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we look forward to serving you in 2011!

IEQ Credit 4.3: Low-Emitting Materials—Flooring Systems

Tile is fired at very high temperatures, usually in excess of 2,000°F. At such high temperatures, any organics that might be present in clays or binders are completely burned away. As a result, the final product is inert and has no VOCs that can be emitted.

Due to its VOC-free nature, ceramic and porcelain tile products are exempt from all testing criteria outlined in LEED® IEQ Credit 4.3 (1 point).

On April 14, 2010, USGBC issued an addendum to LEED® IEQ Credit 4.3. It states, “Mineral-based finished flooring products such as tile, masonry, terrazzo, and cut stone without integral organic-based coatings and sealants … qualify for credit without any IAQ testing requirements.”

For more information, see the Tile Council of North America’s Natural Choice website.

Stop by to see for yourself if you haven’t already.

Tile Dealer Nov/Dec Issue (story starts on page 21)

Statements Showroom location and hours

“Products containing phthalates can release toxic gas over time because the plasticizers aren’t chemically bonded to the underlying material, Gearhart said. Children also breathe in the chemicals through dust.”

Yikes!

For more information, view the full article.

Hope you can join us!

Artopia Details.

Help The Salvation Army Pack A Million Meals For Haiti!Give two hours. Pack Food. Feed thousands.

The Salvation Army is urging Northwesterners to pack a million meals for Haiti earthquake survivors at a mass volunteer event later this month. The event will provide meals for 20,000 displaced people now living in a tent city operated by The Salvation Army. Since the Jan. 12 disaster, The Salvation Army has already packed, shipped and distributed 10 million meals to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, one of the hardest hit areas of the country.

Thousands of volunteers are invited to the packing party, where they will prepare bags of vitamin-fortified rice, beans and vegetables; one bag is enough to feed a family of six!

Currently, The Salvation Army is distributing approximately one million meals per week in Haiti and will continue to do so over the next six to nine months. To meet the constant demand for food, “Million Meals for Haiti” events are being organized around the United States in partnership with Salvation Army World Service Office (SAWSO) and Numana– a non-profit organization that produces dried, non-perishable meals to be distributed to areas of hunger worldwide. To date, The Salvation Army “Million Meals for Haiti” events have occurred in Los Angeles, Chicago, Kansas City, San Francisco and other communities.

Where: Washington State Convention Center, 800 Convention Center Place, Seattle, WA 98101

When:
Sat. May 29, 2010, 12 PM – 8 PM
Sun. May 30, 2010, 10 AM – 8 PM

Volunteers are needed for the following:
- Runners: Bring food from back to front tables to replenish as needed
- Packers: Assemble and box meals at tables of 12 people
- Box Makers: Assemble and deliver boxes to packing tables
- Back-room workers: Organizing the product throughout the event

Come by yourself, bring a friend or bring a team of 12 from your office, church, family or sports team!

Volunteers should be at least 10 years of age. Those under age 18 need to be accompanied by an adult.

Please note most of the volunteer positions are standing, with few seated duties. Please dress accordingly.

More information…

Conversation with a leader…Ryan Calkins

“Trade associations are the best forum for competitive collaboration.”

Ryan Calkins is the President of Statements, Inc., Distinctive Tile and Stone in Seattle, Washington, and serves as the Vice President of the Ceramic Tile Distributors Association. As Ryan points out in the interview below, he is the third generation in a family business that has long been active in its industry trade association. He’s made a point of leveraging as many association benefits as possible – from trade missions to webinars.

FULL INTERVIEW