The First Facility Management Blog

On November 19, The Chicago Theatre was highlighted by a group from VOA Associates Inc. that recreated that iconic building for the annual “Gingerbuild” competition held at the Allsteel/Gunlocke Chicago Resource Center. Using traditional gingerbread ingredients, VOA earned the honor of most delectable design in the pre-build category.

Recreation of The Chicago Theatre

Meanwhile, the team from Whitney Design created a humorous parody of the TV reality show “Project Runway,” that earned runner-up in the speed-build category.

This year’s event attended by more than 100 Chicago area architects and designers, raised funds for Designs 4 Dignity, a charity organization that supports the transformation of existing non-profit spaces into creative, comfortable working environments through pro-bono design services and in-kind donations.

This little gem has been floating around the Internet this week, but I thought it would be appropriate to share with anyone in the construction/facilities/building profession who may have missed it.

Here’s the yarn…

Good news is that I truly out did myself this year with my Christmas decorations. The bad news is that I had to take him down after two days. I had more people come screaming up to my house than ever.

Great stories. But two things made me take it down.

First, the cops advised me that it would cause traffic accidents as people almost wrecked when they drove by.

Second, a 55 year old lady grabbed the 75 pound ladder and almost killed herself putting it against my house. She didn’t realize it was fake until she climbed to the top (she was not happy). By the way, she was one of many people who attempted to do that. My yard couldn’t take it either. I have more than a few tire tracks where people literally drove up my yard.

Ho ho ho.

Oh yes, and happy Hanukkah to all those who light the first candle (safely, of course) tonight!

This year marks the 10th year that Philips Electronics has been the official Lighting Partner to the Times Square Ball that heralds in the new year in New York City. Over the past decade, Philips’ investment in solid state lighting has helped to marry the Ball’s combination of tradition with innovative technology.

The 2009 Times Square Ball

New this year was the conversion of the numerals (2-0-1-0) on the Times Square Ball to all LED technology. Previously, these were not LEDs; however the rest of the Ball has been lighted with LED technology since the 2007-2008 New Year’s event. Philips led the conversion of the Ball’s light source from incandescent and halogen bulbs to its LUXEON LED technology in 2007-2008 as well as its subsequent upgrade to more energy efficient LUXEON LEDs the following year.

Now, in 2009-2010, Philips completes the final step in its conversion of the entire Times Square Ball application to an LED platform. The 545 custom designed, scalloped LED flood bulbs—the Philips EnduraLED PAR 30 Longneck—that light the numerals use 9 watts each, compared to the 40 watts consumed by the incandescent and halogen bulbs previously used, representing a 78% energy savings.

Philips Lighting engineer Oscar Zheng assists a Landmark Signs technician in upgrading the Times Square Ball Numerals for the 2009-2010 New Year's Eve celebration.

“Following our landmark upgrade of the Times Square Ball to LED technology over the past two years, we are very excited to deliver yet another innovative LED solution that helps to elevate the impact and sustainability of the Times Square Ball through the use of our powerful new LED flood bulbs in the Numerals,” said Ed Crawford, CEO, Philips Lighting North America.

“Global icons like the Times Square Ball are not the only applications that can enjoy the benefits of LED technology. In addition to offering a wide range of professional LED solutions, we are delighted to offer a broad line of LED retrofit bulbs to consumers for the first time, enabling everyone to enhance their life with light through high performance, energy efficient and long life LED lighting.“

With the financial challenges of a recession and rising crime rates, malls and shopping centers this holiday season are, as always, targets for criminal activity and threats impacting consumers, retailers, and their employees. The latest estimate for ORC (Organized Retail Crime) loss alone is $33 billion in the United States. According to experts at Andrews International, Inc., a privately owned provider of security and risk mitigation services, the following tips can help retail operators and employees during the holiday shopping season.

Organized Retail Crime: Organized shoplifting gangs have been known to steal upwards of $200,000 in a single mall excursion. They know which retailers are unlikely to prosecute, and those that display merchandise that makes theft easy. Typical tactics include creating a diversion, such as an argument, drawing the attention of employees from others who are stealing merchandise. Retailers and employees should watch all areas of a store when there is a possible diversion. Tip offs for mall security officers are large groups repeatedly leaving and re-entering a mall, depositing merchandise in multiple vehicles usually with out of state license plates, and communicating frequently with handheld devices.

Seasonal Employees-Insider Threats: If possible, background and drug checks should be conducted on all employees, including temporary help. Organized gangs place people within retail stores as employees to facilitate robberies and shoplifting. Seasonal help should never have access to security information such as alarm codes or keys; these should be changed immediately when needed and on a regular basis.

Business Purchases and Checks: A popular scam is for a retailer to be contacted by “an area business” about a large purchase for employee gifts. They then ask if someone can pick up the merchandise and pay by check “on Saturday.” Anytime someone offers to pay with a business check during a time when it cannot be verified by the bank being drawn upon, it is a tip off that something is amiss.

Securing the Store: Criminals often enter a store through back doors left open by employees for ventilation, taking out trash, or sneaking out for a cigarette. Most outlets have back offices, so crimes can be committed without anyone in the store being aware. Doors should be checked regularly and secured at the end of the night, security cameras should be reviewed to ensure they have not been repositioned, and alarms and recording devices should be tested. Additionally, after-hours burglary is common, so there should never be more than $100 left in a cash register draw at the end of the night.

End of Night Cash Drop: Owners or employees leaving a mall alone at night with the day’s cash deposit are a prime target for robbery. If possible, an armored car service should be used for the transaction. If not, use a banking outlet within the confines of the mall. It is ill advised to have a single person carry out this function, particularly if leaving the premises, even if the bank is just across the parking lot.

Targeting of Employees: Parking for employees is often in a designated area, away from the entrance to a facility and more vulnerable. Criminals realize that vehicles in the employee parking area will be there for an entire shift, providing them with a greater window of opportunity to steal a car or merchandise within. In addition to the same precautions consumers should exercise in parking lots, employees should take special care to keep valuables from GPS units to iPods to gifts in their trunk and out of sight.

Some folks really enjoy decorating for the holidays, even to the point where they turn their office or cubicle into a festive space at every opportunity. In honor of Halloween, Kleargear offers “gruesome desk toys and décor” along with “fun decorating ideas, decorations, and candy.” And The Office Master offers tips on how to convert old Mac computers into “Mac-O-Lanterns” with this link.

As a morale and teamwork building exercise, Halloween at the office efforts can be a great management tool. While a pumpkin carving contest probably isn’t a traditional team building technique in the workplace, check out these incredibly creative examples.

When architects and designers are tasked to design with gingerbread and frosting, anything is possible. Imagine a three-foot replica of Chicago’s Federal Building adorned with chocolate windowpanes, or a traditional pagoda, beside a melted blue cough drop lake.

These were just some of the edible masterpieces unveiled at Gingerbuild, Allsteel’s third annual challenge for Chicago’s architectural and design community. Hosted December 11 at the Allsteel/Gunlocke Chicago Merchandise Mart Resource Center, the competition and reception attracted about 150 guests including 24 architecture and design firms who demonstrated their imagination and ingenuity with the creation of gingerbread constructions. All of the cookie creations were auctioned at the event, raising almost $700 for the Illinois Interior Design Coalition (IIDC).

Winners were chosen in several categories: Pre-Build, Speed-Build, Dream On, Out-of-the-Box, and Size Matters.

Wight & Company topped the Pre-Build category with its LEED office gingerbread house, accompanied by a LEED score sheet, “certifying” the creation as platinum. (Pictured from l to r in photo below: Nicole Hellwig, Angela Schafer, Jeanie Kim. Also on the design team but not pictured was Jonathan Peck.) Contestants in this division opted to bring their designs ready-made.

Four participants (three pictured here) from Wight & Company took the Pre-Build category.

In the Speed-Build category, which took place on-site, contestants had two hours to think on their feet and assemble an innovative structure. Even with the clock ticking, Torchia Associates completed a replica of a Monopoly board, complete with a house and hotel to win top honors.

The judges also awarded other crowd-pleasing designs. The Dream On prize went to VOA’s vision of the Asian pagoda and garden. (Pictured below with their creation are Manjula Rao and Julie Zeng. Also on the design team, but not pictured were Shawn Ursell, Nick Fawell and Amanda Eggleston.)

Meanwhile Ross Barney Architects’ satirical interpretation of Sarah Palin’s quote, “I can see Russia from my house,” topped the Out-of-the-Box category.

VOA’s traditional pagoda won the Dream On category at Gingerbuild 2008.

The grandeur of the Chicago Federal Center replica designed by Wright Heerema Architects earned top honors in its very own category, Size Matters.

The panel of judges for the event included Cheryl Durst, executive vice president of IIDA; Lisa Skolnik, a contributing editor to Metropolitan Home and Chicago Tribune journalist; and Jeff Krol, project manager at CB Richard Ellis. The auction proceeds benefit IIDC’s mission to protect the integrity of the Interior Design Title Act and its assurance that only those professionals registered by the state are identified as “interior designer” or “residential interior designer.”

Today’s Friday Funny just so happens to coincide with the holiday party for those of us who bring you FacilityBlog. And in honor of the occasion, here are some “jokes” courtesy of Iteachyou.com that should produce at least a groan among co-workers (and they’re all clean, too)!

Q: What do you call a bunch of grandmasters of chess bragging about their games in a hotel lobby?
A: Chess nuts boasting in an open foyer!

Q: What do you get when you cross a snowman with a vampire?
A: Frostbite.

Q. Why is getting Christmas presents for your kids just like a day at the office?
A. You do all the work and the fat guy in the suit gets all the credit.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Christmas Carol Psychosis (Can You Find Yourself in this List? )

1. Schizophrenia — Do You Hear What I Hear?

2. Multiple Personality Disorder — We Three Kings Disoriented Are

3. Dementia — I Think I’ll be Home for Christmas

4. Narcissistic — Hark the Herald Angels Sing About Me

5. Manic — Deck the Halls and Walls and House and Lawn and Streets and Stores and Office and Town and Cars and Buses and Trucks and Trees and…..

6. Paranoid — Santa Claus is Coming to Town to Get Me

7. Borderline Personality Disorder — Thoughts of Roasting on an Open Fire

8. Personality Disorder — You Better Watch Out, I’m Gonna Cry, I’m Gonna Pout, Maybe I’ll Tell You Why

9. Attention Deficit Disorder — Silent night, Holy oooh look at the Froggy - can I have a chocolate, why is France so far away?

10. Narcoleptic — I’m Dreaming zzzzzzzzz

11. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder — Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells…
>>>>>>>>>>>

Happy Hanukkah!
Sung to The tune of “As Time Goes By”
(by Irene A. Mystery)

You must remember this,
A bris is still a bris,
A chai is just a chai.
Pastrami still belongs on rye,
As time goes by.

With holidays in view,
A Jew is still a Jew,
On that you can rely.
No matter if we eat tofu
As hours slip by.

Old shtetl customs, never out of date.
All those potatoes mother has to grate.
Honey, tsimus, latkes, chopped liver on our plate
The best that gelt can buy.

Some would send us to perdition,
But we’re strengthened by tradition,
That no one can deny.
We roam, but we recall our birthright,
As time goes by.

Dreidels and chocolate, never out of date.
Ancient Jewish stories that we all relate.
Blue-and-white giftwrap, everything that’s great
And festive chazerai!

It’s still the same old Torah,
It ’s still the same menorah,
We’ve latkes still to fry.
It’s at yomtov when we feel most blessed,
As time goes by.

Happy Hanukkah!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
And finally

A Politically Correct Happy Holidays Wish

Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit our best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non-addictive, gender neutral, celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasions
and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all . . .

and a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling, and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset
of the generally accepted calendar year 2009, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great, (not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country or is the only “AMERICA” in the western hemisphere), and without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith, or choice of computer platform of the wishee.

In other words, HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

The fine print/disclaimer: By accepting this greeting, you are accepting these terms. This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for her/himself or others, and is void where prohibited by law, and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher. This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year, or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first, and warranty is limited to replacement of this wish or issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher.

To share your own preparations for the holiday party, check out the FacilityBlog fan page on Facebook. You can find it at this link.

P.S., it’s snowing here in FacilityBlog land!

Paul Spiegelman, author of “Why Is Everyone Smiling? The Secret Behind Passion, Productivity and Profit” knows a few things about how to infuse joy into the workplace during the holiday season. Spiegelman’s commitment to creating a fun and people-centered work environment all year-round has earned the company he founded—The Beryl Companies—seven best places to work awards and continues to contribute to the call center’s growth and high rate of customer satisfaction.

Based in Bedford, TX, The Beryl Companies works with hospitals, health plans, physicians, and consumer-directed organizations to help them meet their customers’ needs.

“With all of the negative economic news, everyone could use a little extra cheer this holiday,” contends Beryl CEO Spiegelman. “The good news is that holiday joy doesn’t have to cost a lot of money for anyone.” To prove it, Spiegelman offers 12 low- or no-cost ways to create a merrier workplace this year.

Decorate. Workers’ surroundings affect their moods. Decorations can be as specific as a Christmas tree or menorah or could simply include glittery snowflakes strung from the ceiling.

Help those in need…within your ranks. Many organizations have workers who are struggling to make ends meet. Work with the human resources department to confidentially identify who those people are and determine how the company can help them through this time.

Lend a helping hand outside the company. Encourage employees to donate time, services or goods to a worthy organization. Ideas include serving food at a local shelter, providing blankets to seniors, or sponsoring a toy drive for needy children.

Do something personal. People appreciate feeling known. A personal hand-written note card from the CEO or other members of leadership to each employee is an inexpensive way to make a connection with co-workers.

Give the gift of recognition. Identify at least one contribution that each employee has made during the year and recognize them for it.

Do something out of the ordinary. Employees love it when their leaders step out of their comfort zones. Come to work one day dressed as Santa or host a crazy holiday hat contest. The idea is to get people to smile or laugh or just feel more in the holiday spirit.

Invite families to work even if it’s just for cocoa and cookies. The more companies integrate families into the business, the more they enrich the lives of their employees and their families. People spend more waking hours at work than doing any other activity. Why not blur the lines this holiday season?

Share the successes of the year. Not every business has experienced stellar results or record growth this year, especially with the economic downturn. But most can point to progress made or successes worth noting. Make a list of the good things that have happened throughout the year and share it with the entire workforce.

Be flexible. Some businesses are inherently more flexible than others, but there are ways for almost every business to incorporate some holiday flexibility into the work week. A couple of ideas include allowing employees to alter their hours to ensure they make it to a child’s school performance, or give each employee one free hour to shop online or wrap gifts.

Share holiday happiness. Provide a venue for co-workers to share their winter happenings. Whether it’s a physical bulletin board where people can hang pictures or an online site for people to post their events, this is a great way for employees to connect.

Offer a forum for employees to share their hopes and expectations for 2009. Leaders can gain great insight into what’s happening and what’s important in the lives of their workers.

Host a gathering, even if it’s a potluck lunch. The economy has forced some companies to skip an elaborate holiday party this year. With minimal investment, companies can still carve out an opportunity for employees to enjoy some great food and conversation while taking a break from their responsibilities.

“An employee-centric company culture is the future of American businesses because happy co-workers are more loyal and provide better customer service, which drives customer loyalty and increases profits,” says Spiegelman. “These twelve tips can help support employees anytime of year, but the holidays give us a great excuse to get started.”

Last week at the University of Virginia (U.Va.), students and faculty gathered for the eighth annual Lighting of the Lawn ceremony. Alexander G. “Sandy” Gilliam, secretary to the Board of Visitors, served as master of ceremonies and several student vocal groups performed at the December 4th event.

Lighting of the Lawn takes place at U.Va.

While the ceremony has become a tradition at the Charlottesville, VA campus, this year students have added a new dimension—replacing incandescent bulbs with more light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs. The new lights should use about one-sixth the energy as the old bulbs, said Wayne Russell of U.Va. Facilities Management, who is in charge of the light installation.

“We were interested in investing in the future,” said U.Va. undergraduate David K. Jessee, chairman of the student committee that directed Lighting of the Lawn. “It’s a chance to achieve an environmental goal.”

Jessee said the lights were purchased through a donation from Dominion Virginia Power. The students bought about 215 strands of lights, each one 24 feet long and with about 70 bulbs per strand, giving them nearly 16,000 bulbs and more than 5,000 feet of light. The strands were wrapped around the columns of the Rotunda this year (seen in photo above).

Dave Roberts of U.Va. hangs the new LED light strands.

Elizabeth “Libba” Bowling, an energy engineer with U.Va. Facilities Management, said the LED lights should save a calculated 1,300 kWh of electricity. “The rated life of the LED lights is 50,000 hours as opposed to 3,000 hours for the incandescent lights,” she said. “Including replacement costs, the LED lights should save approximately $200 per year.”

The lights are kept on every night from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. through at least New Year’s Day.

“The Lighting of the Lawn is a community event,” Jessee said. “We…encourage residents of Charlottesville to come to the lighting.” The tradition started in 2001 following the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington, DC, and Pennsylvania.

“It was a way to bring the community together,” Jessee said. “Since then it has grown.” Jessee had estimated about 6,000 people would attend this year’s event.

About 20 students worked on the Lighting of the Lawn, with assistance from various student organizations, the Office of the Vice President and Chief Student Affairs Officer, U.Va. Catering, the Office of Major Events and the Rotunda administrator.

(Photos by Dan Addison)

if you’ve ever walked around Times Square in New York City during the holidays, you’ll know that what’s really weird is that it may not be too difficult to find a restroom to use from now to the end of 2008. For the third year, Charmin has placed 20 deluxe stalls in the heart of this tourist area to make it a little easier for New Yorkers and visitors alike.

This year, the company has stepped it up by adding tuxedo-clad attendants and flat screen televisions. There’s also a second-floor “Power Lodge” where visitors can recharge their portable electronic devices. Additionally, the Charmin Restrooms will be open through the end of the year (except for Christmas Day); the facilities will close up shop at 2am on New Year’s Day–two hours after the New Year’s Eve revelers watch the famed New Year’s Eve Ball drop.

Visitors can even commemorate their visit to the Charmin Restrooms by having their picture taken. Not sure if this is really the type of venue many people would want to have their photos taken at, but if so, the company is offering free downloads of the photos at its Web site.