Archive for July 2010
31
SIGNS CAN CHANGE (Just sometimes they do it too quickly)
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0 Comments | Florida Times Union, Jul 19, 2010 | by DAVID BAUERLEIN
Jacksonville’s commercial thoroughfares are dotted with electronic message boards that change messages every few seconds – far more frequently than the city’s sign ordinance allows, according to city officials.
Last month, the city’s Building Inspection Division issued a bulletin to contractors, reminding them that while electronic signs are allowed in some parts of the city, the messages on them cannot change more often than once every three minutes.
The city is asking contractors that install the signs to inform their customers about the rule. Sign contractors say they’ve been doing that all along, but once the sign is installed, it’s up to the owner of the sign to make sure the programming is in compliance.
Ken May, general manager of Taylor Sign Design in Jacksonville, said people operating the signs can later “have amnesia” about the limitations.
“People are educated about it,” he said. “You really have to be up front. You don’t want to sell them something that they can’t use” as expected.
Some sign owners contacted by the Times-Union said they weren’t aware of the city’s constraint on the frequency of changing messages.
“Whatever the law is, that’s what we’ll abide by, but I’d never heard of it,” said Calvin Modling, owner of three Carpet One stores in Jacksonville that have electronic message signs.
Modling said he paid about $112,000 for the multi-colored signs and considers them “pleasing to the eye” and a way to market the business to passing motorists. He said the whole point of getting the signs was to deliver multiple messages to drivers. He said the three-minute rule doesn’t make any sense and hurts businesses trying to compete.
“You have to get a couple of messages out as people are driving by,” he said. “If they [the signs] are not moving, it doesn’t catch their eye. That’s why you buy the signs at those ridiculous prices.”
Electronic message signs use LED technology, short for light- emitting diode. Businesses can save on labor costs because the sign messages don’t have to be changed by hand. The sign’s software makes it possible to program the electronic signs from a laptop computer.
Take a drive down Jacksonville’s commercial thoroughfares and you’ll see electronic signs programmed to change messages every few seconds, rather than the city’s requirement of three-minute intervals. For instance, Beach Boulevard has 17 electronic signs that change messages in a matter of seconds.
Bill Brinton, a Jacksonville attorney who has been active over the years in advocating regulation of signs, said the quick- changing messages on the electronic signs are so widespread it leaves the false impression it’s legal to deploy signs that way.
“It’s kind of like snipe signs – people see signs nailed to telephone poles and think they can do it, too,” he said.
He said the city needs to distribute information to sign owners about the ordinance.
“I really think more than half of it is education,” he said.
The city’s sign regulation has been on the books for years. The building inspection division issued the June 18 bulletin to clarify the requirement in response to questions the division has gotten when issuing permits and inspecting installations, said division Chief Tom Goldsbury.
After the signs are up and running, the city’s code enforcement division is responsible for enforcing compliance with the ordinance. However, the electronic message signs haven’t been a priority for the city’s code enforcement officers. When it comes to complaints about signs, the target has been the small snipe signs illegally posted along roads, said Kim Scott, chief of the code enforcement division.
“That most likely is 100 percent of the sign complaints that we get,” Scott said.
Along with businesses, nonprofit agencies and churches use electronic signs to communicate with passing motorists.
Contacted by The Times-Union, CVS Pharmacy said the company complies with each city’s sign regulation and would program its electronic signs to fit Jacksonville’s limits. An official with Walgreen’s said the company would check into Jacksonville’s ordinance.
Glynlea Grace United Methodist Church reprogrammed its sign along Atlantic Boulevard so it no longer changes message more often than every three minutes.
“There needs to be accountability on our part, but there needs to be accountability on the city’s part to make sure it’s clear what the requirements are,” said Linda Frano, a church member. “If that’s the requirement, it needs to be for everybody.”
She said keeping the same message for three minutes at a time makes it harder for the church to do community outreach about activities, such as a youth soccer league and hosting the city’s summer lunch program for children. She said the three-minute rule seems arbitrary and the city should reassess the ordinance so there’s more flexibility for messages without causing distractions for drivers.
Sign regulations vary by city. In unincorporated areas, county government sets the rules.
St. Johns County has tight regulations
stucco inspection
Huddersfield Daily Examiner (Huddersfield, England), July 24, 2010
A COURSE for would-be lifeguards is being run at Scissett Baths.
The Swimming Teachers’ Association pool lifeguard course, is open to all confident swimmers over the age of 16.
The sessions will run every Friday night from 4pm until 10pm starting on July 30. The course will last for five weeks and will end with an exam on September 3 at 6pm.
Simon Simpson, duty manager at Scissett Baths, said: “Lifeguards play a vital role in the efficient running of our swimming baths. Anyone wishing to be a lifeguard can look forward to acquiring new skills not just for the use around the swimming pool, but also in everyday life.” CONTACT: Anyone interested in training to become a lifeguard should be warned that there are limited spaces on the course and booking is advised. Call Simon Simpson on 01484 222907 for more information.
31
Police launch crackdown to tackle trade in stolen goods
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0 Comments | Leicester Mercury, Jul 29, 2010 | by CIARAN FAGAN
Police have launched a campaign to tackle the underground trade in stolen goods.
Officers in Leicester have written to second-hand goods shops, pubs, market traders and taxi drivers to warn them of the consequences of dealing in stolen property.
Taxi drivers have been included in the mailshot because police and the Home Office have established that a small number of drivers nationally might be involved in criminal activity.
The letters are intended to give traders a fair warning before officers begin visiting them to check their stock.
Detective Chief Inspector Chris Baker, who is leading the campaign – which is codenamed Operation Latimer – said: “Obviously there is a direct link between burglaries and robberies and the trade of stolen goods in Leicester.
“We want people who are offered ‘too good to be true’ bargains to think how they would feel if it had been a member of their family who had been burgled or robbed.
“Behind these apparent bargains there could be a victim and anyone who handles stolen goods is partly responsible for the upset and hurt inflicted on those victims.
“It’s worth reminding people that there are also serious consequences for those caught in possession of stolen goods. The maximum penalty is 14 years’ imprisonment – is that a price worth paying?” He added: “The Home Office has identified taxis as an outlet for stolen goods and we have limited – and I stress that word – intelligence that it is happening in Leicester, too.”
Kuljit Singh, a driver and former official with the RMT union, which represents some of the city’s drivers, said he had never heard of cabbies dealing in stolen goods.
Once the letters have been circulated, officers will visit second- hand goods shops and other outlets, including stalls on Leicester Market, to check for stolen stock.
Where stolen items are identified they will be seized and, where possible, returned to their owners.
Police are also contacting people convicted of crimes such as robbery, burglary, stealing from cars and handling stolen goods to warn them their movements are being monitored by officers.
The campaign is supported by the Safer Leicester Partnership, an umbrella body which brings together police, Leicester City Council and other organisations in the fight against crime.
Leicester City Council’s cabinet member for health and community safety, Councillor Wayne Naylor, said: “This is a simple but effective way of sending out a strong message.
“To the shops, we are saying that the authorities are on the lookout for anyone trading in stolen property.
“To the thieves, we are saying that Leicester is a no-go-zone. To shoppers, we are saying that our town is a safe place to buy things.”
31
Northgate 'Idol' contest returns to North Tonawanda
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0 Comments | Buffalo News, Jul 29, 2010 | by Emma D. Sapong
Colin Archibald sure had the look — the crisp dark suit, fedora and cool shades. But was he really a pint-sized Blues Brother?
The 8-year-old answered that question with a bluesy rendition of “Soul Man,” punctuated with slick dance moves during his performance Wednesday night in Northgate Health Care Facility.
Jared Drouch, a North Tonawanda High School student, was next with an a capella version of Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours.” Marisa Zakes followed with her dramatic version of “On My Own,” from “Les Miserables.”
The diverse musical covers gave residents of the nursing home a taste of different genres during first week of the second annual Northgate North Tonawanda Idol Contest.
The talent competition featured seven singers from the city performing a song of their choice. Aside from Colin, they were all North Tonawanda High School students.
The crowd of about 50, mostly residents, clapped in support and appreciation.
“They are doing a tremendous job,” said Ross Bellito, 91.
But only six could advance to the second round. Each week — like the popular TV show “American Idol” — an underperforming contestant is eliminated by a trio of judges — a semi-professional singer, a Northgate volunteer and resident who raised numeric cards, 3 to 10, reflecting their opinion on the performance.
On the final week, the audience and the judges will decide who deserves the title of North Tonawanda Idol, which comes with a $100 Visa card and a gift basket loaded with goodies unique to the city.
The competition was created to enhance entertainment for residents while showcasing the talent of the city, said Kevin Maerten, the Northgate facility’s music specialist.
“We are excited to be able to offer the competition a second year and continue to entertain the lives of the children of North Tonawanda, as well as the our residents,” he said.
Last year’s competition was a hit, drawing crowds of up to 100 people as it moved along from week to week. Maerten added that residents enjoyed the musical acts so much that they requested it again.
The performances get under way at 7 p.m. every Wednesday in the facility at 7264 Nash Road for the next seven weeks. The competition concludes Sept. 15 with the crowning of a winner. Each week, singers do numbers from different genres or eras. Next week is the 1950s.
Tim McDonald, a North Tonawanda High student, strummed his acoustic guitar while singing the Beatles’ “All My Loving,” earning a perfect ’10,’ the highest score of the 28 contestants.
“Wow, I wasn’t expecting that,” said Tim, who has volunteered as a performer at the facility previously. “I love coming here and performing for residents. And it’s a great opportunity to get experience performing.”
Colin, the youngest of the contestants, has competed in other talent shows. He said the first round was “nerve-racking but fun.”
He said he has an Elvis Presley hit, complete with choreography, for the second round, all of which he planned to rehearse when he returned home.
Bellito said he was so surprised with the talent, he shouted out compliments after each song
health care jobs
There are plenty of other people in the same business going after the same prospects as you. You may be wondering how you’re ever going to get more clients and take your business to the next level.
One thing’s certain; you can’t expect to stand out from the crowd using the same marketing strategy everyone else does.
If you want to transform your business, you need to first transform your marketing.
Imagine you raced cars for fun on the weekend. In accordance with class rules your car and everyone else had
75 horsepower and skinny tires. Furthermore, every aspect of your car and driving strategy was highly regulated by these rules. Your acceleration and speed would be limited. Races would be very close and it would be tough to win.
Now imagine that the class rules were suspended and you dropped a 400 horsepower engine in your car, added big road gripping tires, you could modify it any way you wanted and there were no limitations on how you drove and, best of all, everyone else was following the old rules.
You’d have a big advantage.
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31
Fitch Downgrades 10 Classes of MSCI 2007-XLF; Revises Recovery Ratings
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Business Wire, July 06, 2010
CHICAGO — Fitch Ratings has downgraded 10 classes from the pooled portion of MSCI
2007-XLF, reflecting Fitch’s base case loss expectation of 0.7%. Four
non-pooled junior participation certificates were also downgraded to
reflect Fitch’s updated analysis on the loan. Fitch’s performance
expectation incorporates prospective views regarding commercial real
estate values and cash flow declines. The Negative Rating Outlook
reflects additional sensitivity analysis related to further negative
credit migration of the underlying collateral. A detailed list of rating
actions follows at the end of this release.
Under Fitch’s methodology, approximately 50.2% of the pool is expected
to, or has already defaulted in the base case stress scenario, defined
as the ‘B’ stress. In its review, Fitch analyzed servicer reported
operating statements and rent rolls, updated property valuations, and
recent lease and sales comparisons. Given that the remaining loan
positions within the pooled portion of the commercial mortgage backed
securities (CMBS) are the lower leveraged A-notes (average base case LTV
of 59.0%), combined with increased subordination since issuance due to
loan payoffs and paydown, the average recoveries of 98.6% on the pooled
loans resulted in affirmations to classes A-1 through A-2. The defaults
are determined considering the total leverage of each asset, including
additional B-notes and mezzanine debt; however, a default may not result
in a loss to the pooled portion given its lower leverage position.
The transaction is collateralized by 10 loans, three of which are
secured by hotel properties (40.1%) and four of which are secured by
office properties (33.6%). The final extension options for the loans are
as follows: 78.2% in 2011, 17.6% in 2012, and 4.2% in 2014.
Fitch identified five Loans of Concern within the pool (50.5%), one of
which is currently in special servicing. Fitch’s analysis resulted in
loss expectations for two of the pooled senior participations in the ‘B’
stress scenario. The two pooled contributors to losses (by unpaid
principal balance) in the ‘B’ stress scenario are: Starco Office
Portfolio (9.9%) and Le Meridien Cancun (2.9%).
The Le Meridien Cancun interest-only loan is collateralized by a
213-key, full-service hotel located at the mid-point of the “hotel zone”
in Cancun, Mexico. Amenities at the hotel include three food and
beverage outlets, three meeting rooms, two tennis courts, fitness
center, and an outdoor complex with three terraced swimming pools. The
property underwent renovations during 2007 and 2008. The renovations
included updates to guest rooms, spa renovations, and landscaping. The
loan transferred to special servicing in March 2009. The ownership
interests that own the hotel were sold and the loan was modified. The
new sponsors posted a $1 million property improvement plan reserve and a
$1.8 million interest reserve. Effective March, 2010, the A-note’s
principal was paid down approximately $3.6 million. In addition, the
loan was modified to increase its interest rate to 1.17% over LIBOR; the
payment rate is 2.85% over LIBOR. The excess spread will be applied as
principal reductions to the loan. The loan transferred back to the
master servicer as of March 31, 2010 and is now current. As of year end
(YE) 2009, the trailing 12-months occupancy, average daily rate, and
RevPAR were 46.6%, $154, and $72, respectively, compared to 73.1%, $192,
and $140 at issuance. The loan’s maturity date was adjusted to Dec. 9,
2011 and has three, one-year extension options. The sponsors are Juan
Poch Bibes and Juan Vecente Ferry Guardiola.
The Starco Office Portfolio interest-only loan is collateralized by the
interests in a portfolio of eight office complexes, with 10 properties
totaling approximately 786,000 square feet. Nine of the properties are
located in suburban Washington D.C. and one is located in suburban
Baltimore. At issuance, it was expected that the portfolio’s occupancy
and average lease rate would increase significantly. The increases in
occupancy and rental rates have not been realized as quickly as expected
at issuance. However, the portfolio performance has improved since
issuance. Since issuance, the A-note has been paid down $3.25 million.
This was a requirement of the borrower due to draws for leasing costs on
the letter of credit. Occupancy rates and performance within the
portfolio are higher than issuance. As of February 2010, portfolio
occupancy was approximately 81%, compared to 69.5% leased at issuance.
The portfolio’s average in-place rental rate is approximately $26 per
square foot. The major tenants in the portfolio consist of Apptis, Inc
chicago real estate
The Hons began training a revolutionary army in the art of Kung Fu in the Shaolin temple. Because the traditional Shaolin system took 15 to 20 years to learn, five Shaolin grandmasters met to discuss the merist of each of their styles. They chose the most efficient techniques from each style and designed a system that would take a shorter period of time, 5 years, to learn. This system was named Wing Chun which meant ?Hope for the Future?. Before the system could be put into practice the Shaolin temple was raided and burnt. Of the five masters, only one survived, a Shaolin nun called Ng Mui. Ng Mui passed her knowledge of the system onto a young orphan girl whom she named Wing Chun. In turn Wing Chun passed it onto her husband and through the years the martial art became known as Wing Chun.
Wing Chun operates on a number of key principles.
kung fu dummy
29
Telegram; Long Beach, Calif. – Beyond dumpster diving
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Beyond dumpster diving
0 Comments | Press – Telegram; Long Beach, Calif., Apr 29, 2005 | by Greg Mellen
LONG BEACH While just about any Saturday can be a spring cleaning day in Long Beach, this weekend there will be cleanups with a twist.
At Naples Island, 20 divers will be scouring the canals for debris on Saturday. Also Saturday, at Colorado Lagoon, there will be a number of folks who will ignore mom’s advice about not going in the water after eating and will participate in an annual pancake breakfast and cleanup.
The event at Naples will be part of the third annual Long Beach Marine Life Survey and Underwater Cleanup. Spearheaded by local environmentalists Lenny Arkinstall and Christopher Ward, the underwater cleanup combines an educational component with some heavy lifting.
Before the actual cleaning begins, divers, their families and assorted other interested participants will take a two-hour cruise on the 90-foot research vessel Conqueror that will include some trolling and dragging of the sea floor to study marine habitats and promote watershed awareness.
When the cruise ends, the divers will disperse to the canals where they will remove trash and debris and survey the water and habitat.
Arkinstall, who gained notoriety for single-handedly removing more than 20 tons of debris from the Los Cerritos Wetlands, said he has taken some sonar readings and looked at the canals.
“There’s some chunks of stuff down there,” Arkinstall said. “I’ve seen some traffic cones and beer cans
dumpster long island
Sunday Mirror, Jul 19, 2009 by Brian Twomey
PLANNING on going to Italy this summer? If so you might be interested to learn that you can now hire a Lotus Elise or Lotus Exige from Hertz car rental.
Mr. Michael J. Kimberley, Chief Executive Officer of Group Lotus plc, said, “I am delighted that Lotus Cars has entered into this agreement with Hertz, giving us the opportunity to make our stunning world class sportscars available to the rental market
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Regardless of age, all women should do their own monthly breast self-examination a few days after her period. When doing breast self-examination, things to look for include: puckering of the skin, the appearance of what is sometimes called ‘orange peel skin’, any place in your breasts that feels lumpy or harder than the rest and bleeding from the nipples or crusting.
It is important to note that most breast problems are not breast cancer and most lumps are not cancerous. When a lump is not cancerous it is referred to as ‘benign’. A cancerous lump is called ‘malignant’.
While there are no cures yet, researchers have discovered that a healthy lifestyle is the best way to prevent cancer.
acia berry
