Social media remains the number one topic among my professional conversations and contacts. I’ll take this as a hint that I should post the latest, available statistics for the major social media channels used by businesses and professional associations. Please check back in the coming days for a series of blog entries.

Most recently, I’ve had the pleasure of sharing these statistics, ideas and experiences at in-person meetings, and learning from others’ insights. In May, I enjoyed speaking with several AIA Minnesota committees, including the leaders of Architecture Minnesota, Public Awareness, Small Firm Practice, and AIA Minneapolis.

Here are some of AIA Minnesota’s established and emerging sources in social media:

Threshold Blog

Twitter microblogs
@aiamn
@aiampls

Facebook Groups
·      AIA Minnesota
·      AIA MN Fellows

Facebook Page – AIA MN Emerging Professional Committee

LinkedIn Groups
·       AIA Minnesota
·       AIA Minnesota BIM Breakfast Club
·       COTE – AIA Minnesota Committee on the Environment
·       AIA Minnesota Housing Advocacy Committee

I’ll post an update on AIA Minnesota’s social media success in the coming weeks.

Filed under: So-Called Social Media | Comments Off on 05.27.10 So Called Social Media + Association News

Visually vibrant, Curious Collection’s new website celebrates “Paper for the Senses”

Appleton Coated invites creative professionals to rediscover the Curious Collection at CuriousPapers.com, the new, North American website celebrating “Paper for the Senses.”

Visitors are treated to rich imagery, vibrant color, and intuitive navigation that entice them to explore the site more deeply. Content is categorized by product line: Metallics, Skin, Translucents, Touch, and Particles.

An “Ideas” section showcases “real life” examples from the tactile, emotional connection of package design with Curious Touch; to the impact of beautifully printed communications that combine Curious Metallics with Curious Translucents.

Highlighting best practices, the site’s “Technical” section informs visitors about considerations for design and pre-press; tips on inks, varnishes and coatings; and advice for printing, binding and finishing.

In addition, each CuriousPapers.com category includes:
• a fast-connect form requests samples and answers
• a downloadable stock list provides up-to-the-minute accuracy
• an interactive swatch feature visually and quickly displays the colors and basis weights

Nineteen new, trend-setting colors were added to the Curious Collection. Curious Translucents updated its palette with seven, new colors. The Metallics line features 11 new, fashion-inspired colors to complement the 12 current colors. Four of the most-popular Metallics sheets also are available in 100% post-consumer recovered fiber (PCW) content. All of these sheets also are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified and available in new, convenient, smaller sheet count packages.

For more information on the Curious Collection, please visit CuriousPapers.com and click on the Curious Penguin to find and contact a local representative.

The Curious Collection of fine papers are manufactured by Arjowiggins, headquartered in Paris, France, and distributed exclusively in North America by Appleton Coated.  Appleton Coated is headquartered in Kimberly, Wisconsin.
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Filed under: Appleton Coated, CLIENT NEWS, Green Goals, Type-Paper-Print | Comments Off on 05.27.10 Client News

Kolbe announces Promotion of Business Leaders

Mike Salsieder, president of Kolbe & Kolbe Millwork, recently announced the promotion of four individuals to new leadership roles. These individuals will be responsible for their respective areas within Kolbe, including the Manawa operation and Point Five Windows and Doors.

Jeff De Lonay

Jeff De Lonay has been promoted to executive vice president. He recently held the position of vice president of operations and has more than 25 years experience with the company. He has worked in and managed numerous departments within Kolbe including: manufacturing, customer service, estimating, training, field service, engineering, research and development, production processing, and purchasing. In De Lonay’s new role, he will oversee the operations of all facilities and business disciplines along with responsibility as president of Point Five Windows and Doors.

Cindy Bremer has been promoted to vice president of marketing. She has more than 23 years marketing and sales experience in the window and door industry in both residential and commercial construction. Her vast knowledge of the architectural market, creative development of architectural tools, customer relationships, and business savvy set her apart. Bremer has held the position of director of marketing at Kolbe for five years and prior to that worked for other manufactures of windows and doors in Central Wisconsin.

Ann Micholic has been promoted to vice president of human resources. Micholic’s 13 years in human resources and training along with her strong leadership skills and business knowledge lend itself to this key position within the executive team. During Micholic’s tenure, she has worked as human resources generalist, training manager, and director of human resources.

Hank Hosler has been promoted to vice president of information technology. In his 15 years as an IT professional, Hosler has been a part of the leadership of several make-to-order manufacturers that have worked to continuously improve their operations. He joined Kolbe in late 2004 as director of information technology. Hosler’s business acumen has helped set the direction for implementing a state-of-the-art quoting system, which reinforces Kolbe’s “Easy to do Business With” initiative. Hosler will continue to lead Kolbe’s IT strategy across all business units.

A portrait of Jeff De Lonay and a Word document of the full news release are available in Kolbe’s online press room.

Filed under: CLIENT NEWS, Kolbe & Kolbe Millwork Co. | Comments Off on 05.26.10 Client News

Four new Curious Collection Metallics contain 100% recovered fiber content
Green Power now a standard feature for Metallics

Appleton Coated introduces 100% post-consumer recovered fiber (PCW) content for four of the most-popular Curious Metallics colors that feature glittering, alloy effect and a shimmering, luminescent sheen. Curious Metallics recently updated its palette with 11, new, fashion-forward colors and all colors are now manufactured with electricity in the form of Green Power (wind, hydro and biogas).

Curious Metallics

“One of the first of in its category to offer 100% PCW content and Green Power, Curious Metallics increases the environmental and creative choices for designing and printing outstanding communication projects,” says Phil Cavalier, vice president of marketing at Appleton Coated.

From the new total of 23 colors featured in Curious Metallics, four are offered with 100% PCW content:
* Ice Gold Recycled
* Ice Silver Recycled
* White Gold Recycled
* Gold Leaf Recycled

The Curious Metallics full product offering is FSC certified and manufactured in ISO 14001 registered facilities. Third-party auditors regularly evaluate these manufacturing centers to ensure responsible practices and that all fiber used in Curious Collection products is secured from properly managed forests.

Curious Metallics sheets are available in 80-pound text and 111-pound cover. Both weights now are offered in convenient, smaller sheet count packages. Text weights are guaranteed for pre-printing and subsequent printing with desktop laser and inkjet equipment. Compatible with digital presses and suitable for offset lithography, Curious Metallics presents an interesting interplay of ink and metal-like surface that may be enhanced with letterpress, embossing, debossing, die-cutting and foil stamping techniques.

To learn more about printing and designing with Curious Metallics 100% PCW paper options, please visit www.curiouspapers.com. Click on the Curious Penguin to find and contact a local representative.

The Curious Collection of fine papers are manufactured by Arjowiggins, headquartered in Paris, France, and distributed exclusively in North America by Appleton Coated.  Appleton Coated is headquartered in Kimberly, Wisconsin.
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Filed under: Appleton Coated, CLIENT NEWS, Green Goals, Type-Paper-Print | Comments Off on 05.25.10 Client News

Graham Construction Services begins Central Corridor Light Rail Transit Advanced Traffic Improvements Project

One of several transit projects for the company

Graham Construction Services, Inc. is working on several transit projects that will transform Minnesota’s commuter landscape. These include Graham’s activities on the Central Corridor Light Rail Transit (CCLRT) Advanced Traffic Improvements project and on the 4th Street Advanced Utility Construction project. In addition, the company has completed the Hiawatha Light Rail Transit line extension to Target Field.

Central Corridor Light Rail Transit Advanced Traffic Improvements Project, Minneapolis
This month, Graham began work on the recently-awarded CCLRT Advanced Traffic Improvements project. This early-stage portion of the Metropolitan Council project is valued at $4 million and encompasses the East Bank area of the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities campus.

Graham will prepare the roadways that will carry additional traffic during the CCLRT construction. The company’s involvement also will include underground utilities, traffic control equipment and interconnections, bituminous roadway pavement, curb and gutter work, demolition and rebuilding of retaining walls, earthwork and landscaping.

This phase of the project is expected to be completed in August 2010. Service on the 11-mile Central Corridor is anticipated to begin in 2014. When it opens, the CCLRT project will link downtown St. Paul and downtown Minneapolis along Washington and University Avenues via the state Capitol and University of Minnesota. The line will connect with the Hiawatha LRT line at the Metrodome station in Minneapolis and the Northstar commuter rail line at the new Target Field Station.

The Metropolitan Council is charged with building the line in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The Central Corridor Management Committee, which includes the mayors of St. Paul and Minneapolis, commissioners from Ramsey and Hennepin counties and the University of Minnesota, provides advice and oversight. The project’s leaders estimated 800 direct construction and management jobs will be provided annually during the CCLRT construction. For details, please see www.centralcorridor.org.

4th Street Advanced Utility Construction Project, St. Paul
Graham is providing construction services for another of the Metropolitan Council’s CCLRT projects. As part of the 4th Street Advanced Utility Construction project team, Graham is helping relocate underground utilities — such as sanitary and storm sewer, hot and chilled water lines, and water main — from beneath the footprint of a new CCLRT track in downtown St. Paul. Graham also is preparing the project’s foundation for the rail’s overhead catenary system.

Work on the project began in September 2009 and is scheduled for completion in November 2010. Bolander Construction is the general contractor for the project and is responsible for the full, finished project and for managing a total, estimated budget of $12.5 million.

Hiawatha Light Rail Transit Line Extension Project, Minneapolis
Among Graham’s transit project experience, the company recently completed the Hiawatha Light Rail Transit (LRT) extension. With a contract value of $29 million, this project connects the LRT with the new Northstar Corridor commuter rail line.

Graham’s efforts included the construction of the new Downtown Intermodal Commuter Rail Station, construction of six steel and glass station buildings located along the rail line, and a 6,300-linear-foot track system. One of the platform stations now serves the new Minnesota Twins Ballpark, Target Field.

As general contractor on the project, Graham’s work also included reconstructing two bridges to support the LRT: The 5th Street bridges over I-394 and the BNSF railroad bridge, which were completed without vehicular or rail traffic interruption. The demolition and reconstruction work was accomplished while maintaining traffic on I-394 and without interruption to BNSF rail traffic.
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For more photos, please see the Metropolitan Council’s “Central Corridor LRT’s photostream” on Flickr.

Filed under: CLIENT NEWS, Green Goals | Comments Off on 05.24.10 Client News

PMI Welcomes New Technical Committee Co-Chair

Plumbing Manufacturers Institute (PMI) President Lee Mercer of Moen Incorporated has made his selection for a new co-chair to help lead PMI’s Technical Committee. Mark Malatesta, fittings engineer for American Standard Brands, will serve alongside existing Co-chair Casey Hayes, director of engineered solutions for Haws Corporation. Klaus Fromme recently retired from Bradley Corporation, leaving this opening for a co-chair.

While effective immediately, the three-year term for this position officially begins with the 2010 PMI Fall Meeting, being held in Washington, D.C., Oct. 3-6, at the Liaison Capitol Hill. Malatesta is an experienced committee chair, having previously served as co-chair of the Member Services Committee.

Mark Malatesta

Mercer’s decision to appoint Malatesta was based upon PMI meeting attendance, leadership, expertise and an overall commitment to PMI.

Please see the full news release and portrait available at PMI’s online press room.

Filed under: CLIENT NEWS | Comments Off on 05.21.10 Association News

Fashion forecaster guides new colors for Curious Collection’s Translucents and Metallics
100% PCW content available for Metallics’ four, most-popular sheets
Green Power now a standard feature for Metallics & Translucents

New Curious Collection Metallics and Translucents colors were developed in consultation with Li Edelkoort of Studio Edelkoort in New York and Paris. Eleven new, fashion-forward colors were added to Curious Metallics and seven colors were added to Curious Translucents. Beyond these expanded color choices, four of the most-popular Metallics sheets now are available in 100 percent post-consumer recovered fiber (PCW) content. Also newly announced is Green Power as a standard feature for the Metallics and Translucents lines (renewable energy in the form of wind, hydro, and biogas).

Curious Metallics‘ new, fashion-inspired colors include:

Curious Metallics

* Super Gold – a shimmery, saturated gold
* Mandarin – a beautifully subtle orange
* Cognac – a warm, medium brown
* Olive and Lime – two shades of green for a fresh, environmental flavor
* Red Lacquer – the current “lipstick red”
* Chocolate and Shadow – the new “blacks”
* Ink and Blueprint – two hues of nautical and classic blues
* Violette – a current take on plum and purple

From the new total of 23 colors featured in Curious Metallics, four are offered with 100 percent PCW:
* Ice Gold Recycled
* Ice Silver Recycled
* Gold Leaf Recycled
These products are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified and available in both 80-pound text and 111-pound cover weights.

Curious Translucents‘ eye-catching additions include:

Curious Translucents

* Spring – a sure-to-be-popular, bright green shade
* Flame – the warm side of red
* Red Lacquer – the cool side of red
* Steel – a “renaissance-rich” blue
* Blueprint – a saturated, violet-blue
* Chocolate & Shadow – for perfect pairing with the new Metallics
These seven, new colors join the nine, existing colors to bring the total offering to 16.

The new items in Curious Collection are FSC-certified and available in convenient, smaller sheet count packages. To learn more, please visit the recently launched www.curiouspapers.com.

The Curious Collection of fine papers are manufactured by Arjowiggins, headquartered in Paris, France, and distributed exclusively in North America by Appleton Coated. Appleton Coated is headquartered in Kimberly, Wisconsin.
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Filed under: Appleton Coated, CLIENT NEWS, Green Goals, Type-Paper-Print | Comments Off on 05.20.10 Client News

Max/Block sunshades by Tubelite support green goals
for daylighting, energy-efficiency and recycled material content

Supporting green design and construction objectives, Max/Block™ sunshades by Tubelite® are now manufactured using EcoLuminum™, a high recycled-content aluminum billet composition featuring environmentally-friendly finishes. Along with responsible resource management, Max/Block sunshades maximize daylighting and minimize solar heat gain. These benefits also are key criteria for projects pursuing certification through the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® Rating System™.

“Sunshades help significantly lower buildings’ cooling costs and energy use, while still letting natural light fill the workspace,” says Mary Olivier, Tubelite’s marketing manager. “Max/Block sunshades are easy-to-install, aesthetically-and structurally-compatible with Tubelite’s curtainwall and storefront systems — all of which come standard with EcoLuminum finished aluminum materials. They work especially well with Tubelite’s systems on low- to mid-rise buildings such schools, medical clinics and neighborhood offices.”

Complementing buildings’ designs, Max/Block sunshades are available in airfoil, Z-blade and tubular architectural profiles. Each outrigger type can be extended from the building in various projection lengths to provide the desired performance. Blades are attached to the outriggers using simple screw spline connections. The easy-to-install, patent-pending, detachable, mounting bracket fastens at the pressure plate area and allows for the removal of the sunshades’ individual sections for re-glazing applications.

Because each profile extruded for Max/Block sunshades is manufactured using Tubelite’s EcoLuminum it contains a minimum of 80 percent reclaimed aluminum. This incorporates a post-consumer content average of 34 percent. Special requests for even higher recycled content can be provided, up to and including meeting specifications requiring 100 percent reclaimed aluminum.

Protecting and accentuating Tubelite’s aluminum products, painted finishes are applied and controlled in an environmentally effective manner. Enhancing the natural, metallic appearance, eco-friendly anodize finishes send 90 percent less waste to landfills than traditional anodizing processes and ensure low-maintenance durability.

Tubelite will be exhibiting at AIA Expo2010 in booth #2541.

Filed under: CLIENT NEWS, Green Goals, Linetec, Tradeshow Thoughts, Tubelite Inc. | Comments Off on 05.20.10 Client News

Appleton Coated’s U2:XG welcomes Ivory Matte

Appleton Coated’s Utopia Two (U2) Ivory Matte joins the U2:XG family of environmentally friendly, coated printing papers. Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified, U2:XG Ivory Matte contains 30 percent post-consumer recovered fiber and is manufactured with Green Power, electricity provided from renewable energy sources.

“A warm, luxurious, softly tactile sheet, Ivory Matte presents a nice alternative to blue-white and an easy, affordable alternative for environmentally friendly text and cover projects,” says Phil Cavalier, vice president of marketing at Appleton Coated.

One of six matte choices from the Utopia brand of coated printing papers, U2:XG Ivory Matte can be specified in 70-, 80- and 100-pound text weights and in 80-pound cover weight. For 90- and 110-pound cover weights, Utopia Premium Ivory Silk is also FSC-certified and can be manufactured with Green Power. Both Utopia Premium Ivory Silk and U2:XG Ivory Matte are acid-free and elemental chlorine-free.

“There are very few coated ivory products available today. Utopia offers two,” says Cavalier.

U2:XG Ivory Matte can be ordered in sizes as small as one carton or as large as needed for high-quantity web runs. For digital, offset, laser and color copier applications, select from the Utopia Digital stock offering.

Filed under: Appleton Coated, CLIENT NEWS, Green Goals, Type-Paper-Print | Comments Off on 05.18.10 Client News

“Sustainable and Energy Efficient Windows & Doors: Contribution to Green Buildings” AIA/CES presented by Kolbe

Kolbe helps architects gain sustainable design knowledge and learning units (LUs) through American Institute of Architects’ continuing education seminars (AIA/CES). Its new presentation, “Sustainable and Energy Efficient Windows & Doors: Contribution to Green Buildings,” is a one-hour, in-person course.

“Sustainable and Energy Efficient Windows & Doors: Contribution to Green Buildings” explains:
* How quality windows and doors can contribute to sustainable green design due to their durability and energy-efficient technology.
* What the different “Green Building” voluntary ratings systems are and how they affect the selection of windows and doors.
* How selecting the right windows and doors contributes to environmental stewardship.
* What the advantages and benefits of “Green Building” are to the environment, economy, health, and community.

Architects who successfully complete this course receive one AIA/CES Learning Unit (1.0 LU). In addition, this course qualifies for one health, safety and welfare (1 HSW) credit and one sustainable design (1 SD) credit, which will be recorded with the AIA. To request a presentation, please visit Kolbe’s website, http://www.kolbe-kolbe.com.

Kolbe’s site links to a free, AIA/CES program download for “Finishing Touches – Enhancements, Options & Trends for Windows and Doors” (1.0 LU, 1 HSW). Also known as “Current Trends in Windows and Doors,” it is available through ArchitectMagazine.com and residentialarchitect.com.

Kolbe also offers many other, face-to-face AIA/CES programs and tours, such as:
1. Advances in Glass without Tour (1.0 LU, 1 HSW)
2. Energy Efficiency in Windows (1.0 LU, 1 HSW)
3. Determining Design Pressures (1.5 LUs, 1 HSW)
4. Finishing Touches – Enhancements, Options & Trend for Windows and Doors (1.0 LU, 1 HSW)
5. Historical Applications (1.0 LU, 1 HSW)
6. “Architectural Influences: Exploring Elements of Sustainable Design” (8.5 LUs, 2 HSW credits, and 1 SD). Tours in this 1.5-day event are limited to groups of 10 or less, by appointment.

Kolbe’s “Architectural Influences: Exploring Elements of Sustainable Design” in Wisconsin includes:
* Tour of Taliesin® in Spring Green, Wis. – visit the famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s home, private studio, and the campus of The Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture
* Tour of Aldo Leopold Legacy Center in Baraboo, Wis. – explore one of the two, highest-ranking LEED® buildings in North America
* Tour of Cardinal Float Glass Plant in Portage, Wis. – watch the process of sand, limestone and other materials as they become glass for windows and doors
* Tour of Kolbe & Kolbe Millwork in Wausau, Wis. – follow the process of custom window and door manufacturing
* Presentation of “Finishing Touches: Enhancements, Options & Trends for Windows and Doors”
* Review of Kolbe’s product series and how they can meet the needs of nearly any project

A Word document of the full news release are available in Kolbe’s online press room.

Kolbe will be exhibiting at AIA Expo2010 in booth #1803

Filed under: CLIENT NEWS, Green Goals, Kolbe & Kolbe Millwork Co., Tradeshow Thoughts | Comments Off on 05.16.10 Client News