An Illinois high school skilled trades teacher is among the 52 teachers and teacher teams from across the country who were named today as semifinalists for the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools 2018 Prize for Teaching Excellence and are in the running for a share of $1 million in cash prizes. Matt Erbach, a precision Read More
Industry News
An Illinois high school skilled trades teacher is among the 52 teachers and teacher teams from across the country who were named today as semifinalists for the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools 2018 Prize for Teaching Excellence and are in the running for a share of $1 million in cash prizes.
Matt Erbach, a precision manufacturing teacher at Streamwood High School in Streamwood, was chosen from among a field of more than 500 skilled trades teachers who applied for the prize. The semifinalists—some competing as individuals and some as teacher teams—hail from 27 states and specialize in trades ranging from construction and carpentry to automotive repair, welding, advanced manufacturing and agriculture mechanics.
Through two more rounds of judging, the field of 52 semi-finalists will be narrowed to 18 first- and second-place winners, who will split $1 million in total cash awards. The three first-place winners will each receive $100,000, with $70,000 going to their public high school skilled trades program and $30,000 to the individual skilled trades teacher or teacher team behind the winning program. The 15 second-place winners will each be awarded $50,000, with $35,000 going to their public high school program and $15,000 to the teacher or team. Semi-finalists whose school, district or state policy prohibits receipt of the individual portion of prize earnings were eligible to apply on behalf of their school’s skilled trades program. The first- and second-place winners are expected to be announced on Nov. 15.
“These semifinalists represent amazing depth and breadth in high school skilled trades education, and they exhibit incredible enthusiasm for teaching students to work with their hands, to love learning and be prepared for the future,” said Danny Corwin, executive director of Harbor Freight Tools for Schools. “We are thrilled to recognize their exceptional teaching and to raise the profile of their excellent work through these awards.”
Erbach has taught precision manufacturing at Streamwood High School for the past 12 years after working for five years in the manufacturing, carpentry, and commercial construction trades. As a National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) and a Project Lead the Way certified instructor, Erbach provides his students with ample machine time in one of the largest high school precision manufacturing labs in the country. He incorporates other academic subjects into his curricula and brings the real world into the classroom, from designing custom fidget spinners to having mock interviews with the Precision Manufacturing Advisory Board. Erbach was also a semifinalist for the 2017 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence.
The full list of the 52 semifinalists is posted here.
For the second round application for the prize, semifinalists will respond to a series of online expert-led video learning modules designed to solicit their insights and creative ideas about their teaching practices and how to inspire their students to achieve excellence in the skilled trades.
Each round of winners is selected by separate panels of judges independent of Harbor Freight Tools for Schools.
This is the second year of the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence, which was started by Harbor Freight Tools Founder Eric Smidt to recognize outstanding instruction in the skilled trades in American public high schools.
“Skilled trades teachers are unsung heroes,” Smidt said. “They teach our students skills that help them in life and in careers. We respect and value the men and women who work with their hands to design, build and repair homes, schools, hospitals and businesses in our towns and cities, as well as our cars, trucks and tractors. These skilled and creative workers keep our communities thriving. At the same time, there are now hundreds of thousands of great skilled trades job openings, and that number is expected to grow. We want to elevate the dignity and importance of this work by recognizing exceptional skilled trades teachers from our country’s public schools who open the door to learning and opportunity.”
News of the prize and other information about skilled trades education will be posted on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Reno, Nev. — Michael’s Deli in Reno has introduced a new special sandwich in recognition of the 125th anniversary of Savage and Son, Inc. being in business and has named the sandwich the Savage 125. The Savage 125 features tri-tip on Dutch crunch bread topped with roasted garlic aioli, onions, swiss cheese, lettuce and tomato Read More
Reno, Nev. — Michael’s Deli in Reno has introduced a new special sandwich in recognition of the 125th anniversary of Savage and Son, Inc. being in business and has named the sandwich the Savage 125. The Savage 125 features tri-tip on Dutch crunch bread topped with roasted garlic aioli, onions, swiss cheese, lettuce and tomato and will be offered one day each week to help celebrate this important anniversary.
Established in 1893, Savage and Son, Inc. operated their business at 628 South Virginia St, Reno, NV 89502, now Michael’s Deli, from 1941-1993 and still own the building today. The Savage family continued to pass the company down through generations as the business grew rapidly with the “Biggest Little City” and, then owner, Leonard Charles (Frank Charles’ son) made the decision to move the storefront location to South Virginia Street. The family thought that Leonard was crazy for moving “so far outside of Reno.” Of course, Reno has far expanded its city limits past their 1941 location, and Savage and Son, Inc. relocated to their current facility off Yori Avenue in 1993 during their 100th anniversary.
“We are pleased to have a part in celebrating Savage and Son’s 125th anniversary of business by having a special sandwich offered once per week,” said Rudy Medina, owner of Michael’s Deli. “We are a family business ourselves and tip our hat to such an accomplishment”.
“Being able to grab lunch at our old shop is really special,” said Len Savage, president of Savage and Son, Inc. “Rudy makes the best tri-tip in town, and we are grateful that he is offering the Savage 125 as a weekly special to help us celebrate our 125th anniversary of business. We are so thankful for Rudy’s support!”
The new, Watts Mobile App, designed for contractors and facility managers, works in tandem with QR codes recently added to Watts products for easy access to product details. The app allows product registration (with installation notes and pictures) and asset management, including history of service notes and reminders for future service or inspections. The Watts Read More
The new, Watts Mobile App, designed for contractors and facility managers, works in tandem with QR codes recently added to Watts products for easy access to product details. The app allows product registration (with installation notes and pictures) and asset management, including history of service notes and reminders for future service or inspections.
The Watts Mobile App offers access to all of the following:
- Watts product catalog with support documentation, product details, and video content
- Product installation, registration, and asset management capabilities
- Watts local sales representatives or wholesale distributor contact information
Users can register Watts devices that are shipped with existing QR codes on them or any other installed device (including those from other brands) by using preprinted QR codes with unique identifiers that can be obtained through Watts’ sales rep network.
The Watts Mobile App is compatible with iOS 10.3 or later as well as Android Marshmallow or later, and can be downloaded in the App Store and on Google Play.
For more information and the overview video, visit https://qr.watts.com/
Lennox Industries, a leading provider of innovative home comfort solutions, today launched Feel The Love in partnership with its dealers, a North American community outreach initiative focused on providing home comfort to families in need. The Lennox Feel The Love program invites individuals and local organizations in participating areas to nominate families or individuals in Read More
Lennox Industries, a leading provider of innovative home comfort solutions, today launched Feel The Love in partnership with its dealers, a North American community outreach initiative focused on providing home comfort to families in need.
The Lennox Feel The Love program invites individuals and local organizations in participating areas to nominate families or individuals in their communities to receive heating equipment at no cost, including installation. Recipients are chosen based on a variety of criteria, including physical, mental, or social disabilities; financial challenges; job loss; military service; and community service. Nominations are accepted through the Feel The Love website now through September 5.
On Saturday, October 6, all participating Lennox dealers will install new, high-efficiency Lennox gas furnaces for the selected candidates at no cost, and the dealers and their employees donate their labor and installation materials.
“Feel The Love is all about creating connections with the communities in which Lennox and its dealers live and work, to lend a helping hand by bringing comfort to deserving families,” said
Stephanie Bond, retail marketing director at Lennox Industries. “We’re proud of the incredible partnerships between Lennox and its dealers, as well as community organizations throughout North America, and we’re excited to continue to grow the program to serve even more individuals and families in need in the years to come.”
Feel The Love began as the Heat U.P. program, launched in 2009 as a pilot community initiative in four markets across the U.S., including Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois. In 2018, the program will expand to communities across twenty states and five provinces in Canada, with the goal to continue to expand efforts to even more communities throughout North America.
For more information about the Feel The Love program, visit www.FeelTheLove.com/history.
Atlanta — ASHRAE has published a revised edition of its standard that provides a more comprehensive approach to preventing the growth and spread of Legionella. ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 188-2018, Legionellosis: Risk Management for Building Water Systems establishes minimum legionellosis risk management requirements for building water systems. The 2018 edition provides clarification of compliance requirements, as well Read More
Atlanta — ASHRAE has published a revised edition of its standard that provides a more comprehensive approach to preventing the growth and spread of Legionella.
ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 188-2018, Legionellosis: Risk Management for Building Water Systems establishes minimum legionellosis risk management requirements for building water systems. The 2018 edition provides clarification of compliance requirements, as well as an update to enforceable, code-intended language to facilitate adoption of the standard for code and regulatory purposes.
The standard was originally developed to assist designers and building operators establish water management plans that include practices specific to the systems that exist in a particular building, campus or health care facility. It is intended for use by those involved in design, construction, installation, commissioning, operation, maintenance, and service of centralized building water systems and components.
“Standard 188 was the first industry standard in the U.S. to address Legionnaire’s disease prevention,” said Paul Lindahl, chair of the Standard 188 committee. “Since this standard centers on the development and implementation of good design, operations and maintenance procedures, it is important to make updates on a regular basis. The 2018 edition of the standard focuses on improved usability, offering better guidance to minimize the risk of this potentially fatal disease and save lives.”
The 2018 edition of Standard 188 provides:
• A description of environmental conditions that promote the growth of Legionella.
• Informative annexes and bibliography with suggestions, recommendations, and references to additional guidance.
• Minimum Legionellosis risk management requirements for buildings and associated potable and non-potable water systems.
• Requirements for Legionellosis control strategies and documentation.
The CDC estimates there are between 8,000 and 18,000 cases of Legionnaires’ disease in the United States each year – and more than 10 percent of these cases are fatal. Legionella can also cause a less-severe influenza-like illness known as Pontiac Fever. Most of those cases are the result of exposure to Legionella found in building water systems.
The cost of ASHRAE Standard 188-2018 is $75 for ASHRAE members ($88, non-members). To order, visit www.ashrae.org/bookstore or contact ASHRAE Customer Contact Center at 1-800-527-4723 (United States and Canada), 404-636-8400 (worldwide) or fax 678-539-2129.
