Here we go again

Well guess what’s back…. Many people thought this story was over, but sadly it wasn’t.  The battle to protect our industry from reduced usage of glass is on the front burner again after the task group from ASHRAE 189.1 replied with some exceptions that they feel could resolve our “issues.”  It is mind blowing this dance continues but it does, and the simple answer to their reply here is… NO.  The exceptions they laid out won’t solve our areas of very legitimate concern.   And once again, despite the best showing we have had as industry consensus, we are still battling.  If you are a member of GANA, GICC, or AEC, you were alerted about this.  If you are not, you still need to get involved.  We don’t need a ton of you’re your time; we just need your support.  Obviously having a large segment of the industry involved the last time was not enough.  We need to show more.  And we need to CONTINUE to stand up for ourselves and say that reducing the window area by 25% is wrong and actually works against high performance building design.

Thankfully we have Dr. Tom Culp leading us and he’s been brilliant, but we have to be behind him or otherwise we’ll all be looking at structures with tiny little windows in the future.  There’s no way anyone reading this blog could want that right?

Elsewhere

--  More news was Guardian making a change at the top of their flat glass division.  Obviously my first thought is best wishes and health recovery to Scott Thomsen who stepped down due to undisclosed health reasons.  Scott made a major impact in his time at Guardian in many areas (products, innovations, people etc.) and was a passionate supporter of the industry.  He will be sorely missed from that standpoint but with what he created his legacy will love on.  As for Guardian’s strong support of the industry I am confident that it will continue no matter who may be in charge.

--  Interestingly, one of Scott’s main pushes over the last few years was the “The Battle for the Wall” and efforts like the one listed above to hurt our industry.  On the day he steps down, that comes back. 

--  The weather this past week did not help my prediction of a great year, thankfully the worst of it is gone, but there’s no question last week was not exactly the busiest business week we will all have!  As for the actual weather itself, that was a memorable event and I hope I never see or hear the word “Arctic Vortex” again!

--  Also making news over the past few days… Glass Apps acquired the smart film manufacturing assets of Citala.  Glass Apps makes some excellent advanced interior switchable glass and I was very impressed with their product and team when I met them at AIA last year. Looks like now they are continuing to grow and move.

--  SAPA is back with another excellent educational opportunity with the return of their Profile Academy.  Scheduled for February 6-7 in Atlanta, and with a focus on building and construction, this Academy is a great way for folks to learn more about aluminum, its design, treatment, usages, and so on.    This is something on my bucket list for sure and I have been unable to attend in the past, but I will eventually get to one!

--  Government waste is a major frustration for me.  I have railed here before and it amazes me that we as a world allow it.  At the end of last year Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma put out his annual manual on it.  While some items are political footballs, there are many legitimate and infuriating things happening with public money.  It’s shameful.  Here’s a quick look.

LINKS of the WEEK

What your favorite drink says about your politics….

The lowest grossing movie of 2013…

I love Disney a ton… and I knew about most of these hidden facts too… scary!

VIDEO of the WEEK

The Price is Right is a classic TV show, and some of the most fun is when contestants go crazy.  Well this one slipped and fell in her excitement leading to an awkward and funny moment.