From the Editor

The Inside Scoop

Jennie Farnsworth, managing editor
jen@lionhrtpub.com

Comedian Jerry Seinfield once joked, "It's amazing that the amount of news that happens in the world every day just exactly fits in the newspaper." While we know this is hardly the truth, journalists do their best to present the "need to know" information that their readership... well... needs to know.

Every month Masonry magazine and its staff try to bring news to your doorstep that will help to inform, educate and even motivate you. Another aspect of our magazine is to assist you in realizing and using the strength of your MCAA community. Often this strength is easy to indicate — such as the recent agreement between MCAA and Construction Specifications Institute for a co-location of our annual shows starting in 2005 — and the outright benefit to you and the masonry industry as a whole is undeniably understood.

There are other times when this evidence is a little subtler.

Government Relations
Marian Marshall, MCAA's Director of Government Affairs, has made extrodinary efforts to secure an article for "Government Affairs" by Sen. John W. Warner, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Armed Services.

Warner is currently in his fifth term and the third longest serving U.S. Senator in the history of the Commonwealth, with 25 years of service. Among several other committees, Warner also serves on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

It is a great honor to have such a distinguished Senate member in the pages of Masonry magazine. The presence of MCAA and the masonry industry, due to Marshall's determined work in Washington, is being felt throughout the highest ranks of the United States government.

New News
You may have noticed that our News section now offers local, state and regional information that has been provided to us by newspapers and MCAA members around the nation.

The information provided by our members is a great way to keep up-to-date on future events and great accomplishments.

On the other hand, the newspaper articles — although originally published in one part of the country — can give readers in that area or other locations ideas on growing trends and positive outlooks on the masonry industry as a whole. Sharing news is just one of the ways that mason contractors across the MCAA organization can help each other and gain strength.

As many others have done, let us know of any news in your area.

Have you encountered any government or legislation issues that are affecting your business?

Is your business the winner of an award?

Do you have an ace apprentice that you'd like to show off?

Have you developed a new technique to deal with a tricky situation?

Are there any building trends in your market?

Or how about any contests, training or meetings to bring masons together?

Please send your news items to: Jennie Farnsworth, Lionheart Publishing, Inc., 506 Roswell St., Suite 220, Marietta, Ga. 30060; by e-mail to: jen@lionhrtpub.com; or call 770-431-0867 ext. 225.