A''OCIATION

rhe PRODUGIS & SEIMCES E(Pl0 during the convention's opening reception will feature the Products and Services of Associate and Affiliate members in a relaxed social setting.

GOI.F is also part of the convention, at the highly rated Coronado Golf Course.

Noted economist Alan Beaulieu has been among the most accurate in predicting the ups and downs of this industry in the last few years. He's back with us again thls year to talk about the future. lndustry consultant Mark Laliberte will present an important seminar on the "Zero Energy Home" concept that is part of many building plans. California Board of Equalization Commissloner George Runner will discuss Taxpayer advocacy, the "Lumber Products Assessment" issue and his insider view of the state's tax system.

Other industry and association topics will be part of the general session portions of the convention.

Contact Jean Henning at W€LBMA for more information on Sponsorships/exhibition and general registfation at or 800/266-43tt4.

Registration materials are also in all association publications and on the website at www.lumberassociation.org.

Going Green and Traditional

What do you get when you combine traditional hardware, a host of green products, and owners dedicated to sustainable living?

The answer is Gecko Hardware, a True Value store in Dallas, Tx., where customers can find both power tools and organic chicken feed-and also attend a free class on how to build the chickens a suitable home.

"I'm not going to send someone to Home Depot or Lowe's for power tools just because we can't find anything green," says Andrea Ridout, who co-owns the store with partners Jennifer Stuart and Zach Montgomery. "We want to change the face of the hardware store."

Ridout says that she and her partners had long discussed opening a green-products store, but had been discouraged by how many did not thrive-then eventually closed. "I think they were too green," she says. "If they couldn't find a natural product, they didn't sell it. That meant customers had to travel to several stores for household needs."

In contrast, Gecko offers not only power saws and electric drills, but also nesting boxes for backyard hens, composting supplies, hydroponic gardening equipment and native plants, plus animal feed and supplies. Gift items made by local artisans are also on display.

The partners unveiled their grand scheme in April, on Earth Day, and held a grandopening celebration a month later.

As the store's new website proclaims, consumers who want to embrace a more eco-friendly lifestyle will find all they need in one place. But they'll also find what they need for all kinds of home repair, renovation and remodeling projects.

Gecko also hosts product demonstrations and do-ityourself workshops. One of the many popular classes is how to cook healthy meals on Circle J Fire Pit grillswhich the store sells-with lots of tasty free samples for attendees and shoppers. Another favorite is when a local artisan demonstrates how to sew custom dog toys from reclaimed fabrics.

Since the store sells many breeds of chicks for backyard enthusiasts, a class on how to build a proper coop seemed natural. Last month, store employee Keith Lowery taught a free class on how to build chicken coops and equipment that makes it easier to handle feeding and care, such as gravity feeders, cleaning trays, and stay-clean watering systems.

"We all own chickens. We just love chickens," says Ridout of herself and her colleagues, who also facilitate chicken adoptions by putting the birds on view in the store. Two handsome roosters, Felix and Oscar, who grew up together and were hoping that someone nice would adopt both of them, were recently on displayboth in the store and on its Facebook page.

ADVERTISERS fndex I

For more information on advertisers, call them directly or visit their websites [in brackets].

Advantage Trim & Lumber [www.advantagelumber.com]..........39

Arch/Lonza [www.wolmanizedwood.com] .Cover I

Building-Products.com [www.building-products.com] ....Gover lll

BW Creative Wood [www.bwcreativewood.com] .,..,...................30

California Redwood Co. [www.californiaredwoodco.com].........2,|

C&E Lumber Co. [www.lodgepolepine.com] .,,....,.,.....................41

Gapital [www.capital-lumber.com]................................................31

Endeck [www.endeck.com] ,,...,.,.19

Filler King Go. [www.fillerking.com] .....................4

Fontana Wholesale Lumber [ontanawholesalelumber.com].....43

Huff Lumber Co.

Inteplast Group [www.tufboards.com] .,...............5

Jaaco Corp. [wwwjaaco,com]..................... ....,....32

Keller Lumber Co..................... ...................,.....,.,..43

Kemper System [www.kemperol-roofpatch.com] .......................22

LP Building Products [www.lpcorp.com]..,...,.....,....................,...29

Manke Lumber Co. [www.mankelumber.com]..........,.......,..........38

MoistureShield [www.moistureshield.com]........................Cover ll

Mount Storm Forest Products [www.mountstorm.coml.............26

Norman Distribution Inc. [www.normandist.com]....................,.,39

North American Wholesale Lumber Assn, [www.nawla.orgl .....34

Peterman Lumber lnc. [www,petermanlumber.com] ..................31

Redwood Empire [www.redwoodemp.com]..................,,,.....,......23

Reel Lumber Service [www.reellumber.com] ,..,......,.............,..,.,36

Roseburg Forest Products [www.roseburg.com] .......................13

Skyreach L&S Extrusions [www.skyreachls.com],........,.......,.,..28

South Coast Lumber [www.socomi.com] ..,..24-25

Stimson Lumber Co. [www,stimsonlumber.com] .,.....................27

Swanson Group Sales [www,swansongroupinc.coml.....Cover lV

Thunderbolt Wood Treating [thunderboltwoodtreating.com],.,.37

Universal Forest Products [www.ufpedge.com]............................3

West Coast Lumber & Bldg. Mtl. Assn. Iumberassociation.org].,45

Weyerhaeuser [www.weyerhaeuser.com]