HEADLINES 

TRAVELING SEWER HISTORY EXHIBIT TO STOP AT EXPO '09 Thanks to the NUCA Foundation for Education & Research--with additional funding from NUCA members Wendell Wood (SBH North America Trench Shoring), Mark Accetturo (Reynolds, Inc.) and Dick Foster (PKF Mark III)--Utility Construction EXPO '09 attendees will have the opportunity to view "The Collection Systems Historical Photo and Artifacts Display" in the Phoenix Convention Center Exhibit Hall, March 4-6, 2009. Over the past 15 years, Jon Schladweiler, Historian of the Arizona Water & Pollution Control Association, has combed historical publications, amassed photos and assembled ancient artifacts related to the history of sewage conveyance systems (3500 BC through the 1930s). The traveling exhibit aims to offer insight into the sewer's humble origins, and to bring to light the not-so-humble contributions of sewer builders, engineers and operators. To read more about the collection, visit the website at www.sewerhistory.org.     The sewer history display will be one among many in the new wing of the Phoenix Convention Center. More than 150 exhibitors will be on hand to provide an overview of the underground utility construction industry's latest equipment, products and services. The focus of the EXPO educational sessions, which will be presented by the exhibitors, is equipment-- everything from new technologies to maintenance to fleet management. EXPO '09 registrants will also have a chance to hear from headline keynote speaker Tedy Bruschi of the New England Patriots and attend an array of exciting networking events. For more information on Utility Construction EXPO '09 and to register online, click here.

			STIMULUS/RECOVERY LEGISLATION IN FINAL DAYS OF 110TH CONGRESS? Congress returned this week for a whirlwind of debates regarding the next round of industry "bailouts" and the possibility of advancing economic stimulus legislation in a brief "lame duck" session of the 110th Congress. Unfortunately, the former issue overshadowed the latter. As previously reported, the House passed a $60.8 billion stimulus package in September that included almost $8 billion for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements. The Senate--which earlier failed to pass its version of stimulus legislation--had not taken it up at press time. Buy stay tuned. The issue will be back in January, and NUCA will continue its efforts to ensure that water and wastewater infrastructure is part of any economic stimulus/recovery legislation. We thank all of you who called, e-mailed or wrote letters to your lawmakers this week. Please stand ready to back us up again in the 2009.
			GEORGE HEDLEY TO SPEAK AT EXPO '09: "THE ECONOMY IS SLOW--NOW WHAT?" Now there's another good reason to attend Utility Construction EXPO '09 The Big Show. NUCA has just announced that business-building expert, professional business speaker and author George Hedley will make a special 45-minute presentation during the annual membership meeting on Friday, March 6 titled "The Economy is Slower--Now What? 18 Shots You Must Take Now." What topic could be timelier? All registered EXPO attendees are invited. (Click here for the press release.)   Early Bird registration for Utility Construction EXPO '09 The Big Show expires on December 1, 2008. Don't miss out on this significant savings!
			SECOND INSTALLMENT OF "PIPELAYER" NOW AVAILABLE FROM NUCA STORE The NUCA Foundation is pleased to announce that the next CD in the Pipe Installation Training Series ("Pipelayer")--Chapter 1: Job Layout--is now available through the NUCA Store. (Chapter 2: Excavations, Trenching, Manholes and Backfilling was released last year.) Job Layout is an interactive, 60-90-minute, computer-based training module that is divided into five lessons -- Safety, Material Layout & Handling, Production & Timing, Tools, and Protecting the Installation.  The CD can be used for self-study or group training. Click here to order.