Summer,
2000
Reprinted from the Monolithic
Dome Roundup, Summer 2000 Issue
[
Monolithic School Projects | Grand Opening
in Puerto Rico |
Largest Diameter Dome Inflation | Dome
Technology | Web
News | In the Media
MDI
Present at National Symposium ]
MDI architect Rick Crandall reports that several school districts accepted plans and/or successfully passed bond issues for additional construction mainly on the strength that the new facilities would be Monolithic Domes.
The Catholic Diocese of Venus in Sarasota, Florida has accepted designs by the architectural firm of Moreau & Associates, with Rick Crandall consulting, for its new Bishop Nevins Academy. The plan includes five Monolithic Domes to be used as administrative offices, Kindergarten through Grade 3, Grades 4 through 8, gymnasium and cafeteria. Builders will submit their bids this June.
In Italy, Texas a bond issue for a Monolithic Dome multipurpose facility passed by a large majority. Within its 148-foot diameter, this new building will encompass classrooms for special activities, such as drama and art, and a gymnasium with a running track.
The Texhoma School District, shared by Texas and Oklahoma, comfortably passed its bond for a dome that will add class space, a cafeteria, kitchen, and possibly a library to their facility.
After investigating the Monolithic Dome school in Pattonsburg, Missouri, the community of Caledonia, Missouri is now planning two 110' domes and one 140' dome for their school district. Scott Queen of Wold Architects, Minneapolis, Minnesota, with Rick Crandall consulting, will design a Monolithic Dome facility for the Prescott (Wisconsin) School District. Their bond issue recently passed.
Grand Meadow (Minnesota) School District successfully passed a bond and received a grant for the construction of five Monolithic Domes, a total of 81,000 square feet with classrooms for grades Kindergarten through Twelve.
Park University, formerly called Park College, in Parkville, Missouri has completed the first of its Monolithic Domes (Roundup Journal, Spring/Summer 1999, p. 14), and is now constructing the second.
Celestium 2000, a beautiful, state-of-the-art crematory in Carolina, Puerto Rico celebrated its grand opening with three hundred guests, including government officials and the media, in July 1999. The facility consists of three domes, fifty feet in diameter and twenty feet high each. The first dome houses offices for the three corporations comprising the Celestium Group; the second contains meeting rooms and offices for the president and board of directors; the third serves as a chapel for memorial services.
Three Inventors Witness Largest Diameter Dome Inflation
Monolithic Dome inventors, Randy, Barry and David South, were all present at the inflation of the largest diameter dome to date, Faith Chapel Christian Center in Birmingham, Alabama (Catching The Vision, page 14). The 280-foot Airform was inflated on April 10, 2000. Newspaper and television reporters were present to capture this moment in dome history. Other than time delays due to windy conditions, the Airform was successfully inflated within two hours.
- New
Web Forums The
MDI domebuilder's bulletin board is an ever-changing and improving source
to get the most current dome information and answers to the many dome-related
questions. Our three newest forums include: Living in a Dome, Yuma Dome
and Marketplace.
- "Living In A Dome" is a forum where web browsers can discuss and ask questions specific to living in a Monolithic dome.
- The "Yuma Dome" forum is an ongoing discussion and chronological report of Mark Henrikson, first time dome builder, and his experiences in building his own home in Yuma, Arizona.
- The "Marketplace" forum is a free classified service which allows domebuilders to post ads to sell or buy dome building supplies and equipment.
- Growing List of Dome Builders The domebuilders list grows by about one submission a day. That doesn't seem like much, but when put in perspective, that's 300 domebuilders a year. Any dome builder interested in being listed on domebuilders.com can click here for more information.
- Build Your Own Website We are still offering to help build web pages for anyone who wants one within the Monolithic Dome community. On your web pages you can brag about yourselves, your dome business, show pictures of your work, your family or whatever you wish. For fees and details, Click Here.
Roundup Journal Welcomes Submissions
A new door has opened at the Roundup Journal. We now welcome articles and photographs of Monolithic Dome projects, submitted by freelance writers and our readers, for possible publication in RJ. Queries and submissions should be sent to freelance@monolithic.com. We're seeking feature stories with photos, profiles of Monolithic Dome builders, how-to articles and personal experiences. Pay: up to $125 per printed page including photos. We purchase all rights, including the right to edit all accepted submissions.
In March and April, newspapers across the country selected Monolithic Domes stories appearing on Knight-Ridder News Service: The Kansas City Star, Washington Post, Dispatch Tribune News (Missouri), San Diego Union Tribune, The Southern Platte County News (Missouri) and the Birmingham (Alabama) News.
Major magazine articles about Monolithic Domes were published in Countryside and Small Stock Journal, Ministries Today, HomeLiving Magazine.
The popular Austin radio station KAMX-FM aired a live interview with David South during peak morning listening time on March 9, 2000.
A Country Style Wedding
We are happy to report that MDI's staff writer, Freda Grones, will now be writing as Freda Parker since her recent marriage to James Parker of Athens, Texas on April 15, 2000. Freda, originally from Michigan, "tied the lasso" to James in Duncanville, Texas in a good, old-fashioned, western-style wedding ceremony complete with country-western dancing and festivities. James and Freda will reside in Midlothian, Texas. Freda has written for MDI since 1998 and will continue writing as Freda Parker.
MDI Present at National Symposium
Jessica South, Public Affairs Director, represented MDI at the National Symposium on the Great Plains Tornado Outbreak of 3 May 2000. The symposium was held at the Westin Hotel and Resort in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, April 30 - May 3.
Housing authorities, weather specialists, engineers, university professors and representatives from FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) presented classes and speeches to registered attendees.
Jessica hosted the MDI booth, designed to educate the public and professionals about the benefits of Monolithic Domes as tornado-resistant housing options. There were many vendors promoting prefabricated storm shelters, safe rooms, and alternative storm shelters.
Oddly enough, the first day of the conference was threatened by severe weather warnings; fortunately, nothing destructive developed.
Dome Technology of Idaho Falls, Idaho began construction on several Monolithic Dome storage facilities across the U.S. In Apollo Beach, Florida, foundation work is underway for a 200' x 100' storage for National Gypsum. It will be equipped with a Rotary Plow Reclaim System. They have also started construction on a 128-foot gypsum storage facility for ABB Environmental Systems in Homer City, Pennsylvania.
In July 2000, Dome Technology crews will begin construction in College Point, New York for St. Lawrence Cement. This 114' x 73' cement storage dome will feature an Alesa airslide system and will be complete in mid-October. River Consulting of Columbus, Ohio is the construction manager.
Dome Technology To Attend INTERCEM Conference in Paris.
Linden Fielding, General Manager, and Lane Roberts, Marketing Director, of Dome Technology will travel to Paris, France in May to attend INTERCEM 2000. The INTERCEM conference is the leading international conference devoted to the trading, transportation and handling of cement and related products. Since 1985, INTERCEM has been held in sixteen countries and attended by more than 9,500 delegates representing 120 countries. Linden and Lane are proud to represent Dome Technology at this event.
Business Expo Caterpillar Winners
 Shawn McGuire |
MDI hosted a special drawing for eight stuffed caterpillars at the Business Expo in March in the nearby community of Waxahachie. The eight winners were Michelle Graham, Saundra Townley, Ruby Brannon, Peggy Atwell, Irene Bennett, Mae Verayo, and Brenda Wainscott. Pictured above is 3-year old Shawn McGuire, who was so excited to win that his mother brought him to MDI in Italy, Texas to receive his prize and pose for a photo.
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