HBA of St Louis & Eastern Missouri

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703808904575025100730017666.html#MARK

Associates, this is your chance to reach a select group of builders and remodelers participating in this event. Each builder/remodeler will be assigned to a table during dinner and will then rotate to other tables in order to share their company and bidding preferences. Associate attendees will be able to network during cocktails and ask questions after each builder/remodeler roundtable presentation. Dinner seating is limited so register ASAP at http://www.stlhba.com/documents/contentdocuments/3-11-10_builder_dinner.pdf ! HBA staff contact: Steve Loos 314-994-7700 (x119) or LoosS@hbastl.com.

HBA members Arthur Merdinian (Consolidated Design and Construction Group) is running for Olivette City Council, Gary Bierman (Town and Country Homes) is running for Brentwood Board of Aldermen and Vicki Schneider (Schneider Construction Services) is running for MO House Representative for District 17. If you know of any other HBA members running for office, please notify Emily Wineland 314-994-7700 (x125) or WinelandE@hbastl.com.

The “Housing Survey from the Frontlines,” February, 2010 edition, by the highly respected home building industry expert John Burns Real Estate Consulting (who is billed as “helping executives make informed home building industry decisions”) has some very encouraging information about home building trends. Check out Burns Real Estate Consulting at www.realestateconsulting.com.

Trainer Lawrence Frederick started out in human Frisbee competitions until he discovered the disc dog world in 1991. Now, not only are Lawrence and his team of incredible dogs the most widely recognized Frisbee Dog Team in the world (with a world record 22 World Finals appearances), but he made history by being the first human to compete with two dogs at the same time in the World Frisbee Dog Championships in 2003. He then became the first human to compete with three dogs in the same year in the World Frisbee Dog Championships in 2006; and then again in 2007. In 2008 he blew the top off of competition standards by qualifying “four” dogs for the World Championship Finals; a feat probably never to be outdone. At the same time, Lawrence and “Harley Davidson” won the 2008 AWI Frisbee Dog World Championship title. As a dog lover and a former human Frisbee World Champion, Lawrence travels around the world sharing his expertise and wowing crowds as part of the Disc-Connected K9’s Frisbee Dog Team.

This internationally acclaimed professional Frisbee dog touring show is comprised of some of the best Frisbee Dogs on the planet. This team has performed at all types of events all over the world in the past ten years, including Paris, France; Santiago, Chile; Caracas, Venezuela; Acapulco, Mexico; Toronto, Canada; Bogota, Columbia; Tokyo, Japan and just about every state in the US. You may have also seen them on David Letterman, Jay Leno, Kathy & Regis, Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, ESPN, Good Morning America, etc.

All of their shows are family oriented; carry a message of fun, athleticism, canine bonding, and promote dog rescuing. Their routines are choreographed to music, defy the normal relationship between man and canine; and leave even the oldest of children with a smile on their face and in their heart. And to make it even more interesting; almost all of the dogs are “rescue” dogs, meaning they have come from either abandoned, homeless, sheltered, humane society, etc. backgrounds. Their individual stories are almost as interesting as their performances.  We promise you will be laughing and clapping in awe at the tricks these dogs perform.

Through performances with his canine team, Lawrence hopes to not only entertain but to also show audiences that any dog can become incredible if they are well cared for and shown the love and attention they deserve. Lawrence spreads the message that dogs are truly a blessing, and he encourages everyone to rescue an animal because it brings so much happiness to both the owner and their new best friend.

When Lawrence and his team aren’t competing in world championships or appearing at half-time shows or other presentations world wide, they spend time doing volunteer pet therapy at the local Children’s Hospital Wards, Convalescent and Assisted Living Homes, in their hometown of Jacksonville, FL. Although Lawrence has traveled the world and met millions of people and dogs, he prides himself most on the fact that he has never met a dog that he couldn’t get along with. 

Meet the team:

Flash – “The Frisbee Freak” is a five time World Finalist. She is the fastest dog on the team, (current FL State Frisbee Dog Distance Champion) and lives for nothing more then to play Frisbee. Don’t blink an eye during her show, or you can literally miss multiple moves.

Harley Davidson – Harley came to the team as his 7^th home, and he was only 17 months old at the time. Since then, he has become one of the team’s star performers; (three time World Finalist) winning the 2008 AWI World Disc Dog Championships! He is definitely the team’s best athlete and will amaze you with his jumping ability. Look for his trademark “Harley Knievel” stunt with participants from the audience!

Easy Rider – Easy is a three time World Finalist, who came to the team as his 4^th home when he was only 15 months old. He quickly learned the ropes and has turned out to be an incredible performer. He did his first show after only being in his new home for two weeks! Easy finished in 3^rd place at the 2008 Skyhoundz World Frisbee Disc Dog Championships; and won the 2008 GA State Frisbee Dog Champion title.

Zorra – The “Z” Monster is a three year old phenomenon, and will amaze you with her drive, intelligence and athleticism. As the 2008 S.E. Regional Champion; she finished in 9^th place at the 2008 World Frisbee Dog Championships in Chattanooga, TN. She also qualified for the 2009 World Championships; making her a two time World Finalist at an unbelievably young age!

Bella – Bella is a four year old Australian Shepherd that lives for nothing more than to play Frisbee every day. She wows crowds with her amazing speed and strength for such a young dog.

Lucky Boy – Lucky is a three year old Australian Shepherd that came to the team out of Melbourne. He is quickly becoming a solid Frisbee catching dog and opens the shows.

Snap – One of the team’s newest members, Snap is a two year old Australian Cattle Dog. She learns a trick after only being shown one time. She is a small dog that gets “big” air and would literally go through a brick wall for a Frisbee. The team looks for great things to come from this young athletic dog.

Jackson – The newest member of the team is literally a “Heinz 57” mutt. He was picked up by the Hialeah Police Department as a “vagrant” then finally made his way to the team’s home in Jacksonville. After being introduced to a disc, he has now found his calling in life. This dog has no fear of anything, and has quickly learned in weeks what it takes other dogs months to learn.  

Elvis – Yes, Elvis is in the house! This very young Australian Cattle Dog/Jack Russell mix is the second newest member of the team and is the youngest dog at just one year of age. He is quickly becoming one of the team’s more consistent performers. “Thank you, thank you very much!”

Sponsored by Suburban Journals and WIL

The Builders Home & Garden Show has long been known for its spectacular feature gardens. A large area of the show is dedicated to bringing a little spring to St. Louis in the heart of winter. Show visitors can see the newest landscape design ideas and make plans for their yards and gardens when the weather finally turns. Take a stroll through the Lawn & Garden area and think spring!

See the amazing feature gardens of Frisella Nursery, Inc., Land Works, Passiglia’s Nursery, Prestige Landscapes, Rivers West Landscaping and Signature Landscapes & Designs, Inc. at the 33rd Annual Builders Home & Garden Show February 25-28.

Sponsored by 106.5 The Arch

City of O’Fallon Planning and Zoning Commission passed new ordinance on minimum home square footage. Ordinance will be presented to city council in mid-February. HBA staff contact: Emily Wineland 314-994-7700 (x125) or WinelandE@hbastl.com.

Last Chance for Booth Space for the 6th Annual Builders St. Charles Home Show April 23-25 at the St. Charles Convention Center. Don’t miss your chance to put your product/service in front of 15,000-20,000 potential customers! For questions or to buy booth space, contact Gary Zide 314-994-7700 (x114) or ZideG@hbastl.com or Tammy Ridgley (x124) or RidgleyT@hbastl.com.

Visit www.stlhomeshow.com for more information.

C.F. Vatterott Construction Co. President Greg Vatterott, Jr. did a great job representing the industry in an interview with McGraw Millhaven on KTRS-AM. You can listen by clicking here: http://ktrs.com/mambots/content/wp_popup.php?playerID=1&soundFile=/images/media/audio/gvaterott.mp3.

The St. Louis market should, generally, track along the national recovery that is projected. Here are the numbers from the economics department at NAHB:

(in 000s) ————–2009———2010——2011——2012——2013——-2014
Housing
Starts——————–571———-732——1,056—–1,594*—-1,819—–1,965

Fixed
M Rate————–5.08%———5.4%—–5.85%—–6.3%—–6.5%—–6.75%

Unemployment
Rate——————9.3%——–10.0%——9.2%——-8.2%—–7.3%—–6.3%

*The “normal recurring demand for housing” of 1.5 million new units per year should be reached near the end of 2012. The 2013 projection above for 1,819,000 new homes is very close to the actual number of 2003 (1,854,000) and the 2014 projection is more than the 2004 actual number (1,949,000) and approaching the all-time high number of 2005 (2,073,0000).

Our challenge as an industry is primarily to adapt and survive the short term of the next 24 months as we build back toward a more promising long term home buildling outlook.