Believe me when I say I enjoy reader feedback. Occasionally, readers call to say specifically what they liked or didn't like in the current issue. Great. Less frequently, I receive something in writing that I can publish.
Last year, our parent company BNP Media began a recycling initiative with two separate bins placed next to printers-one bin is for paper; the other for cardboard. It took awhile for all of us to start employing the service.
I recently returned from the International Builders' Show and easily walked 10 miles per day. What an event. Each year, it seems to grow exponentially to where its slated four-day exhibit floor just isn't enough time for those that want to take it all in.
"San Marcos is the perfect example of how versatile foam application can be," says Bill Lewis, vice president of Johnson County Foam, whose company created the foam shapes used on the elaborate Prime Outlets shopping plaza in San Marcos, Texas. Lewis takes great pride in this project-the most detailed and thorough of his 25-year career-though is amazed that even outlet malls today are finding ways to draw and attract customers through architecture.
Hola y como estan (Hi and how are you). It's a new year and already it's been far too cold in the Midwest. It makes me yearn to use my stock Spanish phrase in Mexico City, Acapulco, Belize-anywhere south of the border, close to the equator.
John Loch of Master Drywall and Plaster Inc. can't stop thinking nor talking about a product he's been using more and more of. The Green Bay, Wis., contractor just finished using this material on a 5,000-square foot house in the suburbs of the city and is itching for the next project where his crew can get their chops on more of this material. Customers seeking a typical drywall or plastering job from the company end up demanding that this product be worked into the project. Loch considers the possibilities and says with a little imagination and great skill, this material can accommodate most remodeling needs.
Often, my job can be as engaging as a four-star movie. I get the official sneak previews of the newest tools in the market. Sometimes, I even get a demo and use them around the house.
I recently visited the Carolinas' Lathing and Plastering Contractors Association show where members met and focused on their goals of providing reliability, accountability and credibility. Despite several years of testing,
For those unfamiliar with how Habitat partners with families, it can be assured that these homes are not given away. There is an application process, in which a committee screens all applicants to determine eligibility. Once a family has been determined, the applicant must put in 400 hours of what the organization calls "sweat equity." These hours are used for training the homeowners before the build begins, briefing homeowners on construction basics and hands-on work. The balance is used for the actual building of their home. If the hours are not fulfilled, applicants can still make up all the hours by working on another Habitat home.
