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From the Dallas News
Ralph Hawkins, the head of one of the world's largest architectural design firms, has worked on and supervised about $40 billion in commercial construction in Dallas and around the world. His company, HKS, has committed to support the 2030 Challenge, a program to reduce energy usage by 50 percent in all new buildings and in large renovations. And the program proposes to reduce energy consumption by an additional 10 percent every five years, with the goal of constructing carbon-neutral buildings by the year 2030.
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That means when Mr. Hawkins and his colleagues design new buildings, they propose to clients like Jerry Jones, president of the Dallas Cowboys football club, that they take significant and costly steps to reduce the building's energy usage.
So naturally when he and his wife, Susan, decided to build a new home in Bluffview to be closer to their granddaughter, Mr. Hawkins wanted to go beyond just advising clients to spend the extra money to create green buildings. He decided they would build the greenest house they could afford, even it cost more. In this case about 5 percent more.
"It's being responsible," he says. "I wanted us to walk the talk."
Ms. Hawkins found the 1.6-acre lot, which had live oaks, pecans and elms. But the house needed a significant amount of work – too much to remodel and still qualify as green-built. So Mr. Hawkins and Stephen Chambers, a former HKS colleague who designs houses, began sketching out a residence that would meet all of the Hawkins' needs and be about 65 percent more energy efficient than their previous house in Las Colinas.
Mr. Hawkins, whose firm is designing the Palazzo, the world's largest green hotel and casino, applied to his home much of what he has learned while building green commercial buildings, hospitals and hotels. For the next year, mostly while on airplanes visiting clients, he used computer modeling software to determine ways and find products to cut energy costs.
They situated the house at a slight angle to the street to minimize the impact of the summer sun and to maximize the winter sun. He kept the trees to shade the house and added deeper eaves on the southern and western sides. The home's walls are 6 inches thick, and Mr. Hawkins, a third-generation Texan, chose to use Texas limestone to better absorb heat in the winter.
He placed air ducts under the flooring – rather than the warmer attic – to keep them in a cool space. A primary focus was lighting. Mr. Hawkins likes to point out that he has learned from his commercial work that lighting in buildings uses more energy than all transportation – cars, planes, trains and buses – combined. "Reduction of light use was a huge thing," he says.
So on each corner of the house, he installed floor-to-ceiling windows to allow natural light inside. During the day, they rarely have to turn on a light, he says. For evenings or cloudy days, he installed low-voltage lighting throughout.
The flooring is bamboo, which takes three to five years to grow instead of the 50 years needed to replace hardwood flooring.
He did not install solar panels; but he did design the house to add them later. He says he wishes he had installed solar-generated energy to power the hot-water heaters.
For heating and cooling, he installed a geothermal system, drilling 22 wells almost 700 feet in the ground to let the Earth keep his home a comfortable 68 degrees year-round. The geothermal system cost about $15,000 more than a conventional heating and cooling system. He expects to recoup that investment in five years.
"Last summer it was 100 degrees outside, but when we came inside the house was cool," he says.
And Mr. Jones will appreciate the savings on air conditioning at the new green-built Cowboys stadium for those August and September games.
Stewart Lytle
Brad Bridgewater Wins Gold!
U.S. swimmer Brad Bridgewater celebrates after he won the Olympic Gold Medal in the mens 200 Meter backstroke. Bridgewater attended Lake Mary High School, and was coached by former Olympic medalist Fred Tyler.
Irving Honors Community Business Leaders
March 21, 2007
DallasNews.com
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From left, Irving councilwoman Beth VanDuyne, Fluor Corporation chairman and CEO Alan Boeckmann, Felcor Lodging Trust president and CEO Richard Smith and Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau board of directors chairwoman Clem Lear wear big smiles at the recent Irving CEO Appreciation Luncheon. The City of Irving, Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau and Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce recently held the luncheon to thank business leaders for choosing Irving as their corporate home. Mayor Pro-Tem Sam Smith presented an Irving development overview, while city manager Tommy Gonzalez provided a report of the achievements fulfilled by the City of Irving during the past year. Three additional, similarly-formatted events will be held in 2007. |
McBriar To Get 5-Year Deal; Bypasses Free Agency
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Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
February 28, 2007 2:54 PM
IRVING, Texas - He put up numbers better than any other punter in Cowboys history. His 2006 season average was the best the NFL had seen in 43 years. And he became Cowboys' first Pro Bowler punter since 1971.
Needless to say, Mat McBriar deserved a pay raise.
And on Wednesday, two days before the start of free agency when he would have become a restricted free agent, McBriar appears headed for that raise . . . and then some.
Mat McBriar's 48.2 yard punting average is the highest in the NFL since 1963.
The Cowboys and McBriar have agreed to terms on a five-year deal worth $8.5 million, including a $2.5 million signing bonus. That deal will easily make McBriar one of top five highest-paid punters in the NFL.
By locking up McBriar before Friday's start to free agency, the Cowboys avoid having to decide what level tender to give him to reserve first right of refusal should he have signed another team's restricted free agency offer sheet. Although the Cowboys likely would have been able to match most deals, there is no telling though how high some team's price tag might have risen for McBriar.
Instead, the Cowboys and McBriar will bypass free agency all together, the punter locked up in Dallas for at least the next five years.
McBriar, in just his third NFL season, led the league in punting last year with a whopping 48.2 average, earning him a Pro Bowl spot, the first by a Cowboys punter since Ron Widby in 1971.
McBriar's average was also the best by an NFL punter since Yale Lary's 48.9 average in 1963.
McBriar also tied for fourth in the NFL and ranked second in the NFC with a 38.6-yard net average.
During the regular season, McBriar boomed 27 of his 56 punts more than 50 yards, with six traveling 60 or more yards. His 75-yard punt against the Houston Texans tied the second longest in club history.
But McBriar isn't the only player the Cowboys made sure to lock up before free agency begins on Friday.
The Cowboys already avoided free agency with Andre Gurode, signing the Pro Bowl center to a six-year, $30 million contract last week that included a $10 million signing bonus.
With free agency officially getting underway on Friday, it appears the Cowboys now are turning their attention to right tackle Marc Colombo, who started every game for the Cowboys last season.
A former first-round pick of the Bears in 2002, Colombo finally had an injury-free season and lived up to his draft expectations. Former head coach Bill Parcells praised Colombo all last year for his dedication in workouts and his play on the field. Colombo wasn't credited with allowing a sack until the second half of the regular season.
His improved play should earn Colombo a nice contract, and better than the mere two-year minimum deal he signed with the Cowboys in 2005. But just how lucrative of one he expects might determine if the Cowboys can strike a new deal with the 28-year-old offensive tackle.
Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said on Wednesday the team has contacted Colombo's agent and would like to keep their right tackle in place. However, the Cowboys also might take a closer look at Cardinals free-agent tackle Leonard Davis, who is not expected to re-sign in Arizona.
The Wortham, Texas, product has not lived up to the expectations of the No. 2 overall pick in the 2001 draft, but Davis is still an imposing force on the line, standing 6-6 and 366. Not only has Davis played both left and right tackle, but spent his first few NFL seasons at guard. And with the Cowboys still unsure of Marco Rivera's status after the veteran underwent yet another back surgery last month, the Cowboys might even have a need to sign both a tackle and guard.
The Cowboys have five other players who will become unrestricted free agents on Friday, including kicker Martin Gramatica. The Cowboys will likely try to re-sign the veteran kicker who joined the team last December. Others scheduled to become unrestricted free agents include linebacker Al Singleton, defensive end Kenyon Coleman, safety Tony Parrish and center Al Johnson.
The Cowboys also have a decision to make on wide receiver Terry Glenn, who is due a $5 million roster bonus on Friday. However, the Cowboys have the ability to spread the bonus out over the last four remaining years of his contract to lower the cap hit. This off-season, owner Jerry Jones has said he plans on keeping both Glenn and Terrell Owens, who is due a $3 million bonus on June 1.
Life in the Fast Lane
Dallas, Texas/Whippany, NJ (September 20, 2005) - Shelly Caolo is a dedicated mother, wife, and business professional who owns her own company and serves as Vice President of Marketing for American PPO, Inc. At first glance, you do not get the impression that this Dallas born-and-bred Texas beauty would have a fascination with cars or the incredible need for speed, but she does.
Caolo's interest in fast cars began in high school, where she drove a Pontiac Firebird (400 CID Ram Air III). Today, her collection consists of a 1996 yellow Porsche 993 Twin Turbo; a 1993 black Porsche 928 GTS that once belonged to Lars Ulrich, drummer for Metallica; and a “classic” 1967 fully-restored black Austin Healey 3000, Caolo claims “is a sweet ride in the autumn when the leaves have changed and the air is cool and crisp.”
“My wedding gift from my husband was a 'Speed Yellow' Porsche 993 Twin Turbo which I later had modified with a Stage III upgrade and a 'beefed up' and lowered suspension,” said Caolo. “The car now has 550 h.p. and I drive it in events with the Porsche Club of America; it does 0 to 60 mph in under four seconds and has a top speed approaching 190 mph.”
On September 20th, another fast car was added to Caolo's collection - a Dodge Viper. But this is not just any Viper. Caolo was announced, by fellow Texan and TRIMSPA spokesperson Anna Nicole Smith, the winner of this $85,000 American-made black beauty by having the “most inspiring” essay in the recent TRIMSPA Million Dollar Makeover Challenge. In addition to a Viper to “be envied,” Caolo won a 5-day vacation at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, FL and partied at Passion nightclub with Anna Nicole Smith.
Caolo likes to take her passion of speed to the streets. She is an active member of the Porsche Club of America and participates in events which test car-handling skills under very high speeds.
  
Irving MacArthur senior standout is undefeated for his career
10:40 PM CDT on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 By BRANDON GEORGE / The Dallas Morning News
IRVING – Irving MacArthur tennis player Patrick Dean usually practices away from his teammates.
MacArthur's Patrick Dean is 54-0 in singles and doubles combined over his career.
Dean practices up to 20 hours a week at Brookhaven Country Club. His teammates work out on campus.
No. 2 singles player John Mark Smith said that's how it should be.
"No one else on the team gives him much competition," Smith said. "He makes it hard for us to even get a point."
Dean is 27-0 in singles and 27-0 in doubles over his team tennis career, a feat he said was not easy.
"It's a really good accomplishment because I've played some really good players along the way," Dean said. "I'm proud of it."
Dean did not play in MacArthur's victory over Euless Trinity on Tuesday because of an injury.
MacArthur tennis coach Paula D'Spain said Dean tore a ligament in his left ankle Monday while playing basketball at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting. D'Spain expects Dean to miss at least 10 days and hopes to have him back for the District 6-5A championship match Oct. 14, if MacArthur makes it that far.
The district-closing win Tuesday clinched the top seed in the 6-5A tournament for MacArthur.
Dean has been one of the area's top tennis players since he was a freshman. He's a super champ in the United States Tennis Association and is ranked among the state's top 50 18-year-old players.
"A lot of people think he's good because he just is, but he puts in a lot of time and effort to be good," D'Spain said.
D'Spain is in her first season at MacArthur and knew about Dean even before she took job.
"Everyone kept asking me if I had met Patrick Dean yet," D'Spain said. "They all said he was a wonderful player and person. Every single one of them was right."
D'Spain and Smith said Dean is a special player because of his serve, forehand and competitiveness.
Dean is an aggressive player who attacks his opponents. He has four serves – topspin, slice, kick and flat – that he effectively places with precision and pace at anytime.
If his opponent happens to return his serve, he comes at you with a wicked forehand.
"His strokes are beautiful to watch," D'Spain said. "He's really mastered the game."
Dean said his power game and confidence have grown since he was a freshman. He said he hits the ball much harder now.
He's also a smarter player.
"I find out my opponent's weaknesses and how I can use my strengths to expose his weaknesses," Dean said. "I've also gotten more consistent."
Smith has seen the consistency. Smith said he has rarely seen Dean double-fault on serve.
"If he misses that first serve, he has that second serve that's a kick serve, and it will get you," Smith said. "He can make it bounce wherever he wants it to go."
"He doesn't let anything rattle him," D'Spain said. "His opponents sure don't try to rattle him. They're ready for him to graduate."
Notable: Dean has advanced to the Class 5A regional quarterfinals the last three years. ... Dean said he's ranked No. 10 in a senior class of 436 with a 10.21 GPA on a 9.0 scale. ... Dean is a member of MacArthur's Fire Truck Crew, which, along with the cheerleaders, pumps up the home crowd at football games. ... Dean said he wants to attend Texas A&M next year and eventually get into medical school.
Anna Nicole Smith Announces Big Prize to Fellow Texas Beauty
Shelly Caolo Awarded Dodge Viper for Most Inspiring Essay in National Contest
Hollywood, FL/Whippany, NJ (August 2, 2005) – Dedication and heart led TRIMSPA to declare Irving resident, Shelly Caolo, winner of the most inspiring weight loss essay in its recent Million Dollar Make-Over Challenge. Caolo’s prize, a brand new Dodge Viper, was announced by none other than TRIMSPA spokesperson Anna Nicole Smith, at the Challenge’s “Anna Party” held at the Seminole Paradise nightclub, Passion.
The contest began in January when TRIMSPA challenged America to confront a very startling national statistic – that more than 6 out of every 10 Americans are over weight – and set in motion a contest to further motivate Americans to lose weight. Within weeks, more than 7,000 people entered the Challenge; of that, 64 people were ultimately designated “Challenge winners” – 56 semi-finalists and 8 finalists. Each of the 64 contestants submitted an essay at the beginning of the contest describing the degree in which TRIMSPA’s products have helped to improve their quality of life. Caolo’s essay chronicling her unique story ended up taking the prize.
On the subject of being overweight, Caolo’s essay noted, “I embraced multiple excuses. Caesarean childbirth, a failed marriage, an ill-advised business venture, a beloved passing, and a hysterectomy justified my terrible cycle of comfort food to combat depression and insecurity of a fat person.”
In addition, many of the Challenge’s contestants, including Caolo, were inspired by Anna Nicole Smith’s success story. “She (Anna Nicole Smith) was very inspirational. She’s a Texas girl too,” smiled Caolo, adding, “We have a similar body structure.”
“A second honeymoon, new business opportunities, warmer friendships, and a happy heart made me a believer in X32,” continued Caolo. “Losing 40 pounds, X32 rescued my youthful body, my confidence, and saved my life.”
All 64 contestants were recently flown to Hollywood, FL to reap their rewards while enjoying a fun-filled and educational week at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.
Monica and Jackson - Couples Fear Factor Champions
Fear Factor Episode 417 ..from NBC.com
 The ultimate showdown for the million dollars was finally here. Just three couples remained.
Only one would walk away with all that cash. Joe met the contestants by a desolate, desert road.
The first stunt would not be an elimination round. Instead, couples would compete for an STA travel
experience to Russia where they would fly in MiG jets at supersonic speeds - the perfect way to
unwind after seven weeks of Fear Factor stunts! In order to win the trip, the couples would need
to drive a car up a ramp and onto the bed of a moving semi. And oh yeah, the driver of the car
would be blindfolded. The driver's partner would be able to see and could guide the driver only
through verbal commands. The couple that successfully completed the stunt the quickest would be
going to Russia.
Jackson and Monica were up first. Jackson would drive and Monica would direct. Jackson drove
fast - so fast that he almost passed the semi. Monica frantically yelled instructions and they
briefly touched the ramp but then fell back. Finally, with the car perfectly aligned, Jackson
gunned it and got up the ramp and onto the truck. They finished in just 1:24.2. Next, it was
Adam and Meg. Again, the man would drive and the woman would direct. Before they started, Adam
told Meg not to freeze up like she'd done in previous stunts. Then, as an added confidence
booster, he reminded her that she'd mixed up left and right that day, twice. Once in the car,
they got off to a terrific start. In less than 20 seconds, they were on the ramp. But the car
wasn't centered. Meg screamed as the car slid off the right side of the moving semi and bounced
violently, while a blinded Adam tried to control the vehicle. They spun around, doing a complete
180. Shaken up and facing the wrong direction, Meg and Adam were disqualified for the round.
Meghan and James were the last couple. And even though they'd come this far in the game, they
hadn't won a single stunt or prize. Meghan said that this didn't bother her, but James wanted to
win this one. They got off to a strong start. Meghan directed James and they blasted right up
the ramp and onto the truck bed. They were going so fast that they stopped only by slamming into
the back of the truck. But they'd done it - and their time was an incredible 12 seconds! Meghan
and James had finally won something! It was such a huge success that even their competition cheered for them.
For the next stunt, everyone met in a dark and creepy basement filled with cobwebs. The woman
would lay in a coffin-shaped, glass box, strapped down as more than 500 tarantulas were poured
on top of her. The man would suck blended crickets and spit the mixture into a tube until enough
of it caused a key to float toward the top. Then the man would use the key to release a hacksaw
and saw through a pipe, revealing a Fear Factor marker. Grabbing the marker would end the stunt
and free his mate. The couple with the slowest time would be eliminated.
Meghan was strapped in first. As hundreds of tarantulas were dumped on her, she remained motionless.
However, the other two women, safely on the sidelines, started to cry. In one minute of sucking
liquid crickets, James got the key, freed the saw and started work on the pipe. With Joe urging
him on, James grabbed the marker and freed Meghan in 2:22.4. The other two women cried even harder.
Meg, who had completely freaked out during a previous non-elimination rat stunt, was nearly
hysterical. Monica admitted that she was scared, but said that this is the kind of thing she
came here to do. In less than one minute, with Joe shouting encouragement, Jackson got the key
and started to saw. He sliced right through the pipe in less than 20 seconds, making their final
time just 1:10.4, securing their place in the million-dollar finale!
As Meg was being strapped in (still sobbing), she said that she didn't think she could go
through with the stunt. Adam tried to talk her down and even Joe chimed in with encouragement.
Finally, Meg agreed to be strapped down, but then she completely lost it. She was literally
begging the men to let her out of the box. There was nothing left to do. Joe unstrapped her
and Adam and Meg lost by forfeit. Adam tried to console Meg as she cried, but both were reeling
from the loss. Although they'd won many prizes along the way, they'd now never see the biggest
prize of all. The two remaining couples joined Joe at a lake, the site of the final competition.
In the stunt, the man would dangle from a helicopter that was headed toward a speeding boat
where his partner would be, hands cuffed together. When both vehicles reached a buoy, the couple
would simultaneously jump into the water. The man would unlock his partner's handcuffs and he
and his mate would swim to a platform where each would release a flag. The couple with the best
time would walk away with the million bucks.
Since Jackson and Monica had the best time from the previous stunt, they were able to choose
Meghan and James to go first. James was so nervous he thought he might throw up. Jackson, on
the other hand, was quite confident. The only thing that worried him was Meghan and James'
uncanny luck. Meghan's hands were cuffed together as her boat sped toward the helicopter that
James clung to. As both vehicles crossed the buoy, Meghan and James jumped. They reached each
other quickly, but struggled with the handcuffs. Finally, after releasing the cuffs, they swam
to the platform. James must have still been nervous, because he fumbled a few times before he
released the flag, bringing their total time to 1:21.6. James and Meghan were upset with their
time. But there was nothing they could do now, so they hugged and hoped for the best.
Jackson and Monica were confident they could beat the time. They each got on their vehicles,
but as they approached the buoy, Monica misjudged and jumped too early. This put the couple
further away from the platform and cost them precious time. After Jackson released Monica's
handcuffs, they swam hard toward the platform. The time on the clock showed it was going to
be close. Once back on shore, Monica and Jackson learned that their final time was 1:06.6!
They were Fear Factor Millionaires!! Meghan and James were hugely disappointed, but great
sports - offering hugs and congratulations to Monica and Jackson. Seven weeks, nine couples
and it all came down to Monica and Jackson. Clearly fear was not a factor for them!
Rocksoft appoints Chief Operating Officer
Todd Viegut joins Rocksoft as COO and Senior VP
San Jose, CA - November 29, 2004
Rocksoft® Limited, a technology
leader in data coalescence and integrity assurance, today announced the
appointment of IT industry veteran Todd
Viegut to head up its new US operations.
In addition to overseeing US offices and personnel in Dallas, TX and
San Jose, CA, Viegut's charter encompasses establishing the company's
technology licensing programs, implementing a new "go-to-market" strategy
and driving alliances and technology partnerships with storage and IT
industry leaders.
Viegut is responsible for managing all aspects of Rocksoft's thrust
into the US market and responding to the increasing interest in Rocksoft's
technology from OEM and technology partners. With the explosive growth
in the information management market and the need for ever-faster access
to data, the market demand for Rocksoft's patented Blocklets technology
is growing rapidly.
Rocksoft CEO N. James Johnson said, "We are very pleased to have
Todd heading up our US operations. He's a seasoned high-tech professional
who brings experience in building and managing dynamic, fast-growing
organizations and the leadership skills needed to establish our US market
presence. As we position the company for the growth we're anticipating
over the next five years, we will look to Todd to execute key strategic
initiatives that will enable us to evolve into a market leader in ILM-enabling
data coalescence and data integrity assurance."
Viegut joins the company as its COO and Senior Vice President, bringing
a 20-year track record in managing and introducing advanced technologies
to market. Prior to joining Rocksoft, he managed worldwide marketing
at Storage Computer Corporation where he was instrumental in driving
some of the industry's first cross-country OC48 replication projects.
His background also includes executive positions and corporate roles
with Vianet Technologies, Connectware, Abbott Labs and Texas Instruments.
"Rocksoft offers tremendous value. It's a company with unique and
differentiated technologies that set it apart from all other players
in the market. As companies seek to manage data throughout their enterprises,
they'll be looking to Blocklets-powered, ILM-ready solutions to support
the underlying infrastructure," said Viegut. "I welcome the
opportunity to be part of an organization that's poised to be a force
for change in the storage and integrity assurance industries."
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