If plain, gray concrete doesn't match your style sensibilities, you're not alone. Many homeowners like the benefits of concrete—durable, affordable, versatile—but want a more customized look.
Decorative concrete techniques allow homeowners the best of both worlds. They can still opt for concrete and benefit from all of the positives it offers, and still customize the look of their interior and exterior paved surfaces, from driveways and patios to countertops and flooring.
In fact, good Alameda County decorative concrete companies that serve Oakland, Fremont, Hayward, Berkeley, San Leandro, Alameda, Union City, Pleasanton, Newark and Dublin and the rest of the area, are skilled at techniques and treatments that transform plain concrete into something beautiful and unique that fits customers' visions and lends a custom-feel to all types of surfaces.
There are many options, though, first in colors and decorative concrete techniques, and in the contractors who can provide them for you. So, read on for more information about the types of decorative concrete services that may be available to you and how to choose the right local decorative concrete contractor for your job.
There are many concrete contractors in Alameda County, and many general building contractors who work with concrete. But general concrete experience doesn't necessarily mean that the contractor will know how to provide the decorative concrete services you're looking for.
Hiring an experienced decorative concrete contractor will increase your chances of being pleased with your entire experience. You will likely get more accurate bids, better customer service and a good finished product that meets your expectations.
Whether you live in Dublin, Newark, Pleasanton, Union City and Alameda, San Lorenzo, Sunol, Komandorski Village, Livermore, Ashland, Piedmont, Emeryville or any other area of Alameda County, there is great value in hiring an experienced, professional contractor, especially when it comes to decorative concrete services.
While it's best to choose a Diamond Certified company because they're rated Highest in Quality and Helpful Expertise®, that may not always be possible. If you're unable to choose a Diamond Certified decorative concrete contractor in your area, you can improve your chances of hiring a good company by checking out candidates on the Contractors State License Board website to ensure active license and workers' compensation insurance. Any violations processed by the state will appear on the license record, so you'll know about recent infractions or serious customer grievances.
Be sure you take time to verify company credentials. Alameda County decorative concrete companies that are members of professional organizations and associations may offer better service, and you'll be able to see their past records, including complaints and legal action.
As with any working relationship, it's important you work well together. So you'll want to consider the personal and professional qualities you value in a contractor. Promptness, good communication skills, honesty and cleanliness are important to many homeowners, so decide what traits you want in the decorative concrete contractor you hire and don't settle for less.
Why Trust Diamond Certified Concrete Contractors Rated Highest in Quality and Helpful Expertise®?
Your needs, wants and goals should take precedence when you're planning a home improvement project, including a decorative concrete installation.
But how do you know what you want, let alone convey it to local decorative concrete companies in Oakland, Dublin, Fremont, Newark and Hayward and your area?
Start by narrowing down what you want and expect. Ask yourself the following questions and write down your responses so that you can be sure to clearly and completely communicate your needs and expectations when talking with decorative concrete company representatives near you.
Do I want a Diamond Certified decorative concrete company that is top rated and backed by the Diamond Certified Performance Guarantee?
Are there any specific requirements or goals I have for the decorative concrete project?
What is my time line for the work?
Do I need to have any other landscaping or exterior work done at the same time?
What characteristics and personal and professional qualities am I looking for from my Alameda County decorative concrete contractor?
The narrowed list you now have, thanks to your phone interviews, should give you a clearer picture of which Alameda County decorative concrete companies you want to learn more about.
Choose the top three to five contenders and invite them to your home or business to see the work in question. This will give the companies the opportunity to learn the details of your job, and it will give you a chance to learn more about the decorative concrete companies in Oakland, Fremont, Hayward, Berkeley, San Leandro, Alameda, Union City, Pleasanton, Newark and Dublin and near you and what sets each of them apart from the competition.
What type of decorative concrete applications, colors and patterns do you recommend for my home?
How much time will the decorative concrete work take?
Will this decorative concrete work add value to my home?
Will you give me a written estimate for this job that details materials, time line and line-item costs?
Do you have any recent projects in my area of Alameda County where I can see your completed work from the street?
Do you have recent customer references I can call who hired your company for decorative concrete services similar to the ones I'm considering?
Can you show me the patterns or stamps you use for stamped concrete so I can see if I like the pattern and it looks realistic enough to meet my expectations?
Do you have color maps or guides that can show me the expected color of my completed stained or colored concrete application?
Do you guarantee your work? Will you put your warranty in writing?
Who is responsible for warranty work if there's ever a problem with my decorative concrete?
What can I do to make the decorative concrete installation easier?
Add to this list any other questions you have and write down the responses you get. When you're done with this part of the process, you should have further narrowed down the companies to only those that can best serve you and offer quality decorative concrete services.
It's best to choose among Diamond Certified decorative concrete companies because all certified companies have passed an in-depth ratings process that most other companies can't pass.
If you want quality from decorative concrete companies in Alameda County and the greater Bay Area, you can have confidence choosing a Diamond Certified company. Diamond Certified reports are available online for all certified companies. And you'll never be fooled by fake reviews. That's because all research is performed in live telephone interviews of actual customers.
If you can't find Diamond Certified decorative concrete companies within reach, you'll have to do some research on your own. If you do, it's wise to call some references provided by your decorative concrete companies.
Keep in mind, though, that references provided to you by decorative concrete companies in San Leandro, Berkeley, Hayward, Fremont and Oakland and other areas of Alameda County and the Greater Bay Area are not equal in value to the large random sample of customers surveyed during the Diamond Certified ratings process. That's because references given to customers from companies are cherry-picked instead of randomly selected from all their customers. So the decorative contractors near you will likely give you a few customers to call that they know are satisfied.
If you do call references on your own, specifically ask for a list of the company's 10 most recent customers, or the most recent clients who hired them for services similar to those you are considering. This will help avoid them giving you the names of only customers they know were satisfied, and it will give you a chance to talk with clients who can give you an idea of what to expect both from the decorative concrete contractors and the services you want.
Were you happy with the decorative concrete work and customer service you received from _(Alameda County decorative concrete company name)_?
Did the Alameda County decorative concrete company you hired complete the work on time?
Were there unexpected costs associated with this decorative concrete project? If so, what were they for and were they avoidable? Did the contractor let you know about them during the work, or were you surprised by them after the job was completed?
If you live in a smaller town such as Ashland, Castro Valley, Cherryland, Emeryville, Komandorski Village, Livermore, Mount Eden, Piedmont, Russell City, San Lorenzo, Sunol, did the decorative concrete company charge extra to travel to your home?
Were the company employees on time?
Did they clean up after finishing work, both at the end of work days and after the project was completed?
What was the best part about working with this contractor?
Is there anything you wish you would have known about this company or the decorative concrete process before you hired them or started the project?
Can I drive past your home to see the completed decorative concrete work?
Once you have a short list of local decorative concrete contractors that can meet your needs and you've received bids from three to five of them, it's time to put together all of the information you've gathered and make a decision.
You'll want to review your interview notes, compare detailed bids looking for value rather than price alone, and think back to the conversations you had with the decorative concrete contractors in Dublin, Newark, Pleasanton, Union City and Alameda and your local area.
Then consider the following questions to make a smart decision.
Can the Alameda County decorative concrete companies you've interviewed meet your needs in terms of scheduling, design/decorative concrete applications and job preferences?
Are the local decorative concrete contractors knowledgeable about the scope and details of the project you're considering?
Can they tell you which materials, products, colors, styles, patterns and applications best suit your needs and why?
Is the company sensitive to your budget? Can they offer various materials, methods and products that fit your resources and your goal for the job?
Do the decorative concrete contractors in Alameda County guarantee their materials, products and services? Will they put all guarantees in writing?
Did one company stand out above the rest as the best choice for you and your needs?
Hiring a decorative concrete company in Oakland, Dublin, Fremont, Newark and Hayward or your area of Alameda County can seem like a daunting task, but you have all the tools and knowledge you need to make a smart decision. The articles above will give you a good foundation from which to winnow down your list and feel secure in your options and your final choice.
Start by spending some time researching your options for the types of decorative concrete applications and treatments available. Look at pictures and samples, think about your goals and needs, and make a list of items you want to discuss with the contractors you interview.
Then move forward by performing interviews over the phone to help you quickly rule out Alameda County decorative concrete companies that can't offer the services you need or that don't provide the level of professionalism, customer service or expert craftsmanship that you demand.
Once you have a few contractors in mind that have passed your initial interviews, invite them to your home or business so that they can see the work in question and give you a reliable, honest bid that reflects the actual scope of work.
This is where knowing the scope of work you need and want comes into play. By having a firm idea of the scope of your job and overall goals, you can prevent yourself from contracting services that don't meet your needs or that exceed your goals. This can keep you from spending more than your budget, and can make sure you are pleased with the final job without the guilt of spending more than you should.
The best decorative concrete contractors you found should be willing to give you a written estimate for the services you're contracting. This includes a line-item bid that details the scope of the work, start and end dates, the total price for materials and labor, and any special requests you've made.
Once you've carefully compared the bids and decided which company offers the best value (that includes fair price, expert labor, quality craftsmanship, protective guarantees or warranties, and overall customer service), it's time to move forward and sign the estimate or a contract.
Many Alameda County decorative concrete companies will allow you to simply sign the estimate as a reflection of your agreement. Others have specially-drafted contracts that include the same information as the bid and other details about the job, their legal requirements and anything expected of you during the process.
Read through the entire contract and only sign a complete and correct estimate or contract when you understand and agree with all of the terms. Ask any questions or get clarification before you sign the contract. That's because it is a legally-binding document.
Good Alameda County decorative concrete contractors in Pleasanton, Berkeley, Union City, San Leandro and Alameda and your area have likely faced almost every type of job imaginable, and they've worked with a large variety of clients. So they should be able to handle just about any job and deal with any unforeseen circumstances.
However, you can simplify the job for your contractors.
This has many possible benefits, including a shorter time line, less wasted labor, and there fore a less expensive job. It can also show that you are a good customer who is deserving of respect and fair treatment.
Here are some tips you can take to get ready for the decorative concrete services for which you've contracted.
Have an idea of what you want, but be open to suggestions. Look at samples, view photo galleries online, think about colors and patterns, and get a good idea of what decorative concrete applications most interest you and will be a good fit for your home style, landscaping and décor. Show samples and photos to your decorative concrete contractor, and ask for their opinion. They have experience working with the materials and seeing how many finished products come out, so they should be able to give you an idea of what colors, patterns, styles and decorative concrete applications are the best choice for you.
Provide adequate storage space if required. Your decorative concrete company may ask you to provide a clean, dry and accessible storage area for construction materials and tools. Ask your contractor if you'll need to provide space for materials and, if so, how much space is needed and for what length of time. This can simplify the job by having materials close at hand so the Alameda County decorative concrete companies don't need to carry your job materials and tools to the work site every day, which can save time, frustration, and even forgotten materials.
Clear the workspace. Whether your Alameda County decorative concrete company is providing interior or exterior work, they will need room to maneuver. You'll want to be sure to move vehicles, decorative objects, and other items that can become damaged or may be in the way during the work.
Keep children and pets away from the work area. Your contractors shouldn't need to watch out for kids and pets while they're working. So for their safety and the safety of your family members, keep pets and children out of the area when the decorative concrete contractors are working. It's also smart to keep everyone away from the work area even when no work is going on, as concrete needs time to dry and cure to prevent damage, and work tools and materials can pose a hazard to animals and children.
Ask your contractors what you can do to simplify the job and be a conscientious client, and follow through with their requests. They may have small things you can do or tasks you can perform to make the job go more quickly and smoothly, or to improve the outcome. It's usually worth the little time and effort to be a cooperative team player when hiring local contractors.
How Can You Be a Good Decorative Concrete Company Customer?
Why would you want to take steps to be a good customer?
Decorative concrete companies in Alameda County, like most contractors in any field, appreciate customers who are straightforward, honest and easy to work with. Your good customer behavior sets the tone from your end and creates an environment conducive to a good relationship. The job may well go smoother and any problems may be more easily resolved.
Here are a few simple steps you can take to be a good customer when hiring Alameda County decorative concrete companies in Oakland, Fremont, Hayward, Berkeley, San Leandro, Alameda, Union City, Pleasanton, Newark and Dublin and beyond.
Be direct and honest with the decorative concrete companies. Let them know what you want from the decorative concrete job, the outcome you're expecting and specific ways they can satisfy your expectations.
Remember, a friendly smile goes a long way. Even if you're stressed or feeling misunderstood, keeping a positive attitude and polite demeanor can help relax the atmosphere and remove tension from your working relationship.
Before you hire decorative concrete companies in Alameda County, restate your expectations and goals, and reiterate your understanding of the agreement. Most problems with local decorative concrete companies occur because of a breakdown in communication. By being clear about your expectations and theirs, you can avoid most conflicts.
Ask your decorative concrete contractor if you should call to check on the progress of the work or if he or she will call you with updates.
Be sure your contractor has a phone number where they can reach you at all times while they're working on your project. The work will move along more smoothly if your decorative concrete company can reach you with updates, questions or work authorizations.
Return calls promptly to keep the decorative concrete work on schedule.
Pay for the decorative concrete work promptly and as promised.
Good decorative concrete contractors in Alameda County, including those serving Dublin, Newark, Pleasanton, Union City and Alameda and other areas, should give you a final invoice for services rendered once the work is complete.
It's your right and responsibility to check over the work and make sure it meets the promises made in your contract and your expectations. Ask for clarification or more information if something seems to be other than was promised or agreed upon. This is also the time to learn about any regular maintenance, cleaning or care instructions.
The decorative concrete contractor's name, physical address and state license number.
The total cost for the decorative concrete companies services, including the itemized amount charged for labor.
A written explanation of any warranties or guarantees provided by the product manufacturers and the Alameda County decorative concrete contractors.
Product guarantees and warranties on workmanship are your security when it comes to hiring a local decorative concrete contractor.
Not all companies serving homeowners in San Leandro, Berkeley, Hayward, Fremont and Oakland and beyond guarantee their decorative concrete installations, but the best ones do. All licensed contractors are required to give clients a one-year warranty. However, companies that do good work are likely to back up that work. That means they'll stand behind their materials, services and workmanship and put their promises in writing.
The Alameda County decorative concrete contractor's name, physical address and state license number.
Any actions on your part that may invalidate the warranty, including maintenance and routine care of the decorative concrete surfaces.
Concrete is a porous material, so it can be stained and colored. Concrete can be stained using acid or water based stains to change the color of the concrete. Acid staining for concrete doesn't add pigment or dye to the concrete, but instead is a coating of water, mineral salts and muriatic acid that is applied to concrete. The chemical reaction creates an earth-toned stained appearance on the surface of the concrete. Acid staining creates a variegated appearance that is less constant than other types of concrete coloring or staining. Water based concrete stain, acrylic stains, polymer concrete stain and epoxy concrete stains can be applied as a coating to poured and hardened concrete to create a look that varies from opaque to translucent.
Concrete surfaces (sidewalks, driveways, patios, pool patios, decks, slabs and more) that have become cracked, pitted, chipped, damaged, faded or otherwise damaged may be resurfaced. This includes filling all cracks and holes with a special concrete repair material and then covering the entire concrete surface with a concrete resurfacing material (usually made of polymer) to cover the imperfections and repaired areas. Resurfaced concrete can look like new concrete and may be a good way to save money instead of replacing concrete that is only slightly or aesthetically damaged. Resurfaced concrete can often be polished, overlayed, engraved, colored or stamped to appear like a new surface.
Colored concrete is created by adding concrete dyes to wet/freshly poured or hardened concrete. Colored concrete can come in any range of colors to complement homes and landscaping, and may be applied by Alameda County decorative concrete companies in Pleasanton, Berkeley, Union City, San Leandro and Alameda and beyond to concrete surfaces inside or outside for a custom concrete look.
The use of professional grinding machines equipped with diamond-covered sanding pads to polish concrete is a popular way to bring rough concrete to a smooth and even shiny finish. Polished concrete is popular on interior surfaces including floors, hallways and counter tops. Concrete polishing can also be done with concrete staining and coloring to create a customized surface that may not resemble concrete at all, or may look like a high-gloss seamless expanse of stone. Polished concrete is popularly used in commercial buildings, government buildings and other high-traffic buildings and areas.
Concrete overlays are layers of acrylic paint resin, polymer or another material mixed with cement and sand to create a thin, smooth layer that adheres to the top of a concrete patio, floor, driveway or other surface. These overlays restore worn concrete surfaces, protect damaged or pitted concrete, make old concrete look like new, level settled concrete areas and allow for recoloring or redecorating existing concrete with stamped overlays or colored overlays. Specialty concrete overlays may have textures, colors, designs or other custom looks.
Concrete contractors in Alameda County and throughout the Greater Bay Area can engrave concrete by using saws or specialty diamond-fitted grinder blades to cut lines, groves, patterns, and other custom designs into the surface of concrete. Homeowners can choose from patterns that make the concrete look like brick, cobblestone, flagstone, fieldstone or other types of natural stone, or can choose a customized pattern or design.
Concrete that becomes cracked, flaky, pitted, stained or otherwise damaged can be refinished using cracked concrete refinishing techniques. These can include overlays or decorative refinishign that mask or cover damaged ares. Decorative concrete companies in Oakland, Dublin, Fremont, Newark and Hayward, Ashland, Castro Valley, Cherryland, Emeryville, Komandorski Village, Livermore, Mount Eden, Piedmont, Russell City, San Lorenzo, Sunol and other areas of Alameda County can provide cracked and damaged concrete refinishing.
Exterior concrete areas such as driveways, patios, pool decks, walkways, pathways and more can be treated with decorative concrete methods to achieve a custom look. Decorative concrete applications useful for transforming outdoor concrete surfaces include concrete stamping, acid staining, color staining, concrete dyeing, concrete polishing, decorative overlays, etching, concrete sanding, concrete coatings and more.
Interior concrete surfaces including floors, countertops, walls, sinks, indoor pool decks and more can be treated by decorative concrete companies to give a customized appearance that enhances interior decoration and personality. Interior concrete surfaces may be polished, sanded, dyed, stained, engraved, overlaid and stamped.
Decorative concrete surfaces are long-lasting by nature. However, from time to time, they may need to be repaired or refinished. Homeowners may also choose to have them remodeled or changed to fit changes in decor or new styles. Colored concrete can often be recolored, stained or dyed. Stamped concrete and other types of decorative concrete can be restamped, overlaid, polished, engraved or coated to enhance, repair or completely change the look of the surface.
Acid staining for concrete does not use dyes or pigments, but instead relies on a chemical reaction resulting water, mineral salts and muriatic acid to react to the existing minerals in the concrete to create earth-toned colors such as tan, brown, red and green on the concrete surface. Acid staining on decorative concrete leaves a variegated or marbleized appearance.
Antiquing concrete is a decorative approach to concrete modification that involves color layering to make concrete surfaces appear mottled and aged, as if they were old.
Broom finish is a specialty finish on decorative concrete that is created by pushing a broom across fresh concrete so that the broom bristles leave lines and patterns in the surface.
Color chips are plastic and stone chips available in many sizes and colors. These chips are mixed with or pressed into concrete or freshly resurfaced concrete to produce a multicolored finish. Decorative concrete treated with this effect can look like terrazzo composite material.
Colored concrete is created by adding concrete dyes to wet/freshly poured or hardened concrete. Colored concrete can come in any range of colors to complement homes and landscaping, and may be applied inside or outside for a custom concrete look.
Concrete surfaces (sidewalks, driveways, patios, pool patios, decks, slabs and more) that have become cracked, pitted, chipped, damaged, faded or otherwise damaged may be resurfaced. This includes filling all cracks and holes with a special concrete repair material and then covering the entire concrete surface with a concrete resurfacing material (usually made of polymer) to cover the imperfections and repaired areas. Resurfaced concrete can look like new concrete and may be a good way to save money instead of replacing concrete that is only slightly or aesthetically damaged. Resurfaced concrete can often be polished, overlaid, engraved, colored or stamped to appear like a new surface.
Concrete that becomes cracked, flaky, pitted, stained or otherwise damaged can be refinished using cracked concrete refinishing techniques. These can include overlays or decorative refinishing that mask or cover damaged ares.
Dry-shake is a color-hardneing mixture of colored pigments, cement, concrete aggregates and surface hardening material. This is applied (usually by shaking, hence the name "color-shake" or "dry-shake") over stamped concrete, concrete overlays, and fresh concrete to create a multi-faceted, colorful, hardening surface to the concrete.
Concrete contractors can engrave concrete by using saws or specialty diamond-fitted grinder blades to cut lines, groves, patterns, and other custom designs into the surface of concrete. Homeowners can choose from patterns that make the concrete look like brick, cobblestone, flagstone, fieldstone or other types of natural stone, or can choose a customized pattern or design.
Exposed aggregate is a decorative concrete surface created (or uncovered) by scrubbing, sand blasting, pressure washing or otherwise removing surface mortar from concrete. This exposes aggregate pieces in the concrete, creating a multi-colored surface that is unique and beautiful.
Concrete surfaces that have been treated with specialty color layering, polishing and finishing techniques that give them a marble-like look are said to be marbleized.
Stamped concrete is an interior or exterior concrete surface that has been stamped, patterned, embossed or textured using a stamp or pattern that is pressed into the wet concrete to create a specific texture. This changes the usually flat nature of concrete so that it resembles wood, brick, natural stone like slate and flagstone, tile and other textures or patterns. Concrete stamping is a decorative concrete treatment often used to transform concrete on driveways, patios, walkways and sidewalks, decks and even flooring in homes, among other locations. It is popular for its durability, lack of cracks between patterned areas, and ease of maintenance.
Q: Why choose Diamond Certified decorative concrete companies?
A: Diamond Certified helps you choose decorative concrete companies with confidence by offering a list of top rated local companies who have passed the country's most in-depth rating process. Only decorative concrete companies rated Highest in Quality and Helpful Expertise® earn the prestigious Diamond Certified award. Most companies can't pass the ratings. American Ratings Corporation also monitors every Diamond Certified company with ongoing research and ratings. And your purchase is backed by the Diamond Certified Performance Guarantee, so you'll feel confident choosing a Diamond Certified decorative concrete companies.
Q: What types of decorative concrete applications are available?
Q: How do I choose the pattern or color of my new decorative concrete?
A: There are so many choices when it comes to decorative concrete that it can be hard to choose the right one for your application. Most decorative concrete companies recommend taking into account your home's style and that of the surrounding landscaping. If your home is brick, it is often smart to mimic the style and color in your stamped concrete. If you have stone floors in your home, carrying the same style into your walkway, patio or even driveway can unify your home's interior and exterior. It's also smart to pick a color and pattern scheme that complements your landscaping and home if you don't want something that matches exactly. Your decorative concrete contractor should be able to guide you and give you samples and examples that will meet your needs and preferences, and help your home look its best.
Q: Why should I consider stamped concrete for my home or business?
A: Stamped concrete is a great alternative for homeowners or business owners who want an affordable, attractive concrete application. Stamped concrete is a relatively economical approach to driveways, patios, walkways, outdoor decks and even interior flooring. It usually costs less than pavers and natural stone, such as slate and travertine, and natural wood, and it holds up well over time. Stamped concrete is poured in on piece, unlike pavers and natural stone, so it also requires less maintenance because no weeds can grow through it, since it lacks cracks and spaces between real stone or wood. Customers also like the wide variety of choices available in terms of color options and patterns for decorative concrete.
Q: Is decorative concrete expensive?
A: That depends on your needs, preferences and the styles you choose. Decorative concrete can be expensive, as much of the cost depends on the going rate for labor and materials. Obviously, the larger and more intensive the job, the more expensive it will be. However, don't confuse initial cost with value. Decorative concrete lasts longer and is lower maintenance than most other types of paving materials and concrete, and it can create more value and curb appeal for your home. This means it is more valuable and can actually save you money or even gain you money over time. Choosing a good decorative concrete contractor who does quality work and backs their services with warranties, even if their cost is higher than the cheapest bid you receive. Shopping for quality over low cost is smart when hiring any contractor, including decorative concrete contractors.
Q: What are popular colors and patterns available from decorative and stamped concrete contractors?
A: Decorative concrete can be stamped into almost innumerable patterns and cast in a rainbow of colors. This includes natural stone patterns that resemble slate, fieldstone, travertine and more. Brick patterns are common, as are seamless paver patterns. Many homeowners choose natural grays and earth tones for their concrete, but brick red is another very popular choice. Homeowners can find decorative concrete companies who will stain, dye and color concrete in any color imaginable to match their home's exterior or interior color scheme, landscaping and other contrasting and complementary colors.
Q: How long will decorative concrete installations work?
A: When correctly installed and maintained, high-quality decorative concrete can last for decades. Decorative concrete that has color hardeners applied can be even more durable than other types o concrete, as can concrete that has been sealed. Talk with your decorative concrete contractor for an estimate on how long you can expect your job to last based on the application, materials, location and other factors specific to your job.
Q: Will colored concrete fade over time?
A: Weathering, traffic, dirt, and even salt and mineral deposits can fade decorative concrete over time. Sealing your concrete will help the color last longer, as will regular cleaning and maintenance recommended by your decorative concrete company. The good news is that faded concrete can often be restored by a simple cleaning and resealing, and concrete can be recolored.
Q: Can I recolor colored concrete if I don't like the original color or change my décor over time?
A: Yes. It is possible to recolor decorative concrete. However, it should be noted that you can't choose a lighter color to replace a darker color. The concrete may need to be treated, stripped, or sanded in order to get a new color to adhere. Likewise, your color choices may be somewhat limited or the color you choose may not exactly match the sample because of the underlying color. Your decorative concrete contractor should be able to walk you through the process or recoloring, restaining or redying your decorative concrete. They should also be able to help you understand your best color options and the likely final outcome of the color you choose.
Q: Does stamped concrete look like real stone?
A: Good stamped concrete companies can make stamped concrete look like real stone. High-quality stamping mats are molded from real stone materials, so they are molded around the actual material customers are trying to replicate. Decorative concrete companies that offer concrete coloring services should have experience and training in making colors look natural and varied, like real stone. This can include the use of integral colors and dyes, dry-shake coloring and surface-applied coloring.
Q: Can I install my own stamped concrete, colored concrete or decorative concrete?
A: That depends on your skill level, experience and training. Some very skilled do-it-yourselfers can have luck putting in decorative concrete themselves. However, it's best to trust an expert with big jobs, or those that will impact your home's value or curb appeal. The labor on decorative concrete projects and the expense can be prohibitive for homeowners to undertake themselves. Jobs can be complicated, with very limited amounts of time between steps and a very exacting process that is easy to do incorrectly. The tools and materials can be very expensive for a one-time job. For these reasons, it's best to hire a good decorative concrete contractor who has the tools, training, expertise and skill to do the job right the first time. In addition, licensed and insured companies will stand behind their work, so any flaws or errors can be corrected and not cost the customer extra fees.


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Elverta Man Arrested as part of Catalytic Converter Theft Ring
Pleasanton police have reported the arrest of multiple individuals and the break up of a catalytic converter theft ring that started with a tip from an observant citizen.
Stephan James Evanovich, 42, of Elverta was arrested in late October by the Pleasanton PD along with two others from Stockton.
In a statement, Livermore police said that in January 2021 an observant Livermore resident witnessed people acting suspiciously in their area and was able to capture a partial license plate, which they reported to the Livermore Police Department. After responding to the call, officers learned that a catalytic converter theft had occurred.
Over the course of a five-month investigation, Livermore PD "developed substantial investigative leads that led them to three different counties and out of California."
As a result, LPD and PPD created a full-time joint task force of six officers dedicated to pursuing catalytic converter thefts.
On October 25, LPD, PPD, the Alameda County Sheriff's Office, Stockton PD, and the California Highway Patrol all served search warrants at three locations in Stockton.
Two suspects were arrested, and authorities recovered 25 catalytic converters along with $91,000 in cash, illegal weapons, and drugs during the search.
On October 26th, Pleasanton and Livermore detectives assisted the Placer County Sheriff's Office and CHP personnel in searching a residence in Elverta, where one suspect was arrested and 15 additional catalytic converters and five stolen vehicles were recovered.
Evidence was also found "showing hundreds of catalytic converters had been dismantled after being dropped at the chop shops."
Once the part is stolen, a middleman typically sells it on the black market, where the price can fluctuate from a couple hundred dollars to more than $1,000.
This investigation is ongoing.
What's Happening? Rio Linda Suffers Two Major Crimes in Two Days
Grant helps CHP Focus on Street Racing and Sideshows

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - The James C. and Rachel M. Votruba Student Union at Northern Kentucky University has been named the favorite building on any college campus in Kentucky based on an online vote conducted by the American Institute of Architects Kentucky.
The competition, which took place this fall, included 170 nominated buildings. Nearly 14,000 votes were cast by 5,000 voters, and the NKU Student Union emerged as the No. 6 Favorite Architecture in the commonwealth. It was voted the No. 1 "institutional" architecture, edging Transylvania University's Old Morrison, Appalshop in Whitesburg and the Gheens Science Hall and Rauch Planetarium in Louisville.
Designed by Omni Architects, the Votruba Student Union established a new focal point for the Highland Heights campus, giving shape to the plaza's westward expansion. When it opened in 2008, the 144,000-square-foot facility was a dramatic addition to the campus architecture. It established a new focal point for campus life, an interior 'main street' which features food courts; a 600-seat ballroom; student organization meeting rooms; multi-purpose activity areas with video games, pool tables and study spaces; and a plaza-level Starbucks.


Stan Lee, the co-creator and ambassador of the Marvel Universe, died this week. From a copyright perspective, Lee's legacy is a complicated mess. Marvel, one of the original comic book publishers introduced over 8,000 characters including those created by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Joe Simon and Steve Ditko. This includes, Iron Man, Spider-Man, Hulk, Blade, Thor, X-Men, Silver Surfer and Fantastic Four.
Jack Kirby and Stan Lee's characters have been famous but the copyright for most of their characters and comics was owned by their employer as a work for hire.
Intellectual Property is typically associated with comic books in two ways, usually involving Trademarks and Copyrights. Copyright typically protects the story, characters, textual and graphical elements of the work. It gives artists the power over the way their artwork is reproduced, display or adapted. Trademarks control the branding elements of comic works and allows Marvel and DC comics to build customer loyalty to the characters through licensing and merchandising of characters. For example, both DC and Marvel have a co-branded right to use the mark SUPER HEROES for use on toys and comic books.
As artists, the creators of the Marvel Characters, including Jack Kirby and Stan Lee have endeared generations of readers and viewers. Their legacy in terms of popular culture is epic. In terms of dollars, the financial success of their characters including Spider Man and Captain America is vast, where Disney has earned almost 20 billion dollars off the Marvel Universe Franchise. However, as artists they have received little financial benefit from their character's success off of their Copyrights and Work for Hire exception has limited their claim to any share in that success.
is the property of the author who created the work of art. Under Copyright law, only the author or those who may have obtained those rights from the author can rightfully claim a copyright to a work.
Based on copyright law, Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Joe Simon and Steve Ditko should be billionaires, right? Unfortunately, no. If a work is made for hire, the employer or other person for whom the work was prepared is the initial owner of the copyright unless both parties involved have signed a written agreement to the contrary.
There is an exception to ownership of Copyrights and work for hire is the exception. Under the Work for hire doctrine, if a work is made for hire, an employer is considered the author even if the artist actually created the work. The employer can be a firm, an organization, or an individual who retains the artist to create the work.
Because most comic book artist were employees, the rights to their comics and characters are owned by their employer which over time became Marvel Comics and DC Comics. Because they were paid as an employee to create characters Copyright law transferred their copyrights to their employer. Therefore, most of the artists lost any right to receive a royalty or payment for use of their characters in the Marvel Movies. Their rights were transferred automatically. You can read more about Copyrights here or if you have any questions about copyrights and works for hire please contact us.
This entry was posted in Copyright Law, Copyright News, Copyrights, Intellectual Property, Intellectual Property Newsletter, Licensing, Trademarks and tagged Copyrights and work for hire. Bookmark the permalink.


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Almost 20 years after his landmark album Somewhere in New Zealand Tonight,
singer/songwriter Glen Moffatt releases his new album Superheroes & Scary Things in Australia and New Zealand in mid-2014.
Featuring 13 songs by Moffatt and his co-writers, Superheroes & Scary Things was recorded in Australia and New Zealand
with contributions from Bill Chambers, Michel Rose, Chet O'Connell and Brendan Radford, among others.
The first single, 'Don't Be Surprised', will be released to Australian country radio as part of the July CRS disc while Moffatt's
best known song 'Somewhere in New Zealand Tonight' is due yet another airing with its inclusion on Sony Music New Zealand's
'Godzone Country: The Very Best of New Zealand Country Music' compilation.
Moffatt has been resident in Brisbane since 2002, playing in bands all over Queensland and northern New South Wales but
mostly raising his three children. With the youngest having turned five, the time was right to get back in the recording studio.
Raised in the seaside Art Deco city of Napier, on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island, Moffatt began writing songs at
the age of 10.
Quitting his job as a newspaper reporter, he moved to Auckland to pursue his musical ambitions and was soon singing in
Red McKelvie's Cajun band Mumbo Gumbo. He also began making his mark in the city with his own country band.
He burst onto the national music scene with his debut album Somewhere in New Zealand Tonight in 1995 and at the following
year's recording industry awards was a finalist in songwriter of the year, a title previously won by such luminary pop writers as Neil Finn,
Dave Dobbyn and Martin Phillipps.
Two more albums followed – A Place To Play in 1998 and If That's What You Want (as the Glen Moffatt Band) in 2001, both
including co-writes with Ritchie Pickett and Arthur Baysting – before Moffatt relocated to Brisbane.
Along with fronting his own band the Tallboys, he was a Star Maker grand finalist in 2003 and was part of the Smokin' Crawdads
line-up that was awarded Queensland Group or Duo of the Year at the inaugural Queensland Country Music Awards in 2010 with their
album Straight to the Pool Room.
As a performer, he has shared the stage with a diverse range of acts from American Cajun star Wayne Toups to Byrds sideman
Earl P. Ball to Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh to Bill Chambers, James Blundell and the Topp Twins.
His songs have been included on albums by Bill Chambers, Michael Muchow, Donna Dean, Ritchie Pickett, Kevin Greaves, Darryl
Apps and Dennis Marsh.
© 2000-2014 Glen Moffatt. All Rights Reserved.
Website by ProductioNZ Ltd


A friend and I decided to go camping in Wales, which perfectly coincided with the passing of the ex-hurricane Bertha! To many this is a bizarre time to choose to go camping, but from a landscape photography perspective, angry weather equals exciting weather.
At the moment I am trying to train myself to only use prime lenses as Fujifilm offers such a wide variety covering lots of helpful focal lengths (the announcement of the XF90mm f2 R and XF16mm f1.4 R being added to the lens roadmap is very exciting). The reason for this is that to me they inspire creativity, using the fixed focal length makes me think more about composition and simply take more time with each picture. However, the thought of changing lenses in high winds and heavy rain atop a cliff wasn't particularly appealing so the ever-camera-bag-present XF18-135mm came into its own. Having previously used a prototype version of the lens on the Farne Islands (see my initial impressions here) this was the first time I had really put the production version through its paces and I have to say it passed with flying colours.
Because I was generally taking landscape photographs I didn't miss the wonderful wide aperture capabilities of prime lenses. The other bonus of using the XF18-135mm was the fast auto focus and probably, more importantly, the weather sealing. Once mounted to the X-T1 the weather resistance system left me with one less thing to think about while battling the hazardous conditions.
I wasn't the only thing out enjoying the powerful winds though, a few fulmar were flying around the cliffs, putting on a very impressive aerial display. This was a great opportunity to try the continuous focus in mirky conditions with a very fast moving subject. Once locked on the keeper rate was very high.
The other very helpful feature of the XF18-135mm lens is the 5-stop image stabilisation which proved very helpful in countering the blustery and often dark conditions.
Going further against my plan to use only prime lenses, the other lens used extensively was the XF10-24mm R OIS on the X-Pro1. Again I went with the practicality and versatility offered by this wide angle zoom lens. Despite this being a zoom, I loved using it at the ultra wide 10mm end to capture as much of the impressive scenes in front of me as possible.
Overall it was a great few days for photography, but before you go off camping in inclement weather, make sure you check with others you drag along, as the X-T1 – XF18-135mm set up is weather resistant and ready for anything, but they might not be so obliging.
Lovely to see some colour Fuji images! I apologise for my countries anarchic weather and I'm glad you returned in one piece.


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text:
McMaster knows all about 'shameful political statements'
Well, this was kind of disgusting:
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster wasn't a supporter of National Walkout Day.
The Republican criticized the event, which involved schools across the Palmetto State and several in Columbia as well as the Midlands. He called it "shameful," and something that was orchestrated by a "left-wing group."
"It appears that these school children, innocent school children, are being used as a tool by left-wing group to further their own agenda," McMaster told ETV….
"This is a tricky move, I believe, by a left-wing group, from the information I've seen, to use these children as a tool to further their own means," McMaster said. "It sounds like a protest to me. It's not a memorial, it's certainly not a prayer service, it's a political statement by a left-wing group and it's shameful."…
Really? What's "shameful" about it? Mind you, I'm not a big believer in walkouts and other kinds of protests. I prefer for people to use their words rather than their feet (because, you know, I'm a word guy). And this is not the place to come to if you want to hear about how much wisdom we can learn from the children if only we'll listen. You know me; I'm an "Alla you kids get offa my lawn" kind of guy, a believer in experience and the perspective that comes with it, the founder of the Grownup Party. I was born a crotchety old man, and thank goodness, I'm finally getting to the age where it doesn't seem out of place.
But I certainly don't doubt the sincerity of these kids. There's a purity in it that experience tends to dilute, or at least temper. They may think and speak as children, but they really mean it.
And yeah, I know Henry means the — shall we use the phrase "outside agitators?" — who he claims put the kids up to it are the "shameful" ones rather than the kids themselves. But I see little indication that the kids have been manipulated. And if they had been, what's "shameful" about persuading kids to stand up and say, "protect us?"
But Henry says that it is shameful, and sure, he's a guy who knows all about doing and saying shameful things. Consider:
This is the guy who was the first statewide elected official in the country to endorse Donald Trump for president, giving him a huge leap forward in viability. And he continues to stay attached at the hip, even as Trump daily demonstrates the madness of that endorsement.
This is the guy who vetoed the gas tax increase, without setting forth any viable alternative for fixing our roads — a contemptible act of political cowardice and opportunism that the lawmakers of his own party had no qualms about rising up and overriding.
This is the guy who's going after sanctuary cities in South Carolina, even though there are no sanctuary cities in South Carolina. Given that inconvenience, which prevents him from going out and pummeling said cities, he's demanded that they prove they're not sanctuary cities.
All pretty shameful, right?
And now, he's the guy impugning the integrity of the student movement against school shootings, calling it "shameful."
Well, he should know…
Rep. Caskey in May on the governor's lack of leadership
Bottom line, Ralph Norman's just not cool
Condon will now have plenty of power for his electric sofa
I miss our two former party chairmen, Matt & Jaime
An open letter to Glenn McConnell
Graham to stand with Haley, call for flag to come down
Benjamin's letter to Haley urging lowering of the flag
Yet another reminder politicians are people
Ol' Henry can't catch a break: Tom Davis hits him from the OTHER side of the roads-bill veto
This entry was posted in Character, Civic virtue, Guns, Henry McMaster, Irony, Protest, Republicans, South Carolina on March 15, 2018 by Brad Warthen.
← Her Majesty got stiffed Henry McMaster's accent is a state treasure and should be preserved in a museum →
40 thoughts on "McMaster knows all about 'shameful political statements'"
Brad Warthen Post author March 15, 2018 at 3:12 pm
By the way, if you follow the link from the words "Grownup Party" above, you'll get to my original column on that subject, from 2008.
In it, you will see me praise an idea Henry McMaster was pushing at the time, as a good example of grownup governance.
I miss the guy who pushed good ideas like that one, before he became so desperate to pander…
bud March 15, 2018 at 4:04 pm
And he's a slumlord.
Richard March 15, 2018 at 4:17 pm
So are 90% of rental property owners. If I had the renters they did, I'd be one too… why put money into a rental house when it's going to be destroyed by the tenant. The worst one I've seen was a guy who was an investment banker, he and his family literally destroyed a friend's house… who'd think a guy who makes over $100,000 a year would live they way they did. They had to tear out all of the carpet, some of the subfloor, paint everything in the house, and still ended up going with a professional cleaning company to get the smell out of the house.
Over on Facebook, I ran across a post on this subject from former Columbia City Council candidate John Adams that begins:
I get exercising your 1st Amendment rights but is it more important for our students to do it in lue of their eductaion? What about those students who don't want to excercise their 1st Amendement Rights with others and would rather learn?…
Kind of makes me wonder what he did as a youth in "lue" of getting his own "eductaion"…
Speaking of "excercise," I need to run out and complete my 10,000 steps for the day. See y'all later…
Barry March 15, 2018 at 5:24 pm
Exercising your first amendment rights at school in a respectful way is part of a great educational experience.
You can bet your booty if these kids were protesting sanctuary cities these right wing ideolouges would be singing their praises. The Republican Party is nothing but a cesspool of nonsense and hypocrisy.
Barry March 15, 2018 at 10:20 pm
Told my wife that tonight.
Doug Ross March 15, 2018 at 10:26 pm
So you both apparently would praise students who participated in a protest against sanctuary cities or a walkout in support of repealing Roe v. Wade (which has been responsible for many, many more deaths than school shootings)?
Just checking to make sure it's only Republicans who are hypocrites.
Barry March 16, 2018 at 8:21 am
I'd gladly and wholeheartedly support my son or other students if they wanted to respectfully protest something they cared about.
I was very impressed with some of the students I heard talking about their reasons for the walkout protest. Not sure I totally agree with any of them but that didn't matter to me.
I can't imagine a circumstance where I would oppose them just because I might disagree with them. I think that is nuts.
Claus2 March 16, 2018 at 3:23 pm
I'm curious, what was gained by this walkout? I know it hasn't changed anything directly in my life has anyone here been impacted by the walk out and will that last with you more than a day or two? I've never understood the whole, walkout, march, rally, sit-in, burn the city down mentality. I've never participated in one, and doubt I ever will.
Yep. I found the Tea Party protests pretty ridiculous but I supported their right to do so. I certainly never said anything as absurd as Henry McMaster. And by the way I'm sure Roe has SAVED lives not cost any. If you don't punish the women who get abortions then you really are just creating more risk to the mothers not fewer abortions. Red Herring for dinner anyone?
Norm Ivey March 16, 2018 at 6:53 am
We had hundreds of kids participate at my school. Pretty impressive. Those who didn't want to participate stayed in their classrooms with their teachers. Most of the 8th graders stood in the hallway totally silent for 17 minutes–a remarkable feat. Others went out to the courtyard and silently walked the perimeter. The most inspiring aspect was seeing those kids who stepped into leadership roles and managed the walkout. I was thankful I was a witness.
Good stuff. Nice to hear.
My 8th grader told me he chose to participate at his school. Same thing from my 11th grader. They both decided while at school. I didn't tell them what to do. We just spoke briefly about the idea behind the walkout.
Brad Warthen Post author March 16, 2018 at 11:23 am
Changing the subject, in reaction to the 17 minutes thing… how long is a "moment?" I've always sorta kinda associated it roughly with a minute (while knowing it's not exactly that), just as I think of an "instant" as being akin to a second.
But how many of you have been at an event in which a "moment of silence" has been called for, and everyone quietly bows their heads — for about 10 seconds (I say "about" because I always forget to time them)>
We used to do it almost weekly at Rotary, usually for a member who has passed away.
And I always think, "Well, that was certainly a cursory tribute…"
"how long is a "moment?""
From my experience about twice as long as it needs to be.
Guy March 16, 2018 at 9:28 am
I wonder where drunkenly "pantsing" a waiter at the Palmetto Club falls on our esteemed Governor's Shame Meter.
Barry March 16, 2018 at 11:06 am
Tell us more. I want to hear this.
He's talking about one of Henry's brothers, who was banned from the club for life…
By the way, we don't have these kinds of incidents at the Capital City Club. Harrumph…
No at the Capitol City Club you just have wait staff finding used condoms in odd places… behind closed doors where the only people in the room are politicians and young female pages. This comes from a guy who works for a catering service that used to work at the Capitol City Club. Don't know if it's true, but I've heard plenty of stories of Legislators and female pages… in their offices, in the back seats of chauffeured state vehicles, etc… to not believe him. Some men over there can't keep their pants zipped to save their life and could give Bill Clinton a run for his money. Some are no longer there… either booted or voted out of office. Some are dead.
Then there are the proud parents of little Susie who they write about in their Christmas letter how she's working at the State House and making all kind of high profile contacts which will help her in her future career.
Anyone who lets their daughter work as a page is a fool.
I worked as a page for 2 years. I didn't seee any of that. I saw some flirting but nothing all crazy.
Would you let a daughter work as a page?
I'm not sure what that salacious anecdote has to do with the Capital City Club. "a catering service that used to work at the Capitol City Club?" Catering services don't do work at the club. By definition, anything at the club is "catered" by the club.
That would take a pretty daring couple. There aren't a lot of dark corners to hide in. Sounds more like the kind of stuff that used to happen at the Townhouse hotel long ago. I don't know where such things go on now. But a place where other people are dining doesn't sound like a good spot for it…
He didn't work for a catering company for the Capitol City Club, he used to work at the Capitol City Club and now works for a catering company. What he described happened at least once during an event held at the Capitol City Club. May have been the Townhouse… I wasn't in an in-depth discussion with the guy.
Does he have any proof… I doubt it? Did it happen, I'd say there was a 50/50 chance of it happening.
Doug Ross March 16, 2018 at 11:23 am
So what happens now? I'm guessing this will be much like the NFL players who knealt during the national anthem. A lot a talk about the protest but no action on the reason for protesting. While it demonstrates awareness of the issue, I'm interested to see just how far the students are willing to go to achieve what they are seeking (do they even really know)?
How many of them would walk out of school for a whole day? a whole week? Are they willing to make an actual sacrifice to achieve their objective? This walkout will be forgotten by Monday if there isn't a next step.
How about canceling prom and putting all the money they would have spent into lobbying efforts? Surely the deaths of students are more important than dancing and drinking?
How about that young angry David Hogg fellow, the one who's seen smiling for pictures at CNN shortly after his classmates were killed and right before he goes on with his scowling face trying to be the face of this protest.
https://www.puppetstringnews.com/blog/florida-shooting-survivors-look-too-happy-today-before-cbs-interview-for-being-survivors
Kids are pretty mercurial. They'll run hot and cold and back again in a skinny minute.
Of course, I know nothing about the person you mention, as I don't watch cable TV "news"…
You're not missing anything other the worldly opinion (scripted on many occasions) of a know-it-all 17 year old spoiled millennial.
A high school student smiling one minute and dour the next: Stop the presses.
Sounds like every 14-17 year old I know- and I know a bunch considering two of my children are in that age group.
Mark Stewart March 17, 2018 at 9:32 am
Puppet String News??? Are you serious?
The blind following the blind; or is it the blind following the trolls?
Did Puppet String News photoshop the photograph? If not, does it matter who posted it online? How about this one?
https://fellowshipofminds.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/parkland-shooting-crisis-actors.jpg
What's the problem?
Anyway, I think what Mark's saying is that he'd like to see more information from actual, professional news organizations rather than from amateurs with an ax to grind. For instance, this link is to a website with the cultish name "Fellowship of the Minds," and runs items with such headlines as "Bombshell: Jerome Corsi says Justice Antonin Scalia was a pedophile, murdered by 13 y.o. boy"…
Some have already sacrificed. Some of the students in Florida appearing on tv to advocate for their positions have received death threats aimed at them and their families.
I would guess that some of these students will likely be motivated to run for office in the next several years, maybe while in college or afterwards.
Canceling prom? I don't see them spending much money. They are taking advantage of the publicity to speak their opinions and voice their concerns. That doesn't take much money. Even if it does, that is their choice.
Some of them already had prom canceled when they died on the floor of their school. No, if there is one thing those students need is prom, and everything else that goes with being a student.
Barry you have to understand something about Doug (if you haven't already figured it out). He conveys cynicism for EVERYTHING with the standard retort that money and pleasure drives every human activity. If these kids want to have prom that proves their motives are impure because they won't sacrifice something of value. Hence they must be ignored.
I know. Thanks.
I have an uncle like that. We pretty much ignore him too.
Ok, so let's see what this symbolic token walkout accomplishes. It was the least they could do. I'm just interested in how many of them are really interested in making a sacrifice rather than being lemmings who just following the crowd. Doesn't have to be money. Will they give up anything besides 17 minutes? If not, I'm not impressed.
No one is trying to impress you. No one cares if you are impressed.
Doug Ross March 17, 2018 at 5:33 pm
Doug, they're children. What do you expect of them?
And for that matter, what action of theirs do you think could be effective?
Members of Congress who want the same things are powerless. What do you think these kids could do, that you are condemning them for failing to do it?…
I expect more than posters and walking around a school if they are truly committed to a cause. Otherwise it's just a waste of time. This was a made for the internet event. What happens next week?
But I'm willing to hear what exactly these children want. I'd be very interested to hear the specifics that go beyond bumper sticker depth. Do they want to discuss how many of their classmates are on prescription drugs that affect their minds? Are they willing to convince their parents to give up THEIR guns? Will all of the 18 year olds vote in primaries and general elections this year? That might be harder than walking around a parking lot.


This e-mail to supporters just in from Sen. John McCain, who appears to have hit the books since his historic drubbing at the polls. Just a year ago, the Arizona Republican admitted to the Wall Street Journal he "doesn't really understand economics," so was deferring to his former Senate colleague, Phil "Nation of Whiners" Gramm, as his expert on the topic. That's right, Phil "Mental Recession" Gramm, who would likely be treasury secretary if McCain had won the election.
Barack Obama's speech in Golden on Tuesday — live-blogged by The Colorado Independent's Naomi Zeveloff — is already getting notice in the national press as signaling a prominent shift from Palin-era distractions to a bare-knuckle fight over the economy.


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text:
Franklin eyes change back to precinct representation
Michael Morton/Daily News staff
FRANKLIN - More than a decade after precincts stopped choosing their own councilors, one member of a new charter review committee is calling for direct representation to make a comeback. The reason? A growing and economically diverse town that he feels might drown out some neighborhood voices.
FRANKLIN - More than a decade after precincts stopped choosing their own councilors, one member of a new charter review committee is calling for direct representation to make a comeback.
The reason? A growing and economically diverse town that he feels might drown out some neighborhood voices.
"You could have a council dominated by one particular community simply by their ability to campaign," said charter member Michael Walker-Jones, chairman of the town's Democratic Committee. "All the sections of the community have to be represented."
Walker-Jones introduced the subject at the first meeting of the charter group, held last week. While the revision process is only in its infancy and no precise council formula has been proposed, Walker-Jones suggested a mix of councilors chosen both by precincts and by all town voters.
"There should be a balance," he said.
The council used to have two representatives from each of the town's six precincts, plus five members chosen by all voters. But the 17-member body was deemed unwieldy by a 1995 charter review commission, leading to nine councilors being elected on a townwide basis.
Looking back, commission Chairman Jim Dacey, who is now the town's treasurer/collector, has wondered if they should have left direct representation somewhat intact, perhaps by combining the precincts into larger districts. Such a move might have insulated the council from total turnover and added stability, since neighborhoods would likely have re-elected incumbents, he said.
"Hindsight is always 20-20," he said.
In its report, the commission wrote that direct representation could be done away with because the precincts were largely uniform in their demographic, social and cultural makeup, meaning they did not have unique interests that needed to be protected. Franklin has grown since then, however, and Walker-Jones said differences in voting have developed between precincts.
"There are certain precincts that always vote for tax referendums," he said for example, versus others that always shoot them down. And while at-large councilors may acknowledge their duty to represent the whole town, Walker-Jones added, they still might have a "tendency to reflect those from which (they) came."
At the time of the last change, in 1995, charter members supported going to an at-large council, Dacey said.
Town Clerk Deborah Pellegri, another member, said there was concern some precincts might not get enough candidates running.
Walker-Jones, however, said there was little danger of that.
"I don't think there's any section of our community where people wouldn't step up," he said.
Franklin now has eight precincts because of its population growth, a figure that could increase during the next national census in 2010. Any changes suggested by the charter committee will first have to be approved by town voters. The next charter meeting is Feb. 13.
So far, members have been given a copy of the 1995 report and been briefed by Pellegri and Town Administrator Jeff Nutting. They will consult the public and likely talk to other town officials.
"I think we've got some work to do," Walker-Jones said.
Michael Morton can be reached at mmorton@cnc.com or 508-634-7582.


History: This species was described from plants collected by A.L. Zhang in 1979 in Bijiang, Yunnan Province, China. Initially, Cribb (Cribb & Tang 1983) raised the possibility that Paph. armeniacum may be a color variant of Paph. delenatii. As more plants became available, Cribb and other taxonomists realized Paph. armeniacum warranted species status.
Paph. armeniacum entered the horticultural trade in large numbers only a few years later. It soon gained a number of awards from orchid societies around the world, including 7 FCCs from the AOS in 4 years. This species has since become common in cultivation and is being artificially propagated. Large numbers of wild-collected plants are also still illegally entering the horticultural trade.
Given the showiness of this species, it is surprising that it remained undescribed for so long.
Etymology: Derived from the name of the apricot tree, Prunus armeniaca (So named because of its supposed origin of Armenia. The fruit trees actually originated from northeastern China). This species was named for the erroneously described apricot color of its flowers. All known examples are yellow.
Distribution: found only in the Nu Shan between the Salween and Mekong Rivers and the Gaoligong Shan west of the Salween.
Braem, G.J., and Guy Chiron. Paphiopedilum. Saint-Genis Laval, France: Tropicalia, 2003.
Cribb, P, Tang, C. The Chinese Species of Paphiopedilum. Orchid Review 91 (1075):160-165, May; 1983.
Cribb, P. The Golden Slipper Orchid - Paphiopedilum armeniacum. Orchid Review 92 (1090):246, Aug; 1984.
Koopowitz, H., and N Hasegawa. "The Status of Paphiopedilum armeniacum." Orchid Digest 48, no. 3 (May/Jun 1984): 95-98.
Perner, H. Cypripediums in China, Part 1: A History of Cypripedium in China. Orchids 75 (10):764-769, Oct; 2006.


San Pietroburgo (SPIEF'16), Italy guest of honor.
Financing firm Mikro Kapital (Gorod Deneg) signed a contract with National Microcredit Institution (ENM) to set up and run a fund to give guarantees to investors in start-ups.
ROME, June 16 (Reuters) – Italian companies signed deals with Russian firms on Thursday at a forum in St Petersburg where Italian organisers expect agreements worth billions of euros.
The Italian Conoscere Eurasia association said five contracts, two memorandums of understanding and two letters of intent were signed. "The potential value of orders with Italy today and tomorrow will be a few billion euros in total," it said in a statement.
The European Union imposed sanctions after Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in March 2014 and stepped them up as the Kremlin backed rebels in eastern Ukraine. However, the sanctions apply mainly to some Russian banks and oil companies.
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker defended his decision to attend the St Petersburg forum, saying it was common sense to talk despite lingering tensions.
Italian companies in the construction, start-up financing, energy, electricity technology and infrastructure sectors signed Thursday's deals. No value was given for any of them.
Memorandums of understanding were signed between builder Salini Impregilo and Russia's Rosavtodor to develop road infrastructure, and between building firm Pizzarotti and the North Caucasus Development Corporation. Italian cable maker Prysmian agreed to supply Russian power generation firm Rosseti with extra-high voltage cables produced at its Russian plant at Rybinsk, Prysmian chief executive Cesare Biggiogera told Reuters by phone from Russia. "There is no exact figure attached to the agreement, but we can expect around 50 million euros ($56 million) additional (annual) revenues thanks to today's accord," Biggiogera said.
Rosseti also signed up with Italian firm CESI to set up a development and testing centre for electrical technology. Tesmec agreed to provide Rosseti with technology for electricity lines.


text:
Q: Pine Script - Dynamic History Referencing Let's say I have a barssince() script telling me how many bars ago something happened, I then want to know how many trades have occurred since this, so I use strategy.closedtrades[]... how do I make the history reference read the output of barssince?

A: If you are using barssince() it means you can detect the reset condition when it occurs, so will be simpler to keep a counter "manually" like this, resetting it to zero when the reset condition occurs.
Note that change() requires evaluation on every bar to return the correct result. That's the reason we pre-evaluate it before entry into the ternary:
resetCond = rising(close, 20)
var tradesSince = 0
newTrade = change(strategy.closedtrades)
tradesSince := resetCond ? 0 : newTrade ? tradesSince + 1 : tradesSince

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


What Is The Transit Number?
When you are sending money, you may need a routing number, or what is known as a transit number. What Is The Transit Number?
Learn where to find your business's bank transit number on a cheque, what it is, and why you need it in order to make and receive wire transfers.
The post Auto loans: credit unions vs. banks appeared first on TruMark Financial Credit Union.
Have questions about where to find the routing and/or transfer number on your checks? Visit our FAQs page to find out.


text:
Air Products Celebrates Texas Carbon Capture Demonstration Project Achievement
News ReleaseAir Products Celebrates Texas Carbon Capture Demonstration Project Achievement
Captured CO2 Increases U.S. Natural Resource Output at Enhanced Oil Recovery Operation
May 10, 2013 Lehigh Valley, Pa.
Air Products (NYSE: APD) today celebrated the successful operation of a United States Department of Energy (DOE) Demonstration Project that will capture approximately one million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) in an enhanced oil recovery project in which DOE anticipates an additional estimated 1.6-3.1 million barrels of oil to be produced annually from the CO2 injection. This unprecedented achievement comes by way of an Air Products innovative technology, is the first-of-its-kind operating at such a large scale, and has not been accomplished anywhere else in the United States.
Described by the DOE as a milestone in its Industrial Carbon Capture and Storage (ICCS) program, Air Products' carbon capture project in Port Arthur, Texas recovers and purifies the CO2, all of which is then transported in its gaseous state by Air Products via a pipeline owned by Denbury Green Pipeline-Texas, LLC for injection into the Denbury Onshore operated West Hastings Unit, an enhanced oil recovery project in Texas.
"Air Products is very proud to celebrate this Demonstration Project's success. When you define projects that could be a model of sustainability, it doesn't get much better than this effort in taking a vented greenhouse gas and capturing it, cleaning it up, and sequestering it in the process of increasing the output of a valuable domestic natural resource like crude oil," said Jeff Byrne, vice president and general manager – Tonnage Gases at Air Products.
"We have worked hard to build our reputation for successfully executing large scale industrial projects and bringing them onstream, on time and budget. We did just that, here at Port Arthur, using a new patent-protected technology that we developed. At the same time, this novel and technology-leading Demonstration Project would not have been achievable without the support and involvement of DOE," he said.
Air Products designed, constructed, and is now operating the state-of-the-art system to capture CO2 from its steam methane reformers (SMR) located within the Valero Port Arthur Refinery. The CO2 removal technology was retrofitted to the SMRs, which produce hydrogen to assist in the making of cleaner burning transportation fuels by refinery customers on Air Products' Gulf Coast hydrogen pipeline network. Hydrogen is widely used in petroleum refining processes to remove impurities found in crude oil such as sulfur, olefins and aromatics to meet product fuels specifications.
Incidentally, Air Products' Gulf Coast hydrogen plant and pipeline supply network is the world's largest system of its kind. The pipeline stretches from the Houston Ship Channel in Texas to New Orleans, Louisiana. The 600-mile pipeline span is fed by over 20 Air Products' hydrogen production facilities and provides over 1.2 billion cubic feet of hydrogen per day to refinery and petrochemical customers.
DOE had previously stated that, "This event marks a milestone in DOE's ICCS program: progressing beyond research and development to a demonstration scale that can be readily replicated and deployed into commercial practice within the industry. Goals of the ICCS program are to mitigate climate change through carbon capture, utilization and storage; create jobs; and position the United States as a world leader in carbon-capture technologies."
DOE provided a significant portion of the funding (66%) for the over $400 million project. In June 2010, Air Products was selected to receive $253 million in funding from DOE through the National Energy Technology Laboratory under the ICCS Program, which is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for this project. It later received an additional $30 million from DOE through the ARRA for final engineering, design, construction, and project operation through September 2015. Air Products' project was the only industrial gas company led undertaking selected by DOE, and one of only three projects receiving additional funding towards a commercial demonstration project.
The DOE has estimated that Air Products' Port Arthur Project will assist in the recovery of 1.6-3.1 million additional barrels of domestic oil annually. DOE has stated that when an oil well begins "playing out," not enough oil is pumped to make it worthwhile to continue using the well, and the well is closed or "shut-in," even though much of the original oil in the field remains in the formation. Several methods of enhanced oil recovery have been developed to recover this remaining oil, including pumping CO2 down to the oil reservoir. A primary purpose of the DOE project is, however, the monitoring, verification, and accounting program to ensure that the injected CO2 remains underground, safely and permanently trapped in the same geologic formation that confined the oil brought to the surface in the demonstration.
Air Products has also worked on several carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) projects around the world for the power market. These projects include:
The world's first full demonstration of oxyfuel CCS with Vattenfall AB, one of Europe's leading energy companies. Air Products installed its proprietary CO2 capture, purification, and compression system at Vattenfall's facility in Schwarze Pumpe, Germany, viewed globally as the preeminent CO2 oxyfuel project.
In collaboration with the Alberta Energy Research Institute, a study focused on advanced CO2 capture technology for use with gasification.
In cooperation with DOE, Air Products designed and constructed a CO2 purification system in support of oxyfuel technology development at a boiler-simulation facility in Connecticut.
Air Products demonstrated oxyfuel sour compression technology in work by Imperial College London with flue gas from a 160 kilowatt coal-fired combustion installation at Doosan Babcock's facility in Scotland, as part of the Oxycoal-UK Project.
Details on Air Products' CO2 purification technologies can be found at www.airproducts.com/microsite/carbon_capture/index.asp.
Additional details on Air Products' expertise in hydrogen production and supply can be found at www.airproducts.com/microsite/h2-pipeline.
Air Products (NYSE:APD) provides atmospheric, process and specialty gases; performance materials; equipment; and technology. For over 70 years, the company has enabled customers to become more productive, energy efficient and sustainable. More than 20,000 employees in over 50 countries supply innovative solutions to the energy, environment and emerging markets. These include semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, coal gasification, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. In fiscal 2012, Air Products had sales approaching $10 billion. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com.
NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on management's reasonable expectations and assumptions as of the date of this release regarding important risk factors. Actual performance and financial results may differ materially from projections and estimates expressed in the forward-looking statements because of many factors not anticipated by management, including risk factors described in the Company's Form 10K for its fiscal year ended September 30, 2012.
(DOE)
Jenny Hakun
FE Office of Communications
(Denbury)
Air Products' Carbon Capture Facility
Click on photo to view and download.


text:
Q: C# Call an object from concatenated text I was trying to call multiple labels with multiple names from a for loop, but the thing is that i dont want to use the "foreach" to loop trough all the controls.
I want to make a direct reference to it, for example :
for(ai = 2; ai < 11 ; ai ++)
{
    this.Controls("label" + ai).Text = "SomeRandomText";
}

How can i do this?
I already tried to find this question on the net, but all i find are answers with "foreach" loops.
Thanks!!

A: Here is a solution that is not dependent on the control's name so you are free to change the name of the label at any point in time without breaking your code.
foreach (var control in this.Controls)
{
    if (control is Label)
    {
        int index;
        if (control.Tag != null && int.TryParse(control.Tag.ToString(), out index) && index >= 2 && index < 11)
        {
            ((Label)control).Text = "SomeRandomText";
        }
    }
}

Then, all you need to do is assign a value between 2 and 11 to each control's Tag property that you want updated. You can set this property through code or set the property in the designer.
You are also free to change the values of the Tag property as you see fit. Just make sure the index checks in the code line up with the tag values you choose!

A: Assuming that your labels are named "lable2" through "label10", then you can do it like this:
for(int ai = 2; ai < 11 ; ai++)
{
    this.Controls["label" + ai].Text = "SomeRandomText";
}