Happy New Year! Our January meeting Program will discuss the ASHRAE Green Building Standard 189P. In 2006, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), the US Green Building Council and the Illuminating Society of North America (IESNA) with the assistance of the AIA, embarked on a project to develop a model code that provides legal standards for high performance, green buildings that would apply to all buildings except low-rise residential buildings (Standard 189). The standard addresses sustainable sites, water use efficiency, energy efficiency, the building’s impact on the atmosphere, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality. We are fortunate to have a panel presentation that includes four of the members of the Committee that wrote ASHRAE 189. They include Claudia Newman (Partner and Attorney at Law, Bricklin Newman Dold, LLP), Tom Marseille (Principal at Stantec), Don Horn (Director of the General Services Administration Sustainable Design Program), and John Hogan (Senior Code Analyst for the City of Seattle). So plan on attending and bring a guest from your office. See you then.

Also at this event, the Academic Affairs Committee will be awarding scholarships. Students and student involvement are a vital component of our chapter. The scholarship program ensures this vitality by awarding scholarships to students from schools throughout the Puget Sound Region. Here we will honor them and introduce them to the Chapter.

Don't miss it! Make your online reservations now, and we'll see you there!

WHERE College Club 505 Madison Seattle MENU   Ham & chicken buffet Carrot cake

RESERVATIONS Click here for reservations by noon, Tuesday, January 9.

WHEN Thursday, January 10  5:15 Social 6:00 Dinner 7:00 Program COST $30 reserved $35 waiting list $10 student members

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A Heartfelt Wish

By Brian Keil CSI CCPR

Yet another year flies by. I can’t help but feel like I am a traveler in time, stuck on a fast moving train with only one stop. It makes me wish that I might jump off sometimes, just to look around and maybe hold on a little longer to the moment. The damnedest part about it is that, the closer I get to the end, the faster that train seems to go. I digress – 2007 was a wonderful year.

Maybe it’s the holidays. Maybe it’s the lack of sunlight. Maybe it’s that annual tick of the clock that tells us a new year is born. Whatever the reason, this time of year I often find myself lost in reflection. I find myself digging through the basket of memories I have collected over the last year. I linger on some. I cringe about some. And still I smile about others. With some luck, I learn from them all. Having revealed my (usually) guarded softer side, I would like to share with you something I have learned from these bouts of post holiday reflection and my 55 years of living. I call it “The Three Givings”.

Most of us try to identify a guiding principle or an “ideal” to help us navigate our sojourn through this plain we call “our lifetime”. Many find guidance in their religion. Some look to the wisdom passed down from their parents. Yet others hold on to the philosophy of brilliant thinkers, poets and authors. I don’t remember exactly the source of my mantra. (Probably the proverbial school of hard knocks) Regardless, my guiding principle works well for me. It provides perspective, it keeps me anchored, it keeps me focused and above all, it keeps me relatively happy. My holiday wish is that you too may find a spot in your life where it might help.

1. I have found that the act of Giving of (yourself) is primary to a full and rich life. I think Einstein was the one who said, and I paraphrase, “true happiness comes from service to others”. I’ve learned that when you lend a helping hand, the recipient and everyone around them is better for it. Above and beyond the physical act of giving to someone in need, it also creates hope and good faith, that perpetuates itself to others with whom they come into contact. And of course if you subscribe to karma, “Giving” always finds its way back to you.
2. Giving Thanks is the one “Giving” that is a little more difficult for some people to get their arms around. How will this improve my life? What if I have no spiritual entity that I recognize? Give thanks to whom? Well, look at it like this, giving thanks is much the same as, what some used to call, “counting your blessings”. Simply by taking stock of all of the good things that have come your way, or all of the good things that have happened to you, is very therapeutic. It makes you look at things in a more optimistic light. It improves your attitude. It keeps you grounded and provides prospective when things occasionally go wrong. Think hard. There is always something or someone to be thankful (for).
3. Forgiving is likely the most powerful and yet, the most misunderstood of the three. It is the last thing you want to think about when you become the victim. Many of us hold on tight to feelings of revenge or hurt for so long that it can eventually consume your spirit and good nature. This, so much at times, that all of your future life experiences and relationships are denied a chance to blossom and grow into contentment and security. These mental burdens can also inhibit focus, clear thinking and good judgment. So, by simply trying to find a way to forgive, serves to release some of that encumbrance holding us down. That person may well be wrong, but if we can at least forgive them for being stupid and ill informed, we are getting closer to being able to put it behind us. Forgive – move on – get over it - start enjoying your life. You don’t want to hold on to the bad feelings, just the good ones.

Giving to Others, Giving Thanks, and Forgiving, make up my guiding principle. Virtues with real living value. My hope is that you will find some value (in them) that may help you in some way. I also want to convey my best wishes for a healthy, happy and exciting 2008. I am looking forward to all that it has in store. Happy New Year, Puget Sound Chapter, and to your family and friends too.

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Understanding DEWPOINT and Moisture Management is a review of the issues that can cause moisture problems (vapor diffusion, air infiltration and exfiltration) within a wall or roof assembly. This will involve an analysis of common wall and roof details. We will discuss when and why condensation occurs and how to fix it. Furthermore we will discuss what makes one system work and another system fail. It is imperative for us to learn to controlling moisture in order to reduce the potential for mold, mildew and corrosion.

The presenter, Mike Lentz, is an Account Manager and Architectural Sales Specialist for Dow Building solutions in Denver Colorado. Mike is expert in dewpoint theory as well as practice, and presents on the subject to architects throughout the Western US on a regular basis. He is knowledgeable on the many varied building systems used throughout the West as well as the extremely diverse climactic conditions from coast to desert to mountain to arctic.

Come armed with specific building envelope, site and occupancy conditions and have dewpoint calculations run for your project.

The seminar will be held Thursday, January 10, at the College Club, 505 Madison Street, Seattle, 2:00-4:00 pm. The seminar is $25 with discounts for students and groups. Visit the Continuing Education Seminars webpage for more information.

Register for this seminar. Online registration closes January 9. If there is room available, on-site registration will be available.

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The total amount collected from our December auction and donations for N W Harvest was $2,647.00. Thanks to the 25 members who contributed auction items and to the 25 members who bought those items or made donations!

December Meeting Photos

Photographs by Kirk Buhne CSI CDT

President Brian Keil and First Lady Trudy Keil

Okay, who keeps outbidding me?

Sponsorship recipients honored.

View these and other photos from the December meeting.

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Mt. Rainier Chapter will again offer two continuing education classes, starting in January 2008. These classes provide detailed educational content in the organization and use of construction documents, and the use of construction documents and contract administration procedures during the Construction Stage of a project. The classes are based on the Project Resource Manual - CSI Manual of Practice. The classes focus on educational content and preparation for the Construction Documents Technologist and Certified Construction Contract Administration exams offered annually by The Construction Specifications Institute.

For more information, contact Kit Burns CSI CCS CCCA at (253) 627-5599 or Jerry Litwin CSI CCCA at (253) 584-5207.

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The 2008 Northwest Region Conference will be held at the elegant Mayflower Park Hotel. This historic property offers superb ambience and is perfectly located for attendees to enjoy all that Seattle has to offer. At the corner of Olive and Fourth Avenue, the hotel provides direct access to Westlake Center with 80 specialty shops, the monorail, and the heart of downtown Seattle.

The Mayflower Park was built in 1927 and has been beautifully restored in the style of a classic European hotel. It offers crystal chandeliers, lofty ceilings, and stained glass windows. Attendees at the conference will gather on Thursday evening, September 25, 2008 in the mezzanine with a fireplace and grand piano for the opening reception. Sessions will be held on Friday and Saturday in the Plymouth and Waverly Rooms, while vendor tables will be set with the coffee breaks in the Green Room.

Andaluca Restaurant in the Mayflower Park has been rated by Zagat as “What a sexy place!” (The food is superb, too.) The martini bar, Oliver’s, is a great place to schmooze in comfort. The guest rooms have windows that actually open, and internet access is complimentary throughout the hotel.

A block of guest rooms has been reserved at the rate of $179 single or double, plus tax (currently 15.6%). Rooms with two queens are also available for $199 single or double, $219 triple, $229 quad. These rates are available until September 4, 2008. Call today to reserve your room and join us for “Tomorrow’s Yesterdays,” September 25-27, 2008, in Seattle. Watch the PSC CSI website for program details and sponsorship and exhibit opportunities!

CSI Northwest Region Conference
Tomorrow’s Yesterdays
September 25-27, 2008

Mayflower Park Hotel
405 Olive Way
Seattle, Washington 98101
(206) 382-6991
www.mayflowerpark.com

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Nearly 15 years ago, a small group of forward thinking individuals got together and formed the non-profit organization United States Green Building Council (USBGC) to accelerate sustainability in buildings. The first order of business for the fledgling organization was to develop a green building rating system, which was dubbed Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

Download and read the entire report.

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CSI is currently considering a new governance structure. All members are encouraged to download a copy of the proposal and engage in ongoing discussions in the Forums at www.csinet.org.

In other news, the Northwest Region Membership committee has prepared a plan for 2007-2009. Download a copy of the plan.

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Scrooge was an old man, set in his ways. And why not? He had been doing things the same way for many years, and the resulting success was sufficient evidence of the wisdom of continuing in that path. Whenever it was suggested that change might be a good thing, “Bah, humbug!” was his response. “I like things the way they are! I started this business, I’ve been doing things the same way for fifty years, and I don’t see any reason to change!”

One evening, a strange series of events befell our dear Mister Scrooge. Having had a particularly trying day, he tried to enjoy a rich repast and a few glasses of wine in an effort to forget his problems. As he fell asleep, he was thinking of how much fun he had in his youth.

Download and read the entire article.

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New Members
Mr. Mark Beggs CSI
Ms. Erin Lee Catalfano CSI
Mrs. Wendy S. Costello CSI, Lake Washington Technical
Mr Elton Haught CSI-I, Apex Steel Inc
Mr David James Lemanski, Jr. CSI-S
Mr. Don E. Nolan CSI
Joe Russo, Malarkey Roofing Products
Mr. Robert E. Schaefer CSI
Ms. Georgeanne Smith CSI, Lake Washington Tech College

Renewing Members
Mr. Philip J. Agnelli, CSI, McGregor Door & Hardware, LLC, 6 years
Mr. Lorne Andrusiak CSI, Dow Corning Corp, 2 years
Ms. Monica Baillie CSI, CCS, Monica Baillie Architect Ltd., 7 years
Mr. Carroll Bryan, II CSI, Stego Industries, LLC, 8 years
Ms. Teresa A. Carpenter, CSI-S, 3 years
Ms. Marjorie S. Chang Fuller, CSI, Hoffman Construction, 11 years
Mr. Ron Cook, CSI, United Tile, 26 years
Mr. Dwayne M.D. Epp CSI, CDT, BA, AIA, Mahlum Architects, 2 years
Mr. Scott L. Finlinson CSI, USG Building Systems, 17 years
Mr. Michael Galbraith CSI, Lance Mueller & Associates, 13 years
Mr Konrad Hee CSI, CDT, LEED AP, Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects, LLP, 5 years
Mr. Bob C. Holloway, III CSI, Holloway Enterprises, 8 years
Mr. Brian D. Keil CSI, CCPR, Kelly-Moore Paint Company, 11 years
Mr. Norm Mourer CSI, Zesbaugh Inc., 24 years
Mr. Chris P. Rogstad CSI, CDT, Window Tech, Inc., 20 years
Mr. Larry Saxon CSI, CDT, Saxon and Associates, Inc., 19 years
Mrs. Lisa Sewell CSI, CDT, Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., 1 year
Mr. Dan Stevens, CSI, Concrete Waterproofing Products, Inc., 1 year
Mr. Bill Stone CSI, Stone-Drew Ashe& Jones,Inc, 5 years
Mr. Earl D. Thorgalsen CSI, RTB Company, 9 years
Mr. O. Van Luenen CSI, Roppe Corp., 16 years
Charles J. Weldy CSI, CCS, Mithun, 23 years
Mr. Vern C. Wigen, Jr., CSI, CCS, DLR Group, 14 years
Mr. Terry Wildeboer CSI, Isolatek International, 16 years
Mr. Trevor A. Yost, CSI, CDT, Stego Industries, LLC, 2 years

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