tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75764265583234381522024-03-06T00:12:36.691-08:00MasonryMasonry is dedicated to the information needs of mason contractors and the mason industry. Topics that will be covered include masonry equipment, mason materials, industry trends,technology and news from the masonry industryJohn Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08474674933778427655noreply@blogger.comBlogger639125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576426558323438152.post-73066867036329433872014-05-27T09:00:00.001-07:002014-05-27T09:00:15.760-07:00Mason Contractors Association of America: 2014 Key Accomplishments<div style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">
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Membership dues paid to the <a href="http://www.masoncontractors.org/">Mason Contractors Association of America</a> (MCAA) is the largest source of funding that we have. Its importance cannot be understated…it's a vital part of the association that enables us to continue to fight for our industry on behalf of all <a href="http://www.masonrymagazine.com/">mason contractors</a>. Our involvement on all fronts (from regulatory reform to education and training) continues to ensure the survivability and viability of our industry for generations to come. Below is a list of some of our recent successes supported by MCAA Membership dollars followed by a brief outlook for the year ahead.<br /></div>
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BIM SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT</h3>
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Phase II of the BIM Software Development program is moving forward. Phase I gave the industry a roadmap forward to implement a fully operational BIM for Masonry program and Phase II is starting that process. Later this year contractors will begin to see opportunities to educate themselves on computers, what BIM is through an introductory to BIM software and other programs. This is an exciting step forward in the process and will offer huge opportunities for contractors. The entire process is projected to be about a five-year process. When complete masonry will level the playing field with competing systems and will be at the very beginning of the development process in building design. We plan to be incorporated into designer software making the design of masonry in project development a very easy task.<br /></div>
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SILICA RULE</h3>
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The MCAA was very busy this past year working on developing arguments both as a part of a construction industry coalition and as a representative of our industry. We testified at hearings in March of 2014 on issues we had with the new proposed rule and submitted written testimony on our objections. We are now in an evaluation period where OSHA will determine what they will do with their rule. We expect a final rule to come in the new year. This battle over a fair and reasonable rule will be continued and the MCAA will continue to fight for the interests of our industry on this rule. Watch for this issue in 2014-15. This was an unbudgeted item and the MCAA did not hold back on representing our interests on this issue, as it will be critical to our future. Likely the next stage of the battle will get very expensive (potential lawsuit against the Federal Government by major industry coalitions including MCAA).<br /></div>
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WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE</h3>
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The MCAA had an opportunity to begin implementing its workforce development issue it had been working on with the Masonry Association of Florida. This was not a budgeted item, but it was an opportunity to roll-out the program in an area that was ready for this initiative. In October of 2013 we hired Terry Ruppel from Nashville, Tennessee to kick-off our MCAA/NCCER high school sponsor-training program. The MCAA has secured their first schools and plan for a major expansion of the program in the fall of 2014. This program’s goal will be to support and implement new high school construction in particular masonry programs at the high school level. Then use those programs to feed new apprentice programs in the states we are working in. Tennessee is the first model program and once self-supporting, the MCAA will look to branch out into other areas. Look to hear more about this in 2014-15.<br /></div>
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NEW LEARNING EXPERIENCES FOR CONTRACTORS</h3>
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In 2013-14 the MCAA continued our popular networking sessions for contactors to share information with one another. Something that has branched out as a result has been the development of on-line networking groups. These are designed to take the valuable networking events we have had at our meetings and make them available all year long. In addition, the MCAA has bulked up the popular Live Webianr Season Pass to the weekly webinars. Now most weeks contractors have multiple webinars they can attend and allow everyone in their company access to the recorded events 24/7. Look for this to be further enhanced in the year ahead. In 2014 the MCAA also released the first three revised programs to what has been known as the MQI. These new programs were created by mason contractors for mason contractors. Look for an additional three to roll out in 2015.<br /></div>
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NEW MEMBER BENEFITS</h3>
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In 2013-14 new member benefits were rolled out. Benefits were added to our traditional programs such as our Grainger discount program, and safety discount program. The MCAA is introducing a company called Sageworks. They offer member firms some of the best financial comparison numbers that can be found in the industry. Look for more on this in 2014-15. It is a new program that will help your firm benchmark it’s expenses and profits to fellow contractors (in a discreet fashion locally, regionally and nationally). It is a very exciting program and those who have seen the demo have been very impressed with its capabilities. Beeline Safety Products has expanded their offerings and now has a web-store for members to get everyday low pricing on safety equipment and needs. Make sure you take advantage of broker buying through Beeline.<br /></div>
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COMPREHENSIVE SURVEY</h3>
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In an effort to better identify needs and services of our members and non-members, the MCAA undertook a massive survey effort in 2013-2014 of our members, non-members and past members. It stared out with an intensive interactive survey done on-line for three days and allowed for interaction of those surveyed and the MCAA so additional questions could be posed after responses to the initial questions. Phase II is finishing as we write. That was a much larger survey, but was done traditionally as an on-line question and answer survey. Once the results are compiled, the MCAA will evaluate the responses and begin to implement and make changes to MCAA offerings based on the results. The marketing firm used for the survey process will work with us to implement these in 2014-15.<br /></div>
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A LOOK TO THE YEAR AHEAD<br /></h2>
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SILICA INITIATIVES</h3>
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It is expected that OSHA will release their final rule. The MCAA will be poised with our coalition members to continue our effort for reasonable regulation on this issue. Further action on this initiative will be dictated by the content of the final rule. There is hope that OSHA will spate out construction and establish a different PEL for construction. If very little changes about the rule, the MCAA is prepared to work with coalition members to continue our fight on a multitude of levels including politically and legally.<br /></div>
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DEVELOPMENT OF NEW MEMBER BENEFITS</h3>
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An area you should expect to see developed in 2014-2015 is a new member only benefit which will be specifically tailored to our member needs and the discount offered in this program will only be available to MCAA members. The MCAA will be working with a consultant on an exclusive program, which will be formulated by finding out the top three controlled expenses our members have. The goal is to take one of your largest expenses that you have control over (taxes, medical etc. would not be included) and get a national provider to offer a savings program that will reward you for being a member and likely cover your membership dues in savings. Look for more details on this in the summer of 2015.<br /></div>
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REGIONAL CONVENTIONS</h3>
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One thing that has come out of our initial membership survey is to bring regional conventions to our members and non-members. These conventions will bring the best of educational and networking opportunities from our national convention to a more local level. The idea is to reach out and engage members who can’t afford to be at our convention for either economic or time issues. The MCAA is planning to initiate three of these in the year ahead.<br /></div>
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SPEED DATING</h3>
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The MCAA will be introducing something termed speed dating at our mid-year meeting. This concept will bring suppliers who have new products to meet with our members and discuss those products in a half hour program. Suppliers will be selected based on their ability to help contractors with their products to more efficient and productive. This will be a unique opportunity for contractors to engage in a small group discussion with suppliers about how they can utilize them and be more profitable as a result. Look for more details in the coming months.<br /></div>
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ASK THE EXPERT</h3>
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New at this year’s convention will be an MCAA booth which will be themed to be similar to the Apple Store Genius Bar. We will be scheduling short question and answer sessions with experts from our industry on a wide array of topics and they will be in our booth to answer questions and share knowledge. This will be a unique way to learn not only about industry topics but also other topics to help make you more productive such as tablets and how to utilize them on a job-site. More on this coming soon.<br /></div>
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As the year develops there will be undoubtedly more exciting opportunities for our association to participate in. We need your continued support to maximize our opportunities and serve the needs of our industry.</div>
Jennifer Morrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05248582708875622652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576426558323438152.post-5628447016072057402014-05-23T07:35:00.004-07:002014-05-23T07:35:47.649-07:0012th North American Masonry Conference in 2015<span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">The</span><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"> </span><a href="http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/Engineering/Programs/Civil-Engineering/Pages/CivilEngineering.aspx" mce_href="http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/Engineering/Programs/Civil-Engineering/Pages/CivilEngineering.aspx" style="color: #33678c; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 15px; text-decoration: none;">University of Colorado at Denver’s Civil Engineering Department</a><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">will host the <a href="http://www.masonrysociety.org/NAMC">12th North American Masonry Conference</a> (12NAMC) May 17 – 20, 2015, on the downtown Denver Auraria campus. The quadrennial conference features the latest in world-wide<a href="http://www.masonrymagazine.com/"> masonry</a> research presented in lively educational keynotes and sessions.</span><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"> </span><br />
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<br />Close to 150 papers from 20 countries are expected for inclusion in the final proceedings for the conference. Topics of the research may include such diverse issues as seismic resistance, case studies of recent events, the sustainability life cycle analysis of masonry materials, and restoration of historic masonry structures. The conference will feature tracks of interest to academics & researchers, designers, and mason contractors.<br /></div>
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Authors are invited to submit abstracts describing proposed papers and publications no later than June 1, 2014. Abstracts are to be 100 to 300 words. Format information and requirements for the abstract and final paper are available at <a href="http://www.masonrysociety.org/NAMC" mce_href="http://www.masonrysociety.org/NAMC" style="color: #33678c; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.masonrysociety.org/NAMC</a>.<br /><br /></div>
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<strong>Date: </strong>05/17/2015 - 05/20/2015</div>
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<strong>Time: </strong>All Day Event</div>
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<strong>Location: </strong>Denver</div>
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<strong>Cost: </strong>Conference fees apply<br /><br /></div>
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<strong class="bodytext" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; list-style: outside;"><u>Contact:</u></strong></div>
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<strong>Name: </strong>The Masonry Society</div>
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<strong>E-mail: </strong><a href="mailto: <script language='JavaScript' type='text/javascript'> <!-- var prefix = 'mailto:'; var suffix = ''; var attribs = ''; var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; var addy5036 = 'info' + '@'; addy5036 = addy5036 + 'masonrysociety' + '.' + 'org'; document.write( '<a ' + path + '\'' + prefix + addy5036 + suffix + '\'' + attribs + '>' ); document.write( addy5036 ); document.write( '<\/a>' ); //--> </script><script language='JavaScript' type='text/javascript'> <!-- document.write( '<span style=\'display: none;\'>' ); //--> </script>This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it <script language='JavaScript' type='text/javascript'> <!-- document.write( '</' ); document.write( 'span>' ); //--> </script>" mce_href="mailto:
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</script>" style="color: #33678c; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"></a><a href="mailto:info@masonrysociety.org" style="color: #33678c; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">info@masonrysociety.org</a></div>
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<strong>Phone: </strong>303-939-9700</div>
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<strong>Sponsored by: </strong>UCD Department of Civil Engineering</div>
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<strong>More information: </strong><a href="http://www.masonrysociety.org/namc/" mce_href="http://www.masonrysociety.org/namc/" style="color: #33678c; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.masonrysociety.org/namc/</a><br /></div>
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<strong class="bodytext" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; list-style: outside;">Disability Options:</strong></div>
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To request disability accommodations, please contact The Masonry Society at 303-939-9700 or <a href="mailto: <script language='JavaScript' type='text/javascript'> <!-- var prefix = 'mailto:'; var suffix = ''; var attribs = ''; var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; var addy8565 = 'info' + '@'; addy8565 = addy8565 + 'masonrysociety' + '.' + 'org'; document.write( '<a ' + path + '\'' + prefix + addy8565 + suffix + '\'' + attribs + '>' ); document.write( addy8565 ); document.write( '<\/a>' ); //--> </script><script language='JavaScript' type='text/javascript'> <!-- document.write( '<span style=\'display: none;\'>' ); //--> </script>This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it <script language='JavaScript' type='text/javascript'> <!-- document.write( '</' ); document.write( 'span>' ); //--> </script>" mce_href="mailto:
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Jennifer Morrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05248582708875622652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576426558323438152.post-25146555173423709112014-05-06T08:56:00.004-07:002014-05-06T08:56:49.570-07:00New Issue of Masonry Magazine Digital!Click <a href="http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/a9829d2a#/a9829d2a/1">here</a> to see the new issue of <a href="http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/a9829d2a#/a9829d2a/1">Masonry Magazine</a>!<br />
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<br />Jennifer Morrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05248582708875622652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576426558323438152.post-27801925853250878282014-05-06T08:19:00.001-07:002014-05-06T08:20:13.906-07:00OSHA Cites Contractor for Wall Collapse, Fall Hazards at Construction Site<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">A Stamford-based contractor faces $196,000 in fines for two willful and 12 serious violations following an inspection by the U.S. Department of Labor’s <a href="http://www.osha.gov/">Occupational Safety and Health Administration</a>. Cesar Mendoza, d.b.a. KI Management LLC, was cited by the agency following a November 2013 inspection at a Bridgeport worksite, which found that workers</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><a data-hw-href="h7f6yygpKbDS1zfUKy1O1EvPL9MPNM+KyEsFAA" data-hw-target="hd8cAwA" href="http://1.usa.gov/Q7jXne" style="color: purple; float: none; font-size: 12pt; outline: none;" target="_blank">demolishing and rehabbing</a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">a building were exposed to potentially fatal crushing injuries and other hazards due to their employer’s failure to brace the building’s walls and adhere to basic, legally required safeguards.</span></div>
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“This employer’s disregard of basic demolition safety fundamentals is unacceptable. The seriousness of this hazard can be seen in the June 5, 2013, building collapse in Philadelphia that killed six people and injured 14,” said Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health. “While no collapse occurred in Bridgeport, the hazard was real, present and entirely avoidable.”</div>
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“The removal of flooring from the second and thirds floors left an empty, unsupported shell that was vulnerable to collapse,” said Robert Kowalski, OSHA’s area director in Bridgeport. “Employees at this job site were also exposed to falls of up to 36 feet from unguarded wall openings and to health hazards from inadequate measures to protect them from exposure to lead at the worksite. Worker safety and health were blatantly ignored.”</div>
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OSHA cited Cesar Mendoza, d.b.a. KI Management, for two willful violations, with maximum allowable fines of $140,000 for the wall collapse and fall hazards. OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with intentional, knowing or voluntary disregard for the law's requirements or with plain indifference to worker safety and health.</div>
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A total of 12 serious violations, with $56,000 in fines, were cited for a variety of health and safety hazards. These included having workers dry sweep and shovel lead-containing waste materials and debris, as well as failing to supply workers with proper training, respiratory protection, protective clothing and equipment. In addition, employees were provided inadequate demolition, fall and fire protection, and general safety training.</div>
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Other safety hazards included unmarked emergency exits, improper storage of oxygen and fuel gas cylinders, and electrical hazards. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known if an accident were to occur.</div>
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Cesar Mendoza, d.b.a. KI Management, has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, meet with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the independent <a data-hw-href="hb4ayygpKbDS1zfUKy1O1EvPL9M3zChJT8soBwA" data-hw-target="hd8cAwA" href="http://1.usa.gov/1htgfhw" style="color: purple; float: none; outline: none;" target="_blank">Occupational Safety & Health Review Commission</a>.</div>
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The citations can be viewed at <span style="color: #1f497d;"><a data-hw-href="he4fyygpKbDS1zfUKy1O1EvPL9M3zC1PKrUwBgA" data-hw-target="hd8cAwA" href="http://1.usa.gov/1mwbu83" style="color: purple; float: none; outline: none;" target="_blank">http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/CesarMMendozadbaKIManagementLLC_936004.pdf</a> </span>and<span style="color: #1f497d;"><a data-hw-href="h4f2yygpKbDS1zfUKy1O1EvPL9M3zAwLN87xAwA" data-hw-target="hd8cAwA" href="http://1.usa.gov/1iVW3lN" style="color: purple; float: none; outline: none;" target="_blank">http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/CesarMMendozadbaKIManagementLLC_954057.pdf</a></span>.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">To ask questions; obtain compliance assistance; file a complaint or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA’s toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency’s Bridgeport office at 203-579-5581.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
Jennifer Morrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05248582708875622652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576426558323438152.post-83006283033202331112014-05-05T12:03:00.000-07:002014-05-05T12:03:27.817-07:00Hilti Canada Recognized as Best Workplace in Canada<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.600000381469727px;">
Hilti Canada, a supplier of tools and fastening systems for the professional user, is being recognized as one of this year’s Best Workplaces in Canada by the Great Place to Work Institute. <a href="http://www.greatplacetowork.com/">Great Place to Work Institute</a> is a research and management consultancy with expertise on workplace transformation and a presence in 46 countries.</div>
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Ranking 16 on this year’s list of 50 Best Large and Multinational Workplaces in Canada, <span style="font-size: 13.600000381469727px;">Hilti Canada was recognized with the special Credibility Award. This award is given to workplaces with a combined focus on building trust, culture and practices that make the day-to-day relationships with employees a great experience.</span></div>
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“We are excited to once again receive this recognition”, said Avi Kahn, president and general manager. “Being a great place to work is at the heart of our culture, so when we are appreciated by our team members and an organization like Great Place to Work, we appreciate that.”</div>
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The award to Hilti Canada is evidence of a strong culture and a reflection of the passion that employees bring to work every day. The commitment to shared values unites Hilti team members and fosters an environment in which innovation and teamwork thrive.</div>
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This year’s list received more than 300 nominations and more than 60,000 employees participated in the 2014 Best Workplaces in Canada survey.</div>
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Jennifer Morrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05248582708875622652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576426558323438152.post-20701381223720535892014-05-01T09:32:00.000-07:002014-05-01T09:32:20.485-07:00Construction Spending Rises in March as Housing, Private Nonresidential Categories Rise T<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Verdana; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; text-align: justify;">otal construction spending remained in a holding pattern in March as strong gains in apartment <a href="http://www.masonrymagazine.com/">construction</a> and modest growth in homebuilding and private nonresidential activity offset falling public outlays, according to an analysis of new Census Bureau</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Verdana; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; text-align: justify;"> </span><a data-hw-href="h4f6RcxLDsIgEADQ27DkM7SFmpCepRmwoB0wBcTjG1cu3vbF1l43IcYYnKiG7GfJsZA4U35yvNN2OdDrvIIFVpN3elXGWABGboLFgllYd/uBO3s4ZSctlZKsuvhvMeTaKz/KW2DJtV0dWypZoJY/Kfvw4bHR+QU" data-hw-target="hd8cAwA" href="http://www.mmsend50.com/link.cfm?r=23959282&sid=39177822&m=4268276&u=agca&j=18430110&s=http://www.census.gov/construction/c30/c30index.html" style="color: #3c5d6b; float: none; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Verdana; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; outline: none; text-align: justify;" target="_blank">data</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Verdana; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Verdana; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; text-align: justify;">by the <a href="http://www.agc.org/">Associated General Contractors of America (AGC)</a>. Association officials noted that the construction spending figures may get dramatically worse unless public officials act urgently to maintain federal highway funding.</span><br />
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“Overall construction spending has increased from a year ago but has stayed in a narrow range since December,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. “It is encouraging that spending remained level despite severe winter weather that may have delayed some projects, and the totals are likely to grow moving into spring.”</div>
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Construction put in place totaled $943 billion in March, 0.2 percent above the revised February total and matching the latest estimate for January. Spending in March was 8.4 percent higher than a year earlier.</div>
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<br />Private residential construction spending increased by 0.5 percent in March to reach the highest rate since November 2008. The latest total topped the year-ago level by 16 percent. Single-family construction rose 0.2 percent in March and 13 percent year-over-year. Multifamily spending leaped 4.4 percent and 33 percent, respectively.</div>
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Private nonresidential spending edged up 0.2 percent for the month and 8.6 percent over 12 months. Most major categories increased from year-ago levels. The largest private segment, power construction—comprising work on oil and gas fields and pipelines as well as electricity projects—rose 2.8 percent over the year. The fastest-growing private type was communication construction, with a 34 percent gain since March 2013.</div>
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Public construction spending declined 0.6 percent for the month and 0.8 percent year-over-year, sinking to its lowest mark since November 2006. The largest public segment, highway and street construction, increased 8.5 percent from a year before, but the second-biggest category, educational construction, slumped 5.3 percent.</div>
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“All of these trends are likely to continue,” Simonson predicted. “There appears to be plenty of demand for more apartments and many categories of private nonresidential construction. Single-family homebuilding should remain above year-ago levels, although growing much more slowly as the year progresses. Public construction is likely to shrink further, based on what has been proposed or enacted in federal and state budgets.”</div>
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Association officials cautioned that the recent increase in highway spending will reverse course if the federal Highway Trust Fund runs out of money this summer. The Trust Fund provides funding to every state to match state spending on highway and bridge repair and construction projects. If the Fund runs out of money, billions of dollars worth of construction projects are likely to be stalled.</div>
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“Unless Congress and the administration get together in the next few weeks on a funding plan, thousands of construction projects across the country may have to lay off workers in the height of the construction season,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “There is no time left for political posturing; construction workers and companies need immediate assurance that they will be paid on time for their work.”</div>
Jennifer Morrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05248582708875622652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576426558323438152.post-69581811668792770492014-04-29T07:33:00.001-07:002014-04-29T07:33:04.987-07:00MCAA's Online Auction Taking Place Now<h1 style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 31px; margin: 0px 0px -12px;">
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Jennifer Morrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05248582708875622652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576426558323438152.post-15252446156359391542014-04-28T09:01:00.003-07:002014-04-28T09:01:51.612-07:00Construction Employment Up in 197 of 339 Metros, March '13 - '14<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Verdana; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.masonrymagazine.com/">Construction</a> employment expanded in 197 metro areas, declined in 87 and was stagnant in 55 between March 2013 and March 2014, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the <a href="http://www.agc.org/">Associated General Contractors of America. Association</a> officials noted, however, that construction employment stands to suffer if Congress allows federal highway funding to stop this summer.<br />
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“Much of the country experienced relatively robust growth in construction employment during the past year,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. “But the fact construction employment remains below prior peak levels in most areas shows just how hard hit the industry was during the downturn and how vulnerable it is to disruptions, such as a potential lapse in federal highway funding.”<br />
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Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, Calif. added the largest number of construction jobs in the past year (10,000 jobs, 9 percent), followed by Santa Ana-Anaheim-Irvine, Calif. (9,100 jobs, 12 percent) and Dallas-Plano-Irving, Texas (6,200 jobs, 6 percent). The largest percentage gains occurred in Monroe, Mich. (43 percent, 900 jobs), El Centro, Calif. (37 percent, 700 jobs), Pascagoula, Miss. (35 percent, 1,900 jobs) and Lewiston, Idaho-Wash. (33 percent, 300 jobs).<br />
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The largest job losses from March 2013 to March 2014 were in Gary, Ind. (-5,400 jobs, -28 percent), followed by Bethesda-Rockville-Frederick, Md. (-3,000 jobs, -10 percent), Putnam-Rockland-Westchester, N.Y. (-2,200 jobs, -8 percent) and Rochester, N.Y. (-1,400 jobs, -9 percent). The largest percentage decline for the past year was also in Gary, followed by Yuba City, Calif. (-13 percent, -200 jobs), Elkhart-Goshen, Ind. (-12 percent, -300 jobs), and Sandusky, Ohio (-11 percent, -100 jobs).<br />
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Pascagoula, Miss. experienced the largest percentage increase (26 percent, 1,500 jobs higher than March ‘08) among the 27 metro areas that topped or matched their prior March construction employment highs. Baton Rouge, La. added the most jobs since reaching its prior March peak in 2013 (3,400 jobs). Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale, Ariz. (-86,300 jobs) experienced the largest drop in total construction employment compared to its prior March 2006 peak while Lake Havasu City-Kingman, Ariz. experienced the largest percentage decline compared to its March 2006 peak (-69 percent).<br />
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Association officials said thousands of construction jobs could be at risk if Congress and the Obama administration allow billions in highway funding to come to a halt this summer when the federal Highway Trust Fund is expected to reach a zero balance. The prospects are so daunting that thousands of highway workers have already contacted their members of Congress asking for help as part of a “<a data-hw-href="h012JcxBDsIgEADA33CEAlYWk03fsgHLolIMYIi/t4nXOQyP8b4pNeeUpfT7EddFhlrUKx9PGfayNTTWr96AET1HtADOW+1EwYvR/uqN+CClQOKBGuxpDkRH/rdMLTKNvtfGOfGkb5e1JfUD" data-hw-target="hd8cAwA" href="http://www.mmsend50.com/link.cfm?r=23959282&sid=38879317&m=4219692&u=agca&j=18342178&s=http://hardhatsforhighways.org/" style="color: #3c5d6b; float: none; outline: none;" target="_blank">Hardhats for Highways</a>” campaign organized by a coalition of construction and labor groups.<br />
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“It would be an economic travesty to put thousands out of work and undermine the construction industry’s recovery because Washington officials don’t fix a problem they’ve known about for months,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “This isn’t the kind of summer break hard-working crafts men and women expect or deserve.”<br />
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View construction employment figures by <a data-hw-href="h3f4Rcw9DsIgAEDh2zBCgdaCCWkcHD0DIUAB5S+A4fp2c31f8vwY9Y7QnBOm1G022wJ1SSiG/IH6TEcThPKNE0ZAD0ZQxnZOMQNJrATzGyfgK5TTCrwFZvRqOwNd+P/2QliaQ07FaFuwHWU7O3rZ0Yp8pholXhcqH7F6Bas5fw" data-hw-target="hd8cAwA" href="http://www.mmsend50.com/link.cfm?r=23959282&sid=38879318&m=4219692&u=agca&j=18342178&s=http://www.agc.org/galleries/news/Metro_Empl_1403_Alpha.pdf" style="color: #3c5d6b; float: none; outline: none;" target="_blank">state</a> and <a data-hw-href="hc61RY27DsIgAAD/hhEKtBZMSCdHF3+AEKAU5RXA8Puyud4ld1fv5Y7QGAPG2Gwy2wJ1jij49IH6jEcVhPKNE0ZA80ZQxnZOMQdRrATzGyfgK5TTCrwFZnSynYEmrn92SpirQ06FYKu3DSU7GnraXrN8xBIkXhcqX2oOizl/" data-hw-target="hd8cAwA" href="http://www.mmsend50.com/link.cfm?r=23959282&sid=38879319&m=4219692&u=agca&j=18342178&s=http://www.agc.org/galleries/news/Metro_Empl_1403_Rank.pdf" style="color: #3c5d6b; float: none; outline: none;" target="_blank">rank</a>.</div>
Jennifer Morrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05248582708875622652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576426558323438152.post-55525077820863165942014-04-25T07:56:00.001-07:002014-04-25T07:56:24.282-07:00Showcase Your Masonry Work in the Masonry Design GalleryYour projects (be they buildings, hardscapes, etc.) are your calling card – your signature. They are how you and your firm get noticed, and therefore, earn more clients. By this logic, the more you are able to showcase your designs, the better your firm’s bottom line. This is where the <a href="http://masonrydesignmagazine.com/gallery/">Masonry Design Gallery</a> comes in. We want to help you showcase your projects. Just submit your project images for free to our gallery. Learn more from the <a href="https://hostingmail.earthlink.net/hwebmail/services/go.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmasonrydesignmagazine.us2.list-manage.com%2Ftrack%2Fclick%3Fu%3D2f228f4c6b94e453302788f09%26id%3Def2e69c235%26e%3D69181841c9">blog</a>.Jennifer Morrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05248582708875622652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576426558323438152.post-82278372875509611952014-04-24T11:05:00.002-07:002014-04-24T11:05:35.696-07:00Masons: AcmeTools.com Uses IBM Smarter Commerce for Mobile Shopping Acme Tools, an authorized online retailer of tools and equipment, has launched its new mobile version of <a href="http://acmetools.com/">AcmeTools.com</a> for online customers using smartphones. Developed by BlueSky Technology Partners, the new mobile platform leverages Acme Tools' ongoing investment in IBM WebSphere Commerce to deliver a seamless online shopping experience regardless of how customers choose to browse and buy.<br />
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Based on a recent IBM study, mobile traffic and sales have continued to soar as a component of overall online sales. In the fourth quarter of 2013, mobile traffic accounted for nearly 35 percent of all online traffic, up 40 percent year-over-year. In addition, mobile sales neared 17 percent of all online sales, an increase of 46 percent over the same period in 2012.<br />
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The new <a href="http://www.acmetools.com/">Acme Tools mobile site</a> is designed to reduce load time and enhance the user's experience making it easier to browse, search and purchase using a smartphone. Registered users can utilize cross-platform features that include saved wish lists, saved checkout and the convenience of completing a purchase on a smartphone, tablet or laptop. The new mobile site also offers click-to-call and store locator functions and excellent readability on smartphones.<br />
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"The new mobile site expands Acme Tools' e-commerce capabilities," says Steve Kuhlman, VP of corporate operations for Acme Tools. "Mobile optimization ensures Acme Tools' online customers a consistent user experience regardless of platform."<br />
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Mobile shoppers will find the same extensive product specifications unique to <a href="http://acmetools.com/">AcmeTools.com</a> and the exclusive option of shopping by trade, category or brand.<br />
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"We recognized the importance of having a mobile friendly site for our customers," stated Paul Kuhlman, VP of merchandise operations and marketing for Acme Tools. "Our online customers will experience the same excellent shopping experience whether they're using a smartphone, tablet or laptop."<br />
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Acme Tools' new e-commerce platform is based on the latest version of IBM's WebSphere Commerce, the industry's leading customer interaction platform. Designed through IBM premier business partner BlueSky Technology Partners, WebSphere Commerce provides Acme Tools with a differentiated e-commerce experience to drive better customer engagement and increased sales through a single platform.<br />
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<br />Jennifer Morrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05248582708875622652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576426558323438152.post-19469862357259557312014-04-22T14:40:00.002-07:002014-04-22T14:40:12.479-07:00Sims Crane Earns Insurance Premium Reduction Via Safety Record<div class="bodytext" style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; list-style: outside;">
<a href="http://www.simscrane.com/" mce_href="http://www.simscrane.com" style="color: #33678c; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Sims Crane & Equipment Co.</a> has earned a significant reduction in its insurance premium, due to its on-the-job safety score. The firm’s Experience Modification Rate (EMR) is .68, meaning its insurance premiums will be 68 percent of the premiums required from less safe companies. </div>
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“The EMR is a rigorous standard set by insurance companies and the state, so having those outside third parties attest to our superior workplace safety practices and our culture of safety at Sims is a credit to everyone who works here,” says Dean Sims II, VP of marketing at Sims Crane & Equipment.</div>
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The EMR is a gauge of both past cost of injuries and future probability of injuries. An EMR of 1.0 is considered industry average. The lower the EMR, the lower the firm’s worker compensation insurance premiums will be. </div>
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<span mce_style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px; font-family: calibri, sans-serif;" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="bodytext" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; list-style: outside;">The EMR is designed to measure whether a company’s workers’ compensation losses are better or worse than expected. If the experience is worse than expected, a company is punished with a high EMR greater than 1.0. If the experience is better than expected, a company is rewarded with a low EMR below 1.0, paying less for workers compensation premium than a company with a high EMR.</span></span></div>
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“In Florida, Workers Compensation rates are ultimately determined by the Florida State Department of Insurance. The only real mechanism to apply either good or bad loss experience to the premium calculation is through the experience modifier,” says Randy Proos, USI Insurance Services, Coral Gables, Fla..</div>
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<span mce_style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px; font-family: calibri, sans-serif;" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="bodytext" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; list-style: outside;">The EMR is calculated by a rating bureau, the <a href="http://www.ncci.com/" mce_href="http://www.ncci.com" style="color: #33678c; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">National Council on Compensation Insurance</a>, using three years of past loss history, excluding the immediate past year. The 2014 EMR is calculated using the 2012, 2011, 2010 loss experience.</span></span></div>
Jennifer Morrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05248582708875622652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576426558323438152.post-48203373972156314382014-04-17T07:59:00.004-07:002014-04-17T07:59:44.846-07:00Exchange-A-Blade Changes Name to EABExchange-A-Blade, the pioneer in exchangeable and environmentally sustainable power tool accessories, announces the change of its corporate name to <a href="http://eabtool.com/">EAB Tool Co. Inc.</a>, and the marketing of its core line of exchangeable products under the brand name EAB.<br /><br />The EAB acronym preserves the connection with the company's origins as a supplier and re-manufacturer of exchangeable circular saw blades for the retail hardware and building supply markets, while allowing it to represent its entire power tool accessories product line.<br /><br />This announcement launches the rebranding of the Company's exchangeable <a href="http://eabtool.com/">EAB</a> products, and its non-exchangeable products under the existing StaySharp name. The rebrand encompasses all logos, graphics, product packaging and in-store displays and will be rolled out to retail dealers in Canada and the United States during 2014.<br /><br />"We're very excited about the new EAB," says Rob Forbes, founder and president of EAB. "This is an evolution of the brand. We continue to enhance the Exchange System that has allowed us to compete successfully against much larger competitors, while reinforcing our principles of delivering outstanding value and service, building customer and dealer loyalty, and striving for a more environmentally sustainable industry."<br /><br />Jennifer Morrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05248582708875622652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576426558323438152.post-90292499147428920702014-04-16T17:49:00.001-07:002014-04-16T17:49:24.885-07:00News for Masons: QUIKRETE Opens Company Store<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://http%3B//www.quikrete.com">The QUIKRETE Cos.</a>, manufacturer of
packaged concrete products for the building and home improvement markets, is
opening an online company store at </span><a href="http://www.thequikretestore.com/" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">www.thequikretestore.com</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">. Consumers, customers and employees
can chose from hundreds of officially licensed QUIKRETE items, ranging from
premium golf shirts and fleece jackets to die-cast toy trucks and trains.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“We’ve had countless people over the
years express a desire to own QUIKRETE branded apparel and merchandise,” says
Frank Owens, VP of marketing for The QUIKRETE Cos. “The online company store
makes it easy for consumers to get their hands on fun, authentic and even retro
QUIKRETE items, like baseball caps and hoodies, while contractors and QUIKRETE
employees might select more practical things, like hard hats.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There is no minimum purchase at the
online company store and, for convenience, there are several delivery options,
including “QUIKSHIP.” More information on QUIKRETE products and access to home
improvement project how-to videos are available at <a href="http://www.quikrete.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">www.quikrete.com</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jennifer Morrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05248582708875622652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576426558323438152.post-77935136625543125622014-04-14T18:16:00.000-07:002014-04-14T18:16:03.047-07:00SAKRETE Named 2013 Building Products Vendor of the Year<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">
<a data-hw-href="h5a5yygpKbDS1y8vL9crTswuSi1J1UvOzwUA" data-hw-target="hd8cAwA" href="http://www.sakrete.com/" style="float: none; line-height: 1.6; outline: none;" target="_blank">SAKRETE</a><span style="line-height: 1.6;">, a concrete and concrete-related products company, has been named an ENAP Inc. 2013 Building Products Vendor of the Year in the Specialties Department category. </span>ENAP Inc. vendors are evaluated on a variety of criteria including sales growth, gross margin improvement, customer support and product quality. </div>
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<a href="http://www.enap.com/">ENAP Inc</a>. is a member-owned forest products and <a href="http://www.masonrymagazine.com/">building</a> materials cooperative whose corporate headquarters are in New Windsor, N.Y. ENAP is comprised of premier independent lumber retailers. </div>
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“Sakrete has been a supplier to ENAP Inc. for more than 30 years, and we continue to support the co-op and its members,” says Johnsie Beck, president of Sakrete. “Being named vendor of the year proves our commitment to understanding our customers’ goals. We strive to provide them with leading products, outstanding customer service and support.”</div>
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For additional information about SAKRETE, call 866-725-7383 or visit <a data-hw-href="hc26yygpKbDS1y9OzC5KLUnVS87PBQA" data-hw-target="hd8cAwA" href="http://sakrete.com/" style="float: none; outline: none;" target="_blank">sakrete.com</a>.</div>
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Jennifer Morrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05248582708875622652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576426558323438152.post-2262477725257351252014-04-13T17:14:00.002-07:002014-04-13T17:14:30.692-07:00 Kleinfelder Names Janacek as Retaining Wall Practice Group Leader<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Verdana;">
Noel Janacek, a senior engineer in Texas’s architecture and engineering community, has been named <a href="http://www.kleinfelder.com/">Kleinfelder</a>’s new retaining wall technical practice leader.</div>
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Janacek has developed expertise in retaining wall design, <a href="http://www.masonrymagazine.com/">construction</a> and forensic evaluation through years of engineering work and work with a specialty contractor. Kleinfelder has been providing investigation, design, construction and expert forensic services to transportation and commercial clients throughout the Texas region.</div>
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“Kleinfelder’s ability to deliver integrated retaining wall services provides our clients continuity and clarity in this diverse industry,” says Janacek. “I am excited about the opportunity to support our practitioners in continuing growth and innovation in the practice.” </div>
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The <a data-hw-href="h501DchBCkMhDAXAE2kodFF6mxBfYzBG8Qfa4/cvZ3rmfhONEsg6HBYfeMOpsiZZNPzq7puGZhC7aUxE0j4saYKLFCshPUzYC0crd/hSk4JQC+BYKD1fj3KQbHGrfNn9qj2n/wE" data-hw-target="hc72i0/KSczLBgA" href="http://k-net.kleinfelder.com/index.php/kgtn/alignment/practices/geotechnical-and-geologic-engineering/481-retaining-walls.html" style="float: none; outline: none;" target="_blank">Retaining Wall Practice Grou</a>p works within Kleinfelder’s <a data-hw-href="h84aDcixEQMhDATAikC5u2HEWWgQB8Mr+PLtDXdkno/ILETWGXB+ER236l7i7HjrGUemJaWFGxeYcm7TdMUjhp3QQdcWpbGXf8Q21wKaE7hOqyNX/AA" data-hw-target="hc72i0/KSczLBgA" href="http://k-net.kleinfelder.com/index.php/kgtn/alignment/practices/geotechnical-and-geologic-engineering.html" style="float: none; outline: none;" target="_blank">Geotechnical and Geological Engineering Discipline</a> and focuses on coordinating high quality, efficient analysis, design, and construction among geotechnical engineers, civil engineers, structural engineers and project managers for large or complex retaining walls of all types. </div>
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The group has already built a solid record of accomplishment of providing innovative, cost saving designs, including a recent project where Kleinfelder’s retaining wall engineers saved the client $1.3 million through a revised design of a key retaining wall on a commercial site.</div>
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Janacek earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University and his Master of Science from the University of Texas, Arlington. He is licensed Professional Engineer in Texas.</div>
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To learn more about Kleinfelder, visit <a data-hw-href="hec8yygpKbDS1y8vL9fLzknNzEtLzUlJLdJLzs/VBwA" data-hw-target="hd8cAwA" href="http://www.kleinfelder.com/" style="float: none; outline: none;" target="_blank">www.kleinfelder.com</a>.</div>
Jennifer Morrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05248582708875622652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576426558323438152.post-43619831742062063712014-04-10T09:26:00.000-07:002014-04-10T09:26:13.047-07:00Big News for the Masonry Industry: Holcim, Lafarge Announce Merger<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Two of the world’s largest suppliers of building materials announced plans for a “merger of equals” that would create an industry giant with a combined $44 billion in annual revenues.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Swiss-based <a href="http://www.holcim.com/">Holcim</a> and its French counterpart, <a href="http://www.lafarge.com/">Lafarge</a>, said the new company would be named LafargeHolcim and be based in Switzerland. They said the merger would create the most advanced group in the building materials industry. The two companies are already global leaders in the supply of <a href="http://www.masonrymagazine.com/">cement, crushed stone, sand and gravel</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The plan is for Holcim board member Wolfgang Reitzle to serve as chairman of the merged entity, while Lafarge’s chairman and chief executive Bruno Lafont becomes its CEO. Seven people from each company will be represented on the board.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Reitzle, a German mechanical engineer, also has extensive experience in the automotive industry, while Lafont, a French business executive, has been with Lafarge for more than 30 years and is also a special adviser to the mayor of Chongqing, a Chinese city of 32 million.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">“This merger of equals is a unique opportunity in the history of our companies,” Holcim Chairman Rolf Soiron told reporters in Paris.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The combined entity has a market value estimated at 40 billion euros ($55 billion) based on their share prices Friday before news of the deal was announced. LafargeHolcim will dwarf the next largest cement makers, Cemex of Mexico and Heidelberg Cement of Germany.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Lafont emphasized the two companies’ complementary geography. While Lafarge has greater presence in mature North American and European markets, Holcim has a far larger reach in the faster growing markets of Asia and Latin America.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Holcim, based near Zurich, employs 71,000 people and has production sites in around 70 countries. Paris-based Lafarge, meanwhile, employs 65,000 people and operates in 64 countries. </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The companies said that by combining they would “be uniquely positioned in 90 countries around the world with a balanced exposure to both developed and high-growth markets.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">They said they plan to sell off businesses in developed markets representing about 3 billion euros ($4.1 billion) of revenue and businesses in developing markets worth about 1.5 billion euros ($2 billion) of revenue. </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The deal is expected to close in the first half of next year, subject to regulatory approval.</span></div>
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Jennifer Morrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05248582708875622652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576426558323438152.post-18798184471770906242014-04-09T08:01:00.003-07:002014-04-09T08:01:34.391-07:00Masonry Structural Design Seminar Coming in May<table bgcolor="#f5f4f1" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 600px;"><tbody>
<tr><td colspan="2" style="border-top: #999999 1px solid; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; padding: 10px 10px 10px 15px; text-align: left;"><span class="middle-content-course-title"></span>The <a href="http://www.concrete.org/">American Concrete Institute</a> is hosting a one-day seminar is for Engineers, Architects,
Specifiers, Public Agencies, and anyone else involved in the designing and specifying
of <a href="http://www.masonrymagazine.com/">masonry</a> structures. Attendees will learn to design and specify masonry structures
using the 2013 edition of Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry
Structures. Discussion and comparisons of masonry provisions in earlier Codes
and the International Building Code will also be presented. Practical design
examples of typical masonry building elements will be reviewed as part of this
informative seminar.<br />
<br />
Earn .75 CEUs (7.5 PDHs) by attending this one-day
ACI Seminar in<strong> Charlotte, N.C.,</strong> on <strong>May 14, 2014</strong>.
<br />
<blockquote>
<strong>Location:</strong><br /><span id="dnn_ctr3596_View_rptLocations_Label4_3">Doubletree
Guest Suites Charlotte/South Park</span> <br /><span id="dnn_ctr3596_View_rptLocations_Label5_3">6300
Morrison Blvd.</span> <br /><span id="dnn_ctr3596_View_rptLocations_Label6_3">Charlotte,
NC 28211</span></blockquote>
</td>
</tr>
<tr><td colspan="2" style="border-top: #999999 1px solid; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; padding: 10px 10px 10px 15px; text-align: left;">
<span class="middle-content-course-title">Topics Covered</span>
This intense one-day seminar guides attendees through
masonry design requirements while reviewing practical design examples of typical
masonry structures. Instructors will review masonry design and specification
provisions in the 2013 Masonry Standards Joint Committee's (MSJC) Building Code
Requirements for Masonry Structures (TMS 402/ACI 530/ASCE 5), which is the primary
reference in the International Building Code (IBC) for the design and construction
of masonry. Several practical design examples of typical masonry elements will
be examined using the 2013 MSJC, and necessary revisions to the design examples
based on modifications in the 2013 IBC will be discussed. In addition, a preview
of the masonry provisions that will appear in the 2015 IBC will also be presented.<br />
</td>
</tr>
<tr><td colspan="2" style="border-top: #999999 1px solid; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; padding: 10px 10px 10px 15px; text-align: left;">
<span class="middle-content-course-title">Free Publications</span>
As part of this seminar, you will receive a <strong>FREE</strong>
compilation of related ACI technical documents valued at $144 if purchased separately.<br />
</td>
</tr>
<tr><td style="padding: 0px 10px 10px 15px; vertical-align: top;" width="227">
TMS 402/ACI 530.1-13/ASCE 6</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 10px 10px 15px; vertical-align: top;" width="373">Building
Code Requirements and Specifications for Masonry Structures and Companion Commentaries
Speaker Lecture Notes.</td>
</tr>
<tr><td colspan="2" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px 10px 10px 10px; text-align: left;">
In addition, nonmembers can receive a <strong>FREE</strong>
6-month ACI membership for attending a 2014 ACI Spring Seminar.<br />
</td>
</tr>
<tr><td colspan="2" style="border-top: #999999 1px solid; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; padding: 20px 10px 10px 10px; text-align: left;">
<span class="middle-content-course-title">Register</span>
<br />
To register or for complete information, click <a data-hw-href="h709yygpKbDS10/Oz0suSi1J1csvStd3TSlNTizJzM/TD07NzcxLLCqGMVxSSxIzcwIS01PtoSKeLrbG5gA" data-hw-target="hd8cAwA" href="http://concrete.org/Education/Seminars/SeminarDetailPage?SeminarID=37" style="color: #028bff; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">Masonry
Structural Design</a> or contact <a data-hw-href="h593y03MzCnJt/JOLErN0wvOzSzJcEjOz0suSi1J1csvSgcA" data-hw-target="hd8cAwA" href="mailto:Karen.Smith@concrete.org" style="color: #028bff; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">Karen
Smith</a> at Karen.Smith@concrete.org or 248.848.3814.
</td>
</tr>
<tr><td colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 5px solid #70a74d; border-top: #999999 1px solid; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; padding: 20px 10px 10px 10px; text-align: left;">
<span class="middle-content-course-title">Custom Seminars:
Education Customized To Meet Your Company's Needs</span>
<br />
Let ACI bring the latest concrete technology to your
doorstep for all of your employees at one low price. For more information on
Custom seminars visit <a data-hw-href="h641yygpKbDS1y8vL9dLzs9LLkotSdXLL0rXd00pTU4syczP0w9Ozc3MSywq1ncuLS7Jz4Vx9RKLCyoA" data-hw-target="hc72i0/KSczLBgA" href="http://www.concrete.org/Education/Seminars/CustomSeminars.aspx" style="color: #028bff; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">ACI
Custom Seminars</a>. To schedule a custom seminar, contact <a data-hw-href="hed8y03MzCnJt0otS9TLzi+qSs3LTC0vzs50SM7PSy5KLUnVyy9KBwA" data-hw-target="hd8cAwA" href="mailto:eva.korzeniewski@concrete.org" style="color: #028bff; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Eva
Korzeniewski</a> at eva.korzeniewski@concrete.org or 248.848.3754. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Jennifer Morrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05248582708875622652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576426558323438152.post-39305308993277592282014-04-08T11:23:00.001-07:002014-04-08T11:23:12.076-07:00Masons: ASTM Standards in Building Codes Available on DVD, Online<span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva,sans-serif;">The latest compilation of <a data-hw-href="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" data-hw-target="hd8cAwA" href="http://email.prnewswire.com/wf/click?upn=J6qBPRVgziwoCR2OIJDNfYVEXB0F4fO5NZ3qYifwiLEREWGktMaZLXHqLGnktmmItgDufdrTi4bXobA8yM2ovQ-3D-3D_4rJLSV4CRxbnEN0yqvvfTNExh4HDUMYPpyhKyjYmYckmWL4pMH4eJ4EiI0bDOX7u7imTED0bFkddqTs26VxvAo0fNvAvsNRZmU76PrUNvhTGWIIYLEV3lxc9GKVCAo4Z8oV6f6iSCvnqEf2vFF6rSVp30VfmsQL5ISaYlcG3XV-2B26Fz77JOZ7fNv1hnOvR7ftVIGr-2Fp3DEi4OMSYZ3kgyEQouzwgZfFRXhWA6UfaVNZgqt-2BaRZH8Bd16LO1JKZI0gPCCKSTsUnI0u1m9xqFgHJzRA-2Bmd3rpW21YdwXqoFGVfpSQATtv6XvqERFA9aOGquZg9uubz6wmNX1iFbAHWVQ-3D-3D" target="_blank"><em>ASTM Standards in Building Codes</em></a> is available in DVD and online. The <a href="http://www.astm.org/">ASTM</a> Building Codes contain more than <strong>2,000</strong> ASTM <a href="http://www.masonrymagazine.com/">construction</a> specifications, practices and test methods compiled from the <em>Annual Book of ASTM Standards. </em>These standards satisfy the international code requirements established by the <a href="http://www.iccsafe.org/">International Code Council</a>.<br />
<br />
ASTM Building Codes enable you to meet international code requirements;
stay informed and remain competitive; specify the right material for the
job; understand the significance and use of the standards; and speak a
common language that the entire industry recognizes.<br />
<br /><a data-hw-href="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" data-hw-target="hd8cAwA" href="http://email.prnewswire.com/wf/click?upn=J6qBPRVgziwoCR2OIJDNfYVEXB0F4fO5NZ3qYifwiLEREWGktMaZLXHqLGnktmmItgDufdrTi4bXobA8yM2ovQ-3D-3D_4rJLSV4CRxbnEN0yqvvfTNExh4HDUMYPpyhKyjYmYckmWL4pMH4eJ4EiI0bDOX7u7imTED0bFkddqTs26VxvAo0fNvAvsNRZmU76PrUNvhTGWIIYLEV3lxc9GKVCAo4Z8oV6f6iSCvnqEf2vFF6rSVp30VfmsQL5ISaYlcG3XV9NaBWXP2i-2B07teJX2sb8jfGQFdvPGSMY-2BxubKqZxyEK600eDB1cqhPFHEch-2FKQnnyI4hcnzHyLHaHBMH9xB3hY-2BKdGxV7sQXQ3nTg2NVHVDzfaVfmRpmC0vLyUWnaWyoFXnCUNbQ0nmZDEXwb-2BLrRZeYJ8OndAKjzSF5QzIOL9nA-3D-3D" target="_blank"><em>ASTM Standards in Building Codes</em></a> provides easy access to the latest versions of ASTM standards referenced by:<br />
• The International Codes published by ICC<br />
• National Building Code of Canada—National Research Council Canada<br />
• Uniform Plumbing Code and Uniform Mechanical Code—International Association of<br />
Plumbing and Mechanical Officials<br />
• MASTERSPEC<br />
• BSD SpecLink<br />
• NFPA5000 – Building Construction and Safety Code<br />
• SPECTEXT Master Guide Specifications<br />
• Green Standards: Federal Green Construction Guide for Specifiers, International Green<br />
Construction Code (IgCC), Green Globes<br />
• AWS: Structural Welding Code D1.1/D1M: 2010<br />
• UL Global Standards<br />
• National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA).<br /><br />
For networking prices, or to purchase <a data-hw-href="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" data-hw-target="hd8cAwA" href="http://email.prnewswire.com/wf/click?upn=J6qBPRVgziwoCR2OIJDNfYVEXB0F4fO5NZ3qYifwiLEREWGktMaZLXHqLGnktmmItgDufdrTi4bXobA8yM2ovQ-3D-3D_4rJLSV4CRxbnEN0yqvvfTNExh4HDUMYPpyhKyjYmYckmWL4pMH4eJ4EiI0bDOX7u7imTED0bFkddqTs26VxvAo0fNvAvsNRZmU76PrUNvhTGWIIYLEV3lxc9GKVCAo4Z8oV6f6iSCvnqEf2vFF6rSVp30VfmsQL5ISaYlcG3XV-2FrQB3jzVGgRZj71phVmGMUTrsNFC0djFZ7103cnghpjHRtuiUE6tdDOYKUeAVmutsC-2B4pTW2NtFCAnwyn3nmTy14isWXGJc-2FtUvWZaHYOoL7SwKOaiMKeU4Jy6d2l8eBWRyIpqVpxseyQ-2B1GoLvwXzAPD227qWCNh8VS2FwOHFZA-3D-3D" target="_blank"><em>ASTM Standards in Building Codes</em></a>, contact ASTM Sales - 877-909-ASTM; <a data-hw-href="h763y03MzCnJtypOzEktdkgsLsnVyy9KBwA" data-hw-target="hd8cAwA" href="mailto:sales@astm.org" target="_blank">sales@astm.org</a>). </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva,sans-serif;">Pricing is as follows:<br /><br /><strong><u>Online Subscriptions:</u></strong><br />
Basic Individual (Single PC): $1,577; Stock #: BLDGSVC<br />
Single Site Access (LAN): $4,013; Stock #: BLDGSVCX<br />
Plus Individual (Single PC): $1,892; Stock #: BLDGSVCR<br />
Single Site Access (LAN): $4,815; Stock #: BLDGSVCXR<br /><br /><strong><u>DVD:</u></strong><br />
Individual Workstation<br />
Basic: $1,275; Stock #: BLDGCD<br />
Individual Workstation with Quarterly Updates<br />
Basic: $1,608; Stock #: BLDGCDUPD<br />
Plus versions available online only. See above.<br /><br /><strong>For more information, contact </strong>Marsha Firman, 610-832-9612; <a data-hw-href="h6e9y03MzCnJt8pNyyzKTcxzSCwuydXLL0oHAA" data-hw-target="hd8cAwA" href="mailto:mfirman@astm.org" target="_blank">mfirman@astm.org</a>. </span></span>Jennifer Morrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05248582708875622652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576426558323438152.post-63364064292861646392014-04-07T08:06:00.002-07:002014-04-07T08:06:42.481-07:00Houston Chronicle: Tougher Building Codes Can Help Prevent Fire DisastersThe <a href="http://www.texasmasonrycouncil.org/">Texas Masonry Council</a> has distributed an article written for the <a href="http://www.chron.com/">Houston Chronicle</a> regarding <a href="http://www.masonrymagazine.com/">masonry</a>'s ability to prevent fires. <br />
<a href="http://www.chron.com/default/article/Darwish-Tougher-building-codes-can-help-prevent-5379285.php?utm_source=Masonry+Voice+-+Houston+Chron+Article&utm_campaign=Houston+Chron+04-07-14&utm_medium=email">Read more</a>.Jennifer Morrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05248582708875622652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576426558323438152.post-55582989622379018492014-04-04T10:58:00.004-07:002014-04-04T10:58:38.258-07:00Sims Crane Forms Construction Angels Chapter in Tampa Bay<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">The Tampa Bay Chapter of Construction
Angels, a 501(c)(3) non-profit that helps with financial support for families
of <a href="http://www.masonrymagazine.com/">construction</a>-industry employees killed on the job, will hold a fundraiser May 1. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Dean Sims II, VP at <a href="http://www.simscrane.com/">Sims Crane & Equipment Co.</a> in Tampa, is the
founder of the Tampa Bay Chapter of<a href="http://www.constructionangels.us/"> Construction Angels</a>, which originally formed in Broward County.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">According to the Florida Department of Labor, fatalities on construction jobs
in Florida increased from 41 in 2011 to 55 in 2012 – a 26 percent jump. Numbers
for 2013 have not yet been finalized. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">“With
all of the industry’s dedication to safety education and safety on the job, the
fact that on-site deaths in the construction industry are on the rise is of
major concern to everyone involved,” says Sims. “And the reality is, in most
cases, the families of loved ones killed on the job need all the financial help
they can get. That’s where Construction Angels comes in.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">The
fundraiser, hosted by Sims Crane and open to the public, will be held at Keel
& Curley Winery, 5210 Thonotosassa Road, Plant City, Fla., from
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on, May 1. Festivities include live music, a silent
auction, a raffle, commemorative photos and locally grown and distilled
strawberry and blueberry wines. Registration/donation is $25 online and $30 at
the door.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">For
more information, call Dean Sims at 800-282-6651, or email </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><a href="mailto:dsims@simscrane.com" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">dsims@simscrane.com</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">. Register at </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><a href="http://sendgrid.info/wf/click?upn=J6qBPRVgziwoCR2OIJDNfTiKVFP-2BlWqXaS6RpIU-2FlOE-3D_4rJLSV4CRxbnEN0yqvvfTNExh4HDUMYPpyhKyjYmYckmWL4pMH4eJ4EiI0bDOX7u7imTED0bFkddqTs26VxvAo0fNvAvsNRZmU76PrUNvhQnFunk7gk7u9HSdDuKOC-2F4X6cZnuvtK-2BcPBlmF61FPk3tOL1GFZjPaDHx1rvf1dPFahJSieTbcJqwE4Uh4f5JMlpwjEEQ9CThaJILBTlwgjgnMdMYkzPUZ03NOUnhuwvrzEDdUjoaRbkQkIUtn7Yv-2ByjKIBVVCje0EM341dPdqyEDSILqdU15BlgY8bFThp40p-2FUGPkH5vqhhkhNpE8mFUKz7jU7ySvye16AATdRFCV29yBZLT5ZnBwftEsBiWXBU-3D" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">www.simscrane.com</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> or
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><a href="http://sendgrid.info/wf/click?upn=J6qBPRVgziwoCR2OIJDNfWbH5sACddcWEIWKiV9E1M-2FacShbmVJqcFvYmfn4i9JR_4rJLSV4CRxbnEN0yqvvfTNExh4HDUMYPpyhKyjYmYckmWL4pMH4eJ4EiI0bDOX7u7imTED0bFkddqTs26VxvAo0fNvAvsNRZmU76PrUNvhQnFunk7gk7u9HSdDuKOC-2F4X6cZnuvtK-2BcPBlmF61FPk3tOL1GFZjPaDHx1rvf1dPFStBrr2lC7uLK7VNykyOxEQM2h-2Fqc4PvdvX9rpHYO7PTbP4O24uGZ4u8HAUxCMPmfzffRc3IYAaf5cCMLsJfuB2gBzJb8edG0AxoA4vBHMJ9CYfKx-2BhMKeEB2YU9IJyFN0DMqdTQtvupoPG7JoXYbbdAfNIBFx-2F3YLKb6laviYUNLUVoUUnsPG63FXGdt43c4-3D" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">www.constructionangels.us</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span>Jennifer Morrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05248582708875622652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576426558323438152.post-61622030402390805042014-04-03T08:43:00.000-07:002014-04-03T08:45:13.150-07:00Mason Contractors Association of America TEAM Awards <div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">
<a href="http://www.masonrymagazine.com/">Mason contractors</a> realize that quality masonry projects are the result of
strong creative vision and skilled execution. The purpose of the<a href="http://www.masoncontractors.org/team"> Tribute to Exemplary Achievements in Masonry (TEAM) Awards</a> is to give
recognition to these projects and members of the construction team for
outstanding accomplishments in masonry design and construction.</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px -12px;">
Eligibility</h3>
<h3 style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px -12px;">
</h3>
<h3 style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px -12px;">
</h3>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">
All
mason contractors or architects may submit a project. Masonry must be
the dominant material used in the project. Any work completed and
landscaped between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2013, is eligible to
be entered. Projects under construction or not landscaped will be
disqualified.</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">
Any
project that has previously received a TEAM Award cannot be
resubmitted. Winners of local, state and regional competitions are
encouraged to submit their award winning projects.</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">
<a data-hw-href="h64eHY7BCsIwEES/Ri9LU5tqg0KRgnrzpHdJ061VTLYkW6N/byrMYZh5DDMwj7s8jzEK80bHwpDNcXYht6MnI3QYP3tbF4hVpXCTKSm32boyKmu3ncpk2fZrWWzUSpnlVA9pb1HqheyT5lWrAzlDjr02TD4I8vdUjd0MMGp701H7Ltx68lakePmqDxTdi3QHPCBcj80Zmj8Dl6m1jxAe5OCUcGCC9BQ9fGnykO4+0XD4AQ" data-hw-target="hd8cAwA" href="http://www.cvent.com/events/mproc.aspx?m=1ee667e5-7229-46c7-b9d7-23bf4215707c&u=http%3a%2f%2fwww.masoncontractors.org%2fpdf%2fteam_awards_form.pdf&l=Download+the+TEAM+Awards+Submission+Form+to+enter+your+projects" style="color: red;" target="_blank">Download the TEAM Awards Submission Form to enter your projects</a></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px -12px;">
Submission</h3>
<h3 style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px -12px;">
</h3>
<h3 style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px -12px;">
</h3>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">
The
entry fee is $150.00 for one project; $100.00 for each additional
project; $75.00 to resubmit a project already submitted in previous
years. Entry fees are nonrefundable. Each submission must include a
completed entry form (enclosed) and shall contain the following
information on a CD to be sent to the MCAA:</div>
<ul style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">
<li>A minimum of four and maximum of twelve high resolution digital photos</li>
<li>All photos must be high resolution digital photos (300 dpi, at least 3600 x 2700 pixels)</li>
<li>Low resolution photos and hard copy photos will not be judged</li>
<li>Photos must be submitted as TIF or JPG files</li>
<li>Rehabilitation/Restoration projects must include at least two photos of the building prior to restoration</li>
<li>A typed description of the project in Word, not to
exceed 500 words, including design goals, the primary details and
features, advantages of using masonry, and unique or special
circumstances faced in designing or building the project</li>
<li>A typed summary of the project in Word, not to exceed 100 words, highlighting the facts of the longer written description</li>
</ul>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">
<a data-hw-href="h64eHY7BCsIwEES/Ri9LU5tqg0KRgnrzpHdJ061VTLYkW6N/byrMYZh5DDMwj7s8jzEK80bHwpDNcXYht6MnI3QYP3tbF4hVpXCTKSm32boyKmu3ncpk2fZrWWzUSpnlVA9pb1HqheyT5lWrAzlDjr02TD4I8vdUjd0MMGp701H7Ltx68lakePmqDxTdi3QHPCBcj80Zmj8Dl6m1jxAe5OCUcGCC9BQ9fGnykO4+0XD4AQ" data-hw-target="hd8cAwA" href="http://www.cvent.com/events/mproc.aspx?m=1ee667e5-7229-46c7-b9d7-23bf4215707c&u=http%3a%2f%2fwww.masoncontractors.org%2fpdf%2fteam_awards_form.pdf&l=Download+the+TEAM+Awards+Submission+Form+to+enter+your+projects" style="color: red;" target="_blank">Download the TEAM Awards Submission Form to enter your projects</a></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px -12px;">
Categories</h3>
<h3 style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px -12px;">
</h3>
<h3 style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px -12px;">
</h3>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">
Projects
may only be entered into one category. If a project qualifies for more
than one category, please select the category that best fits the
project. Categories include:</div>
<ul style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">
<li>Commercial</li>
<li>Education: K-8</li>
<li>Education: 9-12</li>
<li>Education: College/University</li>
<li>Government</li>
<li>Industrial</li>
<li>Institutional</li>
<li>Landscape/Hardscape</li>
<li>Rehabilitation/Restoration</li>
<li>Residential: Single Family</li>
<li>Residential: Multi Family</li>
<li>Block (projects must be at least 65% block)</li>
<li>Lighweight Block (projects must use lightweight CMU)</li>
<li>LEED (projects must be LEED certified)</li>
</ul>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">
<a data-hw-href="h64eHY7BCsIwEES/Ri9LU5tqg0KRgnrzpHdJ061VTLYkW6N/byrMYZh5DDMwj7s8jzEK80bHwpDNcXYht6MnI3QYP3tbF4hVpXCTKSm32boyKmu3ncpk2fZrWWzUSpnlVA9pb1HqheyT5lWrAzlDjr02TD4I8vdUjd0MMGp701H7Ltx68lakePmqDxTdi3QHPCBcj80Zmj8Dl6m1jxAe5OCUcGCC9BQ9fGnykO4+0XD4AQ" data-hw-target="hd8cAwA" href="http://www.cvent.com/events/mproc.aspx?m=1ee667e5-7229-46c7-b9d7-23bf4215707c&u=http%3a%2f%2fwww.masoncontractors.org%2fpdf%2fteam_awards_form.pdf&l=Download+the+TEAM+Awards+Submission+Form+to+enter+your+projects" style="color: red;" target="_blank">Download the TEAM Awards Submission Form to enter your projects</a></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px -12px;">
Schedule*</h3>
<h3 style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px -12px;">
</h3>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">
Submissions
must be received by April 30, 2014. Judging will take place June 3,
2014. Winners will be awarded at the TEAM Awards Program on September
10, 2014 at the <a href="http://www.masoncontractors.org/">MCAA</a> Midyear Meeting in Milwaukee. Awards will be
presented to the mason contractor, general contractor, architect,
masonry supplier, and building owner.</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">
* All dates are subject to change.</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">
<a data-hw-href="h64eHY7BCsIwEES/Ri9LU5tqg0KRgnrzpHdJ061VTLYkW6N/byrMYZh5DDMwj7s8jzEK80bHwpDNcXYht6MnI3QYP3tbF4hVpXCTKSm32boyKmu3ncpk2fZrWWzUSpnlVA9pb1HqheyT5lWrAzlDjr02TD4I8vdUjd0MMGp701H7Ltx68lakePmqDxTdi3QHPCBcj80Zmj8Dl6m1jxAe5OCUcGCC9BQ9fGnykO4+0XD4AQ" data-hw-target="hd8cAwA" href="http://www.cvent.com/events/mproc.aspx?m=1ee667e5-7229-46c7-b9d7-23bf4215707c&u=http%3a%2f%2fwww.masoncontractors.org%2fpdf%2fteam_awards_form.pdf&l=Download+the+TEAM+Awards+Submission+Form+to+enter+your+projects" style="color: red;" target="_blank">Download the TEAM Awards Submission Form to enter your projects</a></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px -12px;">
Judging</h3>
<h3 style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px -12px;">
</h3>
<h3 style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px -12px;">
</h3>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">
All
projects are judged on the following criteria: Design, Craftsmanship,
Percent of Visible Masonry, Overall Aesthetic Appeal, and Masonry
Difficulty.</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">
The
jury panel consists of mason contractors selected from across the
country who are not competing in the competition. The judges are
selected by the MCAA TEAM Awards Committee with utmost care and the
highest qualifications. Without exception, the decision of the judges
will be final in all cases.</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">
<a data-hw-href="h64eHY7BCsIwEES/Ri9LU5tqg0KRgnrzpHdJ061VTLYkW6N/byrMYZh5DDMwj7s8jzEK80bHwpDNcXYht6MnI3QYP3tbF4hVpXCTKSm32boyKmu3ncpk2fZrWWzUSpnlVA9pb1HqheyT5lWrAzlDjr02TD4I8vdUjd0MMGp701H7Ltx68lakePmqDxTdi3QHPCBcj80Zmj8Dl6m1jxAe5OCUcGCC9BQ9fGnykO4+0XD4AQ" data-hw-target="hd8cAwA" href="http://www.cvent.com/events/mproc.aspx?m=1ee667e5-7229-46c7-b9d7-23bf4215707c&u=http%3a%2f%2fwww.masoncontractors.org%2fpdf%2fteam_awards_form.pdf&l=Download+the+TEAM+Awards+Submission+Form+to+enter+your+projects" style="color: red;" target="_blank">Download the TEAM Awards Submission Form to enter your projects</a></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px -12px;">
Past Winners</h3>
<h3 style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px -12px;">
</h3>
<ul style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">
<li><a data-hw-href="h1feJYzLCsIwFES/pt2EpDZ9hApFgrjsTnBZbtPUCuZBEo2fb6IwMMPMYfYQ7LGqYoxEvKUORBhVyZx8pawzgoC3n5Maayn7nskOM0oH3PaC4WVYGabNsrW07tiBifI17umvaKCgW1J+VeCNFkYHByIY54lx9zQFCSoZPdR0VgJgzsUMEdzq5/jQWibU7rZ8jplB05lzdL3wCfEfg25/5gs" data-hw-target="hd8cAwA" href="http://www.cvent.com/events/mproc.aspx?m=1ee667e5-7229-46c7-b9d7-23bf4215707c&u=http%3a%2f%2fwww.masoncontractors.org%2fteam%2f2012_mcaa_team_awards_winners.php&l=2012+MCAA+TEAM+Awards+Winners" style="color: red;" target="_blank">2012 MCAA TEAM Awards Winners</a></li>
<li><a data-hw-href="h7aaJYzLCsIwFES/pt2UpiZ9hApFgrjsTnBZbm9TK5gHSTR+vqnCwAwzh9lCsMeqijESfEsdCBpVyT35SllnkIC3n5MaqJRdx2Vbcsb6sumQl3O/8JLV89ow2vIDx/w1bOkvqyFja9L+qsAbjUYHBxiM88S4e5qCBJWMHSidFAJMezFBBLf4KT60lgm1m82fw84U41mI4noRYyF+THH7M18" data-hw-target="hd8cAwA" href="http://www.cvent.com/events/mproc.aspx?m=1ee667e5-7229-46c7-b9d7-23bf4215707c&u=http%3a%2f%2fwww.masoncontractors.org%2fteam%2f2011_mcaa_team_awards_winners.php&l=2011+MCAA+TEAM+Awards+Winners" style="color: red;" target="_blank">2011 MCAA TEAM Awards Winners</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px -12px;">
MCAA Vision Awards</h2>
<h2 style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px -12px;">
</h2>
<h2 style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px -12px;">
</h2>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">
Do
you know a school district, university, community, or architect who has
demonstrated outstanding use of masonry in their projects over the
years? If so, nominate them to be considered for a Vision Award.</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">
The
Vision Awards celebrate school districts, universities, communities,
and architects who have demonstrated outstanding use of masonry in their
projects and incorporate masonry in their campuses, communities, and
buildings.</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">
Nominations can be submitted online at <a data-hw-href="hcfehYxRCsMgEERPk/ypjUmUFKRnMdtNDVRXdJv0+DUnKAzMwBteYM53pc7zlHBgYgkUFV6rqpgLgfQ1fx/RDYjGWJyF1XoRkwEr1uVphR7XbdLDbG8W+o8LzdeNvtNby2WNvlICSlw8MJUqqbwaYvSx1bHXnZLMIfdv9+f+Aw" data-hw-target="hd8cAwA" href="http://www.cvent.com/events/mproc.aspx?m=1ee667e5-7229-46c7-b9d7-23bf4215707c&u=http%3a%2f%2fwww.masoncontractors.org%2fteam%2fvision.php&l=www.masoncontractors.org%2fteam" style="color: red;" target="_blank">www.masoncontractors.org/team</a>.</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px -12px;">
Past Winners</h3>
<h3 style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px -12px;">
</h3>
<h3 style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px -12px;">
</h3>
<ul style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">
<li><a data-hw-href="hfdbJczLCsMgEAXQr0k2ojbmISmEErrutl3KxJgmUB+ojf38mhYuzIU53DVGd6Y0pUTkrkwk0mqqjhaodt5KAsF9LnqolOo6rlrMGetx00mOp37mmNXT0rCq5Scuy/ew5r2ihoItOceqhmCNtCZ6kNH6QKx/5ldUoPNhp4oJLQHEvoXNGgEJ/CzSZozK1q2ufA0HQrfrOKL7D6HxQAE9/uoL" data-hw-target="hd8cAwA" href="http://www.cvent.com/events/mproc.aspx?m=1ee667e5-7229-46c7-b9d7-23bf4215707c&u=http%3a%2f%2fwww.masoncontractors.org%2fteam%2f2012_mcaa_vision_award_winners.php&l=2012+MCAA+Vision+Awards+Winners" style="color: red;" target="_blank">2012 MCAA Vision Awards Winners</a></li>
<li><a data-hw-href="h610JczLCoMwEAXQr9FNMNb4CBakSNfdtksZx1iF5kGSmn5+kxYuzIU53M17cy7LEALFQyhPUctSpOZKaaxGCs58LnKohOg6LtqCM9YXTYe8mPuFF6ye14ZVLT9xzN/DFveyGjK2xqRVCU4r1MpbQK+to9o+48sLkPGwU1VNEgGmY3e7VhMEsMsUdqVEtGYz+WtIiNyu40juP0TGhBx5/NUX" data-hw-target="hd8cAwA" href="http://www.cvent.com/events/mproc.aspx?m=1ee667e5-7229-46c7-b9d7-23bf4215707c&u=http%3a%2f%2fwww.masoncontractors.org%2fteam%2f2011_mcaa_vision_award_winners.php&l=2011+MCAA+Vision+Awards+Winners" style="color: red;" target="_blank">2011 MCAA Vision Awards Winners</a></li>
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Questions?</h2>
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If you have additional questions please visit <a data-hw-href="he0chYxRDoMgEERPo39ARWVjE9Kz4HatH4U1sJYev3iCJpPMJG/ydpHjbkytVeOHkmjkaOhaxcQjM+pQju8j+oHIOaBZgbWLmhyCWpcnKDuu22SHGW6A/en35uvG0Nmt5bLGUDghJ8kBhXPRnF8NCYXYqn/7P6cf" data-hw-target="hd8cAwA" href="http://www.cvent.com/events/mproc.aspx?m=1ee667e5-7229-46c7-b9d7-23bf4215707c&u=http%3a%2f%2fwww.masoncontractors.org%2fteam%2f&l=www.masoncontractors.org%2fteam" style="color: red;" target="_blank">www.masoncontractors.org/team</a> or contact the Mason Contractors Association of America at 800-536-2225.</div>
Jennifer Morrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05248582708875622652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576426558323438152.post-69623342889251146452014-04-02T09:50:00.002-07:002014-04-02T09:50:17.067-07:00Oldcastle Architectural Names Jones as National Homebuilder Rep<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Responding to the resurgence in new
home construction, <a href="http://www.oldcastlearchitectural.com/">Oldcastle Architectural</a> has created the position of national homebuilder representative and named Todd Jones to educate builders on best
practices for using <a href="http://www.masonrymagazine.com/">masonry</a> and hardscape products in their home designs and
community development.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Oldcastle Architectural can be a
valuable resource for homebuilders looking for ways to maximize space, enhance
design and build homes for the way consumers live today,” said Ken O’Neill,
senior VP of sales and marketing for Oldcastle Architectural, whose
brands include Belgard Hardscapes pavers and retaining wall block for outdoor
spaces, EnduraMax High Performance Wall System and Artisan stone masonry
products.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Todd Jones will help inform
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offering education on how permeable interlocking concrete pavers can be a
stormwater management solution to sharing design ideas for the use of stone
veneer and pavers in fireplaces and outdoor spaces,” O’Neill said. “His
background and hands-on experience in home building and landscaping make Todd a
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jones comes to Oldcastle from
ULC-Landscape Architects and Contractors, a design build firm in College Station,
Texas, where he served as vice president of operations. With ULC, Jones focused
on providing the complete planning and construction process for retail,
commercial, institutional, municipal and residential customers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He began his career with home builder
<a href="http://www.drhorton.com/">D.R. Horton Homes</a>, holding positions of lead superintendent, construction area
manager, director of land acquisition and development, director of sales and
most recently vice president of operations. During his tenure with D.R. Horton,
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builder and landscape architect and understand the challenges they face in
staying informed about the newest building products, so it’s exciting for me to
be in a position where I can serve as educator and as a resource to help
builders find smart, sustainable and attractive solutions for cladding,
retaining walls and outdoor spaces,” Jones said.</span></div>
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Jennifer Morrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05248582708875622652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576426558323438152.post-51492461547904345102014-04-01T10:48:00.003-07:002014-04-01T10:48:35.094-07:00FMI Q1 Construction Outlook Shows Optimistic Growth<!--[if !mso]>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.fminet.com/">FMI</a>, a
provider of management consulting and investment banking to the engineering
and <a href="http://www.masonrymagazine.com/">construction</a> industry, released its Q1-2014 Construction Outlook. The
forecast continues to show optimistic growth. As a whole,
construction-put-in-place is predicted for an 8 percent increase for 2014, with
continued growth over the next few years.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Select market predictions include:</span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Residential </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">–Although
the market is forecast to grow, the pace is slowing. Forecasts show an
18 percent growth in single-family construction. However, multifamily
construction will show a 27 percent increase in 2014, a drop from the 44
percent increase in 2013.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Commercial </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">–
Investors are beginning to help lift commercial construction out of a
slump by taking more risks. The industry is expected to grow another 7
percent in 2014 to $52.6 billion – the highest mark since 2008. </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Health Care </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">–
Construction will grow 2 percent in 2014, however a jump to 6 percent is
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Educational </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">–
Improving state and local budgets will help move educational construction
back into the growth mode. 2014 will see a 3 percent level of growth to
$83 billion. </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Power </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">–
Growth to $91.2 billion is forecast for 2014 with a slow climb from 5
percent to 9 percent over the next four years. The cost of new nuclear
power will continue to hinder growth until regulatory concerns are
considered. </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Manufacturing </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">–
With signs of sustainable growth, predictions are for 5 percent in 2014 to
$45.2 billion, and an upward swing with another 8 percent growth in 2015. </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lodging </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">–The
industry forecasts 591 hotels opening in 2014 compared with the 500 in
2013. Growth at 13 percent is expected with this market reaching $16.1
billion. </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Transportation </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">–
2014 will see a 7 percent improvement to $4.4 billion. With the
president’s 2015 budget proposal of $73.61 billion for surface
transportation spending, there is a bright future in the coming years in
this industry.</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">To download a copy of the full
report, <a href="http://app.bronto.com/public/?q=ulink&fn=Link&ssid=21574&id=d3zoj9wmkpr6iwzzpe94eags4o41g&id2=l3ct9ligeq2hv24vcwljjsum0cowd&subscriber_id=ablfdeocpadwptnbildpdvasudeabhi&delivery_id=brhnciobihsroqushxjfaihdhmoabci&tid=3.VEY.BoTTyA.CvdD.AUdxOg..ArMnBw.b..l.BIXt.a.UzHGpA.UzHGpA._ZcG_A" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">click here</span></a>. For more information, contact Sarah
Avallone at 919.785.9221 or <a href="mailto:savallone@fminet.com" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">savallone@fminet.com</span></a>.</span></div>
<br />Jennifer Morrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05248582708875622652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576426558323438152.post-38011006967525744322014-03-31T09:17:00.005-07:002014-03-31T09:35:26.638-07:00Construction Employment Up in 30 States From January to February<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="12" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left; width: 693px;"><tbody>
<tr align="left"><td><div>
<a href="http://www.masonrymagazine.com/">Construction</a> firms added jobs in 37
states over the past 12 months and in 30 states<br />
between January and
February according to an analysis today by the <br />
<a href="http://www.agc.org/">Associated General Contractors of America</a> of Labor Department data. Association<br />
officials
said the jobs gains came even as many parts of the country experienced
unusually<br />
severe winter weather, include cold and snowy conditions in
the Northeast and Midwest,<br />
and warm and unusually dry conditions in much
of the Southwest.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
“Considering the mix of states adding
and losing construction jobs for the month and year,<br />
it seems winter
conditions had less of an impact than many had expected,” said Ken<br />
Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Instead, what appears to
be driving<br />
construction employment is differing levels of demand for new
buildings and infrastructure<br />
amid a relatively uneven economic
recovery.”<br />
<br />
Florida led all states in both percentage and total
construction gains with an 11 percent rise<br />
and 39,200 new jobs between
February 2013 and February 2014. Other states adding a high<br />
percentage
of new construction jobs for the past 12 months included Nevada (10.4
percent,<br />
5,800 jobs); Oregon (9.8 percent, 7,000 jobs) and Minnesota
(8.1 percent, 7,900 jobs).<br />
After Florida, California added the most new
construction jobs for the year (38,800 jobs,<br />
6.2 percent); followed by
Texas (23,700 jobs, 3.9 percent)
and Minnesota.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
A total of 10 states plus D.C. shed
construction jobs between February 2013 and February<br />
2014, while
employment was constant in three other states. The largest number of
losses<br />
occurred in Indiana (-3,300, -2.6 percent), followed by New
Jersey (-2,800 jobs, -2.1 percent)<br />
and West Virginia (-2,300 jobs, -6.5
percent). West Virginia had the highest percentage<br />
decline in
construction employment, followed by the District of Columbia (-5.0
percent,<br />
-700 jobs); Montana (-2.9 percent, -700 jobs) and Indiana.<br />
<br />
California
(14,100 jobs, 2.2 percent) added the most jobs between January and
February,<br />
followed by Florida (7,200 jobs, 1.9 percent); Texas (5,700
jobs, 0.9 percent) and Georgia<br />
(3,500 jobs, 2.4 percent). Wyoming 3.3
percent, 700 jobs) had the highest percentage increase<br />
for the month,
followed by Missouri (2.8 percent, 2,900 jobs); Connecticut (2.5
percent, 1,400<br />
jobs) and Michigan (2.5 percent, 3,300 jobs).</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Twenty states and the District of
Columbia lost construction jobs between January and<br />
February with Ohio
(-8,100 jobs, -4.2 percent) losing the most. Other states experiencing<br />
large monthly declines in total construction employment included
Maryland (-3,900 jobs,<br />
-2.6 percent); Kansas (-3,000 jobs, -4.9 percent)
and North Carolina (-2,300 jobs, -1.3 percent).<br />
Kansas experience the
highest monthly percentage decline, followed by Ohio, Alaska<br />
(-3.4
percent, -600 jobs) and South Dakota (-3.2 percent,
-700 jobs).</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Associated officials said that even as
construction employment slowly recovers in certain<br />
parts of the country,
total construction employment remains below peak levels in every state<br />
and the District of Columbia. They urged Congress and the
administration to avoid letting<br />
the federal highway funding lapse this
summer when the federal Highway Trust Fund<br />
balance is expected to reach
zero, which would undermine the industry’s recovery.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
“Congress and the administration should
be focused on writing legislation to fix the<br />
Highway Trust Fund and put
in place a long-term transportation program,” said Stephen<br />
E. Sandherr,
the association’s chief executive officer. “Given how fragile the
construction<br />
industry remains, the last thing we need is for billions of
dollars worth of highway projects<br />
to get put on hold this summer.”</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
View the state employment data by <a data-hw-href="h12aRc1LDsIgAADR27CTP0JNiCsvoAdoCFCKAiWA4fp253qSN/sY9YbQnBPm3H1xAkN7ZJRi+UC75XvTlC1ioYqCHp1m4iqJ5ApkzZRSTFLw1SZYA96aSIk5Jwx0vf/ZM8KjBRRMSr5F31Hxs6PXMMOvj1zTSjHhmF6e5lxWt/0A" data-hw-target="hd8cAwA" href="http://www.mmsend50.com/link.cfm?r=23959282&sid=35671748&m=3888372&u=agca&j=17704413&s=http://www.agc.org/galleries/news/State_Empl_201402-Rank.pdf" target="_blank">rank</a>, by <a data-hw-href="h8deRczLDcIgAADQbbjJH6EmpPHgBA7QEKBQBUoAw/p68/ySF8eoN4TmnDDn7osTGNozo3SUN7R7XpumbBELVRT0w2kmrpJIvoCsmVKKSQo+2gRrwEsTKTHnhIGu47/9ITxbQMGk5NvhOyp+dvQcZvjtkWvaKCYc08s91WhgdfsX" data-hw-target="hd8cAwA" href="http://www.mmsend50.com/link.cfm?r=23959282&sid=35671749&m=3888372&u=agca&j=17704413&s=http://www.agc.org/galleries/news/State_Empl_201402-Alpha.pdf" target="_blank">state</a>.</div>
</td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<img data-hw-src="h5feyygpKbDS1y8vL9fLzS1OzUsxNdBLzs/VLy5ITE4t0ktOy7UvKUpMzs7MS4/PTLE1MjAzMjQ2NzQ1NAAA" src="http://www.mmsend50.com/spacer.cfm?tracking_id=20621371510" /></div>
Jennifer Morrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05248582708875622652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576426558323438152.post-38086769164697449432014-03-27T14:08:00.000-07:002014-03-27T14:08:14.503-07:00General Shale Wins Three Addy Awards for Marketing Material<a href="http://www.generalshale.com/">General Shale</a>, a <a href="http://www.masonrymagazine.com/">brick</a> manufacturer, was honored with three ADDYS at the
Northeast Tennessee Chapter of the<a href="http://www.aaf.org/"> American Advertising Federation</a>
Awards.
<br />
<br />
Conducted annually by the American Advertising Federation (AAF), the
regional awards are the first of a three-tier, national competition.
Winners of Gold Addys locally are forwarded to the district competition,
and winners there compete nationally for recognition. <br />
<br />
General Shale, the North American subsidiary of Wienerberger AG, won a
gold Addy for a mobile phone app for smartphones and tablets. The
award-winning app is the first of its kind to assist construction
professionals and architects with designing buildings, selecting
products, calculating costs and purchasing materials for their projects.
The app allows users to browse General Shale's extensive line of
product colors and sizes in brick, thin brick, pavers and do-it-yourself
outdoor living kits, and then email favorite selections or final cost
calculations without leaving the app. <br />
<br />
The company also won two silver Addys. One silver Addy was for
General Shale's Outdoor Living Brochure, highlighting the many new
products in the Outdoor Living Product line that includes firepits,
mailboxes, outdoor kitchens and pavers. A silver Addy was also presented
for the company's third edition of <i>Great North American Homes Magazine. </i>The
coffeetable-style book is full of design ideas, photos of beautiful
architecture and interviews with homeowners who have chosen to use
General Shale products.<br />
<br />
"We are excited and honored to be recognized for these marketing materials," says <span class="xn-person">Dawn Henning</span>, director of marketing and retail sales. "Our focus is to provide our
customers with communications tuned to the way they like to use the
information. From a printed magazine to a mobile app, General Shale
wants to be the best at utilizing appropriate technology for the user."<br />
<br />
General Shale worked with <span class="xn-location">Johnson City's</span> Creative Energy, a full-service advertising and marketing agency, on the award-winning entries. This year's theme for the advertising awards program was "Deep Fried
ADDYS." <br />
<b> </b><br />
<br /><a class="release-link" data-hw-href="h84fyygpKbDS1y8vL9dLT81LLUrMKc5IzEnVS87PBQA" data-hw-target="h683i89LLU8qyi8vTi0CAA" href="http://www.generalshale.com/" target="_blank"></a>
Jennifer Morrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05248582708875622652noreply@blogger.com0