NBN Online for the week of May 22, 2006

(Plain Text Version) for full graphical version, click here.

In This Issue:

Front Page
Record Number of Builders Carry Concerns to Capitol Hill
Share Nation's Building News With Your Company's Employees
The Race Is On for National Membership Day
Builders Face Higher Copper Costs, Drywall Shortages
Coast to Coast
Housing Cool-Down Is ‘Orderly,’ Fed Chief Says
Politics & Government
Lawmakers Just Say ‘No’ to Anti-Housing Tax Proposals
New Tax Law Contains Provisions of Interest to Builders
Senate Majority Whip Wants to Abolish Estate Tax
NAHB Members Urged to Ask Senators to Support S. 2611
Bush Immigration Reforms Supported by Builders
Election Web Site Aimed at ‘Building the Vote’
Economics & Finance
Housing Starts Dip 7.4 Percent in April
Builder Expectations Reflect Slowing Market
Housing Affordability Up Just a Notch in First Quarter
Pact Would Keep Lumber Prices High Even as Demand Softens
NAHB Board Salutes 18 Millionth VA Home Loan Recipient
First Construction-to-Permanent Loan Rural Home Built
Eye on the Economy: NAHB Still Forecasts a 6.1% Decline in Starts
Tips
Builder's Tip: Shop Vac Works for Hard-to-Fill Glue Ups
Business Management
See Success With Biztools on Membership Day Webcast
Build Your Knowledge at the Custom Builder Symposium
Remodelers
Remodelers Report Moderate Growth in First Quarter
Home Remodeling Heads for Another Record Year
Commercial
4-D Modeling: Is 'Virtual Building' In Your Future?
Education
From Walls to Kitchen Counters, Concrete is Hot
Want to Know More About Designations? Ask an Expert
Education Calendar
Environment
EPA Aims at Reducing Storm Water Permit Paperwork
Corps Official Hears Wetlands Regulation Complaints
Research
Big Changes Underway for Home Energy Rating System
Legal
High Court Clean Water Act Ruling Puts EPA on Thin Ice
Katrina Recovery
Red Cross Prepares Floridians for Hurricanes
Enterprise Supports 6,500 New Orleans-Area Homes
Construction Safety
NAHB, Fannie Mae Announce Safety Award for Excellence
Labor
HBI Helps Youthbuild Grads Start Construction Careers
Superintendent Course Premiering at Concrete Technologies Tour
Building Products
Recent Home Buyers Spend More on Home Improvements
TV
NAHB-Produced Programs on HGTV & DIY This Week
Endowment
New Grant Funds Hispanic College Student Internships
Association News
Avoid Credit Card Processing Rate Increases With Solveras
GM $500 Exclusive Offer for NAHB Members
Find Employees Through New NAHB Online Career Center
Calendar of Events
NAHB Career Center

NAHB-Produced Programs on HGTV & DIY This Week

The NAHB Production Group produces four weekly television shows on HGTV and DIY for consumers. The following is this week's lineup:

"I Want That" on HGTV

Episode: "Star Gazing Tools"

•  May 24, 9:00 p.m. ET/PT
•  May 25, 1:00 a.m. ET/PT
•  May 28, 2:00 p.m. ET/PT

 

A smart telescope uses GPS technology to locate thousands of celestial points of interest. A motorized chair points you to the stars. A giant bronze of your fingerprint is a great way to personalize your decor. A new safety ladder allows you to escape from upper-story floors in the event of an emergency. The newest gadgets for cat lovers include a collar that lights up when Fluffy's purring and an automated toy that entertains cats while you're away.

"Dream Builders" on HGTV

Episode: "Ship Bottom Home, Modern Barn"  

•  May 28, 9:30 a.m. ET/PT

 

It's not just a house — it's a land craft. How ships' carpenters invented a Maryland home. Also, from cow palace to "wow" palace: a major makeover for a California barn. Then, an Idaho retreat straight from a storybook, complete with happy ending. Plus, recycled timber brings new joy to 21st century homes.

"Rock Solid" on DIY

Episode: "Slate Floor"

• May 25, 10:00 p.m. ET/PT
• May 26, 1:00 a.m. ET/PT
• May 27, Noon ET/PT
• May 28, 7:00 p.m. ET/PT

 

Derek and Dean  take advantage of the slate expertise of expert Tom Nigro from Capitol Tile and Marble in Rockville, Md. to create a one-of-a-kind slate floor in a Washington metropolitan area home. They give insider tips on varying color schemes and tile size to create a finished project that uses this old-fashioned product in a distinctly modern way. Dean and Derek go inside Tom's shop to find out what's selling, ways to vary the project and, most importantly, how to maintain a slate floor so it lasts for a hundred years.

"Assembly Required" on DIY

Episode: "Post and Beam (Part 2)"

• May 24, 10:30 p.m. ET/PT
• May 25, 1:30 a.m. ET/PT
• May 28, 2:00 p.m. ET/PT

 

During this second of two episodes, a New England crew continues to struggle with inclement weather and a family pushes forward to build their post and beam home before ski season.

The NAHB Production Group is a full-service, self-contained, media production unit creating programming for cable television, broadcast television, non-profit, museum and corporate clients. Productions range from magazine format shows for general audiences to museum-installation videos for specialized use.

The production group includes award winning journalists, writers and photographers with experience in broadcast, documentary and corporate television.



Log In and Explore www.nahb.org

Explore the latest housing industry news and information on www.nahb.org — the official public and members-only Web site of NAHB. 

With an expansive "For Consumers" section, www.nahb.org provides a credible source of information on home building and remodeling for your customers. The Web site also provides a wealth of member discount programs and business resources developed for you.

Plus, to make it easy to get what you need, the Web site has built in time-saving features like My NAHB to customize the site to your interests, My Favorites so you can select specific links to appear on your www.nahb.org Home page and online Staff Directories so you can find NAHB housing industry experts quickly and easily.

Use www.nahb.org to stay on top of the latest housing industry news, access your council and committee materials, register for courses and events and stay abreast of NAHB’s efforts to promote housing.

Log in today to start taking advantage of this free NAHB member benefit.


 

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Sponsored by
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> Design Institute for Builders - June 5-6
> Concrete Technologies Tour - June 11-13
> Custom Builder Symposium - Oct. 27-29