"Our greatest lack is not money for any
undertaking, but rather ideas.
If the ideas are good, cash will somehow flow
to where it is needed."
Author: Robert Schuller
New risk-assessment tools expand on Army Corps Katrina report
Forensic scientists are planning new risk-assessment tools designed to expand on
a report issued in June by the Army Corps of Engineers in response to Hurricane
Katrina. The new tools will address risk and reliability of the flood protection
system in New Orleans before Katrina and be used to help find ways to reduce
damage in the future.
Engineering News-Record
"Don't look at yourself through
someone else's eyes.
Chances are,
you'll lose sight of who you really are."
Author: Sheryl Vance
Rejection of cable bid could cause more delays for Bay Bridge project
The
$5.5 billion Bay Bridge project in San Francisco could face delays of up to a
year due to the rejection of a "shockingly" high bid of $13.1 million to replace
and relocate Treasure Island's power cable. The job was estimated at $6.6
million and Caltrans is now forced to rewrite the contract for the project
before mid-2008.
The Mercury News
Panama voters approve $5.25 billion canal expansion
Voters in Panama have overwhelmingly approved an expansive overhaul to the
Panama Canal. The $5.25 billion plan will involve constructing a new set of
locks in order to add a new lane of traffic along the existing canal.
Engineering News-Record
"The only way to fully
understand something is to teach it to someone who doesn't."
Author Unknown
Harrah's Biloxi construction plans stall
One
of six states proposing a minimum wage increase this year, Missouri is
considering raising the rate to $6.50 and linking it to inflation. Supporters
claim the current rate is outdated and unlivable, opponents say the change would
lead to fewer jobs and lower salaries for experienced employees, and both sides
argue about who earns the minimum wage.
STLtoday.com
Prepare equipment for winter's tough conditions
Equipment operators should make efforts in the fall to prepare their machines
for tougher conditions that can be expected in winter. Companies should take
precautions such as adding fuel stabilizer to gas tanks on equipment and
inspections should be scheduled before storing small equipment for the season.
FacilitiesNet
Report: Some cities unprepared for evacuation
In a
report card of how well U.S. cities can evacuate before or after a major
disaster, as many as 20 cities received a grade of "F". The report, from the
American Highway Users Alliance, blamed poor grades on factors including the
number of major highways out of a city and whether a city is partially hemmed in
by water or mountains.
USA TODAY
A group of alumni, highly
established in their careers, got together to visit their old university
professor. The conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and
in life. Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and
returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups - porcelain,
plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite -
telling them to help themselves to the coffee.
When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said:
"If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving
behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the
best for yourselves,
that is the source of your problems and stress.
"What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went
for the best cups and were eyeing each other's cups.
"Now consider this: Life is the coffee and the jobs, money and position in
society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, and do not
change the quality of Life. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail
to enjoy the coffee God has provided.
"So, don't let the cups drive you ... enjoy
the coffee instead."
Author Unknown
Twisted,
curved buildings set new trends in style, cost
Happy
Thanksgiving 
New State Application Information!
Please Note
the following deadlines to register for the exam: December: November 17, 
Investigators: Simple measures could have prevented scaffold accident
term is the indispensable prerequisite for success."
Dueling sides debate minimum wage increase
Designers
take a swing at golf course renovation and new building slows
