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Aug 04, 2010 | Topics: Out of the Ordinary | View Article

NATURE WORKING THE EARTH!

You may have all heard about the recent landslides in Italy . But up to now I have never seen one as it was happening. Use this link and you will see a whole hillside in an Italian residential neighborhood slowly slide away taking grown trees with it.

http://sorisomail.com/email/42722/ja-viram-desmoronar-uma-montanha.html



Jul 20, 2010 | Topics: Out of the Ordinary | View Article

The Art of Loading

To view file, click here



May 19, 2010 | Topics: Out of the Ordinary | View Article

How numerals 0 - 9 got their shape . .

Do you know why numbers look like they do? Someone, at somepoint in time, had to create their shapes and meaning. Watch this short presentation and then you will know how our Arabic numbers were originally created a very long time ago and what logic the people that created them used to determine their shapes. It is really very simple and quite creative? You have to admire the intelligence of a person or people that created something so simple and perfect that it has lasted for thousands and thousands of years and will probably never change? When the presentation gets to the number "seven" you will notice that the 7 has a line through the middle of it. That was the way the Arabic 7 was originally written, and in Europe and certain other areas they still write the 7 that way. Also, in the military, they commonly write it that way. The nine has a kind of curly tail on it that has been reduced, for the most part nowadays, to a simple curve, but the logic involved still applies.

Click here and be amazed



May 18, 2010 | Topics: Out of the Ordinary | View Article

Farmers to The Rescue!!

CW Roberts employees demonstrating the use of hay to assist in a defense against the oil spill in the Gulf.

To view the video click here



Posted By: Kevin Kaiser - Surety Bonds.com | May 07, 2010 | Topics: Claims, Delay Claims, Liens/Bond Claims | View Article

Construction Bonds and Surety Companies: What You Need to Know

Surety bonds are an often hidden yet critical component of doing business in a wide variety of industries. Many types of professionals are required to be bonded, including car salesmen, janitors, nursing home staff, and construction workers, and each bond’s primary focus is to protect against fraud or misconduct on the part of the bonded individual. Generally required by state, local, and federal agencies, surety bonds are in place primarily for consumer protection. If the bonded company or individual is found to be engaging in unethical or fraudulent activities, the wronged party can file a claim against the bond and receive compensation (paid for by the bonded company) up to the full face value of the bond if the claim is found to be valid. Surety bonds are exceedingly common in the construction industry and in fact, construction bonds are some of the most common surety bonds on the market today. If you’re a contractor, therefore, it’s critical that you find a bond company you trust and can rely upon to provide you good customer service when it comes to executing your bonds. Here are a few helpful tips to ensure that your choice is a good one.

  • Pick an Experienced Provider. Professional surety companies with an extensive history of providing bonds can be a great partner for your business. Not only can they make the bonding process itself a smooth one with a well established underwriting routine, but they can also provide you with a great assessment of your business and its prospects. Check with the National Association of Surety Bond Producers to ensure that your potential surety company has a proven track record of success.
  • Make Sure They Understand your Industry. Your surety company should have a well educated and experienced understanding of not just surety bonds, but the construction industry in general. Their awareness of the market will help determine the types of products they provide and the options they present.
  • Understand the credit and underwriting process. Make sure that the underwriting standards and the credit criteria against which you will be evaluated is clear and easily understood. Your financial history is a critical component of the bonding process and it’s exceptionally important that you’re able to understand and follow the approvals process.
  • Evaluate Industry Affiliations. Investigate what industry organizations and affiliations your potential surety partner maintains. The National Association of Surety Bond Producers is comprised of more than 5,000 surety agents and brokers and provides education and awareness. The Surety & Fidelity Association of America also maintains a large membership and is a well known organization in the industry.
  • Go with Your Gut. Of critical importance is your own instinct. Trust yourself and, if something seems amiss, go elsewhere immediately. Surety bonds are a large investment and you need to feel that whatever company you choose is going to advocate for you and take a personal interest in your success.

This guest post was provided by Kevin Kaiser, a principal at SuretyBonds.com. AC-Lawyers in no way endorses the company but rather thought they provide relevant and useful information. If you want more information regarding surety bonds, visit their Surety Bond Education Program.



May 07, 2010 | Topics: Out of the Ordinary | View Article

Empire State Building Old Photos

To see photos click here



Posted By: John P. Ahlers | Apr 30, 2010 | Topics: Construction News and Notes | View Article

Viaduct Gates Will Quicken Closure of Road After Earthquake

During the 2001 Nisqually earthquake motorists continued to drive over the damaged Alaskan Way Viaduct until the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) closed the Viaduct hours later. WSDOT plans to install nine (9) gates at entrances to the Alaskan Way Viaduct. Within minutes of a future earthquake, the gates will seal off the roadway and prevent motorists from driving on the structure that may be damaged during a quake. The Alaskan Way Viaduct carries approximately 110,000 vehicles per day.

To read the article click here



Posted By: John P. Ahlers | Apr 13, 2010 | Topics: Construction News and Notes, Department of Labor & Industries, Government Contracts, Regulatory Administration | View Article

EPA New Lead Paint Requirements

The Environmental Protection Agency has instituted a new requirement for contractors who perform work on buildings constructed before 1978 to reduce exposure to lead paint. All contractors performing renovation, repair, and painting projects that disturb paint in homes, childcare facilities, and schools before built before 1978 must be certified in the new EPA Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule (RRP) and follow specific work practices to reduce human exposure to lead paint by April 22, 2010. All contractors must be trained certified by April 22, 2010. Landlords, property manager, and their employees are responsible for ensuring compliance with the rule. To locate an EPA-accredited training provider, visit the EPA’s Get Lead Safe website at http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/lead/pubs/renovation.htm or contact the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-425-5323.



Posted By: Paul R. Cressman, Jr. | Apr 12, 2010 | Topics: Liens/Bond Claims | View Article

Important case impacting contractor lien rights

The Washington Court of Appeals held last week that a lien recorded by a lien service was invalid because it did not contain language required by statute. This case is very important for contractors and suppliers who use lien recording services to record liens on their behalf.



Posted By: John P. Ahlers | Apr 12, 2010 | Topics: Construction News and Notes, Government Contracts | View Article

Sound Transit Takes on Obayashi at the Beacon Hill Tunnel

Sound Transit accuses Japanese contractor Obayashi Corp. of leaving nine voids in the two-mile Beacon Hill tunnel that was built as part of Sound Transit’s regional Light Rail construction. Sound Transit has engaged another contractor to fill the voids and has made a claim against Obayashi for $1.6 million. Obayashi disputes that it has any liability for the alleged voids.

To read the article click here