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Earlier this week the U.S. Commerce Department released October stats indicating that new home and apartment construction have dropped to an annual rate of 791,000 units, a 4.5% decrease from September.

The sixth annual NeoCon East show, held recently in Baltimore, was a success as far as show organizers are concerned. While attendance was flat (approximately 8,000 show goers, which is comparable to last year numbers), the number of exhibitors rose by 7 percent to 302. Additionally, the show included 48 seminars and association forums -- more educational courses "than ever before," organizers noted.

I love nature shows, especially those that demonstrate ferocity in the animal kingdom. Last night I caught a segment where an imposing monitor lizard went looking for lunch in a badger’s den, only to end up becoming lunch for the badger.

That is the way a top exec at USG described the current environment last week during a conference call with reporters. Of course we are all aware of the sour economy, but "unprecedented" is still a mighty powerful word. It suggests we have entered uncharted territory.

When I took my first trip to California in 1982, the state’s sunny skies, palm trees and ocean views entranced me. With the Mamas and the Papas’ “California Dreaming” playing in my head, I understood why people were moving there in droves.

Seemingly everywhere you look is more bad news about the economy; not only are stock prices whipping up and down like a yo-yo in the hands of a distracted child, but the U.S. shed 159,000 jobs last month, the biggest decline in five years. It might seem like the economy is headed into a terrible decline, but believe it or not, there is a silver lining. Several of them, in fact.

Who wouldn’t love to discover hidden treasure? Wouldn’t it be great to stumble across a priceless painting at a garage sale or find a rare historical document in your attic?

The Certified Floorcovering Installers group recently sent a message to its members outlining the health of certain installers in the industry. Included in the message was the news that Jodi BlueJacket of Installation Management Services in Texas, a longtime member who has been "instrumental in developing the donations in those who encounter diffult times," is suffering from cancer.

It’s been fascinating watching the world turn green, i.e. “environmentally sensitive.” Because BNP Media has published Environmental Design + Construction magazine since 1997, we’ve been able to watch the recent “green rush” from a position of insight.

National Floor Trends has just published the digital edition of its October issue. Along with including the full contents of the print version of the magazine, the digital edition offers a range of special features exclusive to the online issue. These include an interactive Table of Contents, text searching, fully clickable ads and the option to save or print a copy of the magazine.