In The Mix                                                November 2011- Vol 3, Issue 8

Ok FICAP members, we hope you've saved the date and plan to join us for the annual Christmas Banquet scheduled for Thursday, December 15th at the Lone Palm Golf Club in Lakeland.

It's always a great time with lots of fun and laughter.

This is a plated dinner event, and as such, no walk-ins will be accepted.  Dress is smart casual or better. (no jeans)

Register Now 

2011 Concrete Days in Tallahassee 

Fifty-five concrete industry constituents descended on Tallahassee, Florida November 15 - 16th 2011 to promote "Concrete." They included fourteen representatives from the masonry industry, including the Masonry Association of Florida (MAF), and six masonry contractors.

The promotion began Tuesday evening with a reception at the Governors Club where the concrete representatives socialized with many legislators and other "movers and shakers", discussing industry challenges and the resulting effect on the Florida economy. This theme continued the next day at an industry only breakfast to plan the day's events. We divided into teams of four - five people and received our assignments for legislator visits at the capitol building. Read More

A Great Industry Effort                                                                                                Director's Corner

If you were a part of the Tallahassee efforts last week, you know what a success we experienced. If you weren't, you should make every effort to participate next year.  Fifty five industry representatives (producers, suppliers, masonry contractors and industry partners) stormed the Capitol and met with more than 100 legislators.  The response was tremendous and the message was well received - Concrete puts Florida back to work.

We have many to thank for the success.  Dave Ramba, Mike Murtha, Wade Mullins and Pat McLaughlin have done a great job of preparing and packaging HB403 (SB412), Florida Concrete Masonry Products Research, Education and Promotion Act (Masonry Check-off). Wade Mullins and Mike Murtha also provided additional bill numbers and information on other issues that affect our industry in which to share with those in Tallahassee.  All made for great conversations with our legislators.

A HUGE thank you goes to Mike Murtha who invested a great deal of time and energy coordinating this event (with a lot of help from Laura).  Mike arranged the legislative appointments, a reception, breakfast, luncheon, packet of materials, lanyards and a truck display.  Thank you Mike and also thank you Chairman Rick Edwards and the Board of Directors of FCPA for your hospitality.

My political mentor, Wade Mullins, believes I should meet often with my legislators so they understand my interests and concerns, and possibly remember my name. I decided to try it his way, and I'm only going to say this once, "He was right." Ugh.  It is a great idea and even though regular contact does not guarantee they will support your position or bill, it does gain you an audience and the ability to share your point of view.  Thank you Wade for your perseverance in training me.

By the time this newsletter is published, I will be on vacation and enjoying Thanksgiving week with my family.  Nothing against any of you, but I'm REALLY looking forward to the break from routine and more time in the kitchen.  I may not know concrete mix designs or have political savvy, but I know my way around a kitchen and love spending time in it. I've decided to share one of my favorite recipes; something I expect will become part of your lineup of must haves in the future. I discovered this recipe in the mid 90's and it's one of the few I did not feel the need to tweak. It's elegant enough for a first course or hearty enough for the main dish. Don't be stingy with the ingredients and whatever you do, don't use inferior products. You should always buy the best you can afford for every effort in the kitchen and you should use fresh when possible. The fewer trips down the center isles of the grocery store, the healthier it is for your family. That's just Mama Stropoli talking (notice I left off Sugar-Adam and Gary).

I hope you have a Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!

                                                 Corn and Wild Rice Soup Recipe 

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In the Mix goes out to nearly a 1,000 opt-in subscribers each month. By advertising in the eNewsletter, you have the unique opportunity to deliver information about your products and services straight to the e-mail in-boxes of the decision makers within the Florida concrete industry.

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Learn More About the Foundation's Projects & Programs

Please join us on Thursday, December 1st at 11:00 am Eastern (10:00 am Central; 9:00 am Mountain; 8:00 am Pacific) for an informational webinar on the activities and programs of the RMC Research & Education Foundation.  This webinar will serve as an update to our valued stakeholders on a variety of subjects, including:  

• How the Foundation reviews, solicits and approves proposals;
• The financial state of the Foundation;
• Update on currently funded programs, including the MIT Concrete Sustainability Hub; and
• Outreach activities.

We hope you can join us on December 1st for this opportunity to learn more about the Foundation and its programs.  Register now

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Around the Industry

Factory Output Starts to Move Up Again

The manufacturing sector had been one of the bright spots of the recovery as it had been growing pretty consistently since the depths of the recession.  Read More

For a second time in less than a year, they ruled against eco-terrorist attorney Richard Grosso -- and struck a knockout blow to all who would raise "meritless appellate arguments on the chance they will 'stick.'" Read More

It is impossible to pick up a book on modern management that doesn't remind the leaders of an organization to pay attention to those in the trenches. Everyone nods knowingly and then the majority of those managers go out and ignore their people anyway.  Read More
 

Of the 6.98 million private-sector businesses located in the nation's 938 metropolitan and micropolitan areas, 6.82 million -- 97.7 percent -- have fewer than 100 employees, qualifying them as small businesses, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Read More 

INFLATION 
 Cutting money in half without damaging the paper. 

  

YAWN
 An honest opinion openly expressed. 

WRINKLES
 Something other people have, 
Similar to my character lines.

EGOTIST
 Someone who is usually me-deep in conversation.