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GILMORE, MARDO REACH NEW PRODUCT DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT Gilmore Enterprises, Chatsworth, CA, and Mardo of Australia have entered into an exclusive distributorship of Ventex Venetian Shades[TM] for North America. Ventex Venetian Shades are an internationally patented product fabricated with a new fabric material. The horizontal slat material is woven of polyester encapsulated by a PVC compound. Its market position will be between wood blinds and window shadings. The product will offer independent fabricators the opportunity to offer a light-filtering fabric blind as this product segment continues to grow. ITA INTRODUCES NEW COMPOSITE MATERIAL ITA, Inc., St. Augustine, FL, introduces MikronWood[TM], a new patent-pending composite material for two-inch horizontal slats, valances and bottomrails. MikronWood is produced in Kent, WA, by Mikron Industries. The new product combines wood fibers with a thermoplastic resin alloy and other proprietary substances. The result is an engineered wood composite that provides superior performance charasteristics over rigid vinyl, wood and other wood composites. It is harder, less absorbent and more dimensionally stable than existing products, according to a company statement. MikronWood will be offered in two-inch slats in five colors. Product enhancements such as stains, embossed effects and other surface treatments are expected to be developed. ON-SITE UNIVERSITY READY FOR STUDENTS On Site Corp., Hayden Lake, ID, announces the opening of its On-Site University, a center dedicated exclusively to providing its dealers with specialized training in cleaning every fabric window treatment on the market. Classes will begin at the state-of-the-art facility January 15, 2000. The curriculum will feature one full, intensive day of expert hands-on instruction on the best procedures for using the On-Site cleaning system and its proprietary attachments. Student will be taught to clean everything from the latest fabric window shadings to swags, balloons, jabots and top treatments. A second half day will be devoted to marketing and business development for dealers. Classes will be limited to 25 students. The faculty averages 25 years of cleaning experience.

WINDOW MODES ACQUIRES INTERIORS BY CORRADO Window Modes, Ltd., New York, NY, has expanded its business with the acquisition of Interiors by Corrado. Bill Corrado and his staff are experienced and skilled artisans in the design of upholstery and drapery treatments. The acquisition will expand Window Wodes' efforts in becoming a one-stop decorating center, according to a company statement. TENTH OUTING PROVES LUCKY FOR OXFORD HOUSE The 10th annual Oxford House Golf Outing was held on Friday, August 13, which proved to be good luck based on the weather and the scores of the first- through third-place teams (16, 14 and 11 under par, respectively). The event was established by Oxford House, Oxford, IN, to acknowledge and thank its vendors for their continued support and to share good times with its customers and the local community. As in the past, the outing ended with a dinner and awards. Vendor participation and support was supplied by: American Hardwood Co., Bock & Associates, Buckeye Metals Industries, Comfortex Window Fashions, DDI, Draperies & Window Coverings magazine, Eclipse Blind Systems, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Flexpac, Gilmore Enterprises, Harmons' Designs, ISO-Tek Industries, Koetler Wood, Levolor, Lincoln Life, LouverDrape, McCabe Law, Novo Industries, Patrick Metal, Pepsico, RollEase, Inc., RPS, Stone Container, Superior Shade & Blind, Sycamore Insurance, Turnils, West Coast Samples and Window Fashions magazine.