We had no groups of volunteers schedule this holiday week. Also, Monday and Tuesday we had off for completing Markedia's house. Wednesday was July 4th. When I heard that I would have 3 days off in a row, I got excited. I've been working on the Lions Den steadily (without panic) but never more than a couple of hours after work or a whole Saturday. So, for those 2 days, I got all of the insulation done and 80 percent of the drywall hung. The Americorp team who is working with us now also helped out a bit. They are required to do additional volunteer hours (80 hrs during their 11 month stint) so I offered them the opportunity kill two birds with one stone- attend a free electrical, plumbing, insulation and drywall seminar and work down some of their hours. We got a big chunk of the work done although it will still be tight to have everthing move-in ready by next month. Anyway, I keep pecking away at it and one day it will be done. We also welcomed a new staff member this past week. His name is Stephen Scott, son of the famous Mark Scott of Bay/Waveland, Ms. Habitat affiliate. He has been working under his Dad's tutilage since Katrina days on the Gulf. The affiliate ther built over two hundred homes since 2006, but now the funding has dried up and they are doing mostly rehabs and the Feds don't allow volunteers to do the work.    
     On July 4th I watched the implosion of a 14 storie building on the campus of the university here . They had the area roped off and hundreds of people came out to watch at 8:00 in the morning. There was a warning siren a minute before and then 5 or 6 BOOM, BOOM, BOOM and you saw coluds of smoke blowing out the windows on the lower levels and then the two sides of the building just leaned in and collapsed on itself with a big cloud of dust. Somebody new what they were doing. 10 seconds, 15 max and then it was over. Then wait 45 minutes in the parking garage to get out. Oh well.
     On the fourth also, our construction director, Brandon, flew out to St. Louis, Mo. to help and oversee the framing of our third home that is being sponsored by Major League Baseball. It was built in a parking lot by the stadium there with the help of MLB players and Paulie from Extreme Makeover and others. Then it will be knocked down, put on a truck and shipped to Tuscaloosa, where I'm sure it will fit on the foundation that has already been set for it.
     On Thursday and Friday after the holiday we had a staff only (with NCCC) party at David Cooks house it Brookwood . Another home "dangerously close" to being finished. I set the kitchen cabinets and countertop, crown molding, toekick and knobs so that piece is ready. Little more detail trim inside and another dedication should be in the works.
     Saturday was door and window day at the Den. I hung two exterior doors- they were full light slabs from the ReStore that needed to have the hinges routed in and then hung on the frame on site (no pre-hungs). The window over the tub was another chunk of insulated glass with 8 divided lights but no frame for the window itself. I made the frame to hold the glass and then the frame for the opening and hung it. It swings up into the room, with the screen on the outside. Pictures to follow. Saturday night got invited out to Judge Coogler's farm for target shooting with 22's rifle and pistols and a shotgun followed by a wonderful BBQ meal. It was attended by most of the law students and his interns who have been coming out on a regular basis since last year. Great group of young folks. Judge Coogler gives them all nicknames like Big Mo, Fiddy Cent and Cold Beer.   The Judge did all of the BBQing on his custom rig. It is made up of an old propane truck tank. Quite a rig. And he cooks some good BBQ with it.
     That's all for this week. Hope everyone had a great Fourth of July week! Ciao! Peter