"You're one of my best friends," Teresa Giudice tells Jacqueline Laurita, then amends: "Actually, you're my best friend." Teresa Giudice is the kind of person who would say this to anyone when she thinks it'll manipulate them into doing or feeling something, which is arguably the worst kind of person there is. Beneath her many Matryoshka-doll-style layers of denial and use of Italian "old-schoolery" as an excuse for various transgressions, Teresa Giudice knows exactly what the fuck's up.

Bankruptcy be damned, Joe "'Roid" Giudice is busy ripping out concrete around the backyard, planning to build a garage (with a chandelier in it) and a house expansion. They plan on housing Tre's parents in this new hutch, which upsets Joe Gorga. The Giudice kids peer into the hole ripped into the ground by their father. "Look, frogs!" cries Milania. "Those frogs are gonna be dead," mutters Joe. This is like the beginning ofFern Gully.

Caroline throws some judgmental side-eye when Lauren orders the fruit cup (God forbid) instead of snorting egg whites or whatever every time her body requires actual sustenance. Lauren defends herself, and, amid the sea of putdowns and condescension that Lauren's had to put up with her whole life, Caroline gives her a rare nugget of image-positive understanding along the lines of: be happy, be healthy, be yourself. Then she calls Lauren a "chunk-a-munk." Jesus. Two steps forward, one step back. Also, if Albie and Chris are "the good-looking ones" anywhere besides hell or the DMV, I will eat my own hand.

Jacqueline Skypes with Ashley's dad, who looks exactly like every other man on this show. Surprise! Their little bundle of joy (and extensions, dyed ombr with Nyquil) is causing the same old problems and he's kicking her the fuck out. Jacqueline, who seems to have expected this for some time, slurps her Bailey's-spiked coffee with chagrin. Will Ashley be returning to Franklin Lakes?

Albie, Chris, Greg, and Lauren lie around on the leather sofas that doubtlessly fell off the backs of trucks, waiting out a dreary rainstorm in Hoboken, and order a big fucking pizza that Lauren barely looks at. She goes straight for her pepperoni-covered salad. The boys, devouring "heart attack in a bun" calzones, continue to bust poor Lauren's balls about her diet. "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels," she sighs. "At least, that's what I tell myself." Because a mantra coined by Kate Moss is bound to be healthy, amirite? AMIRITE, LADIES? As they chow down, they wonder about the whereabouts of Big Mama Manzo. "Has she tweeted yet? That's how you know she's alive." (Sample tweet, recited sardonically by Lauren: Good Morning Sunshine! let a smile be your style today :)") They check if she's alive by calling her, waiting for her to say "Hello," and hanging up.

Aside from instigating ratings-raising fights, it is a complete mystery to me why the Wives continue following Tre's various tabloid exploits, since they clearly upset everyone and mean virtually nothing in the scheme of things. This week's rags report that Tre withheld $250,000 advance for her cookbook and, like Joe Giudice, might spend some time in the clink. Jacqueline is reaching the end of her rope (which, thanks to Ashley, we know is long enough to circle the Earth twice) with Tre's tabloid exploits because she lies to everyone's face about them.

Prison has no tanning beds, so Joe and Tre would not like prison. They meet with their lawyer James Kridel to discuss their options. "I guess God puts you through tests in life, and if anything, this bankruptcy made us stronger," Tre tellsProfessional Attorney Whose Bookshelves of Law Tomes in the Background Are Definitely Not Made of CardboardJames Kridel. He does not even rearrange his face to reflect that he's listening to her. (Fucks Given: 0.)

Kathy and Melissa are thick as thieves. While their husbands are off at the Yankees game, they talk about the newest tabloid (of course), but, to be honest, it's sort of unclear why everyone is so pissed this time. For once, Tre's not slamming the other women only building additions to her house while juxtaposing rumors of bankruptcy and prison to the gossip rags. I hate to say it, but I sort of understand where Tre's coming from this week (I know). She's not hurting anyone this time, and the women mostly seem fixated about how the Giudices' wanton spending and lifestyle is "wrong" or "inappropriate," and it's kind of judgmental to gang up on people about how they spend their money. Not that Tre isn't a catty, backstabbing, manipulative crazy person every single episode, of course.

Kathy refers to herself as "a ping-pong ball of emotions."

Concerned, Jacqueline confronts Teresa about the possibility of going to prison, and she flatly denies anything. "I'll give you my attorney's number," she says. "I want to hear it from you!" cries Jacqueline, frustrated, but there's no getting through to Teresa especially on the subjects of (a) Joe Giudice and (b) money, which are inexorably linked at this point. The additions to the house are brought up, and Tre passive-aggressively downplays them("No closet"), but loses the tiny scrap of credibility she may have had in this argument riiiiight about here: "I don't sell articles to the press."

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The Real Housewives of NJ Recap: Hekyll and Jive

Bids for another phase of renovations to the Prairie Capital Convention Center will be opened June 28.

That third phase, expected to cost $2 million to $2.5 million, will include concession stand demolition and rebuilding on the main floor; demolition of mezzanine-level bathrooms to be replaced by larger ones; addition of wheelchair seating areas on the mezzanine; and some electrical and water pipe work.

Brian Oaks, general manager of the building, said the work will also include significant painting on the main floor, to replace all the blue and raspberry around for years with more neutral tones.

Bidding contractors will be asked for a base price for much of the work, but also separate estimates for three additional elements that can be included in the third phase. One is to polish the main floor concrete, which Oaks said would be an advanced selling point for convention business. The other optional elements are to install enhanced flooring in new concession areas and to update all four, instead of just two, mezzanine bathroom areas.

The full cost of the renovation is expected to be $16.2 million, including $5 million from the city of Springfields tax-increment financing fund; $4 million the center has received from the state; and $5.2 million in bonds already sold by the center. The rest of the funding could come from more bond sales or sponsorships that could include naming rights.

Outside work

While work has been progressing for nearly a year, Oaks noted that most of it has been inside the building. But now workers are expanding the driveway and loading-dock area along Ninth Street to create more room for additional buses or service personnel. Concrete pillars there will get a brick faade, and along with iron fencing, will provide better security. Some landscaping will also be added.

We want to make that side of the facility more attractive, he said.

Major work that the public will notice is expected to come in a fourth phase that should start in October. It will take more than a year and will include a major expansion of the lobby, additions of main hall bathrooms, completion of lower-level meeting room updates, and construction of north and south food courts.

That phase, Oaks said, will create the biggest headaches in working around events

Excerpt from:
Bids to be opened June 28 for more work at PCCC

MANCHESTER, N.H., June 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --In an ambitious drive to reach zero manufacturing waste in its North American facilities, Freudenberg North America's 16 companies will increasingly pursue industrial processes that focus on recycled product content, plant recycling, lower water and energy consumption and increased use of sustainable materials over the next decade.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120618/DE25530 )

The companies were challenged to reach this objective by parent corporation, Freudenberg and Co., during a recent internal Global Innovation Forum on raw materials and innovation. The two-day event, annually conducted and simultaneously video-cast from locations in Germany, Brazil, the United States, China and Japan, allowed Freudenberg's global contingent of scientists, chemists and other technical specialists to review green projects, share best practices and participate in critical discussions about ongoing environmental issues.

The impact that global megatrends such as population growth, global warming and an increasing scarcity of resources is having on Freudenberg's business and innovations and how the corporation will respond was central to the Global Innovation Forum.

"In the past, we have successfully issued challenges to our manufacturing facilities to achieve zero defects and zero accidents," said Dr. Martin Stark, a member of the Freudenberg and Co. Management Board. "We are now issuing a challenge to achieve zero manufacturing waste. The trends driving our business today mandate this kind of response if we are to maintain long-term growth and profitability."

In North America, Freudenberg companies provide products and services as diverse as consumer cleaning products; medical devices; seals and gaskets for the transportation and construction industries; industrial components for the energy and oil and gas industries; nonwoven filters and materials; information technology outsourcing; and specialty lubricants and release agents. All of the companies are engaged in implementing processes and programs that will improve the environmental sustainability of their products and plants, said Leesa Smith, president, Freudenberg North America Limited Partnership.

"Freudenberg's North America companies are committed to developing the highest quality products available in manufacturing facilities that protect people, communities and the environment," Smith said. "Freudenberg has a 160-year history of conducting its business with integrity and a commitment to the welfare of its plant communities. The confluence of new environmental challenges and this long-standing corporate culture is pushing our people to develop green industrial innovations that will help solidify our success and the health of our communities into the next century."

Among the environmental initiatives that Freudenberg North America companies are pursuing:

About Freudenberg North America Limited Partnership

Freudenberg North America Limited Partnership, the North American holding company for Freudenberg & Co. of Weinheim, Germany, owns a family of companies that operate 15 unique businesses. Together, these companies provide innovative products and solutions to customers in industries ranging from automotive, aerospace and medical to chemical, oil and gas and construction. Freudenberg North America companies develop and manufacture custom-engineered seals, vibration control technology, filters, nonwovens, release agents, lubricants, expansion joints, household products, and IT software and services.

Continue reading here:
Freudenberg North America Companies Target Zero Manufacturing Waste in Push to Improve Sustainability

BEIJING, June 17, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The following is a roundup of the top news stories from China PRnews, Local Partner of NASDAQ OMX Group in China.

2012-6-11 [Source: Far East Group]

Fast East Was Praised in the Quality Brand Conference for Enterprises Held in Yixing

June 2, 2012, the quality brand conference was held in Yixing, Jiangsu. The conference focused on the deploy quality of enterprises for the tasks of the 12th Five-Year Plan. Lijun Zhang and Zhongping Zhou, the Government leaders attended the conference. Raoyu Liu, the chief engineer of Far East cable delegated for the company. During the conference, the government leaders praised Far East group for winning the national quality award and reward it of 500,000 RMB.

Full-text story in Chinese is available at http://www.prnews.cn/press_release/48268.htm

2012-6-11 [Source: NVC-Lighting]

NVC Released a New LED Lighting Product

NVC published new products of high-end LED indoor lighting series, including a LED Bulb with 320 degrees light distribution angle and E27 lamp holder. The product has exactly the same distribution angle as the incandescent bulbs, which is a great improvement compared with former LED products.

Full-text story in Chinese is available at http://www.prnews.cn/press_release/48270.htm

2012-6-11 [Source: Meling]

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Top News Headlines of the Week (June 11 - June 15, 2012) From China PRnews

OKLAHOMA CITY, June 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- "When storm damage hits, it's easy to be lured in by the money-saving promises that many 'storm chasers' offer. We show homeowners the benefit of using a licensed contractor who can guarantee their work and walk them through the insurance claim process from start to finish," says Matt Woods, President of American Roofing & Exteriors.

When severe hail storms ripped through the Oklahoma City area on May 29, 2012, many of the residents were left, not only with the worry of the uncertain damage that occurred to their homes, but also the looming fear of tackling the insurance claim process.

So far this year, American Roofing & Exteriors has helped hundreds of families repair damage from recent storms. While doing so they helped build understanding among homeowners about the insurance claim process, the amount of time allowed to file a claim after the damage has taken place and, perhaps most importantly, how the homeowners should expect to be paid by the insurance for their claim.

Along with extensive hail damage, storms tend to bring with them an abundance of "storm chasers" from out of state -- contractors who are either unlicensed or misrepresenting themselves as a local contractor and leaving homeowners with no long-term guarantee once the work is finished. "We stress to our customers the importance of using a licensed contractor. In states that require a license, anyone can find out if a contractor is licensed by checking their state's website. Whoever you select, it should be a contractor that can not only guarantee their work, but one that makes themselves available for any concerns you have once the work is complete," explains Matt Woods, President of American Roofing & Exteriors.

For repairs on your property from storm damage or for more information on the insurance claim process, homeowners are urged to call American Roofing & Exteriors at 405-235-7663 or 1-800-766-3161 immediately, or visit http://www.americanroofingandexteriors.com.

American Roofing & Exteriors is a general contractor specializing in roofing, siding, gutters and storm damage restoration.

Contact: Doug Pratt (314) 606-3577 dpratt@arei.us

This press release was issued through eReleases Press Release Distribution. For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com.

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Oklahoma City Roofer, American Roofing & Exteriors, Steps Up to Help Residents Weather May 29th Storm

Peachtree City will spend up to $74,000 to design renovations for the former recreation administration building which is being repurposed for senior citizen activities.

The catch is that the preliminary price tag for construction is $553,000. One of the big reasons for the high cost is that the buildings use is going from an office type occupancy to an assembly occupancy.

Since the building will need to handle the weight load of more people at one time than its original design, it will need structural upgrades such as additional flooring support and a new sprinkler system, according to city staff. Those costs alone account for nearly $200,000 of the total.

Other renovations including some demolition, new walls, ceilings, electrical and replacement of the 16-year-old heating and cooling system will cost an estimated $184,000 of the total.

Yet another $114,000 was initially planned for a proposed drive-under canopy, though Community Services Director Jon Rorie told the City Council Thursday that could be downsized in cost significantly, perhaps being accomplished for about 30 percent of that figure.

The project, if ultimately approved for construction, would be paid for with revenues from a $3 million facilities bond issued by the city to pay for facility repairs and upgrades. Council approved the design plans unanimously at its June 7 council meeting.

The city needs the design plans before a final decision can be made on the project.

The cost estimates were provided by the citys consulting engineering firm, Pond and Company, which will also perform the design work proposed by city staff.

Rorie told council last week that it will take eight to 10 weeks to get the design going, which means construction will likely be pushed to the winter months. That will work out well with the schedule for other improvements in the area to the sewer line and amphitheater upgrades as well, Rorie noted.

Councilwoman Vanessa Fleisch noted that the cost will end up being around $68 a square foot, which is cheaper than the cost of $226 a square foot proposed several years ago for an expansion of The Gathering Place.

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$74K earmarked for rec building remodel; total cost originally estimated at $553K

A downtown building once used by the former Wachovia Corp. for operations is on target for conversion into a new Forsyth County Sheriff's Office early next year.

Known for years as the Phillips Building, the six-story structure on Church Street, directly east of the Winston Tower, will bring together scattered law enforcement offices and provide space for an emergency operations center, and perhaps an expansion of the county jail, in the event of some future need.

"This is sorely needed," Sheriff Bill Schatzman said on a recent tour of the building. "It is an important milestone for the county. This building will not only serve the Sheriff's Office way out into the future, but there are also many opportunities to serve the county in the future."

The Sheriff's Office and emergency operations center will occupy only two floors of the building. The rest is an empty shell for now but has four floors of potential space for future use.

Glenn Wise, the project manager for general contractor New Atlantic Contracting Inc., said that the building is essentially new on the inside. And because the occupied spaces are for law enforcement, many spaces in the building require more than the average grade of construction material.

"We replaced all the windows, and there is a new roof," Wise said. New air conditioning and heating systems are more energy-efficient, he said, and the building has enough generator capacity to keep running in an emergency.

In places where officers would be under potential threat from someone who might come inside the building with a gun, bullet-resistant gypsum wallboard is in place. Interrogation cells will have steel reinforcement in the walls, making escape impossible.

The county has been eyeing the Phillips Building for county offices since 2007, when county officials considered whether it could serve as a new court building.

By the next year, a new plan had emerged: Convert most of the building into additional jail cells, leaving room for the Sheriff's Office.

The potential for using the building as a jail expansion is still there, said Ed Jones, the deputy county manager. The upper floors could be linked to the detention center with a skyway spanning Third Street to the south.

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Work progressing on Phillips Building, future home of Forsyth sheriff's office

The Black Hills Community Loan Fund is offering a free financial literacy class, Building Wisdom and Wealth. The class will be offered in three parts, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays June 19, June 26 and July 3, in Room 337 of National American University's new campus location located at 5301 S. Highway 16, Rapid City.

The class will use the Credit When Credit is Due curriculum.

Graduates will be registered in a national database and will receive a card identifying them as a graduate of this nationally recognized credit education course. For information or to register call 716-1274.

Main Street Square honored for design

Main Street Square won the Healthy Communities for All Urban Plazas Award from the International Making Cities Livable Board and Awards Committee, which commented, Much careful and creative thought has been brought to bear on the conceptualization and realization of this small, almost jewel-like square.

The square was designed by Deane Rundell of Rundell Ernstberger Associates of Indiana, with survey, planning, architectural, civil engineering and landscape architectural services by FourFront Design of Rapid City.

Learn tips for buying a home

NeighborWorks Dakota Home Resources will hold homebuyer education classes from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 19 and Thursday, June 21 at the Belle Fourche Chamber of Commerce, 415 Fifth Ave.

The class covers the homebuying process including insurance, budgets, credit, appraisals, financing, home inspections, and working with a Realtor. To register, call 578-1401.

Strider partners with childrens foundation

Originally posted here:
BUSINESS BRIEFCASE: Class teaches financial literacy

Walter Honor stood outside the West Ninth Street home he rents out and surveyed damage from Sundays fire.

Just before meeting with a restoration company representative, Honor said he rented three apartments in the home at 181 W. Ninth St.

Thank God no people were hurt, he said.

Four cats died in the fire, said Holland Fire Chief Chris Tinney. The cause of the blaze, which kept firefighters on scene for five hours, remains under investigation, Tinney said. Estimated damages were not available but the home is not habitable at this time.

The house was completely up to code, with smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, Honor said. But the Holland resident said Sundays disaster had a silver lining.

Because of the quick action of my neighbor and the Holland firefighters and police officers, its not worse, said Honor, who owns several properties in the city. Kudos to the police and firefighters theyre top drawer. We dont need to cut those jobs.

Holland Township and Zeeland firefighters aided at the scene while Holland police officers shut down a block of West Ninth Street for the safety of firefighters and the public. Other help came from AMR Ambulance, American Red Cross workers and Holland Public Safetys victim services unit.

Continued here:
UPDATE: Holland home burns

You know, somewhere deep down inside of me, I thought, "A homecoming is exactly what Tim Lincecum needs to turn things around." The San Francisco Giants had been hitting the ball better and playing better defense; perhaps they would yield enough support for Lincecum in his return to Seattle, WA on June 16. And for a moment, it looked as if the Giants' 4-2 lead would hold up, but alas it did not.

Regardless, the start was supposed to be the one where Lincecum could rebound in an environment he was most comfortable in. It was supposed to be the fix of all fixes and in the end Lincecum would have returned to his normal self.

If I measured Lincecum's start against the Seattle Mariners from the beginning of the second inning to the end of the fourth, then I could say he did a fantastic job. But unfortunately, I have to throw in the first, fifth, and part of the sixth inning to complete the entire story; a story that was not a happy homecoming.

Lincecum was probably very happy to be home and have a chance to turn things around in a setting that was comfortable for him. He stated that there weren't any extra nerves or anything of the sort; it apparently was just a case of what has happened to Lincecum during his struggles this season.

As far as I'm concerned, if you haven't started to panic about Lincecum yet, now would be an appropriate time to do so. While it seems he should be on the rise and looking to redeem his season so far, the only things that are rising are his ERA (6.19), runs allowed (53) - after allowing just 66 all of last season - and his losses (8). Lincecum is also used to being at the head of the pack when it comes to leading the league in categories, something that he still does; just not in a positive way anymore. In the three rising categories, Lincecum leads the league in each.

Again, I'm not sure what it is about Lincecum that needs to be corrected, but I think that skipping his next start is going to be the best option the Giants have at this point. He's getting inside of his own head or there is a mechanical flaw that appears in select innings - I'm not sure which is more feasible at this point. Whatever it is though, some extra time to work through it may do wonders for Lincecum.

Food for thought: Is Lincecum missing a start an option in your mind to give him some extra time to work through things mechanically? Or is Lincecum's issue a mental one that he needs to be worked through during games? (Just to give you some background, when Lincecum pitches this year, the Giants are 2-12.)

David is co-founder of wrapupp sports blog where fresh content is posted daily and present sports blogs and sports opinions - all with a West Coast bias. Growing up in the Bay Area, David is a huge supporter of all the local sports teams; the Giants, Athletics, Warriors, Sharks, 49ers, and Raiders. His one fault, admittedly, as many of his friends and family would say, is his love for the Los Angeles Lakers. Growing up, Magic Johnson was his favorite basketball player and he fell in love with the team. He chalks it up to, "Not knowing any better". Now his love for sports has turned just as academic as it is intuitive and he follows most all sports all over the nation.

You can follow David on Twitter: @officialwrapupp

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Originally posted here:
San Francisco Giants’ Tim Lincecum Falters in Homecoming: Fan Reaction