LOS ANGELES -- Hall of Fame designer Sally Sirkin Lewis has secured four new design patents for her Andromeda Chair, Cloud Buffet, Ribbed Floor Lamp, and Linea Floor Lamp.

COSTA MESA, CA -- Cabinets and flooring retrofits are part of a proposed pilot program aimed at creating a "blueprint for schools to take the challenge for today’s generations of children toward healthier, greener practices and programs."

Georgia-Pacific said it plans to close two wood manufacturing plants and lay off approximately 1,100 workers due to "poor market conditions."

LINOCOLNSHIRE, IL -- Rick Hill, columnist of Custom Woodworking Business and bloggist of WoodworkingNetwork.com, will share ideas for how professional woodworkers can find new customers in a free Webinar.

Remodeling and construction leaders saw hope in White House proposals to boost the economy, though some quarters prefer housing rather than public works projects. Offers of payroll tax relief also garnered small business support.

MESA, AZ -- Home improvement specialist Celaro Construction LLC has introduced its first cabinet line made with Baltic birch plywood.

Forestry and flooring manufacturer Sino-Forest stock saw the suspension of trading in its stock extended until January 25 by Canadian authorities.

Ainsworth Lumber Co. Ltd. (TSX:ANS) president and CEO Richard Huff announced his retirement today. Jim Lake, currently VP, Operations, succeeds him as president and COO.

More than a dozen local dignitaries attended the grand opening ceremony of cutting tool manufacturer LMT Onsrud. The event, held Sept. 8, included a tour of the 64,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, set on nine acres of land.

Wood industry stories about IKEA's pique over fake-IKEA copycat stores in China, and Fortune's poison pill for MasterCraft Cabinets et.al, were among the most viewed. Wood showed its ability to heal, as swamp white oaks formed the centerpiece of the new 911 Memorial.