More than 25 years ago, the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC)—and McGruff the Crime Dog—designated October Crime Prevention Month. The month-long commemoration reflects the adage that prevention pays off. NCPC strongly believes that everyone can do something to prevent crime, from helping police identify crime problems to starting a Neighborhood Watch program or taking commonsense steps to protect their homes and property.

Crime Prevention month is a good time to evaluate the safety and security of our homes and our families—something that everyone can do to help prevent crime. We’ve all worried about the security of our homes at one time or another…Could an intruder possibly get in? Would your family ever be a victim of burglary or home invasion?

The truth is that most burglars get into homes the same way anyone does—through windows or doors. So taking several commonsense precautions can help keep our homes, and families, safer. For instance, keep windows and doors locked at all times. Don’t have shrubs in front of windows and doors, as they can shield would-be intruders.

Some people may need to take more drastic steps as well. If windows and doors are old, don’t operate or lock properly, or are easy to bypass even when they are locked, maybe it’s time to replace those windows and doors with newer, more secure models. Perhaps even consider laminated glass products that make it virtually impossible for anyone to get through.

For more window and doors security tips, visit http://www.gorell.com/pages/gorell_mcgruff.htm.

I saw a segment on Fox News last evening (yes, I listen to Fox News) on a new program sponsored by Darrel Issa, the House Majority Leader. It's called The American Job Creators - What's holding your business back? http://jobs.majorityleader.gov/

Mr. Issa explained that he and his committee are trying to gather information direct from American Business Owners as to what regulations are affecting their ability to grow and prosper in this very difficult economy. The concept is to go straight to the people who really do create jobs and ask them what would help them if it was taken out of the way of their growth.

I believe this is the first step in the right direction in Washington. The Government keeps saying they are going to do this or that, another stimulus or ten, to create more jobs. What most of them don't seem to get is that Government doesn't create jobs, and doesn't spend any money it hasn't taken forcibly (yes I meant forcibly - taxes are not optional) from the taxpayers.

The Government does not and cannot create jobs, only businesses create jobs. Maybe this new program where Mr. Issa can get the information straight from business owners on what he and his committee can do to help their specific business is a very big step in the right direction. I hope those of you that own small businesses that read this take the time and go to the website and fill out the form to tell them what the government is doing to you to hurt your business, I did.

Maybe if enough of us speak up we will get some much needed change in our Nation's Capital.

U.S. Senator Robert Casey of Pennsylvania recently visited Gorell Windows & Doors’ manufacturing facility in Indiana, PA. Through my involvement as President of the Indiana County Manufacturing Consortium—and because Gorell is the largest manufacturing employer in the county—Senator Casey requested a roundtable discussion with representatives from Gorell and several other manufacturers in our area. Senator Casey, who was recently appointed as Chair of the Joint Economic Committee, wanted to discuss our companies’ needs as an industry to help him as he forms a national policy on manufacturing. We were honored to host Senator Casey, and to have an open forum in which to share our views and needs regarding manufacturing, both as it impacts Indiana County and the entire industry. I think the feedback Senator Casey received will be very helpful to him in creating national policies for the manufacturing sector. Gorell and the other members of our consortium shared views on the challenges we face in workforce development, funding for training programs, the challenges of excessive regulations especially in the area of environmental issues, how coal and gas resources can positively impact the manufacturing sector and more. One of the key points mentioned was the need for all levels of skilled and qualified workers, and funding for programs that promote vocational education as a viable alternative to college for high school graduates.

Senator Casey spoke of the need for a cohesive national manufacturing strategy. He said the country has some elements of one, but not anything that is fully realized. Our hope is that this roundtable event will help all manufacturers and be a positive springboard for getting our country pointed in the right direction.

Each year, Earth Day (April 22) marks the anniversary of what many consider the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. According to the Earth Day web site, “The idea came to Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson, then a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, after witnessing the ravages of the 1969 massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. Inspired by the student anti-Vietnam war movement, he realized that if he could infuse that energy with an emerging public consciousness about air and water pollution, it would force environmental protection onto the national political agenda.”

His efforts paid off and, on the 22nd of April, 20 million Americans took to the streets, parks, and auditoriums to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment. That first Earth Day led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts.

In 1990, Earth Day went global – bringing environmental issues to the forefront in 141 countries. Over the last 40 years, the Earth Day organization has executed successful environmental campaigns on issues ranging climate change and drinking water to voter registration and saving the whale.

Today, the Earth Day programs focus on greening schools and promoting environmental education, accelerating the global green economy, and the “A Billion Acts of Green®” program—which is the theme for Earth Day 2011. A Billion Acts of Green inspires and rewards simple individual acts and larger organizational initiatives that further the goal of measurably reducing carbon emissions and supporting sustainability. The goal is to register one billion actions in advance of the global Earth Summit in Rio in 2012.

The environment is something everyone should think about—it’s vital to our lives in so many ways. And most people know about the “standard” environmental issues that receive much publicity—such as recycling, planting trees, etc. What many individuals might not know is that making home improvements can also be good for the environment. For instance, replacing older, less efficient windows with new, high-performance windows can save a significant amount of energy. Insulating homes more effectively can also save energy. And both of these energy-efficient home improvements positively impacts the environment! It’s something to consider this Friday, April 22, as we celebrate the 41st annual Earth Day—there are ways everyone can help protect the environment—and some of them even have a positive impact on home energy costs as well.

For more information on Earth Day and the “A Billion Acts of Green” program, visit www.earthday.org.

The “Light It Up Blue” campaign for Autism Awareness starts Friday, April 1, and runs through Saturday, which is the fourth United Nations Autism Awareness Day. An organization called Autism Speaks is driving this initiative, “Light It Up Blue,” as a way to raise awareness about autism and be part of a worldwide movement to show support for the autism community.

The organization is asking individuals, businesses, schools and other organizations to show their support, which can be accomplished in numerous ways. Use blue light bulbs to light up homes and buildings, wear blue clothing, and take the pledge to “Light It Up” for autism. Taking the pledge, which involves telling others about this campaign, can be done on an Autism Speaks’ web site, http://www.lightitupblue.org

I’ve had the privilege of knowing an autistic child, cared for and taught from the age of three by my occupational therapist wife for many years. It has been so exciting to see this child learn – Learn to communicate and do so many other things most said she would never be able to do. Now she can communicate by signing, often understand what is being said, dress herself, play games and participate in many activities.

This initiative is such a worthwhile cause to spread the word about caring for and helping autistic citizens. At Gorell Windows, we are planning as much possible in a short time span. From changing our web site home page to promote awareness of Light It Up Blue to collecting from our employees to provide financial support to organizations dedicated to helping autistic individuals. We encourage everyone to promote this cause. To help, visit http://www.lightitupblue.org , read about the effort and take the pledge! While you’re there, take a look at some of the amazing photos of how the world will be lit up in blue!

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy has introduced a new program—the “Save Energy Now LEADER.” It is a public-private partnership with the goal of achieving significant energy savings and carbon reduction across the U.S. industrial sector. Participants in the Save Energy Now LEADER program must commit to reducing the company’s energy intensity—and associated carbon emissions—by at least 25 percent over the next 10 years. LEADERs must also agree to establish energy use and energy intensity baselines, and to develop energy management plans over the first 12 months of the program. Save Energy Now LEADERs will measure and report their energy intensity, energy use data and achievements annually to the DOE.

The industrial sector plays a major role in the health of the nation’s economy and environment. According to the DOE, manufacturing uses nearly a third of U.S. energy, contributes more to the U.S. economy than any other sector (12%) and employs 14 million workers. Boosting industrial energy efficiency is a means to significantly reduce future carbon emissions in the United States.

To date, 105 U.S. companies – including Gorell Windows & Doors -- have taken this sustainability pledge and become a Save Energy Now LEADER. For more information about this program, visit http://www.eere.energy.gov/industry/saveenergynow/

Hats off to IBACOS and all the sponsors and participating companies that provided funding, products and services for the “Energy Efficiency Lab Home” built in the community of Ohio Township just outside of Pittsburgh. The home was officially opened by IBACOS with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on November 11, a beautiful, sunny day.

IBACOS is a research organization with one of its goals being to make homes actually self sufficient in terms of energy. Attending the opening of the lab home, I was somewhat skeptical of this lofty goal, but was truly amazed by the time I left.

The house utilizes some of America’s most energy-efficient building products and systems, including Gorell R-5 Energy Star qualified windows, geothermal heating, solar energy panels, state-of-the-art lighting and so much more. Some of what I observed represents new paradigms in home building. I’m not an engineer, but I always figured engineers knew what they were doing by placing heating and cooling ducts on outside walls of homes. Not in this house. Small, round plastic ducts have replaced the kind of metal vents we’re all familiar with – and they’re on the inside walls of the lab home.

There’s more. Instead of intermittent blasts of heat and cool air, the warm or cool air emitted from these ducts is pushed through constantly and gently, in low volume. You can barely feel the air moving and you can’t even hear the heating and cooling system.

I had asked about concerns for how “tight” this home is. I’ve heard that a home that’s too closed up can invite problems involving mold and mildew. These issues have also been addressed in building this home. The Lab Home features an air re-circulation system that cleans and re-circulates air in the house.

Another thing that’s impressive about the Lab Home is that it was designed to be a home that’s affordable to most Americans. It isn’t at this point, because of all the time, research and experimenting that was involved, but homes just like this one will be affordable – hopefully some day very soon. If you look at this Lab Home, you’ll see that it’s not unlike other modest, new homes in the plan.

If you would like to see or learn more about the Lab Home, visit this web site --http://www.theresearchalliance.org/111110-lab-home-ribbon-cutting.aspx

Being part of the construction and building products industry, we have our challenges, but we also have our opportunities to make our community a better place. One of those opportunities is Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, nondenominational Christian housing ministry founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a decent, safe and affordable place to live. Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat and its homeowner families have built or rehabilitated more than 350,000 houses. Habitat invites people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build together in partnership. Our company, Gorell Windows & Doors has recently partnered with Habitat to donate windows for a home in Blairsville, PA. If you would like more information on this organization, and how you can get involved, visit their website at www.habitat.org.