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Monthly Archives: June 2013
Merseylink announced as Mersey Gateway Project preferred bidder
Merseylink has been announced as the preferred bidder for the Mersey Gateway Project that will create 470 construction jobs and boost the building trades.
Merseylink and Halton Borough Council will work on the final details of the plans before reaching financial close, signing a contract and starting site clearance and demolition later this year.
The Merseylink design for the main bridge is based on a reinforced concrete deck, which is a change from the reference design, based on steel fabrication. This is one of the areas that has produced significant financial savings for the project.
Once a formal financial close is reached, Merseylink will then become the project company and will work with the council to deliver a 30-year contract to design, build, finance and operate a new toll bridge over the River Mersey between Runcorn and Widnes, together with associated work in the towns.
The centrepiece of the project is a new six-lane toll bridge over the River Mersey which will bring major estimated economic, transport and social benefits to the region, including:
- 470 permanent full-time equivalent jobs on site during construction
- 4,640 permanent direct and indirect jobs
- £61.9 million a year in Gross Value Added from the new jobs by 2030
- quicker journey times by up to 10 minutes in peak periods, and
- an improvement in journey time reliability.
Cllr. Rob Polhill, Leader of Halton Borough Council, said: "This is a hugely important day for Halton and the north west of England. This partnership with Merseylink will deliver Mersey Gateway for the next 30 years and it is very exciting to be part of something that will bring thousands of jobs and major regeneration opportunities to the region for years to come."
"We all know something needs to be done to relieve the pressure on commuters who are used to being stuck in queues to cross the Silver Jubilee Bridge and we know from talking to local businesses, both big and small, that this is a major issue when it comes to growing the north west economy."
Planning reform to boost the trades
Proposed changes to Scotland's planning system will put a great emphasis on economic benefits, including creating new jobs, planning Minister Derek Mackay will tell key members of Scotland's business community this week.
Mr Mackay will meet with Scotland's business leaders during a series of engagements taking place around the country to support the Scottish Government's public consultation on Scotland's third National Planning Framework (NPF3) and a revised Scottish Planning Policy.
The Minister will discuss how proposed changes to the planning system will place a greater weight on economic impact. This includes the creation of new jobs as well as recognising and responding to economic conditions.
Mr Mackay said: "The Scottish Government is focussed on sustainable economic growth, and as Planning Minister I am intent on delivering a planning system that is enabling this objective.
"This is about the culture and practice of planning on the ground. An explicit emphasis on economic impact in planning deliberations is both necessary and timely. I believe we are making good progress.
"During the consultation process I have been meeting with local authorities, developers, environmental groups and members of the public. By meeting with key players from Scotland's business community I will gain further feedback on the consultation which will assist in our drive to push forward sustainable economic growth."
Portsmouth gateway transformation reaches out for new jobs
Developers are being sought to transform a derelict site in Portsmouth that will create 1,500 jobs and see the building of up to 1,600 new homes.
The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has announced it is seeking a development partner to build and market the first 80 new and affordable homes at its site in Tipner. Work by Portsmouth City Council includes the creation of a new motorway interchange and park-and-ride facility.
The site has undergone an extensive clean-up over the last year, which has seen the HCA invest around £3 million in preparing it for residential development.
This work has been carried out by specialist construction company the Tamdown Group, who have worked closely with local residents to keep them informed about progress on the site over the last year.
Kevin Bourner, HCA head of area, said: "This first phase of development marks an incredibly important step for a project which stands to make a hugely positive contribution to the local community and wider economy over the long-term.
"It will set the standard and tone of the rest of the development and demonstrates to those who have backed the project for so long that progress is being made. This is a complex project, which has required a great deal of work to get to this stage.
"I am confident that prospective partners will see what a fantastic opportunity this represents to be part of an exciting scheme that has the potential to regenerate the area for future generations."
Kathy Wadsworth, director of regeneration at Portsmouth City Council, added: "Tipner will be an important new residential and employment area at the gateway to the city, with major new transport infrastructure and waterside developments.
"It is a major part of our plan to bring £1 billion worth of investment into the city. The new motorway junction will enable more development in the area, and the park-and-ride will cater for visitors to our new-look city centre, which is being planned now."
£91m cash boost to get 6,000 empty homes back into use
Communities Minister Don Foster has announced that towns across England will benefit from £91 million to refurbish and bring back into use over 6,000 empty homes and derelict homes.
The Minister said that regions in the Midlands and North, where the problem is most acute, would especially benefit from the investment that will create new jobs and boost the building industry.
Speaking today whist visiting an empty homes refurbishment project in Stoke on Trent, Mr Foster said: "The government is doing everything possible to tackle the problem of empty homes and urban blight.
"Today I'm announcing we're going to do even more, with towns across England benefiting from £91 million to refurbish over 6,000 empty properties to get them back into use.
"This will bring people, shops and jobs back to once abandoned areas, and provide extra affordable homes we so badly need."
The funding will be spent on refurbishment in areas where empty properties have commonly led to problems such as squatting, rat infestation and collapsing house prices, driving remaining residents away.
The funding is being allocated under two programmes:
- £61 million from the second round of the empty homes funding programme, provided to successful bidders eligible from all areas across England (except London, which will be announced separately) with empty homes. Around two thirds of this (£41 million) is allocated by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) to registered social landlords; and the remaining money to community and voluntary groups. Together the 187 successful organisations will bring around 3,200 extra homes back into use.
- £30 million second year award of Clusters of Empty Homes programme funding for twenty partnerships in areas of acute problems such as Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Middlesbrough which will bring around 3,500 homes back into use.
Andy Rose, HCA chief executive, said: "We had a very encouraging response to the funding across a wide range of types of property.
"This demonstrates a strong appetite and scope for bringing empty homes and properties back into use, which will help to reinvigorate our communities and towns. We look forward to working with housing providers to bring these homes forward."
What is your reaction to the £90 million cash boost that will create new jobs and boost the construction industry? Share your thoughts by commenting here or raise your voice on our Facebook and Twitter pages.
Minister confirms European funding for Tees Valley
Communities Minister Baroness Hanham has announced £5.4 million of European investment to build state-of-the-art business facilities which will further development on Enterprise Zones.
Lady Hanham confirmed that the European Regional Development Fund Competitiveness Programme 2007- 2013 is investing £3.29 million in the HCA owned Darlington Business Growth Hub where work will start later this year.
The Baroness also announced that the European Regional Development Fund is investing £2.1 million in Boho 5, part of the DigitalCity initiative, that is expected to create at least 250 new jobs in 10 years.
The scheme is set to provide 2,322 sq m of high quality business accommodation targeted specifically at small and medium enterprises operating in digital and creative sectors.
Baroness Hanham said: "I am delighted to formally announce European Regional Development Fund investment for the Darlington Business Growth Hub and Boho 5, which will see the development of high quality premises enabling new and growing businesses to create jobs and wealth in Tees Valley."
Darlington Business Growth Hub will comprise additional 3,200 m² of high quality Grade A office space for small and medium enterprises and is due to open January 2015.
The project will see the creation of at least 25 new businesses and 350 new jobs within the first 15 years of operation. The project is being managed by Darlington Borough Council with the Homes and Communities Agency providing the match funding.
David Curtis, Executive Director at the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) said:
"The confirmation that these schemes will receive European Funding means that the HCA will invest an additional £5million in creating jobs in the Tess Valley."
"We will invest £3million in the Darlington Growth Hub to help create a purpose built facility that will help new businesses grow and supports local jobs. Our £2 million investment in Boho 5 is a key part of our wider long term investment in Middlehaven to help create educational and employment opportunities for Middlesbrough"
The European Regional Development Fund Competitiveness Programme 2007-13 is bringing over £300 million into North East England to support innovation, enterprise and business support. It will help create and safeguard 28,000 new jobs, start 3,000 new businesses and increase the productivity by £1.1bn per annum.
Willmott Dixon gets the go-ahead for £14.5m third phase of Orchard Village
Willmott Dixon has been selected to deliver phase three of the Orchard Village scheme in Rainham that will see the creation of hundreds of new homes and jobs in the trades.
Old Ford Housing Association, part of affordable housing provider Circle Housing Group, is responsible for the £80 million masterplan to replace the 1960s-era high-rise Mardyke estate with Orchard Village, which was recently listed by Inside Housing as one of its Top 50 UK Affordable Housing Developments for 2013.
The third phase of Orchard Village will see Willmott Dixon build 87 homes, with 29 available for affordable rent, 28 for shared ownership and 30 for sale.
This latest deal means that Willmott Dixon will have been involved in all three phases of the village, which is replacing 516 homes with 555 new homes comprising 339 general needs, 64 shared ownership and 152 private sale properties. There are also local shops and a new Primary Care Trust facility.
Orchard Village's creation is a six year process, with completion by 2015. During that time, Willmott Dixon will have demolished six tower blocks and ten low rise blocks and replaced them with lower rise, more family-friendly homes.
Charlie Scherer, chief operating officer at Willmott Dixon's housing company said: "We're very proud of our role in building Orchard Village, which will offer a fantastic living environment to so many people.
"During phases one and two, our community engagement was a key feature, so much so that we were recently one of only a few projects in the UK that won a Considerate Constructor Scheme gold award. This is an ethos that will very much continue as we start phase three."
Telford development reaches out with new homes and jobs
New homes and jobs are being created in Telford as part of a £11 million project by Sanctuary Group that will see the building of hundreds of new homes in the area.
The leading housing and care provider is developing 86 extra care apartments for over 55s as well as 12 apartments specially designed for people with learning difficulties, in Ketley.
A 500-strong workforce has begun work on the Ketley Park Road site as part of a £60 million partnership with national contractor Seddon to build more than 700 new homes in the Midlands.
The Telford scheme is set to be finished in autumn 2014. It has been partly funded by the Homes and Communities Agency and is being delivered in partnership with Telford and Wrekin Council.
Councillor Hilda Rhodes said: "This is an excellent scheme which very much reflects the council's drive to support businesses and I was delighted to kick start the work on the site. I look forward to seeing the projects develop in the months to come."
David Charmbury, area manager with HCA, said: "The HCA is pleased to be working with our strategic partners and making investment into this scheme.
"Not only will the development cater for local need, it will also provide much needed economic and employment benefits for the borough and complete another key component of the wider Telford Millennium Community."
The new extra care scheme, set in landscaped gardens, will feature communal facilities including a restaurant, lounge, gym and hair salon.
Sanctuary's development, Andrew White, said: "This is an ambitious project which will create much needed homes for older people in this part of Ketley. Sanctuary is dedicated to creating new jobs and apprentice posts at all our developments and this site is no different."
What is your reaction to the multi-million Telford residential scheme that will create new jobs and boost the construction industry? Share your thoughts by commenting here or raise your voice on our Facebook and Twitter pages.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise awards property framework contract
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has appointed Kier as one of four construction firms on its new prime contractor framework to deliver the majority of its building projects that will create new jobs.
In the agreement, which will last up to four years, Kier joins Galliford Try Construction, Mansell Construction Services, and Robertson Construction to work on projects estimated to be worth around £6 million per year.
HIE director of regional development, Carroll Buxton, commented: "We are delighted to have agreed a contract with these four highly skilled and respected companies, all of which have strong links to the area.
"This partnership framework approach provides flexibility for the businesses and healthy competition for us which will ensure best value for the public purse."
From its offices in Aberdeen, Kier is currently working on a number of projects across the region and its appointment on the framework will further strengthen the relationship between Kier and the HIE, established through the delivery of projects via the Scape National Minor Works Framework, on which Kier is the sole contractor.
Kier Construction regional managing director, Brian McQuade, said: "The appointment to HIE's framework will provide Kier with an excellent opportunity to continue its relationship with local communities delivering employment and training opportunities in various disciplines and professions in the construction industry.
"Kier looks forward to supporting HIE in its role as the economic and community development agency for the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.
"Our knowledge and relationship with the local supply chain combined with our national buying power will deliver best value construction solutions that will support community benefits and development throughout the highlands."
HIE is now discussing a number of pipeline projects with the businesses and hopes to award the first projects under the framework later in 2013.
Government to promote offshore wind investment
Business and Energy Minister Michael Fallon has announced the creation of an Offshore Wind Investment Organisation (OWIO) to boost levels of inward investment and to further stimulate jobs in the UK offshore wind industry.
The OWIO is expected to boost the UK offshore wind industry alongside Government support for three offshore wind innovation projects as well as pave the way for new employment opportunities in the trades.
Energy Minister, Michael Fallon said: "Offshore wind is a major success story for the UK, and we want to boost levels of inward investment. This will be an important part of our industrial strategy for the sector later this year, and we are creating the Offshore Wind Investment Organisation to drive that activity.
"We already have more installed offshore wind than anywhere else in the world, and this brings enormous economic benefit to our shores, supporting thousands of skilled jobs.
"Through the formation of this industry-led partnership and through our support for innovation projects, we will boost the positive benefits that the offshore wind sector can bring to the UK economy."
The OWIO is one of the recommendations of the forthcoming industrial strategy and will be headed by a senior industry figure. The organisation will be a partnership between industry and Government, established by UK Trade & Investment, that will complement the work of DECC and BIS in delivering the Government-wide offshore investment objectives.
Michael Fallon also announced three innovation projects that Government will support as part of Offshore Wind Components Technologies Scheme:
- Power Cable Services Limited, based in Kent, have been awarded a £540,000 grant towards their high voltage subsea cable jointing technology project
- Aquasium Technology Ltd with partners Burntisland Fabrications Ltd and TWI have been awarded a grant of £769,600 towards their cost-effective fabrication project.
- Wind Technologies Ltd (Cambridge) have been awarded a £728,355 grant to design, manufacture and test an innovative 5MW medium speed drive train concept.
The Minister announced the support during his keynote speech to Renewable UK's Offshore Wind 2013 conference in Manchester today.
Industry delegates at the conference are also able to attend the first 'Share Fair' session enabling them to hear about investment opportunities from major players in the market. This addresses one of the priorities identified by the offshore wind industrial strategy partnership between Government and industry.
What is your reaction to the Government plans to boost levels of inward investment and create new jobs in the UK offshore wind industry? Share your thoughts by commenting here or raise your voice on our Facebook and Twitter pages.
New homes and employment boost at new Telford development
Much-needed new homes, jobs and training opportunities are being created in Telford as part of an ambitious £11 million project by Sanctuary Group.
The housing and care provider is developing 86 extra care apartments for over 55s as well as 12 apartments specially designed for people with learning difficulties, in the suburb of Ketley.
A 500-strong workforce has begun work on the Ketley Park Road site as part of a £60 million partnership with contractor Seddon to build more than 700 new homes in the Midlands.
Local suppliers will be used wherever possible on the development and there will be grants available for local community projects.
Andrew White, Sanctuary's Development Director, said: "This is an ambitious project which will create much needed homes for older people in this part of Ketley. Sanctuary is dedicated to creating new jobs and apprentice posts at all our developments and this site is no different."
Councillor Hilda Rhodes, Telford and Wrekin Council's cabinet member for Customer Services, marked the start of work on site during a special sod cutting ceremony.
She said: "This is an excellent scheme which very much reflects the council's drive to support businesses and I was delighted to kick start the work on the site. I look forward to seeing the projects develop in the months to come."
Ian Calder from Seddon said: "We're delighted to be creating apprentice training opportunities through this important housing scheme. Boosting local economies by providing new jobs and training is a central feature of our work with Sanctuary."
The project has been part funded by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) through the Affordable Homes Programme and is being carried out in partnership with Telford and Wrekin Council.


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Although the term "one-stop shop" has been around since the early 20th century, the phrase is typically used to describe businesses such as grocery stores and big box retailers. A recently opened ambulatory care center located in Appleton, Wis., has taken this concept in a new direction. Encircle Health is a $34-million, 3-story, 156,000-sq-ft multi-specialty facility that provides patients with a single location for all of their outpatient health care needs, including endoscopy, phlebotomy, pulmonary, orthopedics, urology, and behavioral health. Additionally, the health center features two MRI units, sleep laboratories, a pharmacy, an electronic medical records system, and a multitude of accomplished physicians.
"Encircle Health employed an integrated project delivery (IPD) approach, meaning all the participants collaborated before construction began to achieve maximum savings, eliminate any unnecessary waste, and increase productivity," says Keith Verstegen, project manager for Menasha, Wis.-headquartered Faith Technologies, the electrical and specialty systems contractor that performed the design-build of the project's fire alarm and all electrical systems, including the lighting, power, generator, and UPS .
A significant portion of the IPD process included the use of 3-D modeling for all structural, architectural, and key MEP elements. According to Verstegen, this 3-D modeling process involved some up-front cost investment but ultimately returned considerable time and monetary savings.
"For example, we had a large bank of feeders that needed to run from the main service room on the first floor to the third story penthouse," he explains. "The way the building was originally designed, the feeder route was out of the way and involved a lot of turns and bends. The 3-D modeling allowed us to work with the architects to readjust some wall depths on each floor to shorten that route, which saved a significant amount of money and materials."
Constructed to LEED standards, the building incorporates numerous energy-efficient features, such as occupancy sensors, T8 fluorescent lamps, and daylighting trackers. Solar panels located on the roof heat the care center's water. One of the facility's most unique components, however, is the UPS/flywheel system that ensures power quality and the reliability of critical electrical systems.
"The flywheel, which doesn't use batteries and is designed to run for 20-plus years, spins at 55,000 rpm and stores energy in that fashion," notes Verstegen. "In the event of a power outage or power quality issue, the flywheel sends its energy back to the UPS and sustains the load for up to 50 sec while the 400kW backup generator starts in approximately 10 sec."
Another of Encircle Health's unique features is its fire alarm system. Although the design itself is basic, the system had to be partitioned off via firewalls in the endoscopy suite because of the surgical procedures performed here. According to Verstegen, the fire alarm system in this suite will only trigger when absolutely necessary, depending on what alarms are going off in the rest of the building.
"The partition took a lot of coordination," he says. "We had to develop a separate raceway to serve the endoscopy suite. We also had to work hand in hand with the authority having jurisdiction to make sure we created a fire notification system that gave the customer what it wanted while meeting the standards the authorities were looking for."
Project construction began in October 2008, and the health care center opened ahead of schedule in October 2009. Although the original goal was to construct the facility to LEED Silver standards, Verstegen says early indicators show this project will probably achieve a very high LEED Gold rating.
"This is one of the most distinctive projects Faith Technologies has been involved with so far," remarks Verstegen. "In fact, the American Institute of Architects flew here from California after the Encircle Health facility was completed to study how we operated throughout the project."

subset: commoncrawl


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FARMINGTON — Several students from Henry Wilson Memorial School grades 4 to 6 have recently been honored for outstanding citizenship and kindness to others.
Each month teachers at the Farmington school have students write on an orange "Paw" cutout terrific things about their peers. The paws are fitting since Henry Wilson's school mascot is the Farmington Tigers. The "paws-i-tive" tributes from one student about another could be 'random acts of kindness' or any other positive character trait they observe in their classmate. The teacher then nominates from those paws one student for Terrific Student of the Month (for the month before).
These names are announced; pictures are taken and hung on the wall with a short statement written under the picture saying why they were chosen, and certificates of appreciation are given. The Paws then are added to a trail around the school halls called "Paws for Kindness." Henry Wilson School would like to publicly acknowledge the following students for their achievement of this honor.
In September, the school recognized the following outstanding students: for 4th grade, Ben VanderVoet, Sam Wainwright, Kimberley Bush and Ashley Lane. Students recognized in 5th grade, were Tyler Mahler, Justin Smith, Korah Canney-Goddard, Samantha Aubut, Bradley Peluso, and Mason Thurston. The 6th grade achieving students were Blake Marsh, Garrett Villone, Travis Smith, Maddie Brooks, and Chance Parker.
In October (see picture), the following students were nominated in 4th, MacKenzie Ciolino, Shael Hendersen, Sara Page, and Ruth Allard. In 5th, Taylor Kennedy, Jillana Stevens, Emma Hunting, Dillon Beaton, Montanna Grenier-Patch, and Kaylee Ratay. In 6th, Emily Murray, Haley Downing, Mary Pimental, Cassidy Stevens, and Andrew Bennett.
Henry Wilson Memorial School 4-6 is a PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention Supports) school, which means the school has teams of staff who creatively find school wide incentives for positive behaviors, in addition to building supports for students who struggle showing those expected behaviors.
Henry Wilson School honors 'Terrific Kids'
FARMINGTON — Several students from Henry Wilson Memorial School grades 4 to 6 have recently been honored for outstanding citizenship and kindness to others.


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Energetic and atmospheric Dubstep track with nice piano melody towered the end. perfect for futuristic videos, car racing videos and energetic projects that looks for the modern, cool, heavy dubstep sound.
for your convenient the zip file includes 1 extra loop, (without the piano melody): master track: 1:53 loop: 0:54


text: I must admit I was becoming somewhat concerned something had happened with my order. It was placed on May the 8th and I had still not seen a shipping notice. I emailed Brandon this afternoon to inquire about the order and he responded within a few minutes that it had shipped on Tuesday and was delivered around 10am today..... Sure enough I had missed the shipping notice and had a WBBB 1.1 dl & camo SuperFly waiting on me when I got home. Not sure how I missed the tracking notice but a Big Thanks to Brandon for check on it for me...... I'm heading out to set it up in the backyard now.


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Kati is intelligent, athletic and beautiful. She's also a police officer with a strong inner sense of right and wrong. So, despite her aptitudes and knowledge, she's less than fully prepared for the unclear situations she must face in developer MiST land - South's cyberpunk single-player tactical strategy game with RPG elements, COPS 2170: The Power of Law. Unbeknownst to her, events have been set in motion that will test her morally as well as physically. Only time will tell whether she is able to retain her values or if they will be altered by her new experiences.
Kati's tale of inner conflict will play out against a backdrop of missions ranging from suppressing riots to taking care of a local crime boss, protecting a vital witness, defending the police department, and even assaulting the offices of huge corporations declared to be outside the law. Involving firearms plus robots, cars and tanks, the action will take place in confined quarters, and also in locales spanning hundreds of meters. The visuals will be rendered by an engine designed for the team's vibrant vision of a world of light and shadows, neon and metal, the flaring of gunfire and more.
Four exclusive 1600x1200 screenshots


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JDRF Begins Roll-Out of New Business Intelligence Platform
Feb 26, 2013, 10:09 ET
--Partnership is designed to improve organizational efficiency and help JDRF meet its financial goals--
NEW YORK, Feb. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- JDRF, the leading non-profit organization in the area of type 1 diabetes (T1D) research, has begun a national effort to streamline its business operations, introducing an operational data dashboard in all of its chapter offices and its headquarters in New York City. The development and rollout has been accomplished through a partnership with Altosoft, a business intelligence (BI) software company whose previous clients have primarily been in the for-profit healthcare and financial services industries.
Through the use of Altosoft's BI platform and dashboarding software, JDRF staff can now make rapid data-informed decisions by having access to key performance indicators (KPIs) that are relevant and targeted at their specific areas of the business. The system is able to pull information from a wide range of sources throughout the organization and update it in real-time. This information is then fed into customizable dashboards that are specific to the job functions and needs of the individual user.
"The Altosoft platform is enabling JDRF to more efficiently access key data that would have ordinarily taken time and effort away from our core business activities," said James Szmak, JDRF's chief operating officer. "Previously, the length of time it took to compile our financial data meant that we were often making important business decisions based on what we saw in the 'rearview mirror.' Now, we can see in real-time how we are measuring up against our budgets at the organizational, chapter, or even program or project level, and make adjustments as needed." Szmak noted that for-profit companies routinely use BI and informatics services such as the Altosoft platform. However, JDRF's entry into data analytics represents a significant step forward for non-profit organizations, which typically lag behind their for-profit counterparts in adopting new technology to help them operate more cost-effectively and efficiently. This, Szmak said, places JDRF at the forefront of non-profits in this realm.
Currently, more than 200 JDRF employees from its national headquarters and each of its 106 chapters have been trained and are using the Altosoft platform, which was custom-designed to meet JDRF's unique needs. The organization plans to complete roll-out to all employees by the end of 2013.
"I'm really happy with the BI dashboard," said Ellen Rubesin, JDRF's regional director, northeast. "It shows me the progress of the chapters in my region in real-time, compared to what is budgeted, so that I can work with chapter leaders to ensure that we reach our numbers. The chapters can also see the progress of the other offices in the region and are demonstrating a desire to help others meet their targets as well."
"JDRF's commitment to its pursuit of operational excellence has made our partnership very rewarding for both parties. Through our close working relationship we have been able learn the unique requirements of JDRF's operation and advise them on the optimal use of our technology to deliver a higher level of results and to identify operational areas that offer opportunities for additional improvement," said Scott Opitz, Altosoft's president and chief executive officer. "By applying the same best practices employed by leading for-profit companies JDRF has demonstrated that they are able to realize the same superior insights and controls previously not found in the non-profit community allowing them to reach their aggressive goals of helping improve the lives of as many as 3 million Americans living with Type 1 diabetes."
About JDRF
JDRF is the leading global organization focused on type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Driven by passionate, grassroots volunteers connected to children, adolescents, and adults with this disease, JDRF is now the largest charitable supporter of T1D research. The goal of JDRF research is to improve the lives of all people affected by T1D by accelerating progress on the most promising opportunities for curing, better treating, and preventing T1D. JDRF collaborates with a wide spectrum of partners who share this goal.
Since its founding in 1970, JDRF has awarded more than $1.7 billion to diabetes research. Past JDRF efforts have helped to significantly advance the care of people with this disease, and have expanded the critical scientific understanding of T1D. JDRF will not rest until T1D is fully conquered. More than 80 percent of JDRF's expenditures directly support research and research-related education.
About Altosoft
Altosoft's products take BI to a higher level, delivering advanced functionality while enabling companies' BI implementations to work faster, easier, and more cost effectively. These process-aware solutions eliminate the cost and complexity of conventional BI while delivering advanced functionality for operational performance improvement.
Altosoft's revolutionary, 100% codeless approach features ultra low-latency data monitoring and analysis across operational databases, warehouses, and other data sources. It integrates real-time event monitoring and business process optimization. It also enables dashboard development in minutes with a unique browser-based, drag-and-drop interface.
A typical Altosoft solution is implemented in one-tenth the time and at less than one half the cost of ordinary BI. Headquartered in Media, Pennsylvania, Altosoft delivers solutions for commercial and government organizations worldwide.


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FCM Travel Solutions takes responsibility for every aspect of your business travel. We are not a corporate travel agency limited to bookings and itineraries, we're a consultancy that takes a holistic approach to your corporate travel, with a focus on cost reduction.
FCM Travel Solutions has been regularly recognised by leading international travel industry award programs for the results we achieve for our clients and overall excellence in corporate travel management.
Brand Story
The travel management company built on a global success story. As the flagship corporate travel business of the Flight Centre Travel Group, FCM Travel Solutions draws on the resources, expertise and negotiating strength of one of the world's leading travel businesses.
The FCM Difference
It's always been our approach to people that sets us apart from other corporate travel companies.Our Customer Value Proposition (CVP), the FCM Five Stars, defines what is unique about the FCM business and our service offering. They demonstrate how we deliver real value to our partnership with you.
Global Network
Your business travel partner all over the world. FCM's network covers more than 90 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and the Americas. This global footprint provides product, technology and industry professionals all dedicated to transforming the way you travel.


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Three RV Dealers Add Holiday Rambler Towables
March 30, 2010 by RVBusiness · Comments Off on Three RV Dealers Add Holiday Rambler Towables
Monaco RV LLC announced the addition of three more Holiday Rambler towable dealers.
Robert Crist and Co. RV, Mesa, Ariz., Holiday on Wheels of Panama City, Panama City, Fla., and Mellott Brothers' RV, Willow Street, Pa., will all carry the Holiday Rambler brand of towable products, according to a news release.
"These well-established and respected dealerships offer first-class sales and service," said Walt Mason, recently appointed national sales manager for Holiday Rambler towables. "We are honored to partner with these great organizations and offer their customers the best recreational vehicles on the market."
Mason will lead the 57-year-old Holiday Rambler brand from it facilities in Wakarusa, Ind. Mason brings an extensive, nearly 30-year career in the RV industry to Holiday Rambler. He has held various roles within the industry from sales and most notably product development. Most recently he served as regional sales manager for Holiday Rambler towables, developing dealer partners and sales initiatives for the brand.
"We are extremely excited to have Walt take the helm of the Holiday Rambler towable division," said Mike Snell, senior vice president of sales and product development. "His impressive background and knowledge in product development will be utilized to enhance the current Holiday Rambler towable product line, as well as shape future products offerings that are innovative and market ready. The Holiday Rambler brand has a long, rich history. Walt will do a great job at honoring that tradition, while forging the brand ahead to the next level."


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Sept. 18, 2006
The Lipscomb Lady Bisons cross country team finished seventh in the 12-team Belmont Opener Sept. 12 at Percy Warner Park in Nashville.
Alabama-Birmingham finished first followed by Tennessee (second), Georgia Tech (third), host Belmont (fourth), Vanderbilt (fifth) and Alabama (sixth).
Finishing behind the Lady Bisons were Murray State (eighth), Austin Peay (ninth), Middle Tennessee (10th), Alabama State (11th) and Crichton (12th).
Susan Worden was the top finisher for the Lady Bisons in 32nd place with a time of 15:12.56 on the 4-K course. Samantha Wood was close behind in 34th with a time of 15:16.35.
Elizabeth Schall finished 38th (15:32.37), Shannon Shoemake was 49th (15:51.42), Amanda Tanner was 58th (16:14.69), Anna Day was 62nd (16:25.16), Carolyn Latham was 63rd (16:23.99) and Julie Alley was 65th (16:25.65).
Rounding the field for the Lady Bisons were Laura Griffin (71st, 16:35.02), Paloma Floden (73rd, 16:46.03), Erin Pyles (80th, 17:01.52) and Rachel Snider (81st, 17:05.25).
There were 114 runners in the field.


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Rodgers throws 3 TDs, Finley hurt, Packers beat Browns 31-13
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GREEN BAY, Wis. – Aaron Rodgers guided an undermanned offense with 260 yards and three touchdowns, Eddie Lacy ran for another score, and the Packers grinded out a 31-13 win Sunday over the Cleveland Browns.
Lacy finished with 82 yards, while tight end Jermichael Finley had a 10-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter before leaving with a neck injury.
Green Bay (4-2) won its third straight game.
Rodgers finished 25 for 36 in methodically carving up Cleveland (3-4) despite already being without two of his top targets in injured receivers James Jones and Randall Cobb.
The defense took care of the rest against struggling quarterback Brandon Weeden, who was 17 for 42 for 149 yards. The Browns' Jordan Cameron caught a 2-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.
AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org


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Hi Mama, reading your post is like taking a trip down memory lane! I started posting here when my baby was non-stop nursing. She'd cluster feed from 3 in the afternoon till midnight. There were times I thought I'd go crazy. In retrospect, I miss the TV, I miss the couch, and I especially miss the cuddles.
One thing about the paci:
Deciding to give it can be a source of stress. We tried at 6 weeks and the kid just spit it out. She never ever took one. Out went the thought "I'll get some relief if she'd just take one."
Please do invest in a wrap, sling, or carrier like the Ergo with an infant insert. They can be awkward at first but they really are amazing: you're hands free while the baby has the comfort and closeness they need. I try not to regret much (we're moms, we have a lifetime to feel bad) but I do regret waiting so long to figure out how to nurse in a wrap -- and by a long time I mean 6 weeks. It really did take a lot of the anxiety and stress away from non-stop holding and nursing.


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Opinion: The White House Divided
Columnist Bill McGurn on the conflict among Susan Rice, David Petraeus and Eric Holder over the Benghazi terrorist attack. Photo: Getty Images
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... I ... the twitter Why was a reference to being a terrorist attack taken out of the public talking points ... that is something that we're going to find out but they were good but it what's that's the point now ... with the allegation that the White House change those talking points ... that is full Sears only one thing that was changed and I checked into this I believe it to the absolute fact ... and that was the word conflict ... which change ... Commission ... that's the only change ... that anyone in the White House ... aam Mady ... and I have checked this out ... welcome back to Opinion Journal Live by Mary Kissel ... that was Senate intelligence Committee chair Diane Feinstein on the Sunday talk show ... adding her take on why the American public was not told that the September eleven terrorist attack was a terrorist attack ... in the days even weeks following it ... joining me now to make sense of all this mess is main Street Columnist Bill McGurn ... Bill ... what we know for sure ... about ... what U S ambassador ... to invest in the UN Susan Rice was told ... to stay on the Sunday talk shows after September the latter I don't think I need two things one I think it's an overstatement to say that ... I'm here to make sense of it ... by the answers to questions ... we don't know aam ... I don't know what the White House did I know when I was in the White House ... between drafts and when will these approvals C I a aam ... Financial director of intelligence and a few of the draft some things taken out there's a draft with the sentence and one point and then there's draft with the Dow ... in summer in the middle is to be very easy to find who did it may be with someone ... not at the White House but wasn't someone in one of the ... dances at ... the State Department who was that I'd I don't know what's the general betray us because ... in a daze in his original testimony to Congress ... he said it was a quilt ... spontaneous attack by quote extremists ... yet when he testified behind closed doors late last week he said the attack was terrorism Times Square ... right this is this very difficult not to betray us ... both times in September ... in on Friday testified behind closed doors who were going by news accounts ... but the count the time ... suggests that that's what he said the team had a nice and this is more or less spontaneous account the news taking the ministrations lawn ... so I think this testimony Friday is the story Friday was that he sings same thing along ... Congressman King said that ... that's not his impression and supported by the contemporaneous reporting ... it's also supported by scientists Senator Feinstein in an indirect way how ... in September when she came out one of the briefings ... the general betray us Katie ... she said she had no evidence that route that there was a planned attack guy I find it very hard to believe that Senator Feinstein with said that ... the general betray us was telling us this was the terror attack ... planned by al Cato ... so on ... so we have to discrepancies as a result of gentle trends the internal transfer any discrepancy would Journal trails ... family and Juniper trees in the discrepancy was Susan writes that time he claims this EIA forwarded this information ... and somehow it didn't make it into the talking points the night I'd I'd there's so many questions ... but the questions going way beyond ... I'm even ambassador Rice and German trains ... to the two principal people ... that have been ... involved in this ... on the process liability or holder the attorney general ... in on substance citing research or state and Clinton ... who's responsible for the embassies ... president ... Obama ... reacted angrily when ... when Senator McCain said that ... he would block any nomination ambassador Rice ... because of this ... a recent investor is ... knew nothing about then got C C question is why did they pick are ... to be the point person on the record if she knew nothing ... about ... then got C I mean that that's a big question still Wheelock questions in the second tree stayed in the larger questions such as ... if the president even ordered that ... all staff should be taken to help these people ... what was then obviously not carried out super thin on the process I ... Hwee of this this crazy narrative that the FBI in Tampa but the temple so the FBI is investigating the C I a director ... with Delta Department of Justice being involved in so for us and ... it's it's it's crazy that down to happen I would like to know ... we know director Moeller didn't help present Obama was he directed by the attorney general has asked not to do that you know what had there's so many questions ... and alas when to say if you are present Obama ... you had this ... Intel's stock pot ... a new had ... a fairly new health going to these people when you see all the when you be angry ... when you wanna know cooling UT messed up ... and was putting out false information that prevented a response ... in any of these


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American retailers may have more than a weather problem.
Family Dollar Stores Inc. said fewer shoppers came into its stores in the three months through May 31, pushing sales down 1.8%, excluding newly opened or closed stores. In a move to win back traffic, the dollar chain said it would begin carrying beer and wine next year, adding to the tobacco, frozen food and other consumables that now make up 73% of sales.
"Our results continue to reflect the economic challenges facing our core customer and an intense competitive environment," Chief Executive Howard Levine said.
The discounter's message echoed that of Container Store Group Inc., whose shares fell more than 8% Wednesday after its chief executive told investors that the company and its fellow store chains are in a "retail funk."
"We've come to realize it's more than just weather," Chief Executive Kip Tindell said. Falling traffic led to the first quarterly sales drop at the company in more than three years.
Investors flocked to the seller of bins, boxes and shelves when it went public last November, and shares more than doubled on opening day to close at $36.20. But so far this year, shares have dropped nearly 47%, as Container Store has succumbed to some of the pressures weighing on retail broadly.
Results at retailers haven't been uniformly bad this spring. But there enough negatives to shake earlier hopes that shoppers would whip out their wallets and resume shopping after the long, tough winter. The mixed showing continues to cloud the optimism arising from stronger job growth and rising consumer confidence.
The unemployment rate dropped to 6.1% in June, marking the best stretch of job growth in almost a decade. But five years into the economic expansion, big chains like Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Kroger Co. remain divided over whether consumers are indeed bouncing back.
Wal-Mart U.S. President Bill Simon said this week that the declining unemployment rate is doing little to bring shoppers into its stores. In an interview on CNBC, he predicted it will take six months to a year for retailers to start seeing a sales boost from job growth.
Sales at Wal-Mart's U.S. stores, excluding newly opened and closed stores, have been negative for five straight quarters, and traffic has dwindled for a year and a half.
The economy's gains are giving a lift to shoppers who are already better off, but the low-end consumer "isn't gaining traction," Mr. Simon said.
Lumber Liquidators Holdings Inc. warned late Wednesday that customer traffic in the second quarter was significantly weaker than expected and lowered its financial guidance for the year. Shares in the flooring retailer fell 22% in early trading Thursday.
Tractor Supply Co., a chain of farm and ranch stores, warned that its results for the year will likely be at the lower end of its projections, blaming challenging spring weather conditions.
Kroger has a different take. Shoppers are "exhibiting less cautious spending behavior," CEO Rodney McMullen told investors in June. "More customers perceive the economy to be in recovery" and are shelling out for things like premium pet food and organic products.
Near-term trends aside, store chains across the retailing industry are wrestling with what could be a permanent decline in shopper visits. Customers now use their mobile phones and computers to compare promotions, prices and products before heading into a physical store to buy clothes, electronics and increasingly, groceries.
Fewer visits mean fewer chances for impulse purchases as shoppers cherry pick promotions that sometimes produce losses, changing the calculus for retailers that have built their stores around now changing traffic expectations.
"Shoppers are making targeted visits to malls and going into fewer stores," said Christopher Ainsley, CEO of ShopperTrak, a Chicago-based data firm that records store visits for retailers using tracking devices installed at 40,000 outlets in the U.S.
ShopperTrak is changing up the way it presents its data, as mall owners and retailers come to terms with declining store visits. In reaction to feedback from the retailers ShopperTrak serves, the firm said starting July 17 it will quit reporting results from individual malls and instead report the tallies by ZIP Code.
The firm said its customers wanted a way to understand what was happening in the broader area as opposed to just at individual malls.
Container Store said traffic had declined in the quarter, offset somewhat by higher tickets for the shoppers who did show up. Sales fell by 0.8% in the quarter ended May 31 from a year earlier, excluding newly opened or closed stores, and the company lowered its full-year financial forecast.
The chain's CEO, Mr. Tindell, said Container Store tried to resist the impulse to join other retailers in ramping up discounts to draw shoppers in.
Retailers, he said, are training Americans to only come out to shop when there are deals in what has become "the most promotional environment I've seen in my career."
A handful of retailers reported June sales on Thursday, showing mixed results.
Costco Wholesale Corp. reported a 6% increase in June sales, excluding gasoline, surpassing analysts' estimates for 5.4% growth. The company said foreign currencies had a negative impact, however.
Top-performing categories at Costco included fresh foods, jewelry, apparel, housewares, lawn and garden and health and beauty. Consumer electronics sales were mostly flat, Costco said.
L Brands, formerly Limited Brands, said sales grew 2% last month, falling short of consensus estimates for a 3.1% increase. Growth was led by a 3% increase in sales for the company's Victoria's Secret brand, driven by its lingerie segment and young-adult oriented Pink line. However, that was still below the 3.2% growth expected for the brand.
Meanwhile, L Brands' Bath & Body Works brand reported sales growth of 1%, missing expectations for a 3.3% increase. L Brands said it expects sales to increase in the low single digits in July for the company as a whole.
Among teen retailers, Zumiez Inc., which sells action sports-related apparel and footwear, reported a 3.1% increase in sales, when 1.8% growth was expected. The better-than-planned sales, in part, led the retailer to raise its guidance for the quarter.
Buckle Inc., meanwhile, said sales improved 0.7%, beating analysts' projections for a 0.6% decrease.
Anna Prior and Erin McCarthy contributed to this article.
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Adelaide: Australian pacer Ryan Harris has pleaded with the team management to retain him for the fourth and final cricket Test against India amid speculation that one fast bowler will be dropped to make space for off-spinner Nathan Lyon.
With pace spearhead Peter Siddle refusing to take a break, the choice is between Harris and Mitchell Starc. Harris has just returned to international cricket after four months on the sidelines due to injury problems.
"Sidds wants to play. We are pretty keen to win the series 4-0," Harris said.
"It is probably out of me and Starcy to miss out of the bowling group. It is very competitive these days," was quoted as saying by `Fox Sports`.
Harris has appeared in only four Tests in five months because of hamstring and hip injuries.
"My argument if they want to rest me is that I have had three or four months off. I struggle with stop-starts. Once I am up and going, I have to make sure I do keep going," he explained.
"I want to get that real strong feeling at the crease going in Adelaide and the only way I am going to do that is keep bowling and bowling."
Harris said he also wants to assure selectors that he is not prone to constant breakdowns.
"I stood there on the last day in Perth and liked how good I felt," he said.
"I got through a lot of overs, everything is good, no pain in my hip or anything."
The 32-year-old, who is based in Queensland, said playing a Test match at his former home ground would be special.
"It would mean a lot to play again in Adelaide in front of family and friends. I have to pinch myself," said Harris.
Harris` mother Gai died of cancer five years ago and the pacer said it would be quite emotional for him to play at Adelaide Oval, where she would turn up to encourage him all the time.
"I think of her each time I am about to bowl, touch my chest where I have a tattoo of her," he said.
"I think she would be proud. She used to watch me at Adelaide Oval."


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Inauguration Week was an opportunity to celebrate the University at Albany's honored past while advancing our future. In the week leading up to the Installation Ceremony, departments from across campus hosted special events that highlighted our strengths in research, arts and scholarship; student and campus life; and community engagement and humanitarian efforts.
Please explore the images, sounds and ideas emerging from the week-long celebration of our great University.


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Baltimore police did not have permission to conduct training exercises at the shuttered state facility for the developmentally disabled where an officer was shot and critically wounded, according to Maryland health officials.
"As far as we can tell, there were not requests made by the city Police Department to use the facility for training," said Dori Henry, a spokeswoman for the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. "We're looking into how they came to be there."
Police have not disclosed details of their internal investigation into the incident at the former Rosewood Center in Owings Mills, but Anthony Guglielmi, chief spokesman for the Baltimore department, acknowledged that police have known that the use of the building was unauthorized.
The revelation comes on top of several other problems identified by the department in the accidental shooting of a University of Maryland campus officer training with Baltimore police.
Senior officers were not aware of the exercise, and an instructor's service weapon was somehow confused with a paint-cartridge gun used for training. Sources have told The Baltimore Sun that investigators are examining the possibility that the accidental shot was not fired as part of a drill.
As part of the Baltimore department's review of training, Guglielmi said, police officials are trying to determine whether other sites have been used without approval. For years, police have used a city garage on West Dickman Street in South Baltimore, and the training academy is supposed to manage the use of other sites.
Training experts say the use of abandoned buildings is common, but police should have safety procedures in place and get owners' approval.
Documents show that when Baltimore County police sought to use the facility for training, the department had to give advance notice and agree to detailed terms. The Rosewood Center closed in 2009.
In a letter that year, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene told Officer James Bossi of Baltimore County's tactical unit that officers could conduct training sessions, including "day and night building searches and room clearing exercises without live weapons." The department said training sessions could be conducted only on weekdays and that county police had to give at least one day's notice.
The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene said it had no liability in the event of an accident or injury, and that county police would be responsible for repairing any damage.
"As long as these conditions are met and followed, DHMH will grant access to BCTU until the sale of the Rosewood Hospital Center," the letter says.
But three years later, there were added requirements. In an email dated Oct. 1, 2012, a state official wrote to a county police bomb squad commander about a recently completed training event with the Department of the Army.
"It proved to be difficult to coordinate but ultimately we were able to make some rare accommodations," wrote Jerimiah Sabir, deputy director of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's capital planning office.
"For future events to go smoothly," Sabir wrote, the state needed 90 days' notice in order to create a "right of entry" agreement. Cpl. Robert Conroy replied that the county bomb squad probably would not use the facility anymore because it could not meet the 90-day requirement.
"Our unit training evolutions are often arranged at the 'last minute' based upon our schedules and work demands," Conroy wrote.
Henry said the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene does not plan to take any action against the city. State police are continuing a criminal inquiry into the shooting.
Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony W. Batts said Tuesday that he "knows what happened out there" and "has a good feel for the procedural breakdown." A part-time member of his security detail was among the veteran officers present. But Batts would not go into detail about the events surrounding the shooting, citing the ongoing investigations.
Tactical teams are always looking for large abandoned buildings to use for training, according to Chris Grollnek, a former police SWAT officer and training coordinator in Texas.
"When I was assigned to SWAT, we used to ask patrol officers that if you come across an abandoned building or something that's going to get demolished, if you see a [phone] number on the side of it, get the number," said Grollnek, who works for Texas-based Countermeasure Consulting Group on efforts to combat mass shootings.
He said police want foreign environments for training to keep tactical teams sharp and prepared for any scenario. Large buildings such as hospitals and office campuses offer the multiple rooms and floors needed to practice for school shootings and hostage situations.
"The buildings offer that surprise element and the element of the unknown," Grollnek said. "It's very hard to facilitate the element of surprise and provide a training area that hasn't been used over and over and over."
While training shootings are rare nationwide, others have occurred during similarly unauthorized exercises.
In 2008, a New Hampshire tactical officer accidentally shot and injured a fellow officer during an impromptu training session in a partly built bank building without the bank's permission, a report by the state attorney general there found.
An officer had suggested they could use the building for training "if things weren't too busy," and they accessed the building through an unlocked door after having been called there a night earlier for a 911 hang-up call, the report said.
They unloaded their weapons and completed an hour of training, then reloaded their firearms after finishing the exercise. But an officer asked if they could continue, and at some point while the sergeant was demonstrating proper footwork he accidentally pulled the trigger and struck another officer.
The sergeant was cleared of criminal wrongdoing, including assault and reckless conduct, because he did not intentionally draw his gun or intentionally pull the trigger, according to the report.
W.T. Gaut, a retired Birmingham, Ala., police master training officer and an Alabama state police officer who now works as a court-certified expert in police practices, said it is cheaper for cash-strapped agencies to find abandoned buildings for training than to build training complexes.
He said it takes a lot of searching to find a perfect setting that's far enough from neighborhoods and other distractions, but once such a rare training site is found it's common for it to be shared by multiple agencies.
"That's not unusual," Gaut said. "When you have one county agency using it, everyone tends to use it."


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We are seeing this more and more... 9" of insulation flush on the bottom of a 12" or 14" floor joist cavity. No contact with conditioned floor, enclosed and ventilated crawlspace. They typically have 3" to 5" air gap above the insulation. From underside it appears to be grade 2 and possibly grade 1! Does any one know how poor these really perform?
Views: 827
Hi Kent,
Cutting corners is a practice many have perfected. But that air gap above the insulation may not be all that bad. Emphasis on "may", as there are other details that need to be done correctly. Joseph Lstiburek did a good article on this, attached below.
What's your climate zone and what does enclosed means if it is also ventilated. Is the crawl floor covered and sealed? If it truly needs to be a vented crawl space that floor above needs to be covered from below with an air barrier. What else is in the crawlspace?
Thanks for the feedback Bud!
We are in Climate zone 4 - marine & radon zone 1. It's a foundation wall with venting 1/150. Crawl is covered with 6 mil visqene with good overlaps & sealed. Insulation is open to crawl with no rigid on the bottom side. These homes do get frequent 10- 20 mph winds. 2-3 weeks of freezing and 2-3 weeks of high temperatures - moderate temperatures otherwise.
Lstiburek's article implies there isn't too much loss unless exposed to wind and big temperature swings.
First, to clarify, we are discussing a short basement, ie a crawlspace?? Your reference to 1/150 for venting I would normally apply to attics. Not sure that number is applicable to a below the house crawlspace, minimal stack effect and limited high/low locations for vents.
In a humid climate I probably would not vent a crawlspace. Seal it up and insulate the foundation walls and make it part of the conditioned space. This avoids summer humid air entering and finding a cold surface to condense on. But, if they go with a vented crawlspace, then the crawl ceiling needs more than exposed fiberglass. If the house is air conditioned, that same humid air will end up condensing on the bottom of the floor, right through the insulation. Exactly what needs to go there is debatable.
But your original question is about how effective the insulation is in this configuration. Joe covers it in his paper, the limited air flow. In a warm over cold configuration, convection is naturally suppressed. Depending upon the location of those vents and the amount of air flow the loss of r-value will be limited. But, there are better ways of insulating these locations.
And, as for the radon, they should at least have a passive system installed ready to be upgraded to active if needed.
Thanks Bud. Yes these are short foundation walls and access under is usually an issue. Unvented & enclosed crawlspaces have been tried here (Pacific Northwest) with conflicting results and the consensus is to stick with vented crawlspaces. The passive radon system is required and also ready to be made active if deemed necessary.
I appreciate Lstiburek's article and it makes some sense but I'd like to hear from actual results. The beer reflection gives me hesitation, as that has often resulted in breaking out in handcuffs. Logic and alcohol are not good mixes!
I think if it were my house I'd have the insulators get the insulation in contact with the subfloor...basically - just fill the cavity.
Haven't seen anyone in this area do the rigid foam on the underside yet- probably too moderate of a climate to make it cost effective.
One of the distinctions Joe makes about the gap above (which I agree with) is a "warmer floor". Floors are hard to heat because of the natural stratification above. Leaving the gap allows for some heat loss into that space and a slightly warmer floor. But, that cavity should be as sealed as possible. For simplicity and for less overall heat loss, filling the cavity might be best, especially since you are not in an extremely cold climate. I'm just sure how to evaluate the moisture flow.
As for Joe's humor, that is his writing style, his experience is extensive. As for some having tried the sealed and unvented approach, I would suspect they did not condition the resulting space below, a must. If fully conditioned, it would be no different from a conditioned basement.
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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) All those Cy Young awards, all that heat in their vaunted starting rotation, and there were the Detroit Tigers, staggering out to the field in the eighth inning with an infielder on the pitching mound.
After Andrew Romine served up two monster home runs in the inning, Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said he thought Romine was one of the bright spots on the night, showing just how bad the series opener against the last-place Minnesota Twins went for the Tigers.
Eduardo Escobar got a career-high five hits, including a homer and a triple, and the Twins batted around twice in a 20-6 rout of the Tigers on Friday night.
The 20 runs are the most in a major league game this season. Tigers pitchers walked nine and threw 214 pitches in the game, which is more than David Price and Rick Porcello threw combined in back-to-back complete games the two previous days.
''Every team goes through a few of these games,'' Ausmus said. ''It always stings a little more when you're fighting in the pennant race at the end of August.''
Danny Santana had a homer and four RBIs and Oswaldo Arcia and Trevor Plouffe also homered for the Twins, who scored six runs in the second inning and nine in the sixth to drop the Tigers to 2 1/2 games behind Kansas City in the AL Central race.
Robbie Ray (1-4) lasted just 1 1-3 innings, giving up six runs and six hits.
Escobar and Santana hit two-run homers off Ray to get the Twins out to a 6-1 lead in the second inning. The short outing puts a lot of stress on the Tigers bullpen with three more games in the next two days.
''I lost a little command,'' Ray said. ''It seems like they were on everything I was throwing.''
Ausmus tried to get creative with his struggling relievers to keep them available through the weekend. No reliever pitched more than 1 2-3 innings before Romine entered.
Romine gave up a double to Kennys Vargas to begin the inning and then threw a wild pitch. Arcia and Plouffe followed with 822 feet of combined homers.
But Romine, who declined comment after the game, got a little mercy from the next batter, veteran Twins catcher Kurt Suzuki. He never swung the bat while striking out looking on a 3-2 pitch.
The Tigers optioned Ray and left-hander Ian Krol to Triple-A Toledo and recalled pitchers Patrick McCoy and Kyle Lobstein to replenish the bullpen.
The Tigers scored four times in the fifth to cut the deficit to 6-5, but Minnesota sent 14 batters to the plate in the sixth inning to break it wide open. Joe Mauer came to the plate with the bases loaded twice in the inning, driving in two with a single and forcing one home on a walk, the sixth by a Tigers pitcher in a rugged frame that also included two errors from Kinsler at second base and Nick Castellanos at third.
''This was a bad game, embarrassing really,'' Ausmus said. ''There's not much to say.''
Mauer had two hits and three RBIs and Vargas had three hits and three RBIs for the Twins, who lead the majors in runs scored this month with 113 in 20 games.
Tigers: Ausmus said RHP Anibal Sanchez, on the disabled list with a right pectoral strain, played catch before the game. Ausmus said Sanchez reported that everything went fine and he would play catch again on Saturday. Closer Joakim Soria (oblique) is scheduled to do some throwing on Saturday as well.
The Twins will recall right-hander Yohan Pino (1-5, 5.37) from Triple-A Rochester to start the first game of a day-night doubleheader. He will face Tigers righty Buck Farmer (0-0, 7.20), who is being recalled from Triple-A Toledo. Both teams are allowed to call a 26th player up for the twinbill.
In the night cap, Twins right-hander Trevor May (0-2, 9.00) will face Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander (10-11, 4.76).
The Tigers were one of several teams in the market for Cuban outfielder Rusney Castillo. But several outlets reported on Friday that the Boston Red Sox landed him with a seven-year, $72.5 million deal. Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski told Detroit reporters before the game that the Tigers had been scouting Castillo for a while and were very interested in landing him, even before trading center fielder Austin Jackson. But he also said there bid was not close to the one that won it for Boston.
''If we were in second place, there was a big difference in the first place,'' Dombrowski said.