WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) applauded President Obama’s plan to “win the future” by making America’s commercial buildings more energy- and resource-efficient over the next decade.

LINCOLNSHIRE, IL -- Woodworking Network, in conjunction with the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Assocation, will present a free webcast on level™, the sustainability standard and third-party certification program for the business and institutional furniture manufacturing industry.

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. faces a shortage of rental apartments, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

CHARLOTTE, NC -- The 7th annual Closets & Home Organization Conference & Expo, Feb. 23-25 in Charlotte, NC, will have many new products exhibited at the Expo, which features three pavilions this year — Cabinet Products, Extreme Garage and the TechCentre.

TIVERTON, RI -- KL Communications has issued a call for furniture exhibits to display at its series of 2011 Fine Furnishings & Fine Craft Shows taking place in Baltimore, April 15-17, Milwaukee, September 30–October 2, and Providence, October 21-23.

NEW YORK -- A stunning mahogany block-and-shell carved bureau table created a decade before the Revolutionary War by Rhode Island cabinetmaker John Goddard sold for $5.7 million at auction.

NAPLES, FL -- The Huck Group, a manufacturer of store fixtures for Borders, Clinique and others, has closed two of its manufacturing plants and put the contents up for auction.

Green Seal, which certifies wood manufacturing and other industry products, seeks a Chief Business Officer.

Lumber, furniture and cabinetry firms were among those pummeled by last week's massive winter storms. The band of snow and icy weather hit more than 20 states in an arc stretching from Texas to New England.

KAMLOOPS, BC -- Firefighters responding to what was termed a "stubborn fire" Jan. 31 at Tolko's Heffley Creek plywood mill, were able to bring the blaze under control before it could do more damage.