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The Most Common Uses for Aluminum Extrusions

Many people don’t realize just how widespread and dependable aluminum extrusions are in their everyday products, appliances and even vehicles. To help you better understand how and why aluminum has become so pervasive, here are some of the most common uses for aluminum extrusions throughout a variety of industries.

Construction

As you may have expected, aluminum extrusions are a very effective and popular building material. They provide superb internal structural support, and you can find them around buildings in the form of handrails, door frames, windows and other various details. In fact, people often use aluminum extrusions for aesthetic design simply because they provide a sleek and modern appeal. Thanks to their strength and lightweight attributes, aluminum extrusions can be incorporated practically anywhere.

Transportation

The transportation industry has adopted extrusions in the creation of as many vehicle models as possible, and it’s quickly becoming one of the most common uses for aluminum extrusions. The strength of aluminum matches those of other metals traditionally used in cars, trucks and more. But more importantly, the lightweight trait of these extrusions makes them far more efficient. The lighter a vehicle is, the more fuel-efficient it can be since the engine doesn’t have to work as hard to move the entire vehicle. Think about how older cars used to be so much heavier because they used materials like stainless steel.

Industrial

Any industrial facility will also make use of aluminum extrusions as a practical and efficient material. Aluminum extrusions are very easy to craft and mold into specific designs, allowing for quick and effective construction of applications like tables, carts, manufacturing equipment and more. Furthermore, aluminum extrusion machine guards make heavy machinery so much safer for operation by reducing the likelihood of workers coming into contact with dangerous components.

Home Décor

Where you may least expect aluminum extrusions is in home décor. You may own indoor and outdoor furniture that uses aluminum extrusions in its construction. This helps ensure furniture is long-lasting but not too heavy to move around as you see fit. Extrusions are also used in art pieces or picture frames for that sleek and modern appearance the construction industry also takes advantage of.

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Things to Consider Daily: Eco-Friendly Practices for the Workplace

Taking care of the planet is everyone’s responsibility, but some of the biggest contributors to pollution are businesses — from factories billowing smoke to daily operations producing far more waste than the average household. To help your business stay green, here are some eco-friendly practices for the workplace.

Implement Recycling Programs

Implementing a recycling program requires a bit more effort than simply providing the appropriate bins around the office. Instead, take the time to educate employees on how to properly recycle different materials. For instance, recycling batteries requires greater expertise than recycling paper. Understanding how to properly dispose of different materials goes a long way in ensuring that those materials can be reused and kept out of landfills.

Go Paperless

Another great eco-friendly practice for the workplace is to eliminate waste by encouraging your workplace to forgo paper. In its place, make the effort to digitize data and information. Doing so preserves our forests by decreasing the need for paper and ink. And in fact, you’ll likely save a lot more money if you don’t need to purchase such materials.

Eco-Friendly

Add Office Plants

Placing plants around your office doesn’t just add to the aesthetic appeal; it also improves the air quality in your office space by removing carbon dioxide and other pollutants. We’re naturally disposed to enjoy natural elements, and you’ll find the workplace a lot more relaxing and stress-free with a bit of greenery around.

Encourage Sustainable Transportation

Finally, encourage your employees to get to work in ways other than taking their vehicles or by carpooling with other coworkers. Biking, walking, taking public transit and carpooling are excellent ways to cut down on the emissions from burning fossil fuels. In fact, as working from home has proven to be just as productive as having employees in the office, you could simply eliminate transportation all together and offer the opportunity for employees to work remotely as they please.

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What You Should Know About Marine Piling

The state of Washington is fortunate enough to have some of the most beautiful waterfront properties in North America. If you live on the water and want to build a dock for your boat, you must familiarize yourself with marine piling. 

In this guide, you will learn what marine piling is, why it matters, and what the process entails. Here is what you should know about marine piling. 

It Creates Support for Marine Structures

Unless you want your marine structures to sink underwater, they will need adequate support to withstand the oceanic conditions. Many industries use piling to create ample support before constructing large structures. Marine piling is perfect for building bridges, piers, docks, and floating pontoons. Marine piling requires workers to drill underwater to create a strong foundation in the seabed for piles. 

Marine Piling Uses Numerous Materials

There are a few different materials you can use for marine piling. Some examples include wood, concrete, steel, and composite materials. 

No matter which type of material you decide to use, you must make sure it is treated for aquatic conditions. You don’t want it to rust or corrode over time. High-density polyethylene is a durable plastic material and is one of the best options for piling, which explains why the future needs HDPE plastic marine piles. However, each type of material has different strengths, weaknesses, and treatment processes.

Marine

It Keeps You Safe

Preserving the integrity of any oceanfront structure comes with its risks. As the tide rolls in and smashes waves against your marine structure, its materials will start to wear down over time. 

Whether it’s a pier or a dock, someone could get hurt if they were standing on it while it sinks underwater. Marine piling ensures that you won’t have to worry about this outcome because it is the strongest foundation available for any aquatic structure. 

Overall, marine piling can turn your waterfront property into a dream home, whether you have a boat or not. After learning what you should know about marine piling, you should consider using it for your next home renovation project. 

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CW Chamber Honors Citizen & Business Person of the Year, Students, Teachers

Camas, WA — Dozens gathered together at Camas Meadows Golf Club Wednesday evening at the Annual Camas Washougal Chamber of Commerce Awards banquet to honor students, teachers, as well as the Citizen of the Year and Business Person of the Year.

Lori Reed, president of the chamber emceed the event, which first paid tribute to two local seniors who won $1,000 college scholarships. Mary Lendvoyi was the Washougal scholarship recipient. Lendvoyi is an excellent student and athlete, and plans to attend college in Idaho.

Savannah Stephens won the college scholarship representing Camas (Camas Connect Academy). She will be attending Brigham Young University this Fall.

The Washougal Teacher of the Year is Cheryl MacIntyre, who was honored for her work as the District Math Coach. Camas nominated three teachers — Jenn Scott, Brooke Hansen and Melissa Butler — for their amazing work in the Science of Reading Team. The three teachers have helped students diagnosed and cope with dyslexia and other reading issues. Their work has been instrumental in helping kids with reading difficulties. 

Retired Staff Sergeant John Kaiser was named Citizen of the Year for his work helping local veterans. He started fishing with his dad at the age of 6. In 1997, Kaiser enlisted in the Army where he served in Kuwait, Mosul and Baghdad, where he was wounded. He medically retired in 2008. After struggling with PTSD fishing became a therapy. After fishing with an Army Buddy, Kaiser realized there are therapeutic benefits of being outside surrounded by nature and quietly fishing. 

Chamber
John Kaiser won the Citizen of the Year award.

Kaiser began to take veterans fishing and quickly became the Northwest Veteran Outreach Coordinator for Veteran Outdoors, a Texas-based organization dedicated to providing hunting, fishing and outdoor activities to wounded veterans. 

And, Marilyn Reed was honored as Business Person of the Year for finding creative solutions to grow her business — Lily Atelier — which is a women’s boutique store.

The CW Chamber Citizen of the Year award started in 1955.

Chamber
Savannah Stephens won a CW Chamber college scholarship.
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The Everyday Benefits of Smart Home Technology — Let it Save You Money

Did your energy bill recently skyrocket? Take a good look at these everyday benefits of smart home technology and see how they can help you take control.

The use of smart home technology is on the rise in homes across the globe. Understandably, there are various reasons for people to invest in these gadgets, from things like increased safety to energy management. If you’re looking to upgrade your existing devices or step into home automation, here are just a few of the everyday benefits of smart home technology to consider:

Interconnectivity 

All devices you choose can link together and improve your home’s efficiency and productivity. Connectivity with devices enables users to gain more control over their home’s security, energy, and finances. It’s essential to have a smart home hub installed to create uniformity in communication. 

Remote Monitoring 

While interconnectivity provides synchronicity, remote monitoring enables users to access their systems and home status from any device. Using a tablet, mobile device, or computer gives real-time tracking and peace of mind. Additionally, remote monitoring creates a safety net for fire, vandalism, or burglars. 

These remote benefits are a top reason to invest in a smart home system, especially for those who travel, have pets, or leave their children home for a few hours. 

Enhanced Safety 

Many homeowners turn to security systems before exploring the other areas of smart home technology. The real-time surveillance features allow homeowners to know exactly what is happening from any location. 

Therefore, interconnectivity is critical across devices because your location will not affect your ability to check in on your home. You can go to bed or on vacation and feel safe about the contents of your home. 

Energy Management 

With the rising cost of living, finding a way to decrease your expenses is challenging. Through a hub and remote monitoring investment, users gain real-time control to manage things such as thermostats, lighting, and appliance usage. 

Additionally, investing in smart plugs can help you turn things off or on remotely to ensure you are optimizing your experience and reducing use when necessary. 

The everyday benefits of smart home technology create a more dynamic experience within the home, giving homeowners more control over the things that matter most. Whether you need to upgrade or add on to your existing system, it’s never too late to consider how technological advancements can serve you. 

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Hidden Costs to Avoid During a Construction Project

Construction projects are always costly endeavors. Read on to learn what hidden costs you can avoid to help you stick to your construction budget.

Spring and summer are the seasons for construction, whether that’s for roads and highways or home additions. And with that said, any construction project worth doing is worth doing efficiently and as cost-effectively as possible.

However, keeping to a project budget can be difficult, especially when there are unexpected costs. Knowing what hidden costs to avoid during a construction projectcan help you stick to your budget this construction season.

Documentation 

Whether the project is residential, commercial, or municipal, you will need to have your paperwork in order to complete it. And many of these documents come with fees that need to be paid. 

Documents such as building permits, contracts with outside professionals, and even liability insurance can cost hundreds of dollars, depending on the scope of your projects.

Improper Machine Usage 

Heavy equipment and machinery are one of your biggest investments. You will want to be aware of how to use each piece of equipment or hire a professional to use it for you to avoid common machine mistakes, such as:

  • Pushing equipment beyond its performance specifications 
  • Not storing equipment properly 
  • Changing fluids infrequently 
  • Failing to secure equipment when away 
  • Idling your machine for extended periods

All these choices can lead to hidden costs during your construction project.For instance, idling a machine can impact your project by driving up fuel costs and prematurely wearing down the equipment. 

Downtime

There are a variety of reasons your construction project may experience downtimes, such as broken equipment, inclement weather, or changed building plans. This downtime can drive up a project’s cost by increasing the cost of paying workers and renting equipment. 

While some factors that cause downtime can’t be controlled, like the weather, there are certain measures you can take to prevent downtime in your project. Be sure to perform regular equipment maintenance on machinery and hire a professional to do your building plans. 

Construction projects can be a costly endeavor. But with intentional choices and proper planning, you can help reduce costs for your project. 

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Three Questions You Should Ask Your Immigration Attorney

Remember these questions you should ask your immigration attorney during your first meeting if you want clarity and confidence when proceeding with your case.

Immigration attorneys assist in cases dealing with issues such as naturalization and fiancé(e) visas. These cases deal with sensitive issues and require careful planning and knowledge. But how do you differentiate a suitable lawyer from the rest? These are the top three questions you should ask your immigration attorneyduring your first meeting. 

How Much Experience Do You Have? 

This is a standard question you should ask when partnering with any professional, and an immigration attorney is no exception. Specifically, relevant experience comes down to how many years the professional has worked with these types of cases as well as how many cases they have under their belt. That way, you can find an experienced expert who knows the titular topic front to back.

Another clear sign of expert experience in immigration law is being a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA); this membership showcases a dedication to professionalism and ethical practices. When you’re browsing online for an immigration law firm, you’ll find many details on its website, and one of them should be its AILA membership. 

How Long Will the Process Take? 

When you’re discussing the steps of any immigration case, they can understandably seem daunting to some newcomers. An experienced immigration law firm is helpful for various reasons, and one of the reasons is the clarity it can provide. Knowing how long your case will take is an easy way to set your expectations accurately. 

For instance, when you’re researching how long obtaining a K1 visa takes, you may find a large swathe of time frames. The reason for this is that details such as correctly filing the necessary forms will affect how long the case takes. So after your attorney looks over your case details, ask how long they think the process will take so that you can plan accordingly. 

Will You Help Me Win My Case? 

Another effective way to set proper expectations is knowing how your case objectively looks to a professional. Therefore, one of the top questions you should ask your immigration attorney is: What are my chances of success in this case? Of course, lawyers are not fortune-tellers. But a reliable immigration lawyer should know your chances of success after you provide them with the proper information regarding your case.

Beyond providing clarity on the topic, asking this question also offers you a way to test your lawyer’s knowledge and integrity. Whether they see success or failure in your case, the attorney should provide you with a reason why.

Thanks to these questions, you can gain a clearer picture of how your case will proceed and whether you’re talking to the right professional. 

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CW Chamber Names Reed, Kaiser as 2022 Business Person, Citizen of the Year

Camas, WA — The Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Riverview Community Bank, has named Marilyn Reed, owner of Lily Atelier the 2022 Business Person of the Year, and John Kaiser as the 2022 Citizen of the Year.

On Wednesday, June 1, the CW Chamber will host the Annual Awards Banquet at the Camas Meadows Golf Club, 4105 NW Camas Meadows Dr in Camas. This event is open to the public. The cost to attend is $45 per person. Please contact the C-W Chamber at [email protected] or by phone at 360.834.2472 for ticket information. The CW Chamber Scholarship Winners and the Teachers of the Year from both the Camas School District and the Washougal School district, will also be honored on June 1st. For more information or for questions call 360.834.2472.   

2022 Businessperson of the Year: Marilyn Reed, Lily Atelier

Reed purchased Lily Atelier in November 2019

  • As an active board member on the C-W Chamber she regularly sponsors events and donates a gift basket to the Gift Basket Luncheon. She also serves on the Camas Days Committee.
  • Reed is an active member of the Downtown Camas Association (DCA) and supports almost all of their events. 
  • Reed supports and participates in many fundraising events for several local organizations including, Ten Grands, Dinner in White, Jack Will and Rob Center, Assistance League, Camas Educational Foundation, Camas High School Deca Program and Pink Sista’s.
  • And, she supports the education of our young community members through bi-annual internship programs run by Cascadia Technology Academy

2022 Citizen of the Year: John Kaiser

Chamber
John Kaiser

Retired Staff Sergeant John Kaiser started fishing with his dad at the age of 6. In 1997, Kaiser enlisted in the Army where he served in Kuwait, Mosul and Baghdad, where he was wounded. He medically retired in 2008. After struggling with PTSD fishing became a therapy. After fishing with an Army Buddy, Kaiser realized there are therapeutic benefits of being outside surrounded by nature and quietly fishing. 

Kaiser began to take veterans fishing and quickly became the Northwest Veteran Outreach Coordinator for Veteran Outdoors, a Texas-based organization dedicated to providing hunting, fishing and outdoor activities to wounded veterans. 

Last year, Kaiser took out over 100 veterans on the Columbia River from Astoria to Roosevelt Lake to fish. Later this year, he will take two female army vets to the Salmon Derby in Astoria. Their only expense will be the fishing license. 

Kaiser explained that these are “not just fishing trips but also opportunities to share the healing effects being outdoors has on the physical and mental struggles of veterans.” 

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Update: Local Authorities Request Charges In Downtown Camas Burglaries

Camas, WA — Camas police are seeking charges against four people in connection with Sunday’s downtown Camas burglaries.

In the early morning hours of October 31 four Downtown Camas businesses (Birch Street Lounge, Caps n’ Taps, Camas Slices and Papermaker Pride) were burglarized.  The suspects used rocks to smash out the glass of the entry doors before they entered the businesses and stole items from inside.  Surveillance video showed the four individuals and the lifted Jeep Wrangler they arrived in.

A day later, on November 1, in Salem, Oregon, Marion County Sheriff Deputies attempted to stop the Jeep and it fled.  Spike strips were used and eventually the Jeep stopped.  There were six individuals inside the Jeep.  Five of them fled on foot and all six of them were apprehended and arrested by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.  

Deputies learned the Jeep was stolen from Tualatin and a subsequent search of the Jeep revealed items that were connected to the Camas burglaries.  The Marion County Sheriff’s Office then notified members of the Camas Police Department.

The subsequent investigation led Camas Police Detectives to identifying the four individuals responsible for the burglaries in Downtown Camas.  In addition, they were able to establish probable cause for a burglary at the Washougal Food Mart as well. 

Burglary and Theft charges for all five businesses will be forwarded to the Clark County Prosecutors Office on the following individuals:

  • Arnes, Johnmark, 23 year-old  Happy Valley, OR resident
  • Retonong, Zachary, 19 year-old Salem, OR resident
  • 14-year-old Juvenile Male, Portland, OR resident
  • 11 year-old Juvenile Male, Portland, OR resident

At the time of this writing all four individuals are still in custody in Oregon.

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Camas
Birch Street Uptown Lounge.
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Four Downtown Camas Businesses Burglarized Sunday Morning

Camas, WA — According to local merchants and Camas Police Officer McNall, four downtown Camas businesses were broken into between 4-4:50 am today.Papermaker Pride, Birch Street Uptown Lounge, Caps N Taps, and Camas Slices all had rocks thrown through their glass front doors, and most had their cash tills broken into and money stolen.

Crews cleaned up glass and debris most of the morning.

Business owners are reviewing surveillance video and sharing information with Camas police.A vintage cash till at Birch Street was taken and then left outside on the sidewalk.

“They stole about $100 from our till,” said Karen Gibson, co-owner of Papermaker Pride. “They broke the front door, as well.”

Officer McNall said the burglars were driving a gray or silver Jeep SUV. He also said a Washougal business was broken into.The police asks anyone who may be able to help in this investigation to contact 311 and ask for Officer McNall.

Business owners are seeking help boarding up front doors.

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Camas
Kris Cavin helps clean up Birch Street Lounge after a rock was thrown into their front door.
Camas
Officer McNall investigates the damage done at Camas Slices.
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