Content about Oregon

Portland, Ore.-based Western Hardwood Association will host the International Hardwood Convention & Exposition April 30 to May 2 at the DoubleTree Lloyd Center in Portland.

An estimated 300 Asian, European and U.S,. East Coast buyers will be exposed to a variety of western hardwoods from producers, wholesalers, importers and exporters. Lumber, millwork and finished products will also be highlighted during the show. 

Portland, Ore.-based Neil Kelly Co., a design-build remodeling firm that has remodeled more than 30,000 homes, announced its Top 10 interior design trends for 2013.

Twenty of the firms design professionals who shared their knowledge based on working with material suppliers and vendors came up with the following list: 

Voters in 38 states will consider 174 statewide ballot measures on Nov. 6, 2012, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). These proposals are wide-ranging, with a number of them having potential workplace implications.

Questions appear on the ballots in more than one state concerning:

• Medical marijuana use;
• Legalization of marijuana; and
• Same-sex marriage.

B&I Hardware in Junction City, Ore., has been broken into twice in less than two months, according to an article in the Tribune News.

A K-9 dog searching the premises after the last burglary, on Oct. 23, found evidence that may lead to the culprits, according to an officer with the Junction City Police Department. 

A PPG Paint rep who claimed overtime for the hours he worked at several Lowe’s stores won $24,400 -- double his back pay -- in a Washington State court, according to a summary in the Washington Employment Law Letter. Counting the plaintiff’s attorneys’ fees, PPG Industries was ordered to pay $470,000 in a case that could reverberate through the aisles of big-box stores across the nation. 

Home Channel News selected 50 hardware stores -- one from each state -- for inclusion in the second annual Hardware Store All-Star list. The stores distinguish themselves with strong customer service, innovative approaches to retail and a connection to community and customers.

The alphabetical listing of All-Star stores, one from each of the 50 U.S. states, continues here with Oregon, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island:

Pacific States Industries, a California-based forest products and building materials company, acquired the privately owned Hoquiam Plywood Co. of Hoquiam, Wash. 

The Hoquiam facility is known for its premium plywood sheathing. Operations at the western Washington facility will come under the direction of Pacific States Plywood (PSP), headquartered in Springfield, Ore.

On the legality of healthcare reform

“Small businesses need healthcare reform to lower costs. If Obamacare is thrown out, something needs to replace it. Romney needs to address what he would replace it with.

“Responsible small businesses offer health care to their employees. The current system keeps increasing costs at double digits each year. That cannot last.”
— Dick Wegner
Portland, Ore.

A case that started with a group of Home Depot customers reporting two suspected shoplifters in Beaverton, Ore., has produced its first conviction. William Hazelwood, 35, pled guilty to one count of first degree theft and was sentenced to 1.5 years of probation and ordered to pay attorney fees, plus an assessment and surcharge, according to an article in The Oregonian.

Central Oregon Builders Association (COBA) has named Parr Lumber as its Materials Supplier of the Year at the organization’s annual Excellence Awards Gala. COBA, a nonprofit trade association, promotes high ethical standards within the building industry and provides services to its members who hail from Crook, Deschutes, Harney and Jefferson counties. COBA serves an important role in the region improving and upholding quality craftsmanship and encouraging best practices and ethical behavior from its members.

Jewett-Cameron, the North Plains, Ore.-based LBM distributor, reported sales for its