(1348,468,10,2,1237611704,'a:33:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:2:\"10\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"468\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-03-02 07:42 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"46\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:2:\"10\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:22:\"ASA Hosts Lien Seminar\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:22:\"asa_hosts_lien_seminar\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_58\";s:22:\"ASA Hosts Lien Seminar\";s:11:\"field_ft_58\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_62\";s:301:\"SPEAKER: Richard A. Stockenberg.  Stockenberg is a partner with Gallop, Johnson & Neuman. He serves an General Counsel to the ASA-Midwest Council and has practiced exclusively in construction law for over 35 years filing, perfecting and enforcing literally thousands of liens in Missouri and Illinois.\";s:11:\"field_ft_62\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_59\";s:36:\"lien, seminar, ASA, MCA, Stockenberg\";s:11:\"field_ft_59\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_63\";s:90:\"Gallop, Johnson & Neuman 101 S. Hanley, Suite 1700 St. Louis, MO 63105 (parking validated)\";s:11:\"field_ft_63\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_57\";s:19:\"2009-03-25 03:00 PM\";s:15:\"field_offset_57\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_56\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_56\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_55\";s:48:\" 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.(food and drink following)\";s:11:\"field_ft_55\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_60\";s:5046:\"<p><em><br />SPEAKER: Richard A. Stockenberg.&nbsp; Stockenberg is a partner with Gallop, Johnson &amp; Neuman. He serves\nan General Counsel to the ASA-Midwest Council and has practiced\nexclusively in construction law for over 35 years filing, perfecting\nand enforcing literally thousands of liens in Missouri and Illinois.</em><br /><br />Since the days of Jefferson and Madison, a subcontractor\\\'s best collection tool is the mechanic\\\'s lien. Liens are especially helpful in periods of economic down turn. When there are payment problems, they are resolved faster and more favorably when there is a lien or bond to secure payment. Liens are the best device against allowing a general contractor\\\'s or owner\\\'s financial problems from becoming your problem.<br /><br />Payment bonds offer good substitute security when liens are not available. This seminar, designed especially for subcontractors and suppliers, will focus on the nuts and bolts of preserving and enforcing lien and bond rights. We will discuss the detailed requirements of enforcing these rights, focusing on who, what, when, how and why. Lien rights are invaluable when properly enforced and extremely costly when they are lost.<br /><br />The program is designed to help you understand how to use these important tools in times of financial difficulty by lessening your write-offs and expediting your cash flow!<br /><br />3:00 p.m. PROGRAM BEGINS<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Pre-Lien Issues<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull; Who is Entitled to File a Lien?<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &diams; New Rules for Rental Equipment<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull; What Property is Subject to a Lien?<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull; What Work is Lienable?<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull; How Much Do You Recover?<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull; How Do You Protect Yourself?<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &diams; Notice to Owner<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &diams; Sub\\\'s 10-Day Notice<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Lien Preparation and Enforcement <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull; Time to File Lien<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull; What Must a Lien Contain?<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull; The Perfect Job Cost Report<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull; How Long Does the Lien Last?<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull; Priority of Lien Versus Mortgages<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull; Mechanic\\\'s Lien Waivers<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &diams; Beware of Pitfalls<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Payment Bonds as Substitute for Mechanic\\\'s Liens<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull; Federal Bond Claims<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull; State Bond Claims<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull; Required Notices for Bond Claims<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull; Time Limits to Enforce Bond Claims<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull; Amount Recovered Under a Bond Claim<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Comparison of Liens and Bond</p>\n<p>Contact Reba Gillick, ASA executive director with guest(s) names at<a href=\\\"http://mce_host/reba@asamidwest.com \\\"> reba@asamidwest.com </a>314.214.1664 (p); 314.214.1665 (f)<br /><br /><br />Reservations are due before March 18, 2009 Cost: $50/Attendee ASA or MCA Members<br />&nbsp;$65/Attendee Non-Members. No-shows will be billed.<br /><br />&nbsp;Make check payable to: ASA Midwest Council, P.O. Box 270 , Union, MO 63084</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"46\";}'),(1349,487,4,2,1237612073,'a:26:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-03-20 07:02 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"46\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:45:\"Commission Approves 9 MoDOT Projects for ARRA\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:45:\"commission_approves_9_modot_projects_for_arra\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:45:\"Commission Approves 9 MoDOT Projects for ARRA\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:246:\"The Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission  approved nine projects in the greater St. Louis Metropolitan area using money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). These projects should create about 5,900 jobs in the region.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:21:\"MoDOT, ARRA, projects\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:2752:\"<p>The Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission&nbsp; approved nine projects in the greater St. Louis Metropolitan area using money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). These projects should create about 5,900 jobs in the region.<br /><br />MoDOT is spending more than $173.4 million in ARRA funding in the region, part of the $525 million the department is spending throughout the state.&nbsp; Missouri is also spending about $151 million on&nbsp;&nbsp; on other multimodal projects (rail, aviation and transit), $19 million on enhancement projects and $93 million to suballocation areas (which includes East-West Gateway, the Mid-America Regional Council, and the Ozark Transportation Organization).<br /><br />The commission determined the projects in conjunction with MoDOT\\\'s regional partners. The projects meet the federal requirements for being \\\"shovel ready,\\\" and were selected from projects recommended for priority implementation in the region\\\'s long-range transportation plan.<br /><br />The approved projects are (projects with an asterisk can be obligated by June 30, 2009)<br /></p>\n<ul>\n<li>Franklin County, Route 44 - Rebuild pavement from Viaduct Street to Route 100 West *</li>\n<li>Jefferson County, Route 55 - Add lanes and widen/replace two bridges between north of Route M and north of Route Z<br /><br />St. Charles County, Route 364 - Extend Page Ave. from west of Harvester Road to Central School Road *<br /></li>\n<li>St. Louis County, Route 141 - Relocate/reconstuct Route 141 from Route 40 to Route 340 (Olive Blvd.) This project will be coordinated and constructed in conjuction with a St. Louis County project to construct Route 141 from Route 340 to Route 364.<br /></li>\n<li>St. Louis City, Port - Municipal dock improvements<br /><br />St. Louis City, Route 70 outer road - Pavement improvements from I-44/I-55 to Washington Ave. <br /></li>\n<li>St. Louis City, Tucker Blvd/12th Street - New structures/pavement and improvements between O\\\'Fallon St. and Washington Ave. (In cooperation with St. Louis City and the Missisippi River Bridge team)</li>\n<li>St. Louis County, Route 67 - Sidewalk improvements from I-270 to Old St. Charles Rock Road </li>\n<li>St. Louis County, Route AC - Sidewalk improvements from Route 67 (Lindbergh) to I-270 </li>\n</ul>\n<p><br />\\\"The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act gives MoDOT the opportunity to complete a number of projects which have been on the regional long-term transportation plan but we haven\\\'t had the money for,\\\" Bill Schnell, assistant district engineer for St. Louis, said. \\\"The five projects we can get under contract before July 30 will help us put people in the region to work immediately, and will also help the region grow.\\\"</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"46\";}'),(1350,488,5,2,1237613493,'a:26:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"5\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-03-20 07:18 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"11\";i:1;s:2:\"46\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:35:\"Making a Building Out of An Anthill\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:35:\"making_a_building_out_of_an_anthill\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_20\";s:35:\"Making a Building Out of An Anthill\";s:11:\"field_ft_20\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_25\";s:1:\"4\";s:11:\"field_id_45\";s:178:\"If you\\\'re looking for building design ideas that are more  energy efficient or building systems that protect the environment, you might literally find them in your own backyard.\";s:11:\"field_ft_45\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_22\";s:23:\"biomimicry, HOK, Benyus\";s:11:\"field_ft_22\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_23\";s:4223:\"<p>If you\\\'re looking for building design ideas that are more&nbsp; energy efficient or building systems that protect the environment, you might literally find them in your own backyard.</p>\n<p>A far-reaching trend emerging in green design and sustainability is &ldquo;Biomimicry&rdquo; &ndash; basically applying the best designs in 3.8 billion years nature to a number of industries &ndash; but especially the construction of buildings, cities and communities.&nbsp;&nbsp; On March 19th, Janine Benyus, the world&rsquo;s foremost expert on biomimicry spoke on the topic Washington University&rsquo;s Graham Chapel.<br />&nbsp;<br /><img src=\\\"file:///Users/tom/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/moz-screenshot.jpg\\\" /><img src=\\\"file:///Users/tom/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/moz-screenshot-1.jpg\\\" /><img height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/biomimicry.jpg\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />The local hook is that St. Louis-based HOK has exclusive alliance with Benyus&rsquo; <a href=\\\"http://www.biomimicryguild.com\\\">Biomimicry Guild&nbsp;</a> to integrate nature&rsquo;s innovations into its designs of structures and communities &ndash; an asset for a community vying for the Obama stimulus dollars that have a multitude of &ldquo;green&rdquo; mandates attached to them.</p>\n<p>Biomimicry applies the knowledge of 3.8 billion years of nature to find solutions to challenges in a number of industries.&nbsp; Leonardo da Vinci applied this &ldquo;nature inspired&rdquo; design in sketching many of his inventive ideas, such as studying bird flight to concept man-made flying machines.&nbsp; Perhaps the most famous example of biomimicry is Velcro.&nbsp; Inventor George de Mestral came up with the concept after observing how burrs stuck to his clothing and his dog&rsquo;s fur. <br /><br />Today, biomimicry is being advanced in the design and construction of buildings and infrastructure in ways that create a more sustainable built environment that coexists in greater harmony with nature.&nbsp; Examples include:<br /></p>\n<ul>\n<li>&nbsp;Termite mounds &ndash; In Africa, certain species of termites have built termite mounds that maintain a constant temperature of 87 degrees F to grow a fungus on which the insects feed.&nbsp; The insects construct air vents that keep the temperature at the appropriate level even when the outside air temperature drops to 35 degrees F at night or rises to 104 degrees F in the day.&nbsp; The Eastgate Centre shopping and office complex in Harare, Zimbabwe uses this termite temperature control to regulate temperate with no conventional air condition or heating.</li>\n<li>&nbsp;Butterfly wings &ndash; Morphotex is a material that imitates the color shifting properties of a butterfly&rsquo;s wings.&nbsp; As a fiber material, it manipulates the use of light to create color through refraction, instead of using dyes or pigments, which use more energy to produce and are more harmful to the environment.&nbsp; It has applications for building materials and textiles.</li>\n<li>Lotus plant &ndash; researchers have found that the Lotus plant can shed contaminants because its leaves have small bumps and waxy crystals that force water to &ldquo;ball up.&rdquo;&nbsp; The bumps raise up dirt -molecules, which are then picked up by the water drops.&nbsp; This &ldquo;lotus effect&rdquo; is now being applied to paint and has applications to textiles, wood and glass.</li>\n<li>&nbsp;Mussels &ndash; Building products such as plywood and particle board are being produced using a glue that was inspired by a substance secreted by mussels.</li>\n<li>The forest floor &ndash; More cost efficient modular carpeting is being produce by mimicking the randomness of colors and patterns found on the forest floor.&nbsp; Rather than uniform colors on the carpet, the randomness makes it very easy to change pieces of the carpet without noticing a difference.</li>\n<li>Whale power &ndash; Wind turbines to produce energy for the built environment are being made more efficient thanks to an aerodynamic study of the whale flipper.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>Next time you putter in the garden or take a walk in the woods, keep your eyes open. Nature may be telling you something about a better way to build.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"11\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"46\";}'),(1351,488,5,2,1237613831,'a:27:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"5\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"488\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-03-20 07:18 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"11\";i:1;s:2:\"46\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"5\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:35:\"Making a Building Out of An Anthill\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:35:\"making_a_building_out_of_an_anthill\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_20\";s:35:\"Making a Building Out of An Anthill\";s:11:\"field_ft_20\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_25\";s:1:\"4\";s:11:\"field_id_45\";s:178:\"If you\\\'re looking for building design ideas that are more  energy efficient or building systems that protect the environment, you might literally find them in your own backyard.\";s:11:\"field_ft_45\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_22\";s:23:\"biomimicry, HOK, Benyus\";s:11:\"field_ft_22\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_23\";s:4116:\"<p>If you\\\'re looking for building design ideas that are more&nbsp; energy efficient or building systems that protect the environment, you might literally find them in your own backyard.</p>\n<p>A far-reaching trend emerging in green design and sustainability is &ldquo;Biomimicry&rdquo; &ndash; basically applying the best designs in 3.8 billion years nature to a number of industries &ndash; but especially the construction of buildings, cities and communities.&nbsp;&nbsp; On March 19th, Janine Benyus, the world&rsquo;s foremost expert on biomimicry spoke on the topic Washington University&rsquo;s Graham Chapel.<br />&nbsp;<br /><img alt=\\\"biomimicry\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"222\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/biomimicry_1.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />The local hook is that St. Louis-based HOK has exclusive alliance with Benyus&rsquo; <a href=\\\"http://www.biomimicryguild.com\\\">Biomimicry Guild&nbsp;</a> to integrate nature&rsquo;s innovations into its designs of structures and communities &ndash; an asset for a community vying for the Obama stimulus dollars that have a multitude of &ldquo;green&rdquo; mandates attached to them.</p>\n<p>Biomimicry applies the knowledge of 3.8 billion years of nature to find solutions to challenges in a number of industries.&nbsp; Leonardo da Vinci applied this &ldquo;nature inspired&rdquo; design in sketching many of his inventive ideas, such as studying bird flight to concept man-made flying machines.&nbsp; Perhaps the most famous example of biomimicry is Velcro.&nbsp; Inventor George de Mestral came up with the concept after observing how burrs stuck to his clothing and his dog&rsquo;s fur. <br /><br />Today, biomimicry is being advanced in the design and construction of buildings and infrastructure in ways that create a more sustainable built environment that coexists in greater harmony with nature.&nbsp; Examples include:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>&nbsp;Termite mounds &ndash; In Africa, certain species of termites have built termite mounds that maintain a constant temperature of 87 degrees F to grow a fungus on which the insects feed.&nbsp; The insects construct air vents that keep the temperature at the appropriate level even when the outside air temperature drops to 35 degrees F at night or rises to 104 degrees F in the day.&nbsp; The Eastgate Centre shopping and office complex in Harare, Zimbabwe uses this termite temperature control to regulate temperate with no conventional air condition or heating.</li>\n<li>&nbsp;Butterfly wings &ndash; Morphotex is a material that imitates the color shifting properties of a butterfly&rsquo;s wings.&nbsp; As a fiber material, it manipulates the use of light to create color through refraction, instead of using dyes or pigments, which use more energy to produce and are more harmful to the environment.&nbsp; It has applications for building materials and textiles.</li>\n<li>Lotus plant &ndash; researchers have found that the Lotus plant can shed contaminants because its leaves have small bumps and waxy crystals that force water to &ldquo;ball up.&rdquo;&nbsp; The bumps raise up dirt -molecules, which are then picked up by the water drops.&nbsp; This &ldquo;lotus effect&rdquo; is now being applied to paint and has applications to textiles, wood and glass.</li>\n<li>&nbsp;Mussels &ndash; Building products such as plywood and particle board are being produced using a glue that was inspired by a substance secreted by mussels.</li>\n<li>The forest floor &ndash; More cost efficient modular carpeting is being produce by mimicking the randomness of colors and patterns found on the forest floor.&nbsp; Rather than uniform colors on the carpet, the randomness makes it very easy to change pieces of the carpet without noticing a difference.</li>\n<li>Whale power &ndash; Wind turbines to produce energy for the built environment are being made more efficient thanks to an aerodynamic study of the whale flipper.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>Next time you putter in the garden or take a walk in the woods, keep your eyes open. Nature may be telling you something about a better way to build.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"11\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"46\";}'),(1352,489,4,2,1237616963,'a:25:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-03-20 08:25 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"20\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Creve Coeur Center \\\"TOBY\\\" Award\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:29:\"creve_coeur_center_toby_award\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:33:\"Creve Coeur Center \\\"TOBY\\\" Award\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:270:\"The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) of St. Louis, has awarded Creve Coeur Center The Office Building of the Year (TOBY) award. The 210,650 square-foot building, located on Emerson Road, won the award in the “100,000 – 249,999 square-footâ€ category.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:61:\"Creve Coeur Center, Colliers Turley Martin Tucker, TOBY, BOMA\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:1503:\"<p>The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) of St. Louis, has awarded Creve Coeur Center The Office Building of the Year (TOBY) award. The 210,650 square-foot building, located on Emerson Road, won the award in the &ldquo;100,000 &ndash; 249,999 square-foot&rdquo; category. <br />&nbsp;<br />Colliers Turley Martin Tucker (CTMT), which manages the property, submitted the project for the award. The winning application, prepared by the CTMT team, featured a comprehensive overview of the building and its operation, including a description of the property&rsquo;s architecture and interior finishes, community impact, tenant relations, energy conservation, environmental and regulatory compliances, emergency preparedness and security, as well as training of the management team. <br />&nbsp;<br />During the judging process, each application is thoroughly evaluated by a panel of industry professionals. Award criteria include community involvement, site management and environmental policies and procedures. <br />&nbsp;<br />&ldquo;We take great pride in all aspects of the property, from exterior and interior design, to landscaping and environmentally friendly practices,&rdquo; says Will Mura, property manager Creve Coeur Center. &ldquo;To be recognized by our peers at BOMA with this prestigious award is very gratifying.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;<br />The St. Louis winners next compete on a regional level featuring projects in Denver, Kansas City and Minneapolis. <br />&nbsp;<br /></p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"20\";}'),(1353,489,4,2,1237617013,'a:26:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"489\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-03-20 08:25 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"20\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Creve Coeur Center \\\"TOBY\\\" Award\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:29:\"creve_coeur_center_toby_award\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:33:\"Creve Coeur Center \\\"TOBY\\\" Award\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:266:\"The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) of St. Louis, has awarded Creve Coeur Center The Office Building of the Year (TOBY) award. The 210,650 square-foot building, located on Emerson Road, won the award in the “100,000-249,999 square-footâ€ category.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:61:\"Creve Coeur Center, Colliers Turley Martin Tucker, TOBY, BOMA\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:1497:\"<p>The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) of St. Louis, has awarded Creve Coeur Center The Office Building of the Year (TOBY) award. The 210,650 square-foot building, located on Emerson Road, won the award in the &ldquo;100,000 &ndash; 249,999 square-foot&rdquo; category. <br />&nbsp;<br />Colliers Turley Martin Tucker (CTMT), which manages the property, submitted the project for the award. The winning application, prepared by the CTMT team, featured a comprehensive overview of the building and its operation, including a description of the property&rsquo;s architecture and interior finishes, community impact, tenant relations, energy conservation, environmental and regulatory compliances, emergency preparedness and security, as well as training of the management team. <br />&nbsp;<br />During the judging process, each application is thoroughly evaluated by a panel of industry professionals. Award criteria include community involvement, site management and environmental policies and procedures. <br />&nbsp;<br />&ldquo;We take great pride in all aspects of the property, from exterior and interior design, to landscaping and environmentally friendly practices,&rdquo; says Will Mura, property manager Creve Coeur Center. &ldquo;To be recognized by our peers at BOMA with this prestigious award is very gratifying.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;<br />The St. Louis winners next compete on a regional level featuring projects in Denver, Kansas City and Minneapolis. <br />&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"20\";}'),(1354,489,4,2,1237617164,'a:26:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"489\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-03-20 08:25 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"20\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:33:\"Creve Coeur Center \\\"TOBY\\\" Award\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:29:\"creve_coeur_center_toby_award\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:33:\"Creve Coeur Center \\\"TOBY\\\" Award\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:264:\"The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) of St. Louis, has awarded Creve Coeur Center The Office Building of the Year (TOBY) award. The 210,650 square-foot building, located on Emerson Road, won the award in the \\\"100,000-249,999 square-foot\\\" category.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:61:\"Creve Coeur Center, Colliers Turley Martin Tucker, TOBY, BOMA\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:1497:\"<p>The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) of St. Louis, has awarded Creve Coeur Center The Office Building of the Year (TOBY) award. The 210,650 square-foot building, located on Emerson Road, won the award in the &ldquo;100,000 &ndash; 249,999 square-foot&rdquo; category. <br />&nbsp;<br />Colliers Turley Martin Tucker (CTMT), which manages the property, submitted the project for the award. The winning application, prepared by the CTMT team, featured a comprehensive overview of the building and its operation, including a description of the property&rsquo;s architecture and interior finishes, community impact, tenant relations, energy conservation, environmental and regulatory compliances, emergency preparedness and security, as well as training of the management team. <br />&nbsp;<br />During the judging process, each application is thoroughly evaluated by a panel of industry professionals. Award criteria include community involvement, site management and environmental policies and procedures. <br />&nbsp;<br />&ldquo;We take great pride in all aspects of the property, from exterior and interior design, to landscaping and environmentally friendly practices,&rdquo; says Will Mura, property manager Creve Coeur Center. &ldquo;To be recognized by our peers at BOMA with this prestigious award is very gratifying.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;<br />The St. Louis winners next compete on a regional level featuring projects in Denver, Kansas City and Minneapolis. <br />&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"20\";}'),(1355,490,4,2,1237617367,'a:25:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-03-20 08:33 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"7\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:50:\"Murray Company Hires Business Development Manager \";s:9:\"url_title\";s:49:\"murray_company_hires_business_development_manager\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:49:\"Murray Company Hires Business Development Manager\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:189:\"Murray Company, a Program Management/Design-Build/Construction Management firm specializing in Hospitals and Healthcare facilities has hired Janet Shirrell, as business development manager.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:46:\"Murray, Shirrell, business development manager\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:196:\"<p>Murray Company, a Program Management/Design-Build/Construction Management firm specializing in Hospitals and Healthcare facilities has hired Janet Shirrell, as business development manager.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"7\";}'),(1356,491,4,2,1237618048,'a:25:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-03-20 08:43 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"7\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:42:\" Ruzicka Joins Rabbitt, Pitzer & Snodgrass\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:38:\"ruzicka_joins_rabbitt_pitzer_snodgrass\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:41:\" Ruzicka Joins Rabbitt, Pitzer & Snodgras\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:86:\"Derek P. Ruzicka has joined the St. Louis office of Rabbitt, Pitzer & Snodgrass, P.C. \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:43:\"Ruzicka, Rabbitt, Pitzer & Snodgrass, P.C. \";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:821:\"<p>Derek P. Ruzicka has joined the St. Louis office of Rabbitt, Pitzer &amp; Snodgrass, P.C.</p>\n<p>Ruzicka joins the firm&rsquo;s construction/architect professional liability group and will focus in the areas of design professional liability defense, including architects, engineers, and land surveyors.&nbsp; Mr. Ruzicka is a graduate of Southern Illinois University School of Law (J.D., May, 2008).&nbsp; Prior to attending Southern Illinois University School of Law, Mr. Ruzicka received his undergraduate degree from Valparaiso University.<br /><br />Mr. Ruzicka was admitted to the Missouri Bar in 2008.&nbsp; He is an active member the American Bar Association.&nbsp; Prior to joining Rabbitt, Pitzer &amp; Snodgrass, P.C., Mr. Ruzicka worked as an estimator for Ruzicka Electric &amp; Sons, Inc. &nbsp;<br /></p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"7\";}'),(1357,491,4,2,1237618102,'a:26:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"491\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-03-20 08:43 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"7\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:41:\"Ruzicka Joins Rabbitt, Pitzer & Snodgrass\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:38:\"ruzicka_joins_rabbitt_pitzer_snodgrass\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:42:\" Ruzicka Joins Rabbitt, Pitzer & Snodgrass\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:86:\"Derek P. Ruzicka has joined the St. Louis office of Rabbitt, Pitzer & Snodgrass, P.C. \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:43:\"Ruzicka, Rabbitt, Pitzer & Snodgrass, P.C. \";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:815:\"<p>Derek P. Ruzicka has joined the St. Louis office of Rabbitt, Pitzer &amp; Snodgrass, P.C.</p>\n<p>Ruzicka joins the firm&rsquo;s construction/architect professional liability group and will focus in the areas of design professional liability defense, including architects, engineers, and land surveyors.&nbsp; Mr. Ruzicka is a graduate of Southern Illinois University School of Law (J.D., May, 2008).&nbsp; Prior to attending Southern Illinois University School of Law, Mr. Ruzicka received his undergraduate degree from Valparaiso University.<br /><br />Mr. Ruzicka was admitted to the Missouri Bar in 2008.&nbsp; He is an active member the American Bar Association.&nbsp; Prior to joining Rabbitt, Pitzer &amp; Snodgrass, P.C., Mr. Ruzicka worked as an estimator for Ruzicka Electric &amp; Sons, Inc. &nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"7\";}'),(1358,492,5,2,1237618496,'a:23:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"5\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-03-20 08:48 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:41:\"Employee Presents a Host of Legal Issues \";s:9:\"url_title\";s:40:\"employee_presents_a_host_of_legal_issues\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_20\";s:41:\"Employee Presents a Host of Legal Issues \";s:11:\"field_ft_20\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_25\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_45\";s:225:\"In St. Louis as in cities across the nation, debates are intensifying as officials representing both management and labor organizations voice their opinions about the potential impacts of the Employee Free Choice Act of 2007.\";s:11:\"field_ft_45\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_22\";s:18:\"Free Choice, Kafka\";s:11:\"field_ft_22\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_23\";s:7655:\"<p><em>by Bradley G. Kafka</em></p>\n<p>In St. Louis as in cities across the nation, debates are intensifying as officials representing both management and labor organizations voice their opinions about the potential impacts of the Employee Free Choice Act of 2007.<br /><br />As a result of the victory by the Democratic Party in the November 4 election, employers can expect a renewed effort by Congress to pass a version of the Employee Free Choice Act, Senate Bill 1041 (the &ldquo;New Act&rdquo;), that was supported by 44 Senators, including then Senators Barack Obama and Joseph Biden.&nbsp; If passed, this bill will introduce the most comprehensive revisions to the National Labor Relations Act (the &ldquo;NLRA&rdquo;) since at least 1959. <br /><br />&nbsp;If the New Act passes in its present form, for the first time since the inception of the NLRA in 1935, a union could become the designated collective bargaining representative of an employer&rsquo;s employees notwithstanding a request by the employees or the employer for a secret ballot election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board (the &ldquo;NLRB&rdquo;).&nbsp; Moreover, under the New Act, for the first time in NLRA history, an initial collective bargaining agreement may be imposed on an employer by an arbitrator if the employer and union have reached an impasse in negotiations.&nbsp; Also for the first time, the NLRB would be granted authority, under certain circumstances, to impose fines and other substantial penalties on employers found to have committed certain unfair labor practices.&nbsp; <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; At present, Section 9(c) of the NLRA permits a union that purports to represent a majority of employees in an appropriate bargaining unit to file a petition for a secret ballot election with the NLRB to permit employees to vote on the issue of union representation.&nbsp; An employer is not required to recognize and bargain with a union purporting to represent a majority of its employees unless the NLRB certifies, after an election, that a majority of employees in the bargaining unit have voted for union representation.&nbsp; The New Act would amend Section 9(c) to permit not only a union, but also an individual, to file a petition with the NLRB asserting that a majority of employees in an appropriate bargaining unit wish to be represented by a union or an individual.&nbsp; If the NLRB concludes the employees have signed proper authorizations to have a union or an individual represent them, the NLRB would be required to certify the union or the individual as bargaining representative of the employees without a secret ballot election.&nbsp; <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The precise contours of the new procedure for certifying an individual or a union without an election have not yet been articulated in the Employee Free Choice Act.&nbsp; The Senate draft of the New Act directs the NLRB to develop guidelines and procedures for implementation of the New Act.&nbsp; However, the amendments to Section 9(c) of the NLRA, if passed, could reduce or even eliminate an employer&rsquo;s ability to campaign against union representation of its employees, since the employer may not be aware its employees are signing authorizations for the union until the union has already obtained signatures from a majority of employees.&nbsp; The employer&rsquo;s disadvantage will be compounded by the NLRA&rsquo;s strict limitations on an employer&rsquo;s ability to question its employees concerning their union sympathies or activities.&nbsp; Moreover, the elimination of an employer&rsquo;s right to demand an election increases the likelihood that a union could, through misinformation, coercion or other improper means, inappropriately obtain signed authorizations from employees.&nbsp; <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Senate Bill would also amend Section 8 of the NLRA by adding a new procedure to break an impasse in negotiations for an initial collective bargaining agreement.&nbsp; Under existing law, an employer must bargain in good faith with the newly elected bargaining representative of its employees, but it need not agree to terms it believes are unsatisfactory or detrimental to its business.&nbsp; If the parties reach a legitimate impasse in negotiations, an employer can implement its final offer to the union or continue applying the existing terms of employment.&nbsp; The union has the right to strike.&nbsp; The amendments to Section 8 proposed in the Senate bill would permit the parties 90 days to negotiate an initial collective bargaining agreement.&nbsp; If the parties fail to reach agreement, either party may submit a request for a mediator to the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (the &ldquo;FMCS&rdquo;).&nbsp; If, within 30 days of either party&rsquo;s request for mediation, the parties still have not reached agreement, the New Act requires the FMCS to refer the dispute to an arbitration board.&nbsp; The arbitration panel will then impose a collective bargaining agreement (and all of its terms) on the parties effective for a period of up to two years.&nbsp; <br /><br />Section 4 of the Employee Free Choice Act would drastically increase the NLRB&rsquo;s enforcement power in two ways.&nbsp; First, the Act would require the NLRB to obtain a prompt injunction in federal court against an employer who has allegedly discharged or discriminated against an employee due to that employee&rsquo;s activities on behalf of a union in the period from the inception of a union organizing campaign until an initial collective bargaining agreement is signed by the parties.&nbsp; Second, the Act would alter the NLRB&rsquo;s current practice of awarding only actual back pay to employees found to have been discharged because of their union activities.&nbsp; Since its inception the remedies afforded by the NLRA have been limited to &ldquo;make whole&rdquo; remedies.&rdquo;&nbsp; The New Act would supplement the traditional make whole remedy with liquidated damages in the amount of twice the back pay owed (in addition to the actual back pay) if the discharge occurred between the inception of the organizing campaign and execution of an initial collective bargaining agreement.&nbsp; The New Act would also permit the NLRB to impose a fine of up to $20,000 per violation for any employer who willfully or repeatedly engages in any of a broad range of possible unfair labor practices (including improper statements even if employees experience no loss of pay as a result) during the period between the inception of the organizing campaign and the execution of an initial collective bargaining agreement.&nbsp; <br /><br />If passed, the Employee Free Choice Act will present a host of legal issues.&nbsp; The implementing regulations issued by the NLRB may also have an impact on the manner in which the Act is administered and enforced.&nbsp; Business and labor leaders in St. Louis and across the United States will be watching the status of the Employee Free Choice Act with expectations that, in one form or another, it will be become law.</p>\n<p><em>Bradley G. Kafka is chairman of the Labor and Employment Law Department\nat the law firm of Gallop, Johnson &amp; Neuman, L.C. in St. Louis.&nbsp;\nMr. Kafka represents management in labor and employment matters across\nthe United States.&nbsp; His practice includes federal and state court\nlitigation; collective bargaining negotiations; defense of union\norganizing campaigns; defense of employment discrimination and wrongful\ndischarge cases; and the litigation of restrictive covenant cases\nincluding non-competition claims. </em></p>\";}'),(1359,492,5,2,1237618557,'a:26:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"5\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"492\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-03-20 08:48 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"10\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"5\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:40:\"Employee Presents a Host of Legal Issues\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:40:\"employee_presents_a_host_of_legal_issues\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_20\";s:41:\"Employee Presents a Host of Legal Issues \";s:11:\"field_ft_20\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_25\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_45\";s:225:\"In St. Louis as in cities across the nation, debates are intensifying as officials representing both management and labor organizations voice their opinions about the potential impacts of the Employee Free Choice Act of 2007.\";s:11:\"field_ft_45\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_22\";s:18:\"Free Choice, Kafka\";s:11:\"field_ft_22\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_23\";s:7655:\"<p><em>by Bradley G. Kafka</em></p>\n<p>In St. Louis as in cities across the nation, debates are intensifying as officials representing both management and labor organizations voice their opinions about the potential impacts of the Employee Free Choice Act of 2007.<br /><br />As a result of the victory by the Democratic Party in the November 4 election, employers can expect a renewed effort by Congress to pass a version of the Employee Free Choice Act, Senate Bill 1041 (the &ldquo;New Act&rdquo;), that was supported by 44 Senators, including then Senators Barack Obama and Joseph Biden.&nbsp; If passed, this bill will introduce the most comprehensive revisions to the National Labor Relations Act (the &ldquo;NLRA&rdquo;) since at least 1959. <br /><br />&nbsp;If the New Act passes in its present form, for the first time since the inception of the NLRA in 1935, a union could become the designated collective bargaining representative of an employer&rsquo;s employees notwithstanding a request by the employees or the employer for a secret ballot election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board (the &ldquo;NLRB&rdquo;).&nbsp; Moreover, under the New Act, for the first time in NLRA history, an initial collective bargaining agreement may be imposed on an employer by an arbitrator if the employer and union have reached an impasse in negotiations.&nbsp; Also for the first time, the NLRB would be granted authority, under certain circumstances, to impose fines and other substantial penalties on employers found to have committed certain unfair labor practices.&nbsp; <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; At present, Section 9(c) of the NLRA permits a union that purports to represent a majority of employees in an appropriate bargaining unit to file a petition for a secret ballot election with the NLRB to permit employees to vote on the issue of union representation.&nbsp; An employer is not required to recognize and bargain with a union purporting to represent a majority of its employees unless the NLRB certifies, after an election, that a majority of employees in the bargaining unit have voted for union representation.&nbsp; The New Act would amend Section 9(c) to permit not only a union, but also an individual, to file a petition with the NLRB asserting that a majority of employees in an appropriate bargaining unit wish to be represented by a union or an individual.&nbsp; If the NLRB concludes the employees have signed proper authorizations to have a union or an individual represent them, the NLRB would be required to certify the union or the individual as bargaining representative of the employees without a secret ballot election.&nbsp; <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The precise contours of the new procedure for certifying an individual or a union without an election have not yet been articulated in the Employee Free Choice Act.&nbsp; The Senate draft of the New Act directs the NLRB to develop guidelines and procedures for implementation of the New Act.&nbsp; However, the amendments to Section 9(c) of the NLRA, if passed, could reduce or even eliminate an employer&rsquo;s ability to campaign against union representation of its employees, since the employer may not be aware its employees are signing authorizations for the union until the union has already obtained signatures from a majority of employees.&nbsp; The employer&rsquo;s disadvantage will be compounded by the NLRA&rsquo;s strict limitations on an employer&rsquo;s ability to question its employees concerning their union sympathies or activities.&nbsp; Moreover, the elimination of an employer&rsquo;s right to demand an election increases the likelihood that a union could, through misinformation, coercion or other improper means, inappropriately obtain signed authorizations from employees.&nbsp; <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Senate Bill would also amend Section 8 of the NLRA by adding a new procedure to break an impasse in negotiations for an initial collective bargaining agreement.&nbsp; Under existing law, an employer must bargain in good faith with the newly elected bargaining representative of its employees, but it need not agree to terms it believes are unsatisfactory or detrimental to its business.&nbsp; If the parties reach a legitimate impasse in negotiations, an employer can implement its final offer to the union or continue applying the existing terms of employment.&nbsp; The union has the right to strike.&nbsp; The amendments to Section 8 proposed in the Senate bill would permit the parties 90 days to negotiate an initial collective bargaining agreement.&nbsp; If the parties fail to reach agreement, either party may submit a request for a mediator to the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (the &ldquo;FMCS&rdquo;).&nbsp; If, within 30 days of either party&rsquo;s request for mediation, the parties still have not reached agreement, the New Act requires the FMCS to refer the dispute to an arbitration board.&nbsp; The arbitration panel will then impose a collective bargaining agreement (and all of its terms) on the parties effective for a period of up to two years.&nbsp; <br /><br />Section 4 of the Employee Free Choice Act would drastically increase the NLRB&rsquo;s enforcement power in two ways.&nbsp; First, the Act would require the NLRB to obtain a prompt injunction in federal court against an employer who has allegedly discharged or discriminated against an employee due to that employee&rsquo;s activities on behalf of a union in the period from the inception of a union organizing campaign until an initial collective bargaining agreement is signed by the parties.&nbsp; Second, the Act would alter the NLRB&rsquo;s current practice of awarding only actual back pay to employees found to have been discharged because of their union activities.&nbsp; Since its inception the remedies afforded by the NLRA have been limited to &ldquo;make whole&rdquo; remedies.&rdquo;&nbsp; The New Act would supplement the traditional make whole remedy with liquidated damages in the amount of twice the back pay owed (in addition to the actual back pay) if the discharge occurred between the inception of the organizing campaign and execution of an initial collective bargaining agreement.&nbsp; The New Act would also permit the NLRB to impose a fine of up to $20,000 per violation for any employer who willfully or repeatedly engages in any of a broad range of possible unfair labor practices (including improper statements even if employees experience no loss of pay as a result) during the period between the inception of the organizing campaign and the execution of an initial collective bargaining agreement.&nbsp; <br /><br />If passed, the Employee Free Choice Act will present a host of legal issues.&nbsp; The implementing regulations issued by the NLRB may also have an impact on the manner in which the Act is administered and enforced.&nbsp; Business and labor leaders in St. Louis and across the United States will be watching the status of the Employee Free Choice Act with expectations that, in one form or another, it will be become law.</p>\n<p><em>Bradley G. Kafka is chairman of the Labor and Employment Law Department\nat the law firm of Gallop, Johnson &amp; Neuman, L.C. in St. Louis.&nbsp;\nMr. Kafka represents management in labor and employment matters across\nthe United States.&nbsp; His practice includes federal and state court\nlitigation; collective bargaining negotiations; defense of union\norganizing campaigns; defense of employment discrimination and wrongful\ndischarge cases; and the litigation of restrictive covenant cases\nincluding non-competition claims. </em></p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"10\";}'),(1360,492,5,2,1237618605,'a:26:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"5\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"492\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-03-20 08:48 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"10\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"5\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:52:\"Employee Free Choice Presents a Host of Legal Issues\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:40:\"employee_presents_a_host_of_legal_issues\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_20\";s:53:\"Employee Free Choice Presents a Host of Legal Issues \";s:11:\"field_ft_20\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_25\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_45\";s:225:\"In St. Louis as in cities across the nation, debates are intensifying as officials representing both management and labor organizations voice their opinions about the potential impacts of the Employee Free Choice Act of 2007.\";s:11:\"field_ft_45\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_22\";s:18:\"Free Choice, Kafka\";s:11:\"field_ft_22\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_23\";s:7655:\"<p><em>by Bradley G. Kafka</em></p>\n<p>In St. Louis as in cities across the nation, debates are intensifying as officials representing both management and labor organizations voice their opinions about the potential impacts of the Employee Free Choice Act of 2007.<br /><br />As a result of the victory by the Democratic Party in the November 4 election, employers can expect a renewed effort by Congress to pass a version of the Employee Free Choice Act, Senate Bill 1041 (the &ldquo;New Act&rdquo;), that was supported by 44 Senators, including then Senators Barack Obama and Joseph Biden.&nbsp; If passed, this bill will introduce the most comprehensive revisions to the National Labor Relations Act (the &ldquo;NLRA&rdquo;) since at least 1959. <br /><br />&nbsp;If the New Act passes in its present form, for the first time since the inception of the NLRA in 1935, a union could become the designated collective bargaining representative of an employer&rsquo;s employees notwithstanding a request by the employees or the employer for a secret ballot election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board (the &ldquo;NLRB&rdquo;).&nbsp; Moreover, under the New Act, for the first time in NLRA history, an initial collective bargaining agreement may be imposed on an employer by an arbitrator if the employer and union have reached an impasse in negotiations.&nbsp; Also for the first time, the NLRB would be granted authority, under certain circumstances, to impose fines and other substantial penalties on employers found to have committed certain unfair labor practices.&nbsp; <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; At present, Section 9(c) of the NLRA permits a union that purports to represent a majority of employees in an appropriate bargaining unit to file a petition for a secret ballot election with the NLRB to permit employees to vote on the issue of union representation.&nbsp; An employer is not required to recognize and bargain with a union purporting to represent a majority of its employees unless the NLRB certifies, after an election, that a majority of employees in the bargaining unit have voted for union representation.&nbsp; The New Act would amend Section 9(c) to permit not only a union, but also an individual, to file a petition with the NLRB asserting that a majority of employees in an appropriate bargaining unit wish to be represented by a union or an individual.&nbsp; If the NLRB concludes the employees have signed proper authorizations to have a union or an individual represent them, the NLRB would be required to certify the union or the individual as bargaining representative of the employees without a secret ballot election.&nbsp; <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The precise contours of the new procedure for certifying an individual or a union without an election have not yet been articulated in the Employee Free Choice Act.&nbsp; The Senate draft of the New Act directs the NLRB to develop guidelines and procedures for implementation of the New Act.&nbsp; However, the amendments to Section 9(c) of the NLRA, if passed, could reduce or even eliminate an employer&rsquo;s ability to campaign against union representation of its employees, since the employer may not be aware its employees are signing authorizations for the union until the union has already obtained signatures from a majority of employees.&nbsp; The employer&rsquo;s disadvantage will be compounded by the NLRA&rsquo;s strict limitations on an employer&rsquo;s ability to question its employees concerning their union sympathies or activities.&nbsp; Moreover, the elimination of an employer&rsquo;s right to demand an election increases the likelihood that a union could, through misinformation, coercion or other improper means, inappropriately obtain signed authorizations from employees.&nbsp; <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Senate Bill would also amend Section 8 of the NLRA by adding a new procedure to break an impasse in negotiations for an initial collective bargaining agreement.&nbsp; Under existing law, an employer must bargain in good faith with the newly elected bargaining representative of its employees, but it need not agree to terms it believes are unsatisfactory or detrimental to its business.&nbsp; If the parties reach a legitimate impasse in negotiations, an employer can implement its final offer to the union or continue applying the existing terms of employment.&nbsp; The union has the right to strike.&nbsp; The amendments to Section 8 proposed in the Senate bill would permit the parties 90 days to negotiate an initial collective bargaining agreement.&nbsp; If the parties fail to reach agreement, either party may submit a request for a mediator to the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (the &ldquo;FMCS&rdquo;).&nbsp; If, within 30 days of either party&rsquo;s request for mediation, the parties still have not reached agreement, the New Act requires the FMCS to refer the dispute to an arbitration board.&nbsp; The arbitration panel will then impose a collective bargaining agreement (and all of its terms) on the parties effective for a period of up to two years.&nbsp; <br /><br />Section 4 of the Employee Free Choice Act would drastically increase the NLRB&rsquo;s enforcement power in two ways.&nbsp; First, the Act would require the NLRB to obtain a prompt injunction in federal court against an employer who has allegedly discharged or discriminated against an employee due to that employee&rsquo;s activities on behalf of a union in the period from the inception of a union organizing campaign until an initial collective bargaining agreement is signed by the parties.&nbsp; Second, the Act would alter the NLRB&rsquo;s current practice of awarding only actual back pay to employees found to have been discharged because of their union activities.&nbsp; Since its inception the remedies afforded by the NLRA have been limited to &ldquo;make whole&rdquo; remedies.&rdquo;&nbsp; The New Act would supplement the traditional make whole remedy with liquidated damages in the amount of twice the back pay owed (in addition to the actual back pay) if the discharge occurred between the inception of the organizing campaign and execution of an initial collective bargaining agreement.&nbsp; The New Act would also permit the NLRB to impose a fine of up to $20,000 per violation for any employer who willfully or repeatedly engages in any of a broad range of possible unfair labor practices (including improper statements even if employees experience no loss of pay as a result) during the period between the inception of the organizing campaign and the execution of an initial collective bargaining agreement.&nbsp; <br /><br />If passed, the Employee Free Choice Act will present a host of legal issues.&nbsp; The implementing regulations issued by the NLRB may also have an impact on the manner in which the Act is administered and enforced.&nbsp; Business and labor leaders in St. Louis and across the United States will be watching the status of the Employee Free Choice Act with expectations that, in one form or another, it will be become law.</p>\n<p><em>Bradley G. Kafka is chairman of the Labor and Employment Law Department\nat the law firm of Gallop, Johnson &amp; Neuman, L.C. in St. Louis.&nbsp;\nMr. Kafka represents management in labor and employment matters across\nthe United States.&nbsp; His practice includes federal and state court\nlitigation; collective bargaining negotiations; defense of union\norganizing campaigns; defense of employment discrimination and wrongful\ndischarge cases; and the litigation of restrictive covenant cases\nincluding non-competition claims. </em></p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"10\";}'),(1480,473,4,2,1240578720,'a:28:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"473\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-03-06 07:25 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:3:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"51\";i:2;s:2:\"45\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:49:\"\\\"Meet the Machines\\\"  Family Event This Saturday\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:44:\"meet_the_machines_family_event_this_saturday\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:48:\"\\\"Meet the Machines\\\" Family Event This Saturday\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:307:\"The Budrovich Companies along with several major sponsors will, once again, present \\\"Meet the Machines\\\".  Building on the unqualified success of the inaugural event in 2005, and the overwhelming growth since, the event promises much more in 2009.  Last year\\\'s event drew approximately 12,000 attendees.  \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:28:\"Meet the Machines, Budrovich\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:2955:\"<h4>Bring your Family To \\\"Meet The MACHINES\\\"</h4>\n<p><strong>Saturday April 25, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.<br /></strong><strong>Location: Budrovich Excavating &amp; Contracting<br /> 10328 Lake Bluff Drive </strong></p>\n<p>The Budrovich Companies along with several major sponsors will, once again, present \\\"Meet the Machines\\\".&nbsp; Building on the unqualified success of the inaugural event in 2005, and the overwhelming growth since, the event promises much more in 2009.&nbsp; Last year&rsquo;s event drew approximately 12,000 attendees.&nbsp;</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Meet the Machines\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"163\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/meet-the-machines1.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"244\\\" />Many sponsors such as McCarthy Building Companies, MC Industrial, Guarantee Electrical Schnuck&rsquo;s, Luby Equipment Company, JD Kutter Insurance, AmeriSure, Manitowoc Crane and others have seen the explosive growth of the free event and are supporting it through full sponsorships, in-kind donations and volunteers.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>The event will be held Saturday, April 25 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.&nbsp; This exciting family outing is held at the Budrovich Excavating &amp; Contracting headquarters, which is in an old quarry located at 10328 Lake Bluff Drive in St. Louis, MO.</p>\n<p>The purpose of the educational event is to introduce children, ages 3-15 years old, to the heavy equipment side of the construction business.&nbsp; Guests should arrive at the north gate and stop at the registration table.&nbsp; The first 1,500 kids will receive their Meet the Machines hard hat and other giveaways.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\n<p>This year&rsquo;s event promises more interactive elements.&nbsp; Children and adults, alike, will have the opportunity to climb aboard and explore giant excavation and hoisting machinery.&nbsp; Additionally, visitors can participate in hands-on, educational activities such as &ldquo;digging&rdquo; for prizes or operating a crane via a training simulator.&nbsp; There will be games and prizes, face painting and opportunities to get pictures taken with a local sports team mascot, other local celebrities and, of course, the heavy machinery itself.&nbsp; An operator skill challenge will allow the youngsters to see professionals operate heavy equipment for contest prizes.&nbsp; Food and beverages will be provided to attendees at a minimal cost.&nbsp;</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Meet the Machines\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"365\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/meet-the-machines4.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"244\\\" />The Budrovich Companies specialize in site utility excavation, mass &amp; finish grading, crane rental, and residential, commercial and industrial land development.&nbsp; Budrovich employs nearly 150 skilled operators, laborers and teamsters in the St. Louis metropolitan region, utilizing nearly 90 pieces of excavation &amp; grading equipment and 40 mobile hydraulic cranes.&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"51\";s:10:\"category_2\";s:2:\"45\";}'),(1367,493,10,2,1238121553,'a:33:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:2:\"10\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"493\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-03-26 04:23 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"47\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:2:\"10\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:30:\"USGBC-STL Growing Green Awards\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:29:\"usgbcstl_growing_green_awards\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_58\";s:30:\"USGBC-STL Growing Green Awards\";s:11:\"field_ft_58\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_62\";s:273:\"Through the Growing Green Awards, USGBC-STL will recognize and celebrate the people, organizations, and companies that are transforming the St. Louis Region\\\'s built environment into a more environmentally responsible, profitable, and healthy place to live, work, and play.\";s:11:\"field_ft_62\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_59\";s:28:\"Growing Green, awards, USGBC\";s:11:\"field_ft_59\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_63\";s:64:\"The Coronado Ballroom,  3701 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108 \";s:11:\"field_ft_63\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_57\";s:19:\"2009-05-01 06:00 PM\";s:15:\"field_offset_57\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_56\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_56\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_55\";s:7:\"6 p.m. \";s:11:\"field_ft_55\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_60\";s:1502:\"<p>6 p.m.cocktails<br />7 p.m. dinner <br />8 p.m. program and entertainment<br />8:30 p.m. awards</p>\n<p>Through the Growing Green Awards, USGBC-STL will recognize and celebrate the people, organizations, and companies that are transforming the St. Louis Region\\\'s built environment into a more environmentally responsible, profitable, and healthy place to live, work, and play. <br />&nbsp;<br /><strong>Cost: $70 per person&nbsp; </strong><br />Includes a networking cocktail hour with hors d&rsquo;oeuvres, valet parking, dinner, open bar, and entertainment.&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />&nbsp;<br /><strong>Introductory Speaker:</strong> Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge, Managing&nbsp; Director of the STL Operation for American Airlines and Board President of Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis&nbsp; <br /><strong>&nbsp;<br />Emcee:</strong> Glenda Abney, director of Missouri Botanical Garden&rsquo;s EarthWays Center&nbsp;</p>\n<p><strong>Keynote Speaker:</strong> Kyle Hunsberger, Director of Construction&nbsp; for Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Through the Growing Green Awards, USGBC-STL will recognize&nbsp; and celebrate the people, organizations and companies that are transforming the St. Louis Region\\\'s built environment into a&nbsp; more environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy place&nbsp; to live, work, and play.</p>\n<p>For reservations, call Rachel McCalla at 314.210.7764, or register <a href=\\\"http://growinggreenawards.eventbrite.com/\\\">online</a>.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"47\";}'),(1368,492,5,2,1238122737,'a:26:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"5\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"492\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-03-20 08:48 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"47\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"5\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:52:\"Employee Free Choice Presents a Host of Legal Issues\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:40:\"employee_presents_a_host_of_legal_issues\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_20\";s:53:\"Employee Free Choice Presents a Host of Legal Issues \";s:11:\"field_ft_20\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_25\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_45\";s:225:\"In St. Louis as in cities across the nation, debates are intensifying as officials representing both management and labor organizations voice their opinions about the potential impacts of the Employee Free Choice Act of 2007.\";s:11:\"field_ft_45\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_22\";s:18:\"Free Choice, Kafka\";s:11:\"field_ft_22\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_23\";s:7655:\"<p><em>by Bradley G. Kafka</em></p>\n<p>In St. Louis as in cities across the nation, debates are intensifying as officials representing both management and labor organizations voice their opinions about the potential impacts of the Employee Free Choice Act of 2007.<br /><br />As a result of the victory by the Democratic Party in the November 4 election, employers can expect a renewed effort by Congress to pass a version of the Employee Free Choice Act, Senate Bill 1041 (the &ldquo;New Act&rdquo;), that was supported by 44 Senators, including then Senators Barack Obama and Joseph Biden.&nbsp; If passed, this bill will introduce the most comprehensive revisions to the National Labor Relations Act (the &ldquo;NLRA&rdquo;) since at least 1959. <br /><br />&nbsp;If the New Act passes in its present form, for the first time since the inception of the NLRA in 1935, a union could become the designated collective bargaining representative of an employer&rsquo;s employees notwithstanding a request by the employees or the employer for a secret ballot election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board (the &ldquo;NLRB&rdquo;).&nbsp; Moreover, under the New Act, for the first time in NLRA history, an initial collective bargaining agreement may be imposed on an employer by an arbitrator if the employer and union have reached an impasse in negotiations.&nbsp; Also for the first time, the NLRB would be granted authority, under certain circumstances, to impose fines and other substantial penalties on employers found to have committed certain unfair labor practices.&nbsp; <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; At present, Section 9(c) of the NLRA permits a union that purports to represent a majority of employees in an appropriate bargaining unit to file a petition for a secret ballot election with the NLRB to permit employees to vote on the issue of union representation.&nbsp; An employer is not required to recognize and bargain with a union purporting to represent a majority of its employees unless the NLRB certifies, after an election, that a majority of employees in the bargaining unit have voted for union representation.&nbsp; The New Act would amend Section 9(c) to permit not only a union, but also an individual, to file a petition with the NLRB asserting that a majority of employees in an appropriate bargaining unit wish to be represented by a union or an individual.&nbsp; If the NLRB concludes the employees have signed proper authorizations to have a union or an individual represent them, the NLRB would be required to certify the union or the individual as bargaining representative of the employees without a secret ballot election.&nbsp; <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The precise contours of the new procedure for certifying an individual or a union without an election have not yet been articulated in the Employee Free Choice Act.&nbsp; The Senate draft of the New Act directs the NLRB to develop guidelines and procedures for implementation of the New Act.&nbsp; However, the amendments to Section 9(c) of the NLRA, if passed, could reduce or even eliminate an employer&rsquo;s ability to campaign against union representation of its employees, since the employer may not be aware its employees are signing authorizations for the union until the union has already obtained signatures from a majority of employees.&nbsp; The employer&rsquo;s disadvantage will be compounded by the NLRA&rsquo;s strict limitations on an employer&rsquo;s ability to question its employees concerning their union sympathies or activities.&nbsp; Moreover, the elimination of an employer&rsquo;s right to demand an election increases the likelihood that a union could, through misinformation, coercion or other improper means, inappropriately obtain signed authorizations from employees.&nbsp; <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Senate Bill would also amend Section 8 of the NLRA by adding a new procedure to break an impasse in negotiations for an initial collective bargaining agreement.&nbsp; Under existing law, an employer must bargain in good faith with the newly elected bargaining representative of its employees, but it need not agree to terms it believes are unsatisfactory or detrimental to its business.&nbsp; If the parties reach a legitimate impasse in negotiations, an employer can implement its final offer to the union or continue applying the existing terms of employment.&nbsp; The union has the right to strike.&nbsp; The amendments to Section 8 proposed in the Senate bill would permit the parties 90 days to negotiate an initial collective bargaining agreement.&nbsp; If the parties fail to reach agreement, either party may submit a request for a mediator to the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (the &ldquo;FMCS&rdquo;).&nbsp; If, within 30 days of either party&rsquo;s request for mediation, the parties still have not reached agreement, the New Act requires the FMCS to refer the dispute to an arbitration board.&nbsp; The arbitration panel will then impose a collective bargaining agreement (and all of its terms) on the parties effective for a period of up to two years.&nbsp; <br /><br />Section 4 of the Employee Free Choice Act would drastically increase the NLRB&rsquo;s enforcement power in two ways.&nbsp; First, the Act would require the NLRB to obtain a prompt injunction in federal court against an employer who has allegedly discharged or discriminated against an employee due to that employee&rsquo;s activities on behalf of a union in the period from the inception of a union organizing campaign until an initial collective bargaining agreement is signed by the parties.&nbsp; Second, the Act would alter the NLRB&rsquo;s current practice of awarding only actual back pay to employees found to have been discharged because of their union activities.&nbsp; Since its inception the remedies afforded by the NLRA have been limited to &ldquo;make whole&rdquo; remedies.&rdquo;&nbsp; The New Act would supplement the traditional make whole remedy with liquidated damages in the amount of twice the back pay owed (in addition to the actual back pay) if the discharge occurred between the inception of the organizing campaign and execution of an initial collective bargaining agreement.&nbsp; The New Act would also permit the NLRB to impose a fine of up to $20,000 per violation for any employer who willfully or repeatedly engages in any of a broad range of possible unfair labor practices (including improper statements even if employees experience no loss of pay as a result) during the period between the inception of the organizing campaign and the execution of an initial collective bargaining agreement.&nbsp; <br /><br />If passed, the Employee Free Choice Act will present a host of legal issues.&nbsp; The implementing regulations issued by the NLRB may also have an impact on the manner in which the Act is administered and enforced.&nbsp; Business and labor leaders in St. Louis and across the United States will be watching the status of the Employee Free Choice Act with expectations that, in one form or another, it will be become law.</p>\n<p><em>Bradley G. Kafka is chairman of the Labor and Employment Law Department\nat the law firm of Gallop, Johnson &amp; Neuman, L.C. in St. Louis.&nbsp;\nMr. Kafka represents management in labor and employment matters across\nthe United States.&nbsp; His practice includes federal and state court\nlitigation; collective bargaining negotiations; defense of union\norganizing campaigns; defense of employment discrimination and wrongful\ndischarge cases; and the litigation of restrictive covenant cases\nincluding non-competition claims. </em></p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"47\";}'),(1369,494,2,2,1238125034,'a:28:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-03-26 05:22 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"47\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:63:\"ReSource St. Louis  Offers Free Construction Material Exchange \";s:9:\"url_title\";s:60:\"resource_st_louis_offers_free_construction_material_exchange\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:62:\"ReSource St. Louis  Offers Free Construction Material Exchange\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:317:\"ReSource St. Louis recently launched its newly renovated materials exchange website www.resourcestlouis.org. The site offers architects, engineers, general contractors, facility professionals and others with a means to exchange construction and demolition materials, such as carpet, lumber, fixtures, tile, and more. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:38:\"ReSource St. Louis, materials exchange\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:2783:\"<p>ReSource St. Louis recently launched its newly renovated materials exchange website &ndash; <a href=\\\"  http://www.resourcestlouis.org\\\">www.resourcestlouis.org</a> &ndash; offering architects, engineers, general contractors, facility professionals and others with a means to exchange construction and demolition materials, such as carpet, lumber, fixtures, and tile. <br /><br /><img alt=\\\"Resource St. Louis\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/resource-st-louis.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />ReSource St. Louis is the region&rsquo;s only materials exchange website &ndash; a free, online tool focused primarily on commercial construction and demolition waste.&nbsp; Its dynamic database platform features quick posting of materials, automatic notification when materials match a user\\\'s request, and tracking of the total tonnage of materials diverted over time. Diverting materials from local landfills addresses both economic and environmental concerns for the both providers and recipients of materials.<br /><br />Since launching in 2006, everything from gently used carpet to office furniture and overstock lighting has found new homes through the online though the site. This winter, a grant from the St. Louis/Jefferson County Solid Waste District, the website has been revitalized to make it easier to navigate and use.<br /><br />More than 6,000 items were posted on the ReSource St. Louis Materials Exchange in 2008, including used bleachers, kitchen cabinets and landscaping pavers.</p>\n<p>Feedback from the site includes:<br /><br />\\\"As a new small business owner, it was a huge find!... I saved approximately $3,500 on flooring. I even put carpet in areas that I had planned to put laminate because there was so much available.\\\" ( fitness center owner)<br /><br />\\\"It keeps all that out of the landfill, $2,000 worth of furniture.... Whenever I see a good idea like that, I take every opportunity I can to promote it.\\\" (sustainability consultant)<br /><br />&ldquo;If we had to go out and buy all this furniture we have, it would have cost us so much money.... (The Materials Exchange) is a great opportunity for start-ups.\\\" (homebuilder)<br /><br />According to Buildings.com: <br />&bull; In the U.S., total building-related construction and demolition waste is estimated to be 135.5 million tons a year &ndash; that&rsquo;s 30% of the total waste stream! <br />&bull; The average new construction project yields 3.9 pounds of waste per square foot. <br />&bull; The average building demolition yields 155 pounds of waste per square foot. <br />&bull; Three of the largest waste compounds on most job sites &ndash; cardboard, wood and drywall together make up 75% of construction waste &ndash; are fully recyclable.</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:37:\"/images/uploads/resource-st-louis.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"47\";}'),(1370,481,2,2,1238125093,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"481\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-03-20 06:12 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:48:\"Hutchinson of Interface Joins AGC National Board\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:48:\"hutchinson_of_interface_joins_agc_national_board\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:48:\"Hutchinson of Interface Joins AGC National Board\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:181:\"Samuel Hutchinson, founder and president of St. Louis-based Interface Construction Corporation has been elected to serve as the Associated General Contractors of America treasurer. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:44:\"Hutchinson, Interface, AGC, board, treasurer\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:2523:\"<p>Samuel Hutchinson, founder and president of St. Louis-based Interface Construction Corporation has been elected to serve as the Associated General Contractors of America treasurer.&nbsp; Hutchinson becomes the third St. Louisan elected to the executive board of the national organization, following Gabe Alberici and Bob Elsperman who previously served in this national office.&nbsp; As a member of the board, Hutchinson will lead a national effort to improve the productivity of the nation&rsquo;s construction companies, oversee the group&rsquo;s advocacy efforts on behalf of the industry and help builders weather today&rsquo;s challenging economic conditions.<br /><br /><img alt=\\\"Sam Hutchinson\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/hutchinson.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />&ldquo;We are very pleased to have such a distinguished St. Louis businessman playing such a major role in the leadership of the national organization&rdquo; said Leonard Toenjes, president, AGC of St. Louis.&nbsp;&nbsp; &ldquo;Sam brings integrity and leadership to the job,&rdquo; added Toenjes.<br /><br />Interface began as a concrete construction company, completing concrete flatwork for highway contractors in the Metro East area of St. Louis.&nbsp; In 1988, Hutchinson transitioned the company from being a subcontractor to a general contractor and a construction manager in heavy construction, earning Interface the title of one of the top 25 small businesses in the St. Louis area. Hutchinson has served as chairman of AGC&rsquo;s Building Division and is a four-time member of the executive board.<br /><br />Simultaneously while serving in the position of AGC treasurer, Hutchinson will chair the task force on Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, a job he has held before for the AGC of America, &ldquo; As a minority-owned contractor I learned the meaning and value of good construction management and what it takes to make a business successful&rdquo; said Hutchinson.&nbsp;&nbsp; &ldquo;I hope to assist other minority firms onto the path to success.&rdquo;<br /><br />AGC is the largest and oldest national construction trade association in the United States, and represents&nbsp; more than 33,000 firms nationwide, including 7,500 general contractors, and more than 12,500 specialty-contracting firms. <br /><br />The Associated General Contractors of St. Louis is the united voice of the area&rsquo;s construction industry, representing <br />more than 450 area construction firms.</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:30:\"/images/uploads/hutchinson.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";}'),(1371,494,2,2,1238125201,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"494\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-03-26 05:22 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";i:1;s:2:\"47\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:62:\"ReSource St. Louis  Offers Free Construction Material Exchange\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:60:\"resource_st_louis_offers_free_construction_material_exchange\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:62:\"ReSource St. Louis  Offers Free Construction Material Exchange\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:317:\"ReSource St. Louis recently launched its newly renovated materials exchange website www.resourcestlouis.org. The site offers architects, engineers, general contractors, facility professionals and others with a means to exchange construction and demolition materials, such as carpet, lumber, fixtures, tile, and more. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:38:\"ReSource St. Louis, materials exchange\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:2783:\"<p>ReSource St. Louis recently launched its newly renovated materials exchange website &ndash; <a href=\\\"  http://www.resourcestlouis.org\\\">www.resourcestlouis.org</a> &ndash; offering architects, engineers, general contractors, facility professionals and others with a means to exchange construction and demolition materials, such as carpet, lumber, fixtures, and tile. <br /><br /><img alt=\\\"Resource St. Louis\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/resource-st-louis.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />ReSource St. Louis is the region&rsquo;s only materials exchange website &ndash; a free, online tool focused primarily on commercial construction and demolition waste.&nbsp; Its dynamic database platform features quick posting of materials, automatic notification when materials match a user\\\'s request, and tracking of the total tonnage of materials diverted over time. Diverting materials from local landfills addresses both economic and environmental concerns for the both providers and recipients of materials.<br /><br />Since launching in 2006, everything from gently used carpet to office furniture and overstock lighting has found new homes through the online though the site. This winter, a grant from the St. Louis/Jefferson County Solid Waste District, the website has been revitalized to make it easier to navigate and use.<br /><br />More than 6,000 items were posted on the ReSource St. Louis Materials Exchange in 2008, including used bleachers, kitchen cabinets and landscaping pavers.</p>\n<p>Feedback from the site includes:<br /><br />\\\"As a new small business owner, it was a huge find!... I saved approximately $3,500 on flooring. I even put carpet in areas that I had planned to put laminate because there was so much available.\\\" ( fitness center owner)<br /><br />\\\"It keeps all that out of the landfill, $2,000 worth of furniture.... Whenever I see a good idea like that, I take every opportunity I can to promote it.\\\" (sustainability consultant)<br /><br />&ldquo;If we had to go out and buy all this furniture we have, it would have cost us so much money.... (The Materials Exchange) is a great opportunity for start-ups.\\\" (homebuilder)<br /><br />According to Buildings.com: <br />&bull; In the U.S., total building-related construction and demolition waste is estimated to be 135.5 million tons a year &ndash; that&rsquo;s 30% of the total waste stream! <br />&bull; The average new construction project yields 3.9 pounds of waste per square foot. <br />&bull; The average building demolition yields 155 pounds of waste per square foot. <br />&bull; Three of the largest waste compounds on most job sites &ndash; cardboard, wood and drywall together make up 75% of construction waste &ndash; are fully recyclable.</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:37:\"/images/uploads/resource-st-louis.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"47\";}'),(1372,494,2,2,1238140048,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"494\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-03-26 05:22 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";i:1;s:2:\"47\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:62:\"ReSource St. Louis  Offers Free Construction Material Exchange\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:60:\"resource_st_louis_offers_free_construction_material_exchange\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:62:\"ReSource St. Louis  Offers Free Construction Material Exchange\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:317:\"ReSource St. Louis recently launched its newly renovated materials exchange website www.resourcestlouis.org. The site offers architects, engineers, general contractors, facility professionals and others with a means to exchange construction and demolition materials, such as carpet, lumber, fixtures, tile, and more. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:38:\"ReSource St. Louis, materials exchange\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:2783:\"<p>ReSource St. Louis recently launched its newly renovated materials exchange website &ndash; <a href=\\\"  http://www.resourcestlouis.org\\\">www.resourcestlouis.org</a> &ndash; offering architects, engineers, general contractors, facility professionals and others with a means to exchange construction and demolition materials, such as carpet, lumber, fixtures, and tile. <br /><br /><img alt=\\\"Resource St. Louis\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/resource-st-louis.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />ReSource St. Louis is the region&rsquo;s only materials exchange website &ndash; a free, online tool focused primarily on commercial construction and demolition waste.&nbsp; Its dynamic database platform features quick posting of materials, automatic notification when materials match a user\\\'s request, and tracking of the total tonnage of materials diverted over time. Diverting materials from local landfills addresses both economic and environmental concerns for the both providers and recipients of materials.<br /><br />Since launching in 2006, everything from gently used carpet to office furniture and overstock lighting has found new homes through the online though the site. This winter, a grant from the St. Louis/Jefferson County Solid Waste District, the website has been revitalized to make it easier to navigate and use.<br /><br />More than 6,000 items were posted on the ReSource St. Louis Materials Exchange in 2008, including used bleachers, kitchen cabinets and landscaping pavers.</p>\n<p>Feedback from the site includes:<br /><br />\\\"As a new small business owner, it was a huge find!... I saved approximately $3,500 on flooring. I even put carpet in areas that I had planned to put laminate because there was so much available.\\\" ( fitness center owner)<br /><br />\\\"It keeps all that out of the landfill, $2,000 worth of furniture.... Whenever I see a good idea like that, I take every opportunity I can to promote it.\\\" (sustainability consultant)<br /><br />&ldquo;If we had to go out and buy all this furniture we have, it would have cost us so much money.... (The Materials Exchange) is a great opportunity for start-ups.\\\" (homebuilder)<br /><br />According to Buildings.com: <br />&bull; In the U.S., total building-related construction and demolition waste is estimated to be 135.5 million tons a year &ndash; that&rsquo;s 30% of the total waste stream! <br />&bull; The average new construction project yields 3.9 pounds of waste per square foot. <br />&bull; The average building demolition yields 155 pounds of waste per square foot. <br />&bull; Three of the largest waste compounds on most job sites &ndash; cardboard, wood and drywall together make up 75% of construction waste &ndash; are fully recyclable.</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:37:\"/images/uploads/resource-st-louis.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"47\";}'),(1373,495,2,2,1238140262,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-03-26 09:47 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";i:1;s:2:\"47\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:23:\"Looking for the Bottom \";s:9:\"url_title\";s:22:\"looking_for_the_bottom\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:21:\"Looking for the Botto\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:368:\"If there was a theme to this year’s St. Louis metro market forecast from the Society of Office and Industrial Realtors (SIOR) it was looking for the bottom. There is so much uncertainty in the marketplace that most of the speakers backed off from making forecasts for 2009. The expectations, however, were that commercial real estate markets have not yet hit bottom.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"9\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:46:\"SIOR, forecast, bottom, commercial real estate\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:4561:\"<p>If there was a theme to this year&rsquo;s St. Louis metro market forecast from the Society of Office and Industrial Realtors (SIOR) it was looking for the bottom. There is so much uncertainty in the marketplace that most of the speakers backed off from making forecasts for 2009. The expectations, however, were that commercial real estate markets have not yet hit bottom.<br /><br /><img alt=\\\"Crash\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/crash.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />Glenn Guenther of Discovery Group, LLC, described the 2008 as a &ldquo;schizophrenic year&rdquo; for the office market. There was brisk activity in the first half of the year and then the market &ldquo;slipped into a coma&rdquo; for the last half of the year. Taken as a whole, the office market looked &ldquo;surprisingly stable and resilient&rdquo; in 2008 with vacancy rates hitting their lowest levels since 2000, he said, but he doesn&rsquo;t expect that 2009 will look the same. <br /><br />The trends Guenther expects to see in 2009 are:<br />&bull; flat demand for office space,<br />&bull; a migration of tenants from Class A space to Class B space,<br />&bull; a growth in short-term lease renewals, <br />&bull; falling lease rates, and<br />&bull; limited new construction.<br /><br />There are, however, some bright spots, he said. The market is not overbuilt and there are very few big blocks of vacant office space available &ndash; only five blocks of 50,000 square feet or more. The medical and biotech industries are growing, as are Monsanto, Edward Jones, and Scottrade.<br /><br />According to J. Patrick Reilly of Gateway Commercial/Cushman &amp; Wakefield, the industrial market also looks better on paper than it really is. Leasing was up in 2008, absorption of new space was steady, and the vacancy rate was only 6.8 percent, but two large deals skewed the statistics, accounting for 27 percent of activity and regional competitors are adding and absorbing more space each year than is St. Louis. Take Illinois out of the equation and the Missouri side of the metro area actually had a negative absorption rate of industrial space, meaning space was taken out of the market.<br /><br />There has been a paradigm shift in supply chains, he said, and St. Louis is losing the race to connect bulk distribution centers to deep water ports by rail. Craig Meyer, SIOR international president, said the offshoring of manufacturing from the United States has become as big an event as the industrial revolution. Manufactured goods now come to the U.S. by ship &ndash; 75 percent of it to the west coast, 25 percent to the east coast. The new distribution paradigm is to transfer cargo containers from ships to trains, which carry them to bulk distribution centers where the containers are transferred to trucks. &ldquo;Railroads are building bulk distribution centers in Kansas City and Columbus, OH,&rdquo; Reilly said, but not St. Louis.<br /><br />&ldquo;St. Louis is now overbuilt as an industrial market,&rdquo; Reilly said. Rents are less than the taxes on some buildings, he said, and he looks to see some distressed sales later in the year. He suggested that turning the market around may depend on St. Louis developing a niche as an inland port and getting a direct rail connection to a deep water port such as Houston.<br /><br />Alan Bornstein of THF Realty Inc., said the 15-year growth cycle in the retail market is over. In each of the last six months there has been a substantial statistical drop in consumer spending, he said. Couple that with the growth of ecommerce and any future real estate deals in the retail market likely will rely on public-private partnerships instead of private financing, he said.<br /><br />Joe Monteleone of Q10/Triad Capital Advisors Inc. said lenders want more equity in deals &ndash; in the retail market they are willing to lend for 60 percent of the value of a deal, he said &ndash; and they are concerned about refinancing. He noted that $230 billion of commercial mortgage backed securities are coming due in the next three years and one big question mark is how those owners will refinance.<br /><br />&ldquo;Lenders will be conservative for awhile,&rdquo; he said, but &ldquo;every recession creates asset buying opportunities.&rdquo; <br /><br />Monteleone guessed that, &ldquo;we&rsquo;re still trying to find the bottom of the trough,&rdquo; but added that some positive news is that insurance companies expect to get back into the lending market near the end of 2009.</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:25:\"/images/uploads/crash.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"47\";}');

INSERT INTO `exp_entry_versioning` VALUES (1653,614,2,2,1246032615,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"614\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-06-26 05:47 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";i:1;s:2:\"61\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:32:\"Finalists Announced for Keystone\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:33:\"finalists_announced_for_keystone2\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:33:\"Finalists Announced for Keystone \";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:96:\"Thirty-six finalists have been selected for consideration for this year\\\'s AGC Keystone Awards. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:21:\"Keystone, awards, AGC\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:6015:\"<p>Thirty-six local construction projects have been selected as finalists for the 2009 Construction Keystone Awards.</p>\n<p>The Construction Keystone Awards are hosted by the Associated General Contractors of St. Louis (AGC).</p>\n<p>Criteria include skill, teamwork and innovation. Both general contractors and specialty contractors enter projects.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;Fifty-two entries were reviewed to chose those projects selected as finalists.</p>\n<p>The awards will be presented Nov.2 at the Millennium Hotel Downtown.</p>\n<p>2009 Keystone Awards Finalists<br /><br />General Contractor/Construction Manager &mdash; Building Construction<br />Project $40 million or more<br /><br />Alberici Constructors, Inc.<br />Project: SSM St. Clare Health Center<br />Owner: SSM Health Care<br /><br />McCarthy Building Companies<br />Project: The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis<br />Owner: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis<br /><br />McCarthy Building Companies<br />Project: St. Anthony\\\'s Medical Center Heart and Surgical Pavilion<br />Owner: St. Anthony\\\'s Medical Center<br /><br />General Contractor/Construction Manager &mdash; Building Construction<br />Project $10 million to $40 million<br /><br />H.B.D. Contracting, Inc.<br />Project: Bank of Washington<br />Owner: Bank of Washington<br /><br />Paric Corporation<br />Project: The Moonrise Hotel<br />Owner: Joe Edwards<br /><br />Tarlton Corporation<br />Project: Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital Inpatient Bed Unit / Inpatient Pharmacy Addition<br />Owner: BJC HealthCare<br /><br />General Contractor/Construction Manager &mdash; Building Construction<br />Project under $10 million<br /><br />Paric Corporation<br />Project: The Magic House, St. Louis Children\\\'s Museum<br />Owner: The Magic House, St. Louis Children\\\'s Museum<br /><br />S. M. Wilson &amp; Co.<br />Project: Woolworth Building Historic Renovation<br />Owner: McCormack Baron Salazar<br /><br />The Lawrence Group Projects, LLC<br />Project: Shock City Studios<br />Owner: 2200 Gravois, LLC__<br /><br />General Contractor/Construction Manager &mdash; Industrial/Infrastructure Construction Project $10 million or more<br /><br />BSI Constructors, Inc.<br />Project: Citygarden<br />Owner: Gateway Foundation<br /><br />Goodwin Brothers Construction Co.<br />Project: River 7000 Project<br />Owner: Buzzi Unicem USA<br /><br />Goodwin Brothers Construction Co.<br />Project: MSD - Coldwater Creek<br />Owner: Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District<br /><br />General Contractor/Construction Manager &mdash; Industrial/Infrastructure Construction Project under $10 million<br /><br />Kozeny-Wagner, Inc.<br />Project: Old Post Office Plaza<br />Owner: Downtown Now!<br /><br />MC Industrial, Inc.<br />Project: Ameren UE Portage Des Sioux Unit #1 Fall 2008 Outage<br />Owner: Ameren UE<br /><br />Volk Construction Company<br />Project: Barnes-Jewish Hospital Shoenberg Cooling Towers<br />Owner: Barnes-Jewish Hospital<br /><br />Interior Build-Out Project<br /><br />Gypsum Associates, Inc.<br />Project: St. Alphonsus Liguori \\\"Rock\\\" Catholic Church<br />Owner: St. Alphonsus \\\"Rock\\\" Church / Archdiocese of St. Louis<br /><br />R. G. Ross Construction Company, Inc.<br />Project: Cannon Design Powerhouse<br />Owner: Cannon Design Powerhouse, LLC<br /><br />Volk Construction Company<br />Project: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis - 6th Floor Renovation<br />Owner: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis<br /><br />Specialty Contractor &mdash; Building Construction<br />Project $5 million or more<br /><br />Corrigan Company<br />Project: Holcim Cement \\\"Lee Island\\\" Plant Utility Piping<br />Owner: Holcim Cement<br /><br />Guarantee Electrical Company<br />Project: SSM St. Clare Health Center<br />Owner: SSM Health Center<br /><br />Murphy Co., Mechanical Contractors &amp; Engineers<br />Project: SSM St. Clare Health Center<br />Owner: SSM Health Care<br /><br />Specialty Contractor &mdash; Building Construction<br />Project under $5 million<br /><br />Golterman &amp; Sabo, Inc.<br />Project: Washington University Law School<br />Owner: Washington University<br /><br />John Bender Drywall<br />Project: Bank of Washington<br />Owner: Bank of Washington<br /><br />Murphy Co., Mechanical Contractors &amp; Engineers<br />Project: Danforth University Center at Washington University<br />Owner: Washington University<br /><br />Specialty Contractor &mdash; Industrial/Infrastructure Construction<br />Project $5 million or more<br /><br />Murphy Co., Mechanical Contractors &amp; Engineers<br />Project: Pfizer NRB<br />Owner: Pfizer<br /><br />PayneCrest Electric, Inc.<br />Project: Buzzi Unicem Cement Plant in Festus, MO<br />Owner: Buzzi Unicem USA<br /><br />PayneCrest Electric, Inc.<br />Project: Holcim Cement Ste. Genevieve Plant<br />Owner: Holcim Ltd.<br /><br />Specialty Contractor &mdash; Industrial/Infrastructure Construction<br />Project under $5 million<br /><br />Hayward Baker, Inc.<br />Project: GKN Aerospace<br />Owner: GKN Aerospace<br /><br />Hayward Baker, Inc.<br />Project: LeMay WWTP Tunnel Jet Grouting<br />Owner: St. Louis Metropolitan Sewer District<br /><br />Murphy Co., Mechanical Contractors &amp; Engineers<br />Project: Covidien - Pilot 14<br />Owner: Covidien<br /><br />Sustainable Construction<br /><br />Clayco, Inc.<br />Project: Novus International Global Headquarters<br />Owner: Novus International, Inc.<br /><br />Musick Construction Company<br />Project: Emerson St. Louis Data Center<br />Owner: Emerson<br /><br />Volk Construction Company<br />Project: Washington University - Danforth Campus<br />Owner: Washington University<br /><br />Emerging Contractor<br /><br />Boyer Fire Protection<br />Project: Wal-Mart Supercenter - St. Peters<br />Owner: L. Keeley Construction<br /><br />D &amp; L Painting &amp; Drywall<br />Project: Life Science Lab<br />Owner: St. Louis Science Center<br /><br />FireStoppers/Rebel<br />Project: SSM St. Clare Health Center<br />Owner: SSM Health Care<br /><br /><br /></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:28:\"/images/uploads/keystone.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"61\";}'),(1654,614,2,2,1246032784,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"614\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-06-26 05:47 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";i:1;s:2:\"61\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:32:\"Finalists Announced for Keystone\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:33:\"finalists_announced_for_keystone2\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:33:\"Finalists Announced for Keystone \";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:96:\"Thirty-six finalists have been selected for consideration for this year\\\'s AGC Keystone Awards. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:21:\"Keystone, awards, AGC\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:6213:\"<p>Thirty-six local construction projects have been selected as finalists for the 2009 Construction Keystone Awards.</p>\n<p>The Construction Keystone Awards are hosted by the Associated General Contractors of St. Louis (AGC).</p>\n<p>Criteria include skill, teamwork and innovation. Both general contractors and specialty contractors enter projects.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;Fifty-two entries were reviewed to chose those projects selected as finalists.</p>\n<p>The awards will be presented Nov.2 at the Millennium Hotel Downtown.</p>\n<p>2009 Keystone Awards Finalists<br /><strong><br />General Contractor/Construction Manager &mdash; Building Construction<br />Project $40 million or more</strong><br /><br />Alberici Constructors, Inc.<br />Project: SSM St. Clare Health Center<br />Owner: SSM Health Care<br /><br />McCarthy Building Companies<br />Project: The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis<br />Owner: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis<br /><br />McCarthy Building Companies<br />Project: St. Anthony\\\'s Medical Center Heart and Surgical Pavilion<br />Owner: St. Anthony\\\'s Medical Center<br /><br /><strong>General Contractor/Construction Manager &mdash; Building Construction<br />Project $10 million to $40 million</strong><br /><br />H.B.D. Contracting, Inc.<br />Project: Bank of Washington<br />Owner: Bank of Washington<br /><br />Paric Corporation<br />Project: The Moonrise Hotel<br />Owner: Joe Edwards<br /><br />Tarlton Corporation<br />Project: Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital Inpatient Bed Unit / Inpatient Pharmacy Addition<br />Owner: BJC HealthCare<br /><br /><strong>General Contractor/Construction Manager &mdash; Building Construction<br />Project under $10 million</strong><br /><br />Paric Corporation<br />Project: The Magic House, St. Louis Children\\\'s Museum<br />Owner: The Magic House, St. Louis Children\\\'s Museum<br /><br />S. M. Wilson &amp; Co.<br />Project: Woolworth Building Historic Renovation<br />Owner: McCormack Baron Salazar<br /><br />The Lawrence Group Projects, LLC<br />Project: Shock City Studios<br />Owner: 2200 Gravois, LLC__<br /><br /><strong>General Contractor/Construction Manager &mdash; Industrial/Infrastructure Construction Project $10 million or more</strong><br /><br />BSI Constructors, Inc.<br />Project: Citygarden<br />Owner: Gateway Foundation<br /><br />Goodwin Brothers Construction Co.<br />Project: River 7000 Project<br />Owner: Buzzi Unicem USA<br /><br />Goodwin Brothers Construction Co.<br />Project: MSD - Coldwater Creek<br />Owner: Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District<br /><strong><br />General Contractor/Construction Manager &mdash; Industrial/Infrastructure Construction Project under $10 million</strong><br /><br />Kozeny-Wagner, Inc.<br />Project: Old Post Office Plaza<br />Owner: Downtown Now!<br /><br />MC Industrial, Inc.<br />Project: Ameren UE Portage Des Sioux Unit #1 Fall 2008 Outage<br />Owner: Ameren UE<br /><br />Volk Construction Company<br />Project: Barnes-Jewish Hospital Shoenberg Cooling Towers<br />Owner: Barnes-Jewish Hospital<br /><br /><strong>Interior Build-Out Project<br /></strong><br />Gypsum Associates, Inc.<br />Project: St. Alphonsus Liguori \\\"Rock\\\" Catholic Church<br />Owner: St. Alphonsus \\\"Rock\\\" Church / Archdiocese of St. Louis<br /><br />R. G. Ross Construction Company, Inc.<br />Project: Cannon Design Powerhouse<br />Owner: Cannon Design Powerhouse, LLC<br /><br />Volk Construction Company<br />Project: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis - 6th Floor Renovation<br />Owner: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis<br /><br /><strong>Specialty Contractor &mdash; Building Construction<br />Project $5 million or more</strong><br /><br />Corrigan Company<br />Project: Holcim Cement \\\"Lee Island\\\" Plant Utility Piping<br />Owner: Holcim Cement<br /><br />Guarantee Electrical Company<br />Project: SSM St. Clare Health Center<br />Owner: SSM Health Center<br /><br />Murphy Co., Mechanical Contractors &amp; Engineers<br />Project: SSM St. Clare Health Center<br />Owner: SSM Health Care<br /><br /><strong>Specialty Contractor &mdash; Building Construction<br />Project under $5 million</strong><br /><br />Golterman &amp; Sabo, Inc.<br />Project: Washington University Law School<br />Owner: Washington University<br /><br />John Bender Drywall<br />Project: Bank of Washington<br />Owner: Bank of Washington<br /><br />Murphy Co., Mechanical Contractors &amp; Engineers<br />Project: Danforth University Center at Washington University<br />Owner: Washington University<br /><strong><br />Specialty Contractor &mdash; Industrial/Infrastructure Construction<br />Project $5 million or more</strong><br /><br />Murphy Co., Mechanical Contractors &amp; Engineers<br />Project: Pfizer NRB<br />Owner: Pfizer<br /><br />PayneCrest Electric, Inc.<br />Project: Buzzi Unicem Cement Plant in Festus, MO<br />Owner: Buzzi Unicem USA<br /><br />PayneCrest Electric, Inc.<br />Project: Holcim Cement Ste. Genevieve Plant<br />Owner: Holcim Ltd.<br /><br /><strong>Specialty Contractor &mdash; Industrial/Infrastructure Construction<br />Project under $5 million</strong><br /><br />Hayward Baker, Inc.<br />Project: GKN Aerospace<br />Owner: GKN Aerospace<br /><br />Hayward Baker, Inc.<br />Project: LeMay WWTP Tunnel Jet Grouting<br />Owner: St. Louis Metropolitan Sewer District<br /><br />Murphy Co., Mechanical Contractors &amp; Engineers<br />Project: Covidien - Pilot 14<br />Owner: Covidien<br /><br /><strong>Sustainable Construction<br /></strong><br />Clayco, Inc.<br />Project: Novus International Global Headquarters<br />Owner: Novus International, Inc.<br /><br />Musick Construction Company<br />Project: Emerson St. Louis Data Center<br />Owner: Emerson<br /><br />Volk Construction Company<br />Project: Washington University - Danforth Campus<br />Owner: Washington University<br /><strong><br />Emerging Contractor</strong><br /><br />Boyer Fire Protection<br />Project: Wal-Mart Supercenter - St. Peters<br />Owner: L. Keeley Construction<br /><br />D &amp; L Painting &amp; Drywall<br />Project: Life Science Lab<br />Owner: St. Louis Science Center<br /><br />FireStoppers/Rebel<br />Project: SSM St. Clare Health Center<br />Owner: SSM Health Care<br /><br /></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:28:\"/images/uploads/keystone.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"61\";}'),(1655,614,2,2,1246032903,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"614\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-06-26 05:47 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";i:1;s:2:\"61\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:32:\"Finalists Announced for Keystone\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:33:\"finalists_announced_for_keystone2\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:33:\"Finalists Announced for Keystone \";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:96:\"Thirty-six finalists have been selected for consideration for this year\\\'s AGC Keystone Awards. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:21:\"Keystone, awards, AGC\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:6348:\"<p>Thirty-six local construction projects have been selected as finalists for the 2009 Construction Keystone Awards.</p>\n<p>The Construction Keystone Awards are hosted by the Associated General Contractors of St. Louis (AGC).</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Keystone\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"252\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/keystone-inside.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" />Criteria include skill, teamwork and innovation. Both general contractors and specialty contractors enter projects.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;Fifty-two entries were reviewed to chose those projects selected as finalists.</p>\n<p>The awards will be presented Nov.2 at the Millennium Hotel Downtown.</p>\n<p>2009 Keystone Awards Finalists<br /><strong><br />General Contractor/Construction Manager &mdash; Building Construction<br />Project $40 million or more</strong><br /><br />Alberici Constructors, Inc.<br />Project: SSM St. Clare Health Center<br />Owner: SSM Health Care<br /><br />McCarthy Building Companies<br />Project: The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis<br />Owner: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis<br /><br />McCarthy Building Companies<br />Project: St. Anthony\\\'s Medical Center Heart and Surgical Pavilion<br />Owner: St. Anthony\\\'s Medical Center<br /><br /><strong>General Contractor/Construction Manager &mdash; Building Construction<br />Project $10 million to $40 million</strong><br /><br />H.B.D. Contracting, Inc.<br />Project: Bank of Washington<br />Owner: Bank of Washington<br /><br />Paric Corporation<br />Project: The Moonrise Hotel<br />Owner: Joe Edwards<br /><br />Tarlton Corporation<br />Project: Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital Inpatient Bed Unit / Inpatient Pharmacy Addition<br />Owner: BJC HealthCare<br /><br /><strong>General Contractor/Construction Manager &mdash; Building Construction<br />Project under $10 million</strong><br /><br />Paric Corporation<br />Project: The Magic House, St. Louis Children\\\'s Museum<br />Owner: The Magic House, St. Louis Children\\\'s Museum<br /><br />S. M. Wilson &amp; Co.<br />Project: Woolworth Building Historic Renovation<br />Owner: McCormack Baron Salazar<br /><br />The Lawrence Group Projects, LLC<br />Project: Shock City Studios<br />Owner: 2200 Gravois, LLC__<br /><br /><strong>General Contractor/Construction Manager &mdash; Industrial/Infrastructure Construction Project $10 million or more</strong><br /><br />BSI Constructors, Inc.<br />Project: Citygarden<br />Owner: Gateway Foundation<br /><br />Goodwin Brothers Construction Co.<br />Project: River 7000 Project<br />Owner: Buzzi Unicem USA<br /><br />Goodwin Brothers Construction Co.<br />Project: MSD - Coldwater Creek<br />Owner: Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District<br /><strong><br />General Contractor/Construction Manager &mdash; Industrial/Infrastructure Construction Project under $10 million</strong><br /><br />Kozeny-Wagner, Inc.<br />Project: Old Post Office Plaza<br />Owner: Downtown Now!<br /><br />MC Industrial, Inc.<br />Project: Ameren UE Portage Des Sioux Unit #1 Fall 2008 Outage<br />Owner: Ameren UE<br /><br />Volk Construction Company<br />Project: Barnes-Jewish Hospital Shoenberg Cooling Towers<br />Owner: Barnes-Jewish Hospital<br /><br /><strong>Interior Build-Out Project<br /></strong><br />Gypsum Associates, Inc.<br />Project: St. Alphonsus Liguori \\\"Rock\\\" Catholic Church<br />Owner: St. Alphonsus \\\"Rock\\\" Church / Archdiocese of St. Louis<br /><br />R. G. Ross Construction Company, Inc.<br />Project: Cannon Design Powerhouse<br />Owner: Cannon Design Powerhouse, LLC<br /><br />Volk Construction Company<br />Project: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis - 6th Floor Renovation<br />Owner: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis<br /><br /><strong>Specialty Contractor &mdash; Building Construction<br />Project $5 million or more</strong><br /><br />Corrigan Company<br />Project: Holcim Cement \\\"Lee Island\\\" Plant Utility Piping<br />Owner: Holcim Cement<br /><br />Guarantee Electrical Company<br />Project: SSM St. Clare Health Center<br />Owner: SSM Health Center<br /><br />Murphy Co., Mechanical Contractors &amp; Engineers<br />Project: SSM St. Clare Health Center<br />Owner: SSM Health Care<br /><br /><strong>Specialty Contractor &mdash; Building Construction<br />Project under $5 million</strong><br /><br />Golterman &amp; Sabo, Inc.<br />Project: Washington University Law School<br />Owner: Washington University<br /><br />John Bender Drywall<br />Project: Bank of Washington<br />Owner: Bank of Washington<br /><br />Murphy Co., Mechanical Contractors &amp; Engineers<br />Project: Danforth University Center at Washington University<br />Owner: Washington University<br /><strong><br />Specialty Contractor &mdash; Industrial/Infrastructure Construction<br />Project $5 million or more</strong><br /><br />Murphy Co., Mechanical Contractors &amp; Engineers<br />Project: Pfizer NRB<br />Owner: Pfizer<br /><br />PayneCrest Electric, Inc.<br />Project: Buzzi Unicem Cement Plant in Festus, MO<br />Owner: Buzzi Unicem USA<br /><br />PayneCrest Electric, Inc.<br />Project: Holcim Cement Ste. Genevieve Plant<br />Owner: Holcim Ltd.<br /><br /><strong>Specialty Contractor &mdash; Industrial/Infrastructure Construction<br />Project under $5 million</strong><br /><br />Hayward Baker, Inc.<br />Project: GKN Aerospace<br />Owner: GKN Aerospace<br /><br />Hayward Baker, Inc.<br />Project: LeMay WWTP Tunnel Jet Grouting<br />Owner: St. Louis Metropolitan Sewer District<br /><br />Murphy Co., Mechanical Contractors &amp; Engineers<br />Project: Covidien - Pilot 14<br />Owner: Covidien<br /><br /><strong>Sustainable Construction<br /></strong><br />Clayco, Inc.<br />Project: Novus International Global Headquarters<br />Owner: Novus International, Inc.<br /><br />Musick Construction Company<br />Project: Emerson St. Louis Data Center<br />Owner: Emerson<br /><br />Volk Construction Company<br />Project: Washington University - Danforth Campus<br />Owner: Washington University<br /><strong><br />Emerging Contractor</strong><br /><br />Boyer Fire Protection<br />Project: Wal-Mart Supercenter - St. Peters<br />Owner: L. Keeley Construction<br /><br />D &amp; L Painting &amp; Drywall<br />Project: Life Science Lab<br />Owner: St. Louis Science Center<br /><br />FireStoppers/Rebel<br />Project: SSM St. Clare Health Center<br />Owner: SSM Health Care<br /></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:28:\"/images/uploads/keystone.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"61\";}'),(1656,614,2,2,1246033012,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"614\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-06-26 05:47 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";i:1;s:2:\"61\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:32:\"Finalists Announced for Keystone\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:33:\"finalists_announced_for_keystone2\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:33:\"Finalists Announced for Keystone \";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:96:\"Thirty-six finalists have been selected for consideration for this year\\\'s AGC Keystone Awards. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:21:\"Keystone, awards, AGC\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:6460:\"<p>Thirty-six local construction projects have been selected as finalists for the 2009 Construction Keystone Awards.</p>\n<p>The Construction Keystone Awards are hosted by the Associated General Contractors of St. Louis (AGC).</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Keystone\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"252\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/keystone-inside.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" />Criteria include skill, teamwork and innovation. Both general contractors and specialty contractors enter projects.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;Fifty-two entries were reviewed to chose those projects selected as finalists.</p>\n<p>The awards will be presented Nov.2 at the Millennium Hotel Downtown.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p><strong><br /></strong></p>\n<p><strong>2009 Keystone Awards Finalists</strong><br /><strong><br />General Contractor/Construction Manager &mdash; Building Construction<br />Project $40 million or more</strong><br /><br />Alberici Constructors, Inc.<br />Project: SSM St. Clare Health Center<br />Owner: SSM Health Care<br /><br />McCarthy Building Companies<br />Project: The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis<br />Owner: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis<br /><br />McCarthy Building Companies<br />Project: St. Anthony\\\'s Medical Center Heart and Surgical Pavilion<br />Owner: St. Anthony\\\'s Medical Center<br /><br /><strong>General Contractor/Construction Manager &mdash; Building Construction<br />Project $10 million to $40 million</strong><br /><br />H.B.D. Contracting, Inc.<br />Project: Bank of Washington<br />Owner: Bank of Washington<br /><br />Paric Corporation<br />Project: The Moonrise Hotel<br />Owner: Joe Edwards<br /><br />Tarlton Corporation<br />Project: Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital Inpatient Bed Unit / Inpatient Pharmacy Addition<br />Owner: BJC HealthCare<br /><br /><strong>General Contractor/Construction Manager &mdash; Building Construction<br />Project under $10 million</strong><br /><br />Paric Corporation<br />Project: The Magic House, St. Louis Children\\\'s Museum<br />Owner: The Magic House, St. Louis Children\\\'s Museum<br /><br />S. M. Wilson &amp; Co.<br />Project: Woolworth Building Historic Renovation<br />Owner: McCormack Baron Salazar<br /><br />The Lawrence Group Projects, LLC<br />Project: Shock City Studios<br />Owner: 2200 Gravois, LLC__<br /><br /><strong>General Contractor/Construction Manager &mdash; Industrial/Infrastructure Construction Project $10 million or more</strong><br /><br />BSI Constructors, Inc.<br />Project: Citygarden<br />Owner: Gateway Foundation<br /><br />Goodwin Brothers Construction Co.<br />Project: River 7000 Project<br />Owner: Buzzi Unicem USA<br /><br />Goodwin Brothers Construction Co.<br />Project: MSD - Coldwater Creek<br />Owner: Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District<br /><strong><br />General Contractor/Construction Manager &mdash; Industrial/Infrastructure Construction Project under $10 million</strong><br /><br />Kozeny-Wagner, Inc.<br />Project: Old Post Office Plaza<br />Owner: Downtown Now!<br /><br />MC Industrial, Inc.<br />Project: Ameren UE Portage Des Sioux Unit #1 Fall 2008 Outage<br />Owner: Ameren UE<br /><br />Volk Construction Company<br />Project: Barnes-Jewish Hospital Shoenberg Cooling Towers<br />Owner: Barnes-Jewish Hospital<br /><br /><strong>Interior Build-Out Project<br /></strong><br />Gypsum Associates, Inc.<br />Project: St. Alphonsus Liguori \\\"Rock\\\" Catholic Church<br />Owner: St. Alphonsus \\\"Rock\\\" Church / Archdiocese of St. Louis<br /><br />R. G. Ross Construction Company, Inc.<br />Project: Cannon Design Powerhouse<br />Owner: Cannon Design Powerhouse, LLC<br /><br />Volk Construction Company<br />Project: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis - 6th Floor Renovation<br />Owner: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis<br /><br /><strong>Specialty Contractor &mdash; Building Construction<br />Project $5 million or more</strong><br /><br />Corrigan Company<br />Project: Holcim Cement \\\"Lee Island\\\" Plant Utility Piping<br />Owner: Holcim Cement<br /><br />Guarantee Electrical Company<br />Project: SSM St. Clare Health Center<br />Owner: SSM Health Center<br /><br />Murphy Co., Mechanical Contractors &amp; Engineers<br />Project: SSM St. Clare Health Center<br />Owner: SSM Health Care<br /><br /><strong>Specialty Contractor &mdash; Building Construction<br />Project under $5 million</strong><br /><br />Golterman &amp; Sabo, Inc.<br />Project: Washington University Law School<br />Owner: Washington University<br /><br />John Bender Drywall<br />Project: Bank of Washington<br />Owner: Bank of Washington<br /><br />Murphy Co., Mechanical Contractors &amp; Engineers<br />Project: Danforth University Center at Washington University<br />Owner: Washington University<br /><strong><br />Specialty Contractor &mdash; Industrial/Infrastructure Construction<br />Project $5 million or more</strong><br /><br />Murphy Co., Mechanical Contractors &amp; Engineers<br />Project: Pfizer NRB<br />Owner: Pfizer<br /><br />PayneCrest Electric, Inc.<br />Project: Buzzi Unicem Cement Plant in Festus, MO<br />Owner: Buzzi Unicem USA<br /><br />PayneCrest Electric, Inc.<br />Project: Holcim Cement Ste. Genevieve Plant<br />Owner: Holcim Ltd.<br /><br /><strong>Specialty Contractor &mdash; Industrial/Infrastructure Construction<br />Project under $5 million</strong><br /><br />Hayward Baker, Inc.<br />Project: GKN Aerospace<br />Owner: GKN Aerospace<br /><br />Hayward Baker, Inc.<br />Project: LeMay WWTP Tunnel Jet Grouting<br />Owner: St. Louis Metropolitan Sewer District<br /><br />Murphy Co., Mechanical Contractors &amp; Engineers<br />Project: Covidien - Pilot 14<br />Owner: Covidien<br /><br /><strong>Sustainable Construction<br /></strong><br />Clayco, Inc.<br />Project: Novus International Global Headquarters<br />Owner: Novus International, Inc.<br /><br />Musick Construction Company<br />Project: Emerson St. Louis Data Center<br />Owner: Emerson<br /><br />Volk Construction Company<br />Project: Washington University - Danforth Campus<br />Owner: Washington University<br /><strong><br />Emerging Contractor</strong><br /><br />Boyer Fire Protection<br />Project: Wal-Mart Supercenter - St. Peters<br />Owner: L. Keeley Construction<br /><br />D &amp; L Painting &amp; Drywall<br />Project: Life Science Lab<br />Owner: St. Louis Science Center<br /><br />FireStoppers/Rebel<br />Project: SSM St. Clare Health Center<br />Owner: SSM Health Care</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:28:\"/images/uploads/keystone.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"61\";}'),(1657,614,2,2,1246033185,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"614\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-06-26 05:47 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";i:1;s:2:\"61\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:39:\"Finalists Announced for Keystone Awards\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:39:\"finalists_announced_for_keystone_awards\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:39:\"Finalists Announced for Keystone Awards\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:96:\"Thirty-six finalists have been selected for consideration for this year\\\'s AGC Keystone Awards. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:21:\"Keystone, awards, AGC\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:6460:\"<p>Thirty-six local construction projects have been selected as finalists for the 2009 Construction Keystone Awards.</p>\n<p>The Construction Keystone Awards are hosted by the Associated General Contractors of St. Louis (AGC).</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Keystone\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"252\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/keystone-inside.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" />Criteria include skill, teamwork and innovation. Both general contractors and specialty contractors enter projects.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;Fifty-two entries were reviewed to chose those projects selected as finalists.</p>\n<p>The awards will be presented Nov.2 at the Millennium Hotel Downtown.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p><strong><br /></strong></p>\n<p><strong>2009 Keystone Awards Finalists</strong><br /><strong><br />General Contractor/Construction Manager &mdash; Building Construction<br />Project $40 million or more</strong><br /><br />Alberici Constructors, Inc.<br />Project: SSM St. Clare Health Center<br />Owner: SSM Health Care<br /><br />McCarthy Building Companies<br />Project: The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis<br />Owner: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis<br /><br />McCarthy Building Companies<br />Project: St. Anthony\\\'s Medical Center Heart and Surgical Pavilion<br />Owner: St. Anthony\\\'s Medical Center<br /><br /><strong>General Contractor/Construction Manager &mdash; Building Construction<br />Project $10 million to $40 million</strong><br /><br />H.B.D. Contracting, Inc.<br />Project: Bank of Washington<br />Owner: Bank of Washington<br /><br />Paric Corporation<br />Project: The Moonrise Hotel<br />Owner: Joe Edwards<br /><br />Tarlton Corporation<br />Project: Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital Inpatient Bed Unit / Inpatient Pharmacy Addition<br />Owner: BJC HealthCare<br /><br /><strong>General Contractor/Construction Manager &mdash; Building Construction<br />Project under $10 million</strong><br /><br />Paric Corporation<br />Project: The Magic House, St. Louis Children\\\'s Museum<br />Owner: The Magic House, St. Louis Children\\\'s Museum<br /><br />S. M. Wilson &amp; Co.<br />Project: Woolworth Building Historic Renovation<br />Owner: McCormack Baron Salazar<br /><br />The Lawrence Group Projects, LLC<br />Project: Shock City Studios<br />Owner: 2200 Gravois, LLC__<br /><br /><strong>General Contractor/Construction Manager &mdash; Industrial/Infrastructure Construction Project $10 million or more</strong><br /><br />BSI Constructors, Inc.<br />Project: Citygarden<br />Owner: Gateway Foundation<br /><br />Goodwin Brothers Construction Co.<br />Project: River 7000 Project<br />Owner: Buzzi Unicem USA<br /><br />Goodwin Brothers Construction Co.<br />Project: MSD - Coldwater Creek<br />Owner: Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District<br /><strong><br />General Contractor/Construction Manager &mdash; Industrial/Infrastructure Construction Project under $10 million</strong><br /><br />Kozeny-Wagner, Inc.<br />Project: Old Post Office Plaza<br />Owner: Downtown Now!<br /><br />MC Industrial, Inc.<br />Project: Ameren UE Portage Des Sioux Unit #1 Fall 2008 Outage<br />Owner: Ameren UE<br /><br />Volk Construction Company<br />Project: Barnes-Jewish Hospital Shoenberg Cooling Towers<br />Owner: Barnes-Jewish Hospital<br /><br /><strong>Interior Build-Out Project<br /></strong><br />Gypsum Associates, Inc.<br />Project: St. Alphonsus Liguori \\\"Rock\\\" Catholic Church<br />Owner: St. Alphonsus \\\"Rock\\\" Church / Archdiocese of St. Louis<br /><br />R. G. Ross Construction Company, Inc.<br />Project: Cannon Design Powerhouse<br />Owner: Cannon Design Powerhouse, LLC<br /><br />Volk Construction Company<br />Project: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis - 6th Floor Renovation<br />Owner: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis<br /><br /><strong>Specialty Contractor &mdash; Building Construction<br />Project $5 million or more</strong><br /><br />Corrigan Company<br />Project: Holcim Cement \\\"Lee Island\\\" Plant Utility Piping<br />Owner: Holcim Cement<br /><br />Guarantee Electrical Company<br />Project: SSM St. Clare Health Center<br />Owner: SSM Health Center<br /><br />Murphy Co., Mechanical Contractors &amp; Engineers<br />Project: SSM St. Clare Health Center<br />Owner: SSM Health Care<br /><br /><strong>Specialty Contractor &mdash; Building Construction<br />Project under $5 million</strong><br /><br />Golterman &amp; Sabo, Inc.<br />Project: Washington University Law School<br />Owner: Washington University<br /><br />John Bender Drywall<br />Project: Bank of Washington<br />Owner: Bank of Washington<br /><br />Murphy Co., Mechanical Contractors &amp; Engineers<br />Project: Danforth University Center at Washington University<br />Owner: Washington University<br /><strong><br />Specialty Contractor &mdash; Industrial/Infrastructure Construction<br />Project $5 million or more</strong><br /><br />Murphy Co., Mechanical Contractors &amp; Engineers<br />Project: Pfizer NRB<br />Owner: Pfizer<br /><br />PayneCrest Electric, Inc.<br />Project: Buzzi Unicem Cement Plant in Festus, MO<br />Owner: Buzzi Unicem USA<br /><br />PayneCrest Electric, Inc.<br />Project: Holcim Cement Ste. Genevieve Plant<br />Owner: Holcim Ltd.<br /><br /><strong>Specialty Contractor &mdash; Industrial/Infrastructure Construction<br />Project under $5 million</strong><br /><br />Hayward Baker, Inc.<br />Project: GKN Aerospace<br />Owner: GKN Aerospace<br /><br />Hayward Baker, Inc.<br />Project: LeMay WWTP Tunnel Jet Grouting<br />Owner: St. Louis Metropolitan Sewer District<br /><br />Murphy Co., Mechanical Contractors &amp; Engineers<br />Project: Covidien - Pilot 14<br />Owner: Covidien<br /><br /><strong>Sustainable Construction<br /></strong><br />Clayco, Inc.<br />Project: Novus International Global Headquarters<br />Owner: Novus International, Inc.<br /><br />Musick Construction Company<br />Project: Emerson St. Louis Data Center<br />Owner: Emerson<br /><br />Volk Construction Company<br />Project: Washington University - Danforth Campus<br />Owner: Washington University<br /><strong><br />Emerging Contractor</strong><br /><br />Boyer Fire Protection<br />Project: Wal-Mart Supercenter - St. Peters<br />Owner: L. Keeley Construction<br /><br />D &amp; L Painting &amp; Drywall<br />Project: Life Science Lab<br />Owner: St. Louis Science Center<br /><br />FireStoppers/Rebel<br />Project: SSM St. Clare Health Center<br />Owner: SSM Health Care</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:28:\"/images/uploads/keystone.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"61\";}'),(1709,636,4,2,1248716707,'a:27:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-27 07:40 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"6\";i:1;s:2:\"64\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:41:\"Arturis Honored for Edward Jones Concrete\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:41:\"arturis_honored_for_edward_jones_concrete\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:90:\"Arcturis Honored for Edward Jones Concrete                                                \";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:118:\"The use of prescast/prestressed concrete in hte new Edward Jones North Campus Building has won an award for Arcturis. \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:31:\"Arcturis, precast, Edward Jones\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:2457:\"<p>Arcturis, a local, multi-disciplined architectural design firm, has been awarded a 2009 Design Award from PCI (Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute). Arcturis won the award for Best Office Building Project for its work on the Edward Jones North Campus Building in Maryland Heights. The award will be presented at PCI&rsquo;s annual convention in October. PCI is a Chicago-based national industry organization dedicated to\nfostering greater understanding and use of precast and prestressed\nconcrete.<br /><br />&nbsp;Arcturis was recognized by the industry group for its ability to find a distinctive yet affordable precast concrete solution for the exterior of the six-story, 198,100 sq. ft. steel structure. &ldquo;The challenge for us was to create the classic yet contemporary look of limestone, but stay within our construction schedule and budget,&rdquo; explained the project&rsquo;s architect, Dave Nichols. &ldquo;We sought alternate materials that would approximate the look of limestone, but at a significantly reduced weight.&rdquo;<br /><br />&nbsp;More than 50,000 square feet of the building&rsquo;s exterior is now covered with a carbon fiber grid that will not corrode and that saves weight and concrete. The architectural precast materials weigh up to 50 percent less than conventional precast concrete panels, yet yield the same performance and appearance qualities. &ldquo;Precast helped us make the strong design statement we wanted,&rdquo; added Arcturis&rsquo; Vern Remiger, AIA.<br /><br />&nbsp;The Edward Jones facility will house approximately 800 occupants as part of a long-term campus plan that the investment firm is developing over several years. It shares a four-acre site with a 312,500 square foot campus parking garage with capacity for 958 cars. The building also features sun-shading devices, interior light shelves, raised access flooring and direct/indirect lighting.<br /><br />&nbsp;In 2008, Arcturis (www.arcturis.com) ranked as the region&rsquo;s largest interior design firm in the St. Louis Business Journal Book of Lists. A registered Woman-Owned Business, Arcturis offers planning and urban design, architecture, interiors, graphic design, facility support services, real estate strategies, landscape architecture and civil engineering services for communities, major corporations, higher education, financial institutions, the hospitality industry and public facilities.<br /><br />&nbsp;<br /><br /></p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"6\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"64\";}'),(1661,616,4,2,1246034163,'a:26:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-06-26 06:31 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"61\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:43:\"Construction Unemployment Picture Brightens\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:43:\"construction_unemployment_picture_brightens\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:43:\"Construction Unemployment Picture Brightens\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:71:\"AGC reported that 18 states added construction jobs from April to May. \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:25:\"AGC, employment, Simonson\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:3942:\"<p>The construction employment picture brightened slightly with 18 states adding construction jobs from April to May according to a new analysis of data released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).&nbsp; However, construction employment overall continued to decline, noted Ken Simonson, the chief economist for the Associated General Contractors of America.<br /><br />\\\"Projects funded by the stimulus legislation probably mitigated the overall downturn in construction jobs in May,\\\" Simonson said, noting however that the BLS data do not separately identify &lsquo;stimulus\\\' hires.&nbsp; \\\"While the stimulus is starting to help, it is not keeping pace with overall declines in construction activity in most places.\\\" <br /><br />Simonson noted that North Dakota saw the biggest increase in construction employment from April to May, with a 9-percent rise, seasonally adjusted, followed by Mississippi, 4 percent; South Dakota and Indiana, 3 percent each; and West Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin and Nebraska, 2 percent each.&nbsp; (To prevent disclosure of data for industries with small employment totals, BLS presents construction combined with mining and logging in South Dakota, Nebraska, four other states and the District of Columbia.)<br />&nbsp; <br />Despite these localized construction gains, however, national construction employment dropped by 59,000 (almost 1 percent), seasonally adjusted, from April to May, Simonson added.<br /><br />Compared to construction employment this time last year, the current jobs picture is bleaker, Simonson said.&nbsp; For example, Arizona, shed 28 percent of its payroll jobs in construction over the past 12 months.; Kentucky and Connecticut 21 percent each, and Nevada and Tennessee (combined data), 20 percent each.&nbsp; Meanwhile, only North Dakota (4 percent) and South Dakota (3 percent) added construction jobs since last May.&nbsp; <br /><br />Metro-area data also provided a grim picture over the past 12 months. (Metro figures are not seasonally adjusted and thus are suitable for comparing only to same month in prior years.)<br /><br />Only nine out of 311 metro areas for which data is available had year-over-year employment gains in construction (or combined sectors), led by Baton Rouge, 7 percent; Grand Junction, Colorado (combined data), 5 percent; Odessa, Texas, and Bismarck, N.D. ( both with combined data), 4 percent; and Decatur, Illinois (combined data), 3 percent. Two metros had no changed in construction (combined data) employment, while 300 had losses. The steepest losses over the past 12 months were in Pascagoula, Miss. (combined data), -40 percent; Redding, Calif. (combined data), -37 percent; Reno-Sparks, Nev., -31 percent; Tucson and Phoenix-Mesa, Scottsdale, both -29 percent.&nbsp; <br /><br />\\\"Whether more states and metros join the &lsquo;win column\\\' in adding construction jobs depends largely on how quickly all levels of government turn stimulus money into contracts,\\\" Simonson said.&nbsp; \\\"Local governments must avoid imposing their own Buy American standards, states must work promptly to hold bid lettings, and federal agencies need to clarify reporting requirements and rules.\\\"<br /><br />Simonson noted that getting more stimulus money flowing will help companies like San Angelo, Texas-based Reece Albert Inc. which has been able to save 20 jobs to date because of stimulus funded highway work.&nbsp; And given the likelihood of continued declines in privately-funded construction, getting stimulus funds flowing for non-transportation projects will help companies like Gorham, Maine-based R.J. Grondin&nbsp; Sons pick up more water main and other construction work.<br /><a href=\\\"http://www.mmsend1.com/ls.cfm?r=23959382&amp;sid=6806742&amp;m=758734&amp;u=agca&amp;s=http://www.agc.org/galleries/econ/Metro%20empl%200509.pdf \\\"><br />Click here to view the state and metro-area construction employment figures. </a></p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"61\";}'),(1662,616,4,2,1246034229,'a:27:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"616\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-06-26 05:40 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"61\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:43:\"Construction Unemployment Picture Brightens\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:43:\"construction_unemployment_picture_brightens\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:43:\"Construction Unemployment Picture Brightens\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:71:\"AGC reported that 18 states added construction jobs from April to May. \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:25:\"AGC, employment, Simonson\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:3942:\"<p>The construction employment picture brightened slightly with 18 states adding construction jobs from April to May according to a new analysis of data released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).&nbsp; However, construction employment overall continued to decline, noted Ken Simonson, the chief economist for the Associated General Contractors of America.<br /><br />\\\"Projects funded by the stimulus legislation probably mitigated the overall downturn in construction jobs in May,\\\" Simonson said, noting however that the BLS data do not separately identify &lsquo;stimulus\\\' hires.&nbsp; \\\"While the stimulus is starting to help, it is not keeping pace with overall declines in construction activity in most places.\\\" <br /><br />Simonson noted that North Dakota saw the biggest increase in construction employment from April to May, with a 9-percent rise, seasonally adjusted, followed by Mississippi, 4 percent; South Dakota and Indiana, 3 percent each; and West Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin and Nebraska, 2 percent each.&nbsp; (To prevent disclosure of data for industries with small employment totals, BLS presents construction combined with mining and logging in South Dakota, Nebraska, four other states and the District of Columbia.)<br />&nbsp; <br />Despite these localized construction gains, however, national construction employment dropped by 59,000 (almost 1 percent), seasonally adjusted, from April to May, Simonson added.<br /><br />Compared to construction employment this time last year, the current jobs picture is bleaker, Simonson said.&nbsp; For example, Arizona, shed 28 percent of its payroll jobs in construction over the past 12 months.; Kentucky and Connecticut 21 percent each, and Nevada and Tennessee (combined data), 20 percent each.&nbsp; Meanwhile, only North Dakota (4 percent) and South Dakota (3 percent) added construction jobs since last May.&nbsp; <br /><br />Metro-area data also provided a grim picture over the past 12 months. (Metro figures are not seasonally adjusted and thus are suitable for comparing only to same month in prior years.)<br /><br />Only nine out of 311 metro areas for which data is available had year-over-year employment gains in construction (or combined sectors), led by Baton Rouge, 7 percent; Grand Junction, Colorado (combined data), 5 percent; Odessa, Texas, and Bismarck, N.D. ( both with combined data), 4 percent; and Decatur, Illinois (combined data), 3 percent. Two metros had no changed in construction (combined data) employment, while 300 had losses. The steepest losses over the past 12 months were in Pascagoula, Miss. (combined data), -40 percent; Redding, Calif. (combined data), -37 percent; Reno-Sparks, Nev., -31 percent; Tucson and Phoenix-Mesa, Scottsdale, both -29 percent.&nbsp; <br /><br />\\\"Whether more states and metros join the &lsquo;win column\\\' in adding construction jobs depends largely on how quickly all levels of government turn stimulus money into contracts,\\\" Simonson said.&nbsp; \\\"Local governments must avoid imposing their own Buy American standards, states must work promptly to hold bid lettings, and federal agencies need to clarify reporting requirements and rules.\\\"<br /><br />Simonson noted that getting more stimulus money flowing will help companies like San Angelo, Texas-based Reece Albert Inc. which has been able to save 20 jobs to date because of stimulus funded highway work.&nbsp; And given the likelihood of continued declines in privately-funded construction, getting stimulus funds flowing for non-transportation projects will help companies like Gorham, Maine-based R.J. Grondin&nbsp; Sons pick up more water main and other construction work.<br /><a href=\\\"http://www.mmsend1.com/ls.cfm?r=23959382&amp;sid=6806742&amp;m=758734&amp;u=agca&amp;s=http://www.agc.org/galleries/econ/Metro%20empl%200509.pdf \\\"><br />Click here to view the state and metro-area construction employment figures. </a></p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"61\";}'),(1663,597,2,2,1246492293,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"597\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-06-19 06:40 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:48:\"Unions Give Climate Prosperity Project a Step Up\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:48:\"unions_give_climate_prosperity_project_a_step_up\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:48:\"Unions Give Climate Prosperity Project a Step Up\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:125:\"St. Louis unions have stepped up to provide training and manpower that will help the RCGA\\\'s \\\"Climate Prosperity Project.\\\" \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:51:\"RCGA, Climate Prosperity, RCGA, Sheet Metal Workers\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:9125:\"<p>The St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association (RCGA) has announced that metropolitan St. Louis is one of eight pilot regions for the Climate Prosperity Project, a new economic development effort launched by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund.<br /><br />The Climate Prosperity Project will seek to guide economic development efforts based on the strategy of &ldquo;green savings, green opportunity, and green talent.&rdquo; Richard Fleming, president and CEO of the RCGA, is president of the Climate Prosperity Project board of directors. The other seven pilot regions are: Silicon Valley/San Jose, CA; Portland, OR; Denver, CO; Seattle, WA; Southwest Florida; Montgomery County, MD; and the State of Delaware.<br /><br /><img alt=\\\"Climate Prosperity\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/climate-prosperity.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />&ldquo;We come at it from an opportunistic standpoint as the region&rsquo;s economic development agency. We see a potential for new opportunities for creating jobs, expanding existing companies, and attracting new companies. We certainly see it as an opportunity for a substantial amount of building things,&rdquo; said Fleming.<br /><br />&ldquo;Green savings,&rdquo; said Fleming, means simply that energy efficiency saves money, which can then be used for other things. &ldquo;Energy efficiency is the quickest way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and bring prosperity to individuals, businesses, and communities,&rdquo; he said. In Portland, OR, he said, people and businesses are saving $2.6 billion a year because of an energy efficiency initiative begun a decade ago.<br /><br />&ldquo;Green opportunity&rdquo; refers to innovation, entrepreneurship and strong economic growth that solutions to the challenges of climate change will generate, he said.<br /><br />&ldquo;Green talent,&rdquo; he said, means that entrepreneurs, scientists, and construction workers all are critical to retrofitting buildings, installing renewable energy projects, etc. &ldquo;Communities must ensure they have a trained workforce in order to prosper during this transformation,&rdquo; he said.<br /><br />While the project in St. Louis is still in the &ldquo;formative stage,&rdquo; Fleming said, some of the first local activities, which will be under the banner of &ldquo;green savings,&rdquo; will be to educate companies about tangible steps they can take to improve energy efficiency and the opportunities there for returns on investment.<br /><br />That will create an immediate need for suitably trained construction workers &ldquo;to get the job done,&rdquo; said Fleming.<br /><br />The union construction industry already has put in place training programs to help meet that need. <br /><br />The Electrical Industry Training Center announced has the establishment of a wide-ranging green training initiative to prepare the region&rsquo;s union electrical workforce to meet the needs of emerging green and alternative energy industries.&nbsp; The training center unveiled its curriculum at an open house for St. Louis area lawmakers and business leaders on May 28, 2009. <br /><br />&ldquo;We are both cultivating opportunity in the new green economy and training the workforce necessary to build it,&rdquo; said Stephen P. Schoemehl, business manager for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local One. &ldquo;We can make St. Louis the center of renewable energy development in the Midwest. To do that, we need a highly skilled workforce. We already have the essential curriculum in place to create that workforce and build a brighter future for St. Louis,&rdquo; he said.<br /><br />IBEW Local One partners with the St. Louis Chapter, National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) to form the Electrical Connection. <br /><br />Among the skills already developed within the ranks of IBEW Local One are the wiring and installation of solar panels, wind turbines and &ldquo;smart building&rdquo; technologies that conserve energy. The new training consolidates 70 courses into one green curriculum that includes:<br /><br />&bull; Photovoltaic cells;<br />&bull; Fuel cells;<br />&bull; Building automation;<br />&bull; Lighting efficiencies; <br />&bull; Energy efficient installations; and<br />&bull; Programmable logic controllers.<br /><br />&ldquo;As the nation continues to push the development of electricity from cleaner energy sources, the installations are becoming more complex,&rdquo; said Dennis Gralike, director of the Electrical Industry Training Center. &ldquo;Safety is a huge concern. For example, while solar is a low voltage source when it is placed in arrays, the voltages can reach as high as 600 volts. It is essential that only skilled electricians install them in accordance with the National Electric Code,&rdquo; he said.<br /><br />Sheet Metal Workers Local 36 also has launched a program to train its members for &ldquo;green&rdquo; projects.<br /><br />Dan Andrews is the coordinator of the training program for Local 36, which is based in St. Louis, and represents 3,200 members in Arkansas and Missouri.&nbsp; Andrews has been an outspoken proponent of sustainable building for many years, speaking on regional panels throughout the region on the subject, and introducing training programs to his membership.<br /><br />Andrews explained that in order to assist those contractors pursuing LEED construction and other green building projects, Local 36 member training focuses on the latest LEED guidelines, especially in regard to:<br /><br />&bull; Good duct design and installation in the HVAC area;<br />&bull; Instruction and training in retrofit and add-on and replacement;<br />&bull; The proper techniques and principles for troubleshooting, service and repair of HVAC equipment and systems, and the understanding of refrigeration principles and their application to Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC&rsquo;s);<br />&bull; Verifying an HVAC system is designed, installed and calibrated as described in the Energy and Atmosphere section of LEED certification; and<br />&bull; Installing architectural sheet metal as cool roofs, or hot or cool walls.<br /><br />Local 36, with the help of LEED-accredited professionals, is updating curriculum to add additional green training to its journeymen programs as well.&nbsp; &ldquo;Very few jobs remain where green isn&rsquo;t somehow involved and it&rsquo;s important for our most experience workers to have the greatest understanding of the processes as possible,&rdquo; said Andrews. <br /><br />Tear out and replacement is one growing area of training in sheet metal that can contribute greatly to the success of achieving green status. New methods of duct work installation for all units, including high-efficiency units, can help increase the efficiency of the systems even further.&nbsp; &ldquo;Part of getting your new heating and cooling unit to reach its maximum efficiency is making sure the duct work is properly built and installed,&rdquo; Andrews said. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re working to train workers in new areas so that projects can be as green as possible,&rdquo; he said.<br /><br />One new technology gaining market acceptance is geothermal heating and cooling. Not only are these systems green, but they also are aesthetically pleasing, because they are unobtrusive.&nbsp; Local 36 has one of just three geothermal units in the country that is available for training, and it is the only one that is fully operational.&nbsp; &ldquo;Having a fully operational unit allows us to train in design and installation,&rdquo; Andrews said.&nbsp; Part of the installation process and training Local 36 workers receive is identifying the proper soils to use to bury the wells and tubing for the units in order to help increase efficiency.<br /><br />Moving forward, &ldquo;I think we need to outline a career path that can help lead future sheet metal workers to an Accredited Professional certification,&rdquo; Andrews said. &ldquo;That path would help promote the understanding of the responsibilities of every individual working on a green project,&rdquo; he added.<br /><br />According to the Renewable Energy Policy Project (www.repp.org), efforts to rein in Missouri&rsquo;s carbon emissions have the potential to generate more than 22,000 manufacturing jobs in wind, solar, geothermal and biomass industries. As a result, the Electrical Connection has been cultivating these types of industries &ndash; and traveling the country to lure them to Missouri &ndash; to create a new manufacturing base, generating jobs for Missourians.<br /><br />&ldquo;For union electricians and electrical contractors, the potential is more than just building or retrofitting renewable energy manufacturing facilities,&rdquo; said Douglas R. Martin, executive vice president of the St. Louis Chapter, NECA. &ldquo;We have the capability to work with product manufacturers and a project&rsquo;s design team to customize our training. We can then prepare our skilled workforce to assemble and install new technologies with precision,&rdquo; he said.</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:38:\"/images/uploads/climate-prosperity.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";}'),(1664,617,4,2,1247461494,'a:26:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-12 07:02 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"62\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:47:\"Wilson Begins Mattoon, IL Health Center Project\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:46:\"wilson_begins_mattoon_il_health_center_project\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:47:\"Wilson Begins Mattoon, IL Health Center Project\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:124:\"S. M. Wilson has begun construction of a new two-story medical office pavilion and a $1.6 million road construction project \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:43:\"S.M. Wilson, Mattoon, Lincoln Health Center\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:1238:\"<p>S. M. Wilson has begun construction of a new two-story medical office pavilion and a $1.6 million road construction project at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon,<br />Illinois.&nbsp; Construction is scheduled for completion in June 2010.&nbsp; The company is providing pre-construction, construction management and general<br />contracting services for the projects.</p>\n<p>The $7.2 million, 42,000 square foot facility will be built on the existing hospital campus and include space for pediatrics, behavioral medicines,<br />occupational health, Sleep Disorders Center, family practice and general hospital offices. A second project, which is budgeted at $1.6 million,<br />includes construction of a new road to provide an alternate entrance and exit to the hospital.&nbsp; Utilities will also be brought to out parcels of land<br />to be developed in the future.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\n<p>These are the fifth and sixth construction projects S. M. Wilson has handled for Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center.&nbsp; The company has<br />previously built Medical Office Pavilion #2, including a cardiac catheterization lab, Outpatient Surgery Center and orthopedic suite.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"62\";}'),(1665,618,4,2,1247461765,'a:26:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-12 07:05 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"62\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:53:\"Contegra Completes $22 Million Gateway Center Project\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:52:\"contegra_completes_22_million_gateway_center_project\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:53:\"Contegra Completes $22 Million Gateway Center Project\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:98:\"Contegra has doubled the size of Proctor Gamble\\\'s space at Gateway Center in Madison County, IL. \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:39:\"Gateway Center, Contegra, Proctor Gamle\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:920:\"<p>Contegra Construction Co. has completed expanding the Westway III distribution center at Gateway Commerce Center in Madison County, Ill. from 580,000 to nearly 1.2 million square feet to accommodate tenant Proctor Gamble. The expansion is enabling the consumer products giant to consolidate its metro St. Louis distribution operations at one location.<br /><br />Contegra provided complete turn-key construction services on the $22 million project which results in a building that blends 1,138,000 square feet of warehouse topped by 32-foot clear-height ceilings with 20,000 square feet of office space. <br /><br />The 2,300-acre distribution park, located at the intersection of I-270 and I-255, was launched in 1997 and currently hosts roughly nine million square feet of distribution space in 19 buildings. Also present at Gateway are The Dial Corporation, Hershey Foods Corp., Unilever,&nbsp; and OHL. <br /></p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"62\";}'),(1669,614,2,2,1247465187,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"614\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-06-26 05:47 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:39:\"Finalists Announced for Keystone Awards\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:39:\"finalists_announced_for_keystone_awards\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:39:\"Finalists Announced for Keystone Awards\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:96:\"Thirty-six finalists have been selected for consideration for this year\\\'s AGC Keystone Awards. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:21:\"Keystone, awards, AGC\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:6429:\"<p>Thirty-six local construction projects have been selected as finalists for the 2009 Construction Keystone Awards.</p>\n<p>The Construction Keystone Awards are hosted by the Associated General Contractors of St. Louis (AGC).</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Keystone\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"252\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/keystone-inside.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" />Criteria include skill, teamwork and innovation. Both general contractors and specialty contractors enter projects.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;Fifty-two entries were reviewed to chose those projects selected as finalists.</p>\n<p>The awards will be presented Nov.2 at the Millennium Hotel Downtown.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p><strong>2009 Keystone Awards Finalists</strong><br /><strong><br />General Contractor/Construction Manager &mdash; Building Construction<br />Project $40 million or more</strong><br /><br />Alberici Constructors, Inc.<br />Project: SSM St. Clare Health Center<br />Owner: SSM Health Care<br /><br />McCarthy Building Companies<br />Project: The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis<br />Owner: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis<br /><br />McCarthy Building Companies<br />Project: St. Anthony\\\'s Medical Center Heart and Surgical Pavilion<br />Owner: St. Anthony\\\'s Medical Center<br /><br /><strong>General Contractor/Construction Manager &mdash; Building Construction<br />Project $10 million to $40 million</strong><br /><br />H.B.D. Contracting, Inc.<br />Project: Bank of Washington<br />Owner: Bank of Washington<br /><br />Paric Corporation<br />Project: The Moonrise Hotel<br />Owner: Joe Edwards<br /><br />Tarlton Corporation<br />Project: Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital Inpatient Bed Unit / Inpatient Pharmacy Addition<br />Owner: BJC HealthCare<br /><br /><strong>General Contractor/Construction Manager &mdash; Building Construction<br />Project under $10 million</strong><br /><br />Paric Corporation<br />Project: The Magic House, St. Louis Children\\\'s Museum<br />Owner: The Magic House, St. Louis Children\\\'s Museum<br /><br />S. M. Wilson &amp; Co.<br />Project: Woolworth Building Historic Renovation<br />Owner: McCormack Baron Salazar<br /><br />The Lawrence Group Projects, LLC<br />Project: Shock City Studios<br />Owner: 2200 Gravois, LLC__<br /><br /><strong>General Contractor/Construction Manager &mdash; Industrial/Infrastructure Construction Project $10 million or more</strong><br /><br />BSI Constructors, Inc.<br />Project: Citygarden<br />Owner: Gateway Foundation<br /><br />Goodwin Brothers Construction Co.<br />Project: River 7000 Project<br />Owner: Buzzi Unicem USA<br /><br />Goodwin Brothers Construction Co.<br />Project: MSD - Coldwater Creek<br />Owner: Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District<br /><strong><br />General Contractor/Construction Manager &mdash; Industrial/Infrastructure Construction Project under $10 million</strong><br /><br />Kozeny-Wagner, Inc.<br />Project: Old Post Office Plaza<br />Owner: Downtown Now!<br /><br />MC Industrial, Inc.<br />Project: Ameren UE Portage Des Sioux Unit #1 Fall 2008 Outage<br />Owner: Ameren UE<br /><br />Volk Construction Company<br />Project: Barnes-Jewish Hospital Shoenberg Cooling Towers<br />Owner: Barnes-Jewish Hospital<br /><br /><strong>Interior Build-Out Project<br /></strong><br />Gypsum Associates, Inc.<br />Project: St. Alphonsus Liguori \\\"Rock\\\" Catholic Church<br />Owner: St. Alphonsus \\\"Rock\\\" Church / Archdiocese of St. Louis<br /><br />R. G. Ross Construction Company, Inc.<br />Project: Cannon Design Powerhouse<br />Owner: Cannon Design Powerhouse, LLC<br /><br />Volk Construction Company<br />Project: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis - 6th Floor Renovation<br />Owner: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis<br /><br /><strong>Specialty Contractor &mdash; Building Construction<br />Project $5 million or more</strong><br /><br />Corrigan Company<br />Project: Holcim Cement \\\"Lee Island\\\" Plant Utility Piping<br />Owner: Holcim Cement<br /><br />Guarantee Electrical Company<br />Project: SSM St. Clare Health Center<br />Owner: SSM Health Center<br /><br />Murphy Co., Mechanical Contractors &amp; Engineers<br />Project: SSM St. Clare Health Center<br />Owner: SSM Health Care<br /><br /><strong>Specialty Contractor &mdash; Building Construction<br />Project under $5 million</strong><br /><br />Golterman &amp; Sabo, Inc.<br />Project: Washington University Law School<br />Owner: Washington University<br /><br />John Bender Drywall<br />Project: Bank of Washington<br />Owner: Bank of Washington<br /><br />Murphy Co., Mechanical Contractors &amp; Engineers<br />Project: Danforth University Center at Washington University<br />Owner: Washington University<br /><strong><br />Specialty Contractor &mdash; Industrial/Infrastructure Construction<br />Project $5 million or more</strong><br /><br />Murphy Co., Mechanical Contractors &amp; Engineers<br />Project: Pfizer NRB<br />Owner: Pfizer<br /><br />PayneCrest Electric, Inc.<br />Project: Buzzi Unicem Cement Plant in Festus, MO<br />Owner: Buzzi Unicem USA<br /><br />PayneCrest Electric, Inc.<br />Project: Holcim Cement Ste. Genevieve Plant<br />Owner: Holcim Ltd.<br /><br /><strong>Specialty Contractor &mdash; Industrial/Infrastructure Construction<br />Project under $5 million</strong><br /><br />Hayward Baker, Inc.<br />Project: GKN Aerospace<br />Owner: GKN Aerospace<br /><br />Hayward Baker, Inc.<br />Project: LeMay WWTP Tunnel Jet Grouting<br />Owner: St. Louis Metropolitan Sewer District<br /><br />Murphy Co., Mechanical Contractors &amp; Engineers<br />Project: Covidien - Pilot 14<br />Owner: Covidien<br /><br /><strong>Sustainable Construction<br /></strong><br />Clayco, Inc.<br />Project: Novus International Global Headquarters<br />Owner: Novus International, Inc.<br /><br />Musick Construction Company<br />Project: Emerson St. Louis Data Center<br />Owner: Emerson<br /><br />Volk Construction Company<br />Project: Washington University - Danforth Campus<br />Owner: Washington University<br /><strong><br />Emerging Contractor</strong><br /><br />Boyer Fire Protection<br />Project: Wal-Mart Supercenter - St. Peters<br />Owner: L. Keeley Construction<br /><br />D &amp; L Painting &amp; Drywall<br />Project: Life Science Lab<br />Owner: St. Louis Science Center<br /><br />FireStoppers/Rebel<br />Project: SSM St. Clare Health Center<br />Owner: SSM Health Care</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:28:\"/images/uploads/keystone.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";}'),(1671,621,4,2,1247466355,'a:26:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-12 08:19 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"20\";i:1;s:2:\"62\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:56:\"KC Group Taps Grubb & Ellis for Casino-Area Apartments  \";s:9:\"url_title\";s:52:\"kc_group_taps_grubb_ellis_for_casino_area_apartments\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:56:\"KC Group Taps Grubb & Ellis for Casino-Area  Apartments \";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:113:\"Grubb & Ellis has been selected by KC Venture Group in the sale of two apartment communities close to RiverCity. \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:49:\"Grubb & Ellis, KC Venture Group, RiverCity Casino\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:815:\"<p>Grubb &amp; Ellis Company (NYSE: GBE), a real estate services and investment firm, and Grubb &amp; Ellis|Gundaker Commercial, an independently owned and operated affiliate of Grubb &amp; Ellis Company, today announced that they have been selected to represent KC Venture Group LLC in the sale of the Southwest Crossing and Cedar Creek Lodge apartment communities in St. Louis. <br /><br />Joseph Allison, senior vice president, Grubb &amp; Ellis|Gundaker Commercial, Symeon Stavrakas, senior associate in Grubb &amp; Ellis\\\' Chicago office, David Biales, associate vice president, Grubb &amp; Ellis|Gundaker Commercial, Andrea Aston, advisor, Grubb &amp; Ellis|Gundaker Commercial, and Brian Pohl, senior vice president in Grubb &amp; Ellis\\\' Chicago office, will market the communities for sale.<br /><br /></p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"20\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"62\";}'),(1672,622,4,2,1247466386,'a:26:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-12 08:19 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"20\";i:1;s:2:\"62\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:56:\"KC Group Taps Grubb & Ellis for Casino-Area Apartments  \";s:9:\"url_title\";s:52:\"kc_group_taps_grubb_ellis_for_casino_area_apartments\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:56:\"KC Group Taps Grubb & Ellis for Casino-Area  Apartments \";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:120:\"Grubb & Ellis has been selected by KC Venture Group in the sale of two apartment communities close to RiverCity Casino. \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:49:\"Grubb & Ellis, KC Venture Group, RiverCity Casino\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:809:\"<p>Grubb &amp; Ellis Company (NYSE: GBE), a real estate services and investment firm, and Grubb &amp; Ellis|Gundaker Commercial, an independently owned and operated affiliate of Grubb &amp; Ellis Company, today announced that they have been selected to represent KC Venture Group LLC in the sale of the Southwest Crossing and Cedar Creek Lodge apartment communities in St. Louis. <br /><br />Joseph Allison, senior vice president, Grubb &amp; Ellis|Gundaker Commercial, Symeon Stavrakas, senior associate in Grubb &amp; Ellis\\\' Chicago office, David Biales, associate vice president, Grubb &amp; Ellis|Gundaker Commercial, Andrea Aston, advisor, Grubb &amp; Ellis|Gundaker Commercial, and Brian Pohl, senior vice president in Grubb &amp; Ellis\\\' Chicago office, will market the communities for sale.<br /></p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"20\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"62\";}'),(1673,620,4,2,1247466545,'a:27:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"620\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-12 08:13 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"62\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:45:\"IMPACT Strategies Starts Belle Valley Project\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:45:\"impact_strategies_starts_belle_valley_project\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:45:\"IMPACT Strategies Starts Belle Valley Project\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:117:\"IMPACT Strategies has started construction on a new facility for Power Maintenance & Constructors in Belleville, IL. \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:51:\"IMPACT Strategies, Power Maintenance & Constructors\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:776:\"<p>Construction-management firm IMPACT Strategies has broken ground on a new, 26,650-square-foot facility for Power\nMaintenance &amp; Constructors (PMC).&nbsp;</p>\n<p>The $2.25 million office/warehouse structure is being built on the last\navailable lot in the third addition of Belle Valley Business Park in\nBelleville, IL.&nbsp;</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Belle Valley\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"188\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/belle-valley.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"250\\\" />The new facility will\nreplace PMC\\\'s existing location on N. 17<sup>th</sup> Street in Belleville.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>The project is scheduled\nfor completion in December.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>IMPACT Strategies joined forces\nwith architectural firm Gray Design Group on the project.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"62\";}'),(1674,623,4,2,1247466890,'a:26:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-12 08:31 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"6\";i:1;s:2:\"62\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:36:\"Kirby-Smith Acquires Dallas Company \";s:9:\"url_title\";s:35:\"kirby_smith_acquires_dallas_company\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:35:\"Kirby-Smith Acquires Dallas Company\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:151:\"Kirby-Smith Machinery Inc., a regional heavy construction equipment and crane dealer, announced it acquired Dallas-based Continental Equipment Company.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:24:\"Kirby-Smith, Continental\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:1239:\"<p><a href=\\\"http://www.kirby-smith.com/custompage.asp?pg=construction\\\">Kirby-Smith Machinery Inc.</a>, a regional heavy construction equipment and crane dealer, announced it acquired Dallas-based Continental Equipment Company. The strategic acquisition allows for Kirby-Smith Machinery to retain the Komatsu construction equipment line as well as maintain additional construction-related product lines. <br />&nbsp;<br />In 1998, Continental was purchased by one of the world&rsquo;s largest trading companies, Sumitomo Corporation of America, and has five locations throughout Texas. Kirby-Smith will operate the newly acquired Continental locations under the Kirby-Smith Machinery name. With the addition of Continental, Kirby-Smith will have a total of nine branches located in Oklahoma City; Tulsa, Okla.; Kansas City, Kan.; St. Louis; and Dallas; as well as Fort Worth, Amarillo, Lubbock and Abilene, Texas. Overall, the company will employ more than 300 people. <br />&nbsp;<br />Kirby-Smith is a full-service equipment distributorship, offering new and used equipment sales, parts and service. It also offers a diverse equipment rental fleet and is one of the largest privately owned rental companies in an eight-state region.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"6\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"62\";}'),(1675,624,4,2,1247467317,'a:25:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-12 08:36 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:30:\"HOK Tops Green Design Ranking \";s:9:\"url_title\";s:29:\"hok_tops_green_design_ranking\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:29:\"HOK Tops Green Design Ranking\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:85:\"For the second consecutive year, HOK ranks as the greenest design firm on the planet.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:23:\"HOK, green, sustainable\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:2275:\"<p>For the second consecutive year, HOK ranks as the greenest design firm on the planet. A recent survey published in the July 6 issue of <em>Engineering News-Record</em> (ENR) magazine ranked the global architectural design practice as the firm engaged in the most sustainable work.</p>\n<p>The survey is based on revenue for design services generated in 2008 from projects actively seeking certification from major third-party environmental<br />standards or ratings organizations, such as the U.S. Green Building Council\\\'s LEED&reg; certification system. HOK generated $197.54 million, or 26 percent of total revenue, from sustainable projects in 2008.</p>\n<p>In the magazine\\\'s individual rankings by sector, HOK ranked first in the \\\"Education\\\" sector; second in the \\\"Commercial Offices\\\" sector; second in the \\\"Sports, Entertainment &amp; Civic\\\" sector; and third in the \\\"Government Offices\\\" sector.</p>\n<p>As a group, the Top 100 firms generated $2.85 billion in design revenue in 2008 from projects registered with, and actively seeking certification from,<br />third-party ratings groups. This marked a 63.9% increase over $1.74 billion in revenue from 2007 for the group.</p>\n<p>Despite the economic downturn that has slowed global construction, HOK\\\'s green expertise and impact have continued to increase. \\\"While the business<br />has shifted dramatically in the past year, sustainable design continues to resonate among clients across all sectors and regions,\\\" says HOK Sustainable<br />Design Director Mary Ann Lazarus. \\\"We are continuing to broaden our expertise to help clients solve their environmental, economic and social challenges through traditional and non-traditional strategies. And through our exclusive alliance with the Biomimicry Guild, we are applying nature\\\'s innovations to the planning and design of buildings, communities and cities worldwide.\\\"</p>\n<p>A pioneer in the green building movement since the erly 1990s, HOK\\\'s sustainable design expertise has led to 43 LEED certified projects, six<br />BREEAM rated projects and more than 100 others actively pursuing certification. The firm has played a significant role in applying sustainable design strategies to emerging geographic regions, building types and sectors. <br /></p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";}'),(1676,624,4,2,1247467339,'a:27:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"624\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-12 08:36 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"62\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:29:\"HOK Tops Green Design Ranking\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:29:\"hok_tops_green_design_ranking\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:29:\"HOK Tops Green Design Ranking\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:85:\"For the second consecutive year, HOK ranks as the greenest design firm on the planet.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:23:\"HOK, green, sustainable\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:2268:\"<p>For the second consecutive year, HOK ranks as the greenest design firm on the planet. A recent survey published in the July 6 issue of <em>Engineering News-Record</em> (ENR) magazine ranked the global architectural design practice as the firm engaged in the most sustainable work.</p>\n<p>The survey is based on revenue for design services generated in 2008 from projects actively seeking certification from major third-party environmental<br />standards or ratings organizations, such as the U.S. Green Building Council\\\'s LEED&reg; certification system. HOK generated $197.54 million, or 26 percent of total revenue, from sustainable projects in 2008.</p>\n<p>In the magazine\\\'s individual rankings by sector, HOK ranked first in the \\\"Education\\\" sector; second in the \\\"Commercial Offices\\\" sector; second in the \\\"Sports, Entertainment &amp; Civic\\\" sector; and third in the \\\"Government Offices\\\" sector.</p>\n<p>As a group, the Top 100 firms generated $2.85 billion in design revenue in 2008 from projects registered with, and actively seeking certification from,<br />third-party ratings groups. This marked a 63.9% increase over $1.74 billion in revenue from 2007 for the group.</p>\n<p>Despite the economic downturn that has slowed global construction, HOK\\\'s green expertise and impact have continued to increase. \\\"While the business<br />has shifted dramatically in the past year, sustainable design continues to resonate among clients across all sectors and regions,\\\" says HOK Sustainable<br />Design Director Mary Ann Lazarus. \\\"We are continuing to broaden our expertise to help clients solve their environmental, economic and social challenges through traditional and non-traditional strategies. And through our exclusive alliance with the Biomimicry Guild, we are applying nature\\\'s innovations to the planning and design of buildings, communities and cities worldwide.\\\"</p>\n<p>A pioneer in the green building movement since the erly 1990s, HOK\\\'s sustainable design expertise has led to 43 LEED certified projects, six<br />BREEAM rated projects and more than 100 others actively pursuing certification. The firm has played a significant role in applying sustainable design strategies to emerging geographic regions, building types and sectors.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"62\";}'),(1677,625,4,2,1247467747,'a:26:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-12 08:43 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"62\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:42:\"Guarantee Electrical ETOP Paying Dividends\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:42:\"guarantee_electrical_etop_paying_dividends\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:42:\"Guarantee Electrical EOTP Paying Dividends\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:160:\"Guarantee Electrical Co. is finding that its 2005 decision to launch an employee ownership transfer plan (EOTP) is paying dividends even greater than expected. \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:15:\"Guarantee, EOTP\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:4655:\"<p>As its first wave of\nemployee-owners approach 100 percent vesting in Autumn 2010, St. Louis-based Guarantee\nElectrical Co. is finding that its\n2005 decision to launch an employee ownership transfer plan (EOTP) is paying\ndividends even greater than expected.&nbsp; In fact, the initiative has proven\nso invigorating to the financial and managerial underpinnings of the\n107-year-old firm that it is looking to attract new merger partners from across\nthe U.S. by using the prospect of employee ownership as a primary lure.</p>\n<p>Guarantee ranks among the\nnation\\\'s largest electrical contractors with 2008 revenues topping $156\nmillion, regional offices in Denver, CO and Granite City, IL&nbsp; plus on-going\noperations in California.&nbsp; The\ncompany has about 120 salaried employees and employs up to 1,000 electrical and\ncommunication craft workers at project peaks.</p>\n<p>Guarantee\\\'s EOTP consists of\ntwo components - a Key Management Stock Purchase Program (KMSPP) and an ESOP.&nbsp; For the KMSPP, the\ncompany\\\'s Executive Management Team (EMT) recommends participants to its Board of Directors.&nbsp; In\nturn, the board approves all stock purchases.&nbsp; Every non-bargaining employee with a minimum of one year of\nservice, working at least 1,000 hours annually, qualifies for inclusion in the\nESOP. \\\"Only non-bargaining employees qualify because there is a lot of turnover\namong hourly construction workers,\\\" said Rick Oertli, president and chief executive officer of the\ncompany. \\\"In addition, union workers have some very attractive benefits that\nnonunion employees don\\\'t have, so the ESOP helps level the playing the field,\\\"\nhe said. Employees can purchase stock using\ncompany contributions that are set as a percent of base salary.&nbsp; In 2008,\nGuarantee contributed 11.4 percent of each qualified employee\\\'s salary to the\nstock purchase fund.</p>\n<p>Right now, salaried employees\nin the ESOP own 17.5 percent of Guarantee stock, while a group of executives\nand managers holds 56.5 percent, said Oertli.&nbsp; Retired and non-working family shareholders of the once 100\npercent family-owned company hold the remaining 26 percent - compared to the 62\npercent they held when the EOTP was launched in 2005.&nbsp; The goal, said Oertli is for the ESOP to hold 30 to 40\npercent of the company\\\'s shares by 2012, with key executives and managers\nowning the 60 to 70 percent balance.</p>\n<p>With the&nbsp; successes\nof its 2003 acquisition of Kimsey Electrical Contracting, based in Denver, CO, and its 2004 purchase of St.\nLouis-based voice/data/video installer TEL-Vi Communications, growth-minded Guarantee is scouting for additional\nmergers in 2009.&nbsp; It is targeting\ncontractors with good reputations, annual revenues of $10 million or more, a solid\nhistory of performance and established market positions.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\\\"Our Kimsey and TEL-Vi\nmergers significantly broadened our managerial and engineering talent pools and\nhave been consistently accretive to our bottom line.&nbsp; Guarantee is a\nstronger organization today than it would be otherwise,\\\" Oertli said.&nbsp;\n\\\"The fact that we now offer a proven employee ownership plan sweetens\nthe deal for merger candidates concerned about the long-term future of team\nmembers who have contributed to their firm\\\'s success.... Prospective new\nemployees see a framework already in place to integrate themselves as owners.\nAnd historically, firms with employee ownership outperform concerns without\nthat shared ownership.\\\"</p>\n<p>Oertli\\\'s assertion was most\nrecently borne out in research completed at the City University of New York in\n2008.&nbsp; The study, entitled <em>Employee Ownership and Participation\nEffects on Firm Outcomes</em>, posited that a typical 200-person employee-owned firm\ncould be expected to post an almost $9 million annual sales advantage over a\n200-person counterpart without employee ownership.&nbsp; Using standard\nstatistical methods, the average per employee sales advantage for\nemployee-owned firms was a healthy 8.8 percent greater than non-employee-owned\ncounterparts of the same size in the same industry.</p>\n<p>Oertli\nbelieves other strategic advantages attributed to employee ownership surface in\nchallenging economic environments. \\\"Unquestionably, employee-owned firms tend\nto cultivate company-wide engagement and a &lsquo;team\\\' mentality.&nbsp; That gives us a leg up as we compete\nfor work in a tough economy,\\\" he said. \\\"It also supports long-term continuity\nin management and strengthens our ability to retain and develop superior\ntechnical talent - factors that again enable us to compete more successfully.\\\"</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"62\";}'),(1916,698,10,4,1255762291,'a:32:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:2:\"10\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-10-16 08:41 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"72\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:55:\"Construction Consumers Examine Mississippi River Bridge\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:55:\"construction_consumers_examine_mississippi_river_bridge\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_58\";s:55:\"Construction Consumers Examine Mississippi River Bridge\";s:11:\"field_ft_58\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_62\";s:57:\"Discover how the new bridge can meld the St. Louis Region\";s:11:\"field_ft_62\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_59\";s:67:\"Misssisippi River Bridge, region, Council of Construction Consumers\";s:11:\"field_ft_59\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_63\";s:43:\"Hotel Lumiere, 999 Second Street, St. Louis\";s:11:\"field_ft_63\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_57\";s:19:\"2009-10-22  7:41 PM\";s:15:\"field_offset_57\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_56\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_56\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_55\";s:6:\"7 a.m.\";s:11:\"field_ft_55\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_60\";s:1131:\"<p><strong>The New Misssippi River Bridge: Melding the Region</strong></p>\n<ul>\n<li>Discover how the project team will use the Alternate Technical Process which provides confidential value engineering before bidding</li>\n<li>What are the opportunities for disadvantaged business enterprises? How will the project\\\'s disparity study help determine if women and minority owned firms are being used to their fullest potential?</li>\n<li>How will the project be broken up for the approaches and main bridge span? What\\\'s the schedule?</li>\n</ul>\n<p><br /><strong>Presenter:</strong><br />Greg Horn, Mississippi River Bridge project director, Missouri Department of Transportation<br />Thursday, October 22, 2009<br />7:00 am Registration &amp; networking<br />7:30 am Breakfast<br />8:00 am Program<br />9:00 am Adjournment</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>Reservations are due by Oct. 19. Cost is $35 for SLCCC members and $55 for non member</p>\n<p><strong>Contact St. Louis Council of Construction Consumers</strong><br />180 Weidman Road, Suite 127, Manchester, MO 63021-5724<br />Phone 636-394-6200 FAX 636-394-9641<br />&nbsp;www.slccc.net</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"72\";}'),(1747,644,4,2,1249487301,'a:26:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-08-05 05:45 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"65\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:49:\"Pinnacle Completes North County Government Center\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:49:\"pinnacle_completes_north_county_government_center\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:49:\"Pinnacle Completes North County Government Center\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:137:\"Pinnacle Contracting, Inc. recently completed a major expansion and renovation for the Saint Louis County North County Government Center \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:38:\"Pinnacle, Hazelwood, County Government\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:300:\"<p>Pinnacle Contracting, Inc. recently completed a major expansion and renovation of office and courtroom facilities for the Saint Louis County North County Government Center in Hazelwood. Located in the Village Square Shopping Center, the facility remained fully operational during construction.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"65\";}'),(1748,645,4,2,1249489420,'a:26:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-08-05 06:15 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"65\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:42:\"MO Consumer Confidence Rising, Gallup Says\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:41:\"mo_consumer_confidence_rising_gallup_says\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:42:\"MO Consumer Confidence Rising, Gallup Says\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:126:\"Missouri ranked near the middle of the pack in a recent Gallup poll about whether consumers were more optimistic than in 2008.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:27:\"consumer confidence, Gallup\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:1163:\"<p>Missouri ranked near the middle of the pack in a recent Gallup poll about whether consumers were more optimistic than in 2008. While the total percentage is still low, 27% of Missourians thought the economy was getting better in the recent poll, versus 12 percent a year ago. Missouri\\\'s change in the level of confidence aligns almost exactly with national levels.</p>\n<p>In the first half of 2009, 27% of Americans, on average, believed the\neconomy was getting better, more than double the average for 2008\n(13%). Following the District of Columbia at the top of the list, the\nstates that currently are most optimistic about the economy are South\nDakota, New Mexico, and North Dakota. Wyoming and West Virginia\nresidents are the least optimistic.</p>\n<p>All states showed improvements in consumer confidence. Though Americans remain cautious about the future course of the U.S.\neconomy, they are much more optimistic in 2009 than they were in 2008. To see the complete results, including charts,<a href=\\\"http://www.gallup.com/poll/122036/Consumer-Confidence-Increased-Optimism-States.aspx?CSTS=alert\\\" title=\\\"Gallup Poll Results\\\"> click this link</a>.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"65\";}'),(1762,642,2,4,1249938861,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"642\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-08-03 09:47 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:52:\"Operating Engineers Help Set Table for Habitat Party\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:52:\"operating_engineers_help_set_table_for_habitat_party\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:52:\"Operating Engineers Help Set Table for Habitat Party\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:136:\"There were all the earmarks of a celebration on Sunday, Aug.,  when Habitat for Humanity St. Louis handed over the keys of 10 new homes.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:28:\"Habitat, Operating Engineers\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:4594:\"<p>\n<meta name=\\\"Title\\\" />\n<meta name=\\\"Keywords\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"text/html; charset=utf-8\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Word.Document\\\" name=\\\"ProgId\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Microsoft Word 10\\\" name=\\\"Generator\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Microsoft Word 10\\\" name=\\\"Originator\\\" />\n<link href=\\\"file:///Users/tom/Library/Preferences/Microsoft/Clipboard/msoclip1/01/clip_clip_filelist.xml\\\" rel=\\\"File-List\\\" />\n<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> Normal\n  0\n  0\n  1\n  509\n  2905\n  PGD\n  24\n  5\n  3567\n  10.265 </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> 0\n  0\n  0 </xml><![endif]-->\n<style>\n\n</style>\n</p>\n<p>There were speeches, tears, prayers, face painting, the\nHarris Stowe University band, and all the other earmarks of a celebration on\nSunday Aug. 1, when Habitat for Humanity St. Louis handed over the keys of 10\nnew homes to the homes\\\' owners.&nbsp;\nAnd some Operating Engineers Local 513 apprentices, their instructor, a\nlocal masonry contractor, and an equipment vendor played a role in helping the\nparty to happen.</p>\n<p>The dedication ceremony was held at the heart of the\nproject near the intersection of Thomas and Garrison in the Jeff-Vander-Lou\narea.&nbsp; It marked the completion of\nPhase I of this year\\\'s build, which will total 24 homes by Christmas. Last\nyear, Habitat for Humanity St. Louis completed 27 LEED Platinum-certified homes\n- one of the largest assemblages of LEED-certified residential property in the\ncountry. This green community will total more than 90 homes in a\nlong-overlooked section of urban St. Louis, just North of St. Louis University\nand the Fox Theatre, East of Grand Avenue.</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Talisha Franklin\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/habitat.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" /></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h4>Talisha Franklin Holds The Keys to her new home.</h4>\n<p>Faced with a daunting schedule and just a week to go\nbefore the dedication ceremony, William McHugh, construction manager for\nHabitat for Humanity St. Louis, put out a call for help with the finish grading\nfor the first ten home sites. Normally that task is performed by Habitat staff,\nbut McHugh realized that if they could get some assistance in the form of\nBobcat operators they\\\'d be able to keep volunteers and staff focused on moving\nthe remaining 14 homes forward.</p>\n<p>Ready, willing and able, Operating Engineers Local 513\nresponded to the call, sending seven apprentices and an instructor out to the\njobsite. Dan Head of Kirkwood Masonry also stepped up to help. Randy White of\nBobcat of St. Louis even hauled in extra equipment to make sure the lots were\ngood to go when the sod trucks rolled in.</p>\n<p>Hundreds of volunteers have committed months of time\nworking on the construction that led up to the Aug. 2 event.&nbsp; Mohammed Jier, a native of Kenya, who\nreceived the keys to his new home along with his wife Shams Dad, thanked\n\\\"God, and everyone who helped, and everyone who donated, and everyone who\nprayed or kept us in their thoughts\\\" for the home into which the couple\nand their children Ali and Aisha are moving.</p>\n<p>Through the combined efforts of generous sponsors,\ndedicated volunteers and the agency\\\'s remarkable staff, Habitat for Humanity\nSt. Louis is literally transforming the neighborhood into which Talisha\nFranklin will move with her children Ta\\\'Anyea and Terrel at the end of this\nmonth. Every Saturday since construction began, Franklin, who is completing her\nMasters\\\' degree in early childhood education, has worked shoulder to shoulder\nwith volunteers to put a roof over her family\\\'s head. Even after a grueling\neight hour workday, construction leaders say it wasn\\\'t unusual to see her dash\nhome to tackle an important paper or to ferry her kids to Cub Scout camping\ntrips, birthday parties and family outings. Franklin will close on her new home\nin just a few weeks.</p>\n<h4><img alt=\\\"Habitat Map\\\" height=\\\"313\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/habitat-map.jpg\\\" width=\\\"319\\\" /></h4>\n<h4>Area of this Year\\\'s Habitat Build<br /></h4>\n<p>The St. Louis Police Department is so appreciative of the\ndifference this renewal project is making in the JeffVanderLou neighborhood\nthat it staged helicopter landings on a nearby grade school ball field for the\nbenefit of the families attending the dedication.</p>\n<p>Habitat is already well under way with Phase II of this\nyear\\\'s build, which is set to wrap up in September. Phase III should be\nfinished in time for Christmas. To find out more about Habitat for Humanity St.\nLouis, visit www.habitatstl.org or call 314-371-0400,&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:27:\"/images/uploads/habitat.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";}'),(1781,661,2,4,1250641869,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-08-18 02:26 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";i:1;s:2:\"67\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:42:\"Old/New Media: The Construction Connection\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:41:\"old_new_media_the_construction_connection\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:42:\"Old/New Media: The Construction Connection\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:123:\"What’s will be the role of “Web 2.0″ and “Social Mediaâ€ be in the construction industry, and why should you care?\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:40:\"Web 2.0, social media, Facebook, Twitter\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:5719:\"<p><!--end meta--></p>\n<div class=\\\"snap_preview\\\">\n<p>What&rsquo;s will be the role of &ldquo;Web 2.0&Prime; and &ldquo;Social Media&rdquo; be in the construction industry, and why should you care?</p>\n<p><a href=\\\"http://pblshr4.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/twitter-page1.jpg\\\"><img alt=\\\"twitter-page\\\" class=\\\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-69\\\" height=\\\"162\\\" src=\\\"http://pblshr4.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/twitter-page1.jpg?w=300&amp;h=162\\\" title=\\\"twitter-page\\\" width=\\\"300\\\" /></a>In the August 3rd issue of <em>En</em><em>gineering News-Record</em> there was an article on Textura, a construction e-commerce firm with\n38,000 users, including 25% of the ENR Top 400, that&rsquo;s venturing into\nsocial networking.</p>\n<p>The firm, which GCs use to facilitate payments, will now offer a\nFacebook-like component that will allow contractors to distribute their\nresumes, balance sheets, and other supporting documentation online.\nOwners and GCs can decide who they want to &ldquo;friend,&rdquo; to borrow a term\nfrom Facebook, and allow to bid on a project.</p>\n<p>The construction industry is one of the strongest industries in\nterms of communication, connection, and the importance of\nrelationships. It is also an industry that struggles with implementing\nnew technologies, particularly when they relate to communication or\nmarketing.</p>\n<p>A couple of months ago there were two excellent pieces on the transition in media on <em>CBS Sunday Morning</em>.</p>\n<p>One was a &ldquo;Fast Draw&rdquo; piece <a href=\\\"http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4901018n\\\">Blogging Through History</a>. The video traced the evolution of participatory journalism from America&rsquo;s first newspaper <em>Publick Occurrence</em><em>s</em> which had a blank last page for people to type comments and pass the\npaper along,&nbsp; through the growth in newspapers to today&rsquo;s blogs.</p>\n<p>The second was a commentary by Nancy Giles on Twitter entitled <a href=\\\"http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4901026n\\\">Tweets, Twits, and Twitter, Oh </a><a href=\\\"http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4901026n\\\">My!</a> . You should listen to the second piece just to get her punchline at the end.</p>\n<p>Part of the problem with &ldquo;Social Media,&rdquo;&nbsp; &ldquo;Web 2.0,&rdquo; or anything\nthat came before or after it is that the public discussion and the buzz\nfocus on the medium, rather than on the end result.</p>\n<p>Having spent a large part of my career in business media, I am\nfascinated as I read in e-newsletters, blogs, and magazine articles\nabout the ways in which business publishers are struggling to\n&ldquo;monetize&rdquo; social media.</p>\n<p>Somewhere in the midst of the focus on technology there&rsquo;s a total\nlack of understanding of the reason that people use any form of\ncommunication: to connect. They want to connect with an idea, with a\nfriend, with a business, with a solution to a problem, with a good\nlaugh. Anything else but human connection might be technology, or\nnoise, or commerce, but it&rsquo;s not communication.</p>\n<p>When I was beginning my career in the early &rsquo;70s, the phrase &ldquo;The medium is the message,&nbsp; coined by communication theorist <a href=\\\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marshall_McLuhan\\\" title=\\\"Marshall McLuhan\\\">Marshall McLuhan</a> received great attention. McCluhan meant the form that we use to\ncommuicate embeds itself in the message, and directly effects the way\nin which the message is understood. He also noted that the actual words\nor images of a message may be less significant than the impact of those\nvisuals, sounds, or text &ndash; in other words what the overall package <em>communicates.</em></p>\n<p>In <em>Understanding Media</em>, the book that he wrote in 1964 to\nexplain his theories, he pointed out that we could reread any page of a\nbook but that a movie needed to be re-screened to study it. (Who knows\nwhat he would have made of the thousands of clips from vintage movies\nthat now reside on YouTube.) His point was that&nbsp; the medium through\nwhich a person encounters a particular piece of content would have an\neffect on the individual&rsquo;s understanding of it.</p>\n<p><a href=\\\"http://www.stlouiscnr.com/features/article/banding_together_networking_through_tough_times/\\\">A piece I wrote last week</a> for the <em>St. Louis CNR Weekly Enews</em> pointed out, &ldquo;There&rsquo;s currently a lot of buzz about Web 2.0 and social\nnetworking. But St. Louis construction companies are also networking\nin&nbsp; tough times with proven technology: a cold beer and a good story.&rdquo;\nThe article talked about the high popularity of informal networking\nevents as a way to connect and gather information in tough times.</p>\n<p><a href=\\\"http://www.stlouiscnr.com/departments/article/budrovich_big_on_you_tube/\\\">Another recent <em>Enews</em> article</a> covered<a href=\\\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fi-mFgCeKfE\\\"> a YouTube post</a> by A. J. Ford, vice presi<a href=\\\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fi-mFgCeKfE\\\"><img alt=\\\"Budrovich 550\\\" height=\\\"155\\\" src=\\\"http://www.stlouiscnr.com/images/uploads/budrovich.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: right;\\\" width=\\\"200\\\" /></a>dent\nfor sales and marketing for Budrovich Crane Rental. After I posted the\narticle with a link to A.J.&rsquo;s video, 196 people viewed it a total of\n248 times. The time-lapse <img src=\\\"http://users/tom/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/moz-screenshot.png\\\" />video of the setup of a 550-ton crane tells a compelling story.</p>\n<p>As we explore the use of Social Media and Web 2.0 in the\nconstruction industry we need to remember: Whether the &ldquo;medium&rdquo; is a\ncold Bud and a story or a Tweet, the important thing is making the\nconnection.</p>\n</div>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"67\";}'),(1687,627,2,2,1248072918,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-19 08:49 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";i:1;s:2:\"63\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:28:\"Construction All Star Heroes\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:28:\"construction_all_star_heroes\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:28:\"Construction All Star Heroes\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:204:\"The All Star game may have made once-in-a-lifetime headlines for St. Louis, but the Midwest Council, American Subcontractors Association, recently put together some lifetime baseball memories of its own. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:29:\"ASA, Cardinals, USO, military\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:3812:\"<p><!--[endif]-->The All Star game may have made once-in-a-lifetime headlines\nfor St. Louis, but the Midwest Council, American Subcontractors Association,\nrecently put together some lifetime baseball memories of its own.</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin-bottom: 16pt;\\\">The ASA was looking for a way to give back to active U.S.\nmilitary in the St. Louis area. The answer: Cardinals Baseball. ASA members donated\n146 tickets with a face value of $9,100.00 to the USO. The average ticket value\nwas over $62 each.&nbsp; One firm also donated food and drink vouchers also\nwith their tickets. Military from Whiteman AFB, Fort Leonard Wood, Scott Air\nForce Base, Springfield Missouri, Sparta IL</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin-bottom: 16pt;\\\">Tom McDonnell, of George McDonnell and Sons, who\ncoordinated the ticket effort, explained how it came about. &ldquo;At ASA&rsquo;s July 2007\nmeeting, the members had an open</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><img alt=\\\"David Motes\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/dave-motes.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" /></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin-bottom: 16pt;\\\">discussion about fundraisers and helping in\nthe community.<span>&nbsp; </span>A number of ideas,\nsuch as a canned food drive, which was implemented over the Christmas holidays,\nwere floated Hugh Young of United Rentals suggested helping USO of Missouri.&rdquo;</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\">ASA received a number of emails from military, including the\nfollowing from Major David Motes:</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><!--[endif]--></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\">&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h4>Major David Motes of the 101st AIrborne with Wife Sarah and Daughter Molly at a Cardinals/Twins Game.<br /></h4>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\">&nbsp;</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\">&ldquo;Ms Gillick, Mr.\nFogarty, and Team at the ASA-Midwest Council:</span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]-->I am a Soldier very\nrecently assigned to Scott AFB, IL. &nbsp;Since 2002, I\\\'ve been on four\ndeployments to Afghanistan and Iraq for a total of 40 months. In fact, I just\nreturned six months ago from my latest deployment to Iraq while on assignment\nwith the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air\nAssault).</span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]-->I want to express my\nsincerest gratitude for your organization\\\'s donation of the baseball tickets.\n&nbsp;Despite the loss last night to the Twins, my family and I had a great\ntime! &nbsp;My daughter is just only recently getting into the excitement of\nCardinals baseball. &nbsp;We thoroughly enjoyed every moment of the game, especially when\nwe yelled \\\"charge!\\\" as a family in the hopes that the Redbirds would pull\nout a victory.</span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]-->I\\\'ve attached a\npicture of my family at last night\\\'s game (from left to</span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><!--[endif]--></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\">Again, I want to thank\nyou for the gift of the tickets!</span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><!--[endif]--></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\">Regards,</span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\">Dave Motes\\\"</span></p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:41:\"/images/uploads/features/dave-motes_1.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"63\";}'),(1688,627,2,2,1248073194,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"627\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-19 08:49 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";i:1;s:2:\"63\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:28:\"Construction All Star Heroes\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:28:\"construction_all_star_heroes\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:28:\"Construction All Star Heroes\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:204:\"The All Star game may have made once-in-a-lifetime headlines for St. Louis, but the Midwest Council, American Subcontractors Association, recently put together some lifetime baseball memories of its own. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:29:\"ASA, Cardinals, USO, military\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:3620:\"<p><!--[endif]-->The All Star game may have made once-in-a-lifetime headlines\nfor St. Louis, but the Midwest Council, American Subcontractors Association,\nrecently put together some lifetime baseball memories of its own.</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin-bottom: 16pt;\\\">The ASA was looking for a way to give back to active U.S.\nmilitary in the St. Louis area. The answer: Cardinals Baseball. ASA members donated\n146 tickets with a face value of $9,100.00 to the USO. The average ticket value\nwas over $62 each.&nbsp; One firm also donated food and drink vouchers also\nwith their tickets. Military from Whiteman AFB, Fort Leonard Wood, Scott Air\nForce Base, Springfield Missouri, Sparta IL</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin-bottom: 16pt;\\\">Tom McDonnell, of George McDonnell and Sons, who\ncoordinated the ticket effort, explained how it came about. &ldquo;At ASA&rsquo;s July 2007\nmeeting, the members had an open discussion about fundraisers and helping in\nthe community.<span>&nbsp; </span>A number of ideas,\nsuch as a canned food drive, which was implemented over the Christmas holidays,\nwere floated Hugh Young of United Rentals suggested helping USO of Missouri.&rdquo;</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><img alt=\\\"David Motes\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/features/dave-motes_1.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" /></p>\n<h4>Major David Motes of the 101st Airborne, with Wife Sarah and Daughter Molly at a Cardinals/Twins game.<br /></h4>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\">ASA received a number of emails from military, including the\nfollowing from Major David Motes:</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><!--[endif]--></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\">&nbsp;<span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\">&ldquo;Ms Gillick, Mr.\nFogarty, and Team at the ASA-Midwest Council:</span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]-->I am a Soldier very\nrecently assigned to Scott AFB, IL. &nbsp;Since 2002, I\\\'ve been on four\ndeployments to Afghanistan and Iraq for a total of 40 months. In fact, I just\nreturned six months ago from my latest deployment to Iraq while on assignment\nwith the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air\nAssault).</span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]-->I want to express my\nsincerest gratitude for your organization\\\'s donation of the baseball tickets.\n&nbsp;Despite the loss last night to the Twins, my family and I had a great\ntime! &nbsp;My daughter is just only recently getting into the excitement of\nCardinals baseball. &nbsp;We thoroughly enjoyed every moment of the game, especially when\nwe yelled \\\"charge!\\\" as a family in the hopes that the Redbirds would pull\nout a victory.</span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]-->I\\\'ve attached a\npicture of my family at last night\\\'s game (from left to</span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><!--[endif]--></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\">Again, I want to thank\nyou for the gift of the tickets!</span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><!--[endif]--></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\">Regards,</span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\">Dave Motes\\\"</span></p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:41:\"/images/uploads/features/dave-motes_1.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"63\";}'),(1689,627,2,2,1248073346,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"627\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-19 08:49 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";i:1;s:2:\"63\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:28:\"Construction All Star Heroes\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:28:\"construction_all_star_heroes\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:28:\"Construction All Star Heroes\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:185:\"The All Star game may have made headlines for St. Louis, but the Midwest Council, American Subcontractors Association, recently put together some lifetime baseball memories of its own. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:29:\"ASA, Cardinals, USO, military\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:3601:\"<p><!--[endif]-->The All Star game may have made headlines\nfor St. Louis, but the Midwest Council, American Subcontractors Association,\nrecently put together some lifetime baseball memories of its own.</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin-bottom: 16pt;\\\">The ASA was looking for a way to give back to active U.S.\nmilitary in the St. Louis area. The answer: Cardinals Baseball. ASA members donated\n146 tickets with a face value of $9,100.00 to the USO. The average ticket value\nwas over $62 each.&nbsp; One firm also donated food and drink vouchers also\nwith their tickets. Military from Whiteman AFB, Fort Leonard Wood, Scott Air\nForce Base, Springfield Missouri, Sparta IL</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin-bottom: 16pt;\\\">Tom McDonnell, of George McDonnell and Sons, who\ncoordinated the ticket effort, explained how it came about. &ldquo;At ASA&rsquo;s July 2007\nmeeting, the members had an open discussion about fundraisers and helping in\nthe community.<span>&nbsp; </span>A number of ideas,\nsuch as a canned food drive, which was implemented over the Christmas holidays,\nwere floated Hugh Young of United Rentals suggested helping USO of Missouri.&rdquo;</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><img alt=\\\"David Motes\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/features/dave-motes_1.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" /></p>\n<h4>Major David Motes of the 101st Airborne, with Wife Sarah and Daughter Molly at a Cardinals/Twins game.<br /></h4>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\">ASA received a number of emails from military, including the\nfollowing from Major David Motes:</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><!--[endif]--></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\">&nbsp;<span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\">&ldquo;Ms Gillick, Mr.\nFogarty, and Team at the ASA-Midwest Council:</span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]-->I am a Soldier very\nrecently assigned to Scott AFB, IL. &nbsp;Since 2002, I\\\'ve been on four\ndeployments to Afghanistan and Iraq for a total of 40 months. In fact, I just\nreturned six months ago from my latest deployment to Iraq while on assignment\nwith the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air\nAssault).</span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]-->I want to express my\nsincerest gratitude for your organization\\\'s donation of the baseball tickets.\n&nbsp;Despite the loss last night to the Twins, my family and I had a great\ntime! &nbsp;My daughter is just only recently getting into the excitement of\nCardinals baseball. &nbsp;We thoroughly enjoyed every moment of the game, especially when\nwe yelled \\\"charge!\\\" as a family in the hopes that the Redbirds would pull\nout a victory.</span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]-->I\\\'ve attached a\npicture of my family at last night\\\'s game (from left to</span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><!--[endif]--></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\">Again, I want to thank\nyou for the gift of the tickets!</span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><!--[endif]--></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\">Regards,</span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\">Dave Motes\\\"</span></p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:41:\"/images/uploads/features/dave-motes_1.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"63\";}'),(1690,628,4,2,1248101758,'a:26:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-20 04:53 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"63\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:53:\"S.M. Wilson to Manage $51 Million for Clayton Schools\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:50:\"sm_wilson_to_manage_51_million_for_clayton_schools\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:53:\"S.M. Wilson to Manage $51 Million for Clayton Schools\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:245:\"  S. M. Wilson & Co. has been selected to provide pre-construction and construction management services for a $51 million program of building renovations, expansions and site improvements for the School District of Clayton in Clayton, Missouri. \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:29:\"S.M. Wilson, Clayton, schools\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:2044:\"<p>&nbsp;\n<meta name=\\\"Keywords\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"text/html; charset=utf-8\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Word.Document\\\" name=\\\"ProgId\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Microsoft Word 10\\\" name=\\\"Generator\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Microsoft Word 10\\\" name=\\\"Originator\\\" />\n<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> Normal\n  0\n  0\n  1\n  246\n  1407\n  PGD\n  11\n  2\n  1727\n  10.265 </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> 0\n  0\n  0 </xml><![endif]-->S. M. Wilson &amp; Co. has been selected to provide\npre-construction and construction management services for a $51 million program\nof building renovations, expansions and site improvements for the School\nDistrict of Clayton in Clayton, Missouri.&nbsp;\nThe two-year, multi-phase building program will include improvements to\nClayton High School, Captain Elementary School, Glenridge Elementary School,\nMeramec Elementary School and the Family Center.</p>\n<p>Construction\nis scheduled to begin in August.&nbsp;\nFunding for the program was made possible by the recent passage of Proposition\nS by voters in the School District of Clayton.</p>\n<p>Clayton\nHigh School will receive three new additions, including a three-story\nscience and technology addition consisting of new classrooms and science labs\nand a small two-story addition featuring athletic department space and new\nhealth classrooms.&nbsp; The school\\\'s\ntheater will also be renovated along with renovations to many of the existing\nclassrooms and offices. The project also includes HVAC and building system\nupgrades.</p>\n<p>The\nelementary schools will all receive additional classroom space, as well as\nrepairs and updates to the heating, air conditioning, plumbing and electrical\nsystems.&nbsp;&nbsp; The Family Center\nwill receive additional early childhood education classroom space.</p>\n<p>Architects\ninclude Bond+Wolfe Architects for the high school project and Trivers\nAssociates for the elementary schools and Family Center projects.</p>\n<p>S.\nM. Wilson is currently completing a district-wide school renovation program for\nthe Ladue School District.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"63\";}'),(1691,629,4,2,1248102802,'a:26:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-20 04:59 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"63\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:63:\"AIA Panel Predicts \\\"Significant\\\" Commercial Drop Through 2010\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:59:\"aia_panel_predicts_significant_commercial_drop_through_2010\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:63:\"AIA Panel Predicts \\\"Significant\\\" Commercial Drop Through 2010\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:76:\"The AIA Consensus Panel sees commercial work taking the biggest hit through \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:27:\"AIA, consensus, commericial\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:2681:\"<p>Feeling the effects of the struggling overall U.S. economy, nonresidential construction spending is expected to decrease by 16 percent in 2009 and drop by another almost 12 percent in 2010 in inflation adjusted terms. Commercial projects will see the most significant decrease in activity.&nbsp;&nbsp; In contrast, most institutional building categories are expected to see much more modest declines over this period. These are highlights from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) semi-annual <a href=\\\"http://info.aia.org/aiarchitect/thisweek09/0710/0710b_consensus.cfm\\\">Consensus Construction Forecast</a> , a survey of the nation\\\'s leading construction forecasters. <br />&nbsp;<br />\\\"While there are some indications that the overall economy is beginning to recover, nonresidential construction activity typically lags behind the rest of the economy,\\\" said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. \\\"Commercial facilities such as hotels, retail establishments and offices will feel the decline most dramatically. The institutional market will fare much better as stimulus funding becomes available for education, healthcare and government facilities.\\\" <br />&nbsp;</p>\n<h4>Market Segment Consensus Growth Forecasts <em>(AIA GRAPHIC)</em></h4>\n<p><img alt=\\\"AIA Consensus\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"612\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/aia-consensus.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"493\\\" /><br />&nbsp; <br />&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\\\"This nonresidential downturn is shaping up to be the deepest decline in nonresidential activity in over a generation.\\\" Baker added. \\\"However, we\\\'re beginning to see some moderation in the trends in design billings at architecture firms, so we hopefully are nearing the bottom of this cycle.\\\"&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />&nbsp;<br /><strong>About the AIA Consensus Construction Forecast Panel</strong><br />The AIA Consensus Construction Forecast Panel is conducted twice a year with the leading nonresidential construction forecasters in the United States including, McGraw Hill Construction, Global Insight, Moody\\\'s economy.com, Reed Business Information, the Portland Cement Association, and FMI. The purpose of the Consensus Construction Forecast Panel is to project business conditions in the construction industry over the coming 12 to 18 months. The Consensus Construction Forecast Panel has been conducted for 11 years.<br />&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"63\";}'),(1692,628,4,2,1248102898,'a:27:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"628\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-20 04:53 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"63\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:53:\"S.M. Wilson to Manage $51 Million for Clayton Schools\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:50:\"sm_wilson_to_manage_51_million_for_clayton_schools\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:53:\"S.M. Wilson to Manage $51 Million for Clayton Schools\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:166:\"  S. M. Wilson & Co. has been selected to provide pre-construction and construction management services for a $51 million program for the School District of Clayton. \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:29:\"S.M. Wilson, Clayton, schools\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:2023:\"<p>&nbsp;\n<meta name=\\\"Keywords\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"text/html; charset=utf-8\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Word.Document\\\" name=\\\"ProgId\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Microsoft Word 10\\\" name=\\\"Generator\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Microsoft Word 10\\\" name=\\\"Originator\\\" />\n<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> Normal\n  0\n  0\n  1\n  246\n  1407\n  PGD\n  11\n  2\n  1727\n  10.265 </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> 0\n  0\n  0 </xml><![endif]-->S. M. Wilson &amp; Co. has been selected to provide\npre-construction and construction management services for a $51 million program\nof building renovations, expansions and site improvements for the School\nDistrict of Clayton.&nbsp;\nThe two-year, multi-phase building program will include improvements to\nClayton High School, Captain Elementary School, Glenridge Elementary School,\nMeramec Elementary School and the Family Center.</p>\n<p>Construction\nis scheduled to begin in August.&nbsp;\nFunding for the program was made possible by the recent passage of Proposition\nS by voters in the School District of Clayton.</p>\n<p>Clayton\nHigh School will receive three new additions, including a three-story\nscience and technology addition consisting of new classrooms and science labs\nand a small two-story addition featuring athletic department space and new\nhealth classrooms.&nbsp; The school\\\'s\ntheater will also be renovated along with renovations to many of the existing\nclassrooms and offices. The project also includes HVAC and building system\nupgrades.</p>\n<p>The\nelementary schools will all receive additional classroom space, as well as\nrepairs and updates to the heating, air conditioning, plumbing and electrical\nsystems.&nbsp;&nbsp; The Family Center\nwill receive additional early childhood education classroom space.</p>\n<p>Architects\ninclude Bond+Wolfe Architects for the high school project and Trivers\nAssociates for the elementary schools and Family Center projects.</p>\n<p>S.\nM. Wilson is currently completing a district-wide school renovation program for\nthe Ladue School District.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"63\";}'),(1693,628,4,2,1248102947,'a:27:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"628\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-20 04:53 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"63\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:53:\"S.M. Wilson to Manage $51 Million for Clayton Schools\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:50:\"sm_wilson_to_manage_51_million_for_clayton_schools\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:53:\"S.M. Wilson to Manage $51 Million for Clayton Schools\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:121:\"  S. M. Wilson & Co. has been selected to provide services for a $51 million program for the School District of Clayton. \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:29:\"S.M. Wilson, Clayton, schools\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:2023:\"<p>&nbsp;\n<meta name=\\\"Keywords\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"text/html; charset=utf-8\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Word.Document\\\" name=\\\"ProgId\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Microsoft Word 10\\\" name=\\\"Generator\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Microsoft Word 10\\\" name=\\\"Originator\\\" />\n<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> Normal\n  0\n  0\n  1\n  246\n  1407\n  PGD\n  11\n  2\n  1727\n  10.265 </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> 0\n  0\n  0 </xml><![endif]-->S. M. Wilson &amp; Co. has been selected to provide\npre-construction and construction management services for a $51 million program\nof building renovations, expansions and site improvements for the School\nDistrict of Clayton.&nbsp;\nThe two-year, multi-phase building program will include improvements to\nClayton High School, Captain Elementary School, Glenridge Elementary School,\nMeramec Elementary School and the Family Center.</p>\n<p>Construction\nis scheduled to begin in August.&nbsp;\nFunding for the program was made possible by the recent passage of Proposition\nS by voters in the School District of Clayton.</p>\n<p>Clayton\nHigh School will receive three new additions, including a three-story\nscience and technology addition consisting of new classrooms and science labs\nand a small two-story addition featuring athletic department space and new\nhealth classrooms.&nbsp; The school\\\'s\ntheater will also be renovated along with renovations to many of the existing\nclassrooms and offices. The project also includes HVAC and building system\nupgrades.</p>\n<p>The\nelementary schools will all receive additional classroom space, as well as\nrepairs and updates to the heating, air conditioning, plumbing and electrical\nsystems.&nbsp;&nbsp; The Family Center\nwill receive additional early childhood education classroom space.</p>\n<p>Architects\ninclude Bond+Wolfe Architects for the high school project and Trivers\nAssociates for the elementary schools and Family Center projects.</p>\n<p>S.\nM. Wilson is currently completing a district-wide school renovation program for\nthe Ladue School District.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"63\";}'),(1694,630,4,2,1248103538,'a:26:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-20 05:21 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"7\";i:1;s:2:\"63\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:60:\"Kwame\\\'s Thompson Elected to  SLCC Foundation Exec Committee\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:57:\"kwames_thompson_elected_to_slcc_foundation_exec_committee\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:60:\"Kwame\\\'s Thompson Elected to  SLCC Foundation Exec Committee\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:119:\"Tony Thompson, president of Kwame, has been elected to the St. Louis Community College Foundation executive committee. \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:44:\"Thompson, Kwame, St. Louis Community College\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:1003:\"<p>Tony Thompson, president of <a href=\\\"http://www.kwamebuildinggroup.com \\\">Kwame Building Group</a> of St. Louis, has been elected to the executive committee of the St. Louis Community College Foundation board of directors for fiscal year 2009/2010.<br /><br />The St. Louis Community College Foundation advances the college&rsquo;s educational mission by soliciting and administering funds for college scholarships, programs, capital projects and endowment.<br /><br />Kwame Building Group is a pure program and construction management firm providing estimating, scheduling, project planning, value engineering and other project management services as an independent advocate for owners and developers.&nbsp; Public and private sector projects include educational facilities, major airports nationwide, light-rail systems, hospitals and government facilities.&nbsp; KWAME is headquartered in St. Louis with division offices in Dallas, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, Pittsburgh and Seattle.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"7\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"63\";}'),(1695,631,4,2,1248104193,'a:26:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-20 05:30 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"6\";i:1;s:2:\"63\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:44:\"Suttle Mindlin Published in Turkish Magazine\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:44:\"suttle_mindlin_published_in_turkish_magazine\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:44:\"Suttle Mindlin Published in Turkish Magazine\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:113:\"Tasarim magazine, a Turkish design publication, featured Suttle Mindlin in a recent shopping malls themed issue. \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:23:\"Suttle Mindlin, Turkish\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:1096:\"<p>Tasarim magazine, a Turkish design publication, featured <a href=\\\"ttp://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102629139363&amp;s=459&amp;e=001DRpQobs5JlWjmZYytKOD0Jat3G63vzT6_qhUgU92Hww6JPF6Xr01dD_uiPpRXm2aGePxKTChcBr4CibbWxoaQka_nycoSXeB9jxfL5GrVXsEaK2q_ZqEIw==&gt;\\\">Suttle Mindlin</a> in a recent shopping malls themed issue.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>The Suttle Mindlin project, Dolce Vita Porto, is a&nbsp; 2 million square foot urban&nbsp; revitalization project comprising retail, entertainment, residential and <br />hotel in the city of Porto, Portugal.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>Suttle Mindlin provided full services, including design and construction documents and managing a team of professionals <br />on two continents and six cities.&nbsp;&nbsp; Dolce Vita Porto has been widely&nbsp; published, has won several international design awards, and is a strong <br />commercial and cultural success, Suttle Mindlin said. <br /><a href=\\\"http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102629139363&amp;s=459&amp;e=001DRpQobs5JlWjmZYytKOD0Jat3G63vzT6_qhUgU92Hww6JPF6Xr01dD_uiPpRXm2aGePxKTChcBr4CibbWxoaQka_nycoSXeB9jxfL5GrVXsEaK2q_ZqEIw==\\\"></a></p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"6\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"63\";}'),(1696,632,4,2,1248129039,'a:26:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-20 12:20 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"63\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:45:\"Funeral Services Held for Clayco\\\'s Greg Beck\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:43:\"funeral_services_held_for_claycos_greg_beck\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:45:\"Funeral Services Held for Clayco\\\'s Greg Beck\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:66:\"Funeral services were held today (Monday, July 20) for Greg Beck, \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:15:\"Beck, died, CFO\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:1440:\"<p>Funeral services were held today (Monday, July 20) for Greg Beck, CFO and senior vice president at <a class=\\\"story_clink\\\" href=\\\"http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/related_content.html?topic=Clayco\\\">Clayco</a>.</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Greg Beck\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"126\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/beck.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"117\\\" />Beck died July 16 of injuries suffered when he was struck by a car July 15 while running near his Chesterfield home.</p>\n<p>Beck joined Clayco in 2006 and was a partner in the Overland-based development and construction firm.</p>\n<p>Prior to joining Clayco, Beck was CFO at <a class=\\\"story_clink\\\" href=\\\"http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/related_content.html?topic=HBE%20Corp\\\">HBE Corp.</a> in St. Louis County.</p>\n<p>Beck is survived by his wife of 27 years, Marianne, and three children, David, Emily and Steven.</p>\n<p><img src=\\\"file:///Users/tom/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/moz-screenshot.png\\\" /></p>\n<p><img src=\\\"file:///Users/tom/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/moz-screenshot-1.png\\\" /></p>\n<p>Mike Murphy, CFO at Clayco prior to his retirement in\n2005, is returning as interim CFO of Clayco effective immediately.</p>\n<p>&ldquo;Greg was a great family man, athlete, friend, partner and best co-worker we could ask for&rdquo; a Clayco spokesperson said.</p>\n<p>Memorial tributes should be sent to Friends of KIDS with Cancer, 530 Maryville Centre Drive (63141)<br /></p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"63\";}'),(1697,626,5,2,1248129944,'a:27:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"5\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"626\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-19 07:53 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"11\";i:1;s:2:\"63\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"5\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Hot Rod Heart\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:13:\"hot_rod_heart\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_20\";s:13:\"Hot Rod Heart\";s:11:\"field_ft_20\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_25\";s:1:\"4\";s:11:\"field_id_45\";s:203:\"On June 15th, a black Monday morning with rain coming down so hard that it sloshed into my shoes, I followed a large and diverse crowd into the Shrine of St. Joseph, just north of the Convention Center. \";s:11:\"field_ft_45\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_22\";s:38:\"Arteaga, Wayne, Willys, Geezer Gassers\";s:11:\"field_ft_22\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_23\";s:5810:\"<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\">&ldquo;Ooh, let\\\'s go ridin\\\'<br />Cruisin\\\' down the open road<br />We can put the top down<br />Listen to the radio<br />Big ol\\\' Buick<br />And a big ol\\\' sky<br />Wheels on fire<br />And I\\\'ll tell you why<br />I got a hot rod heart.&rdquo;</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\">From <em>Hot Rod Heart </em><span style=\\\"font-style: normal;\\\">by John Fogerty</span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\">On June 15<sup>th</sup>,\na black Monda<img alt=\\\"Wayne Arteaga car\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"201\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/arteaga-car.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"300\\\" />y morning with rain coming down so hard that it sloshed\ninto my shoes, I followed a large and diverse crowd into the Shrine of\nSt. Joseph,<span> </span>just north of the Convention Center.</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\">There were men in suits, women in pearls and other folks in dressy casual. Then there were the guys in the &ldquo;<a href=\\\"http://www.geezergassers.com/\\\">Geezer Gassers</a>&rdquo; T-shirts.</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\">I was attending the memorial service for Wayne Arteaga.<span> </span>Wayne was the &ldquo;quiet&rdquo; Arteaga<span> </span>&ndash; and that was saying a lot.<span> </span>Robert\nWayne Arteaga was the son of Robert &ldquo;Bob&rdquo; Arteaga, brother of Eldon\nArteaga, and uncle of Bradley Arteaga of Arteaga Studios.<span> </span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\">The\nArteagas have been intertwined in the history of St. Louis and the\nbuilding industry here for almost three-quarters of a century. Bob\nbegan by working for others, photographing legendary celebrities such\nas Charles Lindbergh and Babe Ruth. Then the Arteagas received a\ncommission to photograph the Arch&rsquo;s construction. The assignment was to\nshoot once a month, but instead the Arteagas shot thousands of photos,\ncreating an unprecedented record of the construction of a national\nmonument.</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\">The\nArteagas have been passionate advocates for St. Louis, and particularly\nfor Downtown. On the wall of Arteaga Studios at the corner of Brannon\nand Delor is a sign from their old studio, which was located from 1946\nto 1953 on what is now part of the Arch Grounds. The &ldquo;A&rdquo; in Arteaga is\nan Arch, which is really strange when you consider that the design for\nthe Arch had not even been conceived at that time.</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\">The\nArch photography was a defining moment for the Arteagas. Eldon, Wayne,\nand Bradley have become familiar figures at industry events, and for\ntheir documentation of the construction in St. Louis.<span> </span>The breathtaking restoration of the Shrine of St. Joseph was an Arteaga family mission.<span> </span>Sitting in the church on June 15 I couldn&rsquo;t believe it was the same pigeon-infested disaster they&rsquo;d shown me before work began.</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\">Bob\nArteaga was a walking dichotomy, profane in one breath and deeply\nspiritual in the next, but always passionate. Eldon is everybody&rsquo;s best\nfriend, always good for a bad joke. I&rsquo;ve never had a conversation with\nhim that lasted less than half an hour. Eldon&rsquo;s son Bradley is the\nconsummate businessman/entrepreneur &shy;&ndash; outgoing, smart, and direct.</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\">\n<meta content=\\\"text/html; charset=utf-8\\\" />\nThen\nthere was Wayne. Wayne could be funny with a dry wit that could be\nhysterical at times. But mostly he was quiet in counterbalance to the\nalmost manic enthusiasm of Bob and Eldon. He was devoted to his wife\nBernie and daughter Chris. Wayne could almost seem boring&hellip; until you\nsaw his cars. When I met Wayne he was driving a lime green Willys that\nhe&rsquo;d converted into a pickup truck.</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\">Wayne\nbecame legendary in drag racing circles for his maroon 1939 Willys with\na blown 360-inch Chrysler Hemi engine. Wayne and his friend John\nHellmuth blew up engines and had fun through the 1960s. Eventually\nWayne&rsquo;s daughter Chris caught the bug. Wayne converted the green truck\ninto a racer and painted it blue for her.</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\">Wayne\nis legendary in hot rod/drag racing circles, as a Google search of his\nname quickly reveals. Brad Arteaga told me that a couple of weeks\nbefore his uncle died there was a get-together of the old gasser racers\nthat Wayne attended. &ldquo;Some young guys were in awe. They were asking him\nto sign their dashboards,&rdquo; Brad said.</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\">In\nhis own way, Wayne Arteaga was just as passionate as his more\nvociferous dad, brother, and nephew. But it isn&rsquo;t his passion for\npre-WWII Willys that I&rsquo;ll remember him for. When I think of Wayne I\nrecall his devotion to his family and friends, his steadiness in a\ncrisis and the grace that he gave me in some of my less graceful\nmoments.</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--></p>\n<p>As John Fogerty would say, Wayne Arteaga had a hot rod heart.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"11\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"63\";}'),(1698,632,4,2,1248133647,'a:27:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"632\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-20 12:20 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"63\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:45:\"Funeral Services Held for Clayco\\\'s Greg Beck\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:43:\"funeral_services_held_for_claycos_greg_beck\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:45:\"Funeral Services Held for Clayco\\\'s Greg Beck\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:66:\"Funeral services were held today (Monday, July 20) for Greg Beck, \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:15:\"Beck, died, CFO\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:1290:\"<p>Funeral services were held today (Monday, July 20) for Greg Beck, CFO and senior vice president at <a class=\\\"story_clink\\\" href=\\\"http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/related_content.html?topic=Clayco\\\">Clayco</a>.</p>\n<p>Beck died July 16 of injuries suffered when he was struck by a car July 15 while running near his Chesterfield home.</p>\n<p>Beck joined Clayco in 2006 and was a partner in the Overland-based development and construction firm.</p>\n<p>Prior to joining Clayco, Beck was CFO at <a class=\\\"story_clink\\\" href=\\\"http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/related_content.html?topic=HBE%20Corp\\\">HBE Corp.</a> in St. Louis County.</p>\n<p>Beck is survived by his wife of 27 years, Marianne, and three children, David, Emily and Steven.</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Greg Beck\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"228\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/beck_1.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"175\\\" /></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>Mike Murphy, CFO at Clayco prior to his retirement in\n2005, is returning as interim CFO of Clayco effective immediately.</p>\n<p>&ldquo;Greg was a great family man, athlete, friend, partner and best co-worker we could ask for&rdquo; a Clayco spokesperson said.</p>\n<p>Memorial tributes should be sent to Friends of KIDS with Cancer, 530 Maryville Centre Drive (63141)</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"63\";}'),(1699,633,10,2,1248159903,'a:31:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:2:\"10\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-20 09:01 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:2:\"10\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:35:\"Midwest Council ASA Golf Tournament\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:35:\"midwest_council_asa_golf_tournament\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_58\";s:35:\"Midwest Council ASA Golf Tournament\";s:11:\"field_ft_58\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_62\";s:95:\"Midwest Council American Subcontractors Association 22nd annual tournament, dinner and auction.\";s:11:\"field_ft_62\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_59\";s:18:\"ASA, golf, Norwood\";s:11:\"field_ft_59\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_63\";s:25:\"Norwood Hils Country Club\";s:11:\"field_ft_63\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_57\";s:19:\"1969-12-31 01:00 PM\";s:15:\"field_offset_57\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_56\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_56\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_55\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_55\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_60\";s:2759:\"<p>&nbsp;<br />AMERICAN SUBCONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION <br />22nd Annual Golf Tournament, Dinner and Auction <br />Monday, September 14, 2009&nbsp; <br />Norwood Hills Country Club <br />&nbsp;<br />GOLF ON THE EAST AND WEST COURSES <br />&nbsp;<br />Schedule: <br />10:30 a.m. Registration <br />11:30 a.m. Shotgun Start-4 Person Scramble <br />&nbsp;Box Lunch on Course <br />4:30 p.m. Open Bar-Silent Auction Open <br />5:30 p.m. Live Auction, Awards Presentation <br />6:30 p.m. Dinner <br />&nbsp;<br />$245 Entry Fee Includes: $60 Fee For Non-Golfers Includes:&nbsp;</p>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n<li> Tournament Greens Fees and Cart â— Cocktail Party (Open Premium Bar) </li>\n<li> Box Lunch on Course â— Awards Dinner </li>\n<li> Course Beverages â— Silent and Exciting Live Auction </li>\n<li> Cocktail Party (Open Premium Bar) </li>\n<li> Awards Dinner </li>\n<li> Trophies and Attendance Gifts </li>\n<li> Silent and Exciting Live Auction </li>\n</ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<br />RESERVATIONS ARE LIMITED AND DUE BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1, 2009. <br />&nbsp;<br />Additional Options:&nbsp; (We recommend you pre-pay for these with your registration.)</p>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n<li> Skins Game $40 Per Team </li>\n<li> Mulligans $10 Each, Limit 2 Per Person. Mulligans are extra shots. Captains for each </li>\n</ul>\n<p>foursome will keep track of Mulligans.</p>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n<li> Eagle Challenge $40 Per Team. Golfer who putts/hits the Eagle shot wins $100. </li>\n</ul>\n<p>Sponsored by BAZAN Painting Company.</p>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n<li> Putting Contest $20 Per Team </li>\n<li> Shoot-Out Buy In $20 Per Person. No pre-qualifying on course. Buy in only. Limited to 50. </li>\n</ul>\n<p>135 Yards.&nbsp; Hole-In-One collects $10,000 cash. <br />Sponsored by Freeman Contracting and Metzger-McGuire. <br />&nbsp;<br />Hole-In-One Prizes: Other Prizes: <br />$10,000 Cash Prizes for Closest to the Hole on All Par 3\\\'s <br />2010 Ford Mustang Convertibles Prizes for Longest Drive <br />Round Trip Airline Tickets for Two Prizes &amp; Trophies Awarded to Winning Teams <br />Premium Electronics Package Attendance Gifts <br />Premium Golf Package&nbsp; <br />&nbsp;<br />Norwood Dress Policy: <br />1. All shorts must measure within 4 inches above the knee. <br />2. Blue jeans of any kind, cut-off shorts, or gym shorts are not permitted. <br />3. Collared shirts for men are required, sleeveless shirts are not permitted.&nbsp; Halter tops for ladies are <br />not permitted. <br />4. Spikeless golf shoes or tennis shoes only are permitted.&nbsp; Spike changing stations are available for <br />your convenience. <br />&nbsp;<br />P.O. Box 270&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Union, MO 63084&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 314.214.1664 Fax 314.214.1665</p>\";}'),(1700,633,10,2,1248159991,'a:31:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:2:\"10\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"633\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-20 09:01 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:2:\"10\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:35:\"Midwest Council ASA Golf Tournament\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:35:\"midwest_council_asa_golf_tournament\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_58\";s:35:\"Midwest Council ASA Golf Tournament\";s:11:\"field_ft_58\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_62\";s:95:\"Midwest Council American Subcontractors Association 22nd annual tournament, dinner and auction.\";s:11:\"field_ft_62\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_59\";s:18:\"ASA, golf, Norwood\";s:11:\"field_ft_59\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_63\";s:25:\"Norwood Hils Country Club\";s:11:\"field_ft_63\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_57\";s:19:\"2009-09-14 01:00 PM\";s:15:\"field_offset_57\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_56\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_56\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_55\";s:23:\"10:30 a.m. registration\";s:11:\"field_ft_55\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_60\";s:2759:\"<p>&nbsp;<br />AMERICAN SUBCONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION <br />22nd Annual Golf Tournament, Dinner and Auction <br />Monday, September 14, 2009&nbsp; <br />Norwood Hills Country Club <br />&nbsp;<br />GOLF ON THE EAST AND WEST COURSES <br />&nbsp;<br />Schedule: <br />10:30 a.m. Registration <br />11:30 a.m. Shotgun Start-4 Person Scramble <br />&nbsp;Box Lunch on Course <br />4:30 p.m. Open Bar-Silent Auction Open <br />5:30 p.m. Live Auction, Awards Presentation <br />6:30 p.m. Dinner <br />&nbsp;<br />$245 Entry Fee Includes: $60 Fee For Non-Golfers Includes:&nbsp;</p>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n<li> Tournament Greens Fees and Cart â— Cocktail Party (Open Premium Bar) </li>\n<li> Box Lunch on Course â— Awards Dinner </li>\n<li> Course Beverages â— Silent and Exciting Live Auction </li>\n<li> Cocktail Party (Open Premium Bar) </li>\n<li> Awards Dinner </li>\n<li> Trophies and Attendance Gifts </li>\n<li> Silent and Exciting Live Auction </li>\n</ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<br />RESERVATIONS ARE LIMITED AND DUE BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1, 2009. <br />&nbsp;<br />Additional Options:&nbsp; (We recommend you pre-pay for these with your registration.)</p>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n<li> Skins Game $40 Per Team </li>\n<li> Mulligans $10 Each, Limit 2 Per Person. Mulligans are extra shots. Captains for each </li>\n</ul>\n<p>foursome will keep track of Mulligans.</p>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n<li> Eagle Challenge $40 Per Team. Golfer who putts/hits the Eagle shot wins $100. </li>\n</ul>\n<p>Sponsored by BAZAN Painting Company.</p>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n<li> Putting Contest $20 Per Team </li>\n<li> Shoot-Out Buy In $20 Per Person. No pre-qualifying on course. Buy in only. Limited to 50. </li>\n</ul>\n<p>135 Yards.&nbsp; Hole-In-One collects $10,000 cash. <br />Sponsored by Freeman Contracting and Metzger-McGuire. <br />&nbsp;<br />Hole-In-One Prizes: Other Prizes: <br />$10,000 Cash Prizes for Closest to the Hole on All Par 3\\\'s <br />2010 Ford Mustang Convertibles Prizes for Longest Drive <br />Round Trip Airline Tickets for Two Prizes &amp; Trophies Awarded to Winning Teams <br />Premium Electronics Package Attendance Gifts <br />Premium Golf Package&nbsp; <br />&nbsp;<br />Norwood Dress Policy: <br />1. All shorts must measure within 4 inches above the knee. <br />2. Blue jeans of any kind, cut-off shorts, or gym shorts are not permitted. <br />3. Collared shirts for men are required, sleeveless shirts are not permitted.&nbsp; Halter tops for ladies are <br />not permitted. <br />4. Spikeless golf shoes or tennis shoes only are permitted.&nbsp; Spike changing stations are available for <br />your convenience. <br />&nbsp;<br />P.O. Box 270&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Union, MO 63084&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 314.214.1664 Fax 314.214.1665</p>\";}'),(1701,633,10,2,1248160188,'a:31:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:2:\"10\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"633\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-20 09:01 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:2:\"10\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:35:\"Midwest Council ASA Golf Tournament\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:35:\"midwest_council_asa_golf_tournament\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_58\";s:35:\"Midwest Council ASA Golf Tournament\";s:11:\"field_ft_58\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_62\";s:95:\"Midwest Council American Subcontractors Association 22nd annual tournament, dinner and auction.\";s:11:\"field_ft_62\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_59\";s:18:\"ASA, golf, Norwood\";s:11:\"field_ft_59\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_63\";s:25:\"Norwood Hils Country Club\";s:11:\"field_ft_63\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_57\";s:19:\"2009-09-14 01:00 PM\";s:15:\"field_offset_57\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_56\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_56\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_55\";s:23:\"10:30 a.m. registration\";s:11:\"field_ft_55\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_60\";s:2801:\"<p>&nbsp;<br />AMERICAN SUBCONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION <br />22nd Annual Golf Tournament, Dinner and Auction <br />Monday, September 14, 2009&nbsp; <br />Norwood Hills Country Club <br />&nbsp;<br />GOLF ON THE EAST AND WEST COURSES <br />&nbsp;<br />Schedule: <br />10:30 a.m. Registration <br />11:30 a.m. Shotgun Start-4 Person Scramble <br />&nbsp;Box Lunch on Course <br />4:30 p.m. Open Bar-Silent Auction Open <br />5:30 p.m. Live Auction, Awards Presentation <br />6:30 p.m. Dinner <br />&nbsp;<br />$245 Entry Fee Includes: $60 Fee For Non-Golfers Includes:&nbsp;</p>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n<li> Tournament Greens Fees and Cart&nbsp; <br /></li>\n<li>Cocktail Party (Open Premium Bar) </li>\n<li> Box Lunch on Course <br /></li>\n<li>Awards Dinner </li>\n<li> Course Beverages <br /></li>\n<li>Silent and Exciting Live Auction </li>\n<li> Cocktail Party (Open Premium Bar) </li>\n<li> Awards Dinner </li>\n<li> Trophies and Attendance Gifts </li>\n<li> Silent and Exciting Live Auction </li>\n</ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<br />RESERVATIONS ARE LIMITED AND DUE BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1, 2009. <br />&nbsp;<br />Additional Options:&nbsp; (We recommend you pre-pay for these with your registration.)</p>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n<li> Skins Game $40 Per Team </li>\n<li> Mulligans $10 Each, Limit 2 Per Person. Mulligans are extra shots. Captains for each </li>\n</ul>\n<p>foursome will keep track of Mulligans.</p>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n<li> Eagle Challenge $40 Per Team. Golfer who putts/hits the Eagle shot wins $100. </li>\n</ul>\n<p>Sponsored by BAZAN Painting Company.</p>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n<li> Putting Contest $20 Per Team </li>\n<li> Shoot-Out Buy In $20 Per Person. No pre-qualifying on course. Buy in only. Limited to 50. </li>\n</ul>\n<p>135 Yards.&nbsp; Hole-In-One collects $10,000 cash. <br />Sponsored by Freeman Contracting and Metzger-McGuire. <br />&nbsp;<br />Hole-In-One Prizes: Other Prizes: <br />$10,000 Cash Prizes for Closest to the Hole on All Par 3\\\'s <br />2010 Ford Mustang Convertibles Prizes for Longest Drive <br />Round Trip Airline Tickets for Two Prizes &amp; Trophies Awarded to Winning Teams <br />Premium Electronics Package Attendance Gifts <br />Premium Golf Package&nbsp; <br />&nbsp;<br />Norwood Dress Policy: <br />1. All shorts must measure within 4 inches above the knee. <br />2. Blue jeans of any kind, cut-off shorts, or gym shorts are not permitted. <br />3. Collared shirts for men are required, sleeveless shirts are not permitted.&nbsp; Halter tops for ladies are <br />not permitted. <br />4. Spikeless golf shoes or tennis shoes only are permitted.&nbsp; Spike changing stations are available for <br />your convenience. <br />&nbsp;<br />P.O. Box 270&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Union, MO 63084&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 314.214.1664 Fax 314.214.1665</p>\";}'),(1702,634,11,2,1248426067,'a:20:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:2:\"11\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-23 10:59 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:2:\"11\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:13:\"Donna Miranda\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:13:\"donna_miranda\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_64\";s:13:\"Donna Miranda\";s:11:\"field_ft_64\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_66\";s:108:\"<p><img height=\\\"241\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/donna-miranda.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"200\\\" /></p>\";s:11:\"field_id_67\";s:0:\"\";}'),(1703,627,2,2,1248452535,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"627\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-19 08:49 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";i:1;s:2:\"63\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:28:\"Construction All Star Heroes\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:28:\"construction_all_star_heroes\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:28:\"Construction All Star Heroes\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:185:\"The All Star game may have made headlines for St. Louis, but the Midwest Council, American Subcontractors Association, recently put together some lifetime baseball memories of its own. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:29:\"ASA, Cardinals, USO, military\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:3650:\"<p><!--[endif]-->The All Star game may have made headlines\nfor St. Louis, but the Midwest Council, American Subcontractors Association,\nrecently put together some lifetime baseball memories of its own.</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin-bottom: 16pt;\\\">The ASA was looking for a way to give back to active U.S.\nmilitary in the St. Louis area. The answer: Cardinals Baseball. ASA members donated\n146 tickets with a face value of $9,100.00 to the USO. The average ticket value\nwas over $62 each.&nbsp; One firm also donated food and drink vouchers also\nwith their tickets. Military from Whiteman AFB, Fort Leonard Wood, Scott Air\nForce Base, Springfield Missouri, Sparta IL</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin-bottom: 16pt;\\\">Tom McDonnell, of George McDonnell and Sons, who\ncoordinated the ticket effort, explained how it came about. &ldquo;At ASA&rsquo;s July 2007\nmeeting, the members had an open discussion about fundraisers and helping in\nthe community.<span>&nbsp; </span>A number of ideas,\nsuch as a canned food drive, which was implemented over the Christmas holidays,\nwere floated. Hugh Young of United Rentals suggested helping USO of Missouri.&rdquo;</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><img alt=\\\"David Motes\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/features/dave-motes_1.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" /></p>\n<h4>Major David Motes of the 101st Airborne, with Wife Sarah and Daughter Molly at a Cardinals/Twins game.<br /></h4>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><!--[endif]--></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\">ASA received a number of emails from military, including the\nfollowing from Major David Motes: <em><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\">&ldquo;Ms Gillick, Mr.\nFogarty, and Team at the ASA-Midwest Council:</span></em></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><em><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]-->I am a Soldier very\nrecently assigned to Scott AFB, IL. &nbsp;Since 2002, I\\\'ve been on four\ndeployments to Afghanistan and Iraq for a total of 40 months. In fact, I just\nreturned six months ago from my latest deployment to Iraq while on assignment\nwith the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air\nAssault).</span></em></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><em><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]-->I want to express my\nsincerest gratitude for your organization\\\'s donation of the baseball tickets.\n&nbsp;Despite the loss last night to the Twins, my family and I had a great\ntime! &nbsp;My daughter is just only recently getting into the excitement of\nCardinals baseball. &nbsp;We thoroughly enjoyed every moment of the game, especially when\nwe yelled \\\"charge!\\\" as a family in the hopes that the Redbirds would pull\nout a victory.</span></em></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><em><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]-->I\\\'ve attached a\npicture of my family at last night\\\'s game (from left to</span></em></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><em><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><!--[endif]--></span></em></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><em><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\">Again, I want to thank\nyou for the gift of the tickets!</span></em></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><em><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><!--[endif]--></span></em></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><em><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\">Regards,</span></em></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><em><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\">Dave Motes\\\"</span></em></p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:41:\"/images/uploads/features/dave-motes_1.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"63\";}'),(1704,627,2,2,1248456246,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"627\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-19 08:49 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";i:1;s:2:\"63\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:28:\"Construction All Star Heroes\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:28:\"construction_all_star_heroes\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:28:\"Construction All Star Heroes\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:185:\"The All Star game may have made headlines for St. Louis, but the Midwest Council, American Subcontractors Association, recently put together some lifetime baseball memories of its own. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:29:\"ASA, Cardinals, USO, military\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:3647:\"<p><!--[endif]-->The All Star game may have made headlines\nfor St. Louis, but the Midwest Council, American Subcontractors Association,\nrecently put together some lifetime baseball memories of its own.</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin-bottom: 16pt;\\\">The ASA was looking for a way to give back to active U.S.\nmilitary in the St. Louis area. The answer: Cardinals Baseball. ASA members donated\n146 tickets with a face value of $9,100 to the USO. The average ticket value\nwas over $62 each.&nbsp; One firm also donated food and drink vouchers also\nwith their tickets. Military from Whiteman AFB, Fort Leonard Wood, Scott Air\nForce Base, Springfield Missouri, Sparta IL</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin-bottom: 16pt;\\\">Tom McDonnell, of George McDonnell and Sons, who\ncoordinated the ticket effort, explained how it came about. &ldquo;At ASA&rsquo;s July 2007\nmeeting, the members had an open discussion about fundraisers and helping in\nthe community.<span>&nbsp; </span>A number of ideas,\nsuch as a canned food drive, which was implemented over the Christmas holidays,\nwere floated. Hugh Young of United Rentals suggested helping USO of Missouri.&rdquo;</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><img alt=\\\"David Motes\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/features/dave-motes_1.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" /></p>\n<h4>Major David Motes of the 101st Airborne, with Wife Sarah and Daughter Molly at a Cardinals/Twins game.<br /></h4>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><!--[endif]--></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\">ASA received a number of emails from military, including the\nfollowing from Major David Motes: <em><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\">&ldquo;Ms Gillick, Mr.\nFogarty, and Team at the ASA-Midwest Council:</span></em></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><em><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]-->I am a Soldier very\nrecently assigned to Scott AFB, IL. &nbsp;Since 2002, I\\\'ve been on four\ndeployments to Afghanistan and Iraq for a total of 40 months. In fact, I just\nreturned six months ago from my latest deployment to Iraq while on assignment\nwith the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air\nAssault).</span></em></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><em><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]-->I want to express my\nsincerest gratitude for your organization\\\'s donation of the baseball tickets.\n&nbsp;Despite the loss last night to the Twins, my family and I had a great\ntime! &nbsp;My daughter is just only recently getting into the excitement of\nCardinals baseball. &nbsp;We thoroughly enjoyed every moment of the game, especially when\nwe yelled \\\"charge!\\\" as a family in the hopes that the Redbirds would pull\nout a victory.</span></em></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><em><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]-->I\\\'ve attached a\npicture of my family at last night\\\'s game (from left to</span></em></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><em><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><!--[endif]--></span></em></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><em><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\">Again, I want to thank\nyou for the gift of the tickets!</span></em></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><em><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><!--[endif]--></span></em></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><em><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\">Regards,</span></em></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><em><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\">Dave Motes\\\"</span></em></p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:41:\"/images/uploads/features/dave-motes_1.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"63\";}'),(1705,627,2,2,1248456362,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"627\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-19 08:49 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";i:1;s:2:\"63\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:28:\"Construction All Star Heroes\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:28:\"construction_all_star_heroes\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:28:\"Construction All Star Heroes\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:185:\"The All Star game may have made headlines for St. Louis, but the Midwest Council, American Subcontractors Association, recently put together some lifetime baseball memories of its own. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:29:\"ASA, Cardinals, USO, military\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:3634:\"<p><!--[endif]-->The All Star game may have made headlines\nfor St. Louis, but the Midwest Council, American Subcontractors Association,\nrecently put together some lifetime baseball memories of its own.</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin-bottom: 16pt;\\\">The ASA was looking for a way to give back to active U.S.\nmilitary in the St. Louis area. The answer: Cardinals Baseball. ASA members donated\n146 tickets with a face value of $9,100 to the USO. The average ticket value\nwas over $62 each.&nbsp; One firm also donated food and drink vouchers also\nwith their tickets. Military from Whiteman AFB, Fort Leonard Wood, Scott Air\nForce Base, Springfield Missouri, Sparta IL</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin-bottom: 16pt;\\\">Tom McDonnell, of George McDonnell and Sons, who\ncoordinated the ticket effort, explained how it came about. &ldquo;At ASA&rsquo;s July 2007\nmeeting, the members had an open discussion about fundraisers and helping in\nthe community.<span>&nbsp; </span>A number of ideas,\nsuch as a canned food drive, which was implemented over the Christmas holidays,\nwere floated. Hugh Young of United Rentals suggested helping USO of Missouri.&rdquo;</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><img alt=\\\"David Motes\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/features/dave-motes_1.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" /></p>\n<h4>Major David Motes of the 101st Airborne, with Wife Sarah and Daughter Molly at a Cardinals/Twins game.<br /></h4>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><!--[endif]--></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\">ASA received a number of emails from military, including the\nfollowing from Major David Motes: <em><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\">&ldquo;Ms Gillick, Mr.\nFogarty, and Team at the ASA-Midwest Council:</span></em></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><em><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]-->I am a Soldier very\nrecently assigned to Scott AFB, IL. &nbsp;Since 2002, I\\\'ve been on four\ndeployments to Afghanistan and Iraq for a total of 40 months. In fact, I just\nreturned six months ago from my latest deployment to Iraq while on assignment\nwith the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air\nAssault).</span></em></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><em><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]-->I want to express my\nsincerest gratitude for your organization\\\'s donation of the baseball tickets.\n&nbsp;Despite the loss last night to the Twins, my family and I had a great\ntime! &nbsp;My daughter is just only recently getting into the excitement of\nCardinals baseball. &nbsp;We thoroughly enjoyed every moment of the game, especially when\nwe yelled \\\"charge!\\\" as a family in the hopes that the Redbirds would pull\nout a victory.</span></em></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><em><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]-->I\\\'ve attached a\npicture of my family at last night\\\'s game.</span></em></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><em><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><!--[endif]--></span></em></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><em><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\">Again, I want to thank\nyou for the gift of the tickets!</span></em></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><em><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><!--[endif]--></span></em></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><em><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\">Regards,</span></em></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><em><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\">Dave Motes\\\"</span></em></p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:41:\"/images/uploads/features/dave-motes_1.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"63\";}'),(1706,635,4,2,1248716301,'a:25:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-27 07:26 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:35:\"Midwest Council ASA Elects Officers\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:35:\"midwest_council_asa_elects_officers\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:35:\"Midwest Council ASA Elects Officers\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:60:\"The Midwest Council ASA has elected its 2009-2010 officers. \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:22:\"ASA, Midwest, officers\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:7757:\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;\\\"><em><span style=\\\"color: white;\\\"><span style=\\\"letter-spacing: -0.1pt;\\\"></span></span></em></span><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;\\\">The American Subcontractors Association\nMidwest Council has voted in new officers and directors,&nbsp; effective July 1,\nfor the 2009-2010 fiscal year.<span>&nbsp; </span>The\nnew officers and directors are as follows:</span>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"text-align: justify;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><!--[endif]--></span></p>\n</p>\n<ul>\n<li><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;\\\"></span></span><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;\\\">Jim\nFreeman, The Freeman Contracting Co. Inc.<span>,&nbsp; president</span></span></li>\n<li><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;\\\"></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;\\\">Chris\nMilne, Oreo &amp; Botta Concrete<span>, vice president &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></li>\n<li><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;\\\"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;\\\">A.J.\nFord, Budrovich Contracting<span>, secretary &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;\\\"></span></span></li>\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;\\\"></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;\\\">Mark\nO&rsquo;Donnell, O&rsquo;Donnell, Bonebrake &amp; Company, treasurer<span> &nbsp; </span></span></li>\n<li><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;\\\"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;\\\">Michael\nFogarty, Jr., Briner Electric<span>, immediate past president &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></li>\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><!--[endif]--></span></li>\n<li><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol;\\\"></span><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;\\\">Steve\nGiacin, Kaiser Electric, director<span> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></li>\n<li><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;\\\"></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;\\\">Ken\nBartels, Eqdeals, Inc.<span>, director &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></li>\n<li><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;\\\"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;\\\">David\nVaughn, Grant Contracting, director<span> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></li>\n<li><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol;\\\"></span><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;\\\">Sandra\nWilmoth, Midwest Marble &amp; Granite<span>, director &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></li>\n<li><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol;\\\"></span><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;\\\">Vincent\nIrwin, Irwin Products, director<span> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></li>\n<li><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;\\\"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;\\\">Rick\nWilliams, A.R.T. Concrete &amp; Tool Supply, director<span> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span> <!--[endif]--></span></li>\n</ul>\n<p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"text-align: justify;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;\\\"></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoBodyText2\\\" style=\\\"text-align: justify;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoBodyText\\\" style=\\\"text-align: justify;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></span></p>\n<p align=\\\"center\\\" class=\\\"MsoBodyText\\\" style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;\\\"></span></p>\n<!--EndFragment--></p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";}'),(1707,635,4,2,1248716323,'a:27:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"635\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-27 07:26 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"64\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:35:\"Midwest Council ASA Elects Officers\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:35:\"midwest_council_asa_elects_officers\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:35:\"Midwest Council ASA Elects Officers\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:60:\"The Midwest Council ASA has elected its 2009-2010 officers. \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:22:\"ASA, Midwest, officers\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:7593:\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;\\\"><em><span style=\\\"color: white;\\\"><span style=\\\"letter-spacing: -0.1pt;\\\"></span></span></em></span><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;\\\">The American Subcontractors Association\nMidwest Council has voted in new officers and directors,&nbsp; effective July 1,\nfor the 2009-2010 fiscal year.<span>&nbsp; </span>The\nnew officers and directors are as follows:</span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"text-align: justify;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><!--[endif]--></span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<ul>\n<li><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\\\"></span></span><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;\\\">Jim\nFreeman, The Freeman Contracting Co. Inc.<span>,&nbsp; president</span></span></li>\n<li><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\\\"></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;\\\">Chris\nMilne, Oreo &amp; Botta Concrete<span>, vice president &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></li>\n<li><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\\\"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;\\\">A.J.\nFord, Budrovich Contracting<span>, secretary &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\\\"></span></span></li>\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\\\"></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;\\\">Mark\nO&rsquo;Donnell, O&rsquo;Donnell, Bonebrake &amp; Company, treasurer<span> &nbsp; </span></span></li>\n<li><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\\\"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;\\\">Michael\nFogarty, Jr., Briner Electric<span>, immediate past president &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></li>\n<li><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><!--[endif]--></span></li>\n<li><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol;\\\"></span><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;\\\">Steve\nGiacin, Kaiser Electric, director<span> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></li>\n<li><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\\\"></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;\\\">Ken\nBartels, Eqdeals, Inc.<span>, director &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></li>\n<li><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\\\"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;\\\">David\nVaughn, Grant Contracting, director<span> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></li>\n<li><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol;\\\"></span><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;\\\">Sandra\nWilmoth, Midwest Marble &amp; Granite<span>, director &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></li>\n<li><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol;\\\"></span><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;\\\">Vincent\nIrwin, Irwin Products, director<span> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></li>\n<li><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\\\"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;\\\">Rick\nWilliams, A.R.T. Concrete &amp; Tool Supply, director<span> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span> <!--[endif]--></span></li>\n</ul>\n<p></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"text-align: justify;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;\\\"></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoBodyText2\\\" style=\\\"text-align: justify;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoBodyText\\\" style=\\\"text-align: justify;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></span></p>\n<p align=\\\"center\\\" class=\\\"MsoBodyText\\\" style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;\\\"></span></p>\n<p><!--EndFragment--></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"64\";}'),(1710,637,5,2,1248717697,'a:26:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"5\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-27 07:54 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"12\";i:1;s:2:\"64\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:16:\"Expand Your Base\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:16:\"expand_your_base\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_20\";s:16:\"Expand Your Base\";s:11:\"field_ft_20\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_25\";s:1:\"7\";s:11:\"field_id_45\";s:95:\"Tom Woodcock says that now is the time to look to more prospects and non-traditional customers.\";s:11:\"field_ft_45\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_22\";s:30:\"sales, expanded base, Woodcock\";s:11:\"field_ft_22\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_23\";s:1699:\"<p>The easy thing to do when markets get tight and business slows is to blame the economy or external factors.&nbsp; As your traditional customer base slows down, you slow down,&nbsp; causing you to struggle to maintain revenue levels.</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"expanded base\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"190\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/expanded-base.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"244\\\" />Unfortunately, this is simply an excuse.&nbsp; When we aren\\\'t challenged to expand our customer base we usually don\\\'t.&nbsp; As I travel around the country I hear people talk about pricing competition, dwindling demand or the lack of financing available.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>Let me give you a very simple solution: <em>expand your customer base.</em></p>\n<p>Though this may seem elementary, few actually apply it.&nbsp; Expanding your base can occur in two fashions:</p>\n<ol>\n<li>Going to non-traditional customers. </li>\n</ol><ol>\n<li>Iincreasing the number of clients.&nbsp; </li>\n</ol>\n<p>There is no such thing as a finite pool of business opportunity, merely the limitations of our own efforts.&nbsp; Setting sales strategies to aggressively approach these business pools is essential to success.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>Doing the basic research necessary by reviewing websites, past projects, network connections or marketing materials can give you a leg up in qualifying the new clients you will approach.</p>\n<p>Doing nothing is a guarantee of lesser results than previous years.&nbsp; Not having a plan is conducive to failure.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>Spreading your base will also solidify your market position and financial health when the economy rights itself. All in all, widen that business backside as much as possible!</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"12\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"64\";}'),(1711,638,4,2,1248720130,'a:25:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-27 08:25 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:51:\"MO Construction Employment Better Than Other States\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:51:\"mo_construction_employment_better_than_other_states\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:52:\"MO Construction Employment  Better Than Other States\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:95:\"Missouri placed just below the top third in U.S. construction emploment June \\\'08 to June \\\'09.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:19:\"jobs, Simonson, BLS\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:2359:\"<p>Good news of an ironic sort: Missouri construction employment isn\\\'t off as much as other places. But Illinois is a whole other story.</p>\n<p>Missouri placed just below the top third in U.S. construction emploment June \\\'08 to June \\\'09, according to a report released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.&nbsp; The state ranked 18th in total construction jobs, having lost 13,300 jobs since last June. Illinois ranked 32nd in employment, with a loss of 38,100 jobs, June-to-June.</p>\n<p>Construction workers continued to bear the pain of steep job losses\nalmost everywhere in June, as construction employment rose only in\nNorth Dakota (by 5 percent) and Louisiana (4 percent), compared to June\n2008, according to new data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics\n(BLS). Jobs</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Job Loss\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"99\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/job-loss.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"909\\\" /></p>\n<p>disappeared in the remaining 48 states and the District of\nColumbia, with losses as great as 26 percent in Arizona, 23 percent in\nNevada, 22 percent in Connecticut and 20 percent in Tennessee, noted\nKen Simonson, the chief economist for the Associated General\nContractors of America.\n\\\"The Recovery Act will start mitigating job losses in all states for\nthe rest of the year and into 2010,\\\" said Simonson. \\\"But the worsening\nstate and local fiscal picture, along with continued sluggishness in\nthe private sector, means that nonresidential construction work will\nkeep shrinking.\\\"</p>\n<p>\\\"Single-family homebuilders appear finally to have touched bottom\nand should begin hiring on net,\\\" Simonson commented. \\\"However, the\nmulti-family market remains moribund, with weak demand, excessive\nsupply in many states and no credit availability.\\\"</p>\n<p>Simonson urged Congress to act quickly on transferring money into\nthe federal Highway Trust Fund to avert interruption of payments to\nhighway contractors that would force more layoffs. He also called for\nprompt enactment of pending authorization bills for highways and\ntransit, aviation and water projects, along with passage of\nappropriations bills that include federal construction.</p>\n<p>\\\"All of these bills will deliver both short- and long-term benefits\nto the American public, while providing desperately needed jobs for\nconstruction workers in every state,\\\" he added.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";}'),(1712,638,4,2,1248720179,'a:27:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"638\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-27 08:25 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"64\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:60:\"MO Construction Employment Somewhat Better Than Other States\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:61:\"mo_construction_employment__somewhat_better_than_other_states\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:60:\"MO Construction Employment Somewhat Better Than Other States\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:95:\"Missouri placed just below the top third in U.S. construction emploment June \\\'08 to June \\\'09.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:19:\"jobs, Simonson, BLS\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:2359:\"<p>Good news of an ironic sort: Missouri construction employment isn\\\'t off as much as other places. But Illinois is a whole other story.</p>\n<p>Missouri placed just below the top third in U.S. construction emploment June \\\'08 to June \\\'09, according to a report released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.&nbsp; The state ranked 18th in total construction jobs, having lost 13,300 jobs since last June. Illinois ranked 32nd in employment, with a loss of 38,100 jobs, June-to-June.</p>\n<p>Construction workers continued to bear the pain of steep job losses\nalmost everywhere in June, as construction employment rose only in\nNorth Dakota (by 5 percent) and Louisiana (4 percent), compared to June\n2008, according to new data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics\n(BLS). Jobs</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Job Loss\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"99\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/job-loss.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"909\\\" /></p>\n<p>disappeared in the remaining 48 states and the District of\nColumbia, with losses as great as 26 percent in Arizona, 23 percent in\nNevada, 22 percent in Connecticut and 20 percent in Tennessee, noted\nKen Simonson, the chief economist for the Associated General\nContractors of America.\n\\\"The Recovery Act will start mitigating job losses in all states for\nthe rest of the year and into 2010,\\\" said Simonson. \\\"But the worsening\nstate and local fiscal picture, along with continued sluggishness in\nthe private sector, means that nonresidential construction work will\nkeep shrinking.\\\"</p>\n<p>\\\"Single-family homebuilders appear finally to have touched bottom\nand should begin hiring on net,\\\" Simonson commented. \\\"However, the\nmulti-family market remains moribund, with weak demand, excessive\nsupply in many states and no credit availability.\\\"</p>\n<p>Simonson urged Congress to act quickly on transferring money into\nthe federal Highway Trust Fund to avert interruption of payments to\nhighway contractors that would force more layoffs. He also called for\nprompt enactment of pending authorization bills for highways and\ntransit, aviation and water projects, along with passage of\nappropriations bills that include federal construction.</p>\n<p>\\\"All of these bills will deliver both short- and long-term benefits\nto the American public, while providing desperately needed jobs for\nconstruction workers in every state,\\\" he added.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"64\";}'),(1713,638,4,2,1248720358,'a:27:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"638\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-27 08:25 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"64\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:60:\"MO Construction Employment Somewhat Better Than Other States\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:60:\"mo_construction_employment_somewhat_better_than_other_states\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:60:\"MO Construction Employment Somewhat Better Than Other States\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:95:\"Missouri placed just below the top third in U.S. construction emploment June \\\'08 to June \\\'09.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:19:\"jobs, Simonson, BLS\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:2361:\"<p>Good news of an ironic sort: Missouri construction employment isn\\\'t off as much as other places. But Illinois is a whole other story.</p>\n<p>Missouri placed just below the top third in U.S. construction emploment June \\\'08 to June \\\'09, according to a report released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.&nbsp; The state ranked 18th in total construction jobs, having lost 13,300 jobs since last June. Illinois ranked 32nd in employment, with a loss of 38,100 jobs, June-to-June.</p>\n<p>Construction workers continued to bear the pain of steep job losses\nalmost everywhere in June, as construction employment rose only in\nNorth Dakota (by 5 percent) and Louisiana (4 percent), compared to June\n2008, according to new data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics\n(BLS). Jobs</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"job loss\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"44\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/job-loss_1.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"400\\\" /></p>\n<p>disappeared in the remaining 48 states and the District of\nColumbia, with losses as great as 26 percent in Arizona, 23 percent in\nNevada, 22 percent in Connecticut and 20 percent in Tennessee, noted\nKen Simonson, the chief economist for the Associated General\nContractors of America.\n\\\"The Recovery Act will start mitigating job losses in all states for\nthe rest of the year and into 2010,\\\" said Simonson. \\\"But the worsening\nstate and local fiscal picture, along with continued sluggishness in\nthe private sector, means that nonresidential construction work will\nkeep shrinking.\\\"</p>\n<p>\\\"Single-family homebuilders appear finally to have touched bottom\nand should begin hiring on net,\\\" Simonson commented. \\\"However, the\nmulti-family market remains moribund, with weak demand, excessive\nsupply in many states and no credit availability.\\\"</p>\n<p>Simonson urged Congress to act quickly on transferring money into\nthe federal Highway Trust Fund to avert interruption of payments to\nhighway contractors that would force more layoffs. He also called for\nprompt enactment of pending authorization bills for highways and\ntransit, aviation and water projects, along with passage of\nappropriations bills that include federal construction.</p>\n<p>\\\"All of these bills will deliver both short- and long-term benefits\nto the American public, while providing desperately needed jobs for\nconstruction workers in every state,\\\" he added.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"64\";}'),(1714,638,4,2,1248720542,'a:27:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"638\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-27 08:25 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"64\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:60:\"MO Construction Employment Somewhat Better Than Other States\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:60:\"mo_construction_employment_somewhat_better_than_other_states\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:60:\"MO Construction Employment Somewhat Better Than Other States\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:95:\"Missouri placed just below the top third in U.S. construction emploment June \\\'08 to June \\\'09.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:19:\"jobs, Simonson, BLS\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:2353:\"<p>Good news of an ironic sort: Missouri construction employment isn\\\'t off as much as other places. But Illinois is a whole other story.</p>\n<p>Missouri placed just below the top third in U.S. construction emploment June \\\'08 to June \\\'09, according to a report released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.&nbsp; The state ranked 18th in total construction jobs, having lost 13,300 jobs since last June. Illinois ranked 32nd in employment, with a loss of 38,100 jobs, June-to-June.</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"job loss\\\" class=\\\"table-left\\\" height=\\\"66\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/job-loss_2.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"600\\\" /></p>\n<p>Construction workers continued to bear the pain of steep job losses\nalmost everywhere in June, as construction employment rose only in\nNorth Dakota (by 5 percent) and Louisiana (4 percent), compared to June\n2008, according to new data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics\n(BLS). Jobsdisappeared in the remaining 48 states and the District of\nColumbia, with losses as great as 26 percent in Arizona, 23 percent in\nNevada, 22 percent in Connecticut and 20 percent in Tennessee, noted\nKen Simonson, the chief economist for the Associated General\nContractors of America.\n\\\"The Recovery Act will start mitigating job losses in all states for\nthe rest of the year and into 2010,\\\" said Simonson. \\\"But the worsening\nstate and local fiscal picture, along with continued sluggishness in\nthe private sector, means that nonresidential construction work will\nkeep shrinking.\\\"</p>\n<p>\\\"Single-family homebuilders appear finally to have touched bottom\nand should begin hiring on net,\\\" Simonson commented. \\\"However, the\nmulti-family market remains moribund, with weak demand, excessive\nsupply in many states and no credit availability.\\\"</p>\n<p>Simonson urged Congress to act quickly on transferring money into\nthe federal Highway Trust Fund to avert interruption of payments to\nhighway contractors that would force more layoffs. He also called for\nprompt enactment of pending authorization bills for highways and\ntransit, aviation and water projects, along with passage of\nappropriations bills that include federal construction.</p>\n<p>\\\"All of these bills will deliver both short- and long-term benefits\nto the American public, while providing desperately needed jobs for\nconstruction workers in every state,\\\" he added.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"64\";}'),(1715,638,4,2,1248720838,'a:27:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"638\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-27 08:25 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"64\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:60:\"MO Construction Employment Somewhat Better Than Other States\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:60:\"mo_construction_employment_somewhat_better_than_other_states\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:60:\"MO Construction Employment Somewhat Better Than Other States\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:95:\"Missouri placed just below the top third in U.S. construction emploment June \\\'08 to June \\\'09.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:19:\"jobs, Simonson, BLS\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:2353:\"<p>Good news of an ironic sort: Missouri construction employment isn\\\'t off as much as other places. But Illinois is a whole other story.</p>\n<p>Missouri placed just below the top third in U.S. construction emploment June \\\'08 to June \\\'09, according to a report released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.&nbsp; The state ranked 18th in total construction jobs, having lost 13,300 jobs since last June. Illinois ranked 32nd in employment, with a loss of 38,100 jobs, June-to-June.</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"job loss\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"57\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/job-loss_3.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"525\\\" /></p>\n<p>Construction workers continued to bear the pain of steep job losses\nalmost everywhere in June, as construction employment rose only in\nNorth Dakota (by 5 percent) and Louisiana (4 percent), compared to June\n2008, according to new data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics\n(BLS). Jobsdisappeared in the remaining 48 states and the District of\nColumbia, with losses as great as 26 percent in Arizona, 23 percent in\nNevada, 22 percent in Connecticut and 20 percent in Tennessee, noted\nKen Simonson, the chief economist for the Associated General\nContractors of America.\n\\\"The Recovery Act will start mitigating job losses in all states for\nthe rest of the year and into 2010,\\\" said Simonson. \\\"But the worsening\nstate and local fiscal picture, along with continued sluggishness in\nthe private sector, means that nonresidential construction work will\nkeep shrinking.\\\"</p>\n<p>\\\"Single-family homebuilders appear finally to have touched bottom\nand should begin hiring on net,\\\" Simonson commented. \\\"However, the\nmulti-family market remains moribund, with weak demand, excessive\nsupply in many states and no credit availability.\\\"</p>\n<p>Simonson urged Congress to act quickly on transferring money into\nthe federal Highway Trust Fund to avert interruption of payments to\nhighway contractors that would force more layoffs. He also called for\nprompt enactment of pending authorization bills for highways and\ntransit, aviation and water projects, along with passage of\nappropriations bills that include federal construction.</p>\n<p>\\\"All of these bills will deliver both short- and long-term benefits\nto the American public, while providing desperately needed jobs for\nconstruction workers in every state,\\\" he added.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"64\";}'),(1716,638,4,2,1248720955,'a:27:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"638\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-27 08:25 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"64\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:60:\"MO Construction Employment Somewhat Better Than Other States\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:60:\"mo_construction_employment_somewhat_better_than_other_states\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:60:\"MO Construction Employment Somewhat Better Than Other States\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:95:\"Missouri placed just below the top third in U.S. construction emploment June \\\'08 to June \\\'09.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:19:\"jobs, Simonson, BLS\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:2334:\"<p>Good news of an ironic sort: Missouri construction employment isn\\\'t off as much as other places. But Illinois is a whole other story.</p>\n<p>Missouri placed just below the top third in U.S. construction emploment June \\\'08 to June \\\'09, according to a report released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).&nbsp; The state ranked 18th in total construction jobs, having lost 13,300 jobs since last June. Illinois ranked 32nd in employment, with a loss of 38,100 jobs, June-to-June.</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"job loss\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"57\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/job-loss_3.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"525\\\" /></p>\n<p>Construction workers continued to bear the pain of steep job losses\nalmost everywhere in June, as construction employment rose only in\nNorth Dakota (by 5 percent) and Louisiana (4 percent), compared to June\n2008, according to new data released by BLS.</p>\n<p>Jobs disappeared in the remaining 48 states and the District of\nColumbia, with losses as great as 26 percent in Arizona, 23 percent in\nNevada, 22 percent in Connecticut and 20 percent in Tennessee, noted\nKen Simonson, the chief economist for the Associated General\nContractors of America.\n\\\"The Recovery Act will start mitigating job losses in all states for\nthe rest of the year and into 2010,\\\" said Simonson. \\\"But the worsening\nstate and local fiscal picture, along with continued sluggishness in\nthe private sector, means that nonresidential construction work will\nkeep shrinking.\\\"</p>\n<p>\\\"Single-family homebuilders appear finally to have touched bottom\nand should begin hiring on net,\\\" Simonson commented. \\\"However, the\nmulti-family market remains moribund, with weak demand, excessive\nsupply in many states and no credit availability.\\\"</p>\n<p>Simonson urged Congress to act quickly on transferring money into\nthe federal Highway Trust Fund to avert interruption of payments to\nhighway contractors that would force more layoffs. He also called for\nprompt enactment of pending authorization bills for highways and\ntransit, aviation and water projects, along with passage of\nappropriations bills that include federal construction.</p>\n<p>\\\"All of these bills will deliver both short- and long-term benefits\nto the American public, while providing desperately needed jobs for\nconstruction workers in every state,\\\" he added.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"64\";}'),(1717,639,4,2,1248723836,'a:26:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-27 07:15 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"64\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:34:\"Sharp June Drops in Nonresidential\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:34:\"sharp_june_drops_in_nonresidential\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:34:\"Sharp June Drops in Nonresidential\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:93:\"The value of nonresidential construction starts nationally in June “decreased 71% from May.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:20:\"Reed, nonresidential\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:6328:\"<p>The value of nonresidential construction starts nationally in June &ldquo;decreased 71% from May, more than offsetting the 27% increase the previous month,&rdquo; Reed Construction Data Chief Economist Jim Haughey reported on Thursday, based on Reed&rsquo;s compilation of starts. &ldquo;Every construction category declined significantly in June.The May-June boom/bust is substantially random. Nonetheless, the slim starts total reported for June does signal that nonresidential construction is entering the weakest period in this business cycle. But by itself, June was not as grim as the starts total suggests.The 22% year-to-date decline is a better indicator of the trend for the rest of the year than the 71% June decline. The current bid calendar suggests that much of the June drop will be reversed in the next few months.&rdquo;<br /><br /><a href=\\\"http://www.mmsend1.com/ls.cfm?r=186186751&amp;sid=7006983&amp;m=779301&amp;u=agca&amp;s=http://www.nabe.com\\\">&nbsp; A quarterly survey</a> of 102 corporate and trade association economists released on Monday by the National Association for Business Economics&nbsp; &ldquo;provides new evidence that the U.S. recession is abating, but few signs of an immediate recovery,&rdquo; said Sara Johnson, of IHS Global Insight. &ldquo;Only 10% [of 59 respondents to the question] expect to increase capital spending expectations on structures over the next 12 months, congruent with April&rsquo;s results&rdquo; and the fourth straight quarter in which more respondents expect a decrease than an increase in investment in structures.&nbsp; <br /><br />&nbsp; Industrial production (IP) in manufacturing sagged 0.6% in June, seasonally adjusted, and 15.5% over 12 months, the Federal Reserve reported on Wednesday.&nbsp; IP of construction supplies fell 0.2% and 21%. Manufacturing capacity utilization, which along with IP can indicate future demand for factory construction, slumped to 64.6% of capacity, compared to a long-term average of 79.6%.<br /><br />&nbsp; The consumer price index (CPI) for all urban consumers climbed 0.7% in June, seasonally adjusted, but fell 1.4% over 12 months, the biggest drop since 1950, BLS reported on Wednesday. The CPI for urban wage earners and clerical workers (CPI-W), which is used to adjust many wage contracts in construction and elsewhere, fell 2.0% over 12 months.<br /><br />&nbsp;Some construction materials prices are rising. Nucor-Yamato Steel on Wednesday announced a $40-per-ton net increase in structural steel prices effective on August 1, matching an earlier announcement by Gerdau Ameristeel. Lafarge Aggregates and Concrete on June 30 announced an aggregate price increase effective on August 1 that &ldquo;will vary between 0% and 6%, dependent on Lafarge location and product type.&rdquo; The Illinois Department of Transportation released its July bituminous (liquid asphalt) index on July 9; it rose 5.9% from the June level. But the Energy Information Administration reported on Monday that the average price of on-highway diesel fuel fell for the fourth straight week, to $2.50 per gallon, 47% less than one year ago.<br /><br />&nbsp;Seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment by state fell in June in 39 states and the District of Columbia, rose in 10 states and was unchanged in South Dakota, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported on Friday. Compared to June 2008, employment fell everywhere except in North Dakota (+1.6%) and Alaska (unchanged). The largest 12-month percentage decreases were in Michigan, -8.1%, Arizona, -7.4%, Nevada, -6.2% and Oregon, -5.6%. The unemployment rate rose everywhere from a year earlier. Seasonally adjusted construction employment rose from May to June in 12 states, fell in 375 plus D.C. and was unchanged in Hawaii, Indiana and Maryland. Compared to June 2008, construction employment decreased everywhere except in North Dakota (+5%) and Louisiana (+4%). The biggest percentage declines were in Arizona, -26%; Nevada, -23%; Connecticut, -22%; Tennessee, -20%; and Kentucky and California, -19% each.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;Build America bonds have become a hot way to finance state-funded construction. &ldquo;Led by a $352 million sale from the North Carolina Turnpike Authority, the Build America Bonds program generate $1.72 billion of new issuance this past week, comprising nearly a quarter of municipal sales,and $7.9 billion in just the past eight weeks,&rdquo; the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday. &ldquo;they have been a shot in the arm for municipal borrowers. In February, Kentucky explored selling bonds but found investors uninterested and prospects dim. When the state tried again in June, however, it sold $209 million of Build America bonds easily, says Tom Howard, director of the Kentucky office of financial management.&rdquo;<br /><br />&nbsp; &ldquo;State tax collections for the first quarter of 2009 showed a drop of 11.7%, the sharpest decline in the 46 years for which quarterly data are available,&rdquo; <a href=\\\"http://www.mmsend1.com/ls.cfm?r=186186751&amp;sid=7006984&amp;m=779301&amp;u=agca&amp;s=http://www.rockinst.org\\\">the Rockefeller Institute of Government reported</a>. &ldquo;After adjusting for inflation, legislative changes, and known anomalies, tax revenue declined in 47 states.The local tax slowdown has been less pronounced than the state tax slowdown. In the first quarter of 2009, local tax collections rose by 3.9%, drive by 7.4% growth in property taxes.&rdquo; In an ominous portent for highway construction, which depends heavily in many states on fuel and vehicle tax collections, &ldquo;motor fuel tax revenue continued to decline for the ninth consecutive quarter with a drop of 4.9%.</p>\n<p>Revenue from motor vehicle and operators&rsquo; licenses also fell, for the eighth consecutive quarter, by 1.7%.&rdquo; According to a survey by the Council of State Governments, &ldquo;States plan to use about half of some $8.8 billion in unencumbered stimulus money they will receive to plug budget deficits, underscoring the financial difficulties many are facing,&rdquo; the Journal reported on July 9. &ldquo;Wyoming plans to use almost all of its funds to build or renovate eight juvenile detention facilities&rdquo; but the article listed only nonconstruction uses for Alaska, Utah and North Dakota.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"64\";}'),(1718,639,4,2,1248723892,'a:27:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"639\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-27 07:15 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"64\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:34:\"Sharp June Drops in Nonresidential\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:34:\"sharp_june_drops_in_nonresidential\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:34:\"Sharp June Drops in Nonresidential\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:90:\"The value of nonresidential construction starts nationally in June decreased 71% from May.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:20:\"Reed, nonresidential\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:6328:\"<p>The value of nonresidential construction starts nationally in June &ldquo;decreased 71% from May, more than offsetting the 27% increase the previous month,&rdquo; Reed Construction Data Chief Economist Jim Haughey reported on Thursday, based on Reed&rsquo;s compilation of starts. &ldquo;Every construction category declined significantly in June.The May-June boom/bust is substantially random. Nonetheless, the slim starts total reported for June does signal that nonresidential construction is entering the weakest period in this business cycle. But by itself, June was not as grim as the starts total suggests.The 22% year-to-date decline is a better indicator of the trend for the rest of the year than the 71% June decline. The current bid calendar suggests that much of the June drop will be reversed in the next few months.&rdquo;<br /><br /><a href=\\\"http://www.mmsend1.com/ls.cfm?r=186186751&amp;sid=7006983&amp;m=779301&amp;u=agca&amp;s=http://www.nabe.com\\\">&nbsp; A quarterly survey</a> of 102 corporate and trade association economists released on Monday by the National Association for Business Economics&nbsp; &ldquo;provides new evidence that the U.S. recession is abating, but few signs of an immediate recovery,&rdquo; said Sara Johnson, of IHS Global Insight. &ldquo;Only 10% [of 59 respondents to the question] expect to increase capital spending expectations on structures over the next 12 months, congruent with April&rsquo;s results&rdquo; and the fourth straight quarter in which more respondents expect a decrease than an increase in investment in structures.&nbsp; <br /><br />&nbsp; Industrial production (IP) in manufacturing sagged 0.6% in June, seasonally adjusted, and 15.5% over 12 months, the Federal Reserve reported on Wednesday.&nbsp; IP of construction supplies fell 0.2% and 21%. Manufacturing capacity utilization, which along with IP can indicate future demand for factory construction, slumped to 64.6% of capacity, compared to a long-term average of 79.6%.<br /><br />&nbsp; The consumer price index (CPI) for all urban consumers climbed 0.7% in June, seasonally adjusted, but fell 1.4% over 12 months, the biggest drop since 1950, BLS reported on Wednesday. The CPI for urban wage earners and clerical workers (CPI-W), which is used to adjust many wage contracts in construction and elsewhere, fell 2.0% over 12 months.<br /><br />&nbsp;Some construction materials prices are rising. Nucor-Yamato Steel on Wednesday announced a $40-per-ton net increase in structural steel prices effective on August 1, matching an earlier announcement by Gerdau Ameristeel. Lafarge Aggregates and Concrete on June 30 announced an aggregate price increase effective on August 1 that &ldquo;will vary between 0% and 6%, dependent on Lafarge location and product type.&rdquo; The Illinois Department of Transportation released its July bituminous (liquid asphalt) index on July 9; it rose 5.9% from the June level. But the Energy Information Administration reported on Monday that the average price of on-highway diesel fuel fell for the fourth straight week, to $2.50 per gallon, 47% less than one year ago.<br /><br />&nbsp;Seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment by state fell in June in 39 states and the District of Columbia, rose in 10 states and was unchanged in South Dakota, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported on Friday. Compared to June 2008, employment fell everywhere except in North Dakota (+1.6%) and Alaska (unchanged). The largest 12-month percentage decreases were in Michigan, -8.1%, Arizona, -7.4%, Nevada, -6.2% and Oregon, -5.6%. The unemployment rate rose everywhere from a year earlier. Seasonally adjusted construction employment rose from May to June in 12 states, fell in 375 plus D.C. and was unchanged in Hawaii, Indiana and Maryland. Compared to June 2008, construction employment decreased everywhere except in North Dakota (+5%) and Louisiana (+4%). The biggest percentage declines were in Arizona, -26%; Nevada, -23%; Connecticut, -22%; Tennessee, -20%; and Kentucky and California, -19% each.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;Build America bonds have become a hot way to finance state-funded construction. &ldquo;Led by a $352 million sale from the North Carolina Turnpike Authority, the Build America Bonds program generate $1.72 billion of new issuance this past week, comprising nearly a quarter of municipal sales,and $7.9 billion in just the past eight weeks,&rdquo; the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday. &ldquo;they have been a shot in the arm for municipal borrowers. In February, Kentucky explored selling bonds but found investors uninterested and prospects dim. When the state tried again in June, however, it sold $209 million of Build America bonds easily, says Tom Howard, director of the Kentucky office of financial management.&rdquo;<br /><br />&nbsp; &ldquo;State tax collections for the first quarter of 2009 showed a drop of 11.7%, the sharpest decline in the 46 years for which quarterly data are available,&rdquo; <a href=\\\"http://www.mmsend1.com/ls.cfm?r=186186751&amp;sid=7006984&amp;m=779301&amp;u=agca&amp;s=http://www.rockinst.org\\\">the Rockefeller Institute of Government reported</a>. &ldquo;After adjusting for inflation, legislative changes, and known anomalies, tax revenue declined in 47 states.The local tax slowdown has been less pronounced than the state tax slowdown. In the first quarter of 2009, local tax collections rose by 3.9%, drive by 7.4% growth in property taxes.&rdquo; In an ominous portent for highway construction, which depends heavily in many states on fuel and vehicle tax collections, &ldquo;motor fuel tax revenue continued to decline for the ninth consecutive quarter with a drop of 4.9%.</p>\n<p>Revenue from motor vehicle and operators&rsquo; licenses also fell, for the eighth consecutive quarter, by 1.7%.&rdquo; According to a survey by the Council of State Governments, &ldquo;States plan to use about half of some $8.8 billion in unencumbered stimulus money they will receive to plug budget deficits, underscoring the financial difficulties many are facing,&rdquo; the Journal reported on July 9. &ldquo;Wyoming plans to use almost all of its funds to build or renovate eight juvenile detention facilities&rdquo; but the article listed only nonconstruction uses for Alaska, Utah and North Dakota.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"64\";}'),(1719,640,2,2,1248749052,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-27 04:34 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";i:1;s:2:\"63\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:30:\"Uplifting Story in Down Times \";s:9:\"url_title\";s:29:\"uplifting_story_in_down_times\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:29:\"Uplifting Story in Down Times\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:130:\"When Dan Tumminello tells you that you need to try the ribs at Pappy\\\'s Smokehouse, you can forget about ordering the pulled pork.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:37:\"Midwest Aerials, Pappy\\\'s, Tumminello\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:3932:\"<p>\n<meta name=\\\"Title\\\" />\n<meta name=\\\"Keywords\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"text/html; charset=utf-8\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Word.Document\\\" name=\\\"ProgId\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Microsoft Word 10\\\" name=\\\"Generator\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Microsoft Word 10\\\" name=\\\"Originator\\\" />\n<link href=\\\"file:///Users/tom/Library/Preferences/Microsoft/Clipboard/msoclip1/01/clip_clip_filelist.xml\\\" rel=\\\"File-List\\\" />\n<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> Normal\n  0\n  0\n  1\n  441\n  2516\n  PGD\n  20\n  5\n  3089\n  10.265 </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> 0\n  0\n  0 </xml><![endif]-->\n<style>\n\n</style>\n</p>\n<p>When Dan Tumminello tells you that you need to try the ribs\nat Pappy\\\'s Smokehouse, you can forget about ordering the pulled pork. Pappy\\\'s,\nthe quirky little place owned by champion barbecue chef Mike Emerson, is\nlocated on a little cul de sac called Cardinal off of Olive near St. Louis\nUniversity. Pappy\\\'s has no street signage on Olive and doesn\\\'t need it. The\nribs are everything that Tumminello touts them to be - as close to Memphis as\nyou\\\'ll find in St. Louis</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Midwest Aerials\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/midwest-aerials_1.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />Every day, cops, construction workers, nurses, and\nexecutives are queued 50-deep in the fast moving line to place their order. And\nsomewhere in the line you\\\'ll often find Tumminello and some of the crew from\nMidwest Aerials, the company that he, co-founder Kevin Morrell started in\nMorrell\\\'s basement 12 years ago.</p>\n<p>Tumminello had background in the construction industry. They\ntried 48 banks before they finally got their first business loan.</p>\n<p>Today, Midwest Aerials occupies a sprawling nine-acre\ncomplex on Papin near Jefferson and Chouteau in the City of St. Louis with over 33,000 thousand sq. ft. of offices and\nshops. The company\\\'s fleet totals over 2,600 pieces with an employee\nteam of 100.</p>\n<p>A separate facility on the\nPapin site houses MAE Parts &amp; Service, which services customer owned\nequipment in the shop or on the jobsite. The concept, Tumminello, said, was\nthat Midwest did not want its customers competing with the Midwest rental fleet\nfor technician time.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>Joe Alonzo, director of sales for Midwest, who joined the\ncompany as a partner along with Dan Martino, director of operations in\nMidwest\\\'s third year, says that the principles that have allowed Midwest to\ncontinue to grow in this economy are very straightforward. First and foremost,\nthe company is focused on man- and material-lifts. \\\"Our mechanics aren\\\'t\nworking on a trencher in the morning and a lift that\\\'s going to put somebody\\\'s\ndad 100 feet in the air in the afternoon,\\\" Alonzo said.</p>\n<p>Midwest has an\nincredibly strong, collaborative, team-focused culture. You can tell that their\nemployees actually like one another. It\\\'s a money-making business that includes\nfocus on families, riding Harleys, and barbecue - straightforward and no\nfrills. Customers get to participate in that culture, with claybird shoots\ncatered by Pappy\\\'s and Midwest field people who are doing whatever they can to\nmake things right.</p>\n<p>Alonzo said\nMidwest\\\'s best ideas come from the field. To be a successful member of their\nteam, he said, you have to be ready to perform 24/7/365. He expects his sales\nforce of 15 to be proactive with both prospects and existing customers. Cell\nphones are on business cards and if a team member isn\\\'t in the office the\nreceptionist offers the cell number.&nbsp;\nAs a result customers, like the auto plant that needed 28 lifts on the\nFourth of July knew that their rep would pick up the phone, jack in from his\nlaptop and get the equipment on the road.</p>\n<p>In a down market,\nthe spirit at Midwest is positively uplifting. Just remember: Order the ribs at\nPappy\\\'s.</p>\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: &quot;Sabon LT Std&quot;;\\\"></span> <!--EndFragment--></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:35:\"/images/uploads/midwest-aerials.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"63\";}'),(1720,640,2,2,1248749091,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"640\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-27 04:34 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";i:1;s:2:\"64\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:29:\"Uplifting Story in Down Times\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:29:\"uplifting_story_in_down_times\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:29:\"Uplifting Story in Down Times\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:130:\"When Dan Tumminello tells you that you need to try the ribs at Pappy\\\'s Smokehouse, you can forget about ordering the pulled pork.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:37:\"Midwest Aerials, Pappy\\\'s, Tumminello\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:3932:\"<p>\n<meta name=\\\"Title\\\" />\n<meta name=\\\"Keywords\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"text/html; charset=utf-8\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Word.Document\\\" name=\\\"ProgId\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Microsoft Word 10\\\" name=\\\"Generator\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Microsoft Word 10\\\" name=\\\"Originator\\\" />\n<link href=\\\"file:///Users/tom/Library/Preferences/Microsoft/Clipboard/msoclip1/01/clip_clip_filelist.xml\\\" rel=\\\"File-List\\\" />\n<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> Normal\n  0\n  0\n  1\n  441\n  2516\n  PGD\n  20\n  5\n  3089\n  10.265 </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> 0\n  0\n  0 </xml><![endif]-->\n<style>\n\n</style>\n</p>\n<p>When Dan Tumminello tells you that you need to try the ribs\nat Pappy\\\'s Smokehouse, you can forget about ordering the pulled pork. Pappy\\\'s,\nthe quirky little place owned by champion barbecue chef Mike Emerson, is\nlocated on a little cul de sac called Cardinal off of Olive near St. Louis\nUniversity. Pappy\\\'s has no street signage on Olive and doesn\\\'t need it. The\nribs are everything that Tumminello touts them to be - as close to Memphis as\nyou\\\'ll find in St. Louis</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Midwest Aerials\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/midwest-aerials_1.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />Every day, cops, construction workers, nurses, and\nexecutives are queued 50-deep in the fast moving line to place their order. And\nsomewhere in the line you\\\'ll often find Tumminello and some of the crew from\nMidwest Aerials, the company that he, co-founder Kevin Morrell started in\nMorrell\\\'s basement 12 years ago.</p>\n<p>Tumminello had background in the construction industry. They\ntried 48 banks before they finally got their first business loan.</p>\n<p>Today, Midwest Aerials occupies a sprawling nine-acre\ncomplex on Papin near Jefferson and Chouteau in the City of St. Louis with over 33,000 thousand sq. ft. of offices and\nshops. The company\\\'s fleet totals over 2,600 pieces with an employee\nteam of 100.</p>\n<p>A separate facility on the\nPapin site houses MAE Parts &amp; Service, which services customer owned\nequipment in the shop or on the jobsite. The concept, Tumminello, said, was\nthat Midwest did not want its customers competing with the Midwest rental fleet\nfor technician time.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>Joe Alonzo, director of sales for Midwest, who joined the\ncompany as a partner along with Dan Martino, director of operations in\nMidwest\\\'s third year, says that the principles that have allowed Midwest to\ncontinue to grow in this economy are very straightforward. First and foremost,\nthe company is focused on man- and material-lifts. \\\"Our mechanics aren\\\'t\nworking on a trencher in the morning and a lift that\\\'s going to put somebody\\\'s\ndad 100 feet in the air in the afternoon,\\\" Alonzo said.</p>\n<p>Midwest has an\nincredibly strong, collaborative, team-focused culture. You can tell that their\nemployees actually like one another. It\\\'s a money-making business that includes\nfocus on families, riding Harleys, and barbecue - straightforward and no\nfrills. Customers get to participate in that culture, with claybird shoots\ncatered by Pappy\\\'s and Midwest field people who are doing whatever they can to\nmake things right.</p>\n<p>Alonzo said\nMidwest\\\'s best ideas come from the field. To be a successful member of their\nteam, he said, you have to be ready to perform 24/7/365. He expects his sales\nforce of 15 to be proactive with both prospects and existing customers. Cell\nphones are on business cards and if a team member isn\\\'t in the office the\nreceptionist offers the cell number.&nbsp;\nAs a result customers, like the auto plant that needed 28 lifts on the\nFourth of July knew that their rep would pick up the phone, jack in from his\nlaptop and get the equipment on the road.</p>\n<p>In a down market,\nthe spirit at Midwest is positively uplifting. Just remember: Order the ribs at\nPappy\\\'s.</p>\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: &quot;Sabon LT Std&quot;;\\\"></span> <!--EndFragment--></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:35:\"/images/uploads/midwest-aerials.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"64\";}'),(1721,635,4,2,1248749538,'a:27:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"635\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-27 07:26 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"64\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:35:\"Midwest Council ASA Elects Officers\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:35:\"midwest_council_asa_elects_officers\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:35:\"Midwest Council ASA Elects Officers\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:60:\"The Midwest Council ASA has elected its 2009-2010 officers. \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:22:\"ASA, Midwest, officers\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:6170:\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;\\\"><em><span style=\\\"color: white;\\\"><span style=\\\"letter-spacing: -0.1pt;\\\"></span></span></em></span><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;\\\">The American Subcontractors Association\nMidwest Council has voted in new officers and directors,&nbsp; effective July 1,\nfor the 2009-2010 fiscal year.<span>&nbsp; </span>The\nnew officers and directors are as follows:</span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"text-align: justify;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><!--[endif]--></span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<ul>\n<li><!--[if !supportLists]-->\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;\\\">Jim\nFreeman, The Freeman Contracting Co. Inc.<span>,&nbsp; president</span></span></p>\n</li>\n<li><!--[if !supportLists]-->\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;\\\">Chris\nMilne, Oreo &amp; Botta Concrete<span>, vice president &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>\n<!--[endif]--></li>\n<li><!--[if !supportLists]-->\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\\\"> </span></span><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;\\\">A.J.\nFord, Budrovich Contracting<span>, secretary &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>\n<!--[endif]--></li>\n<li>\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;\\\">Mark\nO&rsquo;Donnell, O&rsquo;Donnell, Bonebrake &amp; Company, treasurer<span> &nbsp; </span></span></p>\n<!--[endif]--></li>\n<li><!--[if !supportLists]-->\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\\\"> </span></span><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;\\\">Michael\nFogarty, Jr., Briner Electric<span>, immediate past president &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>\n<!--[endif]--></li>\n<li>\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><!--[endif]--></span></p>\n<br /></li>\n<li><!--[if !supportLists]-->\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;\\\">Steve\nGiacin, Kaiser Electric, director<span> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>\n</li>\n<li><!--[if !supportLists]-->\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;\\\">Ken\nBartels, Eqdeals, Inc.<span>, director &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>\n<!--[endif]--></li>\n<li><!--[if !supportLists]-->\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\\\"> </span></span><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;\\\">David\nVaughn, Grant Contracting, director<span> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>\n<!--[endif]--></li>\n<li><!--[if !supportLists]-->\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;\\\">Sandra\nWilmoth, Midwest Marble &amp; Granite<span>, director &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>\n</li>\n<li><!--[if !supportLists]-->\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;\\\">Vincent\nIrwin, Irwin Products, director<span> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>\n</li>\n<li><!--[if !supportLists]-->\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\\\"> </span></span><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;\\\">Rick\nWilliams, A.R.T. Concrete &amp; Tool Supply, director<span> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span> <!--[endif]--></span></p>\n<!--[endif]--></li>\n</ul>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"text-align: justify;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;\\\"></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoBodyText2\\\" style=\\\"text-align: justify;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 12pt;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoBodyText\\\" style=\\\"text-align: justify;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></span></p>\n<p align=\\\"center\\\" class=\\\"MsoBodyText\\\" style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;\\\"></span></p>\n<p><!--EndFragment--></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"64\";}'),(1722,640,2,2,1248752592,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"640\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-27 04:34 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";i:1;s:2:\"64\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:29:\"Uplifting Story in Down Times\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:29:\"uplifting_story_in_down_times\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:29:\"Uplifting Story in Down Times\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:130:\"When Dan Tumminello tells you that you need to try the ribs at Pappy\\\'s Smokehouse, you can forget about ordering the pulled pork.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:37:\"Midwest Aerials, Pappy\\\'s, Tumminello\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:4036:\"<p>\n<meta name=\\\"Title\\\" />\n<meta name=\\\"Keywords\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"text/html; charset=utf-8\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Word.Document\\\" name=\\\"ProgId\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Microsoft Word 10\\\" name=\\\"Generator\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Microsoft Word 10\\\" name=\\\"Originator\\\" />\n<link href=\\\"file:///Users/tom/Library/Preferences/Microsoft/Clipboard/msoclip1/01/clip_clip_filelist.xml\\\" rel=\\\"File-List\\\" />\n<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> Normal\n  0\n  0\n  1\n  441\n  2516\n  PGD\n  20\n  5\n  3089\n  10.265 </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> 0\n  0\n  0 </xml><![endif]-->\n<style>\n\n</style>\n</p>\n<p>When Dan Tumminello tells you that you need to try the ribs\nat Pappy\\\'s Smokehouse, you can forget about ordering the pulled pork. Pappy\\\'s,\nthe quirky little place owned by champion barbecue chef Mike Emerson, is\nlocated on a little cul de sac called Cardinal off of Olive near St. Louis\nUniversity. Pappy\\\'s has no street signage on Olive and doesn\\\'t need it. The\nribs are everything that Tumminello touts them to be - as close to Memphis as\nyou\\\'ll find in St. Louis</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Midwest Aerials\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/midwest-aerials_1.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />Every day, cops, construction workers, nurses, and\nexecutives are queued 50-deep in the fast moving line to place their order. And\nsomewhere in the line you\\\'ll often find Tumminello and some of the crew from\nMidwest Aerials, the company that he, co-founder Kevin Morrell started in\nMorrell\\\'s basement 12 years ago.</p>\n<p>Tumminello had background in the construction industry. They\ntried 48 banks before they finally got their first business loan.</p>\n<p>Today, Midwest Aerials occupies a sprawling nine-acre\ncomplex on Papin near Jefferson and Chouteau in the City of St. Louis with over 33,000 thousand sq. ft. of offices and\nshops. The company\\\'s fleet totals over 2,600 pieces with an employee\nteam of 100. The company also has facilities in Kansas City and Springfield in Missouri and Bloomington in Illinois.</p>\n<p>A separate facility on the\nPapin site houses MAE Parts &amp; Service, which services customer owned\nequipment in the shop or on the jobsite. The concept, Tumminello, said, was\nthat Midwest did not want its customers competing with the Midwest rental fleet\nfor technician time.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>Joe Alonzo, director of sales for Midwest, who joined the\ncompany as a partner along with Dan Martino, director of operations in\nMidwest\\\'s third year, says that the principles that have allowed Midwest to\ncontinue to grow in this economy are very straightforward. First and foremost,\nthe company is focused on man- and material-lifts. \\\"Our mechanics aren\\\'t\nworking on a trencher in the morning and a lift that\\\'s going to put somebody\\\'s\ndad 100 feet in the air in the afternoon,\\\" Alonzo said.</p>\n<p>Midwest has an\nincredibly strong, collaborative, team-focused culture. You can tell that their\nemployees actually like one another. It\\\'s a money-making business that includes\nfocus on families, riding Harleys, and barbecue - straightforward and no\nfrills. Customers get to participate in that culture, with claybird shoots\ncatered by Pappy\\\'s and Midwest field people who are doing whatever they can to\nmake things right.</p>\n<p>Alonzo said\nMidwest\\\'s best ideas come from the field. To be a successful member of their\nteam, he said, you have to be ready to perform 24/7/365. He expects his sales\nforce of 15 to be proactive with both prospects and existing customers. Cell\nphones are on business cards and if a team member isn\\\'t in the office the\nreceptionist offers the cell number.&nbsp;\nAs a result customers, like the auto plant that needed 28 lifts on the\nFourth of July knew that their rep would pick up the phone, jack in from his\nlaptop and get the equipment on the road.</p>\n<p>In a down market,\nthe spirit at Midwest is positively uplifting. Just remember: Order the ribs at\nPappy\\\'s.</p>\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: &quot;Sabon LT Std&quot;;\\\"></span> <!--EndFragment--></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:35:\"/images/uploads/midwest-aerials.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"64\";}'),(1723,627,2,2,1248753068,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"627\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-19 08:49 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:28:\"Construction All Star Heroes\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:28:\"construction_all_star_heroes\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:28:\"Construction All Star Heroes\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:185:\"The All Star game may have made headlines for St. Louis, but the Midwest Council, American Subcontractors Association, recently put together some lifetime baseball memories of its own. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:29:\"ASA, Cardinals, USO, military\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:3231:\"<p><!--[endif]-->The All Star game may have made headlines\nfor St. Louis, but the Midwest Council, American Subcontractors Association,\nrecently put together some lifetime baseball memories of its own.</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin-bottom: 16pt;\\\">The ASA was looking for a way to give back to active U.S.\nmilitary in the St. Louis area. The answer: Cardinals Baseball. ASA members donated\n146 tickets with a face value of $9,100 to the USO. The average ticket value\nwas over $62 each.&nbsp; One firm also donated food and drink vouchers also\nwith their tickets. Military from Whiteman AFB, Fort Leonard Wood, Scott Air\nForce Base, Springfield Missouri, Sparta IL</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin-bottom: 16pt;\\\">Tom McDonnell, of George McDonnell and Sons, who\ncoordinated the ticket effort, explained how it came about. &ldquo;At ASA&rsquo;s July 2007\nmeeting, the members had an open discussion about fundraisers and helping in\nthe community.<span>&nbsp; </span>A number of ideas,\nsuch as a canned food drive, which was implemented over the Christmas holidays,\nwere floated. Hugh Young of United Rentals suggested helping USO of Missouri.&rdquo;</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><img alt=\\\"David Motes\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/features/dave-motes_1.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" /></p>\n<h4>Major David Motes of the 101st Airborne, with Wife Sarah and Daughter Molly at a Cardinals/Twins game.<br /></h4>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Helvetica;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><!--[endif]--></span></p>\n<p>\n<meta name=\\\"Title\\\" />\n<meta name=\\\"Keywords\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"text/html; charset=utf-8\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Word.Document\\\" name=\\\"ProgId\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Microsoft Word 10\\\" name=\\\"Generator\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Microsoft Word 10\\\" name=\\\"Originator\\\" />\n<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> Normal\n  0\n  0\n  1\n  149\n  853\n  PGD\n  7\n  1\n  1047\n  10.265 </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> 0\n  0\n  0 </xml><![endif]-->ASA received a number of emails from military, including\nthe following from Major David Motes:</p>\n<p>\\\"<em>Ms Gillick, Mr. Fogarty, and Team\nat the ASA-Midwest Council:</em></p>\n<p><em>\\\" I am a\nSoldier very recently assigned to Scott AFB, IL.&nbsp; Since 2002, I\\\'ve been on four deployments to Afghanistan and\nIraq for a total of 40 months. In fact, I just returned six months ago from my\nlatest deployment to Iraq while on assignment with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team,\n101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).</em></p>\n<p><em>\\\"I want to\nexpress my sincerest gratitude for your organization\\\'s donation of the baseball\ntickets.&nbsp; Despite the loss last\nnight to the Twins, my family and I had a great time!&nbsp; My daughter is just only recently getting into the\nexcitement of Cardinals baseball.&nbsp;\nWe thoroughly enjoyed every moment of the game, especially when we\nyelled \\\"charge!\\\" as a family in the hopes that the Redbirds would\npull out a victory.</em></p>\n<p><em>\\\"I\\\'ve\nattached a picture of my family at last night\\\'s game.</em></p>\n<p><em>\\\"Again, I want to thank you for the gift of the tickets!</em></p>\n<p><em>Regards,</em></p>\n<p><em><br /></em></p>\n<p><em> Dave\nMotes\\\"</em></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:41:\"/images/uploads/features/dave-motes_1.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";}'),(1724,640,2,2,1248761499,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"640\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-27 04:34 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";i:1;s:2:\"64\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:29:\"Uplifting Story in Down Times\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:29:\"uplifting_story_in_down_times\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:29:\"Uplifting Story in Down Times\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:130:\"When Dan Tumminello tells you that you need to try the ribs at Pappy\\\'s Smokehouse, you can forget about ordering the pulled pork.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:37:\"Midwest Aerials, Pappy\\\'s, Tumminello\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:4039:\"<p>\n<meta name=\\\"Title\\\" />\n<meta name=\\\"Keywords\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"text/html; charset=utf-8\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Word.Document\\\" name=\\\"ProgId\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Microsoft Word 10\\\" name=\\\"Generator\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Microsoft Word 10\\\" name=\\\"Originator\\\" />\n<link href=\\\"file:///Users/tom/Library/Preferences/Microsoft/Clipboard/msoclip1/01/clip_clip_filelist.xml\\\" rel=\\\"File-List\\\" />\n<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> Normal\n  0\n  0\n  1\n  441\n  2516\n  PGD\n  20\n  5\n  3089\n  10.265 </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> 0\n  0\n  0 </xml><![endif]-->\n<style>\n\n</style>\n</p>\n<p>When Dan Tumminello tells you that you need to try the ribs\nat Pappy\\\'s Smokehouse, you can forget about ordering the pulled pork. Pappy\\\'s,\nthe quirky little place owned by champion barbecue chef Mike Emerson, is\nlocated on a little cul de sac called Cardinal off of Olive near St. Louis\nUniversity. Pappy\\\'s has no street signage on Olive and doesn\\\'t need it. The\nribs are everything that Tumminello touts them to be - as close to Memphis as\nyou\\\'ll find in St. Louis</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Midwest Aerials\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/midwest-aerials_1.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />Every day, cops, construction workers, nurses, and\nexecutives are queued 50-deep in the fast moving line to place their order. And\nsomewhere in the line you\\\'ll often find Tumminello and some of the crew from\nMidwest Aerials, the company that he and co-founder Kevin Morrell started in\nMorrell\\\'s basement 12 years ago.</p>\n<p>Tumminello had background in the construction industry. They\ntried 48 banks before they finally got their first business loan.</p>\n<p>Today, Midwest Aerials occupies a sprawling nine-acre\ncomplex on Papin near Jefferson and Chouteau in the City of St. Louis with over 33,000 thousand sq. ft. of offices and\nshops. The company\\\'s fleet totals over 2,600 pieces with an employee\nteam of 100. The company also has facilities in Kansas City and Springfield in Missouri and Bloomington in Illinois.</p>\n<p>A separate facility on the\nPapin site houses MAE Parts &amp; Service, which services customer owned\nequipment in the shop or on the jobsite. The concept, Tumminello, said, was\nthat Midwest did not want its customers competing with the Midwest rental fleet\nfor technician time.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>Joe Alonzo, director of sales for Midwest, who joined the\ncompany as a partner along with Dan Martino, director of operations in\nMidwest\\\'s third year, says that the principles that have allowed Midwest to\ncontinue to grow in this economy are very straightforward. First and foremost,\nthe company is focused on man- and material-lifts. \\\"Our mechanics aren\\\'t\nworking on a trencher in the morning and a lift that\\\'s going to put somebody\\\'s\ndad 100 feet in the air in the afternoon,\\\" Alonzo said.</p>\n<p>Midwest has an\nincredibly strong, collaborative, team-focused culture. You can tell that their\nemployees actually like one another. It\\\'s a money-making business that includes\nfocus on families, riding Harleys, and barbecue - straightforward and no\nfrills. Customers get to participate in that culture, with claybird shoots\ncatered by Pappy\\\'s and Midwest field people who are doing whatever they can to\nmake things right.</p>\n<p>Alonzo said\nMidwest\\\'s best ideas come from the field. To be a successful member of their\nteam, he said, you have to be ready to perform 24/7/365. He expects his sales\nforce of 15 to be proactive with both prospects and existing customers. Cell\nphones are on business cards and if a team member isn\\\'t in the office the\nreceptionist offers the cell number.&nbsp;\nAs a result customers, like the auto plant that needed 28 lifts on the\nFourth of July knew that their rep would pick up the phone, jack in from his\nlaptop and get the equipment on the road.</p>\n<p>In a down market,\nthe spirit at Midwest is positively uplifting. Just remember: Order the ribs at\nPappy\\\'s.</p>\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: &quot;Sabon LT Std&quot;;\\\"></span> <!--EndFragment--></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:35:\"/images/uploads/midwest-aerials.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"64\";}'),(1725,640,2,2,1248796583,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"640\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-27 04:34 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";i:1;s:2:\"64\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:29:\"Uplifting Story in Down Times\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:29:\"uplifting_story_in_down_times\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:29:\"Uplifting Story in Down Times\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:130:\"When Dan Tumminello tells you that you need to try the ribs at Pappy\\\'s Smokehouse, you can forget about ordering the pulled pork.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:37:\"Midwest Aerials, Pappy\\\'s, Tumminello\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:4050:\"<p>\n<meta name=\\\"Title\\\" />\n<meta name=\\\"Keywords\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"text/html; charset=utf-8\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Word.Document\\\" name=\\\"ProgId\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Microsoft Word 10\\\" name=\\\"Generator\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Microsoft Word 10\\\" name=\\\"Originator\\\" />\n<link href=\\\"file:///Users/tom/Library/Preferences/Microsoft/Clipboard/msoclip1/01/clip_clip_filelist.xml\\\" rel=\\\"File-List\\\" />\n<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> Normal\n  0\n  0\n  1\n  441\n  2516\n  PGD\n  20\n  5\n  3089\n  10.265 </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> 0\n  0\n  0 </xml><![endif]-->\n<style>\n\n</style>\n</p>\n<p>When Dan Tumminello tells you that you need to try the ribs\nat Pappy\\\'s Smokehouse, you can forget about ordering the pulled pork. Pappy\\\'s,\nthe quirky little place owned by champion barbecue chef Mike Emerson, is\nlocated on a little cul de sac called Cardinal off of Olive near St. Louis\nUniversity. Pappy\\\'s has no street signage on Olive and doesn\\\'t need it. The\nribs are everything that Tumminello touts them to be&nbsp;&mdash; as close to Memphis as\nyou\\\'ll find in St. Louis</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Midwest Aerials\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/midwest-aerials_1.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />Every day, cops, construction workers, nurses, and\nexecutives are queued 50-deep in the fast moving line to place their order. And\nsomewhere in the line you\\\'ll often find Tumminello and some of the crew from\nMidwest Aerials, the company that he and co-founder Kevin Morrell started in\nMorrell\\\'s basement 12 years ago.</p>\n<p>Tumminello had background in the construction industry. They\ntried 48 banks before they finally got their first business loan.</p>\n<p>Today, Midwest Aerials occupies a sprawling nine-acre\ncomplex on Papin near Jefferson and Chouteau in the City of St. Louis with over 33,000 thousand sq. ft. of offices and\nshops. The company\\\'s fleet totals over 2,600 pieces with an employee\nteam of 100. The company also has facilities in Kansas City and Springfield in Missouri and Bloomington in Illinois.</p>\n<p>A separate facility on the\nPapin site houses MAE Parts &amp; Service, which services customer owned\nequipment in the shop or on the jobsite. The concept, Tumminello, said, was\nthat Midwest did not want its customers competing with the Midwest rental fleet\nfor technician time.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>Joe Alonzo, director of sales for Midwest, who joined the\ncompany as a partner along with Dan Martino, director of operations in\nMidwest\\\'s third year, says that the principles that have allowed Midwest to\ncontinue to grow in this economy are very straightforward. First and foremost,\nthe company is focused on man- and material-lifts. \\\"Our mechanics aren\\\'t\nworking on a trencher in the morning and a lift that\\\'s going to put somebody\\\'s\ndad 100 feet in the air in the afternoon,\\\" Alonzo said.</p>\n<p>Midwest has an\nincredibly strong, collaborative, team-focused culture. You can tell that their\nemployees actually like one another. It\\\'s a money-making business that includes\nfocus on families, riding Harleys, and barbecue - straightforward and no\nfrills. Customers get to participate in that culture, with claybird shoots\ncatered by Pappy\\\'s and Midwest field people who are doing whatever they can to\nmake things right.</p>\n<p>Alonzo said\nMidwest\\\'s best ideas come from the field. To be a successful member of their\nteam, he said, you have to be ready to perform 24/7/365. He expects his sales\nforce of 15 to be proactive with both prospects and existing customers. Cell\nphones are on business cards and if a team member isn\\\'t in the office the\nreceptionist offers the cell number.&nbsp;\nAs a result customers, like the auto plant that needed 28 lifts on the\nFourth of July knew that their rep would pick up the phone, jack in from his\nlaptop and get the equipment on the road.</p>\n<p>In a down market,\nthe spirit at Midwest is positively uplifting. Just remember: Order the ribs at\nPappy\\\'s.</p>\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: &quot;Sabon LT Std&quot;;\\\"></span> <!--EndFragment--></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:35:\"/images/uploads/midwest-aerials.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"64\";}'),(1726,635,4,2,1248883708,'a:27:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"635\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-27 07:26 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"64\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:35:\"Midwest Council ASA Elects Officers\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:35:\"midwest_council_asa_elects_officers\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:35:\"Midwest Council ASA Elects Officers\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:60:\"The Midwest Council ASA has elected its 2009-2010 officers. \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:22:\"ASA, Midwest, officers\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:1300:\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;\\\"><em><span style=\\\"color: white;\\\"><span style=\\\"letter-spacing: -0.1pt;\\\"></span></span></em></span>The American Subcontractors Association Midwest Council has voted in new officers and directors,&nbsp; effective July 1, for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.&nbsp; The new officers and directors are as follows:</p>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n<li> Jim Freeman, The Freeman Contracting Co. Inc., president</li>\n<li> Chris Milne, Oreo &amp; Botta Concrete, vice president </li>\n<li> A.J. Ford, Budrovich Contracting, secretary </li>\n<li> Mark O\\\'Donnell, O\\\'Donnell, Bonebrake &amp; Company, treasurer </li>\n<li> Michael Fogarty, Jr., Briner Electric, immediate past president </li>\n</ul>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n<li> Steve Giacin, Kaiser Electric, director </li>\n<li> Ken Bartels, Eqdeals, Inc., director </li>\n<li> David Vaughn, Grant Contracting, director </li>\n<li> Sandra Wilmoth, Midwest Marble &amp; Granite, director </li>\n<li> Vincent Irwin, Irwin Products, director</li>\n<li>Rick Williams, A.R.T. Concrete &amp; Tool Supply, director &nbsp;&nbsp;</li>\n</ul>\n<p align=\\\"center\\\" class=\\\"MsoBodyText\\\" style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;\\\"></span></p>\n<p><!--EndFragment--></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"64\";}'),(1727,635,4,2,1248883738,'a:27:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"635\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-27 07:26 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"64\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:35:\"Midwest Council ASA Elects Officers\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:35:\"midwest_council_asa_elects_officers\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:35:\"Midwest Council ASA Elects Officers\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:60:\"The Midwest Council ASA has elected its 2009-2010 officers. \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:22:\"ASA, Midwest, officers\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:1264:\"<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;\\\"><em><span style=\\\"color: white;\\\"><span style=\\\"letter-spacing: -0.1pt;\\\"></span></span></em></span>The American Subcontractors Association Midwest Council has voted in new officers and directors,&nbsp; effective July 1, for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.&nbsp; The new officers and directors are as follows:</p>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n<li> Jim Freeman, The Freeman Contracting Co. Inc., president</li>\n<li> Chris Milne, Oreo &amp; Botta Concrete, vice president </li>\n<li> A.J. Ford, Budrovich Contracting, secretary </li>\n<li> Mark O\\\'Donnell, O\\\'Donnell, Bonebrake &amp; Company, treasurer </li>\n<li> Michael Fogarty, Jr., Briner Electric, immediate past president </li>\n<li> Steve Giacin, Kaiser Electric, director </li>\n<li> Ken Bartels, Eqdeals, Inc., director </li>\n<li> David Vaughn, Grant Contracting, director </li>\n<li> Sandra Wilmoth, Midwest Marble &amp; Granite, director </li>\n<li> Vincent Irwin, Irwin Products, director</li>\n<li>Rick Williams, A.R.T. Concrete &amp; Tool Supply, director &nbsp;&nbsp;</li>\n</ul>\n<p align=\\\"center\\\" class=\\\"MsoBodyText\\\" style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;\\\"></span></p>\n<p><!--EndFragment--></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"64\";}'),(2743,1042,4,4,1288913578,'a:25:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2010-11-04 01:12 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:35:\"Wash U. Grad Program Studies Issues\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:34:\"wash_u_grad_program_studies_issues\";s:4:\"save\";s:10:\"Quick Save\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:35:\"Wash U. Grad Program Studies Issues\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:255:\"The School of Engineering & Applied Science at Washington University in St. Louis now offers a Graduate Certificate in Construction Management. The new, 15-unit certificate program provides an intensive study of critical issues in construction management.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:25:\"Wash U., issues, graduate\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:2813:\"<p>The School of Engineering &amp; Applied Science at Washington University in St. Louis now offers a Graduate Certificate in Construction Management. The new, 15-unit certificate program provides an intensive study of critical issues in construction management.</p>\n<p>The courses will provide a thorough background in construction operations; cost and time management; legal aspects; construction finance and accounting; and quality.</p>\n<p>\\\"The program is designed for individuals who need to develop management and leadership expertise to augment their business or technical capabilities or those who require a stronger, more comprehensive and up-to-date understanding of construction management,\\\" says Steve W. Bannes, Director of Graduate Studies in Construction Management.</p>\n<p>Designed for construction industry stakeholders who may require a more comprehensive and robust understanding of construction management, Bannes believes the program\\\'s candidates will come from a variety of careers including consulting engineers, architects, accountants, and attorneys.</p>\n<p>Students must complete five of the six courses:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Fundamentals of Construction Management3 Construction Cost Engineering3 <br /></li>\n<li>Construction Project Planning &amp; Scheduling</li>\n<li>Legal Aspects of Construction</li>\n<li>Finance &amp; Accounting</li>\n<li>Quality Processes in Construction Mgmt</li>\n</ul>\n<p>Legal and financing/accounting may be waived with appropriate prior course work. If a student is able to waive one of these courses, he or she will enroll in Quality Procceses.</p>\n<p>Courses are offered in the part-time, evening format.All of the courses exist and have been taught for years as part of the Masters of Construction Management (MCM) degree program.Students wishing to pursue the MCM degree will be encouraged to do so as all courses will apply to the degree.</p>\n<p>\\\"As the construction industry continues to evolve, professionals with technical and management skills will be the leaders addressing the challenges and opportunities within the industry. I believe this new graduate certificate program in construction management builds on the strengths of our current program and will provide an additional service to the architecture, engineering, and construction community by preparing the next generation of construction industry leaders,\\\" said Ralph S. Quatrano, PhD, dean of the School of Engineering &amp; Applied Science</p>\n<p>The new Graduate Certificate in Construction Management joins the 30-unit Master of Construction Management Degree, and the Master of Construction Management/Master of Architecture dual degree program offered through the Sever Institute in the School of Engineering &amp; Applied Science at Washington University in St. Louis.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";}'),(1729,10,6,4,1249328204,'a:25:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"6\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:2:\"10\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-03-29 11:16 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:9:\"pages_uri\";s:11:\"/advertise/\";s:17:\"pages_template_id\";s:2:\"33\";s:5:\"title\";s:9:\"Advertise\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:9:\"advertise\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_32\";s:9:\"Advertise\";s:11:\"field_ft_32\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_36\";s:73:\"For more information on advertising, call Kathie Gardner at 314.966.2259.\";s:11:\"field_ft_36\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_37\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_34\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_34\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_35\";s:325:\"<p>For more information on advertising call Kathie Gardner at 314.966.2259 or email her at <a href=\\\"mailto:Kathie@StLouisCNR.com\\\">Kathie@StLouisCNR.com</a>&nbsp;<a href=\\\"mailto:pfinan@stlouiscnr.com\\\"></a></p>\n<p><a href=\\\"/blogfiles/cnr_calendar.pdf\\\">Click here for a PDF copy of the 2009 CNR Editorial Calendar.</a></p>\";}'),(1730,641,4,4,1249341979,'a:25:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-08-03 01:10 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:26:\"Budrovich BIG on You Tube \";s:9:\"url_title\";s:25:\"budrovich_big_on_you_tube\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:25:\"Budrovich BIG on You Tube\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:66:\"The biggest new star on YouTube may be a crane owned by Budrovich.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:25:\"Budrovich, crane, YouTube\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:1984:\"<p>\n<meta name=\\\"Title\\\" />\n<meta name=\\\"Keywords\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"text/html; charset=utf-8\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Word.Document\\\" name=\\\"ProgId\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Microsoft Word 10\\\" name=\\\"Generator\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Microsoft Word 10\\\" name=\\\"Originator\\\" />\n<link href=\\\"file:///Users/tom/Library/Preferences/Microsoft/Clipboard/msoclip1/01/clip_clip_filelist.xml\\\" rel=\\\"File-List\\\" />\n<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> Normal\n  0\n  0\n  1\n  137\n  785\n  PGD\n  6\n  1\n  964\n  10.265 </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> 0\n  0\n  0 </xml><![endif]-->\n<style>\n\n</style>\n</p>\n<p>The biggest new star on YouTube may be a crane owned by\nBudrovich.</p>\n<p>A.J. Ford, vice presi<a href=\\\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fi-mFgCeKfE\\\"><img alt=\\\"Budrovich 550\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"155\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/budrovich.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: right;\\\" width=\\\"200\\\" /></a>dent for sales and marketing at\nBudrovich, posted a time lapse video of the assembly of what he said is the\nlargest mobile hydraulic crane in the Midwest, the GMK7550-550 mobile,\nhydraulic, self-erecting, 550-ton crane.</p>\n<h4>Click on Image to Watch Budrovich video<br /></h4>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>Ford shared a few of the huge crane\\\'s stats:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Only 550 ton within 300 miles of St. Louis</li>\n<li>Grove GMK7550-550 ton.</li>\n<li>Purchased in 2006</li>\n<li>197 ft. of five-section full power main boom</li>\n<li>240 ft. of lattice luffing jib OR</li>\n<li>230 ft. of fixed lattice jib</li>\n<li>430 ft. of overall tip height</li>\n<li>Mega-Wing boom attachment</li>\n<li>352,000 lb. of hydraulically installed/removed\ncounterweights</li>\n</ul>\n<p>Ford said the crane\\\'s applications include heavy\nindustrial, power generation, refining, commercial windfarm maintenance,\nemergency response, and long-reach. Since 2006 it has been used in Missouri,\nIllinois, Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa.</p>\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 13pt; font-family: ArialMT; color: navy;\\\"></span> <!--EndFragment--></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";}'),(1731,641,4,4,1249341998,'a:27:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"641\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-08-03 01:10 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"65\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:25:\"Budrovich BIG on You Tube\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:25:\"budrovich_big_on_you_tube\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:25:\"Budrovich BIG on You Tube\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:66:\"The biggest new star on YouTube may be a crane owned by Budrovich.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:25:\"Budrovich, crane, YouTube\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:1984:\"<p>\n<meta name=\\\"Title\\\" />\n<meta name=\\\"Keywords\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"text/html; charset=utf-8\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Word.Document\\\" name=\\\"ProgId\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Microsoft Word 10\\\" name=\\\"Generator\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Microsoft Word 10\\\" name=\\\"Originator\\\" />\n<link href=\\\"file:///Users/tom/Library/Preferences/Microsoft/Clipboard/msoclip1/01/clip_clip_filelist.xml\\\" rel=\\\"File-List\\\" />\n<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> Normal\n  0\n  0\n  1\n  137\n  785\n  PGD\n  6\n  1\n  964\n  10.265 </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> 0\n  0\n  0 </xml><![endif]-->\n<style>\n\n</style>\n</p>\n<p>The biggest new star on YouTube may be a crane owned by\nBudrovich.</p>\n<p>A.J. Ford, vice presi<a href=\\\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fi-mFgCeKfE\\\"><img alt=\\\"Budrovich 550\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"155\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/budrovich.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: right;\\\" width=\\\"200\\\" /></a>dent for sales and marketing at\nBudrovich, posted a time lapse video of the assembly of what he said is the\nlargest mobile hydraulic crane in the Midwest, the GMK7550-550 mobile,\nhydraulic, self-erecting, 550-ton crane.</p>\n<h4>Click on Image to Watch Budrovich video<br /></h4>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>Ford shared a few of the huge crane\\\'s stats:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Only 550 ton within 300 miles of St. Louis</li>\n<li>Grove GMK7550-550 ton.</li>\n<li>Purchased in 2006</li>\n<li>197 ft. of five-section full power main boom</li>\n<li>240 ft. of lattice luffing jib OR</li>\n<li>230 ft. of fixed lattice jib</li>\n<li>430 ft. of overall tip height</li>\n<li>Mega-Wing boom attachment</li>\n<li>352,000 lb. of hydraulically installed/removed\ncounterweights</li>\n</ul>\n<p>Ford said the crane\\\'s applications include heavy\nindustrial, power generation, refining, commercial windfarm maintenance,\nemergency response, and long-reach. Since 2006 it has been used in Missouri,\nIllinois, Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa.</p>\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 13pt; font-family: ArialMT; color: navy;\\\"></span> <!--EndFragment--></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"65\";}'),(1732,642,2,4,1249372732,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-08-03 09:47 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";i:1;s:2:\"65\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:53:\"Operating Engineers Help Set Table for Habitat Party \";s:9:\"url_title\";s:52:\"operating_engineers_help_set_table_for_habitat_party\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:52:\"Operating Engineers Help Set Table for Habitat Party\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:127:\"There were all the other earmarks of a celebration on when Habitat for Humanity St. Louis handed over the keys of 10 new homes.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:28:\"Habitat, Operating Engineers\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:2941:\"<h4><img alt=\\\"Habitat Map\\\" height=\\\"344\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/habitat-map.jpg\\\" width=\\\"350\\\" />Area of this year\\\'s Habitat \\\"build\\\"<br /></h4>\n<p>And\nsome Operating Engineers Local 513 apprentices, their instructor, a local\nmasonry contractor, and an equipment vendor played a role in helping the party\nto happen.</p>\n<p>The dedication ceremony was held near the heart of the\n\\\"build\\\" near the intersection of Thomas and Garrison in the\nJeff-Vander-Lou area.&nbsp; It marked\nthe completion of Phase I of this year\\\'s&nbsp;\n\\\"build,\\\" which will total 24 homes. Last year, Habitat\ncompleted 27 LEED Platinum-certified homes - one of the largest assemblages of\nLEED-certified residential property in the country. Another three homes that\nwere planned for this year were pushed into next year\\\'s program when\nabatement/remediation issues arose with the sites.</p>\n<p>About a week before the ceremony, William McHugh,\nconstruction manager for Habitat, saw that the schedule was tight and put out a\ncall for help with the finish grading for the lots. Normally that\\\'s a task\nperformed by Habitat staff. But McHugh realized that if they could get some\nassistance in the form of Bobcat operators they\\\'d be better able to manage the\nvolunteers who were wrapping up the other details on the 10 homes.</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Habitat Home Owner\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/habitat.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />With a couple of phone calls Operating Engineers Local\n513 stepped up, sending seven apprentices and instructor. Dan Head of Kirkwood\nMasonry also showed up to help. And Randy White of Bobcat of St. Louis hauled\nin equipment to augment that owned by Habitat<br /><br />Hundreds of staff, volunteers, and donors spent months of\ntheir Saturdays working on the building that led up to the Aug. 2 event.&nbsp; Mohammed Jier, a native of Kenya, who\nreceived the keys to his house with his wife Shams Dad, thanked&nbsp; \\\"God, and everyone who helped, and\neveryone who donated, and everyone who prayed or kept us in their\nthoughts\\\" for the home into which the couple and their children Ali and\nAisha are moving.</p>\n<p>The Habitat build area is literally transforming the\nneighborhood into which Talisha Franklin is moving with her children Ta\\\'Anyea\nand Terrel. Franklin, who is working on a Masters\\\' degree in childhood ed, would\nliterally bolt from Saturday builds to her classes or camping trips or games\nfor her kids, Habitat leaders said.</p>\n<p>The St. Louis Police Department is so appreciative of the\ndifference that the program is making that it staged landings of its helicopter\non a nearby grade school ball field for the benefit of the families attending\nthe dedication.</p>\n<h4>Talisha Franklin holds up the keys to her new home.<br /></h4>\n<p>Habitat is already well under way with Phase II of this\nyear\\\'s build, which is to wrap up in September.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:27:\"/images/uploads/habitat.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"65\";}'),(1733,642,2,2,1249372884,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"642\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-08-03 09:47 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";i:1;s:2:\"65\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:52:\"Operating Engineers Help Set Table for Habitat Party\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:52:\"operating_engineers_help_set_table_for_habitat_party\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:52:\"Operating Engineers Help Set Table for Habitat Party\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:127:\"There were all the other earmarks of a celebration on when Habitat for Humanity St. Louis handed over the keys of 10 new homes.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:28:\"Habitat, Operating Engineers\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:3203:\"<p>There were speeches, tears, prayers, face painting, the\nHarris Stowe University band, and all the other earmarks of a celebration on\nSunday Aug. 1, when Habitat for Humanity St. Louis handed over the keys of 10 new\nhomes to the homes\\\' owners.And\nsome Operating Engineers Local 513 apprentices, their instructor, a local\nmasonry contractor, and an equipment vendor played a role in helping the party\nto happen.</p>\n<p>The dedication ceremony was held near the heart of the\n\\\"build\\\" near the intersection of Thomas and Garrison in the\nJeff-Vander-Lou area.&nbsp; It marked\nthe completion of Phase I of this year\\\'s&nbsp;\n\\\"build,\\\" which will total 24 homes. Last year, Habitat\ncompleted 27 LEED Platinum-certified homes - one of the largest assemblages of\nLEED-certified re</p>\n<p>sidential property in the country. Another three homes that\nwere planned for this year were pushed into next year\\\'s program when\nabatement/remediation issues arose with the sites.</p>\n<p>About a week before the ceremony, William McHugh,\nconstruction manager for Habitat, saw that</p>\n<h4><img alt=\\\"Habitat Map\\\" height=\\\"344\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/habitat-map.jpg\\\" width=\\\"350\\\" /></h4>\n<h4>Area of this year\\\'s Habitat \\\"build\\\"</h4>\n<p>the schedule was tight and put out a\ncall for help with the finish grading for the lots. Normally that\\\'s a task\nperformed by Habitat staff. But McHugh realized that if they could get some\nassistance in the form of Bobcat operators they\\\'d be better able to manage the\nvolunteers who were wrapping up the other details on the 10 homes.</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Habitat Home Owner\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/habitat.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />With a couple of phone calls Operating Engineers Local\n513 stepped up, sending seven apprentices and instructor. Dan Head of Kirkwood\nMasonry also showed up to help. And Randy White of Bobcat of St. Louis hauled\nin equipment to augment that owned by Habitat<br /><br />Hundreds of staff, volunteers, and donors spent months of\ntheir Saturdays working on the building that led up to the Aug. 2 event.&nbsp; Mohammed Jier, a native of Kenya, who\nreceived the keys to his house with his wife Shams Dad, thanked&nbsp; \\\"God, and everyone who helped, and\neveryone who donated, and everyone who prayed or kept us in their\nthoughts\\\" for the home into which the couple and their children Ali and\nAisha are moving.</p>\n<p>The Habitat build area is literally transforming the\nneighborhood into which Talisha Franklin is moving with her children Ta\\\'Anyea\nand Terrel. Franklin, who is working on a Masters\\\' degree in childhood ed, would\nliterally bolt from Saturday builds to her classes or camping trips or games\nfor her kids, Habitat leaders said.</p>\n<p>The St. Louis Police Department is so appreciative of the\ndifference that the program is making that it staged landings of its helicopter\non a nearby grade school ball field for the benefit of the families attending\nthe dedication.</p>\n<h4>Talisha Franklin holds up the keys to her new home.<br /></h4>\n<p>Habitat is already well under way with Phase II of this\nyear\\\'s build, which is to wrap up in September.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:27:\"/images/uploads/habitat.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"65\";}'),(1734,642,2,2,1249372928,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"642\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-08-03 09:47 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";i:1;s:2:\"65\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:52:\"Operating Engineers Help Set Table for Habitat Party\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:52:\"operating_engineers_help_set_table_for_habitat_party\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:52:\"Operating Engineers Help Set Table for Habitat Party\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:142:\"There were all the other earmarks of a celebration on Sunday, Aug.,  when Habitat for Humanity St. Louis handed over the keys of 10 new homes.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:28:\"Habitat, Operating Engineers\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:3203:\"<p>There were speeches, tears, prayers, face painting, the\nHarris Stowe University band, and all the other earmarks of a celebration on\nSunday Aug. 1, when Habitat for Humanity St. Louis handed over the keys of 10 new\nhomes to the homes\\\' owners.And\nsome Operating Engineers Local 513 apprentices, their instructor, a local\nmasonry contractor, and an equipment vendor played a role in helping the party\nto happen.</p>\n<p>The dedication ceremony was held near the heart of the\n\\\"build\\\" near the intersection of Thomas and Garrison in the\nJeff-Vander-Lou area.&nbsp; It marked\nthe completion of Phase I of this year\\\'s&nbsp;\n\\\"build,\\\" which will total 24 homes. Last year, Habitat\ncompleted 27 LEED Platinum-certified homes - one of the largest assemblages of\nLEED-certified re</p>\n<p>sidential property in the country. Another three homes that\nwere planned for this year were pushed into next year\\\'s program when\nabatement/remediation issues arose with the sites.</p>\n<p>About a week before the ceremony, William McHugh,\nconstruction manager for Habitat, saw that</p>\n<h4><img alt=\\\"Habitat Map\\\" height=\\\"344\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/habitat-map.jpg\\\" width=\\\"350\\\" /></h4>\n<h4>Area of this year\\\'s Habitat \\\"build\\\"</h4>\n<p>the schedule was tight and put out a\ncall for help with the finish grading for the lots. Normally that\\\'s a task\nperformed by Habitat staff. But McHugh realized that if they could get some\nassistance in the form of Bobcat operators they\\\'d be better able to manage the\nvolunteers who were wrapping up the other details on the 10 homes.</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Habitat Home Owner\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/habitat.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />With a couple of phone calls Operating Engineers Local\n513 stepped up, sending seven apprentices and instructor. Dan Head of Kirkwood\nMasonry also showed up to help. And Randy White of Bobcat of St. Louis hauled\nin equipment to augment that owned by Habitat<br /><br />Hundreds of staff, volunteers, and donors spent months of\ntheir Saturdays working on the building that led up to the Aug. 2 event.&nbsp; Mohammed Jier, a native of Kenya, who\nreceived the keys to his house with his wife Shams Dad, thanked&nbsp; \\\"God, and everyone who helped, and\neveryone who donated, and everyone who prayed or kept us in their\nthoughts\\\" for the home into which the couple and their children Ali and\nAisha are moving.</p>\n<p>The Habitat build area is literally transforming the\nneighborhood into which Talisha Franklin is moving with her children Ta\\\'Anyea\nand Terrel. Franklin, who is working on a Masters\\\' degree in childhood ed, would\nliterally bolt from Saturday builds to her classes or camping trips or games\nfor her kids, Habitat leaders said.</p>\n<p>The St. Louis Police Department is so appreciative of the\ndifference that the program is making that it staged landings of its helicopter\non a nearby grade school ball field for the benefit of the families attending\nthe dedication.</p>\n<h4>Talisha Franklin holds up the keys to her new home.<br /></h4>\n<p>Habitat is already well under way with Phase II of this\nyear\\\'s build, which is to wrap up in September.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:27:\"/images/uploads/habitat.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"65\";}'),(1735,642,2,2,1249372975,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"642\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-08-03 09:47 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";i:1;s:2:\"65\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:52:\"Operating Engineers Help Set Table for Habitat Party\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:52:\"operating_engineers_help_set_table_for_habitat_party\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:52:\"Operating Engineers Help Set Table for Habitat Party\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:136:\"There were all the earmarks of a celebration on Sunday, Aug.,  when Habitat for Humanity St. Louis handed over the keys of 10 new homes.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:28:\"Habitat, Operating Engineers\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:3203:\"<p>There were speeches, tears, prayers, face painting, the\nHarris Stowe University band, and all the other earmarks of a celebration on\nSunday Aug. 1, when Habitat for Humanity St. Louis handed over the keys of 10 new\nhomes to the homes\\\' owners.And\nsome Operating Engineers Local 513 apprentices, their instructor, a local\nmasonry contractor, and an equipment vendor played a role in helping the party\nto happen.</p>\n<p>The dedication ceremony was held near the heart of the\n\\\"build\\\" near the intersection of Thomas and Garrison in the\nJeff-Vander-Lou area.&nbsp; It marked\nthe completion of Phase I of this year\\\'s&nbsp;\n\\\"build,\\\" which will total 24 homes. Last year, Habitat\ncompleted 27 LEED Platinum-certified homes - one of the largest assemblages of\nLEED-certified re</p>\n<p>sidential property in the country. Another three homes that\nwere planned for this year were pushed into next year\\\'s program when\nabatement/remediation issues arose with the sites.</p>\n<p>About a week before the ceremony, William McHugh,\nconstruction manager for Habitat, saw that</p>\n<h4><img alt=\\\"Habitat Map\\\" height=\\\"344\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/habitat-map.jpg\\\" width=\\\"350\\\" /></h4>\n<h4>Area of this year\\\'s Habitat \\\"build\\\"</h4>\n<p>the schedule was tight and put out a\ncall for help with the finish grading for the lots. Normally that\\\'s a task\nperformed by Habitat staff. But McHugh realized that if they could get some\nassistance in the form of Bobcat operators they\\\'d be better able to manage the\nvolunteers who were wrapping up the other details on the 10 homes.</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Habitat Home Owner\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/habitat.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />With a couple of phone calls Operating Engineers Local\n513 stepped up, sending seven apprentices and instructor. Dan Head of Kirkwood\nMasonry also showed up to help. And Randy White of Bobcat of St. Louis hauled\nin equipment to augment that owned by Habitat<br /><br />Hundreds of staff, volunteers, and donors spent months of\ntheir Saturdays working on the building that led up to the Aug. 2 event.&nbsp; Mohammed Jier, a native of Kenya, who\nreceived the keys to his house with his wife Shams Dad, thanked&nbsp; \\\"God, and everyone who helped, and\neveryone who donated, and everyone who prayed or kept us in their\nthoughts\\\" for the home into which the couple and their children Ali and\nAisha are moving.</p>\n<p>The Habitat build area is literally transforming the\nneighborhood into which Talisha Franklin is moving with her children Ta\\\'Anyea\nand Terrel. Franklin, who is working on a Masters\\\' degree in childhood ed, would\nliterally bolt from Saturday builds to her classes or camping trips or games\nfor her kids, Habitat leaders said.</p>\n<p>The St. Louis Police Department is so appreciative of the\ndifference that the program is making that it staged landings of its helicopter\non a nearby grade school ball field for the benefit of the families attending\nthe dedication.</p>\n<h4>Talisha Franklin holds up the keys to her new home.<br /></h4>\n<p>Habitat is already well under way with Phase II of this\nyear\\\'s build, which is to wrap up in September.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:27:\"/images/uploads/habitat.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"65\";}'),(1736,642,2,2,1249373014,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"642\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-08-03 09:47 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";i:1;s:2:\"65\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:52:\"Operating Engineers Help Set Table for Habitat Party\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:52:\"operating_engineers_help_set_table_for_habitat_party\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:52:\"Operating Engineers Help Set Table for Habitat Party\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:136:\"There were all the earmarks of a celebration on Sunday, Aug.,  when Habitat for Humanity St. Louis handed over the keys of 10 new homes.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:28:\"Habitat, Operating Engineers\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:3195:\"<p>There were speeches, tears, prayers, face painting, the\nHarris Stowe University band, and all the other earmarks of a celebration on\nSunday Aug. 1, when Habitat for Humanity St. Louis handed over the keys of 10 new\nhomes to the homes\\\' owners.And\nsome Operating Engineers Local 513 apprentices, their instructor, a local\nmasonry contractor, and an equipment vendor played a role in helping the party\nto happen.</p>\n<p>The dedication ceremony was held near the heart of the\n\\\"build\\\" near the intersection of Thomas and Garrison in the\nJeff-Vander-Lou area.&nbsp; It marked\nthe completion of Phase I of this year\\\'s&nbsp;\n\\\"build,\\\" which will total 24 homes. Last year, Habitat\ncompleted 27 LEED Platinum-certified homes - one of the largest assemblages of\nLEED-certified residential property in the country. Another three homes that\nwere planned for this year were pushed into next year\\\'s program when\nabatement/remediation issues arose with the sites.</p>\n<p>About a week before the ceremony, William McHugh,\nconstruction manager for Habitat, saw that</p>\n<h4><img alt=\\\"Habitat Map\\\" height=\\\"344\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/habitat-map.jpg\\\" width=\\\"350\\\" /></h4>\n<h4>Area of this year\\\'s Habitat \\\"build\\\"</h4>\n<p>the schedule was tight and put out a\ncall for help with the finish grading for the lots. Normally that\\\'s a task\nperformed by Habitat staff. But McHugh realized that if they could get some\nassistance in the form of Bobcat operators they\\\'d be better able to manage the\nvolunteers who were wrapping up the other details on the 10 homes.</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Habitat Home Owner\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/habitat.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />With a couple of phone calls Operating Engineers Local\n513 stepped up, sending seven apprentices and instructor. Dan Head of Kirkwood\nMasonry also showed up to help. And Randy White of Bobcat of St. Louis hauled\nin equipment to augment that owned by Habitat<br /><br />Hundreds of staff, volunteers, and donors spent months of\ntheir Saturdays working on the building that led up to the Aug. 2 event.&nbsp; Mohammed Jier, a native of Kenya, who\nreceived the keys to his house with his wife Shams Dad, thanked&nbsp; \\\"God, and everyone who helped, and\neveryone who donated, and everyone who prayed or kept us in their\nthoughts\\\" for the home into which the couple and their children Ali and\nAisha are moving.</p>\n<p>The Habitat build area is literally transforming the\nneighborhood into which Talisha Franklin is moving with her children Ta\\\'Anyea\nand Terrel. Franklin, who is working on a Masters\\\' degree in childhood ed, would\nliterally bolt from Saturday builds to her classes or camping trips or games\nfor her kids, Habitat leaders said.</p>\n<p>The St. Louis Police Department is so appreciative of the\ndifference that the program is making that it staged landings of its helicopter\non a nearby grade school ball field for the benefit of the families attending\nthe dedication.</p>\n<h4>Talisha Franklin holds up the keys to her new home.<br /></h4>\n<p>Habitat is already well under way with Phase II of this\nyear\\\'s build, which is to wrap up in September.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:27:\"/images/uploads/habitat.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"65\";}'),(1737,642,2,2,1249408565,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"642\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-08-03 09:47 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";i:1;s:2:\"65\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:52:\"Operating Engineers Help Set Table for Habitat Party\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:52:\"operating_engineers_help_set_table_for_habitat_party\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:52:\"Operating Engineers Help Set Table for Habitat Party\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:136:\"There were all the earmarks of a celebration on Sunday, Aug.,  when Habitat for Humanity St. Louis handed over the keys of 10 new homes.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:28:\"Habitat, Operating Engineers\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:4582:\"<p>\n<meta name=\\\"Title\\\" />\n<meta name=\\\"Keywords\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"text/html; charset=utf-8\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Word.Document\\\" name=\\\"ProgId\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Microsoft Word 10\\\" name=\\\"Generator\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Microsoft Word 10\\\" name=\\\"Originator\\\" />\n<link href=\\\"file:///Users/tom/Library/Preferences/Microsoft/Clipboard/msoclip1/01/clip_clip_filelist.xml\\\" rel=\\\"File-List\\\" />\n<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> Normal\n  0\n  0\n  1\n  509\n  2905\n  PGD\n  24\n  5\n  3567\n  10.265 </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> 0\n  0\n  0 </xml><![endif]-->\n<style>\n\n</style>\n</p>\n<p>There were speeches, tears, prayers, face painting, the\nHarris Stowe University band, and all the other earmarks of a celebration on\nSunday Aug. 1, when Habitat for Humanity St. Louis handed over the keys of 10\nnew homes to the homes\\\' owners.&nbsp;\nAnd some Operating Engineers Local 513 apprentices, their instructor, a\nlocal masonry contractor, and an equipment vendor played a role in helping the\nparty to happen.</p>\n<p>The dedication ceremony was held at the heart of the\nproject near the intersection of Thomas and Garrison in the Jeff-Vander-Lou\narea.&nbsp; It marked the completion of\nPhase I of this year\\\'s build, which will total 24 homes by Christmas. Last\nyear, Habitat for Humanity St. Louis completed 27 LEED Platinum-certified homes\n- one of the largest assemblages of LEED-certified residential property in the\ncountry. This green community will total more than 90 homes in a\nlong-overlooked section of urban St. Louis, just North of St. Louis University\nand the Fox Theatre, East of Grand Avenue.</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Talisha Franklin\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/habitat.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />Faced with a daunting schedule and just a week to go\nbefore the dedication ceremony, William McHugh, construction manager for\nHabitat for Humanity St. Louis, put out a call for help with the finish grading\nfor the first ten home sites. Normally that task is performed by Habitat staff,\nbut McHugh realized that if they could get some assistance in the form of\nBobcat operators they\\\'d be able to keep volunteers and staff focused on moving\nthe remaining 14 homes forward.</p>\n<p>Ready, willing and able, Operating Engineers Local 513\nresponded to the call, sending seven apprentices and an instructor out to the\njobsite. Dan Head of Kirkwood Masonry also stepped up to help. Randy White of\nBobcat of St. Louis even hauled in extra equipment to make sure the lots were\ngood to go when the sod trucks rolled in.</p>\n<p>Hundreds of volunteers have committed months of time\nworking on the construction that led up to the Aug. 2 event.&nbsp; Mohammed Jier, a native of Kenya, who\nreceived the keys to his new home along with his wife Shams Dad, thanked\n\\\"God, and everyone who helped, and everyone who donated, and everyone who\nprayed or kept us in their thoughts\\\" for the home into which the couple\nand their children Ali and Aisha are moving.</p>\n<h4>Talisha Franklin Holds The Keys to her new home.<br /></h4>\n<p>Through the combined efforts of generous sponsors,\ndedicated volunteers and the agency\\\'s remarkable staff, Habitat for Humanity\nSt. Louis is literally transforming the neighborhood into which Talisha\nFranklin will move with her children Ta\\\'Anyea and Terrel at the end of this\nmonth. Every Saturday since construction began, Franklin, who is completing her\nMasters\\\' degree in early childhood education, has worked shoulder to shoulder\nwith volunteers to put a roof over her family\\\'s head. Even after a grueling\neight hour workday, construction leaders say it wasn\\\'t unusual to see her dash\nhome to tackle an important paper or to ferry her kids to Cub Scout camping\ntrips, birthday parties and family outings. Franklin will close on her new home\nin just a few weeks.</p>\n<h4><img alt=\\\"Habitat Map\\\" height=\\\"313\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/habitat-map.jpg\\\" width=\\\"319\\\" /> Area of this Year\\\'s Habitat for Humanity Build<br /></h4>\n<p>The St. Louis Police Department is so appreciative of the\ndifference this renewal project is making in the JeffVanderLou neighborhood\nthat it staged helicopter landings on a nearby grade school ball field for the\nbenefit of the families attending the dedication.</p>\n<p>Habitat is already well under way with Phase II of this\nyear\\\'s build, which is set to wrap up in September. Phase III should be\nfinished in time for Christmas. To find out more about Habitat for Humanity St.\nLouis, visit www.habitatstl.org or call 314-371-0400,&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:27:\"/images/uploads/habitat.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"65\";}'),(1738,642,2,2,1249408643,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"642\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-08-03 09:47 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";i:1;s:2:\"65\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:52:\"Operating Engineers Help Set Table for Habitat Party\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:52:\"operating_engineers_help_set_table_for_habitat_party\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:52:\"Operating Engineers Help Set Table for Habitat Party\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:136:\"There were all the earmarks of a celebration on Sunday, Aug.,  when Habitat for Humanity St. Louis handed over the keys of 10 new homes.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:28:\"Habitat, Operating Engineers\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:4607:\"<p>\n<meta name=\\\"Title\\\" />\n<meta name=\\\"Keywords\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"text/html; charset=utf-8\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Word.Document\\\" name=\\\"ProgId\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Microsoft Word 10\\\" name=\\\"Generator\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Microsoft Word 10\\\" name=\\\"Originator\\\" />\n<link href=\\\"file:///Users/tom/Library/Preferences/Microsoft/Clipboard/msoclip1/01/clip_clip_filelist.xml\\\" rel=\\\"File-List\\\" />\n<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> Normal\n  0\n  0\n  1\n  509\n  2905\n  PGD\n  24\n  5\n  3567\n  10.265 </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> 0\n  0\n  0 </xml><![endif]-->\n<style>\n\n</style>\n</p>\n<p>There were speeches, tears, prayers, face painting, the\nHarris Stowe University band, and all the other earmarks of a celebration on\nSunday Aug. 1, when Habitat for Humanity St. Louis handed over the keys of 10\nnew homes to the homes\\\' owners.&nbsp;\nAnd some Operating Engineers Local 513 apprentices, their instructor, a\nlocal masonry contractor, and an equipment vendor played a role in helping the\nparty to happen.</p>\n<p>The dedication ceremony was held at the heart of the\nproject near the intersection of Thomas and Garrison in the Jeff-Vander-Lou\narea.&nbsp; It marked the completion of\nPhase I of this year\\\'s build, which will total 24 homes by Christmas. Last\nyear, Habitat for Humanity St. Louis completed 27 LEED Platinum-certified homes\n- one of the largest assemblages of LEED-certified residential property in the\ncountry. This green community will total more than 90 homes in a\nlong-overlooked section of urban St. Louis, just North of St. Louis University\nand the Fox Theatre, East of Grand Avenue.</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Talisha Franklin\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/habitat.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" /></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h4>Talisha Franklin Holds The Keys to her new home.</h4>\n<p>Faced with a daunting schedule and just a week to go\nbefore the dedication ceremony, William McHugh, construction manager for\nHabitat for Humanity St. Louis, put out a call for help with the finish grading\nfor the first ten home sites. Normally that task is performed by Habitat staff,\nbut McHugh realized that if they could get some assistance in the form of\nBobcat operators they\\\'d be able to keep volunteers and staff focused on moving\nthe remaining 14 homes forward.</p>\n<p>Ready, willing and able, Operating Engineers Local 513\nresponded to the call, sending seven apprentices and an instructor out to the\njobsite. Dan Head of Kirkwood Masonry also stepped up to help. Randy White of\nBobcat of St. Louis even hauled in extra equipment to make sure the lots were\ngood to go when the sod trucks rolled in.</p>\n<p>Hundreds of volunteers have committed months of time\nworking on the construction that led up to the Aug. 2 event.&nbsp; Mohammed Jier, a native of Kenya, who\nreceived the keys to his new home along with his wife Shams Dad, thanked\n\\\"God, and everyone who helped, and everyone who donated, and everyone who\nprayed or kept us in their thoughts\\\" for the home into which the couple\nand their children Ali and Aisha are moving.</p>\n<p>Through the combined efforts of generous sponsors,\ndedicated volunteers and the agency\\\'s remarkable staff, Habitat for Humanity\nSt. Louis is literally transforming the neighborhood into which Talisha\nFranklin will move with her children Ta\\\'Anyea and Terrel at the end of this\nmonth. Every Saturday since construction began, Franklin, who is completing her\nMasters\\\' degree in early childhood education, has worked shoulder to shoulder\nwith volunteers to put a roof over her family\\\'s head. Even after a grueling\neight hour workday, construction leaders say it wasn\\\'t unusual to see her dash\nhome to tackle an important paper or to ferry her kids to Cub Scout camping\ntrips, birthday parties and family outings. Franklin will close on her new home\nin just a few weeks.</p>\n<h4><img alt=\\\"Habitat Map\\\" height=\\\"313\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/habitat-map.jpg\\\" width=\\\"319\\\" /></h4>\n<h4>Area of this Year\\\'s Habitat for Humanity Build<br /></h4>\n<p>The St. Louis Police Department is so appreciative of the\ndifference this renewal project is making in the JeffVanderLou neighborhood\nthat it staged helicopter landings on a nearby grade school ball field for the\nbenefit of the families attending the dedication.</p>\n<p>Habitat is already well under way with Phase II of this\nyear\\\'s build, which is set to wrap up in September. Phase III should be\nfinished in time for Christmas. To find out more about Habitat for Humanity St.\nLouis, visit www.habitatstl.org or call 314-371-0400,&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:27:\"/images/uploads/habitat.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"65\";}'),(1739,642,2,2,1249408679,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"642\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-08-03 09:47 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";i:1;s:2:\"65\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:52:\"Operating Engineers Help Set Table for Habitat Party\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:52:\"operating_engineers_help_set_table_for_habitat_party\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:52:\"Operating Engineers Help Set Table for Habitat Party\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:136:\"There were all the earmarks of a celebration on Sunday, Aug.,  when Habitat for Humanity St. Louis handed over the keys of 10 new homes.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:28:\"Habitat, Operating Engineers\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:4594:\"<p>\n<meta name=\\\"Title\\\" />\n<meta name=\\\"Keywords\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"text/html; charset=utf-8\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Word.Document\\\" name=\\\"ProgId\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Microsoft Word 10\\\" name=\\\"Generator\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Microsoft Word 10\\\" name=\\\"Originator\\\" />\n<link href=\\\"file:///Users/tom/Library/Preferences/Microsoft/Clipboard/msoclip1/01/clip_clip_filelist.xml\\\" rel=\\\"File-List\\\" />\n<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> Normal\n  0\n  0\n  1\n  509\n  2905\n  PGD\n  24\n  5\n  3567\n  10.265 </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> 0\n  0\n  0 </xml><![endif]-->\n<style>\n\n</style>\n</p>\n<p>There were speeches, tears, prayers, face painting, the\nHarris Stowe University band, and all the other earmarks of a celebration on\nSunday Aug. 1, when Habitat for Humanity St. Louis handed over the keys of 10\nnew homes to the homes\\\' owners.&nbsp;\nAnd some Operating Engineers Local 513 apprentices, their instructor, a\nlocal masonry contractor, and an equipment vendor played a role in helping the\nparty to happen.</p>\n<p>The dedication ceremony was held at the heart of the\nproject near the intersection of Thomas and Garrison in the Jeff-Vander-Lou\narea.&nbsp; It marked the completion of\nPhase I of this year\\\'s build, which will total 24 homes by Christmas. Last\nyear, Habitat for Humanity St. Louis completed 27 LEED Platinum-certified homes\n- one of the largest assemblages of LEED-certified residential property in the\ncountry. This green community will total more than 90 homes in a\nlong-overlooked section of urban St. Louis, just North of St. Louis University\nand the Fox Theatre, East of Grand Avenue.</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Talisha Franklin\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/habitat.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" /></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h4>Talisha Franklin Holds The Keys to her new home.</h4>\n<p>Faced with a daunting schedule and just a week to go\nbefore the dedication ceremony, William McHugh, construction manager for\nHabitat for Humanity St. Louis, put out a call for help with the finish grading\nfor the first ten home sites. Normally that task is performed by Habitat staff,\nbut McHugh realized that if they could get some assistance in the form of\nBobcat operators they\\\'d be able to keep volunteers and staff focused on moving\nthe remaining 14 homes forward.</p>\n<p>Ready, willing and able, Operating Engineers Local 513\nresponded to the call, sending seven apprentices and an instructor out to the\njobsite. Dan Head of Kirkwood Masonry also stepped up to help. Randy White of\nBobcat of St. Louis even hauled in extra equipment to make sure the lots were\ngood to go when the sod trucks rolled in.</p>\n<p>Hundreds of volunteers have committed months of time\nworking on the construction that led up to the Aug. 2 event.&nbsp; Mohammed Jier, a native of Kenya, who\nreceived the keys to his new home along with his wife Shams Dad, thanked\n\\\"God, and everyone who helped, and everyone who donated, and everyone who\nprayed or kept us in their thoughts\\\" for the home into which the couple\nand their children Ali and Aisha are moving.</p>\n<p>Through the combined efforts of generous sponsors,\ndedicated volunteers and the agency\\\'s remarkable staff, Habitat for Humanity\nSt. Louis is literally transforming the neighborhood into which Talisha\nFranklin will move with her children Ta\\\'Anyea and Terrel at the end of this\nmonth. Every Saturday since construction began, Franklin, who is completing her\nMasters\\\' degree in early childhood education, has worked shoulder to shoulder\nwith volunteers to put a roof over her family\\\'s head. Even after a grueling\neight hour workday, construction leaders say it wasn\\\'t unusual to see her dash\nhome to tackle an important paper or to ferry her kids to Cub Scout camping\ntrips, birthday parties and family outings. Franklin will close on her new home\nin just a few weeks.</p>\n<h4><img alt=\\\"Habitat Map\\\" height=\\\"313\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/habitat-map.jpg\\\" width=\\\"319\\\" /></h4>\n<h4>Area of this Year\\\'s Habitat Build<br /></h4>\n<p>The St. Louis Police Department is so appreciative of the\ndifference this renewal project is making in the JeffVanderLou neighborhood\nthat it staged helicopter landings on a nearby grade school ball field for the\nbenefit of the families attending the dedication.</p>\n<p>Habitat is already well under way with Phase II of this\nyear\\\'s build, which is set to wrap up in September. Phase III should be\nfinished in time for Christmas. To find out more about Habitat for Humanity St.\nLouis, visit www.habitatstl.org or call 314-371-0400,&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:27:\"/images/uploads/habitat.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"65\";}'),(1740,640,2,2,1249429383,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"640\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-07-27 04:34 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:29:\"Uplifting Story in Down Times\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:29:\"uplifting_story_in_down_times\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:29:\"Uplifting Story in Down Times\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:130:\"When Dan Tumminello tells you that you need to try the ribs at Pappy\\\'s Smokehouse, you can forget about ordering the pulled pork.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:37:\"Midwest Aerials, Pappy\\\'s, Tumminello\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:4050:\"<p>\n<meta name=\\\"Title\\\" />\n<meta name=\\\"Keywords\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"text/html; charset=utf-8\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Word.Document\\\" name=\\\"ProgId\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Microsoft Word 10\\\" name=\\\"Generator\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Microsoft Word 10\\\" name=\\\"Originator\\\" />\n<link href=\\\"file:///Users/tom/Library/Preferences/Microsoft/Clipboard/msoclip1/01/clip_clip_filelist.xml\\\" rel=\\\"File-List\\\" />\n<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> Normal\n  0\n  0\n  1\n  441\n  2516\n  PGD\n  20\n  5\n  3089\n  10.265 </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> 0\n  0\n  0 </xml><![endif]-->\n<style>\n\n</style>\n</p>\n<p>When Dan Tumminello tells you that you need to try the ribs\nat Pappy\\\'s Smokehouse, you can forget about ordering the pulled pork. Pappy\\\'s,\nthe quirky little place owned by champion barbecue chef Mike Emerson, is\nlocated on a little cul de sac called Cardinal off of Olive near St. Louis\nUniversity. Pappy\\\'s has no street signage on Olive and doesn\\\'t need it. The\nribs are everything that Tumminello touts them to be&nbsp;&mdash; as close to Memphis as\nyou\\\'ll find in St. Louis</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Midwest Aerials\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/midwest-aerials_1.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />Every day, cops, construction workers, nurses, and\nexecutives are queued 50-deep in the fast moving line to place their order. And\nsomewhere in the line you\\\'ll often find Tumminello and some of the crew from\nMidwest Aerials, the company that he and co-founder Kevin Morrell started in\nMorrell\\\'s basement 12 years ago.</p>\n<p>Tumminello had background in the construction industry. They\ntried 48 banks before they finally got their first business loan.</p>\n<p>Today, Midwest Aerials occupies a sprawling nine-acre\ncomplex on Papin near Jefferson and Chouteau in the City of St. Louis with over 33,000 thousand sq. ft. of offices and\nshops. The company\\\'s fleet totals over 2,600 pieces with an employee\nteam of 100. The company also has facilities in Kansas City and Springfield in Missouri and Bloomington in Illinois.</p>\n<p>A separate facility on the\nPapin site houses MAE Parts &amp; Service, which services customer owned\nequipment in the shop or on the jobsite. The concept, Tumminello, said, was\nthat Midwest did not want its customers competing with the Midwest rental fleet\nfor technician time.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>Joe Alonzo, director of sales for Midwest, who joined the\ncompany as a partner along with Dan Martino, director of operations in\nMidwest\\\'s third year, says that the principles that have allowed Midwest to\ncontinue to grow in this economy are very straightforward. First and foremost,\nthe company is focused on man- and material-lifts. \\\"Our mechanics aren\\\'t\nworking on a trencher in the morning and a lift that\\\'s going to put somebody\\\'s\ndad 100 feet in the air in the afternoon,\\\" Alonzo said.</p>\n<p>Midwest has an\nincredibly strong, collaborative, team-focused culture. You can tell that their\nemployees actually like one another. It\\\'s a money-making business that includes\nfocus on families, riding Harleys, and barbecue - straightforward and no\nfrills. Customers get to participate in that culture, with claybird shoots\ncatered by Pappy\\\'s and Midwest field people who are doing whatever they can to\nmake things right.</p>\n<p>Alonzo said\nMidwest\\\'s best ideas come from the field. To be a successful member of their\nteam, he said, you have to be ready to perform 24/7/365. He expects his sales\nforce of 15 to be proactive with both prospects and existing customers. Cell\nphones are on business cards and if a team member isn\\\'t in the office the\nreceptionist offers the cell number.&nbsp;\nAs a result customers, like the auto plant that needed 28 lifts on the\nFourth of July knew that their rep would pick up the phone, jack in from his\nlaptop and get the equipment on the road.</p>\n<p>In a down market,\nthe spirit at Midwest is positively uplifting. Just remember: Order the ribs at\nPappy\\\'s.</p>\n<p><span style=\\\"font-family: &quot;Sabon LT Std&quot;;\\\"></span> <!--EndFragment--></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:35:\"/images/uploads/midwest-aerials.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";}'),(1741,643,4,2,1249433862,'a:26:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-08-04 02:46 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"64\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:52:\"Houston Project Placed Big Safety Demands on Kirberg\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:52:\"houston_project_placed_big_safety_demands_on_kirberg\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:52:\"Houston Project Placed Big Safety Demands on Kirberg\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:111:\"Kirberg Company just completed a roofing assignment in Houston that posed a rather dicey set of safety issues. \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:34:\"Kirberg, Houston, roofing, Chevron\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:1699:\"<p>Kirberg Company just completed a roofing assignment in Houston that posed a rather dicey set of safety issues. <br /><br />The Chevron Tower in Houston sustained significant damage during Hurricane Ike. Kirberg Company was hired to rehab the roof on the tower. The dome roof provided a dangerous challenge, as the angle was steep and there was no wall to stop anything at the bottom. <br /><img src=\\\"file:///Users/tom/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/moz-screenshot-1.png\\\" /><img src=\\\"file:///Users/tom/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/moz-screenshot-2.png\\\" /><br /><img src=\\\"file:///Users/tom/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/moz-screenshot.png\\\" /><img alt=\\\"Chevron Tower\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"138\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/chevron.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"200\\\" />A 43-story free fall awaited anything that went off the side. Kirberg was chosen over local contractors because of safety considerations. Kirberg provided the owner with a detailed safety strategy that outlined a risk minimization plan,&nbsp; experience with safety-focused jobs, and an ability to implement a man-on-man monitoring system that ensured zero loss of materials and 100% safety assurance for workers. <br /><br />Safety for the crew meant tie-offs and full-time safety personnel monitoring the workers to be sure that all protocols were followed. Additionally, all tools and any materials being removed or installed had to be carefully handled so they didn\\\'t go over the edge.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h4>Chevron Tower in Houston<br /></h4>\n<p>&nbsp; <br />The project entailed binding a liquid plastic was bound to the lightweight concrete substrate and tying into the remaining roof membrane.&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"64\";}'),(1742,643,4,2,1249433927,'a:28:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"643\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-08-04 02:46 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:3:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"65\";i:2;s:2:\"64\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:52:\"Houston Project Placed Big Safety Demands on Kirberg\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:52:\"houston_project_placed_big_safety_demands_on_kirberg\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:52:\"Houston Project Placed Big Safety Demands on Kirberg\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:111:\"Kirberg Company just completed a roofing assignment in Houston that posed a rather dicey set of safety issues. \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:34:\"Kirberg, Houston, roofing, Chevron\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:1699:\"<p>Kirberg Company just completed a roofing assignment in Houston that posed a rather dicey set of safety issues. <br /><br />The Chevron Tower in Houston sustained significant damage during Hurricane Ike. Kirberg Company was hired to rehab the roof on the tower. The dome roof provided a dangerous challenge, as the angle was steep and there was no wall to stop anything at the bottom. <br /><img src=\\\"file:///Users/tom/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/moz-screenshot-1.png\\\" /><img src=\\\"file:///Users/tom/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/moz-screenshot-2.png\\\" /><br /><img src=\\\"file:///Users/tom/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/moz-screenshot.png\\\" /><img alt=\\\"Chevron Tower\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"138\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/chevron.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"200\\\" />A 43-story free fall awaited anything that went off the side. Kirberg was chosen over local contractors because of safety considerations. Kirberg provided the owner with a detailed safety strategy that outlined a risk minimization plan,&nbsp; experience with safety-focused jobs, and an ability to implement a man-on-man monitoring system that ensured zero loss of materials and 100% safety assurance for workers. <br /><br />Safety for the crew meant tie-offs and full-time safety personnel monitoring the workers to be sure that all protocols were followed. Additionally, all tools and any materials being removed or installed had to be carefully handled so they didn\\\'t go over the edge.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h4>Chevron Tower in Houston<br /></h4>\n<p>&nbsp; <br />The project entailed binding a liquid plastic was bound to the lightweight concrete substrate and tying into the remaining roof membrane.&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"65\";s:10:\"category_2\";s:2:\"64\";}'),(1861,680,2,4,1253839117,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"680\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-09-24 11:18 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";i:1;s:2:\"70\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:73:\"Sheet Metal Local 36 Plans $15 Million Training and Headquarters Facility\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:72:\"sheet_metal_local_36_plans_15_million_training_and_headquarters_facility\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:73:\"Sheet Metal Local 36 Plans $15 Million Training and Headquarters Facility\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:222:\"Sheet Metal Workers\\\' Local 36  has announced the approval from its members to purchase and renovate the former Missouri Boiler building at Jefferson and Choteau avenues as a $15 million training facility and headquarters.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:68:\"Sheet Metal Workers\\\' Local 36, headquarters, Green Street, training\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:2718:\"<p>Sheet Metal Workers\\\' Local 36 announced the approval from its\nmembers to move forward with the purchase and renovation of the former\nMissouri Boiler building on the northeast corner of Jefferson and\nChoteau avenues in downtown St. Louis to develop a new\nstate-of-the-art, 96,023 square-foot campus. Current plans call for the\nbuildings, which will serve as the new training center, Local 36\nheadquarters and 1,000-seat multiple event venue, to earn Leadership in\nEnergy and Environmental Design (LEED) accreditation.</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"New Local 36 Building\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"120\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/Local36BuildingImage.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"250\\\" />Emerging job markets, and sustainability are two key areas of business Sheet Metal Workers\\\' Local 36 has focused on in recent years to help create and keep up with growth in the sheet metal and HVAC industries.  With the support of its membership, Local 36 will soon be making those key areas priorities as it unveils plans for a new $15 million green facility.<br /> <br />\\\"The approval of this project has some incredible implications for Local 36,\\\" said Local 36 President and Business Manager David C. Zimmermann.  \\\"It shows great dedication from our members towards becoming sustainable and creating the resources to develop an elite training facility.\\\"<br /> <br />The new facility will resurrect the boiler manufacturing structure in the Choteau Crossing, incorporating multiple sustainable energy systems. w<br /> <br />\\\"I want to congratulate Local 36 as they move forward with their new state-of-the-art headquarters,\\\" said Kaci Starr Tripplet, Alderman of the 6th Ward of St. Louis.  \\\"Their continued presence in the 6th Ward and advancement of clean energy principles in the building trades makes our city a cleaner, more environmentally friendly place.\\\"<br /> <br />The new Local 36 Training School will more than double the size of its current 20,000 square-foot facility to over 50,000 square-feet.  The extra space will allow for more full-scale mockups for use in training and provide additional classroom space that will help Local 36 advance its green training initiatives.  A 14,000 square-foot meeting hall and over 20,000 square-feet of office space are also part of the plans for the facility which will, for the first time, have all the functioning arms of Local 36 under one roof.  <br /> <br />Local 36, along with Green Street Properties, Treanor Architects P.A., G.S. &amp; S. Construction, Solutions AEC and Stock and Associates, plan to break ground on the project before the end of 2009 and anticipate being able to open the new facility within 12 months of groundbreaking.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:35:\"/images/uploads/local-36-square.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"70\";}'),(1822,673,4,2,1251301082,'a:26:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-08-26 05:36 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"20\";i:1;s:2:\"68\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:38:\"Coldwell Banker Announces Transactions\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:38:\"coldwell_banker_announces_transactions\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:38:\"Coldwell Banker Announces Transactions\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:68:\"Coldwell Banker Commercial has announced the following transactions:\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:22:\"Coldwell, transactions\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:10122:\"<p>\n<meta name=\\\"Title\\\" />\n<meta name=\\\"Keywords\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"text/html; charset=utf-8\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Word.Document\\\" name=\\\"ProgId\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Microsoft Word 10\\\" name=\\\"Generator\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Microsoft Word 10\\\" name=\\\"Originator\\\" />\n<link href=\\\"file:///Users/tom/Library/Preferences/Microsoft/Clipboard/msoclip1/01/clip_clip_filelist.xml\\\" rel=\\\"File-List\\\" />\n<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> 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lfo2\n	{mso-level-number-format:bullet;\n	mso-level-numbering:continue;\n	mso-level-text:ï‚·;\n	mso-level-tab-stop:none;\n	mso-level-number-position:left;\n	mso-level-legacy:yes;\n	mso-level-legacy-indent:0in;\n	mso-level-legacy-space:0in;\n	margin-left:0in;\n	text-indent:0in;\n	font-family:Symbol;}\nol\n	{margin-bottom:0in;}\nul\n	{margin-bottom:0in;}\n--&gt;\n</style>\n<!--StartFragment-->\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\\\"><span></span>Coldwell\nBanker Commercial CRA LLC</span><span style=\\\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\\\"> has announced the following transactions:</span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\\\">Bill\nBarnes of Coldwell Banker Commercial represented Michael L. Reynoso LLC in the\npurchase of a 20,000 square foot industrial building on two acres of land located\nat 4224 Rider Trail North, Earth City, MO 63045 from Johnson Diversey, Inc., represented\nby Sansone Group.</span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\\\">Carl\nConceller, SIOR of Coldwell Banker Commercial represented Four Points\nProperties, LLC in the purchase of a 6,715 square foot industrial building\nlocated at 30 Gerber Industrial Drive, St. Peters, MO 63376 from Ten Sui\nProperties, LP, represented by Shockley Commercial Industrial.</span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></span></p>\n<span style=\\\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\\\">Vicki Dolan of Coldwell Banker Commercial represented Lutheran Church\nExtension Fund &ndash; MO Synod in the lease of 1,860 square feet of office space at Sunset\nHills Office Building located at 10733 Sunset Office Drive, Sunset Hills, MO 63127\nto Federal Milk Market Administrator, represented by K2 Commercial Group.</span><!--EndFragment--></p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"20\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"68\";}'),(1749,641,4,2,1249489622,'a:27:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"641\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-08-05 06:20 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"65\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:25:\"Budrovich BIG on You Tube\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:25:\"budrovich_big_on_you_tube\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:25:\"Budrovich BIG on You Tube\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:66:\"The biggest new star on YouTube may be a crane owned by Budrovich.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:25:\"Budrovich, crane, YouTube\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:1984:\"<p>\n<meta name=\\\"Title\\\" />\n<meta name=\\\"Keywords\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"text/html; charset=utf-8\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Word.Document\\\" name=\\\"ProgId\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Microsoft Word 10\\\" name=\\\"Generator\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Microsoft Word 10\\\" name=\\\"Originator\\\" />\n<link href=\\\"file:///Users/tom/Library/Preferences/Microsoft/Clipboard/msoclip1/01/clip_clip_filelist.xml\\\" rel=\\\"File-List\\\" />\n<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> Normal\n  0\n  0\n  1\n  137\n  785\n  PGD\n  6\n  1\n  964\n  10.265 </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> 0\n  0\n  0 </xml><![endif]-->\n<style>\n\n</style>\n</p>\n<p>The biggest new star on YouTube may be a crane owned by\nBudrovich.</p>\n<p>A.J. Ford, vice presi<a href=\\\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fi-mFgCeKfE\\\"><img alt=\\\"Budrovich 550\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"155\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/budrovich.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: right;\\\" width=\\\"200\\\" /></a>dent for sales and marketing at\nBudrovich, posted a time lapse video of the assembly of what he said is the\nlargest mobile hydraulic crane in the Midwest, the GMK7550-550 mobile,\nhydraulic, self-erecting, 550-ton crane.</p>\n<h4>Click on Image to Watch Budrovich video<br /></h4>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>Ford shared a few of the huge crane\\\'s stats:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Only 550 ton within 300 miles of St. Louis</li>\n<li>Grove GMK7550-550 ton.</li>\n<li>Purchased in 2006</li>\n<li>197 ft. of five-section full power main boom</li>\n<li>240 ft. of lattice luffing jib OR</li>\n<li>230 ft. of fixed lattice jib</li>\n<li>430 ft. of overall tip height</li>\n<li>Mega-Wing boom attachment</li>\n<li>352,000 lb. of hydraulically installed/removed\ncounterweights</li>\n</ul>\n<p>Ford said the crane\\\'s applications include heavy\nindustrial, power generation, refining, commercial windfarm maintenance,\nemergency response, and long-reach. Since 2006 it has been used in Missouri,\nIllinois, Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa.</p>\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: 13pt; font-family: ArialMT; color: navy;\\\"></span> <!--EndFragment--></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"65\";}'),(1750,646,4,2,1249492536,'a:25:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-08-05 06:30 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:45:\"Employment Impact of Stimulus Small, AGC Says\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:44:\"employment_impact_of_stimulus_small_agc_says\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:45:\"Employment Impact of Stimulus Small, AGC Says\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:111:\"The stimulus plan appears to be having little influence on construction companies\\\' ability to expand payrolls.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:8388:\"<p>\n<meta name=\\\"Title\\\" />\n<meta name=\\\"Keywords\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"text/html; charset=utf-8\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Word.Document\\\" name=\\\"ProgId\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Microsoft Word 10\\\" name=\\\"Generator\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Microsoft Word 10\\\" name=\\\"Originator\\\" />\n<link href=\\\"file:///Users/tom/Library/Preferences/Microsoft/Clipboard/msoclip1/01/clip_clip_filelist.xml\\\" rel=\\\"File-List\\\" />\n<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Template>Normal</o:Template> <o:Revision>0</o:Revision> <o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:Pages>1</o:Pages> <o:Words>686</o:Words> <o:Characters>3913</o:Characters> <o:Company>PGD</o:Company> <o:Lines>32</o:Lines> <o:Paragraphs>7</o:Paragraphs> <o:CharactersWithSpaces>4805</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:Version>10.265</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:UseMarginsForDrawingGridOrigin /> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]-->\n<style>\n&lt;!--\n /* Font Definitions */\n@font-face\n	{font-family:\\\"Times New Roman\\\";\n	panose-1:0 2 2 6 3 5 4 5 2 3;\n	mso-font-charset:0;\n	mso-generic-font-family:auto;\n	mso-font-pitch:variable;\n	mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;}\n /* Style Definitions */\np.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal\n	{mso-style-parent:\\\"\\\";\n	margin:0in;\n	margin-bottom:.0001pt;\n	mso-pagination:widow-orphan;\n	font-size:12.0pt;\n	font-family:Times;}\np.MsoPlainText, li.MsoPlainText, div.MsoPlainText\n	{margin:0in;\n	margin-bottom:.0001pt;\n	mso-pagination:widow-orphan;\n	font-size:12.0pt;\n	font-family:Courier;}\n@page Section1\n	{size:8.5in 11.0in;\n	margin:1.0in 17.95pt 1.0in 17.95pt;\n	mso-header-margin:.5in;\n	mso-footer-margin:.5in;\n	mso-paper-source:0;}\ndiv.Section1\n	{page:Section1;}\n--&gt;\n</style>\n<!--StartFragment-->\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\">The stimulus plan appears to be having little influence\non construction companies\\\' ability to expand payrolls to date according to a\nnew industry analysis of the impact of the federal program\\\'s construction\nspending released today by the Associated General Contractors of America.</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\">The \\\"disappointingly\\\" slow pace of construction\nspending outside of the transportation sector is one of the main reasons for\nthe relatively small impact on new hiring, the group noted.</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\">\\\"While the construction portion of the stimulus is\nhaving an impact, it is far from delivering its full promise and\npotential,\\\" said Stephen E. Sandherr, the chief executive officer of the\ncontractors association. \\\"With construction unemployment at almost double\nthe national rate, it is disappointing to see so many stimulus programs getting\noff to such a slow start.\\\"</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\">Sandherr said that five months into a federal stimulus\nprogram that has approximately $135 billion dedicated for construction\nprojects, there is little difference in hiring and purchasing patterns between\ncompanies doing stimulus-funded work and companies that aren\\\'t.</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\">For example, he noted that while 36 percent of\nconstruction companies with stimulus-funded work report plan to hire new\nemployees, an almost identical percentage of firms without stimulus-funded work\nalso plan to make new hires this year or next. He added that while 36 percent\nof construction firms with stimulus funded work plan to purchase new equipment\nand supplies, a higher rate - 43 percent - of construction firms without\nstimulus-funded work report plans to purchase new equipment over the same time\nframe.</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\">One reason the stimulus is having a limited impact on\nconstruction hiring and purchasing patterns, Sandherr said, is that outside of\nthe transportation arena, little of the stimulus\\\' authorized construction\ndollars have resulted in actual construction work. He noted that while the Army</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\">Corps of Engineers is responsible for $4.6 billion in\nstimulus construction funds, the agency has only obligated $715 million and\npaid out $84 million.</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\">Meanwhile, the General Services Administration has only\nobligated $656 million and paid out $12 million of its $5.9 billion in stimulus\nconstruction funds. And only half of one percent of the $6 billion in stimulus\nfunds available for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency\\\'s state clean\nwater and drinking water programs has been put to use at this point.</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\">He said the slow investment rate for construction funds\nwas significant to hiring and purchasing patterns because some of the hardest hit\nsegments of the construction industry are outside of the transportation area.</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\">Sandherr said the stimulus was doing a much better job at\nthis point in helping construction companies save existing jobs. He noted that\n60 percent of construction firms with stimulus-funded work report have saved</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\">or retained jobs because of the stimulus.</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\">And he noted that construction firms with stimulus-funded\nwork do plan to make larger equipment purchases than their colleagues without\nstimulus-funded work. Among companies planning equipment purchases, forty-two\npercent of firms with stimulus work say they will spend over $500,000, while\nonly 18 percent of firms without stimulus work will invest more than half a\nmillion dollars in new equipment and supplies.</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\">\\\"The stimulus is clearly working,\\\" Sandherr\nsaid. \\\"It just isn\\\'t working fast enough for many construction workers in\nmany communities.\\\"</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\">Sandherr said there was still time for the Administration\nto make sure the multi-year stimulus program delivers on its promise. He said\nthe association was urging federal agencies to address critical shortages of\ncontracting officials within key federal and state agencies overseeing stimulus\nconstruction dollars.</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\">He added that the Administration needs to fully and\nfinally clarify reporting and Buy American requirements included in the\nstimulus, noting many federal and state agencies are having difficulty\ninterpreting the new mandates. And he urged everyone involved with the stimulus\nto set proper expectations for what the stimulus will, and will not, be able to\ndo for the economy.</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\">\\\"Unsustainably high expectations can bring down good\npolicy and great programs,\\\" Sandherr said.</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\">\\\"The stimulus will keep our industry alive, but it\nwill not turn around a trillion dollar construction industry overnight.\\\"</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\">The stimulus analysis released today was based in part of\na survey almost</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\">1,000 construction firms nationwide conducted by the\nAssociated General Contractors of America over the past three weeks. The survey\nresults were combined with the association\\\'s analysis of federal and state\nagency stimulus activities, and a review of employment data from the Bureau of\nLabor Statistics.</p>\n<!--EndFragment--></p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";}'),(1751,646,4,2,1249492561,'a:27:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"646\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-08-05 06:30 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"65\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:45:\"Employment Impact of Stimulus Small, AGC Says\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:44:\"employment_impact_of_stimulus_small_agc_says\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:45:\"Employment Impact of Stimulus Small, AGC Says\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:111:\"The stimulus plan appears to be having little influence on construction companies\\\' ability to expand payrolls.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:8417:\"<p>\n<meta name=\\\"Title\\\" />\n<meta name=\\\"Keywords\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"text/html; charset=utf-8\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Word.Document\\\" name=\\\"ProgId\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Microsoft Word 10\\\" name=\\\"Generator\\\" />\n<meta content=\\\"Microsoft Word 10\\\" name=\\\"Originator\\\" />\n<link href=\\\"file:///Users/tom/Library/Preferences/Microsoft/Clipboard/msoclip1/01/clip_clip_filelist.xml\\\" rel=\\\"File-List\\\" />\n<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Template>Normal</o:Template> <o:Revision>0</o:Revision> <o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:Pages>1</o:Pages> <o:Words>686</o:Words> <o:Characters>3913</o:Characters> <o:Company>PGD</o:Company> <o:Lines>32</o:Lines> <o:Paragraphs>7</o:Paragraphs> <o:CharactersWithSpaces>4805</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:Version>10.265</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:UseMarginsForDrawingGridOrigin /> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]-->\n<style>\n&amp;lt;!--\n /* Font Definitions */\n@font-face\n	{font-family:\\\"Times New Roman\\\";\n	panose-1:0 2 2 6 3 5 4 5 2 3;\n	mso-font-charset:0;\n	mso-generic-font-family:auto;\n	mso-font-pitch:variable;\n	mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;}\n /* Style Definitions */\np.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal\n	{mso-style-parent:\\\"\\\";\n	margin:0in;\n	margin-bottom:.0001pt;\n	mso-pagination:widow-orphan;\n	font-size:12.0pt;\n	font-family:Times;}\np.MsoPlainText, li.MsoPlainText, div.MsoPlainText\n	{margin:0in;\n	margin-bottom:.0001pt;\n	mso-pagination:widow-orphan;\n	font-size:12.0pt;\n	font-family:Courier;}\n@page Section1\n	{size:8.5in 11.0in;\n	margin:1.0in 17.95pt 1.0in 17.95pt;\n	mso-header-margin:.5in;\n	mso-footer-margin:.5in;\n	mso-paper-source:0;}\ndiv.Section1\n	{page:Section1;}\n--&amp;gt;\n</style>\n<!--StartFragment--></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\">The stimulus plan appears to be having little influence\non construction companies\\\' ability to expand payrolls to date according to a\nnew industry analysis of the impact of the federal program\\\'s construction\nspending released today by the Associated General Contractors of America.</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\">The \\\"disappointingly\\\" slow pace of construction\nspending outside of the transportation sector is one of the main reasons for\nthe relatively small impact on new hiring, the group noted.</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\">\\\"While the construction portion of the stimulus is\nhaving an impact, it is far from delivering its full promise and\npotential,\\\" said Stephen E. Sandherr, the chief executive officer of the\ncontractors association. \\\"With construction unemployment at almost double\nthe national rate, it is disappointing to see so many stimulus programs getting\noff to such a slow start.\\\"</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\">Sandherr said that five months into a federal stimulus\nprogram that has approximately $135 billion dedicated for construction\nprojects, there is little difference in hiring and purchasing patterns between\ncompanies doing stimulus-funded work and companies that aren\\\'t.</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\">For example, he noted that while 36 percent of\nconstruction companies with stimulus-funded work report plan to hire new\nemployees, an almost identical percentage of firms without stimulus-funded work\nalso plan to make new hires this year or next. He added that while 36 percent\nof construction firms with stimulus funded work plan to purchase new equipment\nand supplies, a higher rate - 43 percent - of construction firms without\nstimulus-funded work report plans to purchase new equipment over the same time\nframe.</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\">One reason the stimulus is having a limited impact on\nconstruction hiring and purchasing patterns, Sandherr said, is that outside of\nthe transportation arena, little of the stimulus\\\' authorized construction\ndollars have resulted in actual construction work. He noted that while the Army</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\">Corps of Engineers is responsible for $4.6 billion in\nstimulus construction funds, the agency has only obligated $715 million and\npaid out $84 million.</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\">Meanwhile, the General Services Administration has only\nobligated $656 million and paid out $12 million of its $5.9 billion in stimulus\nconstruction funds. And only half of one percent of the $6 billion in stimulus\nfunds available for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency\\\'s state clean\nwater and drinking water programs has been put to use at this point.</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\">He said the slow investment rate for construction funds\nwas significant to hiring and purchasing patterns because some of the hardest hit\nsegments of the construction industry are outside of the transportation area.</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\">Sandherr said the stimulus was doing a much better job at\nthis point in helping construction companies save existing jobs. He noted that\n60 percent of construction firms with stimulus-funded work report have saved</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\">or retained jobs because of the stimulus.</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\">And he noted that construction firms with stimulus-funded\nwork do plan to make larger equipment purchases than their colleagues without\nstimulus-funded work. Among companies planning equipment purchases, forty-two\npercent of firms with stimulus work say they will spend over $500,000, while\nonly 18 percent of firms without stimulus work will invest more than half a\nmillion dollars in new equipment and supplies.</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\">\\\"The stimulus is clearly working,\\\" Sandherr\nsaid. \\\"It just isn\\\'t working fast enough for many construction workers in\nmany communities.\\\"</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\">Sandherr said there was still time for the Administration\nto make sure the multi-year stimulus program delivers on its promise. He said\nthe association was urging federal agencies to address critical shortages of\ncontracting officials within key federal and state agencies overseeing stimulus\nconstruction dollars.</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\">He added that the Administration needs to fully and\nfinally clarify reporting and Buy American requirements included in the\nstimulus, noting many federal and state agencies are having difficulty\ninterpreting the new mandates. And he urged everyone involved with the stimulus\nto set proper expectations for what the stimulus will, and will not, be able to\ndo for the economy.</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\">\\\"Unsustainably high expectations can bring down good\npolicy and great programs,\\\" Sandherr said.</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\">\\\"The stimulus will keep our industry alive, but it\nwill not turn around a trillion dollar construction industry overnight.\\\"</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\">The stimulus analysis released today was based in part of\na survey almost</p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoPlainText\\\">1,000 construction firms nationwide conducted by the\nAssociated General Contractors of America over the past three weeks. The survey\nresults were combined with the association\\\'s analysis of federal and state\nagency stimulus activities, and a review of employment data from the Bureau of\nLabor Statistics.</p>\n<p><!--EndFragment--></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"65\";}'),(1752,647,4,2,1249492853,'a:25:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-08-05 07:16 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:39:\"Sheet Metal Local 36 Approves Contract \";s:9:\"url_title\";s:45:\"sheet_metal_local_36, SMACNA_approve_contract\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:46:\"Sheet Metal Local 36, SMACNA  Approve Contract\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:186:\"Sheet Metal Workers’ Local 36, and the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association of St. Louis (SMACNA)  voted overwhelmingly in favor of a new labor agreement. \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:36:\"SMACNA, Sheet Metal Workers Local 36\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:1644:\"<p><a href=\\\"http://wwwsheetmetal36.org\\\">&nbsp;Sheet Metal Workers&rsquo; Local 36</a>, and the <a href=\\\"http://www.smacnastlouis.org\\\">Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association of St. Louis</a> (SMACNA)&nbsp; voted overwhelmingly in favor of a new labor agreement.</p>\n<p>The new contract was approved ahead of schedule and went into effect beginning Aug. 1.<br /><br />&ldquo;Accepting the new agreement shows a great deal of respect between our skilled workers and contractors towards each other,&rdquo; said Local 36 President and Business Manager David C. Zimmermann.&nbsp; &ldquo;Part of what allows our business to run successfully is making sure all parties involved are satisfied with the relationships that exist and accepting this new agreement can only help to enhance our future success.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;The new two-year contract calls for a six-month wage freeze, but is worded very similarly to the current contract with just a few minor changes.&nbsp; The Local and Contractors have added some minor language changes which will help insure that the Sheet Metal Workers and their Contractors, by working together, will attain even greater productivity levels and market share.<br />&nbsp;<br />Sheet Metal Workers&rsquo; Local 36 members design, fabricate, install, manufacture and service residential and commercial HVAC systems, and well as working with architectural sheet metal applications and specialty sheet metal products.&nbsp; They provide a skilled workforce to businesses throughout the region, and are active in numerous charitable organizations.&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";}'),(1753,647,4,2,1249492892,'a:27:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"647\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-08-05 07:16 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"65\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:38:\"Sheet Metal Local 36 Approves Contract\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:44:\"sheet_metal_local_36_smacna_approve_contract\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:46:\"Sheet Metal Local 36, SMACNA  Approve Contract\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:186:\"Sheet Metal Workers’ Local 36, and the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association of St. Louis (SMACNA)  voted overwhelmingly in favor of a new labor agreement. \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:36:\"SMACNA, Sheet Metal Workers Local 36\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:1644:\"<p><a href=\\\"http://wwwsheetmetal36.org\\\">&nbsp;Sheet Metal Workers&rsquo; Local 36</a>, and the <a href=\\\"http://www.smacnastlouis.org\\\">Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association of St. Louis</a> (SMACNA)&nbsp; voted overwhelmingly in favor of a new labor agreement.</p>\n<p>The new contract was approved ahead of schedule and went into effect beginning Aug. 1.<br /><br />&ldquo;Accepting the new agreement shows a great deal of respect between our skilled workers and contractors towards each other,&rdquo; said Local 36 President and Business Manager David C. Zimmermann.&nbsp; &ldquo;Part of what allows our business to run successfully is making sure all parties involved are satisfied with the relationships that exist and accepting this new agreement can only help to enhance our future success.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;The new two-year contract calls for a six-month wage freeze, but is worded very similarly to the current contract with just a few minor changes.&nbsp; The Local and Contractors have added some minor language changes which will help insure that the Sheet Metal Workers and their Contractors, by working together, will attain even greater productivity levels and market share.<br />&nbsp;<br />Sheet Metal Workers&rsquo; Local 36 members design, fabricate, install, manufacture and service residential and commercial HVAC systems, and well as working with architectural sheet metal applications and specialty sheet metal products.&nbsp; They provide a skilled workforce to businesses throughout the region, and are active in numerous charitable organizations.&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"65\";}'),(1754,648,4,2,1249493172,'a:25:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-08-05 07:23 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:39:\"Tough Market Lets MODOT Stretch Dollars\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:39:\"tough_market_lets_modot_stretch_dollars\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:39:\"Tough Market Lets MODOT Stretch Dollars\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:157:\"The Missouri Department of Transportation saved nearly $33 million in construction costs in the St. Louis area in 2008-09 because of tough market conditions.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:14:\"MODOT, savings\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:3072:\"<p>Due to the struggling economy, the Missouri Department of\nTransportation was able to save nearly $33 million in budgeted\nconstruction costs in the greater St. Louis Metropolitan Region in the\nlast fiscal year, which ended June 30.</p>\n<p>In fiscal 2009, the\ndepartment awarded 79 construction projects for a total cost of $108\nmillion. This amount was $33 million under the budgeted amount for the\nyear - nearly 24 percent of construction budget.&nbsp; The cost savings can\nbe attributed to the Missouri Department of Transportation\\\'s \\\"radical\ncost control\\\" philosophy, as well as to increased competition in the\nconstruction industry. These project cost savings will allow the\ndepartment to perform additional highway and bridge work at a time when\nrevenues are on the decline.</p>\n<p>Highlights from the department\\\'s drive to get the most for the Missouri taxpayer\\\'s money in St. Louis included:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Route MM realignment in Jefferson County -$6.5 million under the budgeted amount</li>\n<li>Route 61 resurfacing in Jefferson County - $1.7 million under the budgeted amount</li>\n<li>Bridge rehabilitation along I-55 in St. Louis City - $2.4 million under the budgeted amount</li>\n<li>Signal improvements around the greater St. Louis area - $1.3 million under the budgeted amount</li>\n<li>Route 94 overlay in north St. Charles County - $1.3 million under the budgeted amount.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>Statewide,\nfor the fiscal year that ended June 30, MoDOT awarded 461 projects\ntotaling $1.3 billion 9 percent under budget for a savings of more than\n$135 million.&nbsp; The work included 103 recovery act projects and a\ndesign-build contract that included 554 bridges to be fixed under the\nSafe &amp; Sound Bridge Improvement Program.</p>\n<p>For the last five\nfiscal years, MoDOT has awarded 2,151 projects costing $5.7 billion 5.5\npercent under budget saving taxpayers more than $334 million.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\\\"We\nput these cost savings right back into our highways,\\\" MoDOT Director\nPete Rahn said.&nbsp; \\\"We do a good job of estimating our projects and we\nwork aggressively with our contractors to cut costs without\ncompromising quality.&nbsp; That translates into more projects and jobs and\nsafer highways.\\\"</p>\n<p>Keeping down costs is a philosophy that runs\ndeep throughout MoDOT, Rahn said.&nbsp; \\\"You can practically hear our\nemployees chanting &lsquo;better, faster, cheaper\\\' as they work,\\\" he quipped.</p>\n<p>One\nof the department\\\'s most successful cost control measures is its\nPractical Design initiative which ensures projects are designed to fix\nspecific needs without the frills.&nbsp; Other cost-curbing tools range from\nrebidding projects to allowing contractors to propose innovative ways\nto accomplish the work.&nbsp; That could mean using alternate materials,\ncoming up with improved designs, working off-hours and closing lanes.</p>\n<p>Rahn\nsaid the department\\\'s commitment to completing projects on time and\nwithin budget is reflected in the fact that 89 percent of Missourians\nsay they trust MoDOT to keep its commitments to the public.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";}'),(1755,648,4,2,1249493204,'a:27:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"648\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-08-05 07:23 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"65\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:39:\"Tough Market Lets MODOT Stretch Dollars\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:39:\"tough_market_lets_modot_stretch_dollars\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:39:\"Tough Market Lets MODOT Stretch Dollars\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:157:\"The Missouri Department of Transportation saved nearly $33 million in construction costs in the St. Louis area in 2008-09 because of tough market conditions.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:14:\"MODOT, savings\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:3072:\"<p>Due to the struggling economy, the Missouri Department of\nTransportation was able to save nearly $33 million in budgeted\nconstruction costs in the greater St. Louis Metropolitan Region in the\nlast fiscal year, which ended June 30.</p>\n<p>In fiscal 2009, the\ndepartment awarded 79 construction projects for a total cost of $108\nmillion. This amount was $33 million under the budgeted amount for the\nyear - nearly 24 percent of construction budget.&nbsp; The cost savings can\nbe attributed to the Missouri Department of Transportation\\\'s \\\"radical\ncost control\\\" philosophy, as well as to increased competition in the\nconstruction industry. These project cost savings will allow the\ndepartment to perform additional highway and bridge work at a time when\nrevenues are on the decline.</p>\n<p>Highlights from the department\\\'s drive to get the most for the Missouri taxpayer\\\'s money in St. Louis included:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Route MM realignment in Jefferson County -$6.5 million under the budgeted amount</li>\n<li>Route 61 resurfacing in Jefferson County - $1.7 million under the budgeted amount</li>\n<li>Bridge rehabilitation along I-55 in St. Louis City - $2.4 million under the budgeted amount</li>\n<li>Signal improvements around the greater St. Louis area - $1.3 million under the budgeted amount</li>\n<li>Route 94 overlay in north St. Charles County - $1.3 million under the budgeted amount.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>Statewide,\nfor the fiscal year that ended June 30, MoDOT awarded 461 projects\ntotaling $1.3 billion 9 percent under budget for a savings of more than\n$135 million.&nbsp; The work included 103 recovery act projects and a\ndesign-build contract that included 554 bridges to be fixed under the\nSafe &amp; Sound Bridge Improvement Program.</p>\n<p>For the last five\nfiscal years, MoDOT has awarded 2,151 projects costing $5.7 billion 5.5\npercent under budget saving taxpayers more than $334 million.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\\\"We\nput these cost savings right back into our highways,\\\" MoDOT Director\nPete Rahn said.&nbsp; \\\"We do a good job of estimating our projects and we\nwork aggressively with our contractors to cut costs without\ncompromising quality.&nbsp; That translates into more projects and jobs and\nsafer highways.\\\"</p>\n<p>Keeping down costs is a philosophy that runs\ndeep throughout MoDOT, Rahn said.&nbsp; \\\"You can practically hear our\nemployees chanting &lsquo;better, faster, cheaper\\\' as they work,\\\" he quipped.</p>\n<p>One\nof the department\\\'s most successful cost control measures is its\nPractical Design initiative which ensures projects are designed to fix\nspecific needs without the frills.&nbsp; Other cost-curbing tools range from\nrebidding projects to allowing contractors to propose innovative ways\nto accomplish the work.&nbsp; That could mean using alternate materials,\ncoming up with improved designs, working off-hours and closing lanes.</p>\n<p>Rahn\nsaid the department\\\'s commitment to completing projects on time and\nwithin budget is reflected in the fact that 89 percent of Missourians\nsay they trust MoDOT to keep its commitments to the public.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"65\";}'),