Masonry Magazine October 2005 Page. 50
News
The fire, caused by green hay that had been stored there the day before with the expectation of rain, started around 1:30 p.m. when no one was home.
"We instinctively started grabbing onto the burning bales of hay and throwing them out of the garage as fast as we could," [Cardillo] explained.
About six or seven firefighters responded to the call within 10 or 15 minutes after one of the workers made the call. Cardillo and his men none of whom have any experience with firefighting all suffered from minimal burns and smoke inhalation.
Florida
The Florida Masonry Apprentice & Educational Foundation, Inc., has had a very busy year!
On Oct. 1, 2004, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush appointed Al Herndon, executive director of the Foundation, to a four-year term on the State Apprenticeship Council. The Apprenticeship Council provides input to the Department of Education on matters relating to apprenticeship. The Council is made up of 10 members, five from union-sponsored apprenticeship programs and five representing open shop apprenticeship programs. The Council will meet quarterly to present recommendations on apprenticeship to the commissioner of education and the governor.
In February 2005, Mason Superintendent Melvin Dawson-with the help of the Foundation, Jerry Painter (representing the Masonry Association of Florida) and area contractors-started a new apprenticeship program in the Panama City area. The first night of classes welcomed 14 apprentices from four area contractors-Surber Brothers, Beamer's Masonry, Roger Wood Masonry and Sur-Pig Masonry. Dawson not only took the initiative in creating this new source of masonry training, but is also the class instructor.
In March 2005, the Florida Concrete & Products Association, Inc. generously donated the proceeds from their 2005 Clay Shoot to the Dozier School for Boys masonry pre-apprenticeship program. Also in March, the first annual Florida Masonry Apprentice and Educational Foundation and the Department of Education Region II Masonry Showcase was held at the Bradford/Union County Vo Tech in Starke. The Suwannee Country team and instructor Derwin Bass were presented the trophy in this very close competition.
At the SkillsUSA championship held in Kansas City on June 24, Findencio Suarez from the Tampa chapter finished second in the post-secondary division. Florida has had at least one winner finish in the top three places over the last five years of this contest.
In July, the masonry industry in north Horida donated a 60' x 40' practice slab for masonry students of Ridgeview High School and apprentices of the northeast chapter of the Masonry Association of Florida. The practice slab will allow these budding members of the industry to have a premier training area for building projects and learning the trade.
Last, but certainly not least, the Foundation welcomes Tom Mendez as the new Southeast Coast territory representative. Mendez has worked in the industry for over 17 years and is well known in the area.
For more information on the Foundation, visit www.masonryeducation.org.
Las Vegas
Combine business with pleasure at the Hardscape Expo & Conference being held at the Las Vegas Riviera Hotel & Casino, Nov. 14-16.
Some of the feature events include hardscape installation education, certification courses, a hardscape tradeshow, and a full series of seminars by Vander Kooi & Associates.
For more information, e-mail holly@hardscapeexpo.com, call (847) 277-0244, or visit www.hardscapeexpo.com.
Michigan
Tony Darkangelo, executive director of the Masonry Institute of Michigan, News continued on page 50
Regional Skills Challenge
Contests Kick-off the Competition Season
Melissa Polivka, Director of Membership and Workforce Development
Although the Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) International Masonry Skills Challenge at Masonry Showcase on March 30, 2006, in Las Vegas is more than seven months away, regional Masonry Skills Challenge contests are already happening throughout the United States and Canada, determining who will compete for the international prize.
Each of the MCAA's nine regions and Canada are invited to submit three contestants winners in apprentice skill levels one, two and three for the contest at Masonry Showcase. And a lot is at stake: regional winners receive a trip Las Vegas, get to participate in one of the MCAA's most high-profile events, and have the chance to win cash and prizes.
If you have an apprentice at your company who excels at the trade, or know of a young man or woman who has a shot at winning this skilled competition, contact MCAA headquarters for more information on your local event. Also, attend your regional contest to see what the future of masonry in your area has to offer.
Here are some of the regional contests being held this month (dates are subject to change):
Region A-Oct. 8, Falls Church, Va.
Region G-Oct. 8, Phoenix, Ariz.
Region H-Oct. 29, Riverside, Calif.
For more information, visit www.masoncontractors.org or call (800) 536-2225.