The National Frame Building Association (NFBA) has successfully tested a post-frame 3-hour fire wall system that can now be incorporated into a post-frame building without having to seek out expensive traditional non-wood framing systems.

Full-scale testing of a 3-hour post-frame fire wall in December 2011 by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Northbrook, IL, showed for the first time that a wood-constructed assembly is a viable alternative to a traditional block wall system.   

The post-frame building system is categorized as a Type 5 structure under the International Building Code (IBC). An hourly rated wall– rated as high as 3 hours–is often required to separate building areas or occupancy types to meet the IBC requirement for life safety.

 For architects, builders, and engineers, that traditionally has meant using a rated 8-inch or 10-inch concrete block wall on a concrete foundation, but with this recent test exceeding hour-rating expectations, that may no longer be the case.

“The post-frame assembly nearly made 4 hours (3 hours and 47 minutes), thus obtaining UL’s 3.5-hour rating,” said Leo F.  Shirek, co-chair of NFBA’s Technical and Research Committee and a member of its 3-Hour Post-Frame Fire Wall Subcommittee. “It’s quite a testament to the quality of post-frame construction.”

The test assembly was a post-frame structure with four layers of 2 x 6 laminations in the columns, spaced 8 feet apart with 2 x 4 girts 16 inches on center applied horizontally on each side. The frame was then sheathed with four staggered layers of 5/8 type X drywall on both sides. All joints were untapped.

Post-frame wall assembly is an extremely economical alternative, Shirek says. “We began testing work for this project in early 2011 knowing that, from an industry standpoint, we could create a wall that was much more cost-effective than a typical block wall, which costs $12-$15 per square foot. We felt that a post-frame fire wall with drywall could potentially halve that cost.”

 Sherik notes that a post-frame fire wall is faster to erect than a stud-wall system, a light-gauge steel-stud wall system, and particularly block walls, which generally require an expensive foundation. “A post-frame wall can be built and incorporated into the natural flow of the building process, possibly saving as much as a couple of weeks in completion time.”

 ”We are optimistic that this test will be a building block for other approvals and possibly for other future tests that can benefit the industry,” Shirek says.  Testing, which follows the requirements of the UL 263 (ASTM E119) standard of ASTM International [formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials], included a fire test and a stringent water-pressure test.

A very thin pan-frying steak is the most economical quick-cook steak youll find and it is most definitely the best for a big hearty sandwich. This is such a naughty dinner, but its perfect for a night in on your own.

Recipe courtesy of Home at 7, Dinner at 8 by Sophie Wright/Kyle Books, 2012.

ScienceDaily (Mar. 27, 2012) New technology is offering the prospect of more economical production of a concentrated form of natural gas with many of the advantages — in terms of reduced shipping and storage costs — of the familiar frozen fruit juice concentrates, liquid laundry detergents and other household products that have been drained of their water, scientists reported in San Diego on March 27.

NATOMAS, CA – Natomas residents looking for a way to save gas and money have a new cost-efficient, eco-friendly option for commuting downtown.

The North Natomas Transportation Management Association have enhanced their Flyer Shuttle service from North Natomas to downtown Sacramento.

Devoid of any Light Rail stations within a reasonable distance, North Natomas residents now have consistent public transportation service to and from the downtown area.

The bus shuttles Natomas residents south along Interstate 5 to J Streets where it stops on 15th, L, and 9th Streets before returning to I-5 on P Street (see attached PDF document for full route).

In addition providing drivers an economical solution to ever-rising gas prices, the shuttle bus, powered by compressed natural gas,also offers an ecologically favorable transportationalternative for those concerned with the environment.

Visit the NNTMA website for more information on routes and schedules.

News10/KXTV

Cost Plus (

CPWM

)

Cost Plus (aka World Market) operates 258 stores nationwide that
offer an eclectic mix of everything from exotic (but economical)
furnishings to cookware and foods from around the world.

Last time CPWM hit the Zacks Rank #1 buy list on January 24,
2011 it was a $12 dollar stock; fast forward less than two
months and the shares are up 50%, now trading close to $18 after
hitting a 5 year high of $18.66.

In January my focus was on World Markets unique positioning,
growth prospects and expansion. I also saw analysts moving their
estimates higher ahead of the earnings report which can be one of
the best indicators if a stock is going to maintain momentum.

All of these factors combined made CPWM a solid Zacks Rank Buy
candidate. The retailer delivered those anticipated bullish
results on March 22nd, beating Zacks Consensus Estimates and
sending shares higher. The question now is whether this
momentum can continue?

Earnings Highlights

(From their press release)

• Same store sales for the quarter increased 7.6% on top of a
  7.7% increase for the same quarter last year.
• Same store customer count for the quarter increased 3.4% and
  same store average ticket increased 4.1%.
• Net sales for fiscal 2011 were $963.8 million, a 5.2%
  increase compared to $916.6 million for fiscal 2010.
• Net income from continuing operations for fiscal 2011 was
  $17.7 million compared to $4.7 million for fiscal 2010.
• Earnings per diluted share from continuing operations for
  fiscal 2011 was $0.76 compared to $0.21 last year.
• They had no outstanding borrowings as of January 28, 2012
  compared to $25.4 million outstanding borrowings last year.
• Non-GAAP EBITDA from continuing operations for fiscal 2011
  was $51.3 million compared to $39.5 million for fiscal 2010.

Looking ahead

The company is executing their plan to grow their total number of
stores to 500, but they are going to slow things down a bit in the
first half of 2012 until the economy shows improvement.

That said, Cost Plus is expecting a 6% to 8% increase in year
over year, same store sales for Q1 2012 and a reduction in their Q1
net loss from continuing operation to between -$0.03 and -$0.07 per
diluted share compared to -$0.13 per share for Q1 2011.

CPWM is targeting to open five to ten new stores and the outlook
includes an estimate of eight new stores, including two
relocations, compared to five store closures and one relocation
during fiscal 2011.

Earnings Estimates

In the past week alone since the report, we saw two analysts
revised their current quarters earnings estimates up as well as 1
upward revisions to next quarters results, 5 upward revisions for
current year and next years estimates got a boost from 4
analysts. There was only one negative revision from one
analyst for next quarters results.

Expectations are for Cost Plus to lose 0.05 this quarter.
Of the 6 analysts that cover the furniture company, the consensus
is for the company to grow earnings by 46.27% in the current year
(FY2012) and 11.24% in FY2013.

In terms of the magnitude of analyst estimate trends, we are
seeing all of the consensus estimates higher than they were 90 days
ago, except for next quarters estimate.

Cost Plus beat estimates by 4% last quarter and has averaged an
earnings surprise of 20.17% over the past year.

Market Performance amp; Technicals

CPWM remains in a bullish pattern, but is seeing some profit taking
after rallying to new highs on the bullish report. Look for
$15.25 to be an area of strong support for the stock. Below
that the 50 day moving average remains a level that Cost Plus
hasnt broken for more than a day since October of 2011. The 50 day
moving average currently stands at $14.29.

If the stock can hold the $17.15 level, which is the bottom of
most recent gap, then the shares should continue their march
higher.

Cost Plus has outpaced the Samp;P 500 by 73% over the past year
and almost 67% over the past 3 months alone. The recent run
and subsequent gap on their earnings report enabled CPWM to beat
the Samp;P by 26% over the past month!

Jared A Levy is the Momentum Stock Strategist for Zacks.com. He
is also the Editor in charge of the market-beating
Zacks Whisper Trader Service.

COST PLUS INC (
CPWM

): Free Stock Analysis Report

To read this article on Zacks.com click here.

Zacks Investment
Research

Gregory DeGraff uses an iPad to look up information on Jan and Huber Van Eyck in a ninth grade history class Monday.

LOS ANGELES, CA, Mar 22, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) –
With the wide range of cosmetic treatments and products on the
market designed to enhance and tighten skin on the face, choosing a
plan that is targeted for one’s individual needs without breaking the
bank can often be a challenge. Dr. Christine Petti, a plastic surgeon
in Los Angeles, recommends several procedures that can offer
economical solutions to loose, tired-looking skin and facial lines
with minimal to no downtime.

At her Los Angeles plastic surgery practice, Dr. Petti has proposed a
facial rejuvenation plan combining cosmetic procedures to provide
effective results in the treatment of aging skin on the face. Dr.
Petti says selecting the right nonsurgical enhancements for each
patient’s personal aesthetic goals can save money and reduce downtime
and risks associated with surgical procedures.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the
total number of minimally invasive procedures such as BOTOX(R)
Cosmetic dwarfs the number of surgical enhancements performed by
approximately 10 million, based on statistics from 2010. While the
study shows both surgical and nonsurgical aesthetic enhancements are
on the rise, Dr. Petti says more patients at her practice are taking
advantage of the minimal recovery time and high-quality results
associated with procedures such as BOTOX(R) Cosmetic or laser skin
resurfacing in Los Angeles.

In order to maximize the effectiveness of non-invasive procedures at
her practice, Dr. Petti says she helps patients create a personalized
treatment plan that targets specific areas of a patient’s face to
correct signs of aging and restore youthful vibrancy to skin. By
combining certain procedures with the skill and experience of a
board-certified plastic surgeon, she adds that patients can cut down
on the cost of aesthetic treatment as well as the downtime from work
and normal activities.

For her Los Angeles facial rejuvenation patients, Dr. Petti says she
recommends dermal fillers such as Sculptra(R) Cosmetic, a facial
volume enhancement for restoring youthful contour; Juvederm(R), an
injectable gel for smoothing skin and facial lines; and Restylane(R),
a filler designed to add fullness to lips. She says patients can also
opt for laser skin resurfacing procedures like Laser Genesis,
Smartskin(R) Laser Skin Rejuvenation, and Portrait(R) Plasma Skin
Resurfacing, all targeted to treat damaged skin and reveal a fresh,
younger-looking complexion.

Regardless of whether patients are looking for a combination of
non-invasive facial enhancements or a more dramatic change in their
appearance from surgery, Dr. Petti says she urges all potential
patients to consult with a qualified and dedicated plastic surgeon
before undergoing any procedure. She also says through the hands of a
skilled and passionate surgeon, patients can experience the benefits
of confidence and youth that can be available from cosmetic
procedures.

About Christine A. Petti, MD, FACS

Dr. Christine Petti earned her medical degree from the Medical
College of Pennsylvania following a research fellowship in the
Department of Pharmacology at Georgetown University. She also
completed her General Surgery residency at the Medical College of
Pennsylvania, earning the distinction of “Best Surgical Resident.”
Dr. Petti then completed her residency in Plastic Surgery at the
University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Medicine, where she was
Chief Resident in plastic surgery in 1988. She is board-certified by
the American Board of Plastic Surgery, a Fellow of the American
College of Surgeons, and a member of the American Society of Plastic
Surgeons, American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and several
other professional organizations. Dr. Petti is an Expert Examiner for
the Medical Board of California. She has engaged in, and is published
on research in liposuction and the laser treatment of body cellulite
using Cellulaze, and dedicates time to continuing medical education
to stay at the forefront of her profession. Dr. Petti also makes
regular appearance on CBS’s television show “The Doctors.”

Located at 3400 W. Lomita Blvd., Suite 307 in Torrance, CA, Dr.
Petti’s practice can be reached at (310) 961-2530. She can also be
contacted online via the website dr-petti.com or
facebook.com/drpetti.

Contact:
Rosemont Media
Aaron Hurst
Email Contact
(858) 200-0044

www.rosemontmedia.com

SOURCE: Dr. Christine Petti

http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/emailprcntct?id=0A1D731D604A9AD6

http://www.rosemontmedia.com/

Copyright 2012 Marketwire, Inc., All rights reserved.

Zanzibar SOME people think it is high time to do away with councillors, the House of Representatives and Parliament as they accuse the legislators of failing to prove their relevance.

I fail to understand their contribution towards ending social and economical problems in the constituencies. Their work can be done effectively by Regional and District Commissioners. I think the system of having both councillors and legislators is a waste tax-payers money, Mr Omar Hassan argues.

He was giving his opinion at a stakeholders forum to discuss the responsibilities of councillors, members of House of Representatives, and Members of Parliament. The Foundation for Civil Society supported more than one of these unique meetings facilitated by the Association of NGOs in Zanzibar (ANGOZA). The debates were attended by electorate, councillors, Members of the House of Representatives, and Members of Parliament from Zanzibar.

I feel that having so many leaders in one constituency is useless; let us use the upcoming constitutional review process to push for changes. We no longer want leaders who cannot deliver, Hassan said. Electorate showered blame on legislators for not being close to them while many councillors complained about the lack of cooperation from Members of Parliament and members of the House of Representatives.

Ms Rukia Hassan, is of the view that the problems in the constituencies are hardly ever solved because most of the MPs and members of the House of Representatives do not reside in their respective constituencies. In future, I suggest that a clause should be added that the representatives should live in their constituencies. She said there should be a mechanism to stop people vying for political position when they know they are incompetent.

It is embarrassing that some people insist on standing as leaders when they know very well they cannot deliver. We have failed to understand why we are not fully involved in the decision making process in the constituency, some councillors complained as it is relatively clear that there is break down of communication among the leaders of the constituencies.

Councillors claim they are isolated from the very same councillors, while some MPs such as Maryam Salum Msabah accuse district councils of ignoring special seat legislators. Mr Mohamed Ibrahim Sanya, MP from Mji-Mkongwe, admitted that some of legislators are weak and dodge their responsibilities; he suggests that each constituency should have an office and keep records.

Working at home is stressful for legislators. Setting up offices is a good idea and may even minimise corruption, Honourable Sanya said proposing that organised public debates aimed at evaluating legislators performances should be held on a regular basis. Honourable Sanya, a teacher by profession, alleges that MPs and Representatives who fail to deliver in their constituencies are those who sailed through election through corruption.

Yussuf Masauni, MP for Kikwajuni, does not side with the idea of an open forum saying that reminding legislators of their responsibilities does not have to involve electorate. We love our electorate and we always meet with them but I think there is a limit as to what they should tell us. Ms Amina Andrew Clement, MP from Koani constituency, admits that in most constituencies there is no close cooperation among councillors, MPs, and Representatives, and It is true that we shun our constituencies.

We run away from our constituencies mainly because of lack of cooperation, and to avoid dishing out money on personal problems. People approach me individually asking support towards weddings, she said causing laughter. She said legislators do not want to be regarded as peoples ATMs (Automated Transaction Machines). Amina said she welcomes her electorate but would prefer they did not ask for support for everything.

She also blamed media for not giving enough coverage to what they do in constituencies. Nasima Ally Chum, a journalist, dismissed Aminas accusation as baseless. Most MPs and Representatives have disappointed their electorate. Mr Abdulrahman Omar from one of the NGOs was of the opinion that problem in the constituencies will persist due to lack of a clear separation of powers.

There is no separation of powers and this disrupts accountability and efficiency. People do not understand the different roles and the responsibilities of the leaders. I suggest that in the new constitution, MPs or Representatives should not be ministers, he said.

Property management software provider Rentec Direct enables property managers a way to save money on check supplies and save a significant amount of time by providing flexible check printing options including the ability to print on blank check stock. This new ability to use economical blank stock improves upon the existing check writing platform already provided by Rentec Direct.

Grants Pass, OR (PRWEB) March 28, 2012

Rentec Direct, maker of popular property management software, announced today the introduction of new flexible check writing solutions for property managers. New options include the ability to print checks on either pre-printed check stock or on the more economical blank check stock. In addition, all popular paper stock options are now supported including 3-up and most voucher style checks.

Pre-printed checks used by most applications are expensive, and ordering them can take weeks. With Rentec’s new blank check support, property managers have a much more economical method to print checks. Plus, with full MICR support, Rentec Direct will support an unlimited quantity of bank accounts. Within the same stack of check stock a property manager can print checks from numerous different bank accounts. This saves property managers both time and money.

“It is all about making the day to day chores of property managers easier,” said Nathan Miller, President of Rentec Direct. “Combine the ability to handle accounts payable by all popular paper check formats, plus the easiest ACH payment interface in the industry, makes Rentec an extremely compelling choice for property managers in need of an accounting software application today.”

Rentec also provides property managers with the ability to quickly setup both incoming and outgoing ACH support. Collecting rent by ACH or Credit Card is quick and easy with Rentec Direct. By providing both the incoming and outgoing piece for financial transactions, Rentec saves landlords from having to juggle multiple applications to accomplish the same task.

About Rentec Direct

Rentec Direct provides rental software solutions for managing rental properties. Other popular solutions offered by Rentec Direct are tenant ACH payment processing, tenant screening, and online syndication of vacancies to more than 20 popular websites.

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prwebproperty/management/prweb9321393.htm

Pork chops are one of the most economical meats to buy now days. At least I love it when the local grocery has them on sale. Here is a way to turn everyday pork chops into something special. Hope all is well and hope to meet you at my new restaurant which is now open here in Orange. This recipe is surely one that you will see on our daily specials along with many other items. Happy Eating!!!

8 bacon slices, chopped

2 large onions, thinly sliced

2 large Granny smith apples, peeled, cored, each cut into 8 wedges

1 tablespoon sugar

2 tablespoons all purpose flour

1 cup of apple juice

1 cup canned chicken broth

½ cup of applejack or other apple brandy

1 cup of crumbled Maytag blue cheese

4-6oz pork loin chops (about ¾ inch thick)

Cook bacon in heavy large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Transfer to paper towels. Spoon off 1 tablespoon drippings from skillet and reserve; discard all but 2 tablespoons remaining drippings in skillet. Add onions to skillet and sautà until golden, about 15 minutes. Push onions to 1 side of skillet; add apples and sugar to skillet and sautà until apples are golden, about 20 minutes. Transfer mixture to bowl.

Heat one tablespoon reserved bacon drippings in same skillet. Add flour and stir one minute. Gradually whisk in juice, broth and applejack.. Boil until gravy thickens, whisking frequently, about four minutes. Add cheese and whisk until melted. Season with salt and pepper. Add onion mixture to gravy and stir until heated through. Remove from heat. Cover and keep warm.

Season pork with salt and pepper. Heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add pork and sautà until cooked through, about six minutes per side. Transfer to bowl. Pour gravy over. Top with bacon and serve.

Katherine Aras

Look Whoâ??s Cooking Now

(409)670-3144