Two weeks ago, Super Storm Sandy affected many of us. You've seen the news stories of the problems that residents and businesses have had to bear over the last two weeks - long lines at gas stations, lack of food and water, no heat as the cold weather sets in.

Well, here's a story about the difference that one of our Mid-Atlantic Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (MAHPBA) members made in the lives of hundreds of less fortunate people in the New York City area.   



The owners of Courtland Hardware, who have multiple locations in Maryland, received an email from Mountain Christian Church asking for help supplying a trip to New York City to provide relief supplies to residents of some of the hardest hit areas of the city.

They loaded a Courtland truck with food, water, flashlights, cleaning supplies and much, much more. They met up with others, creating a goodwill convoy that consisted of five trucks, some of which were pulling trailers, and 10 cars all loaded up and on a Mission to help those in need.   

The convoy was met and escorted by officers of the New York Police Department on their trip through the boroughs, during which time the officers explained how bad things had become during the storm with flooding, power loss and general despair.

The officers also took care of those in the convoy, guiding them through the area and helping them get those much-­- needed supplies to residents of the city. They even surprised the group with coffee, donuts and hot chocolate at their last stop.

As a member of MAHPBA, I would like to recognize everyone who has gone out of their way to help those in need, and specifically recognize the people at Courtland Hardware for their bravery, generosity and inspiring story.

I would also like to let our members know that help is still desperately needed in the affected areas. Information on donations, and how you can help, can be found at the website, or by contacting your local Red Cross.

National Geographic News

In an indication of how "fracking" is reshaping the global energy picture, the International Energy Agency (IEA) today projected that the United States will overtake Saudi Arabia as the world's largest oil producer by 2017.

And within just three years, the United States will unseat Russia as the largest producer of natural gas.



Both results would have been unthinkable even a few short years ago, but the future geography of supply has shifted dramatically due to what IEA calls America's "energy renaissance." The credit goes to the sometimes controversial technologies like hydraulic fracturing of shale and deepwater production that have enabled the industry to tap into abundant, unconventional sources of oil and gas. New energy frontiers have opened in North Dakota and Pennsylvania.

The bottom line for the United States is fulfillment of a goal that eluded seven presidents over nearly four decades: energy independence. The U.S., which imports 20 percent of its total energy now, will become largely self-sufficient by 2035, concluded the IEA's annual World Energy Outlook, often viewed as the Bible of the industry. Add in Canada, which has its own unconventional production boom in Alberta's oil sands, and the continent is set to be a net oil exporter by 2030.

"North America is at the forefront of a sweeping transformation in oil and gas production that will affect all regions of the world," said Maria van der Hoeven, executive director of the IEA, a Paris-based organization charged with maintaining global energy security.

U.S. imports of oil are on track to fall from 10 million to 4 million barrels per day, Fatih Birol, IEA's chief economist and the main author of the report, told a London news conference. However, he added, increased domestic production, including biofuel, only accounts for 55 percent of the huge reduction in imported oil. The other 45 percent is due to the ramping up of improving federal fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks.

According to the IEA, by 2020 America's oil production will reach 11.1 million barrels per day, up from 8.1 million in 2011. Saudi Arabia's production, meanwhile, will decline from 11.1 million to 10.6 million barrels per day. The renewed U.S. reign at the top of world oil producers may be short-lived. By 2025, IEA projects U.S. production will slip back to 10.9 million barrels per day, but Saudi Arabia's will have increased only to 10.8 million barrels per day.

The picture on natural gas is even more dramatic. By 2015, the U.S. should be producing 679 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas, up from 604 bcm in 2010. That will be enough to edge out Russia, where production will be increasing too, but projected only to reach 675 bcm in three years. By 2020, the spread between the two nations will widen, with U.S. production of 747 bcm, well ahead of Russia's forecast 704 bcm. The U.S. should become a net gas exporter by 2020, the report adds.

"The global energy landscape is changing rapidly, recasting the roles of countries and fuels," van der Hoeven said. What is happening in North America will certainly affect other countries worldwide, she added. "No country is an energy island."

For example, as America's need for imported oil declines, Asia is rapidly taking up the slack. The report estimates that by 2035, fully 90 percent of Middle East oil exports will head for Asia. That's a shift that will require Asian countries to put more resources toward keeping strategic shipping routes of oil secure. "There is a major new trade axis building between the Middle East and Asia," Birol said.

Indeed, Iraq alone will see its exports to Asia jump from 50 percent of output to 80 percent. The IEA reiterated its forecast last month that Iraq's production of oil would jump from 3 million to 8 million barrels per day by 2035, helping the war-torn country leapfrog over Russia to become the world's second largest exporter of oil, after Saudi Arabia.

Another effect of the altered energy landscape is large variances in natural gas prices. A few years ago, global prices of natural gas changed little from region to region. But natural gas prices in Europe are now five times higher than in the U.S., and Asia's are eight times greater. However, van der Hoeven said, as more gas becomes available globally for exports, that should push prices down outside the United States, too.

Solair Shade Solutions recently recognized sales team members for their hard work and dedication in helping to expand the brand's presence into more than 170 patio retail stores. Individual team members were presented awards during the Solair Sales Meeting held prior to the International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market in Chicago.

"This has been an exciting year for Solair, both in sales growth and overall brand recognition," said Rett Haigler, manager of Solair. "Without the dedicated support of our individual team members, the brand would not continue to flourish within the industry as it has. We are pleased to recognize our representatives for their achievements and look forward to continued growth as we implement further programs to help make selling awnings both rewarding and simple."



Of those awarded, Paul Geiseman earned both The Triple Crown and Most Valuable Player awards for the highest overall sales and awning unit sales between June and September, 2012.

The Territory Expansion Expert award was presented to Wes Reyher for achieving the most new stores signed during the 2012 year, while Marsha and Morgan Curry shared Rookie of the Year honors, awarded for the most units sold by a new representative.

With the largest percentage increase of unit volume from 2011 to 2012, the Most Improved Player was awarded to Fred and Eric Gilbert.

Since the brand's introduction to the patio furniture market in September 2010, Solair has offered a new shade category to patio furniture retailers: retractable awnings. Visit the website. In 2012, Solair unveiled a number of new programs and services aimed at improving the awning selling experience, including a streamlined awning model at an enticing price point - the PS1000. Visit the website. Also a White Glove Service, offering retailers installation, site confirmation and delivery services. Visit the website. Through a collaborative approach, Solair plans to continue to support its partners and sales teams in their efforts to grow the awareness and appreciation for retractable awnings as a modern shade solution.

For more information on the Solair awning program or to learn how to become an authorized Solair distributor, contact David Heiman, sales manager, at (336) 264-7650 or email or visit the website.