“Bad boys, bad boys - whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do when they come for you? Bad boys, bad boys…” It’s one of those tunes I can never get out of my head.

I have to admit, the full-page ad is attractive, and especially with the headline “Amish man’s new miracle idea helps home heat bills hit rock bottom.” Another draw is a smaller headline within the ad: “How to get 2 free heaters.”

Solar power companies from the 1970s are getting back in the picture and some have even resurrected old manufacturing facilities. As oil prices are hovering around the $100/bbl mark, investment in solar power is surging.

As an HVACR contractor, you are crazy if you do not set foot in the green building movement. There are many, many outlets to become educated on the subject. You can start with two sources: Ferris State University (FSU) and the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA).

The AHR Expo in New York City is a blur in the rearview mirror now, but an after-taste is in the mouths of a few. The NEWS received several letters from attendees who suggested that the rule of “no photography on show floor” should be more strictly enforced. I agree.

As I pass my 10th anniversary with The NEWS, I think back on the various locales I have visited and meetings I have attended. I also think about the possible settings for future meetings and trade shows. Maybe you can help me with some suggestions.

Never met Dr. Patricia Stanley, but I will be crossing paths with the deputy assistant secretary in the Office of Vocational and Adult Education twice next month. Dr. Stanley is the scheduled keynote speaker for both the HVACR & Plumbing Instructor Workshop and the HVACR Educators & Trainers Conference.

I’ve heard the argument hundreds of times from companies in the commercial HVACR market, “We are spending most of our marketing and advertising dollars to convince the engineer to ‘spec’ our products.” Let’s walk that through the marketing spectrum.

I should have given these to you earlier. However, here are just a few of the headlines you will not see in The NEWS this year.

Having worked for a prominent geothermal manufacturer while competing with Earth Linked Technologies (formerly ECR Technologies), here is a tip of the hat to the boys in Lakeland, Fla. I spent part of a day at the company’s annual sales meeting.

Check out the weekly edition of The NEWS today!