid growth. However, higher construction costs, labor shortage, lack of funds for real estate projects and adverse effects of sequestration will affect the non-residential construction sector and in turn hurt the company's performance.

Further, Beacon Roofing belongs to a highly competitive industry. The maintenance, repair, & operations (MRO) supply market is highly fragmented with many smaller local players competing directly on price. Moreover, general market softness, volatile exchange rates and uncertainty regarding weather conditions remain matters of concern.

Furthermore, the estimates for Beacon Roofing moved downward in the past 90 days. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2014 decreased 2.4% to $1.22 per share and for 2015 the same reduced 3.6% to $1.62 per share. Beacon Roofing has also underperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the four trailing quarters with an average negative surprise of 87.87%.

Beacon Roofing currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

Other Stocks to Consider

Some better-ranked stocks in the same industry include Boise Cascade Company ( BCC ), Hovnanian Enterprises Inc. ( HOV ) and O'Reilly Automotive Inc. ( ORLY ). While Boise Cascade and Hovnanian carry a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), O'Reilly holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

O REILLY AUTO (ORLY): Free Stock Analysis Report

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Should You Dump Beacon Roofing on Soft Residential Demand? - Analyst Blog

Debbie Cekaj - office manager, Wayne Kelly - managing director and Grant Whittaker-Young - sales and marketing with their Which award.

Thursday, November 20, 2014 2:00 PM

A BANWELL business has been commended by a national trading watchdog for its outstanding customer service.

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Thermal Roof Ltd, based in the Western Trade Centre in Knightcott, has been recently awarded a Which? Trusted Trader accreditation for their high standard of customer care.

This makes it the first flat roofing company to receive the award in the South West.

The business has also recently been given the Trading Standards Buy With Confidence award for reliable service.

Pictured from left to right is office manager Debbie Cekaj, managing director Wayne Kelly and sales manager Grant Whittaker-Young.

Originally posted here:
Roofing company is a trusted trader

Originally published November 19, 2014 at 7:51 PM | Page modified November 19, 2014 at 9:22 PM

No. 4 Marysville-Pilchuck (9-1) at Columbia River (9-2), 4 p.m. Saturday at Kiggins Bowl (Vancouver)

Marysville-Pilchuck: The Tomahawks are looking to advance to the state semifinals for the first time since they took second in 1989. Marysville-Pilchuck has the talent to advance to the Tacoma Dome, too, with an effective running attack led by Austin Joyner. The senior is arguably the best running back in the state, possessing a blend of speed and size that makes him difficult to tackle.

Columbia River: The winners of the Greater St. Helens League from Vancouver have reached the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002 thanks to a pair of home wins over recent Metro additions (Garfield and Roosevelt). The Chieftans have a balanced offensive attack that features GSHL all-league first-teamers at quarterback, receiver (two), offensive line (two) and all-purpose/kick returner.

No. 6 Peninsula (10-1) at No. 1 Bellevue (11-0), 7 p.m. Friday

Peninsula: The Seahawks have been on a roll since a one-point loss in week one to 4A Gig Harbor. The main reason? Running back Major Ali. The senior has scored three touchdowns in each of the first two playoff games, and theres no reason to think Peninsula will deviate from an effective game plan.

Bellevue: The Bellevue story is not new: Six straight state championships, 64 consecutive wins, victories over national powerhouses. There might not be a cant-miss recruit like Myles Jack or Budda Baker this season, but it has been no different for the Wolverines on the field, who have yet to really be tested through four quarters.

No. 2 Eastside Catholic (10-1) at No. 5 Lincoln (11-0), 4 p.m. Saturday at Lincoln Bowl

Eastside Catholic: The Crusaders have been to the championship game the last two years. Both times, they came up empty. Can this be the year? For an Eastside Catholic defense that has passed two of three tests this season (wins over ODea and American Fork of Utah) and wasnt terrible in a season-opening 31-14 loss to Bishop Alemany (Calif.), Lincoln might be the most dynamic test yet.

Lincoln: It all starts with Jordan Kitna. The son of former NFL quarterback (and current Lincoln coach) Jon Kitna can sling it around just like his dad. The younger Kitna leads the state with 54 TD passes and has a legit playmaking threat on the outside with Jayson Williams. With Kitna at the helm, the Abes are attempting to make it to the Tacoma Dome in their first trip to the state tournament since 2003.

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3A football: Breaking down the state quarterfinal games