Backyard BBQ Party

at Casual Market a Great Success

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

 

The Backyard BBQ party at the recent ICFA Casual Market in Chicago was billed as a key networking event, and it lived up to that goal. Hosted by Merchandise Mart Properties Inc., and sponsored by Hearth & Home magazine, it turned out to be a great success. The event was held from 6 to 7:30 pm immediately after the Market closed on its first day, and brought everyone together immediately beyond the entrance to the Mart.

 

Yep, the road between the Mart and the river was closed for the party, a large tent erected (in case of rain), and music (dj), drinks and food were provided.

 

The event's Lounge Furniture and Open Flame Product Showcase sponsors included Ebel, Saber Grills, OW Lee, Terra Flame Home and Urban Fire.

 

We heard more than a few folks comment that it was one of the best networking events they had ever attended. We agree. For once, music didn't overwhelm conversation.

 

After a day working a showroom or booth in the Mart, it was a pleasure to be out in fresh air, and to have a party ready to go the minute the market ended for the day - no cab or walk was needed.

 

Want to see what it was like? Just click on the link and you'll have an interactive view provided by Tom Lassiter, a writer for Hearth & Home as well as a photographer. 

Preliminary Approval Granted

in Miles Industries Lawsuit

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

  

The United States District Court, Northern District of California has granted preliminary approval to a proposed settlement in a class action lawsuit involving sealed, glass-fronted gas fireplaces that were manufactured and distributed by Miles Industries of North Vancouver, Canada. The case is Rotandi v. Miles Industries Ltd. No. 3:11-cv-02146-EDL.

The lawsuit claimed that Miles Industries concealed that the glass fronts of these fireplaces get hot enough to cause serious burns. Miles Industries denies that it did not warn consumers and it denies that it did anything wrong.

Settlement Benefits. Under the terms of the settlement, owners of residences in which Valor fireplaces were installed from January 2007 to Aug. 16, 2013 are eligible to make a claim for a barrier screen. The screen complies with the new CSA/ANSI standard that all gas fireplace manufacturers will have to meet by 2015.

Who is Eligible? Class Members are any individual who lives in the United States and owns a home or other residential dwelling bought for personal, family or household purposes and that home has one or more Valor-brand sealed, glass-fronted fireplace(s) manufactured and distributed by Miles Industries of North Vancouver, Canada, between Jan. 1, 2007 and Dec. 31, 2012 and that was installed between Jan. 1, 2007 and Aug. 16, 2013.

How to Receive a Benefit. To receive a benefit, you must complete and return a claim form to the Settlement Administrator. The deadline to submit a claim form is Feb. 10, 2014. A copy of the claim form can be found on the settlement website, or requested from the Settlement Administrator at (866) 859-7390.

Class Members can exclude themselves from the class so that they are not legally bound by the Settlement. The deadline to exclude yourself is Oct. 25, 2013.  If you do not exclude yourself, you will not be able to sue the Defendant for any claim related to the lawsuit.

If you stay in the settlement, you may object to it by Oct. 25, 2013. The court will hold a hearing on Dec. 10, 2013 to consider whether to approve the settlement and a request for attorneys' fees and expenses up to $1,890,000.

For more information, visit the website or call the Settlement Administrator toll free at (866) 859-7390. Please do not contact the Court.