Continuing Heists Frustrate Industry

Despite an increasingly strong defense by Southern California lumber companies, the lumber and plywood heists continue.

"It seems like there's a new (burglary) each week," said a frustrated Mafiyn Temple, Weyerhaeuser, Long Beach, Ca., who heads the Lumber Association of Southern California's Anti-Theft Committee. "We're trying to work closely with the local police and the Cargo Cats multi-divisional task force, but I don't think they're getting any closer (to a resolution)."

Over 30 incidents exceeding $500,000 in lost materials have been reported. Though the numbers continue to rise, Temple speculates some yards have been spared after taking "some pretty aggressive measures."

Many yards disable their trucks and forklifts for the night (See July 1993, p.53). To prevent thieves from barreling trucks through its fence, one yard ran an inch-thick cable around the chain link fence. Another built a block wall around its yard and a third uses a moveable concrete barrier.

Vigilance is crucial. Before one recent burglary two male Hispanics fitting the "ranchero dress" suspect profile were spotted across the sEeet as employees closed the yard. At the scene of a similar crime, footprints made by cowboy boots were found.

Though authorities appear no closer to discovering the ringleader, a handful of henchmen have been nabbed.

At 1:00 a.m. July 10 the highway patrol stopped a bobtail truck overloaded with a unit of lumber and 31/2 units of plywood just stolen from Laguna Beach Lumber Co., Laguna Beach. The occupants were arrested and await trial.

Three trucks loaded with lumber and plywood were stolen from Heritage Hardwoods and California Timberline, Chino, July 4. Soon after police arrested two men heading for Mexico with Heritage and California Timberline-tagged lumber. The men were released on bail, and the three stolen trucks are still missing.

An attempted burglary July 7 at Ganahl Lumber Co., Garden Grove, was foiled when the thieves triggered a silent alarm and were scared away when police and security arrived. Two months before three teenagers were caught trying to burglarize Ganahl's Anaheim yard.

Another man was arrested on Christmas Eve after stealing a truck from Pacific Supply, Orange. When police pulled the vehicle over, the suspect's parmer fled across the freeway and was fatally sEuck by a car, said Temple.

Most recently thieves used their own truck to steal a unit of lumber Jily 26 from Product Sales Co., Orange.

CalExpo Forestry Donors

The California Forest Products Commission, Georgia-Pacific, Louisiana-Pacific, Pacific Lumber Co., Sierra Pacific Industries and Simpson Timber Co. will all contribute to the CalExpo California Forest Center at the California State Fair, Aug. 20Sept 6, Sacrarnenlo, Ca.

Located on a five acre site, the center includes a mini forest with 25 species of trees native to Califomia. Several new exhibits including a forest management display will open this year. "Many people don't realize the variety of benefits, in addition to a healthy forest, that are the result of proper forest management techniques," said Don Beaty, California Forest Products Commission chairman. "We believe a walk through the center will really help people understand what forest ecology and management is all about and how it plays into the overall picture of providing for both society's and wildlife's needs."

More than 60,000 redwood seedlings will be disributed to center visitors.

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Kemp at NWWDA Session

Jack Kemp, former HUD secretary, will address an Aug. 14 breakfast session of the National Wood Window & Door Association sunmer meeting in Traverse City, Mi.

The Aug. 14-18 meeting will be used to evaluate NwwDA activities, do long range planning and set goals for the future.

Jordan ls NHLA Keynoter

Lee Roy Jordan will keynote the Ocf 19 general session of the National Hardwood Lumber Association's 96th annual convention Oct. 16-19 in Dallas, Tx.

Jordan's appeamnce ties in with the convention's "Round Up" theme. Owner of Lee Roy Jordan Redwood Lumber Co. with locations in Dallas and Houston, Tx., he is a Cowboy turned lumberman. A Dallas Cowbby fot 14 years, he competed in three Super Bowl football games and was in the playoffs 10 of 11 years from 1965 to 1976. He was named All Pro twice and !o the Pro Bowl four times during his playing career. An All American at Alabarl4 he was named the nation's outstanding lineman in 1962 after 31 tackles against Oklahoma in the Or- ange Bowl.

Seminars will discuss techniques for reducing sawmill residues, legislation affecting hardwood, hardwood timber and lumber supply issues, the clean water act and storm water runoff regulation. Exhibit space has been increased with an additional day added to accommodate the increased number of exhibitors.

A "Fandango" will kick off social events connected with the meeting at Loews Anatole Hotel.

APA Annual In Arizona

Former Washington governor Dr. Dixy tre Ray, author of two best selling books on environmental extremism, will keynote the American Plywood Association's annual meeting Sept. 26-28 at the Westin La Paloma, Tucson, Az.

Former New York Yankees pitcher, sportscaster and author Jim Bouton will be a luncheon speaker and Steve Thomas, host of PBS' This Old House, will meet with the marketing committee.

The meeting, which celebrates APA's 60th anniversary, will in8oduce Info Fair '93, the association's first products and services exposition.

Committee meetings, golf and tennis tournaments and special spouse programs are planned.

Hoo-Hoo Annual Convention

The l0lst Hoo-Hoo International convention will be Sept. 12-15 in Sioux Falls, S.D., with Sioux Valley Hoo-Hoo Club as host club.

Andersen Windows, Inc. is the major corporate sponsor. Other corporate sponsors include Building Products, Inc., Jordan Millwork, Jones Lumber Co., Sprenger Midwest, Allied Midwest and Independent Millwork.

Sponsorships are still available, according to secretary/treasurer Bruce Braaten. He can be reached at 604 S. Johnson, Canton, S.D. 57013-2448.

In addition to the activities planned for the convention, those attending will have an opportunity to enjoy the many attractions of Sioux Falls, which was named the #1 city in America. Known as the showcase of the arts in the upper Midwest, the city has over 250 dining establishments serving all types ofcuisine, over 1600 acres of parks, a zoo and the Delbridge Museum with the world's largest private mounted animal collection.

Manufacturers of Quality

Kitchen/Bath Show Renamed

The ninth annual western kitchen and bath industry show Oct. 1-3 will adopt the name Kitchen & Bath Building/Remodeling Conference and Show to reflect changes in the market, show director Tom Pellet said.

One of several special events celebrating October's National Kitchen & Bath Month, the show is also moving from Anaheim, Ca., to the Sands Expo & Convention Center, l,as Vegas, Nv.

Wood Cutting Boards OK

Scientific research has disproved a USDA theory that plastic cutting boards harbor less bacteria than those made ofwood.

Dean Cliver, University of Wisconsin Food Research Institute, found more bacteria survive on plastic than on wooden cutting boards. Bacteria from meat juices disappeared quickly after meat was cut on wood. Three minutes after contamination occurred, wooden boards were 99.9Vo safe, but plastic boards were still contaminated with bacteria.

Plastic boards with knife scars are especially hospitable to bacteria, possibly not becoming fully decontaminated even in a dishwasher, Cliver found. He tested several species of wood, including maple, black cherry, walnut, birch, butternut and beech, with the same results.

Wallboard Ceiling Growth

The installed value of ceilings will increase 8.7Vo annually through 1997, reaching almost $12 billion in that year or 2.2Vo of total building construction.

Wallboard ceilings will comprise over half of the 1997 market or $6.3 billion, The Freedonia Group projects.

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The Treated Answer

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