Even in "normal" years, stone industry professionals I meet with tend to have the same question for me this time of year: "How was Coverings?" I'd say this has been the case for all 16 editions of the show that I have visited during my time at Stone World.

QUONSET POINT, RI -- Don and Angela Conte of AC Stone, LLC, have acquired the fabrication facility formerly operated by New England Stone, LLC. The new company, Structural Stone, LLC, is in full operation and is a full-service stone fabricator based in Quonset Point, RI.

The Natural Stone Council (NSC) is continuing its development of what will be a congressionally authorized "check-off" program, an industry-funded research and promotion effort that would expand the market for natural stone in the U.S. and increase demand of natural stone products.

The Marble Institute of America and Stone World combined forces this year to deliver the best quality regional education program offered in the stone industry. The 2009 program, focused on cost effective, practical, business-building programs kicked off in Dallas in March. Over 50 industry professionals heard from industry experts Tony Malisani and Fred Jackson. The seminar concluded with an industry briefing and networking reception.

Builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes rose 5 points in April to the highest level since October 2008, according to the latest National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), released on April 15. This gain was the largest one-month increase recorded since May of 2003, and brings the HMI out of single-digit territory for the first time in six months -- to 14. Every component of the HMI reflected the boost, with the biggest gain recorded for sales expectations in the next six months.

CHARLOTTE, NC -- The Charles Luck Stone Center, a division of Luck Stone Corp. and one of the largest natural stone suppliers in the Mid-Atlantic, is introducing a new concept for selling stone in Charlotte, NC. The intent is to offer a unique experience built on tailored customer service and distinctive products that are relevant, purposeful and beautiful. The concept includes the opening of a new studio meant to spur design ideas and a process that makes it possible for associates to work one-on-one with customers to answer their curiosity about stone while satisfying their stone needs.

CLEVELAND, OH -- The Marble Institute of America (MIA) has issued a call for entries for the prestigious 2009 Pinnacle Awards Competition, which includes the recently added Grande Pinnacle Award. The Grande Pinnacle Award will be awarded to the best winning entry across all categories.

CLEVELAND, OH -- The Marble Institute of America (MIA) has issued a call for entries for the prestigious 2009 Pinnacle Awards Competition, which includes the recently added Grande Pinnacle Award. The Grande Pinnacle Award will be awarded to the best winning entry across all categories.

COLD SPRING, MN -- Cold Spring Granite Co., a leading quarrier and fabricator of natural stone in North America, has announced that its new 22,500-square-foot corporate headquarters received LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the USGBC's leading rating system for designing and constructing the world's greenest, most energy efficient and high-performing buildings.

Responding to concerns about bacteria build-up in countertops, NBC's television affiliate in St. Louis, MO, KSDK, conducted independent testing that confirmed granite as a premium building material in terms of anti-bacterial and cleanability qualities.