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"The only thing going on out here is snow. We just hole ourselves in like Eskimos for the winter and live off seal blubber."

- Ove Larson

Larson Lumber Troy, Montana

Lumber Imports agreed to drop its court challenge of the U.S.-Canada free ftade agreement's dispute resolution process.

Talks with Canada are scheduled by the administration to discuss a market oriented solution to their timber pricing which the U.S. Department of Commerce equates with subsidies.

"We welcome this first step by the two governments to end the dispute," Mack Singleton, Coalition for Fair Lumber Imports chairman, said. "All that is needed to resolve this long- standing dispute is for the Canadian provinces to move toward a marketbased system of pricing lumber."

Arizona & Colorado Seminars

Mountain States Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association is sponsoring seminars in Phoenix, Az., and Denver, Co., this month with Bill Darling as instructor.

Residential framing/lumber estimating will be offered in Phoenix Jan. 9-1 I and Denver Jan. l6-18, speed estimating Jan. 12-13 in Phoenix and Jan. 19-20 in Denver.

Phoenix sessions will be at the Wyndham Garden Hotel; Denver's at the Sheraton Denver Airport. The MSLBMDA office in Englewood, Co., is handling registration.

Little Quake Damage Found

Practically no damage was reported by lumber companies in the Eureka, Ca., area following aDec.26 earthquake.

Several companies in Arcata had nuisance damage. At Bracut International they found "broken windows, some boards down and cracked pavement," according to Red Anderson. Sierra Pacific Industries had no damage. "A few 4x4s fell off (the stacks)" at Britt Lumber Co., said Russ Britt.

Louisiana-Pacific's sawmill, closed for the holiday, had damage limited to a few cupboards spilling their contents. The pulp mill which was operating escaped harm as did Simpson Timber Co.

Home Depot Hit By Bias Suits

Home Depot is the target in two class-action discrimination lawsuits filed by disgruntled employees.

Charging that management referred to older workers as "Geritol people," Paul Nizuk, Burlingame, Ca., and Mark Jones, Moss Beach, Ca., are seeking unspecified damages for themselves and all other workers and job applicants over 40. Nizuk, 56, said he was fired from a Colma, Ca., store in 1993 after being referred to as "old man." Jones, 44, was fired as administrative manager at Union City, Ca., by a manager who, he claims, had previously refused to hire two applicants over 40.

Tliti second suit filed by eight women on behalf of women in the company's western region alleges as females they were denied promotions, training and fair pay. Sexual harrassment is included in the charges.

Claiming an exemplary record in hiring women and minorities, Home Depot said it takes the charges seriously and will conduct an investigation.

Company Goes Underground

North Hollywood Lumber & Mill, North Hollywood, Ca., has taken up a unique sideline... distributing sewer pipe.

The company has purchased Valley Sewer, a clay, ABS and PVC pipe distributor located next door. Its interest in sewer lines was aroused after inquiries by customers about the business closing.

"The owner was retiring," said North Hollywood Lumber co-owner David Duncan. "We researched the San Fernando Valley and found out there was no one to take their place. The only other (sewer pipe) company in the area is a manufacturer and they prefer not to deal direct."

- Vallev Sewer will retain its name and stafi including Jim Simms, who now heads the division.