Steelers fans unhappy with wussy new mascot
The votes are in: the Pittsburgh Steelers' new mascot will be named Steely McBeam. The name of the smiley-faced, steel beam-toting mascot was chosen by a fan contest in which 70,000 names were submitted.
Diane Roles of Valencia PA submitted the winning name, and will receive premium seating for the Steelers' Sept. 16 home opener against Buffalo and a Steelers throwback helmet and jersey.
However, not all Steelers' fans are happy with the mascot choice, and there is even an online petition to get rid of him. Ryan Valdiserri who started the petition tells fans on the petition website: "We, the members of Steeler Nation, are now embarrassed. The name Steely McBeam is a terrible choice for naming our new mascot. It does not represent the toughness of our city or of our team."
Sports writer and Steelers fan Gregory Hardy wrote, "I have no respect for you, Steely McBeam. Enjoy your view from the bandwagon. You'll have a real tough job, trying to rally support among one of the nation's largest fan bases."
Click here to see a picture of the controversial mascot.
Willie Nelson chooses steel supplier for "BioWillie" center
Legendary American singer-songwriter and icon Willie Nelson has selected Rhino Steel Building Systems to provide the steel building materials pre-engineered for the specific needs for Mr. Nelson's new biodiesel fuel center in Carl's Corner, Texas.
Bruce Brown, president of Rhino, stated that "I'm very happy to have Mr. Nelson join our family of customers and hope to be of help in the future for any building needs and also be a small part of this important trend in energy conservation."
Willie Nelson Biodiesel (also known as BioWillie), a company that markets Biodiesel biofuel to truck stops. The fuel is made from vegetable oils, mainly soybeans, and can be burned without modification in diesel engines.
American homeowners prefer steel in event of hurricane
The American Iron and Steel Institute reported this week that 69 percent of American homeowners polled would prefer to use steel for the framing of their home if living in a hurricane-prone area.
AISI's survey also found that 42 percent of consumers say that steel is the roofing material they would prefer if living in an area that could be affected by hurricanes.
"The results of this survey show that consumers continue to recognize an important connection between the strength of steel and the safety and security that steel can bring to their homes," said David Jeanes, AISI senior vice president of market development.
AISI says that steel framing can resist damage by strong winds, withstanding wind speeds up to 150 miles per hour, and also is immune from the growth of mold and mildew, which often occurs in wood framing due to the flooding associated with hurricanes.
The Atlantic Hurricane season began on June 1 and will run until November 30, during which time the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center has predicted three to five major hurricanes.
Gerdau Ameristeel's rebars to make NFL history
Gerdau Ameristeel will play an important role in the construction of the new Dallas Cowboys stadium in Arlington, Texas, which will be the largest domed structure in the world when completed.
Gerdau will supply threadbar steel to Dywidag Systems International (DSI), who will fabricate bars instrumental in the construction of the new stadium.
So far, DSI has used 670 tons of Gerdau's D150 threadbar in the form of 40- to 60-feet soil nails that anchor the retaining wall of the facility. This specific type of threadbar Gerdau Ameristeel makes is unique because it does not have ribs like other rebar.
Mario Longhi, President and CEO of Gerdau Ameristeel, told press, "This project is something that indirectly will benefit thousands, if not millions of people who visit the stadium over the years - including the Super Bowl in 2011."
When construction is completed in 2009, the state-of-the-art stadium will be able to accommodate up to 100,000 people, featuring the world's tallest movable glass walls, largest clear-span structure and largest video board installation. The rack-and-pinion drive system for the retractable roof will also be the first of its kind.