FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Jim Cuviello
Complete Decorative Concrete Solutions
408 Kings College Drive
Arnold MD 21012

410-703-0376
410-544-0875 Fax
jim@concrete-medic.com

World Of Concrete - Contractors express frustration!

The quite chatter at the World of Concrete: Contractors are tired of sales driven trainings.

As a result of expressed dissatisfaction with current trainings. Complete Decorative Concrete Solutions will be holding a series of unbiased, high caliber educational trainings in the craft of Polishing Concrete and Surface Preparation. This is one of many decorative concrete trainings that will be offered by Complete Decorative Concrete Solutions.

Jim Cuviello of Complete Decorative Concrete Solutions feels his team can bring education and training to a higher level. Trainings will be based on real world experiences from being in the field everyday as a contractor; not from sales people whose experience comes from word of mouth and demonstrations on sample areas. Complete Decorative Concrete Solutions is located just outside Washington DC/Baltimore MD in Stevensville, Maryland. Class date for Concrete Polishing 101 is March 27, 28, 29.

For more information email us at info@concrete-medic.com or call at 410-626-7471.

Visit our web site at www.concrete-medic.com

Plastic Laminate is priced between $25 and $50 per linear foot, installed.
Plastic laminate countertops have been around since the beginning of the modern kitchen. This common and least expensive countertop material, by a considerable margin, is available in just about any color and texture you can imagine. The four major manufacturers - Wilsonart, Formica, Nevamar and Pionite -each offer more than a hundred colors and patterns. The latest rage is having your plastic laminate custom-designed to your own color, texture and style, but be prepared to spend a few bucks here. Laminate is a breeze to clean because of its smooth surface, but chips and scratches are very hard to repair. An entire laminate counter can be installed for somewhere between $600 and $1800 for most kitchens. Note: If you want your backsplash to match your countertop, tell your installer now so he orders enough material and maybe even works in a discount.
Ceramic & Porcelain Tile is priced between $50 to $80 per linear foot, installed. Plain-colored tiles cost from $2 to $40 per tile with hand-painted tiles running from $5 to $75.
Ceramic and porcelain tile is probably the most versatile material that you can use on your countertop to create a specific style or look. Contemporary, retro, traditional, rustic, country, and everything in-between is possible when working with ceramic tile. Most tile supply stores have showrooms which display vignettes of different types of tile installations to provide you with ideas. There is currently a trend toward rustic, timeworn, and stone-look surfaces. If you are selecting this type of look, be sure to ask your salesperson or designer if you can see several pieces of tile from the same lot in order to see how the color can vary from piece to piece.
If you know that you are very hard on your countertops and want a surface that will wear well and still give you the styling of ceramic tile, look for porcelain tiles. Porcelain tiles are a bit more expensive, but since porcelain is the hardest fired product that you can find, they are well worth stretching the budget.
The only drawback to using tile is the grout lines, because nobody wants to invest the time and energy necessary to keep grout clean. And don't be fooled - tile grout requires regular maintenance and lots of elbow grease. On the flip side, the tile itself is heat resistant and easy to clean.
Corian and Solid Surfacing is priced between $75 to $150 a linear foot, installed.
The most widely available and widely known 100 percent synthetic countertop material is Corian by Dupont, but other manufacturers including Wilsonart, Formica and Avenite also make it in a wide range of colors and textures. Known in the building and remodeling industry as solid surfacing materials, these are either a pure acrylic product or a polyester-acrylic mix. Some of the materials are solid colors, but most have flecks that give it a textured look that resembles real stone (that will run the cost up). The solid surfacing materials are scratch resistant; but if you do get one you can sand it out (not as easy as you think). Should you get deep scratches or gauges, the damaged area can be removed and a new piece installed.
Concrete Slab (poured in place) is priced between $50 to $100 per square foot (a hefty price tag for concrete).
Yes, that's right! A new buzz in surfacing involves a very old material - concrete. It's available in pre formed sections or poured and formed on-site (great for unusually shaped counters ) Concrete countertops are expensive, require a sealant and must be treated with care. Because of its high cost, industrial look and susceptibility to cracking people are hesitant about bring an outside product indoors. On a colorful note - the concrete can be stained any color.
Granite is priced between $75 to $200 a linear foot, installed.
Granite slabs are the most expensive of all countertop surfaces, but this is one product that holds it weight. Not only does it greatly increase the value of your home, but it is timeless and will never date your kitchen the way that some tile products can. The expense of granite will vary greatly, depending on the type, quality and availability of granite that you select, as well as the finished edge that you choose. When getting a price quote from your granite fabricator, find out what style of edge they are including. One of the more popular edges is a 1 1/2 inch bullnose edge.
This high end product is surprisingly practical because it is nearly impossible to damage the surface stone. As the literature says, you need to use a cutting board to protect your cutlery, not the granite.
If you just can't resist the look of granite and your purse is stretched, try going for granite tiles. The 12" granite tile has all the same scratch and heat-resistant properties that are found in solid slab, and you can reduce the size of your grout joint by butt-jointing them. If you use a dark colored granite with a dark colored grout, you can come very close to achieving the look of a solid surface countertop.
Composite Stone is priced between $110 to $250 a linear foot, installed.
The hot new thing in countertops (and a big rival to granite) is a stone-synthetic composite made of about 90 percent quartz particles and 10 percent acrylic or epoxy binder. Some of the composites look like natural stone, but not one that you could identify. Others are so close to real granite that you're left wondering if its€™s real or not? Since the composites are man-made materials, they do not have the unexpected variation of granite or marble and they do not need to be sealed. The four major choices - Silestone, Okite, CaesarStone and DuPont's Zodiaq - all use the same process. The only differences between them for the end users are the colors and textures offered.
Taken together, the four companies offer more than 130 countertop choices. Fabricators who work with them say it's as scratch resistant as granite, but they can stain if food spills aren't cleaned up promptly.
Butcher block generally prices around $30 per square foot.
Its usually made from rock maple because of its tight grain, as well as oak and cherry and it can also be made in mixed and exotic species. It surface is great for cutting and chopping. A word of caution: Your knife marks will show on this surface and it's also prone to water damage so it shouldn't be placed near a sink without several coats of sealant.
Stainless Steel starts around $150 per linear foot.
If you're looking for a professional, restaurant-style kitchen then stainless steel is worth a look. It's an alloy steel that contains a splash of chromium to make it rust resistant. Since it's a relatively thin product it is attached to plywood to provide strength and soften its sound. This is one product where you want to weigh the pros and cons because its fabrication is costly, difficult and not easy to change years down the road if you tire of its look. The benefits of steel is that it won't stain, can handle heat and is easy to clean. On the flip slide, it shows scratches, fingerprints (not a great choice if you have small children) and dents and it can be a rather noisy work surface.
Soapstone (Steatite) ranges in cost from $55 per square foot.
Often seen in kitchen sinks in historic houses, soapstone has returned to modern kitchens as both a countertop and sink material. Soapstone is generally dark gray in color and has a smooth feel due to its high concentration of talc. It is somewhat resistant to stains and burning, but needs to be treated regularly with applications of mineral oil.

Trendy Countertops
Every year kitchen dealers and designers put their heads together to decide what's hot for one of the most important rooms in the house. This year, kitchens are getting all sorts of new and exciting work surfaces. A big change is that laminates have stopped mimicking other material like wood and stone and gone for a high tech look all its own. Another big trend is the use of more metal, especially stainless steel. But a real big trend is the mixing of many types of materials to achieve a highly personal, custom look such as granite tops with tile backsplashes and laminate islands with gleaming metal counters. Granite, marble and solid materials still remain big, but the latest in cutting-edge counter technology are countertops made out of cement.

Countertops, Countertops, Countertops
To complicate matters further, a typical kitchen of 2004 might have not just one countertop but several say, the usual straight run, plus a granite-topped island, a marble baking station, and a stainless prep area with built-in butcher-block cutting board. The design pros call such mixing and matching "surface synergy." And it's not enough for counters to sit around looking pretty - they must work. Counters are becoming ever more functional, with such features as integrated drain boards and hydraulic lifts that let you vary the height for maximum comfort.

A Bit of Last Minute Practical Advice
In the end function will matter much more than looks because if the kitchen in your new house is not well laid out and there's not enough practical counter space or cabinets, you will hate it every day you live there, even if everything looks terrific.
Keep in mind that none of these products are trouble free, but you know what you can handle. Corian and plastic laminate will scratch, granite requires periodic resealing, and all of them will stain if food spills, especially if such common staining agents as mustard, red wine or strawberries are left to dry on it for any period of time. With effort, though, you can usually get the stains out. The only fool-proof counter top material that absolutely won't stain, the scratches are inconsequential and it's a cinch to maintain is stainless steel, but that's a look you might want to rethink.
If you're going for tile, you might want to test the stone to make sure that it won't fail as a countertop. You can do this by laying a sample in the kitchen sink and pouring vinegar onto the polished surface. If the shiny surface dulls, you know what will happen when it becomes a countertop.
Since granite is a natural material its color range is wide and it can can be marked with irregularities. The degree of variation will not show up on 4 X 4-inch sample, so to avoid any unpleasant surprises on this score, you should visit the fabricator and pick out the slab yourself.

Backsplash
Now that you've picked out your countertop it's time to decide how decorative and unique you want your backsplash to look. A backsplash started out as a functional convenience - an easy-to-clean surface that protected kitchen walls, especially those behind the cooktop, sink and prep area. It didn't take long for homeowners and kitchen designers to realize that a distinctive backspalsh could help enhance the overall look of a kitchen. The great thing about designing a backsplash is that are no real rules, just tips and creative ideas.
Here's a roundup of how some popular backsplash materials measure up when it comes to cost and installation.
Ceramic Tile starts at $2 per square foot for 4-in. machine-made tiles and can easily top $20 per square foot for handmade tiles. Mass-produced tile murals may cost as little as $45 for a six-tile pattern, but you can also spend thousands of dollars for hand-painted murals. Labor varies from state to state but averages from $2.50 to $8.50 per square foot.
Ceramic tile is the most versatile backsplash material because it offers the most in color, shape and size. Tiles are sold in a matte finish that adds a more subtle look and a gloss finish that is shiny. Some also have raised edges or other textured areas to add another dimension to the design. Simple tricks like rotating tiles to look like diamonds, varying and combining different shapes and sizes and adding the occasional accent tile can really spice up your kitchen (and it won't break your bank).
Stone Tile (Granite and Marble) start at $10 per square foot and just keep climbing. Natural stone like granite and marble come in a wide range of colors and textures. Tumbled marble in 4 inch squares is becoming the favored backsplash because it has a worn, pitted surface and its colors have been softened and muted by abrasion and acid wash.
Solid Surfacing ranges in cost from $25 to $30 per linear foot for a loose backsplash; $45 to $50 for an integral covered backsplash and as much as $75 per linear foot for a full-height backsplash.
If you had a solid surface countertop installed, don't be shy about asking your fabricator if he has enough material left over to make a backsplash, because he might throw it in for free. The reason for the high cost is that there is a lot of material waste involved when fabricating a solid surface backsplash.
Metal and Metal Laminates $$$$$ (except for the laminates)
A skilled metal worker can fabricate a backsplash out of virtually any sheet metal on the market (copper, stainless steel, zinc, brass and even nickel) and provide a range of surface textures but good luck finding a shop that specializes in sheet-metal backsplashes. A sheet-metal backsplash is probably the most expensive option - clocking in at $140 to $160 per square foot for copper or zinc. Stainless steel starts at around $20 per square foot depending on the fabricator, while the lesser metal - metal laminates - start at around $8 per square foot (that does€™t include fabrication and installation, which will run you another $10).
Make A Splash!
A hot new trend in accenting your countertop are backsplash walls that run from counter to cabinets and even up to the ceilings using spectacular materials and designs. Look at the space above your counter as a blank canvas waiting for your artistic touch. Working closely with a designer you can now choose from endless textures and materials, such as glass, hand-painted porcelain, luxury tiles, gleaming metal, raised dimensional designs, and natural stone such as slate, marble and granite. You can also mix and match borders.

for all the clipping and uneven seams, The homeowner can find assistance from a local NSRA member Restoration and Industry Directory

A few weeks go by, and that 20% is on my mind. So I pm Truedeath and ask him if he has the time. He explains to me that he does not. So, here I go, back to www.vbulletin.org the place that I found the coder that helped me so much.

Let The Good Time Roll

I should have been happy with site the way Truedeath left it. But, nooo. I had to have the best sit on-line.

Well, I made a nice new list. I was so happy that 3.6.2 came out, yet I still did not understand what the big deal was. All I knew was this was the latest and greatest, so I must have it. Plus it was going to be the only one that jelsoft would now support.
This waste of space, Steven M, contacts me by pm claiming he could do all the stuff on my list. This made me very happy. I saw a few of his posts and some of the hacks he made. His site was well but together. Plus, they let me see all that they were doing for my site.
Sounds good so far.

Well that was as nice as it got. Once we agreed on the price and I made a deposit things when to hell. All the work that truedeath did was deleted. 80% of the old list ...gone. WTF. So now I pm him and told him that he removed all the work that was done. Are you going to put it back? “we will take care of it when we upgrade to 3.6.2” Ok Steven, you do that, Steven you do know all my members can see the bugs that are taking place. Why did you not do this on the test site. “do not worry we will have all that taking care of tonight".
The thing that I do not understand is, why do changes that you are not sure about on a live site?
Lets speed this up a bit. I now need a new site. So, I asked Steven, if we start a new site with 3.6.2 would we have all of these bugs? “no, if you want me to do your other site, I will have it done in 48hours. My dumb ass now has him working on a second site when he did not finish the first. I get a call from Steven asking for an advance on his money because he needed to pay his server bill. (Hmmm if he has no sever he can't finish my site is what I was thinking) Ok how much do you need? “I need $500.00” what kind of server you got? LoL “well I have some other bills that I would like to take care of, I promise I will get your sites done in the next two days” so I gave him the money. (Here I am feeling good about helping out). The same night Lissa comes on line thanking me and sharing her story with me. Most of the time it felt more like cyber sex then anything else. Don't worry. I am not going into detail but I will post the text on the blog. Later that night Steven comes online with a lady by the name of Kerry Anne of www.peterska2.co.uk/. She blew me away with the way she did everything. First she is on nsraweb fixing one thing and then she is over on the next site doing something else. Man she was all over the place fixing everything. I could not keep my eyes open any longer or listen to them talk code. The next day my site was back to the 70% mark of the old site before Steven touched it. To my surprise, my new site was also up and on the back end of another site http://www.k9webhost.com/dorms/gallery/. I when over the new site and told my partner to do the same. He found a few things that was not right and made a post and asked that they get fixed. Here comes Steven “I am not going to make a dime on the new site, Kerry did a lot of work to finish the site an she needs to get paid” ok send me the pay pal request. I paid them the full $750 for the new site with the promise that it will go up the next day with all the errors that we found, fixed. The site never made it up. Ok no big deal because he is doing my new list and we are back on tract. Days became a week. A week became two. So I called him up and asked when I am going to have the rest of the work done. “sorry but I have this big job that I have to get done and then I can work on yours” No. We had a deal and you have passed our deadline. The show is coming up soon and this site must be finished. “I can not do some of the hacks that you want”. Why not? That is not what you claimed when we set the price. Shortly after that I was banned from his site, msn, yahoo, and skype messengers.
Next day, the site started to act real funny. We can no longer upload images from our pc, the spell check does not work, and about 6 other things do not work. OH SHIT, I quickly found Brandon of Vbulletinsetup Brandon took on my job. The first thing he did was help me remove Steven from the forum. Steven had some how stop anyone from deleted him from the site. Brandon was able to look at the code and removed him from the site. The next day I found Lissa still had access to the site. I did not think much of it at the time. But when I returned to the site it was no longer online. I checked with the guys who installed my site and they could not find any signs of the vb folders . At this time I send lissa an email that showed her where she lives. LOL my phone rings and it is her. I gave here a piece of my little mind, but it was good enough to get my site back up in less the 5 minutes. Yet, they claim they did not crash my site. I am now determined to stop this from happening to anyone else.
Every few days I will post more details and facts off of the skype communication.

5022 Bagnall Drive
Jefferson City, Missouri 65109
United States

Registered through: Cheap-DomainRegistration.com
Domain Name: VBPATRONS.COM
Created on: 14-Jun-06
Expires on: 14-Jun-07
Last Updated on: 19-Jul-06

Administrative Contact:
Moore, Steven mythotical@malvaria.com
Global Roleplaying Games
5022 Bagnall Drive
Jefferson City, Missouri 65109
United States
(573) 291-3424

Technical Contact:
Moore, Steven mythotical@malvaria.com
Global Roleplaying Games
5022 Bagnall Drive
Jefferson City, Missouri 65109
United States
(573) 291-3424

Domain servers in listed order:
NS1.VBPATRONS.COM
NS2.VBPATRONS.COM

nice how this site deletes my post when they don't agree with me..lmao

maybe I'll get my client to post how great this guy screwed him over ;)
************

http://www.vbulletin-faq.com/forum/showthread.php?p=33790#post33790
Posted by: joh
On: 10-08-2006 08:24 PM

---Quote (Originally by Joeychgo)---
Looks nice. Good luck with it.

On a side note, have you noticed how so many people are opening vB help sites?
It seems every week there is another one popping up.
---End Quote---
Hey joeychgo, some sites that claims to be vb help sites or not help sites at
all. They like to help themselves to your money. I paid one of these sites in
full to help with two of my sites. All I got was one of them half way done, When
I complained they crash my site. VB themselves could not find the files, but
when I call them up and gave them the address that they live, my phone rang and
my site was back up in less than two minutes. I now have a new coder that is
cleaning up the site. This coder have removed hidden links, I have gone to all
the programmers and asked for access of the files that I did have. It seems that
some of the stuff that I had was pirated (I paid the programmers to come to my
site and re-upload all the software that was stolen from them). I just hope that
this site have a way to stop coders like this from robbing people like me.
************

http://www.vbulletin-faq.com/forum/showthread.php?p=33793#post33793
Posted by: joh
On: 10-08-2006 08:33 PM

---Quote (Originally by Steve M)---
Well my site is finally a success. Its a site dedicated to helping all of those
that use vBulletin. Its more of a service request site but we do just about
anything. I figured since you want to see it, I might as well post it up.

http://www.vbpatrons.com

If you have any suggestions or comments, let me know.

Cheers
Steve
---End Quote---

I am glad to see that the money from your clients when to some good.
Do you like my avatar, I have one of my wife in all black and another in red,
but I like this one best. Steve how do you like it?

All the best,
vBulletin FAQ Forums

We are looking for the best website you can build. It has to represent natural stone as a serviceable product. You need to show chip and crack repairs, stain removal, and any other topics that a restoration person may encounter on a daily basis. In order for the website to be eligible for this prize, it must have a link or banner to the NSRA web/forum. This contest and announcement is not just for the people on this forum, anyone anywhere can enter as long as they are involved in the natural stone industry.

And wait for it….. The prize will be $500 big ole’ smackaroos!!!!!!

One of our goals is to promote natural stone as a serviceable material. What better way to do that than to encourage others to do the same. We want everyone to participate in this contest. Not just those on the NSRA forum. If you do not have a website at this time, the NSRA will give anyone that asks a free webpage. If you wish to have more than a simple webpage, the NSRA will also offer free web hosting for six months. The contest begins as soon as you stop reading this…..

Good luck with this contest, Hope to see you online www.nsraweb.com this contest will make all of us winners!

Granite Certified by DuPont Broadens Spectrum of Premium Surfacing Solutions

WILMINGTON, Del., - As the global leader in the surfaces industry, DuPont is expanding its surfaces portfolio by launching Granite Certified by DuPont, the company’s first all-natural stone surface. The company’s addition of granite to its surfaces offering responds to the growing demand for premium-grade material and provides consumers and designers with a broader spectrum of premium surfacing solutions.

“With this newest offering, DuPont continues our leadership role in the surfaces industry -- providing customers with the unsurpassed performance, selection and service they expect from a leader,” said Mark P. Vergnano, vice president and general manager – DuPont Building Innovations. “For example, the demand for granite has grown tremendously over the last few years, leading to a reduction in quality. In response, the new Granite Certified by DuPont undergoes an extremely careful inspection and selection process to assure the product meets the rigorous quality standards set by DuPont. In addition, it is protected by an innovative DuPont proprietary sealant that fills in natural cracks, helps repel stains and maintains the stone’s natural hue.”

Granite Certified by DuPont is available in 15 core colors with an expanded retail channel offering based on regional market needs. DuPont also has trained and authorized each installer to assure that customers’ overall installation experience of Granite Certified by DuPont is positive.

Granite Certified by DuPont also comes with a 10-year limited installed warranty, covering fabrication, installation and a one-year warranty against stains. It is backed by the DuPont 5-point advantage, which includes:

1. Superior Materials – Rigorous quality control standards ensure every countertop is produced from the world’s finest materials.

2. Certified Installation – DuPont has redefined the installation experience by introducing and exclusively using DuPont Certified Professionals, trained and authorized by DuPont.

3. Expert Service – The DuPont Customer Care team is focused on your satisfaction. If you have any questions about your installation experience, simply call 800-246-1421 to speak with a Care Team specialist.

4. Exceptional Warranty – Every countertop from DuPont is covered by a warranty for product, craftsmanship and installation; backed by a network of DuPont Authorized Service Agents.

5. World of Experience – With over 35 years of experience in countertop installations, more than 5 million DuPont countertops have been installed, consistently attaining a customer satisfaction rating of 98 percent.

With the addition of Granite Certified by DuPont, consumers now have a complete DuPont Surfaces portfolio to consider, including:

* Entry level products: DuPont Simplicity and DuPont™ Corian® Select Series.

* Premium products: DuPont™ Corian® and DuPont ™ Corian® Private Collection.

* High-end custom products: Granite Certified by DuPont and DuPont™ Zodiaq®.

Granite certified by DuPont is offering a 15-color palette including:

Gris Perla

Ubatuba

Baltic Brown

Santa Cecilia

Verde Peacock

Kashmir Gold

Tan Brown

Tropic Brown

Black Impala

Giallo Ornamentale

Blue Pearl

Kashmir White

Black Galaxy

Absolute Black

New Venetian Gold

DuPont Building Innovations is a strategic business unit of DuPont focused on offerings for architects, designers and builders. DuPont™ Corian® is a well-known global brand in the solid surface category and DuPont™ Zodiaq® is a premium surfacing material made almost entirely of pure quartz crystals. Information on all DuPont Surfaces products: Granite Certified by DuPont, Corian®, and Zodiaq® are available at www.countertops.dupont.com.

DuPont is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.

In recent years, Southern California has experienced one of the biggest housing booms in the nation. Builders, investors, and homeowners have looked for extra touches to upgrade their homes and make them more attractive to buyers in this competitive market.

CCM Enterprises, based in Santee, California, serves the bustling construction and remodel market in the San Diego, Los Angeles, and western Arizona areas as one of the premier providers of surfaces for bathrooms and kitchens, manufacturing and installing a broad spectrum of products for the bath and kitchen including: bathtubs (with optional therapy systems), shower pans, bath walls and accessories, bathroom countertops, kitchen countertops, and fireplaces. CCM offers a wide variety of choices in surfaces: cultured marble, onyx, and granite, laminated plastic, natural stone, Technistone, major solid surface brands and our CORINTHIAN 2000 solid surface. By offering innovative surfaces and staying committed to quality and customer satisfaction, the company has expanded to nearly 150 employees across five locations.

Along with success, however, the company has experienced some growing pains. Communication, while easier in a small company, became more challenging with multiple projects in progress. Without a unified system for tracking orders and installations, team members resorted to calling and emailing to learn the status of each project. Likewise, those answering the phone had to direct customers to specific individuals with access to the relevant information to get answers.

“We weren’t getting communication across all aspects of the company,” said Paul Servello, VP of Finance at CCM. “Sales reps and measurers didn’t know when jobs were due to be installed. It was email city.”

Contributing to the problem, the company had separate, disconnected systems for accounting and production. The various departments had to re-enter data into each system, leading to errors that affected project quality and service to customers.

“Easier than Any Other ERP Solution”

Experienced with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software, Servello joined the company largely to help find a solution to unify the company’s separate information and activities. Ultimately, he chose M1 by B & G™ software for its rich functionality, simple cost-effective installation, and ease of use. By comparison, other solutions would have required months of implementation time and upfront implementation costs that would add up to as much as the software itself. In fact, Servello implemented and customized the software on his own using M1’s comprehensive implementation checklist after receiving training from Bowen & Groves.

Employees quickly picked up the software, even those who had never used a computer before. That ease of use empowers employees to enter and access information on their own, rather than requesting it from coworkers.

“M1 has been easier than any other ERP solution I have ever used,” Servello said. “I can add fields and tables as needed, and show employees how to run their own searches and reports. In two to three weeks, two production supervisors with no prior computer experience were looking up their production schedules and using M1 to balance their workloads – to find jobs when they weren’t busy.”

Now, about 30 CCM employees use the software across Accounting, Finance, Sales, Production, Installation, and Purchasing. When an employee enters customer or order information once, that information carries through to each step of the process, reducing the chance for errors. “With M1, we manage customer relationships and orders all the way from the time a customer comes in, through to the final installation, and to accounting and invoicing,” Servello said.

M1’s value also extends to sales, which previously had no way of tracking leads. When a customer walks in or the company collects leads at a home show, CCM manages those leads through to sales and beyond. Employees tap into customer information to create quotes and later invoices, and can even run reports to determine win-loss ratios. CCM relies on a variety of reports to look at information previously unavailable or difficult to attain without manual calculations. With standard M1 reports, or reports the company easily customizes using Crystal Reports, CCM looks at sales order volumes, open jobs, inventory status, open purchase orders and more. Servello quickly creates charts for meetings, and can leverage information to project accounts receivable amounts, identify areas for quality improvements or determine where resources could be used more effectively.

“All the information ties together to give us the whole picture,” Servello said. “By tracking data we can make more intelligent decisions.”

Time-Savings, Quality Improvements and Communication benefits enhance the Bottom Line

M1 saves CCM time in a number of areas. For example, the company created M1 screens for configuring the specs for each installation, a task that before required employees to wade through several thousand pages of parts. Now, the list of codes adds up to just two pages, and employees simply choose from drop-down menus for options like color and edge detail. As they make selections, those choices automatically update stock status in M1.

M1 has also driven quality improvements. As employees finish each step, they add their initials to show completion. The combination of employees taking ownership for parts of the process, and the ability to pull reports to indicate where errors occurred, has decreased the need for remakes, increased customer satisfaction, and saved the company time and money. Using M1’s Call Management, CCM ensures that every call is logged and that each issue is answered. At times, having answers at their fingertips in M1 allows employees to take care of caller questions right there, which expedites responses to customers.

Next, CCM plans to add the Unlimited Shop Floor Entry module to track parts use by job. Servello will also tap into M1’s flexibility to link time tracking on the shop floor with the company’s external payroll provider, allowing the company to see the time spent on each job. From Servello’s perspective, the more the company uses M1, the greater its efficiency, service, and quality, which all contribute toward the bottom line.

“We’re trying to take the company to a higher level, to create a competitive advantage,” Servello said. “With M1, we can track the quality of projects and customer inquiries. In response, customers are more satisfied with the end result.”

The M1 by B&G™ ERP software offers comprehensive modules designed and fully supported to meet the needs of growing manufacturing businesses.

With more than 500 installed sites around the world and a comprehensive user group interface ERP Software has never been more affordable or beneficial.

About Bowen & Groves

Bowen & Groves is setting the standard in Enterprise Resource Planning software (ERP), for the small to medium manufacturer. Founded in 1992 Bowen & Groves is a privately owned software development company operating in the United States of America, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. M1 by B&G™ sets the standard in affordability and ease of use.

"Unionville is very unique community. It's probably one of the prettiest small-town communities in the GTA," Ms. Tinney says. "Main Street is phenomenal -- boutique-lined, fine restaurants. It's just a very quaint, quiet community."
A gate in a stone and wrought-iron fence will lead into the property. Inspired by French chateaus, the buildings will feature mansard roofs and stone and stucco exteriors.
The lobby will have a 20-foot conservatory-style octagonal ceiling, glass walls, and marble and granite-inlaid floors.
There will be two- and-three bedroom models, many with dens, and all with balconies. Nine and ten-foot ceilings will be standard, along with crown mouldings and electric fireplaces with mantles.
Homeowners will have a choice of prefinished engineered plank hardwood floors in the open living/dining room, and 50-ounce broadloom in the bedrooms, which will be positioned on opposite ends of the unit for added privacy.
The Paris kitchens will have custom cabinets, granite countertops and backsplashes of ceramic or tumbled marble tile. Stainless-steel appliances will be included, as well as islands with breakfast bars.
En suite laundry facilities will be available, and units will include two parking spots.
The monthly maintenance fee will be about 40 cents a square foot, and include a 24-hour concierge.
Residents also will have access to a games room and lounge -- both with fireplaces -- in addition to an exercise room and guest suites.
Occupancy is scheduled for the fall of 2007.
Ellington Park
Location: Unionville
Builder: Del Ridge Homes
Price: $489,900 to 569,900
Square footage: 1,432 to 1,538
Sales centre: 9 Verclaire Gate, north of Highway 7. Open Monday to Thursday, noon to 7 p.m.; weekends, noon to 6 p.m.
Contact: (905) 479-2962 or http://www.delridgehomes.com

And, of course, Tabby's litter box or Rover's bowls.

Trudging through such a space demeans and diminishes arrival or departure. But it doesn't have to be that way. Whether you're building a new house or updating an existing one, you can create a welcoming mudroom.

First, whenever possible, devote more space to a mudroom than you might typically. Plan on a generous corridor through the space, at least 6 to 8 feet wide. This is a high-traffic zone that must accommodate not just humans, but strollers, golf carts, luggage, appliances, groceries, furniture, stepladders and all manner of bulky objects destined for almost every other room in the house.

If a mudroom must double as a laundry room, buy front-loading machines that can be tucked under a countertop or housed in an alcove with louvered bi-fold doors. If space is lacking, think about a stacked washer/dryer combination to conserve floor space.

Install plenty of cabinets with pull-out bins and baskets, a few of which can be used as laundry hampers. Others can hold recyclables or dog food. Squeeze in as much counter space as you can so that you have a landing pad just inside the door for groceries, shopping bags, book bags, diaper bags and briefcases.

Get as much space-expanding daylight into the room as possible via windows, a back door with full-length glass, a door flanked by sidelights or surrounded by glass blocks, and a skylight or two. Install recessed ceiling can lights for overall lighting and attractive pendants or sconces for decorative lighting. Use dimming light switches to adjust the mood of the room.

Choose a back door at least 36 inches wide, providing plenty of clearance for an incoming refrigerator or an outgoing range. A pair of French doors would be even better, especially if there's a worthy view to a backyard or garden.

Rather than the kind of coat closet typical of a front entry hall, think about providing an ample number of easily accessible coat hooks in a "locker" system. Benches provide convenient places to sit while tying shoes, and high and low shelves minimize clutter.

A tall pantry-style cabinet can be used for brooms, mops, cleaning supplies and a vacuum. Or, save space in the room for an ample broom closet.

Do something decorative with the walls -- beadboard wainscoting, a chair rail, a wallpaper border, a ceramic tile backsplash between the countertops and wall cabinets, framed artwork or textured wallcovering. Grant the mudroom the status of a room that is actually lived in, not just used as a tunnel to and from the outside. Design and decorate it just as you would any other room in the house.

Choose a flooring material that is not just serviceable and durable but (dare we say it?) elegant -- hardwood, slate, terra cotta, ceramic. Why is it that the underemployed front entry is worthy of marble or granite tile, but not the high-traffic back entry? These days, you can get natural stone tile starting about $4 per square foot at home centers.

The objective here is not to impress others, but to create a satisfying sense of procession, to heighten the experience of arriving and departing. Despite its name, a mudroom should convey a sense of warmth, familiarity and friendliness, not just to visitors, but for those who live in the house.

A front door and entry hall may imply "welcome," but it's the back door and mudroom that say clearly, "Welcome home."

News You Can Use

Think Sheen in Paint

When choosing paint for your mudroom, sheen matters. The glossier the finish, the easier it is to keep clean. "I would recommend at least a satin finish, or higher," said Debbie Zimmer of the Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute. Here are some more tips:

• Incorporate several colors, and choose hues that complement rooms nearby such as the kitchen.

• Crisp white trim -- on a bench or wainscoting, for instance -- looks good against darker colors such as brick red or navy blue.

• Consider floor-to-ceiling shelving and plenty of hooks for hanging items. Instead of painting the built-in shelving a single color, alternate hues from shelf to shelf.

• Paint a "faux" rug, or brighten the room by painting the entire floor with appropriate floor paint.

San Diego, CA, February 10, 2006 --(PR.COM)-- Cardinals Safety Robert Griffith opens the doors of his California dream home for the first time to give viewers a sneak peek of his two year project.

(Excerpt from the February issue of Decor & Style Magazine. For the full story and photos, log onto their website at www.Decorandstyle.com/february.)

TREASURE TROVE
by Rowena Kelley
photography by Jim Brady

A football player travels around the world to furnish his Del Mar home

The last thing you’d expect to find inside an antique store in High Point, North Carolina, is a 6-foot, 200-pound football player shopping for leather club chairs. Especially a hard-hitting All-Pro safety endorsed by Nike, with more than 1,100 tackles to his name, plus appearances in Sports Illustrated, The Young and the Restless, even a music video with Vivica A. Fox. But that’s exactly where Robert Griffith of the Arizona Cardinals spent some down time, “power shopping” for two days to find pieces that would suit his 9,100-square-foot home in Del Mar.

“I’ve been collecting art and antiques for more than 11 years,” Griffith says while dusting off a tall wood sculpture from New Guinea, an acquisition he made seven years ago that now stands in the corner of his living room. “The people that made this Bwa Bird put it in front of their village because it symbolizes life, similar to a fertility figure,” he explains. “This is one of only 40 in the world.”

The sculpture stands majestically beside tall glass doors that open onto a zero-edge pool. In the evenings, the aqua-blue water vanishes into city lights. The original blueprints called for a wall with one window, but Griffith knew to take advantage of the view. Wittlin softened the room with silk drapes and a sofa upholstered in chenille.

An avid traveler, Griffith wanted his home to remind him of trips to such places as Paris, Peru, Italy, Japan and London—one of his favorite cities. After 16 months of construction and interior design, grass now grows between stone pavers beside a lily pond out front, a stone archway welcomes guests, massive wooden doors with hand-forged hardware open rooms, and 40 sconces shaped like medieval torches bring soft amber light to hallways. Furniture and accessories also were deliberately chosen to add volumes of history to the home. The living room alone feels like a trove of old treasures. Inside are a 250-year-old Italian mezzanine table, an 80-year-old Chinoiserie side table, an antique Japanese rice container, and a buoy from an old Netherlands sailing vessel.

“One of my favorite pieces is the armoire in the family room, made from a set of doors Robert found in Paris,” Wittlin says. She commissioned a cabinet maker to build the armoire so that shelves and paneling would perfectly match the circa 1890s doors. The “new” armoire is 9 feet tall by 11 feet wide, and hides a high-definition plasma television—one of 14 that can be easily accessed for game highlights.

The youngest of five children, Griffith remains close to family and friends, both in and out of San Diego. Four bedrooms and a homework station upstairs keep his nieces, nephews and 10 godchildren busy. His mother, of course, has a room to herself when she visits from Atlanta. A photograph of mother and son—taken at the opening night of Griffith’s latest venture, Visions Restaurant in the Gaslamp—is proudly displayed on a Charles L. Dix limited-edition butcher block that Griffith bought on Ebay for $25. And lounging on a bed in the family room are the newest additions to the family: Nikita and Nairobi, Vizslu puppies in training.

A good spirit and knack for easy entertaining also make Griffith a popular host. While designing the house, he considered comfort every step of the way. “I wanted a house where people wouldn’t have to take their shoes off,” he says. “I want my guests to be able to put their feet on whatever they want to, so I chose materials that won’t show wear and tear.”

One of the most popular rooms among friends, the game room displays a marriage of old and new. Baumert designed a shelf to hold Griffith’s collection of antique water bottles from Scotland, Peru and Amsterdam, and used old pool sticks to create racks for wine, beer and cocktail glasses. To top the bar, the team selected copper, a perfect fit for a house where guests “shouldn’t worry about coasters.” In keeping with Griffith’s love of old things, the room features a 1920s roulette wheel converted to a table, three Turkish vessels, a 1920s punching bag, and a pair of Paris club chairs from the early 1900s—one of many finds at Randall Tysinger Antiques in High Point.

A pair of 100-year-old stone sculptures—a female with child and the other, a male warrior—brings these stories into the master suite. Made by the Lodi tribe, one of two nomadic tribes in Africa that do not make masks, the sculptures fit well with the exotic, masculine design of the room. An antique screen from the Philippines serves as the head board, while a table made of reclaimed tiles holds books on real estate (Griffith already owns properties in Arizona, Costa Rica, Florida, Georgia and the Bahamas).

While Griffith is serious about collecting art and antiques, he hasn’t forgotten the joy in collecting modern-day luxuries. His walk-in closet hosts 300 pairs of shoes, his wine room is set to hold 3,000 bottles, and his expansive office displays shelves of footballs, helmets and other memorabilia from his 12-year football career. Albeit sophisticated, Griffith’s style is indeed rooted in his love of old-fashioned fun.

In the dining room, down-filled leather benches seat guests comfortably in a room fit for a king. Plush silk hangs on walls painted in burgundy and glazed with gold. A wrought-iron chandelier from La Casa de Mexico in Riverside lights the feast, while a pecan parquet floor tones down the formality.

“I wanted the dining room to feel as comfortable as a lounge,” says Griffith, who, if he had enough room, would have chosen a square dining table with space for 16. “Now, after we get done eating, we can all relax before we have to decide who has to clean up.”

A self-described “breakfast guy” who loves eggs and French toast, Griffith says that while he and Wittlin thought of everything for the kitchen—including a pot filler, a hand-hammered copper sink and an expansive island topped with distressed oak—the one special find is a tile backsplash hand-painted by an 18-year-old artist. The scene features a castle with seven trees.

“The trees symbolize the seven of us in the family,” Griffith says. “And those are my front doors.” He points to arched wooden doors in the middle of a medieval countryside, and smiles like a player that has just experienced the perfect game. And he should, for he has indeed made this home his castle.

Related Meetings:
2006 NAHB Multifamily Pillars of the Industry Conference & Awards Gala
4/2/2006 - 4/5/2006
Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch
Scottsdale, AZ

The discovery was made in November, but kept secret while initial examinations were carried out.

Mr Jourdy also said he saw a sculpture of a face made from a stalactite - which would be a scientific first for the era, but experts were dubious about this claim, AFP says.

"In a small chamber I found the bones of two hyenas - complete skeletons, which is rare. And I saw human bones amid the debris - tibias, vertebrae and shoulder-blades," he told the news agency.

"Then in the bigger chamber there was this hand - very beautiful, very delicate. There was just the one in cobalt blue. When you come into the chamber it is like it is greeting you. It's incredible."

The French culture ministry confirmed the findings, but a spokesman said that although the discovery was of interest, the paintings were not as spectacular as those in the Cosquer and Chauvet caves in the Ardeche.

The Lascaux Caves, in the Dordogne, are among the best known and most important prehistoric sites of Stone Age cave art.

Experts think the caves were used for hunting rituals and shamanistic rites, and it is thought that the first paintings were done some 17,000 years ago.

TEHRAN, Feb. 5--The historical monument of Bisotoun, near Kermanshah, which dates back to 2,000 years, represents a masterpiece in irrigation, stone sculpture, as well as construction of stone structures, including a bridge.

These ancient structures have attracted the attention of the International Committee for Monuments (ICOMOS) which is currently considering registration of the monument as a global cultural heritage, CHN reported.

$3,950,000

Through their trusts, National League pitcher Jamey Wright and his wife, Marnie, sold their Paradise Valley home to husband and wife Babak and Nazanine Sarrafzadeh. The home, built in 2001, has three fireplaces, including one in the master bedroom, a media/rec room, wet bar and attached guest house with separate entrance. Jamey Wright played for the Colorado Rockies last year and is the franchise's all-time leader in starts. This year he is scheduled to play for the San Francisco Giants.
advertisement $3,100,000

$2,901,000

The H. Max Harrison Revocable Trust, whose trustees consist of H. Max Harrison, Kay Harrison, Jeffrey Harrison and Jennifer Harrison, bought a Paradise Valley home from PVHL of AZ Inc. The home in Tatum Canyon was built in 1978 and features views of Mummy Mountain. It also has a separate guest house. The main residence has Italian marble flooring and granite counters. The master bath features a multihead shower and sunken jetted tub.

$2,825,000

This adobe home sits on the third green of Estancia Golf Course in north Scottsdale. It features hand-finished stained plaster walls, stone and wood floors and stone counters for Southwest-style living. Husband and wife Richard and Julie Smith bought the home, built in 1997, from a limited liability company managed by Theodore Swartz.

$2,600,000

Alan "Buddy" Owens, son of legendary country music singer Buck Owens, and his wife, Katy, sold their Phoenix home to Edward Johnson of St. George, Utah. The Mediterranean-style home sits on 1.75 acres near the Phoenician Resort. The home's tennis court and courtyard have views of Camelback Mountain. Granite, travertine and wrought iron are used throughout house. Buddy Owens was part of the management team of KNIX-FM (102.5), one of the most popular radio stations in the Valley. It was sold for $84 million in 1999. He was the music director at the time of the sale.

Researched by Jonathan Higuera, Glen Creno and the Information Market.
Feb. 1, 2006 12:00 AM
Three Paradise Valley homes topped the latest list of priciest home sales in metro Phoenix. A major-league baseball player and his wife sold the most expensive home on the list while the son of legendary country music singer Buck Owens and his wife were sellers on another top-priced home.

$3,950,000

Through their trusts, National League pitcher Jamey Wright and his wife, Marnie, sold their Paradise Valley home to husband and wife Babak and Nazanine Sarrafzadeh. The home, built in 2001, has three fireplaces, including one in the master bedroom, a media/rec room, wet bar and attached guest house with separate entrance. Jamey Wright played for the Colorado Rockies last year and is the franchise's all-time leader in starts. This year he is scheduled to play for the San Francisco Giants.
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$3,100,000

Nicholas Wentworth and Justine Compton have bought a home in Paradise Valley. The 7,129-square-foot home built in 1996 features classic architecture and formal grounds. The home features a circular drive around a fountain-filled pool. The home is built symmetrically around another pool and encircled with covered patios with multiple French doors. The seller was Cendant Mobility Financial Corp. of Mission Viejo, Calif.

$2,901,000

The H. Max Harrison Revocable Trust, whose trustees consist of H. Max Harrison, Kay Harrison, Jeffrey Harrison and Jennifer Harrison, bought a Paradise Valley home from PVHL of AZ Inc. The home in Tatum Canyon was built in 1978 and features views of Mummy Mountain. It also has a separate guest house. The main residence has Italian marble flooring and granite counters. The master bath features a multihead shower and sunken jetted tub.

$2,825,000

This adobe home sits on the third green of Estancia Golf Course in north Scottsdale. It features hand-finished stained plaster walls, stone and wood floors and stone counters for Southwest-style living. Husband and wife Richard and Julie Smith bought the home, built in 1997, from a limited liability company managed by Theodore Swartz.

$2,600,000

Alan "Buddy" Owens, son of legendary country music singer Buck Owens, and his wife, Katy, sold their Phoenix home to Edward Johnson of St. George, Utah. The Mediterranean-style home sits on 1.75 acres near the Phoenician Resort. The home's tennis court and courtyard have views of Camelback Mountain. Granite, travertine and wrought iron are used throughout house. Buddy Owens was part of the management team of KNIX-FM (102.5), one of the most popular radio stations in the Valley. It was sold for $84 million in 1999. He was the music director at the time of the sale.

Researched by Jonathan Higuera, Glen Creno and the Information Market.