Noted Architect Debra Lehtone, AIA Joins BAR Architects. SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – April 16, 2007 – Award-winning San Francisco architectural design firm BAR Architects has announced the hire of architect, Debra Lehtone, AIA. In her new position Debra will serve as Senior Architect focusing on cultural, arts and entertainment projects. Previously a principal with C. David Robinson Architects (CDRA), Debra’s career spans nearly two decades and has bridged many roles within the architectural practice. Debra joined CDRA in 1997 and in 2002 she was appointed as the second principal of the firm. While at CDRA, she played a pivotal role in positioning the firm as a leader in the design and restoration of museum and cultural arts projects. Debra served as Project Manager/Architect for several successful projects including the renovation and addition to the Cliff House in San Francisco, CA; design and construction of the Charles M. Schultz Museum and Research Center in Santa Rosa, CA. CDRA has recently closed as a result of Mr. Robinson’s retirement. Prior to CDRA, Debra was a Senior Architect at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. Debra received her Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Oregon. She is a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, U.S. Green Building Council, American Institute of Architects, California Association of Museums and San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association. A LEED accredited professional, Debra is a licensed architect in California. BAR Architects, an 80-person architecture, interior design and planning firm, has been in practice in San Francisco for 40 years. Projects are located throughout the US and internationally and include mixed-use facilities, housing of all types, as well as hospitality, arts and entertainment, institutional and commercial complexes. Select clients include LucasFilm, Library of Congress, Packard Humanities Institute, DMB, General Growth, Grosvenor, Hines, The Irvine Company, Discovery Land Company and Robert Mondavi Winery. With over 170 design awards, BAR Architects has been honored to receive Firm of the Year by the American Institute of Architects California Council and the Presidential Design Award by the National Endowment for the Arts.

(Washington, DC, April 12, 2007) – The ninth edition of the AIA-approved Continuing Education (CE) course “Designing with Natural Stone” will be offered from October 2-6, 2007 in Verona, Italy, in conjunction with MARMOMACC, the world’s leading stone and related design and technologies trade fair. An online introduction to this course is available at www.aecdaily.com/sponsor/veronafiere The course, which is co-sponsored by Stone World magazine, is a unique combination of classroom lectures, guided architectural tours, and field trips to a nearby quarry (this year’s material will be Pietra della Lessinia) as well as stone processing facilities. This comprehensive approach enables architects to experience the full cycle, including how marble is quarried, cut, processed, finished, selected for specific jobs and installed, using the latest technologies and products. In addition, the program includes time to explore MARMOMACC, with its more than 1,450 exhibits of stone and stone-related products and services from around the world.

Hampshire, IL – DECK-O-SHIELD from DECK-O-SEAL®, a division of W. R. MEADOWS, is a ready-to-use, water-base sealer/water repellant for natural stone, concrete, and masonry surfaces. DECK-O-SHIELD is designed for use as a sealer/water repellent on waterfalls in or around swimming pools; the product will limit the penetration of water into structurally sound, crack-free surfaces. The product also can be used as a sealer/water repellant for natural stone decks, walkways, or patios; virtually any area located near or around swimming pool areas. A DECK-O-SHIELD treated surface will inhibit the penetration of salts into the surface, reducing “whitening” or staining. DECK-O-SHIELD weatherproofs and protects virtually all waterfalls, decks, porches, patios, and walkways around pools, including, natural stone, mortar joint, concrete, brick, concrete block and stucco. Another advantage DECK-O-SHIELD provides is that the product will not alter the color or tint of the surface after application. There is no need for worry when applying DECK-O-SHIELD, because the product will have no adverse effects on surface appearance after application. DECK-O-SHIELD is available in one-gallon units and five-gallon pails. For more information, call (847) 214-2100, e-mail wrmil@wrmeadows.com or visit www.wrmeadows.com.

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. (April 2, 2007) — Maytag® brand announced today that Clay Jackson of Richmond, Va., will be the next Maytag Repairman after conducting an extensive, open-to-the-public nationwide search. As the new face of Maytag, Jackson will play a major role in revitalizing the 100-year-old Maytag brand and will help bring its unequaled tradition of quality and dependability to life. More than 1,500 people participated in the audition process including professional actors, construction workers, salesmen and stockbrokers. The two-month search included union casting calls, open auditions and mail-in submissions that were reviewed and evaluated by company representatives. According to Jackson, he decided to try out “on a whim” and attended the open audition in New York, focusing on bringing “something humorous and unexpected” to the character. Having toured professionally after college, Jackson thought he had gotten acting out of his system when he left the theater in 2000. “The opportunity to combine my love of acting with being a spokesperson for the Maytag brand was something I couldn’t ignore,” explained Jackson, who had been selling real estate for his family’s agency for the last several years. Jackson is the fourth person to portray the brand icon during its 40-year existence – but don’t expect to see your father’s Ol’ Lonely®. The newly announced Maytag Repairman is sporting a new uniform, a new attitude and is an evolution of the dependable character that was created in 1967. “The new Maytag Repairman will help revitalize the Maytag brand and its heritage by keeping one foot in our past while putting the other in our future,” said Jeff Davidoff, vice president, brand marketing and communications, Maytag. “Clay is perfect for our new take on the role. He’s energetic, young-at-heart and outgoing while still being dependable and reliable.” While portrayed on television for the past 40 years as having nothing to do, the new Maytag Repairman role is a full-time position that includes multiple national television, radio, print and public appearances. Starting in May 2007, the Maytag Repairman will appear in the new Maytag brand advertising campaign and will begin making appearances across North America. Visit nextmaytagrepairman.com for more information about the new Maytag Repairman, review the highlights from the search and find out what’s ahead for the revitalized brand icon. Background on the Nationwide Search On Jan. 26, 2007, the Maytag brand announced its first-ever public search for the new Maytag Repairman. The search began with union casting during the week of Feb. 12 in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York, followed by open auditions in the same cities. For those who were unable to attend the open casting calls, mail-in auditions were accepted through Feb. 23. More than 80 people were invited to the callbacks that took place during the week of March 5, and six people were invited to the final round of interviews during the week of March 12. The selection process was based on a variety of criteria including acting and spokesperson abilities and how well the person could personify the Maytag brand’s tradition of dependability and quality and keep the brand and its advertising icon relevant. Jackson was unanimously chosen by the brand’s executive search team as the spokesperson capable of bringing the core values of the Maytag brand to life. History of the Maytag Repairman The character first appeared on American TV screens in 1967. Jackson will be one of only four people to portray the Maytag Repairman since its creation: Jesse White, who retired in 1988 after playing the part for 21 years; Gordon Jump, who retired in 2003 after starring in the role for 15 years; and Hardy Rawls, who took Jump’s place in 2003. About Whirlpool Corporation Whirlpool Corporation is the world’s leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of more than $19 billion, more than 80,000 employees, and more than 60 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. The company markets Jenn-Air, KitchenAid, Maytag, Whirlpool, Amana, Gladiator, Brastemp, Bauknecht and other major brand names to consumers in nearly every country around the world.