Let me be the first to wish you a prosperous New Year. As we move into 2013 we have many new challenges facing us. Full story

As I write this article, it is Election Day in the U.S.A! Stuck on Chicago’s O’Hare Airport runway, I am pondering the outcome of the election tonight. Full story

One of the goals of the MCAA is to validate that thru certification our mason contractors are qualified, well trained and well educated. Full story

With the Ultra Air Barrier Wall System, masonry contractors now have a system that can be easily installed and keeps more of the contract under the mason’s control. Full story

Blueskin SA and SA LT 18-inch and 36-inch-wide sheet-applied, non-permeable air and vapor barriers now are imprinted with a high-visibility, branded design. Read at MASONRY

Architects and engineers are faced with the challenge of selecting an air barrier from the many types available. Masonry reports. Read at MASONRY

The MCAA Region C Masonry Skills Challenge went on November 10, 2012. 19 apprentices (8 first year, 5 second year and 6 third year) competed. Full story

As veneer’s popularity grows, the general understanding of available materials and how their aesthetics will impact the building becomes clearer. Read at MASONRY

As I write this message, it makes me feel very proud and honored to be a citizen of this United States, the best country in the world. Full story

What do we do when it seems like nothing can go right? I can tell you what I did. I started from the basics and retrained my mind. Full story

Belgard Hardscapes is offering both a new paver collection and a product for edging paver surfaces for the masonry industry. Read at MASONRY

Walk college campuses, upscale housing developments or downtown historic districts, and you’ll see what they have in common: clay brick pavers. Read at MASONRY

Equipped with an advanced powertrain system, the new Cat® 966K XE wheel loader impressively delivers up to a 25 percent fuel efficiency improvement. Full story

The SPEC MIX D2W WETMIX continuous mixing system is designed to give the mason contractor control over the key elements that allow him to make a profit. Read at MASONRY

The PumpMaster PG-30 from AIRPLACO is a new addition to the PumpMaster line of masonry grout pumps. Read at MASONRY

Masonry anchors and ties are to be designed and installed based on the Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures. Read at MASONRY

Masonry staining has proven to be a cost-effective solution for a variety of reasons. It’s not uncommon for crews to take on a building with more than one-half million bricks. Full story

I find myself having returned not too long ago from a trip to Denver to visit with the fine folks of the Rocky Mountain Masonry Institute (RMMI). Full story

I still hear our people telling customers, “We can’t do that,” like it’s been programmed into us. It drives me absolutely crazy. Full story

When Jordan Hartsell attended high school, Todd Hartsell was his instructor and has sponsored nine national masonry contest winners in the last 12 years. Full story