Window Cleaning Snippets

Heart patient looks to give something back: A miracle mother who survived four life-saving heart operations is holding a charity ball to raise money to buy a heart machine for the hospital where she was treated. Michelle Brand is set to hold the ball at the Forest Row Centre in Collier Row, Romford from 7pm to 12am on Saturday November 28. Michelle said: "They have given me my life because my boys could have lost their mum so I would feel very proud to present a cheque to them because it would be my way of saying thank you." The mother of three from Dagenham has already started receiving sponsorship from companies and individuals including four bottles of champagne from the Asda Store in Dolphin Way, Mercury Road, Romford, six months' worth of window cleaning from a window cleaning company in Romford and the whole event is being sponsored by Crumbz Catering in Marlborough Road, Romford. Michelle said: "I feel like it is a party to celebrate my life because to have open heart surgery once is lucky but four times is a real miracle.

Syracuse zoo's precocious penguins have fun with window cleaner: Suspend a window washer on a scaffold 15 stories over South Salina Street and people hardly notice. Dress the window washer in a scuba suit and send him into the pool of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo's Penguin Coast exhibit, on the other hand, and he'll draw a crowd -- both human and penguin. That's what happened Wednesday, anyway, as Curator of Animals Ted Fox undertook the periodic chore of slipping into the penguin pool to scrub green algae from the exhibit's Plexiglas windows, the ones that let visitors watch the zoo's collection of Humboldt penguins play. Pictured - Aislenn Mehl, 15 months old, of Camillus, watches animal curator Ted Fox clean the glass inside the Humboldt Penquin exhibit at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park, in Syracuse, while Cuzco the penguin takes a closer look.

Pittsburgh's Convention Center prepares for G-20: With presidents, prime ministers, and perhaps the paparazzi coming to town in September for the G-20 summit, the David L. Lawrence Convention Center is redding up. And apparently not a moment too soon for one recent visitor who complained to authorities there about dirty windows and ledges at the $373 million center, which will host the event. As part of the summer cleaning, the SEA board expects to vote tomorrow on a three-year contract worth about $54,000 to clean the center's windows.

In 2007, Alan used the microfinance Web site Kiva.org to loan her $25 so her husband could buy a trailer for his motorcycle taxi service. Never did they imagine Kiva could help them start a business, too. Today, Alan and Mantsch are among the first 36 U.S. entrepreneurs who will request community microloans on Kiva. Prompted by the economic downturn, the San Francisco nonprofit group known for helping poor entrepreneurs overseas will start doing the same for people at home. Just like the loans that go for seeds or cows in developing countries, visitors to the Kiva site can scroll through the U.S. loan requests and choose those they want to fund with bite-size loans as small as $25. In a pilot program, 18 borrowers were chosen from the Bay Area and 18 from New York - many who were turned down by banks that no longer loan as freely as they once did. Carl Applebee is asking for $5,000 to hire his first employee and advertise his California Window Cleaning business online. Today, when anyone logs onto the global microlending portal Kiva.org, they will see, alongside profiles of fisherwomen in Cambodia, the story of a window-washer in San Jose. Lenders will be able to invest as little as $25 or as much as $10,000 to help these businesses grow.

A 23-year-old Brockton man was arraigned today in Stoughton District Court on a charge of attempted armed bank robbery after allegedly planning a stickup at a Stoughton bank Monday.
Aaron N. DiMillio was arrested outside the Webster Bank on Washington Street. He was ordered held on $200,000 cash bail. Prosecutor Siobhan Foley told the court that an informant had contacted police Sunday to tell them that DiMillio planned to rob the bank and would use a bomb threat at Stoughton High School as a diversion. Police set up surveillance of DiMillio on Monday and saw him go to the bank at the same time a bomb threat was phoned in to the high school, prosecutors said. Numerous plainclothes officers were stationed inside and outside the bank, and DiMillio was arrested as he attempted to go in, prosecutors said. Police said that when they arrested him, he was wearing latex gloves. They also allegedly found in his car a black toy gun and a note that read, "Have a gun. Give me money. No dye pack." Defense attorney Lisa Freije said her client was a Brockton High School graduate who lived with his mother, had gone to one semester of community college, and had held jobs as a roofer, window cleaner, and carpenter.

HIBS fans turning up at the club's Easter Road shop for the launch of the new home and away kit were treated to a surprise as they found boss John Hughes behind the counter. The newly-appointed manager insisted on helping out as supporters flocked to snap up next season's strips, spending more than two hours not only serving customers but signing autographs and posing for photographs. While Yogi was delighted to sign the numerous new shirts – many of which bore the legend Hughes No.5 on the back – he found himself agreeing to one bizarre request, to apply his name to the side of Les Glasgow's van. The Restalrig window cleaner said: "Yogi has been my hero for years. I'd come up to get my season ticket so, after he autographed that, I cheekily asked him to sign my van. I never thought he'd do it but he came outside and did so. I'm going to apply a coat of varnish over it so it isn't washed off but I think I'll be keeping out of Gorgie for the next wee while!

Clean-up campaigner pays for window cleaner to spruce up Spalding's bus station: Clean-up campaigner Sandra White has paid out of her own pocket to see Spalding's bus station spick-and-span. The pensioner is waging a one-woman crusade to tidy-up the town, and has hired window cleaner Paddy Dunham for £70 to tackle the grubby bus shelters. Sandra (67) regularly patrols Pinchbeck Road early in the morning to clear away rubbish, and has now flashed the cash to clean the shelters in Winfrey Avenue. The passionate pensioner has a top pedigree when it comes to high tandards, having won the prestigious Hampton Court hanging basket competition, and has collected 462 bags of bottles, cans and fast food packets since February. She wants the Pinchbeck Road area to be a top class advert for people coming to the town – as she says it was when she moved in 42 years ago. And she's willing to put her money where her mouth is.

Businesses in one of Bath's busiest streets have launched a drive to clean up its image. Shop keepers at Westgate Street are teaming up with Bath and North East Somerset Council and public/private company Future Bath Plus to boost the area's fortunes. The council has stepped up its cleaning efforts on the street by washing down shopfronts and building facades, tidying up service cables and cleaning upper floor windows. Mr Shayegan said: "Since I moved here a year ago I have been trying to clean up this street. "There are a lot less street drinkers now and the police have helped a lot with that. "The street is really moving forward. "Its one of the busiest streets in Bath and always full of people. Specsavers retail director Phil Lodge said his store, which has been trading at Westgate Street for more than a decade, was delighted to be a part of the campaign. He said: "It is such a busy street because and can be one of the first streets that the tourists see as they come off the buses so its important to keep it clean and tidy. "We will be paying particular attention to our shopfront and making sure our windows are always spotlessly clean." Specsavers is also planning on working with the council to give all cleaning workers free sight tests and sunglasses during the summer to encourage a sense of partnership.

Champion results for Wimbledon roofers: The firm behind Wimbledon's retractable CentreCourt roof has announced smashing results. Scx, who designed and installed the high-tech roof at the All England Tennis Club, saw turnover rise 18% to £20million in the year to April. Boss Simon Eastwood admits secretly hoping for rain when the tournament starts next week. He told Your Money: "I'd like to see it used in anger!" Sheffield-based SCX has employed another 11 staff, taking its workforce to 110. And the company has also won a string of top contracts, including the window-cleaning set-up for London's Gherkin.

Cemex fined £20,000 for showering coal dust over Rugby: Cemex has been fined £20,000 and ordered to pay £13,469 in costs after causing coal dust to be showered over homes and cars in Rugby, Warwickshire. The cement manufacturer pleaded guilty to one charge of breaking its operating permit conditions at Stratford-upon-Avon Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Tuesday). The charge was brought by the Environment Agency under the Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations 2000. The court heard that in the early hours of 10 March 2007, the Cemex plant in Rugby overfilled one of its coal storage silos. As a result, between 1.6t and 3.1t of coal dust was released from the silo and a significant amount fell over the town of Rugby. The EA received nearly 100 complaints from local residents, who reported dust deposited on their cars, houses and in some cases through their windows. The company had responded immediately and sent window cleaners and valets into Rugby to carry out the clean up operation. A letter of apology was sent to all the affected residents.

Tamar Lewin today reports in this morning’s New York Times that colleges and universities are making small spending cuts that add up to big savings for the institutions: “While colleges and universities slashed their spending this year with wrenching layoffs, hiring freezes and halts in construction projects, they whittled away at costs with smaller, quirkier economies, too.” She cites decisions to do away with telephone landlines, holding “virtual” athletic contests, cutbacks on window washing and trash collection, as well as to rebuild computers instead of buying new ones. Everyone who works in higher education has experienced such budgetary trims. But if we are really aiming for a “new normal,” living with dirty windows is not going to be enough. Also here.

Police are warning residents to be alert after a rogue trader has been operating in the Weston Village area. There have been three incidents reported since early May concerning someone offering window cleaning services. Rogue traders can persuade their victims to have unnecessary work done, charge more the fair amount or carry out poor quality work. PC Justine O'Reilly said: "We would advise local residents not to use uninvited tradesmen who drop leaflets or call at their door unannounced. Avoid paying up front and don't feel pressured into agreeing to work that you don't really want. "It is worth using locally established accredited companies, or those recommended and trusted by family and friends. And it is important that you get quotes in writing prior to committing work being carried out." If you are concerned about rogue traders in your neighbourhood, please contact your Safer Stronger Neighbourhood policing team on 0845 456 7000.

Police are appealing for information about a rogue trader believed to be operating in the Filton and Horfield areas of Bristol. During the evening of Friday 15th May 2009 a man called at a property in Nevil Road, Horfield and said he was a window cleaner. He requested an advance payment of £20 which he informed the victim was the quarterly charge required in advance. However he did not return the following day to carry out the agreed work. Officers believe there are more people who have fallen victim to similar offences in the area. They are asked to contact police in Filton on 0845 456 7000 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A new Lundberg survey says gas prices have increased an average of seventeen cents over the past two weeks. While they're lower than they were this time last year, drivers are still feeling the effects on their wallets. That's why they are offering you free rides on all trolleys Thursday for the fourth annual "Dump the Pump" Day. Riding the trolley on "Dump the Pump" Day will help you save money and help the environment. Alan Gray, Bay Town Trolley transit planner, says, "It only takes us half the gas of a normal vehicle to get you around town, and a third of the gas to take a truck around town." Trolley officials want to encourage you to give public transit a chance; but, some drivers don't need any convincing. Virginia Harrison says, "It gets me where I need to go. I actually do a window cleaning business and I ride the trolley to get to my jobs."

Window cleaner Ashley Lunn was on a revenge mission to terrify a gang of men who had beaten him up. He deliberately mounted the pavement in his VW Golf, but his attackers got out of the way. He then ploughed into 39-year-old Cannock man Christopher Hatfield, fatally injuring him. Jurors cleared Lunn of murder at his trial last month, but convicted him of manslaughter. Judge Simon Tonking branded him “a danger to the public” and ordered him to serve a minimum seven years in jail, less time spent in custody on remand, before being considered for parole.

NEW INVENTION: A Chatham window cleaner is banking on his handmade invention to land him on easy street. Wes Summerfield has come up with a collapsible beverage carrier that allows for the easy transport of up to 10 cups. His immediate aim is to get the carrier patented before showing it to some of the coffee giants including Tim Hortons. He said it would be ideal for someone taking multiple cups of coffee to a commercial or office setting. Summerfield hopes to sell his invention for $25. He says he has other projects in the works including a novel on farming with horses.

Angele Signature Room's guru of elaborate marriage proposals, used ta Roman tho arrange for a window washer--at $2,000 a pop--to drop from the top of the skyscraper with a poster-sized message for some lucky lady. Roman says she'll never forget one woman's reaction to the gesture. The messenger, clad in a sleeveless flannel shirt and with a cigarette dangling from his lips, displayed a sign that read "Will you marry me, Sarah?" and flashed a goofy grin through the glass. Rather than melting Sarah's heart, the question sent her into a panic. "I don't know that man!" she blurted to her boyfriend. "I swear!" Sarah's future hubby smiled and took her hand. "I hired that man," he assured her, revealing a ring. "I'm asking you to marry me." The rest of the diners, rapt by the drama, erupted into applause when she accepted.

A FORMER soldier from Tavistock convicted of murdering his baby son has launched an Appeal Court bid to clear his name. Window cleaner Michael Burridge was jailed for life at Plymouth Crown Court in March last year. He was convicted by a jury of murdering his eight-week-old son Rees, who he was looking after while his wife Donna was out shopping. Burridge is now seeking permission to appeal his murder conviction. The case is expected to return to the court in November, when judges will decide whether Burridge should be granted permission to appeal.