Industry News & Notes
Arizona Daily Star, 03.22.2004

Tucson

° The Cornerstone Building Foundation, a partnership of five local construction trade groups, has honored 10 Tucson construction firms. The following honorees were chosen for skill, integrity and dedication to the community:

Swaim Associates, Architect of the Year

Sundt Construction, General Contractor of the Year with projects over $2 million

Epstein/Fenton, General Contractor of the Year with projects under $2 million

Kazal Fire Protection, Subcontractor of the Year

Grenier Structural Engineering, Design Consultant of the Year

Structural Concepts, Design Consultant of the Year

Southern Arizona Community Bank, Tucson Blueprint, tie, Professional Service of the Year

AZ Block 2000, Supplier of the Year

Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson, Owner of the Year

° Executives from Office Depot, J.C. Penney, Wal-Mart and other companies will speak on current retailing issues at the ninth annual Global Retailing Conference. The topic is " No Borders, No Boundaries: Evolving Markets." Phil Francis, chairman and CEO of Phoenix-based Petsmart, will present the keynote address on leading practices and solutions for retail success.

The Southwest Retail Center for Education and Research at the University of Arizona conference will be held at the Westin La Paloma Resort and Spa, 3800 E. Sunrise Drive, April 1-2. For registration information, call program coordinator Kim Brooke at 621-1715.

National

Audiences feasted on zombies as the fright flick "Dawn of the Dead" ruled the box office, debuting with $27.3 million and bumping "The Passion of the Christ" from the top spot.

Mel Gibson's "The Passion" took in $19.2 million, slipping to second place after three straight weekends on top, according to studio estimates Sunday.

"The Passion" raised its domestic total to $295.3 million since opening Feb. 25. The movie passed "The Sixth Sense," which earned $293.5 million, to take over 18th place on the all-time domestic chart.

Opening in third place with $11.4 million was the serial-killer thriller "Taking Lives," starring Angelina Jolie and Ethan Hawke. In narrower release, Jim Carrey's "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" premiered at No. 6 with $8.6 million.