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BOARD MEETING

There will be no Board meeting in January 2006. The Strategic planning meeting will serve as the board meeting.. This meeting will begin at 5:30PM on Friday January 27^th at Rocky Gap, MD. The meeting should be over on around noon on Saturday, January 28^th.

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

There will be no general membership meeting in January this year.

IMPORTANT DATES

1. Strategic Planning is planned for Jan 27-28, 2006

2. Home Show 2007 is scheduled for March 21-26, 2007

LOBBYING TAX DEDUCTION FOR 2005 DUES

Dues payment to H.B.A.A. (Home Builders Association of the Alleghenies) are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. However dues payments may be deductible as ordinary and necessary business expenses, subject to an exclusion for lobbying activity. Because a portion of your dues is used for lobbying by N.A.H.B (National Association of Home Builders) and P.B.A. (Pennsylvania Builders Association) $83.58 is not deductible for income tax purposes.

Our 2006 annual dues are as follows:

NAHB                                          $150
PBA                                             $105
HBAA                                          $ 35 (no increase for over 10 years)
                                                  _______
               2006 ANNUAL DUES $290

ITEMS OF INTEREST

The IRS releases new 2006 mileage rates at 44.5 cents per mile.
NAHB has announced that all members will receive a $500 discount card by mail in January.

The U.S. reduced overall duties on Canadian Lumber from 20.2% to 10.8% that affect softwood lumber imports

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

6:30 p.m. at Windber American Legion First
Monday of the month

January         No Meeting
February       06, 2006
March          06, 2006
April             03, 2006
May             01, 2006
June             05, 2006
July              No Meeting
August         No Meeting
September    11, 2006
October        02, 2006
November    06, 2006
December    Christmas Party

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS:

6:30 p.m. at Lombardo's Second
Monday of the month

January         09, 2006
February       13, 2006
March          13, 2006
April             10, 2006
May             08, 2006
June             12, 2006
July              10, 2006
August         14, 2006
September    18, 2006
October        09, 2006
November    13, 2006
December    11, 2006

NORTHERN CAMBRIA MEETINGS:

Cash Bar at 6:30; Dinner at 7:00 PM / Second Wednesday of month
The Cottage in Ebensburg (unless otherwise notified)

FUDLER�S CORNER

When the Jones family moved into their new house, a visiting relative asked five-year-old Sammy how he liked the new place. �It�s terrific,� he said. �I have my own room, Mike has his own room, and Jamie has her own room. But poor Mom and Dad still have to share.�