Using Garden Roof Systems to Improve Performance:" The benefits of roof garden for buildings in Ottawa, Canada were studied. The gardens can lower heat penetration into the building in the summer and thereby reduce cooling demands. Mso, the garden absorbs rainwater, reducing the sudden load on drainage systems during a downpour.

BACnet is a communications protocol development for interconnecting building automation products from a variety of manufacturers. Applications include HVAC, lighting, security, and utility management. BACnet runs on multiple network types, although BACnet/IP over Ethernet is most widely used. Supporting BACnet are the BACnet Manufacturers Association, BACnet interest groups, and BACnet International. The BACnet Testing Laboratories run the BACnet Interoperability Workshop. Integration with enterprise operations is provided with BACnet Web-based tools.

The paper by Nortel Networks explains methods for ensuring secure communications for users of mobile services when away from the office. The goals are to improve privacy and reliability, and to reduce theft of service and identity. The Nortel Unified Security Framework is described. It was noted that half of the threats originate inside the business.

Blueprint for Convergence:" This white paper by Nortel Networks explains the benefit of integrating communications for voice, video, data, and applications. Benefits include cost reduction, improved productivity, and enhanced competitiveness. Step-by-step procedures for analyzing current operations and for planning a transition to a converged system are described.

CABA is interested in pursuing other research studies or white papers, which would benefit its research library, and can be contacted via caba@caba.org or 613-990-7407. For each research paper, document, or white paper that is placed on the CABA Research Library, you will earn $50 CABA Bucks. These CABA Bucks can be used to offset your membership, registration fees, or purchase other CABA goods/services. Join the CABA Information Council to earn additional CABA Bucks and to help build the CABA Research Library.

As the world's largest home improvement retailer, The Home Depot embraces its role as a leader in social responsibility and celebrates its long-standing commitment to volunteerism. At the end of 2004, The Home Depot will have partnered with KaBOOM!, a non-profit group that ensures that children have access to healthy play opportunities, to build 250 playgrounds in communities throughout the United States and Canada. The Home Depot--KaBOOM! partnership will result in 100 builds this year alone.

Earlier this year The Home Depot and KaBOOM! partnered with the Mount Pleasant Hispanic-American Center in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to build a brand-new playground at the Center. On December 17, more than 150 Team Depot volunteers will gather at the Youth Co-Op Charter School in Hialeah Gardens, part of the greater Miami area. Until now, the school had been unable to afford a playground. However, after the one day blitz build, the more than 500 students as well as families in the surrounding community will be able to enjoy a safe and fun state-of-the-art playground.

In the past, medium density fiberboard, or MDF--a dense, smooth particleboard made of compressed fine sawdust and hard resin glue--was typically used as a backing for hardwood veneers. But as high-quality fine-grained wood becomes increasingly expensive, MDF is playing a more visible role in interior design.

"One hundred years ago, people used redwood and vertical-grain Douglas fir and painted them," says Kim Feldman of Jazz Construction & Development. "We use MDF because it can give us the same refined look, but it's earth-friendly." In a new home development called French Ranch (www.frenchranchhomes.com) in Marin County California, Jazz Construction used 1- by 8-inch MDF wallboards and painted them.

"There's a trick to making MDF look natural," says French Ranch developer and builder Bruce Burman, Feldman's business partner. "We use spray or rollers to get the paint on the wall, but we finish it with paintbrushes. MDF is a completely flat material, but you can see the brush strokes in the paint, and that makes it look like a wood grain."

A DESIRE to have minimal impact on the environment inspired the design of this handsome garage in western Washington. "We just couldn't see ourselves adding to the impervious surface area of our community," says homeowner Susan Sproull, who wanted to create a shelter for her vintage roadster as well as a workshop for custom woodworking projects. Susan, along with husband Jim, is involved in an environmentally focused nonprofit neighborhood organization; in 2003, the Sproulls' yard was certified as a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary.

Architect Rob Harrison positioned the 20- by 40-foot shed-roof structure outside the dripline of a mature Douglas fir tree. He planted the roof with drought-tolerant sedums and wildflowers. Translucent polycarbonate panels cover the garage's upper wall sections, wrapping the structure like a clerestory window and allowing natural light to brighten the space (which cuts down on energy use).

The green roof is heavier than a standard roof, but because of its thinness--only 4 inches of soil--Harrison was able to compensate for the extra weight by using roof rafters of laminated veneer lumber (LVL), which is stronger than wood. To conserve energy, Harrison installed an infrared radiant heating system, which warms people and objects rather than air.

The workshop is a well-used place. "It was the perfect spot for Jim to build a sea kayak with his grandson," Susan says. "The airy, woodsy feel makes us forget we live in an urban environment."

Many of the materials used inside Susan and Jim Sproull's backyard structure had a past life or are eco-conscious in their own right.

DAYLIGHT AND GREEN CONSTRUCTION The building is wrapped in a ribbon of translucent polycarbonate panels, which suffuse it with natural light. What's more, the architect employed a building technique called stack framing, which uses 25 percent less lumber than conventional construction. Exterior walls are covered in fiber-cement panels from James Hardie.

Get ready, because we're about to sound like your mother. No matter how many times over the years we've told you guys, "Your diet is just as important as your training," most of you just can't get your act together. Do you want muscle or not? To help you once and for all, we're taking the complexity out of the diet equation. In simple terms, here are 23 essentials you need in your kitchen. Having this stuff on hand is half the battle, so stock up, straighten out and fly right!

FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES: Red, orange, white, green and purple hues are loaded with healthy phytonutrients, notes Debra Wein, MS, RD, LDN, president and cofounder of The Sensible Nutrition Connection, Inc. Sliced peppers, baby carrots, berries and oranges are easy snacks.

OLIVE OIL: Use this source of healthy omega-9 fatty acids for cooking and on salads. Keep it in the fridge to maintain freshness.

EGGS: One egg packs a solid 6 grams of protein. A tip from nutritionist and trainer Jay Robb, author of The Fat-Burning Diet (Loving Health Publications, 2004): Hard-boil 12 at a time, and you'll always have a mini muscle meal at your fingertips.

LETTUCE: Colorful leaves (spinach, kale, romaine) are loaded with B vitamins, which are essential for energy production, says Wein.

FRESH-SLICED TURKEY BREAST: This lean meat packs 24 protein grams per 4-ounce serving.

LEMONS: "Ideal for flavoring water," Wein points out.

FISH: A proteinladen food that also features generous amounts of omega-3 fatty acids.

BEEF: A killer source of B vitamins, iron and all-natural creatine, the leanest cut is top round, which features 36 grams of protein and just 5 grams of fat per 3.5-ounce serving.

LOW-FAT DAIRY PRODUCTS AND CHEESES: These provide calcium, which has been shown to help with weight management, according to Wein. Blend 6 ounces of fat-free plain yogurt with a scoop of whey protein, a few raw nuts and some ground-up golden flaxseed for a great on-the-go breakfast.

FLAXSEED OIL: An essential oil for omega-3 fatty acids. "Drop a tablespoon into a protein drink 1-3 times a day," suggests Robb.

The Cupboard

CANNED BEANS: A great source of low-fat protein that's also high in fiber. "It's one of the most healthful protein sources," remarks Wein. Use them in salads, chili, tacos or alone.

OATMEAL: It jumpstarts your metabolism and keeps you feeling fuller longer and is also high in fiber and a good source of healthy complex carbs.

PROTEIN POWDER: Look for a whey-based protein that contains at least 23-24 grams of protein per ounce, Robb advises. An ounce of protein is 28 grams, so make sure you're getting a lot of protein and just a little bit of flavoring with every scoop.

ONIONS AND GARLIC: They're high in the phytonutrient allicin, which helps prevent cancer, Wein says. Plus, they add flavor to any meal. Refrigerate after cutting.

SPICES: Basil, oregano, parsley, red pepper and chili powder are all great ways to flavor a dish without adding calories, carbs or fat.

RAW NUTS: One ounce of walnuts contains about 2 grams of healthy omega-3 fatty acids, a little more than you'd get in 3 ounces of salmon. Almonds carry roughly twice the calcium of milk, explains Robb. Pecans are rich in cholesterol improving phytosterols.

CANNED LIGHT TUNA: With a whopping 42 grams of protein per 6-ounce can, this is one of the best foods to stack on your shelf. Get it packed in water, which will give you less than 2 grams of fat per serving--12 grams less than oil-packed.

YAMS, SQUASH AND POTATOES: These provide fuel for workouts and help with recovery to nurture muscle growth.

RELATED ARTICLE: KEY STUFF

STOCK YOUR FRIDGE AND CABINETS LIKE A PRO--A BODYBUILDING PRO, THAT IS

What does three-time Arnold Classic champ Jay Cutler keep in his kitchen? To find out, we went straight to the source--his wife Kerry, who prepares most of his meals.

FOOD: We tend to stick to the basics: for carbs, oatmeal and basmati, jasmine or brown rice. For protein, turkey breast, orange roughy, top round steak and shrimp. Vegetables usually consist of broccoll, asparagus and mushrooms. Fruits consist of bananas only. This is in the dieting phase, which we're in right now. I usually cook every two hours for Jay.

APPLIANCES: Our rice cooker goes 24/7 with jasmine or basmati rice. I have one George Foreman grill inside the house and one outside; I use the outdoor one to cook fish so it doesn't smell up the house. I use a steamer for broccoll and asparagus mostly during the dieting phase. The blender is used throughout the day to spin up Nitrotech and Celltech drinks for Jay. The skillet gets a lot of action-frying eggs in cooking spray or cooking turkey breast or steak. The espresso/cappuccino maker is for our late-afternoon caffeine fix. And I use a food scale to weight Jay's carbs and protein on- and off-season.

It may still be the deep freeze of winter for many dealers, but in Orlando, Fla., builders and dealers alike will be basking in the sun and the promise of increased sales at the 2005 International Builders' Show, Jan. 13-16. This year's show will include about 1,600 exhibitors, 200 education programs, and, of course, thousands of building pros on the lookout for new products, techniques, and ideas.

PROSALES is proud to be the official dealer publication of the International Builders' Show. And once again we've assembled just a few of the things worth checking out at this year's event. For a complete listing of educational programs and exhibitors, visit www.buildersshow.com. See you there!

Hilti Hilti WSJ 750-ET and WSJ 850-ET jig saws feature Smart Power to provide constant blade speed under load and a blade stroke of 1 1/8 inch. The saws' Active Orbital Action removes more material on the upstroke, the manufacturer says. The PrecisionGuide clamping system secures the blade against wandering and bending, and a six-position stroke rate adjustment matches cutting speed to each job. Four orbital action settings range from smooth to aggressive cutting.

Fypon Made from reinforced polymer, these round and square structural columns can be used for interior and exterior applications. Ranging in height from 6 to 24 feet, they feature hollow centers that can be used as channels for downspouts, wrong, and plumbing.

PL Adhesives & Sealants Formulated to provide a strong, permanent bond to wood, metal, and concrete in interior and exterior applications, PL 400 Heavy Duty Construction Adhesive is water- and weather-proof. The adhesive meets all the requirements of the American Plywood Association, the maker says, and its bond strength helps reduce nailing, floor squeaks, and vibrations in subfloor and decking applications.

Crane Performance Siding The Fluted Lineal features a solid core backing that provides added energy efficiency and 300 percent more impact resistance than traditional vinyl siding, the company says. Available in 20-foot lengths an Aspen-white finish the Fluted Lineal features a 1 1/8-inch pocket that will accept the manufacturer's solid core siding. A 3/4-inch pocket for use with the company's regular vinyl siding also will be available.

Versatex Manufactured in a free-foam cellular PVC extrusion process, Versatex trimboards offer me look of wood without weathering and maintenance, the company says. The product line includes all primary trimboard profiles from 4- to 16-inch widths and three thicknesses, as well as 10-foot and 20-foot outside corners, beaded soffit/wainscoting, and 4-foot-wide sheets. The reversible boards and corners can be installed with a Timber Ridge or Smooth Matte finish.

Pella The Architect Series double-hung window offers a traditional appearance with modern performance, with up to 7 percent more visible glass than leading competitors, the company says. Two Options, the Luxury Edition (LX) and the Style Edition, are available. The LX model features Steady-Tilt for cleaning and LC-50 design pressure performance. The optional VividView screen allows up to three times more airflow than standard fiberglass screens.

Heatilator Designed to accommodate the trend toward larger and more traditionally styled fireplaces, Icon Series direct-vent gas fireplaces, models 60 and 100, do not have to be framed with non-combustible materials. The fireplaces use a patented DVP pipe that makes installation easier and makes them more cost effective, the manufacturer says.