Apple is finally acknowledging that it has more money than it needs. But don't expect it to cut prices on iPhones and iPads. Instead, the company said on Monday that it will reward its shareholders with a dividend and a stock buyback program. Apple, the world's most valuable publicly traded company, sits on $97.6 billion in cash and securities. The company has stockpiled the cash through a combination of great ideas and prudence. A window washer works atop the cube-like structure of glass that houses the Apple Store showroom in the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Apple Inc. said it will announce the outcome of its internal discussion concerning its enormous cash balance on Monday morning.
Rain barrels are catching on: Spring is just about here and with spring comes spring rains. Now is the time to be thinking about catching some of that rain before it ends up down our storm drains. Lawn and garden watering make up nearly 40% of total household water use during the summer. A rain barrel collects water and stores it for when you need it to water plants or wash your car. It provides an ample supply of free "soft water" to homeowners, containing no chlorine, lime or calcium making it ideal for gardens, flower pots, and car and window washing. Saving water not only helps the environment, it saves you money and energy. Diverting water from storm drains also decreases the impact of runoff to streams and lakes. A rain barrel is an easy way for you to have a consistent supply of clean, fresh water for outdoor use. The Cherokee Soil and Water Conservation District has rain barrels for sale.
Maysville: Eugene "Chick" Morton, 87, died in Lexington on Saturday, March 10, 2012, after a long illness. Mr. Morton was born on July 7, 1924, to the late Fannie Morton Washington. He was the owner and operator of Stober Window Cleaning and the Twentieth Century Club for many years. Mr. Morton is also survived by 15 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Jordi Munoz had no training. Scant schooling. Little money. He also had a video-game console and nothing else to do. So he built his own drone. A Mexican native, Mr. Munoz married an American citizen and moved to Riverside, Calif., in 2007. While waiting for his green card, the 21-year-old was marooned in his apartment, unable to work, attend school or obtain a driver’s license. On the other hand, he had an Internet connection. A Nintendo Wii. A radio-controlled toy helicopter his mother had given him to help kill time. Tinkering with the Wii’s control wand and a $60 gyroscope he had purchased on eBay, he modified the helicopter to fly itself, just like the $5 million Predator unmanned aerial vehicles deployed by the U.S. military.
Five years later, Mr. Munoz is co-founder and CEO of 3D Robotics, a San Diego-based company that has 18 employees and earned more than $300,000 in revenue in December producing components for hobbyist drones. “I think we’re going to see many commercial applications and much more civilian development than in the military,” said Missy Cummings, director of the Humans and Automation Lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. “In 15 years, you could look up in the sky and see UAVs [unmanned aerial vehicles] doing window washing and building inspections.
Small businessman buys big Limbaugh ad; Following two weeks of news reports about a Rush Limbaugh advertiser exodus, a small businessman in Lenor City, Tennessee, has come out with an advertisement in Limbaugh's defense. Steven Eimers, who runs a local window cleaning service and recorded the advertisement at WOKI Knoxville yesterday, says he bought the ad not just to earn business but because he wanted to support free speech. "I've already got a ton of positive repsonses," Eimers told me. "I'm just a small little window cleaning company, but for a small business guy the ads on Rush right now are not that expensive. To be able to stand up for what you believe in is just incredible."
In the 60-second spot, his first advertisement in over ten years, Eimers says Limbaugh made "morally wrong statements," but criticized a number of "dangerous, radical organizations" for seizing upon those statements and to attack free speech. "They are harassing advertisers with questionably legal secondary boycotts and threats," he says. "We support free speech... For those who will choose to use this ad as an excuse to attack our constiutional right to free speech, I have one thing to say: We will not be intimidated. Bring it on." Eimers told me that his add has already earned him at least one customer, and that over the next five to ten years that customer's service will pay ten-times what it cost him to make the ad. (He would not disclose the cost of the ad buy). "I've alread made back the money I paid, so I'm pumped," he told me. See video here.
Allison Doyle and Joshua Hickman: Phillip and Rhonda Doyle of Reynoldsburg announce the engagement of their daughter, Allison, to Joshua Hickman, son of Luther Hickman Jr. and Kim Rowe of Columbus. The bride-to-be graduated from Reynoldsburg High School in 2007 and received a bachelor's degree in nursing from Kent State University in 2011. She is a registered nurse at Fairfield Medical Center. Her fiance graduated from Hilliard Darby High School in 2006. He is employed with Al's Window Cleaning.
Nine homes were burgled in one area of Wolverhampton during a 24-hour crime spree, police revealed today. The burglaries all happened in the Penn area at properties in Goldthorn Crescent, Goldthorn Avenue, Westbourne Road, Alexandra Road and Belmont Road. In all the cases the thieves broke in through porches or windows. At one property in Belmont Road a camera, iPod and laptop were stolen while at another address in the same street credit cards were taken. Thieves struck at four addresses in Alexandra Road taking a purse and bag and more credit cards. Sergeant Ron Price from West Midlands Police said: “Penn is obviously a target. “I would be keen to hear if anyone has had any callers lately offering services such as window cleaning or driveway repairs.” Patrols have been increased.
Police have issued a warning about a gang of burglars who may be operating in the Nuneaton and Bedworth area. There has been a series of break-ins and attempted entry into houses in the past week, which may be connected, and officers are urging people to be on the lookout. Some information has been provided following the theft of jewellery and cash from an address in Edward Tyler Road, Exhall, on Wednesday. Det Sgt Todd Lomax said “Early witness reports indicate there may have been three males in a VW Golf seen nearby. One of them got out of the car and asked a member of the public in the road if he wanted his windows cleaning. “Men have also been seen acting suspiciously claiming to be window cleaners in the Rugby area recently where burglaries have then been reported shortly after. “We are asking the public to be alert to this and to report anyone acting suspiciously, making a note of car registration numbers and any other details.”
Kev’s on cue for the Crucible: A snooker coach from Worcestershire is set to take the next step in his career by putting players through their paces at the World Championships. Kev Ellis will be the resident coach on the opening weekend of the 17-day event, which starts next month at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre. The 36-year-old will be working in the tournament’s CueZone, situated next to the venue, on Saturday, April 21 and Sunday, April 22. Ellis will run competitions for prospective players and be on hand to teach them the basics. His involvement comes on the first anniversary of the Bromsgrove window cleaner qualifying as a World Snooker coach. Pictured; World Snooker coach Chris Lovell, Kev Ellis and six-times world champion Steve Davis.
Brian Kennedy: The man who once owned Everest is now preparing to climb it. Kennedy made his fortune from a string of successful double glazing, home improvements and communications companies.Kennedy, a Jehovah’s Witness and father of five, has come a long way since his first wage packet, a pound a week for helping his dad, a window cleaner. He remains fiercely driven and has outlined his philosophy on business and life – the need to work. He said: “I did semi-retire, I lived in Majorca. It drove my kids nuts and it drove me nuts. I would travel, I would see seriously monied people in executive lounges and exclusive hotels and they all had one thing in common: They looked absolutely bloody miserable. “They look for the next big high, the next big stimulus. But what they are trying to replace is what all of us want and need: A job. I need a job, I need this. Otherwise I’d be bored stiff.”
Deputy PM Nick Clegg leads tributes to SLDC leader Brendan Jameson: Deputy Prime Minister and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has led tributes to South Lakeland District Council leader Brendan Jameson who died suddenly aged 66. Coun Jameson, who was also a Cumbria County and Kendal Town councillor, is believed to have died in the early hours of this morning (Monday) after a heart attack. Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland & Lonsdale, said: "A leader and a window cleaner - everyone here knew that Brendan Jameson wasn't a politician, he was one of us. Brendan was born and bred in Kendal and besotted with Kendal. Conservative Coun Tom Harvey said: "It really is very sad news - we were obviously of differing political parties but he worked tirelessly for all of South Lakeland. "It takes your breath away that this has happened and I think all councillors and staff feel a bit hollow - it is such a shock."
Americans spend $9.7 billion a year on household cleaning supplies. That’s a lot of money. But do you need to clean out your wallet to clean your house? We decided to shop at a discount store and buy several generic cleaning supplies: glass cleaner, paper towels, dish soap and sponges. The total cost was $4. Then, we went to a major supermarket chain and bought brand named cleaning supplies: Windex, Bounty, Dawn and Ocelo. The total cost for those products was $12. Would the brand named products that cost three times as much be better than the generics?
We went to the home of Andria Alexander, a mom of two, who specializes in living frugal. In fact, she runs the website, simplyfrugalliving. Without her looking, we put the products in containers labeled A and B. She started with Glass Cleaner A to clean her stovetop. She liked the results. She also liked the results of Dish Soap A on her dirty dishes. “Very sudsy. I do like suds,” said Alexander. She was not a huge fan of Dish Soap B, but it did get the dishes clean. But it lacked suds, so she ended up using more of it to get the job done.
But when it came to Glass Cleaner B, she was impressed. She picked it over A when it came to cleaning her mirror and her dirty garage window. In the end after cleaning her stove, mirrors, windows and dishes, she had an overall favorite. Andria picked A. She picked the brand named products. And switching from A to B glass cleaner would have saved her a bundle. It’s was $1 for the generic compared to $3.50 for the Windex.
FREE CLASS: HOMEMADE LAUNDRY DETERGENTS AND GREEN CLEANING: A free class on homemade laundry detergents and green cleaning with a coupon, swap and share will be on April 5 at 6 p.m. in the Upper Level Meeting Room of the Wayne County Coopera-tive Extension Office. Learn how to save money and safely make green cleaning solutions. Each participant will learn how to make window cleaners, all-purpose cleaners, homemade laundry detergents and fabric softeners, and will get samples to take home and try.
Eco-Depot to collect hazardous waste in Smithfield: Eco-Depot will conduct a household hazardous waste collection effort on Saturday, March 24, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Smithfield Department of Public Works garage, 3 Spragueville Road. Eco-Depot is a free service for Rhode Island residents who wish to dispose of their household hazardous waste safely and properly. Acceptable items include oven cleaner, window cleaner, flea collars, pool chemicals, nail polish remover and oil-based paint in rusty old paint cans. This free service is available by appointment only.
Health ’n’ safety? It doesn’t matter how much we complain about the idiocy of elf’n’safety, it just keeps on coming. Ladders are the latest target of those who wish to protect us from ourselves. I’ve already drawn attention to the rules aimed at window cleaners, which require them to buy and erect expensive scaffolding before working above ground level. Organisers of a Diamond Jubilee street party at Petersfield, Hants, have been told by council officers that they must go on a ‘ladder safety’ course — at a cost of £320 — before they can put up bunting. They will also need to buy public liability insurance and pay for a full risk assessment.
If you think this is an isolated piece of stupidity, consider the case of a couple who have been decorating Weymouth railway station with flowers for the past ten years. Brian and Janna Coomber have spent thousands of pounds of their own money on floral displays. But now they’ve been told by the new station manager that it is too dangerous for them to climb ladders to weed and restock their planters, which are six feet off the ground — even though they have never had an accident.
A spokesman for South West Trains said: ‘In delivering a safe and on-time railway service, we carefully manage our arrangements with staff and volunteers working on our property to prevent accidents from happening and to ensure passenger services run without disruption.’ Pictured; Green-fingered Brian and Janna Coomber have been told they are not allowed to use a ladder to tend to the award-winning floral decorations at Weymouth railway station in Dorset
Majority of people believe cash set to become extinct: Nearly a third (30%) of the UK public have been inconvenienced in the last year by a retailer not taking cards, according a new YouGov survey conducted for small business payments specialists CardSave. In fact, 16% of people have walked out of a shop in the past year without making their intended purchase because the retailer didn’t accept cards, while 22% have been forced to leave to seek out a cash point. 7% have purchased less than they intended to due to retailers’ only accepting cash. The survey shows that the days of carrying large amounts of cash are over. 62% of people carry £20 or less in cash on them on average. 48% carry £15 or less and 35% carry up to £10. Yet almost everyone (93%) carries a credit or debit card. Clive Kahn, Chief Executive of CardSave, which enables small businesses to accept payments more easily comments: “The days when consumers wanted to pay by cash are over. They increasingly expect to pay by card for everything – from small shops to tradespeople such as painters and window-cleaners. “Small businesses benefit significantly from accepting cards, winning more business, making larger sales and maintaining their competitiveness against major retailers.”
Discount scheme for loyalty: The Bay of Plenty Times will launch a new loyalty scheme for newspaper subscribers. The We Love The Bay discount card means subscribers can receive more than $700 worth of discounts on popular trades and services throughout the Bay of Plenty. The We Love The Bay discount card can be used at a variety of businesses and savings can be made on car tyres, house window cleaning, physiotherapy or chiropractic appointments, hairdressing, manicures and more.
Glass tumbled from the 11th floor of a downtown high-rise Monday night, scattering shards all over the street. The Calgary Fire Department said customers at a restaurant below, at the corner of 10 Ave. and 1 St. S.W., got a fright as the glass fell outside about 9 p.m. Police said one woman, who had glass hit just steps in front of her, called them. “The people whose apartment it came from weren’t the ones who called us — it was a woman on the street,” said Insp. Paul Stacey. “It smashed all over the road, obviously, and damaged a vehicle that was on the road. “We shut down the street for about an hour ... we shut it down to pedestrians and traffic there.” There were no injuries.
While police cordoned off the area, firefighters searched the building to find where the glass came from and ensure there wouldn’t be any more to fall. Stacey said the residents of the 11th floor apartment the glass came from were home, but the incident is not considered criminal. “They talked to the people,” he said. “It’s possible that somebody was either cleaning the window or touching or something ... but certainly nothing criminal.”
Two New Window Decal Designs By Duncraft Help Prevent Bird Window Strikes: Despite years of efforts by noted ornithologists, universities and others to bring awareness to the public, bird mortality resulting from birds crashing into windows continues to be an ongoing and escalating problem. Duncraft’s Bird Safe® Window Decals are applied to windows to help make glass visible to birds and save birds’ lives. Now Duncraft offers two new designs, a dragonfly and a cardinal, so customers have even more choice in the window decor they prefer. All of Duncraft's window decal designs are made in the USA. Duncraft addresses the problem of window strikes for the homeowner and wild bird lover with informational articles on their website as well as with their Bird Safe® Window Decals. How do the decals work? To answer that question, it’s important to know the two main reasons that birds strike windows. The first is that a window, being transparent, is simply not seen by the bird as a solid object at all and the second is that the window is reflecting images of nearby trees, clouds and other objects that the bird perceives as flyable air space.
Spring migration brings birds through Chicago: Millions of birds will be migrating through the Chicago area this spring, and Lincoln Park Zoo has a few suggestions for making their transit safe and friendly. Skyscrapers, windows and pets can create potentially deadly obstacles for feathered visitors, but city dwellers can do to a few simple things to help protect migratory birds, the zoo said today. The Lincoln Park Zoo suggests:
--Turn off lights in empty rooms and offices because artificial lights can disorient migrating birds.
--Remove plants from window sills as birds might try to fly through the window to get to the plants.
--Close window blinds, at least three-quarters, to help birds see the window.
--Soap large panes of glass that do not have blinds.
--Keep dogs leashed in urban parks, forest preserves and nature areas.
--Keep cats indoors.
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