Well, we're off and running on a whole new year of CBC meetings, programs, and events. It's always good to get a fresh start in the Fall, and, naturally I'm honored to be part of it this year as your new President.

Our Past President, Jim McShane, leaves behind some big shoes to fill and an admirable legacy of building and improving Chicago Building Congress. It is a better association for having enjoyed his efforts on every front. The organization clearly shows many positive effects from his devotion to duty, restless energy, and contagious enthusiasm. We gave Jim a Distinguished Service Award and a nice watch at the September 19th Membership Luncheon, but those small tokens of our esteem pale in comparison to the debt of gratitude CBC owes Jim for his good work.

It was a busy meeting that day at the Union League Club, with Geri Harston bringing a table of wonderful kids to lunch from ACE Tech High School. We gave them another $5,000.00 donation from our CBC Golf Outing proceeds and enjoyed a great progress report rendered by one of the students.

John Callaway mounted the podium as our Guest Speaker, regaling the audience with his war stories on Chicago's journalistic front. With over 50 years of experience in the trenches now, he truly knows all the scoops that have punctuated Chicago headlines during our lifetimes.

Next month, on October 17th, we will honor Dirk

Lohan at the Award of Honor luncheon with CBC's annual lifetime achievement award. Dirk has played a major role in defining the modern Chicago skyline, and well deserves this prestigious honor. Book your table today for this event, and use the enclosed form if you wish to place a congratulatory ad in the program.

Also during October, we are trying something new with a morning educational event, the Due Diligence Seminar. This event will be held on October 23rd at Maggiano's Little Italy at 111 West Grand, featuring a panel of experts presenting the viewpoints of Owner, General Contractor, Subcontractor, Lender, Title Insurer, and Lawyer. It breaks fresh ground as a joint venture of SOICA (Society of Illinois Construction Attorneys), CFMA (the Construction Financial Management Association), and CBC. Very modestly priced, this terrific educational opportunity will begin with breakfast at 7:00 AM and conclude by 10:00 AM.

Come November, we will enjoy a presentation by Brian McPartlin, Executive Director of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority at our 11/14/07 lunch. This should prove quite enlightening, for the scope of construction undertaken by the Tollway Authority is far broader than commonly assumed and embraces much more than roadwork. For example, consider those seven Tollway Oases totally redesigned and rebuilt in recent years. 

That's about it for now, except to say that we hope to see you at all forthcoming CBC meetings & events!