It has been anything but a standard year for American Standard.

The Piscataway-based company completed the sale of its renowned bath and kitchen business and spun off its vehicle-control systems operation to focus solely on its more-profitable air-conditioning and heating systems.

And Wednesday, it completed its three-way business split by announcing its name change to Trane, to identify with its popular HVAC brand.

"Everyone has been clearly focused on the separation plan, and we're in the final stages," company spokesman Skip Colcord said.

It was February when American Standard Chief Executive Officer Fred Poses announced that the company, which employs about 1,450 in New Jersey, would separate into three units in the hopes of creating greater shareholder value for its varied operations.

Chain saw artist makes wooden wonders in Berks Co.

WERNERSVILLE, Pa. (AP) — Amid clouds of dust and flying chips, Dean Fox, with a buzzing chain saw in hand, circled, turned and stalked what seemed to be his prey just as if he were about to wrestle an alligator.Instead, Fox was creating one — a wooden sculpture of the fearsome looking reptile made out of a cedar log.
Fox worked diligently and continuously, seemingly in a trance, at the heavily wooded grounds of the former historic site of the Galen Hall Hotel on South Mountain, South Heidelberg Township."We're going to put the alligator by the pond," said Tom Masano Sr., 90, longtime Berks County car dealer, eyeing Fox's craftsmanship and seemingly in an artistic trance of his own.Apparently, the South Mountain woodlands are perfect for such trances.They inspire the enchanted visions of carved wood nymphs, hawks, eagles, herons, raccoons, ruffed grouse and a meditating woman situated on a rock in front of a 95-by-65-foot pond, 2 to 10 1/2 feet deep in spots, filled with fish and fed by four cold-water springs.It is a place to dream big, as big as a giant family of cedar people, carved from dead trees in a 50-acre cedar forest, where a sculptured man stands 22 feet tall, his wife 18 feet, their son 12 feet and the family dog about 5 feet.And it is also a place where imaginary kings can reign on an ornate, wooden throne, carved from the stump of an old, diseased poplar tree."Well, this is my hobby ...

The most kid-friendly luxury automobiles

The Volvo XC90 leads our list of the industry's most kid-friendly luxury cars. The Acura MDX, Saab 9-3 Sport Combi, Mercedes M Class and BMW X5 round out the top five. All are examples of how an increasing number of luxury automakers are recognizing that luxury isn't just for adults. With that in mind, they are equipping vehicles with safety features and amenities designed to protect and accommodate infants, children and adults.

Public invited to review preliminary FEMA maps today

An open huose will be held from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at the Heymann Performing Arts Center for citizens to review FEMAs Preliminary Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps for Lafayette Parish.

Specialists will be on hand to answer questions and provide information about the flood mapping process, what the maps mean for Lafayette Parish and explain flood insurance benefits and requirements. The maps will be available in both digital and print formats.

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Some realtors tout green' credentials in tough market

Wouldn't you rather work with a Realtor who shares your values in environmental and social responsibility?" and sends its agents to environmentally friendly building courses. Last fall, Harry Norman Realtors in Atlanta had 48 Realtors certified by EcoBroker International, which educates Realtors on eco-friendly homes and marketing. Meanwhile, individual Realtors are carving "green" niches for themselves: Celeste Karan, of Keller Williams Realty in Chicago, started www.greenhomechicago.com, a site where she lists properties and promises "to help home buyers understand what truly constitutes a 'green building.' " Such agents say their knowledge of environmentally friendly designs and materials can help clients in several ways. First, the brokers will link interested buyers to homes that are built with eco-friendly features, like solar power and energy-efficient appliances.

Small-biz group wants easier, less-costly access

A shrinking number of small-business owners offer health insurance to workers, so the National Federation of Independent Business wants the Tennessee General Assembly to help change the landscape.