News from the CSI Southwest Region

SOUTHWEST BREEZES

INFORMATION YOU CAN USE FROM THE SOUTHWEST REGION

CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS INSTITUTE

http://southwest.csinet.org

APRIL 2012

THIS IS ONLY A TEST ...

Greetings!

Well, I've put it off long enough. No longer can I ignore the CCS examination, which (no doubt like more than a few of you) I'm taking later this month. For various reasons I am taking this test later in my career than normal (life always gets in the way!), yet all the angst of test-taking is coming back to me from those anxious memories of college cramming and late nights. In a convoluted way, I suppose it makes me feel young again.

I try to remember that tests are a teaching tool, but that's little comfort as I try to sort out burning questions like the difference between allowances and alternates. Wish me luck ...

"The difference between school and life? In school, you're taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you're given a test that teaches you a lesson."

- Tom Bodett

David Furry, PE, CSI, CDT

Editor, Southwest Breezes

dfurry@arcomnet.com

SOUTHWEST REGION

PRESIDENT'S LETTER

Jim Whitfield FCSI, CCPR, CTC, LEED AP

Southwest Region President

We recently completed another successful CSI Academies, the beginning of March. It was well attended with class over a 150 attendee's in sunny San Diego. It really reminded me about the benefits of CSI; I was able to break bread and network with Architects, Specifier's, Estimators, Owners, Suppliers and Manufacturing Representatives like myself. That was just the faculty! What a faculty, to mention just a few; Former CSI President Alana Griffiths, Vice President Mitch Miller and from the Southwest Region incoming Institute President Greg Markling.

Vistal

PHOENIX CHAPTER CSI ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

18TH A

(Benefits the Phoenix CSI Chapter &

Kenn Lockhardt Scholarship Fund)

TIME: Registration @ 6:45 AM. Shotgun @ 7:30 AM

PLACE: Vistal Golf Club www.vistalgolfclub.com

701 E. Thunderbird Trail

Phoenix, AZ

ENTRY FEE: $85.00 Per Player (Includes Green Fees, Cart, Range Balls & Prizes)

more information

What is a Master Builder?

by Sheldon Wolfe, RA, CSI, CCS, CCCA

archimedes

The master mason was in charge. He was architect and builder rolled into one. He often directed a work force numbering into hundreds. But he also worked among his people. He cut stone and installed plumbing. That puzzles us, wed as we are to the notion that academic and manual knowledge don't mix.
John H. Lienhard, Professor Emeritus of Mechanical Engineering and History, University of Houston; my emphasis.

architect: 1550s, from M.Fr. architecte, from L. architectus, from Gk. arkhitekton "master builder, director of works," from arkhi- "chief" + tekton "builder, carpenter". An O.E. word for it was heahcræftiga "high-crafter." Online Etymology Dictionary.

About 2,000 years ago, Roman military engineer and architect Marcus Vitruvius Pollio wrote De architectura, now commonly known as the Ten Books on Architecture. As I'm sure most readers will know, he said good design required three things - firmitas, utilitas, venustas, or strength, utility, and beauty.