PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
- JACK BLOCK
The end of March brings to a close the first quarter
of this year. Needless to say it has been a lackluster quarter.
In short, there just isn't much work available. The little that
is out there is being bid way below our costs. I have been doing
some research on where the nation's economists think the construction
market is going over the next few years and the results are
not pretty or encouraging. They don't predict the market to
begin to turn until late in 2012 and maybe well into 2013. Until
then it is going to be at the current low levels. That's not
good news.
Manufacturing is all but gone in this country. Residential is
in an oversupply condition, both new and used, and hospitals
are about to peak. The only bright spots are government funded
or partially funded projects such as roads, bridges, wastewater
treatment, energy transmission and distribution, schools and
defense.
What does this all mean? It means we are in for a rough road
for the next couple of years. We as a company have taken steps
to cut our overhead costs to ride this out. What is the next
step? The next step is to find work and make it profitable.
We are trying to make some sense out of this bidding war that
is going on in the industry. Sometimes it's like trying to make
sense out of the senseless! Each and every one of us has to
step up and sell. Don't let any opportunity to sell our services
big or small go by. We know we are one of the best contractors
around; we just have to convince customers and potential customers.
Never before have we faced such economic times. These times
are calling for extreme measures. We all have to step up to
the plate and see what we can squeeze out of the work that is
out there. We have to all sell, work hard, and do our work safely
and efficiently. Don't waste any time and get right down to
it. It is a matter of survival. I know I have called upon this
team before. You have always come through. It is time to do
it again only with more effort than we did in the past. I know
we are all up to it. Now it's just a matter of getting it done.
SAME NETWORK
-MIKE DEGER
We are proud to be one of the sponsors of the 2010
SAME Preschool Inaugural Fundraiser along with McGrath Lexus Chicago/Westmont
and Rush University Medical Center. You can win a 2010 Lexus HS250h
luxury hybrid vehicle along with other prizes. Proceeds from this
raffle will benefit the SAME Preschool Program.
The Science and Math Excellence Network is operated by the Department
of Community Affairs at Rush University Medical Center. One of
the most prominent programs, the Preschool Program, considered
a cutting-edge instructional approach, was introduced in 1998.
The program's goal is to create an inviting, child-centered environment
that enables very young children to explore science, integrating
math and technology, while using a developmentally appropriate
curriculum that emphasizes inquiry and hands-on learning.
Basic components of this program include construction of a functioning
science lab stocked with an abundance of resources. Teachers receive
sequential professional development to utilize equipment and curriculum
appropriate for young learners. Parents enjoy workshops to promote
science and math exploration in the home. With the cooperation
of corporate partners and a generous grant from a major research
institution, Rush University Medical Center's SAME Network has
assembled 23 preschool labs reaching over 7,000 students that
undoubtedly has enhanced student learning.
If you are interested in buying a ticket please contact Mike or
Crissy at 847-647-4030.
IRS CONSUMER ALERT
The IRS does not send taxpayers unsolicited e-mails
about their tax accounts, tax situations or personal tax issues.
If you receive such an e-mail, most likely it's a scam.
IRS impersonation schemes flourish during filing season. These
schemes may take place via phone, fax, Internet sites, social
networking sites and particularly e-mail.
Many impersonations are identity theft scams that try to trick
victims into revealing personal and financial information that
can be used to access their financial accounts. Some e-mail scams
contain attachments or links that, when clicked, download malicious
code (virus) that infects your computer or direct you to a bogus
form or site posing as a genuine IRS form or Web site.
Some impersonations may be commercial Internet sites that consumers
unknowingly visit, thinking they're accessing the genuine IRS
Web site, IRS.gov. However, such sites have no connection to the
IRS.
For more information on scams and what to do if you're subject
to one, see Online Scams that Impersonate the IRS, Suspicious
e-Mails and Identity Theft and How to Report and Identify Phishing,
E-mail Scams and Bogus IRS Web Sites.
DO NOT TEXT WHILE DRIVING...IT'S THE
LAW
Please be aware of two new cellular laws that took effect
January 1st.
Illinois is now among 19 states that have outlawed texting while
driving to reduce the number of crashes and fatalities in Illinois.
On August 6, 2009, Governor Pat Quinn signed into law House Bill
71 and House Bill 72 which took effect on Friday, January 1, 2010.
The Illinois Secretary of State and Illinois Department of State
Police and Transportation have joined corporate partners to spread
the news.
Motorist will now be impacted in three ways according to the new
laws:
1. no motorist will be allowed to compose, send or read messages
or access the Internet while driving;
2. no motorist will be allowed to talk on a cell phone, even through
a hands-free device, while driving through a construction zone or
a school zone; and
3. no motorist under the age of 19 can use a cell phone at all while
driving. The ban includes personal digital assistants and portable
or mobile computers.
For additional details, please refer to: www.dot.il.gov/texting.asp
HAND TOOL ERGONOMICS
-DREW BOYCE
Simply speaking, hand tool ergonomics means selecting
and using the proper tool for the job and the worker. When this
is done, the job is usually completed both efficiently and safely.
The objective of ergonomically designed hand tools is to minimize
physical stress to the fingers, hands, wrists, arms and shoulders
during use. Ergonomics with respect to hand tools involves four
fundamental principles:
1. Reducing or removing high contact forces and static loading.
2. Reducing or removing extreme or awkward joint positions.
3. Reducing or removing repetitive finger action.
4. Reducing or removing tool vibration.
The following are a few ways to accomplish these:
Select tools whose activators use a "power grip" of
several fingers or the entire palm. Avoid single finger triggers.
Select tools whose handle diameter is at least 1.5". The
length of the handle should be long enough (at least 4") to
avoid applying pressure to the base of the thumb or palm.
Select tools whose handles are textured/non-slip and provide
low thermal conductivity. The hand will automatically grip a cold,
hard surface with unnecessary force.
A gloved hand will also grip a tool more tightly than necessary
so if gloves are needed, they should provide adequate protection
for the fingers and hand but allow enough sensitivity to grip/control
the tool. Fingerless gloves should be considered.
Hand tools which keep the wrist in the neutral (unbent) position
should be used whenever possible. Pliers and hammers with "bent"
handles or knives/powered screwdrivers with pistol-grip handles
are examples.
Vibrating tools should have vibration dampening features such
as energy isolating handles; consider using vibration dampening
gloves whether or not the tools are so equipped.
Whenever possible, use power tools to reduce the amount of human
force and repetition.
Use light weight tools when low frequency, low
force tasks are necessary.
HOW CAN YOU IMPROVE YOUR JOBS REQUIRING HAND TOOLS?
BIRTHDAYS
Greg Vandreese 03/04
Nicholas Santorineos 03/06
Keith Howen 03/07
Pat Phee 03/12
Alex Giese 03/15
Bill Enz 03/17
Kevin Sheridan 03/17
Crissy Bellas 03/20
Sonia Kelly 03/20
Dan DeLuna 03/31
NEW EMPLOYEES
Welcome to the new kids on the Block team.
Lorance Dabney
Jerry McConville
Dana Mitchell
Ignacio Reyes
Francis Ryan
Kevin Snikeris
IMPROVE YOUR MEMORY NATURALLY
Serve yourself blueberries: It's a fact memory tests show
that people who eat fresh or frozen blueberries score higher on
recall and related tests than those who do not.
Doodle: On paper, draw happy faces, stars or figures 8's,
following the pen or pencil with your eyes. Research shows this
is one of the simplest ways to create memory-building connections
in the brain.
Drink up: Several studies reveal that being even slightly
dehydrated can cloud memory. Aim to have a 6 to 8 ounce glass
of water every three hours or so.
Picture it: Taking a few minutes to visualize a place you
love that you're longing to visit will relax you, making you less
forgetful all day long.
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