Friday Night Window Cleaning News

A new gym is to be opened in memory of a young man killed in a hit and run exactly two years ago by self-employed window cleaner Mr Anthony Shepherd.
Anthony Shepherd (son of the same name) died after he was hit by a stolen Vauxhall Astra as he rode his Yamaha 125cc trials motorbike along Gainsborough Avenue in Whiteleas, South Shields. The driver of the car, Mark Anderson, who was high on drink and drugs at the time of the incident, drove off, leaving the 28-year-old to die alone at the roadside. Today, on the second anniversary of his death, his father Anthony has announced he is to open a gym in his son's memory. Plans are already under way for the gym, which will be based within the community centre at St Mary's and St Martins Church in Whiteleas Way. Self-employed window cleaner Mr Shepherd said: "There are a number of reasons why I want to do this, but the main one is that it will keep our Anthony's memory alive. "It is also a way for myself and Valerie to say thank you to the people of Whiteleas for their support over the past two years."The heartache of what happened that night will never ever go away, but I want to do this in memory of our son."Mr Shepherd is looking to open the gym, which will concentrate on boxing fitness two nights a week. Initially the sessions will be for adults only, but he hopes to provide a provision for the youngsters on the estate at a later date. He will be helped by members of a gym based at Harton Welfare Ground, where Mr Shepherd currently trains. Father Darren Maslen, team vicar for Whiteleas and Biddick Hall, is also helping Mr Shepherd get the gym off the ground.

Are you paying your employees enough money? Cleaner kills boss, accountant over low wages in Russia's Far East Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. A 63-year-old cleaner in Russia's Far Eastern Kamchatka Territory killed his boss and an accountant before turning the gun on himself, investigators said on Friday. The man, who worked at the local department of the federal registration service, had repeatedly expressed his dissatisfaction with his low salary. The day before the killings he had a heated row with his boss and the head accountant and threatened to kill both women. On Friday morning he came to the office armed with a hunting rifle and fired shots at the two women. He then escaped through a window and shot himself at home.

Helping kids from Haverstraw explore photography requires time, money and equipment, all things made possible by Karlewicz's day job - owner of Mr. K's Window Cleaning. It allows him to make his own schedule and he's not shy about hitting up customers. Ken Karlewicz, like so many photographers, uses his camera to gain access to people's lives. He's chronicled the last of Rockland's farms and farm families and celebrated the compassion for hospice patients at life's end. And he's marked the passing of time and a possible shift in cultures in Haverstraw. More recently, he's taken on major documentary projects, like last spring's 59 on 59, when 59 photographers - including several of his students - descended on Route 59 for 24 hours to capture slices of life and time along Rockland's main artery. Earlier this month, he took yet another step, escorting five of his students, ages 10 through 17, to Croatia for nine days of photography and life-altering experiences. “I was using the tripod trying to get a great picture of the church and after a couple of minutes a miracle happen and that was the nuns passing by the church.

Acclaimed cartoonist Ben Wicks was a pint-sized cockney who never lost his accent or his sense of humor. Wicks make a name for himself in Canada, not only as a cartoonist, but as a journalist, TV personality, author, entrepreneur and humanitarian. A man of cheeky hammer who brought laughter into the lives of many, Wicks began as a newspaper cartoonist and went on to publish 43 books of his works. He, along with his wife Doreen, was a member of the Order of Canada. One of his many friends, Ontario Chief Justice Roy McMurtry, said that in his experience, "everyone who knew Ben felt better about life and themselves simply by being in his company." Wicks was born in London, England in 1926. As a child, he was evacuated to the country during wartime, but at 14 returned to the city and the bombings and got his first job as a shipping clerk. "I was bloody hopeless at school," he recalled. "Left at 14 and they were as pleased to see me go as I was." He took evening classes at an art school. "They told me I should take up something else, so I quit. "They were right, I still can't draw," he said, years after becoming a highly successful cartoonist. Wicks had many occupations, both in England and Canada, including being a window cleaner.

Loyalty runs deep: Traders in Henley are up in arms after the town council chose an out-of-town firm to supply Christmas trees for their shop windows. Retailers have spoken out after Burnham company Windowflowers was selected ahead of Henley Window Cleaners, run by William York, who has supplied the trees to shopkeepers for the last four years. Some traders say they will now buy their trees from Mr York. Jean Miller (pictured), director of women’s clothes shop Rive Gauche in Hart Street, said: "They have gone with the Burnham company and I don’t understand why. "William’s done it for years. It’s a traditional thing for the local community. I just don’t understand what would lead them to outsource it. It’s just not on. "I have spoken to a lot of the businesses around me and gather that none of them is going to go with the council. I can’t imagine who wouldn’t go with William. "Bruno Giamattei, of hairdressers Marc Antoni, also in Hart Street, said: "I think it’s disgusting. "I am appalled that the town council has decided this year to source the Christmas trees that we buy from an out-of-town supplier. I will not be purchasing a tree this year and feel quite sad that, with the current economic climate, even the local council will not support a local tradesman."

Pilkington Activ™: If there is one way to prove that you really believe in a product, then it must be to use it yourself, which is precisely what happened recently with Britannia Windows (UK), a fabricating business in Clevedon in South West England when it used Pilkington Activ™ Blue for its new, state-of-the-art 6,000 feet² headquarters that houses an impressive training complex and showroom. The building was designed with three-storey glass curtain walling up the middle of the building to provide sufficient natural light and a total of 50 PVC-U windows, all glazed with Pilkington Activ™ Blue. But what lay behind the choice? “Pilkington Activ™ is the product we use for our conservatory roofs and in part, we wanted to demonstrate to customers how it works,” explained Hayden Rushton, Managing Director, Britannia Windows. “Pilkington Activ™ Blue’s appearance looks really striking and it helps to keep the sun’s glare out, as well as using its solar control properties to regulate the building’s temperature.” Another important incentive was when Hayden went on a health and safety course where he was strongly advised that with new CDM regulations, architects and specifiers should choose self-cleaning glass, for ease of maintenance. Hayden believes that the use of self-cleaning, solar control glass such as Pilkington Activ™ Blue provides an ideal solution for building designers: “Architects are very enthusiastic about using a lot of glass to give a modern, state of the art appearance. We can now advise our clients that by using high performance insulated glass units with the appropriate qualities they can express themselves with far more freedom as the problems of access and internal heat gain are significantly reduced.” As far as Britannia is concerned, the savings on cleaning and maintenance are quite clear. By looking at standard operating costs the company has calculated that it will save thousands of pounds a year on window cleaners, along with the required scaffolding/cherry picker, which in itself, could have been prohibitive in cost. “I believe it is illogical for anybody not to use Pilkington Activ™ Blue for such a building nowadays,” said Hayden. “We use it in the majority of the conservatory roofs we do and it is also becoming more popular for windows in high-end houses, difficult to reach windows and conservatory side frames.” Pilkington Activ™ provides the ideal solution to costly scaffolding, working at height restrictions and cleaning maintenance costs. The secret of Pilkington Activ™ is its special coating, which works in two stages. Firstly, the coating reacts with ultra-violet (UV) rays from natural daylight to break down organic dirt. The second part of the process commences when water hits the glass. Rainwater runs down the glass to wash loosened dirt (both organic and inorganic) away. Compared with conventional glass, the water dries very quickly, reducing unsightly streaks or marks.

Dr. Mallika's Files: Case Of The Shattered Window. Cuts or lacerations are one of the most common reasons to seek medical attention in an urgent care clinic. It's true that minor cuts can be managed at home by washing them out with soap and water and applying a topical antibiotic cream and bandage. But more significant wounds need medical attention sooner rather than later. If you sustain a cut or laceration, keep the following in mind: If a cut needs to be repaired with stitches or sutures, it ideally should be done within 12 hours of the injury. Waiting longer than this increases the risk of wound infection. Many doctors will not repair a cut that is more than 12 hours old.
If there's a possibility that glass or other material has been left inside the wound, the wound needs to be washed or irrigated by a medical professional before it closes.
If the cut is due to an animal or human bite, you should be seen right away to prevent infection and assess the risk of rabies.
If you have diabetes or another underlying medical condition that puts you at risk for infection, you should be evaluated.
If you haven't had a tetanus shot in over 10 years, you are due for a booster and should be seen by a doctor.

A window cleaner has been jailed for 21 months after he burgled a Barnstaple care home. Terence Taylor, from Bideford, struck at a home for adults with learning difficulties. Exeter Crown Court Taylor, 47, was spotted by neighbours raiding the property in South View Terrace, Barnstaple. They took the registration of his car and called police. In a bucket in the footwell they found a mobile telephone which had been taken in the burglary. Taylor was released on bail and went to London to start a new life. But when that did not work out he hired a taxi for £309 to bring him back to North Devon and then made off without paying the fare. The court heard that at the time Taylor was the subject of a six months prison sentence which had been suspended for 12 months following two burglaries, one at the Palm Springs beauty treatment centre in Bideford and the other at the Rising Sun pub in Barnstaple. Defence barrister Richard Crabb said unfortunately the only skill Taylor possessed was window cleaning. When he went to the property in Barnstaple looking for work he found the kitchen window open so he leaned in and took the phone. Taylor, of New Bridge Close, Bideford pleaded guilty to burglary and making off without payment. He asked for five other offences involving drugs and handling stolen goods to be taken into consideration. Recorder Sarah Munro QC told Taylor: "You have made 29 previous court appearances and within three months of being given the suspended sentence you were committing further crimes." Taylor was given 12 months for the burglary, four months consecutive for the making off without payment and the TICs and a further five months of the suspended sentence was activated making a total of 21 months.

AN Oldham window cleaner says he cannot move on with his life until the thugs who blinded him in his right eye are caught. Nicholas Russell, 38, was subjected to a sustained and horrifying attack by a gang after a night out with friends. Mr Russell spent four days in hospital and his injuries proved so serious that he can no longer see out of his right eye. The attack has left him angry, emotionally scarred and unable to work. A police investigation has so far not caught those responsible. He is now hoping by telling his story that new witnesses will come forward. Mr Russell was knocked to the ground and was punched and kicked in the head repeatedly. He was stamped upon with such force his eye was pushed back into his skull. "One taxi ride has turned my life upside down and put my family’s life in turmoil," he said. "My wife and daughter have been traumatised by this. I could end up losing my window cleaning business in Denshaw and Delph. I can’t move on until these idiots have been caught and punished. I need justice to be done." Police say inquiries into the incident are continuing and they are appealing to the public for information. Anyone with any information is asked to call the police on 0161 872 5050 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

NORTHAMPTON Mass': You might need a really powerful telescope to see them, but some local folks earned a place in the film Monday as the star-making machine from Hollywood shot several scenes for the new Mel Gibson movie in Northampton. The cast and crew of GK Films are in town this week filming "Edge of Darkness," a thriller based on a British television series of the same name. Gibson plays a Boston police officer whose investigation of his daughter's murder takes him to Northampton. With about 700 extras ready for their cues, local viewers are bound to spot some familiar faces when the finished version hits the silver screen, although they will be mostly in the background. During a break in the filming, Maurice DuBois, a Northampton resident hired as one of the extras, stepped outside for some air. DuBois, 59, said he had spent several hours sitting at a table in the bar nursing a "beer" that he thought might have been ginger ale. "We were told to be extremely quiet and not look at the camera," he said. DuBois, who works as a window-washer, has a face the camera apparently loves. He said he has appeared as an extra in two previous films shot in Northampton, "Cider House Rules," and "In Dreams."

One man's campaign to get out the green message: Korry Zepik was so disgusted by the Conservative policy on global warming he hopped on a bus bound for Calgary from his home in the British Columbia interior to stage a hunger strike at the campaign office belonging to Leader Stephen Harper. The 51-year-old former Alberta oil sands worker and current window washer from Vernon explained that the Tories are in denial about climate change. They are focusing on greenhouse gas emission intensity, not actual emissions reductions, he complained. It's the same complaint shared by more than 120 of Canada's key climate scientists who issued a letter urging voters think about the environment and mark their ballots strategically on election day Oct. 14. "His policies regarding climate change are going to push us over the edge toward extinction," Mr. Zepik said. "I suggest people vote for the candidate in their riding who can defeat the Conservative candidate there," said Mr. Zepik, adding that he worries about the future for his 11-year-old son under another Harper government. Mr. Zepik said he's going to hang around until Thursday before heading back home. Inside Mr. Harper's campaign office, Gwen Podborski said workers have offered Mr. Zepik coffee, chocolate and gave him copies of the Conservative climate change plan."Someone took him out a cigarette and he smoked it," she said. As Mr. Zepik stood outside in the rain and cold during a sudden wind storm while holding a battered sign (Choose enviro economy not Harper), Ms. Podborski said he wasn't causing any trouble. "We kind of feel sorry for him," she said.

All Healthy Hands On Deck For Broncos. Players Who Were Cut From The Team Get Another Chance: The Broncos don't quite have a help wanted sign hanging outside their Dove Valley facility, but it's close. Football injuries are an unfortunate fact of life in the NFL, but everyone knows that when someone goes down, his replacement is expected to step right in and get the job done. Glenn Martinez got cut from the team before the season started and was getting used to his second career a cleaning business - but then the Broncos special teams and wide receiver units started to get a little thin.He rejoined the Broncos roster earlier this month, happily leaving his day job behind, at least for a little while. "Me and my brothers, we opened up a family business - a window and carpet cleaning business. My brothers have been doing it for 6 or 7 years."

The Vivamax guarantee: Vivamax is a company that specialises in all exterior and some interior property cleaning for commercial, residential and rental properties. Vivamax pays great attention to detail. Their services include Full after Construction Cleans, Window Cleaning, House Washing and Pre- Paint Cleans, Water Blasting, Gutters/ Spouting/Down Pipe Clearing and Four Seasons Gutter Protection supply and install, Roof Wash & Pre-Paint & Lichen Treatment, General Glass Cleaning/Graffiti/Scratch Removal and Shower Glass Restoration. They also offer Property Maintenance Reports for rental properties – designed to assist setting up a NO SUPRISES preventative maintenance budget. “There were issues with leaky homes a few years back, when we noticed a lot of properties were quite dirty and neglected. We started this business in 2004 to offer people preventive maintenance rather than reactive maintenance for their properties,” said Director Nicolas Jean-Mairet. “Prevention is better than cure i.e. if you get your house washed regularly the paint lasts a lifetime or if you clear your gutters regularly moisture is less likely to enter your house.” The company employs a number of staff members and offers a training programme to ensure VivaMax’s qualities of health and safety, outstanding service, punctuality and thoroughness. “We are available all over Auckland as well as Waiheke. Vivamax pays great attention to detail and we bend over backwards to get the jobs done when you need it. That is our USP. Our clients are a reflection of our business.” Eco-friendly detergents are their priority. They protect your health, home and garden. Ecological detergents minimise environmental pollution and prevent storm water drain contamination when water blasting or house washing.