Overland Partners Architects changing the standard for which homeless centers are designed; Project is also the winner of four national design awards for architectural excellence

DALLAS, March 8, 2010 – The Bridge Homeless Assistance Center, located in downtown Dallas, has officially received LEED Silver Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, making it the largest homeless shelter in the United States to be LEED certified.  The Bridge is one of only five U.S. homeless shelters to be considered “green” and is the second homeless shelter to be certified LEED Silver (the other being in Austin, Texas). The project, designed by San Antonio-based Overland Partners Architects in association with  Dallas-based CamargoCopeland Architects, has also received four prestigious national awards in recent months for its design: the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) 2009 National Housing Award, the AIA/Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Award, a 2009 National Excellence in Design Award from Environmental Design + Construction magazine and the 2009 Chicago Athenaeum’s American Architecture Award.

Completed in May 2008, the multi-purpose facility provides a broad spectrum of care including housing, emergency and transitional care for more than 6,000 people in Dallas experiencing long-term homelessness.  Situated on a previously developed 3.41-acre site in Dallas’ central business district, The Bridge’s campus setting provides a continuum of care for the city’s homeless population, inclusive of medical, mental, job training, and personal care services. Consisting of five buildings to create a boundary at the edge of the property, the center consists of a three-story services building, a one-story welcome building, a storage building, an open air pavilion, and a dining facility which serves as a focal point to the interior landscaped courtyard of the campus and also as a magnet providing social workers with an opportunity to connect with the homeless.

The Bridge also has multiple sustainable amenities, all of which contributed to its LEED Silver Certification. These include:

• The Bridge is located within the Emerald Bracelet, a network of existing and future paths and parks that surround the downtown area.  It is served by excellent public transportation and is within walking distance of many city services and amenities;
• All buildings were developed to maximize daylight, reduce the use of artificial light and provide strong visual connections to the world outside.  For example, there is excellent natural lighting with views to the outdoors from 90% percent of the regularly occupied spaces, and task lighting is used for the residents’ personal use during the evening hours;
• A greywater recycling system that saves more than 1.5 million gallons of water per year. With more than 188 plumbing fixtures, a commercial laundry facility, an extensive landscape irrigation and full-service kitchen that serves 500+ meals a day, water consumption was a major concern. Thus, a greywater system was implemented to mitigate high water use by capturing large volumes of water from showers and laundering facilities, treating it and reusing it for flushing urinals and toilets;
• A temporary shelter/pavilion that’s housed in a reclaimed warehouse equipped with massive ceiling fans and radiant heaters to moderate temperatures;
• A waste management program that was implemented during the construction process to ensure that 70% of building construction waste was diverted from landfills.
• Materials were selected for their environmental impact: 100% low VOC, 20% of all materials were local, 40% of all building materials contained recycled components;
• A green-roofed dining room, which not only reduces the heating and cooling load of the HVAC system for the dining hall building, but also helps to reduce the heat island effect and provides a visual burst of color to residents on the upper levels of the facility;
• A landscape design that incorporates native or adapted plants that require little to no irrigation, further contributing to the water reduction strategies of the project. Also, upon reaching maturity, the trees on the interior courtyard will further enhance energy savings by providing additional shading and cooling for the surrounding buildings and courtyard;

“Unlike traditional homeless assistance facilities that resemble dark warehouses and gymnasiums, The Bridge features translucent walls that allow natural light to flood into residential areas, glass art panels inscribed with poetry written by the homeless, and classrooms and job training areas that are visible from the street,” said James Andrews, AIA, principal at Overland Partners Architects. “The Bridge has not only made a positive impact for Dallas’ homeless population, but also on its surrounding environment due to its numerous green design features.”

In addition to The Bridge, Overland Partners Architects is leading the design of Haven for Hope, a 37-acre one-stop homeless assistance campus located just west of downtown San Antonio. When completed in early 2010, the $90-million project will include approximately 440,000 square feet of space and 998 beds under roof, as well as a courtyard area with the capacity to sleep more than 500 additional individuals.  Haven for Hope will also include housing for homeless families, job training, dog kennels, medical care, detoxification and other medical and social services provided by dozens of agencies and organizations housed within the center. Haven for Hope is expected to be one of the most comprehensive homeless facilities in the country and a standard bearer for homeless assistance centers.  It has already been visited by representatives from more than three dozen cities.

ABOUT THE BRIDGE HOMELESS ASSISTANCE SHELTER

“The Bridge,” meets the growing concerns of homelessness in Dallas, Texas. A safe haven and focus for services for more than 6,000 needy, it empowers chronic and newly homeless to come off the streets and sustain permanent housing in order to live productively. The Center supports guests, provides a safe and attractive work environment, and improves the surrounding community. As a beacon of hope it provides a strong visual presence within the city and elevates the quality of public spaces. It engages the community in transforming the lives of its most disenfranchised members, proving that shelters should not be isolated, but an integrated part of our community; they are valuable civic buildings representing the compassion of our society. To learn more about The Bridge and The Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance please visit http://www.mdhadallas.org/

ABOUT OVERLAND PARTNERS

Overland Partners Architects, founded in 1985 in San Antonio, Texas, is a realization of a vision to bring together a wide range of talents in architecture and planning, in order to provide comprehensive and multi-disciplinary design service.  Sensitive to the environmental and aesthetic context in which we are asked to design, the firm strives for a thoughtful integration of technology, art, and craft through highly sustainable solutions.  Overland Partners Architects offers its clients the ultimate goal of creating a beautiful, functional and enduring design through a process that inspires long-term relationships and is rewarding to the entire project team.  For more information, visit www.overlandpartners.com.

ABOUT CAMARGOCOPELAND

Founded in 1985, CamargoCopeland Architects, LLP offers architectural, interior architecture/design, and planning services. The company’s principals, Myriam E. Camargo, AIA and E.J. Copeland, AIA and its staff form an accomplished and highly skilled team with experience in corporate development, educational/public institutions, hospitality/club developments, and retail facilities. CamargoCopeland Architects is registered with the State of Texas as an Historically Underutilized Business and operates as a Minority/Woman Owned Business Enterprise. In 1999, the Dallas Business Journal recognized CamargoCopeland Architects in its annual Book of Lists as the “Largest Woman-Owned Full Service Architecture Firm in the Dallas Metroplex.” For more information, visit http://www.camargocopeland.com.

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Interviews and high-resolution images available

Media Contact: Claire Bloxom
claire@coopersmithagency.com, (214) 329-9191

Designed by Overland Partners Architects, the eight-acre Plaza is located in Houston’s finest and most-visited public park and features landscaped grounds with native plantings, scenic promenades, and five new buildings

HOUSTON, March 1, 2010 – Houston’s Hermann Park Lake Plaza has officially been awarded LEED Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Designed by San Antonio-based Overland Partners Architects, the $11 million, eight-acre Hermann Park Lake Plaza opened in May 2009 as the threshold to the 445-acre Hermann Park, Houston’s finest and most-visited public park.

The Plaza features newly landscaped grounds with native plantings, new scenic promenades, and five newly-constructed buildings, including a paddle boat pavilion with a boathouse, the Hermann Park Mini-Train depot with satellite stations around the park, a public restroom facility, a café and terrace, and a volunteer and maintenance building. Also, the Plaza’s new Tiffany & Co. Foundation Bridge arches across a 7.5-acre lake lagoon, offering romantic views from a newly accessible vantage point, increased connectivity within the park, and enhanced beauty of the area without disturbing the natural surroundings.

A variety of green strategies addressing site, water, energy, materials and resource conservation were incorporate in its design. For example, shed roofs were designed to produce positive airflow through breezeways to cool pedestrians in Houston’s hot climate; all mature trees were saved and incorporated into the Plaza’s design; and the glulam timber wood used in the buildings’ construction is a renewable resource with six million trees planted daily in the United States.

“Each building was constructed with glued laminated timber columns and graceful curved glulam roof framing that is exposed on the interior and exterior,” said Scott Adams of Overland Partners. “The natural aesthetics of the timber were appropriate for a park location yet also convey a warm, natural appearance and present a seamless integration of nature and building.”

Other elements that reinforce the Plaza’s green commitment include the design of a public art project that integrates art by Jesse Lott, a local artist known for using found objects, and the Mary Gibbs and Jesse H. Jones Greenway, a prominent environmentally-friendly feature that collects water from the Plaza and naturally filters pollutants as it travels from the park to Houston’s Buffalo Bayou. The Greenway also serves as a detention basin, holding water during heavy rainfall to help reduce flooding along the Bayou.

In addition to Overland Partners Architects, Hermann Park Lake Plaza project team members include Vaughn Construction as the contractor, Walter P. Moore as the engineer, White Oak Studios as the landscape architect, and Hermann Park Conservancy and the Houston Parks and Recreation Department as the developers.

ABOUT OVERLAND PARTNERS

Overland Partners Architects, founded in 1985 in San Antonio, Texas, is a realization of a vision to bring together a wide range of talents in architecture and planning, in order to provide comprehensive and multi-disciplinary design service.  Sensitive to the environmental and aesthetic context in which we are asked to design, the firm strives for a thoughtful integration of technology, art, and craft through highly sustainable solutions.  Overland Partners Architects offers its clients the ultimate goal of creating a beautiful, functional and enduring design through a process that inspires long-term relationships and is rewarding to the entire project team.  For more information, visit www.overlandpartners.com.

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Interviews and high-resolution images available upon request

Media Contact: Claire Bloxom
claire@coopersmithagency.com, (214) 329-9191

Designed by Overland Partners Architects, the eight-acre Plaza is located in Houston’s finest and most-visited public park; Currently seeking LEED Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council

HOUSTON, February 23, 2010 – The recently-constructed “green” Hermann Park Lake Plaza near downtown Houston has been honored with two awards for architectural excellence – a 2010 Development of Distinction Award from Urban Land Institute’s (ULI) Houston Chapter and a 2010 Merit Award from the Texas Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). Designed by San Antonio-based Overland Partners Architects, the $11 million, eight-acre Hermann Park Lake Plaza opened in May 2009 as the threshold to the 445-acre Hermann Park, Houston’s finest and most-visited public park.

The Plaza features newly landscaped grounds with native plantings, new scenic promenades, and five newly-constructed buildings, including a paddle boat pavilion with a boathouse, the Hermann Park Mini-Train depot with satellite stations around the park, a public restroom facility, a café and terrace, and a volunteer and maintenance building. Also, the Plaza’s new Tiffany & Co. Foundation Bridge arches across a 7.5-acre lake lagoon, offering romantic views from a newly accessible vantage point, increased connectivity within the park, and enhanced beauty of the area without disturbing the natural surroundings.

Currently seeking LEED Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, the Plaza incorporates a variety of green strategies addressing site, water, energy, materials and resource conservation. For example, shed roofs were designed to produce positive airflow through breezeways to cool pedestrians in Houston’s hot climate; all mature trees were saved and incorporated into the Plaza’s design; and the glulam timber wood used in the buildings’ construction is a renewable resource with six million trees planted daily in the United States.

“Each building was constructed with glued laminated timber columns and graceful curved glulam roof framing that is exposed on the interior and exterior,” said Scott Adams of Overland Partners. “The natural aesthetics of the timber were appropriate for a park location yet also convey a warm, natural appearance and present a seamless integration of nature and building.”

Other elements that reinforce the Plaza’s green commitment include the design of a public art project that integrates art by Jesse Lott, a local artist known for using found objects, and the Mary Gibbs and Jesse H. Jones Greenway, a prominent environmentally-friendly feature that collects water from the Plaza and naturally filters pollutants as it travels from the park to Houston’s Buffalo Bayou. The Greenway also serves as a detention basin, holding water during heavy rainfall to help reduce flooding along the Bayou.

In addition to Overland Partners Architects, Hermann Park Lake Plaza project team members include Vaughn Construction as the contractor, Walter P. Moore as the engineer, White Oak Studios as the landscape architect, and Hermann Park Conservancy and the Houston Parks and Recreation Department as the developers.

ULI’s Houston Development of Distinction Awards define the standard for excellence in the practice of real estate development in the Houston region. This program centers on ULI’s effort to identify and promote best practices in all development types. The awards recognize the full development process — construction, economic viability, marketing, and management — as well as design. These projects support ULI Houston’s mission of providing leadership in the responsible use of land by creating and sustaining thriving communities, thereby earning them this honor of distinction.

The Texas Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects annually solicits professionals around the state to submit potential award-winning projects for its Design Awards Program.  Winning projects are based on a variety of categories, from design through classical built projects, and recognize outstanding examples of recent projects that contribute to the quality of life for all citizens of Texas. The 2010 awards will be presented at the Texas ASLA Conference in March in San Antonio.

ABOUT OVERLAND PARTNERS

Overland Partners Architects, founded in 1985 in San Antonio, Texas, is a realization of a vision to bring together a wide range of talents in architecture and planning, in order to provide comprehensive and multi-disciplinary design service.  Sensitive to the environmental and aesthetic context in which we are asked to design, the firm strives for a thoughtful integration of technology, art, and craft through highly sustainable solutions.  Overland Partners Architects offers its clients the ultimate goal of creating a beautiful, functional and enduring design through a process that inspires long-term relationships and is rewarding to the entire project team.  For more information, visit www.overlandpartners.com.

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Interviews and high-resolution images available upon request.

Media Contact: Claire Bloxom
claire@coopersmithagency.com, (214) 329-9191

BERKLEY, Michigan, February 17, 2010 – SHW Group, one of the nation’s largest architecture and engineering firms specializing in design for the education sector, has hired nine new staff members at its Berkley, Michigan, studio.  They are as follows: Matthew Paterson as electrical engineer; Brian Harte as lead electrical engineer; Joe Mitra as senior project architect; Scott Morgan as mechanical engineer; Philip Leader as MEP group manager; Steven Jelinek as project architect; Paul Farquharson as project architect; Kelli Johnston as interior designer and Amanda Coburn as mechanical engineer intern.

As electrical engineer, Matthew Paterson is working on Eastern Michigan University’s Pray-Harrold Classroom Building and other electrical design projects for SHW.  Matthew is a graduate of Wayne State University.

As lead electrical engineer, Brian Harte, P.E., will be working on SHW’s design of many Michigan higher-education engineering projects. With more than 25 years of engineering experience, Brian holds a bachelor’s of science degree in electrical engineering from Michigan State University.

Joe Mitra, AIA, has joined SHW Group as a senior project architect.  Joe has more than 25 years experience in the architecture industry. He is a graduate of the University of Detroit.

As mechanical engineer, Scott Morgan, P.E., will be assisting on several mechanical design projects for SHW Group. Scott graduated from The University of Michigan.

Philip Leader, P.E. has joined SHW Group as vice president and MEP group manager. Prior to SHW Group, Phil spent more than 20 years at an architecture firm in Detroit, most recently serving as vice president and director of mechanical engineering. Phil has worked with multiple clients in the university, commercial and healthcare sectors, including General Motors, Providence Hospital, The University of Michigan, Michigan State University, University of Michigan Health Systems and Detroit Public Schools.  He is a graduate of The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.

Steven Jelinek, LEED^® AP, has been hired as an intern architect and is currently working on SHW’s design of the new Library of the Future at Grand Valley State University. He holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Lawrence Technological University and a master’s degree in architecture from The University of Michigan.

Paul Farquharson has joined SHW as an intern architect.  In this position, he will be working on multiple higher-education projects.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Lawrence Technological University.

Kelli Johnston has joined SHW as an interior designer.  She holds a bachelor’s of fine arts degree in interior design from Kendall College of Art and Design,  is NCIDQ-Certified (National Council for Interior Design Qualification), and is a member of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA).

Finally, Amanda Coburn has joined SHW Group as a new mechanical engineering intern for the winter term.  She currently attends Kettering University.

Combined, the nine new employees hold degrees from eight different universities in Michigan, a testament to the quality and strength of Michigan’s higher-education institutions as well as the diversity of knowledge at SHW Group.

About SHW Group

SHW Group, LLC a Michigan-based architectural and engineering firm is one of the state’s leading educational design firms. More than just an A/E firm, the company is known for its comprehensive collaboration with educators, and researchers to design innovative facilities that support the learning process. For more information about SHW Group, please visit www.shwgroup.com or follow the firm on Twitter at http://twitter.com/shwgroup.

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Media Contact: Claire Bloxom
claire@coopersmithagency.com, (214) 329-9191

Punta de Mita, MX –

Meticulously designed by San Antonio-based architectural firm Overland Partners, Imanta sets a new standard for “the Nature of Luxury.” With an emphasis on sustainability and luxury, each structure at Imanta was designed to take full advantage of the land and its spectacular setting—from the terraces that offer complete privacy, as well as a mix of sun and shade in each season, to the boulders found on the property and used for its stone walls, to the uninterrupted views of the ocean and jungle.

“Imanta is a property that is truly born of the land,” said General Manager Jose Carlos Navarrete. “The owners lived in tents on the beach for a year in order to fully understand what they wanted Imanta to be, and protecting this incredible land was the first priority. What resulted is something that offers all of the luxuries guests come to expect from a five star property today, with a true sense of connection to the land.”

Resort guests have the option of staying in one of seven unique accommodations, each carefully constructed with locally sourced and environmentally friendly materials.  Five free-standing one-bedroom Casas feature spacious living areas, indoor/outdoor showers, pools and terraces.  Additionally, guests may choose from two two-bedroom Casonas, each including a full kitchen, living room, dining room, pool and terrace.

Inspired by the natural beauty of the surrounding coastline and the rich cultural heritage of the area, each accommodation at Imanta combines elegant, contemporary designs while keeping within the resort’s commitment to ecological consciousness.

“There was no preconceived notion for what Imanta would look like,” said Bob Shemwell, lead architect for Overland Partners. “Instead, we looked at the site and the land to see what it would yield. The stone for the walls of the buildings, for example, came from the boulders we cleared. We even hollowed bathtubs out of boulders and made slab stone tables from the leftover cuttings. We were careful not to cut down any trees, and we took pains to site all the buildings to respect the topography and to make them totally private. In fact, you can’t see the building below you since we’ve planted the roofs—so the buildings just disappear into the jungle.”

The culinary approach at Imanta is very much in keeping with the rest of the property—with an emphasis on utilizing fresh, local seafood, organic produce grown on local farms, premium meats and exotic, tropical fruits from local orchards.  Catch of the Day, Imanta’s casual dining option, is located under a beautiful beach palapa and offers beach fare and cocktails daily.  For a more formal dining atmosphere, Tukipa features sweeping views of the jungle and ocean and offers a daily-changing menu.  Guests can also enjoy the sunset with cocktails at Observatorio, the resort’s chic rooftop terrace, offering a 360-degree view of the lush jungle and Pacific.  Private romantic dinners can also be arranged by the beach, in the jungle or in the comforts of the guests’ own Casa or Casona.

After a long day relaxing in the sun or horseback riding through the jungle, guests can indulge in world-class spa services, either in-room, by the beach or in the intimate spa facility.  Treatments include soothing massages, facials and unique pre-Hispanic treatments.

Whether guests are avid outdoor enthusiasts or prefer to relax and read on a daybed, Imanta offers countless activities to enhance each guests’ stay and showcase all that the area has to offer. Land activities include biking, hiking, bird-watching, eco-adventure tours led by a wildlife expert and horseback riding through Imanta’s very own 250-acre natural reserve.  Sailing, kayaking, snorkeling, yachting, kite surfing, windsurfing, surfing, diving and even whale-watching are also available from the property’s private beaches.  For the golf enthusiast, six professional golf courses including a new Greg Norman Championship course are all conveniently located within 45 minutes of the resort, and tee times can easily be arranged through the concierge. Other unique activities, such as yoga, music and dance performers and theme nights, can also be arranged.

In addition to the hotel, Imanta Punta de Mita offers 37 private signature lots subtlety interspersed throughout the 250 acre property, making it the lowest density resort in the Riviera Nayarit area. Opening rates for the Casas start at $1,200 per night, while the Casonas start at $4,800 per night.  Rates include daily breakfast either in-room or at Tukipa.

For more information on Imanta Punta de Mita, please visit the Web site at www.imantaresorts.com.

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For further media information, please contact Victoria King Public Relations, Inc. at 12381 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 203, Los Angeles, CA, 90025. telephone: (310) 207-5175, facsimile: (310) 207-5525, email: info@vkpr.com

Media Contact: Erin Franklin, PR Rep for Imanta Resorts
info@vkpr.com, (310) 207-5175

Claire Bloxom, PR Rep for Overland Partners
claire@coopersmithagency.com, (214) 329-9191

Designated Drivers Honored During NBA All-Star Activities

DALLAS (Feb. 10, 2010) – The National Basketball Association (NBA), Dallas Mavericks and Anheuser-Busch are encouraging fans to be responsible and respect others while attending NBA All-Star activities in Dallas, Feb. 11 – 14, through the Good Sport program.

Good Sport is a comprehensive action plan that encourages a positive crowd environment by reminding fans to be responsible, respect the rights of others and use a designated driver.  The program is supported by Anheuser-Busch and its Dallas-area distributor Ben E. Keith Company.

“NBA All-Star is a celebration of our game and the world’s best athletes, and it’s our goal to provide our fans with a safe, family-friendly experience during the events in Dallas, Fort Worth and Arlington,” said Mark Tatum, executive vice president of Marketing Partnerships, National Basketball Association.  “The Good Sport program and our partnership with Anheuser-Busch is a way to promote responsible fan behavior and reward NBA fans who volunteer to be designated drivers for their families and friends.”

“We are proud supporters of Anheuser-Busch’s Good Sport program,” said Kevin Bartholomew, president of Ben E. Keith Beverages. “We have always promoted responsible behavior when drinking, and through the Good Sport program, we can reward adults who volunteer to be designated drivers for their families and friends during NBA All-Star weekend.”

Adults may sign up for the opportunity to be the “Designated Driver of the Night” at Good Sport booths featured at several events during NBA All-Star 2010:

• NBA All-Star Saturday Night (Saturday, Feb. 13) – Good Sport booth located in Section 104, American Airlines Center; the first 300 fans who sign up to be a designated driver receive a free soda at the event; “Designated Driver of the Night” receives an autographed NBA basketball.

• Budweiser One Night Stand at the Palladium (Saturday, Feb. 13) – Good Sport booth located near the front entrance; fans who sign up to be a designated driver receive a free O’Doul’s at the event; “Designated Driver of the Night” receives a framed NBA jersey.

• NBA All-Star Game (Sunday, Feb. 14) – Good Sport booth located in Section 446, Cowboys Stadium; fans who sign up to be a designated driver receive Responsibility Matters beads; “Designated Driver of the Night” receives an autographed NBA basketball.

Good Sport NBA All-Star 2010 in Dallas

“The NBA has been a great supporter of the Good Sport program for many years, and we’re pleased to again partner with them to encourage fans to drink responsibly and make a designated driver part of their plans for the 2010 NBA All-Star festivities,” said Kathy Casso, vice president of Corporate Social Responsibility, Anheuser-Busch, Inc.  “The Good Sport program continues our commitment to promoting responsibility in our communities and helping to prevent drunk driving.”

Adult fans visiting the Good Sport booths at these events also will receive information about Anheuser-Busch’s Family Talk About Drinking program, which provides tips for parents on how to talk with their teens about drinking.  Developed by authorities on education, family counseling and alcohol treatment, Family Talk helps prevent underage drinking by helping parents communicate openly and honestly with their teens about this important issue.  Visit www.familytalkonline.com to download free materials.  And for entertaining at home, copies of Anheuser-Busch’s Great Party Guide, which offers tips for responsible celebrating, also will be available.

According to a 2008 study conducted by Harris Interactive® for Anheuser-Busch, 94 percent of sports fans who drink beer, say they drink responsibly and in moderation.  Anheuser-Busch and its wholesalers promote responsible drinking among professional basketball fans by implementing Good Sport fan responsibility programs with 19 NBA teams throughout the season.

About the NBA

The NBA, founded in 1946, is a professional sports league and global business that features 30 teams in the United States and Canada.  During the 2009-10 season, NBA games will reach 215 countries and territories in 41 languages.  The league’s worldwide reach is also displayed in the 80 international players from 35 countries and territories on NBA rosters.  NBA merchandise is sold in more than 100,000 stores in 100 countries on six continents.  NBA.com averages more than 26 million page views per day, with more than 50 percent of the site’s visitors coming from outside of North America.  Through NBA Cares, the league, its teams and players have donated more than $115 million to charity, provided more than one million hours of hands-on service to communities around the world, and created more than 440 places where kids and families can live, learn, or play.

About Ben E. Keith Beverages

Ben E. Keith Company, established in 1906, began selling Anheuser-Busch products in 1933. Today, Ben E. Keith Company’s Beverages division is one of the largest independent Anheuser-Busch wholesalers in the country. For more information, please visit http://www.benekeith.com/beverage.

About Anheuser-Busch

Since 1982, Anheuser-Busch and its nationwide network of wholesalers have invested more than $750 million in national advertising campaigns and community-based programs to promote responsible drinking and prevent alcohol abuse. In 2009, for the sixth year in a row, the company ranked first in the beverage industry for social responsibility in FORTUNE magazine’s “World’s Most Admired Companies.”  For more information on these efforts and the progress being made in fighting alcohol abuse, visit www.beeresponsible.com.

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Media Contact: Clara Ingram, Ben E. Keith Co.
claraingram@benekeith.com, (214) 267-6496

Kim Mandara, National Basketball Association
kmandara@nba.com, (212) 407-8086

Completed in 2008, the $33 million school offers career-focused and technical “cross-collaborative” education for 11th-and-12th-grade students

PLANO, TEXAS, February 9, 2010 – Frisco Independent School District’s $33 million Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center has been honored with the national 2010 Shirley Cooper Award, which is presented annually to architecturally significant educational projects that best meet the educational needs of its students. The award is hosted by the American Association of School Administrators (AASA), the American Institute of Architects and the Council of Education Facility Planners’ International Architectural Jury.

The CTE Center opened in the fall of 2008 and was designed by Plano, Texas-based SHW Group, one of the nation’s largest architecture and engineering firms that specializes in design for the K-12 and higher education sectors. The school will be honored at an awards ceremony at AASA’s 2010 National Conference on Education in Phoenix. This is SHW Group’s second Shirley Cooper Award. In 2001, the firm was honored for its design of Roy Lee Walker Elementary School in McKinney, Texas.

Part of the Frisco Independent School District, the 125,618-square-foot CTE Center is a school- of-choice facility where college-bound and career-bound 11th-and-12th-grade students engage in a cross-collaborative experience that merges real-world professional environments with educational programs.

“To be recognized at an international level by educators, facility planners and architects sends a strong external message about the talent and knowledge of our design team. The project was also significant internally because it defined a new project approach for us—we became an extension of the Frisco ISD. As a result, the CTE center has become a model for the approach we take on all of our projects,” said Jimmy Strohmeyer, managing principal of SHW Group. “Long before the CTE Center project hit the drawing boards, our firm engaged with school administrators, community businesses and corporate partners to craft a vision for the facility. That vision was substantiated through insightful research that included school tours nationwide, end-user surveys and consultation from colleges and businesses.”

The contemporary two-story structure was designed to consolidate the resources across multiple campuses within a single building. Thus, it allows students to explore their interests and focus on possible job options. As a result, the tools, environment and curriculum the students are exposed to closely resemble what they will experience in the real world as young adults. For example, the center offers a full-service restaurant, credit union/bank, a court room for mock trials, TV and radio studios, computer and animation labs, an architecture lab, marketing and media centers, medical and veterinary science labs, a warehouse, a copy center and a mail room. A 4,000-square-foot greenhouse was also constructed to support the horticulture curriculum.

SHW Group also designed the center to offer unique “cross-collaborative” opportunities.  For example, students from the marketing program team up with students from the TV and radio programs to write, shoot and edit television ads promoting sales and other activities. These ads, as well as other content created by CTE Center students, are displayed on a two-story flat screen media wall located in the center’s centralized atrium. With the ability to divide into 15 screens, this wall inspires student interest in the various programs and facilitates communication among students, teachers, administrators and the community.

Since its completion, SHW Group has been honored with several awards for its design excellence for the Frisco CTE Center, including:

• Outstanding Secondary School construction award in TASA/TASB’s school architecture competition, recognized in all six categories: value, process of planning, design, educational appropriateness, innovation and sustainability;
• 2009 Terrazzo Honor Award from the National Terrazzo and Mosaic Association, given to 14 of the best mosaic or faux-marble floorings in the country;
• Silver Citation for common areas from American School and University;
• Recognition as an innovative school in American School and University; and,
• Momentum Award in the Workforce Catalyst Category from the Dallas Regional Chamber.

“Winning the Shirley Cooper Award validates what we’ve known about the Frisco CTE all along — that it’s a great example of what districts can achieve when planning, educational vision and design all come together,” said principal-in-charge Trey Laird. “The real reward is hearing about the success students are having in their project work—the stories are unprecedented and highlight a program that gives kids a chance to define what they want to do after high school, be it a career or college.”

“As a result, everyone wants a tour,” Laird continues. “The district has welcomed many educators, architects, government officials and business leaders inside the facility for a first-hand look of an all-around extraordinary learning environment.”

For more information about SHW Group, please visit www.shwgroup.com.

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Media Contact: Nicole Traycoff
ntraycoff@shwgroup.com, (214) 473-2424

Claire Bloxom
claire@coopersmithagency.com, (214) 329-9191

DALLAS – February 5, 2010 – Uptown Players continues its ninth season with a new performance of Equus, held February 26 – March 21, 2010, at the historic Kalita Humphreys Theater, former home of the Dallas Theater Center.

Equus chronicles the disturbing journey of a young man who seems to be a normal teenager with a passion for horses, but is harboring darker desires. Martin Dysart (Rick Espaillat), a psychiatrist, investigates the savage blinding of six horses at a stable in Hampshire, England. For no apparent reason, an unassuming 17 year-old stable boy named Alan Strang (Max Swarner), the only son of a timid father and a refined, religious mother, committed the atrocity with a hoof pick. Only Dysart seems able to grasp the answer to this psychological puzzle. As Dysart exposes the truths behind the boy’s demons, he finds himself confronting his own insecurities about religion, sexuality and his relationship with his wife.

Equus opened at London’s National Theatre in 1973 and became a worldwide sensation. The 2007 London revival was one of the biggest hits ever seen in the West End. The show transferred to New York where it became one of the most successful dramas of the 2008-2009 Broadway season.

The cast includes Chris Edwards, Rick Espaillat, Lisa Anne Haram, Chris Hauge, Scott Higgins, William Lanier, Dan Morrow, Mary Margaret Pyeatt, Alexander Ross, Max Swarner, Greg Turnipseed, Lee Jamison Wadley, Daylon Walton, and Carolyn Wickwire.  The production is under the direction of Bruce R. Coleman.

The production runs February 26 through March 21, 2010, with shows at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. There is no production on February 28, but there is an added performance at 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 18. Performances take place at the Kalita Humphreys Theater, 3636 Turtle Creek Blvd (entrance off Blackburn), Dallas, TX 75219.  Tickets are $30-40 and can be purchased online at www.uptownplayers.org or by phone at (214) 219-2718.

About Uptown Players

Now entering its ninth season, Uptown Players has gathered a dedicated following with an annual audience base of more than 12,000 patrons, including nearly 1,000 season subscribers. The response from the community and critics has been remarkable, including more than 25 Leon Rabin Awards from the Dallas Theatre League, several hundred “The Column” Awards and 15 Theatre Critics Forum Awards in its first seven seasons. Uptown Players has also been named the best theatre company by the Dallas Voice Readers Awards for the past three years and by the Dallas Observer in 2004 and 2005. Uptown Players is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization, presenting plays and musicals that challenge audiences artistically, build cultural bridges, and strive to create greater positive public awareness and acceptance through the performing arts. There is no other theater group with this unique mission in the Dallas area.

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Viewer discretion is advised for adult situations and nudity.

Media Contact: Nina Koch
nina@coopersmithagency.com, (214) 329-9191

PLANO, Texas, February 4, 2010 — Further demonstrating the firm’s commitment to providing clients with high-quality architecture for the education sector, SHW Group’s North Texas Region has officially announced Jimmy Strohmeyer as a managing principal. Strohmeyer previously held the title of principal in charge which he accepted in 1999. He began his career with the firm in 1994 as an assistant project manager for school district clients including the Rockwall ISD, Lewisville ISD, Highland Park ISD and Plano ISD.

“Jimmy’s obvious leadership qualities were why he was named managing principal for our North Texas studio,” says Kyle Bacon, chief operating officer for SHW Group. “He successfully manages the studio’s operations, as well as new business and strategic planning for the region. Throughout his career, he has strived to contribute to the future of children in America, and he looks for any opportunity to make an impact by creating learning environments that foster discovery.”

Strohmeyer joined the firm after working as a project manager and team leader at BSW International in Tulsa, Okla., where he managed a project team responsible for producing $2 billion annually in construction. In 1990, he earned his bachelor’s degree in architecture from Louisiana Tech University, and through the years, he has been involved with numerous education and community organizations, including the YMCA, Rotary, Kiwanis and PTA. Strohmeyer also was nominated and selected as a finalist for the 2006 Superintendent’s Award of Outstanding Character and Citizenship for his “exemplary citizenship and service to others” in recognition for his response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina.

“Throughout his years at SHW Group, Jimmy has served the firm and its clients with a passion and dedication that are exemplary examples to his colleagues,” said Jonathan Aldis, principal in charge for the North Texas studio. “He also possesses a way of building consensus and inspiring others to do their very best which has major implications for the future of our firm and the North Texas studio.”

For more information about SHW Group, please visit www.shwgroup.com.

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Media Contact: Nicole Traycoff
ntraycoff@shwgroup.com, (214) 473-2424

Claire Bloxom
claire@coopersmithagency.com, (214) 329-9191

DALLAS, February 3, 2010 – Daltile, the largest U.S. manufacturer and distributor of ceramic tile and natural stone, is introducing five new product collections at Surfaces 2010:  San Michele, Veranda Tones, Stone A’ La Mod, P’Zazz and Stratford Place. With rich textured surfaces, high-shade variations and varied mosaic patterns, the new collections feature many of today’s most stylish looks.

“Fashionable looks like diverse color tones, mixed textures and modern linear visuals are among the most popular today in both residential and commercial applications – and our newest collections certainly fit the bill,” said Lori Kirk-Rolley, senior marketing director for Daltile. “Our San Michele series mirrors the old world look of vein-cut and cross-cut travertine, while Stone A’ La Mod mixes beautiful natural stone in eight unique mosaic patterns and finishes with a contemporary flair. And with the multi-color, grained look of wood, Veranda Tones is the ultimate addition to our very popular Veranda series.”

These new products will be featured prominently during Surfaces 2010 at Booth 3415. Daltile representatives will be on-hand to provide visitors with more information about the company’s new product additions, as well as many of its most popular series.

New Product Introductions:

San Michele – Glazed Porcelain Tile with Microban® Antimicrobial Technology and Reveal Imaging^TM

San Michele is a glazed porcelain floor tile that is infused with Microban® antimicrobial protection, which provides a layer of protection from stain- and odor- causing bacteria that won’t wash off or wear away. The new collection emulates natural antiqued travertine stone and is available in three warm colors (Crema, Dorato and Moka). San Michele realistically replicates vein-cut and cross-cut travertine through Daltile’s Reveal Imaging^TM, a new technology that creates dimensional, sophisticated graphics with rich coloration, texture variation, clefting and veining. Reveal Imaging allows tile graphics to be much more realistic than traditional methods of printing with no two tiles alike. As a result, the tiles look more like the stones that they are emulating.

San Michele includes a vein-cut graphic in a rectified field tile size (12”x 24”), and a cross-cut graphic in four rectified field tile sizes (12”x 12”, 18”x 18”, 12”x 24” and 24”x 24”) and one cross-cut graphic in a 2”x 4” straight joint sheet-mounted mosaic. Additionally, a 2”x 12” natural stone decorative border that coordinates with both vein-cut and cross-cut graphics is available in all three colors.

A cross-cut 3”x 12” floor bullnose, 6”x 12” cove base and 1”x 6” cove outside corner complete the collection.

San Michele is suitable for floors, walls, backsplashes, countertops and pool linings in both residential and commercial settings, as well as exterior floors walls, backsplashes, countertops and pool linings in freezing and non-freezing climates.

Veranda Tones – ColorBody Porcelain

Veranda Tones is a ColorBody porcelain with a contemporary multi-color wood look that was designed to coordinate with Daltile’s popular Veranda series. Each piece features detailed linear graining and high shade variation and comes in five earthy color blends (Zen Garden, Redland Hills, Urban Safari, Bamboo Forest and Iron Jungle). Each Veranda Tone blends three different solid colors from the existing Veranda’s series, now called Veranda Solids. Veranda Tones is available in three TruEdge rectified modular sizes (6 1/2”x 20”, 13”x 20” and 20”x 20”).

Veranda Tones is suitable for floors, walls, backsplashes, countertops and pool linings in both residential and commercial settings, as well as exterior floors and walls in freezing and non-freezing climates.

For more information, please visit www.daltileproducts.com/veranda.

Stone A’ La Mod – Natural Stone Mosaics & Patterns

Stone A’ La Mod is a collection of natural stone mosaics and patterns, all with a modern flair. The collection’s eight unique mesh-mounted patterns include 2”x 3” wedge mosaics with a polished finish, 5 ¾” x ½” linear mosaics with a polished finish, 1 ½” x ¾” oval mosaics with a polished finish, ½” x ½” mosaics with a polished finish, a 1 ½” x ¾” basketweave pattern with a honed finish, 2”x 2” random high-low mosaics that mix both honed and polished finishes, and ¾” x ¾” high-low mosaics and 3/8” random brick-joint mosaics, both with split-face finishes. All patterns are available in three contemporary colors (Nouveau Nero, Urban Bluestone and Contempo White).

Additionally, a mesh-mounted 12”x 12” block random pattern, made up of four mosaic sizes, combines the collection’s three colors, all with a polished finish, to create the Uptown Blend.

Stone A’ La Mod is suitable for floors, walls and backsplashes in residential settings and walls and backsplashes in commercial settings. This collection is not suitable for exterior use.

For more information, please visit www.daltileproducts.com/stonealamod.

P’Zazz – ColorBody Porcelain

P’Zazz is defined by its stylish, textured fabric-like surface, shimmering colors and a contemporary linear look. The ColorBody porcelain collection’s six colors (White Ritz, Beige Flair, Tan Dazzle, Gold Glam, Gray Shimmer and Black Drama) feature a unique, unpolished, reflective appearance and variations in surface depth that give it a directional appearance.

P’Zazz is available in three sizes (12”x 12”, 12”x 24” and 6”x 24”) that are TruEdge, rectified and modular. Additionally, two mosaic patterns complete the collection:  a 1”x 2” straight-joint mosaic in two available color blends; and a 2”x 2” mosaic, available in all colors, with each 2”x 2” tile piece turned in an opposite direction to vary the direction of the linear visual from piece to piece. Both mosaic patterns come mesh-mounted on 12”x 12” sheets that are modular with other field tile sizes. P’Zazz’s trim package includes a 3”x 12” bullnose.

P’Zazz is suitable for floors, walls, backsplashes, countertops and pool linings in both residential and commercial settings, as well as exterior walls, backsplashes, countertops and pool linings in freezing and non-freezing climates.

For more information, please visit www.daltileproducts.com/pzazz.

Stratford Place – Glazed ceramic Floor and Wall tile

Stratford Place is a glazed ceramic tile that mimics the look and old world feel of travertine. The new collection is available in four rich, natural colors (Alabaster Sands, Willow Branch, Truffle Field and Dorian Gray), and features four field tile sizes (6”x 6” wall, 10”x 14” wall, 12”x 12” and 18”x 18”), as well as a 2”x 2” dot-mounted mosaic available in a Stratford Blend that combines all four of the collection’s colors. A 2”x 9” universal decorative accent and full trim package complete the collection.

Stratford Place is suitable for floors, walls, backsplashes, countertops and in both residential and commercial settings, as well as exterior walls in non-freezing climates.

For more information, please visit www.daltileproducts.com/stratfordplace.

Timber Glen – Line Extension

Timber Glen Contemporary has been added to Daltile’s popular Timber Glen ColorBody porcelain collection. The Timber Glen Contemporary visual features a modern twist on the traditional distressed, hand-scraped wood appearance of the original Timber Glen collection, now called Timber Glen Rustic. The new visual has a more linear, consistent graphic and comes in six rustic colors (Dune, Hickory, Cherry, Cocoa, Thatch and Espresso) and two, rectified sizes (6” x 24” and 12” x 24”).

In addition, one new color, Thatch, has been added to the Timber Glen Rustic series.

Colour Scheme with Outstand Technology^tm – Line extension

Five new colors (Fire Brick, Berry, Grapple, Sunbeam and Emerald) have been added to Daltile’s recently launched Colour Scheme collection. The glazed porcelain floor tile pairs a contemporary look with the high-performance and eco-friendly benefits of OutStand Technology, which includes Microban® Antibicrobial Technology.

Color Scheme’s high recycled materials content (more than 60%), including pre- and post-consumer recycled glass, as well as domestic manufacturing location, may help building and remodeling projects achieve credits and/or points in a variety of green building programs, such as LEED.

For more information, please visit www.daltileproducts.com/colourscheme.

About Daltile:

Daltile, a division of Mohawk Industries, is the largest manufacturer, distributor and marketer of ceramic tile and natural stone in North America. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, the company has more than 7,000 employees at its North American facilities and sells its products through a network of more than 250 company-owned sales service centers, independent distributors and leading home center retailers nationwide.

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Images and samples are available upon request.

Daltile’s website: www.daltileproducts.com

Toll-Free Information: 1-800-933-8453

Media Contact: Diana DuBois
diana@coopersmithagency.com, (214) 329-9191