Picture Of The Day + Window Cleaning News

Clean reflection: A window washer cleans windows on the Sir Humphrey Gilbert building in downtown St. John's Wednesday. Temperatures hit 20 degrees Celcius or more in some places making for a nice fall day.

Blame the window cleaner...I could write two more Harry Potter books, reveals Scots author JK Rowling. Rowling told how she moved into the five-star city centre hotel in a bid to find some peace and quiet to finish her last novel. She said: "As I was finishing Deathly Hallows, the window cleaner came, the kids were at home, the dogs were barking and I thought I just can't write.

Las Vegas Window Cleaning Tip 1 – How to Know if a Company is “Legit":  One good question to ask when you’re looking for a Las Vegas window cleaning company to use is “do they use their own window cleaning equipment”. Now, what I mean by their own equipment is: they shouldn’t be asking you to use anything. They should have their own ladders, their own tools, and they should have a company truck. They should be able to get there, to your house, get the job done, and be able to leave without using any of your things.

So, when they actually clean your windows and put the ladders up and and clean your screens, they’ll be able to have the right tools and do the job correctly. They COULD ask you to use some of your tools, but you probably won’t have the right tools to do the job properly. And so that’s how you can know if a window cleaning company is established, and if they’re legit they should have all the right tools, all of them on hand, and they should be able to get the job done quickly and efficiently. Fully professional and fully equipped is what you’re looking for when you’re trying to find a window cleaning company.

“Anyone living with cancer is fighting a tough battle,” says Shirley Perlinsky, owner and CEO of S&G Cleaning Services Corp. in Manville, “but women often find it even more difficult than men because they are expected to care for their own families while fighting for their lives. S&G Cleaning Services is a member of the Cleaning For A Reason Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing the gift of a clean home to women undergoing treatment for cancer. “Providing free cleaning services through the Foundation is a privilege, not a burden,” says Perlinsky. “It's our way of giving back to the communities we serve.” Women undergoing treatment for cancer are encouraged to apply for free cleaning by visiting the Foundation's website. “Friends and neighbors often bring food, but they don't usually offer to clean the house,” says Perlinsky. “All it takes is a few keystrokes, and we will provide free cleanings once a month for four months.” Cancer patients who receive the free service find it invaluable. “There are tons of cancer-research foundations. I need help with my house!” says one recipient, who chooses to remain anonymous. “I have three small children and have been taking chemotherapy for 19 months. This is a God-send to me!”

New 'Hot Wash' from Aquafactors: Although the use of hot water with water fed poles is gaining momentum for use on all kinds of surfaces, the mobile heating equipment available, over recent years, has sometimes proved to be more of a challenge... Outputs, flow consistency, control over temperature, fuel options, running costs and safety have been criticised. Price has also put most systems out of the reach of small window cleaning firms. After evaluating the market and spending some 800 hours of development, Aquafactors has introduced its own water heating system, in conjunction with Krueger, a leading British manufacturer of specialised heating systems.

The 12Kw 'Hot Wash' is now claimed to be the most powerful in the market. It has a continuous flow rate of over 13 litres a minute to temperatures of 65°C, which gives enough output for two poles running at the same time; considered a 'first' for equipment of the type. The 'Hot Wash' has been designed to be highly controllable, efficient and cost effective with additional benefits such as a 'Froststat' and timed switch-on. There is also an integral diagnostic program.

The complete package can be supplied (and fitted) as part of an Aquafactors water fed pole system or retro fitted to competitors vehicles. Unlike some systems the 'Hot Wash' does not use a plate heat exchanger but a more efficient and effective heat storage system manufactured in top quality 316 stainless steel. This is powered by an Eberspacher Hydronic water heater which draws its fuel from the vehicle diesel tank. This combines to produce a water of consistent temperature even if the supply is interrupted or briefly turned off at the pole. Fuel costs are 40% lower than some heat exchanger systems and trials have shown an average consumption of just 0.65 litres an hour. Water temperature can be adjusted between 20 and 75°C and will remain within 11/2°C of the set temperature.

One of the great advantages of the 'Hot Wash' is the built-in winter 'Froststat'. This automatically cuts in at 2°C and diverts heat to a 2Kw matrix fan heater. This then blows warm air around the inside of the vehicle to prevent equipment freezing. The Aquafactors 'Hot Wash' is beautifully put together. The equipment meets a full testing protocol including a pressure test at over 7 bar. Servicing is minimal - every two years or 1000 hours, whichever is the sooner. There is a two year parts and labour guarantee excluding consumables. "The exceptional build quality, ruggedness, low maintenance and consistent performance makes the 'Hot Wash' easy to use whatever the weather conditions," says Aquafactors' Alan Matthews. "Satisfaction is guaranteed."

Specialist cleaning firm Sanitec Cleaning Services has been acquired by a former regional rival. Sanitec, set up by husband and wife team Nick and Jane Scrivens in St Faiths, near Norwich, has been bought by Essex based Monthind for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition has also seen the vast majority of Sanitec's 170 staff transferred to Monthind, with a very small number choosing to leave the business. Established in 1997, Sanitec offers a range of cleaning services including office cleaning, retail, window, carpet and computer cleaning. The acquisition follows a period of steep growth at Monthind, which now employs 1,000. Tony Clarke, managing director of Monthind, said: “We are delighted that this significant acquisition includes the 170 Sanitec employees who have chosen to come with Monthind as we expand our operation.”

Setting up home in Selby is now even easier thanks to Redrow. The stylish, affordable apartments at Debut at Selby are proving popular, particularly with first time buyers. And you don’t need to worry about budgeting for utility bills as gas, electricity and water charges, even the window cleaning, are included in a single monthly service charge."

It's been a decade since Darrell Miller created Storm Show Studios, an action-sports film company based in Jackson, Wyo. It's a small film company, but occasionally it crops up amongst the more mainstream ski films. How did you get started in this business? I started making movies in 1993 in a high school radio/TV class with my buddy Jeff Tibbitts. In 1999, Tibbs and I started a window cleaning company. We bought cameras and editing equipment with our earnings and started All World Video Production. We taught ourselves to film and edit but never went to film school. The plan was to make ski films, and it took off from there.

So let's accept a certain amount of danger associated with playing football. It is not the only dangerous job, and it is certainly not the only one that does not want OSHA or any other outside authority regulating what goes on between employer and employed.  The only time this happens is when one side refuses to recognize the terms of reality, which is unfortunately rather common. The definition of that risk, though, must change with sane work practices. Window washing is dangerous, but acknowledging that doesn't negate the need for a safety belt, or to deny that the wind exists as a factor in the danger. This is what the NFL has in fact done towards the issue of concussions, first denying it, then acknowledging they exist but hiring two doctors whose opinions stood in stark disagreement with the weight of majority medical opinion. In short: no lasting effects, no damage, and thus no disability. Science!

Is Your Window America's Ugliest Window? Well, I got inspired to use this idea for ugly window problems. Wouldn't it be helpful to see the kind of problems people have with windows (You'd be surprised at some of the nightmares we see)? So here it is. You can submit your story and window picture and win a cash prize. Just like "America's Funniest Videos," you can win cash for sharing your window problems with us. And the best part of this contest is you don't have to live near Mr. Rogers Windows to participate. Anyone in any city is eligible to enter. And the ugly windows will be posted after each contest period of 60 days. You May Even Make it to the Ugly Window Hall of Fame! Be sure to give us a brief description of your Ugly Window so our judges will know your frustrations. Include your name, address, and phone number so we can contact you if you win. Every two months we will award a cash prize of $100 for the Ugliest Window. Winners will compete for the annual grand prize of a beautiful new replacement window from Renewal by Andersen and Mr. Rogers Windows. (No matter where you live).

Step-by-step guide to removing window film by Thom W. Conroy: Adding a window film to the windows in your home offers a number of advantages for a homeowner, but eventually the window film will need to be replaced or removed. Whether the reasoning is to make a change in design statement or simply because the window film is beginning to peel, removing window film can be a labor and time intensive effort. In short, the better the window film was applied initially the more difficult it will be to remove but there are a few basic tricks that can make the job less frustrating and enable success more quickly. In any case patience is key, as attempting to remove window film through the use of extremely aggressive measures will only serve to damage the glass beneath the film. In order to remove window film a homeowner must first assemble the necessary tools for the job at hand - a spray bottle filled with ammonia, a good supply of clean rags, a utility knife or razor scrapper and protective gear such as a respirator and goggles. It is important to realize that the vapor from ammonia when inhaled can burn the lungs, so special care must be taken to protect both the human respiratory system and the eyes.

The process to remove window film is very simple and little more than the display of common sense. First attempt to find a raised edge on the window film and pry as much of the film away from the glass as is possible using a fingernail. If no edge is available make one using a razor blade and then work your way out. Try to get as much of the window film removed in this manner as possible before proceeding to the next step. The final step for removing window film is to spray ammonia onto a warm window. First, place a line of rags at the base of the window to catch any run-off. This process is best done on a sunny day but if this is not possible you can heat the window first using a hair dryer. Spray the ammonia liberally onto the window film and let it stand for ten minutes and then attempt to peel the film away using a razor. While this may be difficult at first, with each application of ammonia the window film will begin to lift until it is all finally removed. To complete the job after the window film is removed simply clean the glass thoroughly with window cleaner and paper towels. Learn more about this author, Thom W. Conroy.

Robert Plant,– one-time Led Zeppelin singing legend and now respected solo artist – recalling his early days on the road with an obscure Sixties band called Listen. Little did he then know that it would create a strange link with his fellow Midlands rock star, Slade singer Noddy Holder. “Noddy’s dad was a window cleaner. He also used to be our roadie for a while. I could take a girl back from a gig with the sounds of buckets and ladders clanging on the side. Great romantic moments!” I’m sure that Noddy – or the girls concerned – couldn’t have put it better themselves.

Couple opens Fish Window: Lisa and Bob Tilzer, owners of Fish Window Cleaning, outside their Danbury office. The next time you reach for a paper towel to wipe the soap off your windows, you may want to reconsider, said Bob Tilzer, co-owner of Fish Window Cleaning, which recently opened at 70 West St., in Danbury. "Paper towels have lint on them, which leaves streaks. Instead, you should use lint-free towels," said Tilzer, who owns the business with his wife, Lisa. Fish Window cleans interior and exterior windows, storm windows, screens and mirrors, as well as chandeliers, ceiling fans, gutters, solar panels and skylights. The business was founded in Missouri in 1978 and has more than 220 locations in 40 U.S. states, including Wallingford and Windsor Locks. It's ranked No. 182 on Entrepreneur magazine's 2010 Franchise 500 list. Local customers include Chuck E. Cheese, Hilton Garden Inn, Sleepy's, Nico's Pizza & Pasta and Double Twister. "For cleaning taller buildings, we use a water-fed pole cleaning system, which is a series of poles that interlock and can reach up to 50 feet. It's faster and safer than using a ladder," said Tilzer, 56, of Danbury. Cleaning costs range from $85 to more than $1,000. Fish Window differentiates itself from its competition, Tilzer said, by holding weekly safety meetings for its cleaners. Topics include ladder safety, the latest updates on equipment and how to remove debris, paint, glue and hardwater stains from windows. Fish Window has been cleaning about 70 windows in the Danbury Fair mall for two years. "The glass has been there for almost 30 years and after they clean it, it looks crystal clear," said Sergio Gonzalez, account manager at Unicco Service Co., which manages facilities at the mall. Customer Barbara Adelizzi of New Fairfield uses Fish Window to clean the windows in her four-bedroom Colonial. "They did an excellent job," Adelizzi said. "They showed up on time, in a team, and with a team captain who introduced everyone to me."

Dundee author Neil Forsyth is celebrating a double success after Hollywood star Brian Cox (pictured) was announced to play the leading character in a new BBC Scotland radio adaptation of one of his books. The Dundonian actor will bring Bob Servant, a 64-year-old "former cheeseburger and window cleaning magnate," to radio for the first time. And the book's sequel, Hero Of Dundee, will be launched in November. Bob Servant — a gregarious wheeler-dealer and "self-proclaimed man of the people" — is the star of a series of humorous books by Neil. The book follows Servant's hilarious email correspondence with real-life online con artists and their promises of easy money, love and employment.

For Servant, however, this is just the latest chapter of a life not short in recognition. In the 1970s his window cleaning round was generally accepted as being the largest in Western Europe while his key role in Dundee’s Cheeseburger Wars of the 1980s saw him pushed to national prominence. With Servant defying medical opinion by the day, all bets are off for the man’s future direction.

Picture Of The Day + Window Cleaning News

Day in Pictures -BREMERTON, WA: Jonathan Kessler of Pacific Window Cleaning in Seattle cleans the glass on-the Norm Dicks Government Center in Bremerton, Wash. The windows are cleaned once a year. Click to enlarge.

WARREN: Walks and Windows coming- Courthouse Square soon should be looking a little cleaner due in part to a new program being undertaken by a downtown promotions group. The ''Walks and Windows'' program is sponsored by the Downtown Warren Events and Promotions Council, a division of the nonprofit organization Warren Development. Chairwoman Jennifer Campbell said the program involves nonprofit groups adopting the block of Courthouse Square in exchange for a $300 donation. The ''windows" part of the program will involve downtown merchants sharing the cost of having their storefront windows cleaned. Campbell said it is less expensive to have all the windows cleaned at the same time than for each individual merchant to pay a private window washer on their own. "Even though there are vacancies, this will help the remaining merchants and hopefully attract new ones. There is a lot of pride in downtown. We need to let it shine," Campbell said.

Waging war on benefits cheats: John Booth's claim that he was scared to go outdoors and could not walk 50 yards without help was a tall story. In fact the 63-year-old, from Chorley, Lancs, was running a window cleaning business. He fraudulently took £71,500 in handouts over 14 years. Booth, who admitted 17 false accounting charges at Preston Crown Court, was given a suspended 28-week jail term in June and told to pay back all the money he had claimed. He was also placed under a four-month curfew from 8pm to 7am and ordered to pay £750 costs. Previous Blog here & here.

Like an adrenaline shot to the heart, Trauma is the first medical drama series set exclusively where the real action takes place – in the field. Cliff Curtis (Push) and Derek Luke (Notorious) star as ambitious heroes dedicated to one of the most dangerous professions in the world: first responder paramedics. Often the scene is one where you want to hide you eyes - a man falling off of a wall onto a cement spike, a window washer on a sky scraper going through a window. Helicopter and ambulance are dispatched, and the teams have dialogue and banter back and forth until they get to the scene where Rabbit or Nancy use unorthodox measures to save a life.

This ROCR from the University of Utah can actually climb walls like a spider. It’s more like a monkey, honestly. Let’s just say it’s like a spider monkey. It can only climb carpeted walls for now, but it goes at a speed of six inches per second. The creators of the ROCR boast of its efficiency to be twenty percent, a number derived by the ratio of work done to energy consumed. Apparently, the next (and most obvious) step is higher climbing efficiencies and extended battery life. I’m sure there are plans to make certain that certain that it can climb more than just carpeted walls. Soon it will give Spider-man a run for his money. Just think of a window washer on a large skyscraper with one of these things on his back. No more of those cable and scaffolding jobs. I can’t think of anything else for this, but give it time.

£30,000 to clean 6 windows: The Bishop of Durham held a service on Sunday as a piece of history returned to a church. The stained glass window at St Thomas’ Church, in Stanhope, County Durham, was removed for £30,000 renovation work last year amid fears it would fall out. Some parts of the window date back to the 14th Century. Church warden John Anstee said: “It is the second oldest glass in the county, next to Durham Cathedral. “Everybody has had a moment with it. You can now see detail that you couldn’t before. “There are 11 Tudor roses that we didn’t know were in there. “Since it has been back, especially when the sun is setting in the west, it is very special. “We are very proud of it.” The Right Reverend Tom Wright held a rededication service at the church on Sunday.

Trio abseil clock tower housing Big Ben for repairs: The clock faces are set in an iron frame on St Stephen's Tower, which is part of the Houses of Parliament, in central London. The trio descend each of the four sides of the clock face at a height of around 315ft (96m). Each clock face is 23 ft (7m) in diameter, while there are a total of 312 pieces of opal glass. Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell housed within St Stephen's Tower. Two height safety specialists abseiled on the clock faces initially. Then specialist heritage glazer Tony McGilbert abseiled to evaluate the repairs to the fragile glass fascia panels within the clock faces. The men wore ear defenders as the clock continued to strike as they carried out the work, which was expected to last all day. Their equipment was attached to them to ensure it cannot fall onto the ground below. "We have worked on a lot of historic buildings such as the Tower of London, the Houses of Parliament and Bank of England," said Terri Cliffe-Harrison, a spokeswoman for height safety specialists TaskMasters. "It's a real privilege to be working on such another famous landmark, although that makes it all the more daunting a prospect."

An elaborate window-cleaning at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts - The stained-glass rose window at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is rarely noticed, although it dominates the North Broad Street facade of the historic building. Of course, most windows accomplish their task best by not being seen. But not stained glass. Stained glass usually announces itself, transforming an interior with ethereal light, drawing an eye to conspicuous arrays of color. This week, the window and its many panels - 511 pieces of glass - are being cleaned and restored; leading has been removed and replaced; and the whole array is being returned to its quiet perch, a process that should be finished by Monday. Their absence has drawn attention to the windows.

Google Street View: past controversies - In July, a window cleaner who appeared to have two heads was spotted in Hawes, Yorkshire, and displayed on Street View. One explanation given was that the Google Street View car took two images of that part of the street and he happened to be caught on the edges of both.

Comedian saved as he died on stage: As the comedian was getting to the punch line he was dying on stage - literally. Eddie Stapleton would have faced his final curtain without the swift actions of an audience member who delivered life-saving CPR as paramedics raced to the scene. Retired window cleaner and carpet fitter Eddie, 77, is a member of Tenby Male Choir and had taken part in a concert at the town’s St Mary’s Church with the Gentlemen Songsters of Dudley in May. Afterwards, the choirs retired to the De Valence Pavilion for refreshments and Eddie took to the microphone with a monologue, only to keel over as he reached the end of his story. “Doctors later told me if Guy Jackson, who was with the Dudley choir, hadn’t stepped in I would have been a gonner. “Guy gave me CPR and got my heart going before the paramedics arrived and I will always be grateful for that. He was fantastic and so were the paramedics.

One of the aftershocks is the move to post salaries of municipal workers online, in particular for the city and county of Los Angeles. Even though this information had been available in the past, now there is an ample appetite for seeing just where taxpayer money goes. It’s being trumpeted under the title of “transparency.” It has 16 people with the title Window Cleaner/Airport who make $54,000 a year or more. For a 40-hour week in a 52-week year, that’s about $26 an hour. That’s pretty good for someone who wields a large squeegee.

Design a glass house: No, people who live in glass houses shouldn't be on television, unless, of course, their assignment is to design and build a glass house. Then the goal, a perfect metaphor for the process itself, makes some sense. HGTV's Design Star'' takes the metaphor to heart for its penultimate episode, ``The Glass House Challenge,'' airing Sunday on HGTV. The three remaining designers are challenged to come up with glass houses smack in New York City's Foley Square. The requirement involves putting a personal design aesthetic into each abode. Not just glass walls but also a certain enveloping feel.

Freeport, Grand Bahama - For specific business categories in Freeport, the cost of starting a business just got lower, thanks to the newest business development initiative launched by The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA). Their recently introduced, ‘Self-storage & Warehouse’, programme allows individuals in specified trades to use self-storage facilities as approved premises to apply for a GBPA business license. Company president, Ian Rolle, explained the premise of the initiative. “It is a fact that there is a great demand to enter in to business, but the start-up costs makes it difficult for some,” he stated. “The Self-Storage & Warehouse initiative allows entrepreneurs, in specific categories, to take advantage of the benefits offered as a GBPA licensee.” “If you take a small business person like a window cleaner, he doesn’t need to rent an office. Now he can get a storage unit, put all of his equipment in it where it’s secured and operate his business using a cell phone,” Gallagher explained.

Distraction burglary against the elderly: Police believe a man is targeting vulnerable people and posing as officials to gain access to their homes. A man claiming to be from social services stole a bag from a property in Britwell before making off at about 3pm on Tuesday. Police believe the same man, posing as a care worker or window cleaner, gained entry to another property in the vicinity and knocked at the doors of others, although nothing was stolen. Det Con Nicola Douglas said: "We believe that the man targeted the type of addresses normally occupied by elderly or vulnerable people. I cannot stress enough the importance of using door chains, checking ID, and calling the police if you are in any doubt whatsoever about someone calling at your home. Don't answer the door unless you are one hundred per cent certain the caller is genuine." The man is described as white, between 30 and 50 years old, about 5ft 7ins and of medium to chubby build. He had a full black and grey beard and a moustache. It is possible that two of his front teeth are missing or chipped. He is thought to have been driving a red car with a black fabric roof, possibly a convertible. Anyone with information can call Det Con Douglas on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Dad spared jail after drugs raid: A dad whose cannabis habit spiralled following the death of his child has escaped a jail sentence after police found his stash of the drug. Officers raided the home of Dean Simpson's ex-partner, Makhala McGurry, in Hartlepool's Brafferton Street. They found a box containing cannabis as well as a total of 38 foil wraps and valued the total haul at £220. Simpson arrived while police were there and said the cannabis was his, Teesside Crown Court heard. After previously admitting possession of cannabis, a class B drug, with intent to supply, Simpson, of Cameron Road, Hartlepool, was given a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for 18-months, and supervision. He was also ordered to complete 160 hours unpaid work. McGurry, 22, was given an 18-month conditional discharge after admitting being concerned in the supply of a class B drug. In interview, Simpson said McGurry was the mother of his son and he went to the house daily. By the end of the interview Simpson admitted he sold wraps for between £7.50 and £10 to people who came to the house. "Tragically they lost one of the children. Almost simultaneously Dean Simpson became unemployed because of economic conditions in the local area." He said Simpson, 24, started to use cannabis more heavily and supplied a few friends to fund his habit, but has since cut down considerably. Both Simpson, who has now got a job as a window cleaner, and McGurry, were of previous good character.

Window Cleaning News + Picture Of The Day

A window cleaner works on a building in London, Thursday, May 20, 2010. Demand is rising for the best office space in London's financial district.

Contractors now focusing on renovations: "Construction had by far the deepest drop in employment of any sector, and the highest unemployment rate," said Ken Simonson, chief economist for the Associated General Contractors of America. Baker said that homeowners have been reluctant to spend on improvements for a couple of reasons. For one thing, it's harder to get a home equity loan now than it was a few years ago -- banks are not as free with money, and many homeowners have little home equity to borrow against. "They're converting to a cash economy," Baker said. And he said that when homeowners have to write a check for the full price of a renovation, they're more likely to ask: "Do we really need that now?" Michael DeMarco, owner of On the Spot Home Improvements, said maintenance jobs -- gutter cleaning, window washing and so on -- stayed steady during the recession, while bigger jobs were tougher to come by.

Ramsbottom pensioner wages one-man war on litter: A Ramsbottom pensioner is cleaning up the town on his own after losing patience with his town council. Jim Needham, a semi-retired window cleaner, is sweeping the streets every day to protest against the state of the town. The 66-year-old is hoping to inspire staff at Bury Council, which covers Ramsbottom, and local residents to take pride in their town. He said: “My wife and I were in Prague three weeks ago, a region which has little money, and the streets were immaculate because people were out cleaning them every day. “We came back to Ramsbottom, a lovely town, and the streets were just filthy. “It’s been like this for years and I have contacted the council, but nothing seems to get done. “I thought it’s time to stop complaining and do it myself. “I was up at 6.30am this morning to sweep the streets and I will be out again tonight. “Visitors to the town should not have to see litter all over the place. "It’s shameful for the people who live here.” Paul Morris, the owner of The Chocolate Cafe, supplied Jim with drinks while he was sweeping the streets in the hot weather. He said: “Jim is a lovely guy and I saw that he was sweating buckets this morning when he was out sweeping the streets. “He is beside himself with the litter in the streets and he is doing something about it, and good for him.” East Lancashire Railway holds a commemorative war weekend in Ramsbottom this week and Jim is determined to get the streets in shape. He said: “The biggest problem is cigarette butts and takeaway trays, but people have been saying that they will make extra effort after seeing me on the streets. “I want the council to do what I’m doing. Ater all, the amount of council tax and business tax they receive is huge.” Bury Council was unavailable to comment on the issue.

Devasteated mum Donna Mair knew her nine-year-old son was sick when he got breathless and sick kicking a football around. But she was distraught to learn that Gary had two life-threatening diseases - a cancerous tumour and leukaemia. However, the determined youngster has battled through seven months of gruelling chemotherapy and has been chosen as a mascot at the England-Mexico friendly game on Monday. Donna, who will also travel to London with her window cleaner partner Kevin, added: "We are really grateful to everyone for doing this and want to say a big thanks.

Purple Heart Recipient Asks For Help To Return Stolen Motorcycle: Twenty-four-year old R.J. Wild shows off the medals on his backpack following two tours of duty as Marine. The most special, the Purple Heart, given to those wounded or killed in combat. "I thought the medals were too precious to my heart to let go and just sit in a closet and get dusty," said Wild. Wild's unit was ambushed in Iraq in 2006. Two rocket propelled grenades hit them. "The next thing I know I wake up in Germany," said Wild. "I was in ICU with any kind of brace you could put on me.I had a neck brace, a back brace, arm brace and had a morphine button." When Wild got back to the U.S. he moved to the Upstate with nothing more than this backpack in hand. "I came to Greenville because I wanted to start a new life," Wild said. Wild works two part time jobs. One as a window washer and one as a trainer at Knock It Out in Greenville.

Leeds firm fined after worker crushed to death: A Leeds freight company has been fined after a 59-year-old worker was crushed to death by a case of glass. Alan Fletcher (pictured), from Leeds, tried to stop the two-tonne case from falling as it was unloaded at Roadways Container Logistics, Leeds Crown Court heard. The firm, of Valley Farm Way, Stourton, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act. It was fined £250,000 and ordered to pay £100,000 costs in court on Friday. Also here.

Cumbrian man abseiled out of inferno carrying seven-stone dog: A Cumbrian man whose remote farm home was gutted by fire in the middle of the night abseiled to safety with his seven-stone pet Labrador dog over his knee. Paul Graham’s amazing escape from his fire-ravaged home at Garrigill, near Alston, was only possible because he was woken by a free smoke alarm from Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service. Mr Leather paid tribute to the fire-fighting operation, saying the part-time fire-fighters – including a butcher, postman, window cleaner and a builder – had done a tremendous job. He urged people to take advantage of the Cumbria Fire Service’s free fire home safety checks – complete with alarms.

As predicted was inevitable, today the Spanish newspaper La Gaceta runs with a full-page article fessing up to the truth about Spain’s “green jobs” boondoggle, which happens to be the one naively cited by President Obama no less than eight times as his model for the United States. It is now out there as a bust, a costly disaster that has come undone in Spain to the point that even the Socialists admit it, with the media now in full pursuit. Breaking the Spanish government’s admission here at Pajamas Media probably didn’t hurt their interest in finally reporting on the leaked admission. Obama’s obvious hope of rushing into place his “fundamental transformation” of America into something more like Europe’s social democracies — where even the most basic freedoms have been moved from individuals and families to the state — before the house of cards collapsed has suffered what we can only hope proves to be its fatal blow. At least on this front. La Gaceta boldly exposes the failure of the Spanish renewable policy and how Obama has been following it. The headline screams: “Spain admits that the green economy as sold to Obama is a disaster.”

Bare ambition for Wale: Josh Wale believes he has the perfect make-up to win Prizefighter Super Bantamweights on Saturday - drawing on his grandad's experience as a bare knuckle fighter. The Barnsley fighter takes on former British, Commonwealth and European title holder Esham Pickering in the second quarter-final of Barry Hearn's latest eight-man, one night tournament at York Hall in Bethnal Green, east London. Prizefighter has transformed the careers of a number of young fighters and should Wale win, the Brampton-based fighter has big plans for his day job as a window cleaner. He said: "The prize money along with the title would just be massive for me, and if I win, the window cleaning could go international!"

Graham Linehan, the creator of Channel 4's BAFTA-winning The IT Crowd, announced last night that the sitcom will be back in 2011 for a fifth series. Speaking at a preview screening of the next series - which is due arrive on our screens soon - the comedy writer confirmed that Channel 4 had given the go ahead for another series of the sitcom before filming had even wrapped on the forthcoming Series 4. Series 4 starts in June. Plotlines include Jen applying to be Reynholm Industries new Entertainment Officer; Moss beating all records on popular spelling show Countdown; and Roy spending a disproportionate amount of time trying to convince an old friend that he is not a window cleaner.

TurnAround Couriers Delivers More Than Just Packages: Richard Derham (pictured), founder and general manager of TurnAround Couriers, was occupied when we first called to speak with him. “We have a young man who's been here for only a few days," he would later apologize, "so I like to check in on him at the end of each day and see how he's doing.” Even a casual observer would have picked up on how this employer-employee exchange differed from that of the typical workplace scenario, a level of personal investment and concern detectable in the cadence of Derham's speech. A former lawyer, Derham arrived in Canada from his native England in the summer of 2000. “We've had quite a few people go back to school,” says Derham. “We've had a number of people go on to work as couriers at other firms. We've had about five people go on to do high-rise window cleaning in Toronto. Generally speaking, [the kids] are going on to other things.”

How to turn your home into a summer palace: Not only does the sunlight streaming through reveal just how dusty your windows are, but the frames might also need painting. If you haven't got a window cleaner and one hasn't come knocking, then visit windowcleaner-directory.co.uk to find one in your area. Obviously you will need to clean the inside of your windows too. Christina Strutt, author of Cabbages and Roses Guide to Natural Housekeeping, is full of advice on how to use natural products for cleaning: "White distilled vinegar has had hundreds of different uses over the past 10,000 years and it cleans windows to perfection. A solution of one part vinegar and one part warm water sprayed onto glass and rubbed with a soft dry cloth, followed by crumpled newspaper, will work miracles," she says.

So much for the green cleaning....Wash windows inside and out. Wipe down the sills. To clean window screens, rub them with kerosene on both sides, and then rinse with soap and water. Make sure to do this in a well-ventilated area, preferably outside.

Wells Fargo Advisors shows Komen support with 30-foot pink ribbons: Wells Fargo Advisors has installed two 30-foot pink ribbons on the side of its headquarters as part of it sponsorship of the Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure. Icon Window Cleaning of St. Louis installed the ribbons on the south and east sides of the building, facing Market and Jefferson. Craftsmen Industries in St. Charles made the ribbons. Last year, more than 250,000 new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in the United States, and more than 40,000 women died from the disease, according to the American Cancer Society. Wells Fargo Advisors, led by President and Chief Executive Danny Ludeman, is one of the largest employers in St. Louis.

Men in Kilts worked with Monolab Design recently to complete a new logo and brand identity for their Vancouver window cleaning, gutter cleaning and pressure washing franchise. Monolab Design's owner and Creative Director Monica Martinez says “It was a dream assignment for us...Here was a local brand with a very original proposition, tons of personality, great sense of humour, in need of a makeover.” Working with award-winning illustrator Adam Rogers, who created the new and improved ‘kiltie’ character, Monolab developed a multi-layered brand identity system just in time for the Men in Kilts franchise launch. “We were lucky to find a client that truly lives and breaths branding,” adds Martinez, “from the idea of employees wearing kilts and black T-shirts that say ‘No Peeking’, to wrapping their trucks in tartan, Men In Kilts take every opportunity they have to tell the world what they are all about. How can you resist not smiling when you see them on the street?”

Starry Quirks: John Abraham’s Clean Habits - John Abraham is a stickler for cleanliness. It isn’t rare to find him cleaning his glass window panes with liquid soap and newsprint. If a visitor at John’s home inadvertently soils the flooring with his shoes or chappals, you can bet that John would rush to remove the stains and the dust with a broomstick and a wet duster in hand – of course, only after the guest has left!

Picture of the Day + Window Cleaning News

WINDOW WASHING: A cleaner washed windows on a building in Brasilia Tuesday. (Ricardo Moraes/Reuters) Click to enlarge.

EU Commission report calls for VOC limits in paints to be extended to other products: The limits on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) set out in the EU paints Directive should be extended to a range of other products, according to a report for the European Commission by German research institute Okopol. Products that should be made subject to VOC restrictions include hairsprays, deoderants/antiperspirants, solvent-based adhesives, window cleaning products and wood coatings. In line with its provisions, the Directive is being reviewed. This is likely to be completed by mid-2011. Also here.

Fulton firm battles state agency, MU over prevailing wage: The Shepherd's Co. of Fulton is locked in legal battles with the Missouri Division of Labor Standards and the University of Missouri over claims the Fulton firm is not complying with prevailing wage laws. The Shepherd's Co. of Fulton is unusual because it is not set up with owners and employees. Instead, it does business in Missouri as a general partnership of 64 current owners. Workers at the Shepherd's Co. are members of a Christian faith-based group who attend the Shepherdsfield Community Church. They live in a communal society in which all members relinquish personal property to the group. The firm provides a variety of services, including window cleaning for retailers and offices.
Their attorney, Mark Comley of Jefferson City, says the earnings of the group are shared with each other and the Shepherd's Co. is organized under Missouri law as a general partnership with 64 current partners. The unions are miffed because the Shepherd's Co. has been the low bidder on some prized public projects, especially those at the University of Missouri in Columbia. Under Missouri and federal law, whenever work is performed for a government agency the prevailing wage for the area must be paid to all workers. The prevailing wage is set each year by the state for various areas of the state. That rate almost always is set at a high level because it generally is determined by union wages in the area.
The department has been aggressive in ferreting out violations of prevailing wage laws. For fiscal year 2009, the department found 126 prevailing wage violations on Missouri's public works projects, affecting 995 workers throughout the state. The department assessed a total of more than $1,127,070 in owed wages as a result of these violations. Comley said the company complies with prevailing wage laws and always has in the more than 20 years it has been operating.
About three months ago, the university's facilities planning and development office sent a letter to Shepherd's Co. saying the university will reject any bids from the firm because it "balked at requests to release record relating to prevailing wage compliance." Comley denies Shepherd's Co. balked at releasing records. That prompted Shepherd's Co. to file suit against the curators on Oct. 30, asking that the Fulton-based company be taken off the university's bid rejection list.
That's not all of the embattled Fulton firm's problems. Buschjost's Division of Labor Standards sent a letter to Columbia Public Schools saying there were allegations the company did not pay the prevailing wage. The school was about to award the firm a contract to work at the Columbia Area Career Center but decided against it after receiving the letter from the state agency. The city of Columbia a few days ago decided to send Shepherd's Co. payroll documents relating to a building it operates to the State Division of Labor Standards. The city asked the state agency to determine if Shepherd's wage records comply with prevailing wage laws. Comley said the Fulton-based firm always has complied with the prevailing wage law.

'Window cleaners' in £1,000 burglary: Two brazen burglars swiped over £1,000 of luxury goods from an Islington home after tricking their way through the front door by posing as window cleaners. Police this week released e-fit images of the two men after they made off with a laptop, a digital camera, a laser printer and several Xbox 360 games from a house in Fairmead Road, Upper Holloway. Pretending to have just finished a job in nearby Wedmore Street, they duped a woman in her 50s into letting them in by wearing blue v-neck jumpers emblazoned with the logo "Ocean Cleaning". The two men negotiated a price with the victim as she showed them round her home before filling their buckets in the kitchen. After around 15 minutes, they left with another two men who were waiting outside the house.

They left a note with the names "Peter" and "John" and a contact telephone number written on it. The victim, who did not ask for ID, later realised her windows had not been cleaned and her property was missing. Suspect one is described as a white man, aged 20 to 25, of slim build, about 5ft 9ins tall, with blue eyes and gelled spiky brown hair. Suspect two is a white man, aged about 30, between 5ft 6ins and 5ft 9ins tall, with blue eyes and short blonde hair. He walked with a limp. Both were polite and spoke with local accents. The Ocean Cleaning logo was written in white capital letters in a white circle on the front with the same motif enlarged on the rear of the jumper. Any witnesses or anyone with information should call Detective Constable Debbie Keyser on 020 7421 0220 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 to stay anonymous.

Window cleaner v roofing inspector in John Smith's People's Darts final: The John Smith's People's Darts final 2010 will be a perfect showcase for the sport's talented amateurs - a window cleaner is taking on a roofing inspector. At the end of a trail which began four months ago, with thousands of hopefuls entering Britain's best amateur sporting contest in their local pubs and clubs, Mark Petchey and Duncan Hastings will contest a £14,000 charity jackpot on Sunday. Window cleaner Petchey, from the Royal Oak in Basingstoke, Hants, and roofing inspector Hastings, representing Pennies Bar Falkirk, Stirlingshire, made it through the last eight and semi-finals to book their live TV date at the Lakeside Country Club. Now "Petch" and "Big D"will take to the worldfamous stage in Frimley Green, in front of 2,000 fans and millions of BBC TV viewers, just before the Lakeside World Professional Darts Championship final in a classic Auld Enemy showdown. Final: Hastings v Petchey on Sunday (Jan 10).

Farewell to Sidmouth window cleaner Harry: One of Sidmouth's familiar faces about town was that of Harry Badcock, who died last Monday (December 28) aged 84. A real local character, Harry was a true born and bred Sidmothian and lived and worked in the town all of his life. Many knew him as the local window cleaner and for 32 years he pushed his barrow, with its flashing lights, up and down the streets. But he did many jobs before this, such as working for Pinney's building firm for 15 years. For a decade, between 1952 and 1962, Harry was a retained fireman and paid £5 a year.
But most folk will just remember Harry as a familiar face around the town who loved a natter; his knowledge was second to none, whether it was Sidmouth and its history or about its local people and their news. "He was Mr Sidmouth Herald, in his latter years after retirement he would sit at the front window to watch and wave to folk as well as going around on his mobility scooter along town and the seafront," said Roy. Harry lived in the same house for 74 years and was married to Maria; who came from Italy, for 48 years. He was a loving father to Roy and Antonio and a special grandad to Elliot Joel, Thomas Christopher and Daniel.

Holyrood is bottomless pit says MSP: Maintaining the Scottish Parliament building is costing five times as much as expected. Official figures show that the biggest maintenance contract – which includes heating, lighting and electrical installations, as well as replacing bamboo-style poles and other repairs – cost taxpayers almost £6 million over five years compared with a £1.1m forecast. And today MSPs (Members of the Scottish Parliament) said the escalating cost of maintaining the building was almost on a par with the soaring price for construction of the Holyrood building. It also showed annual costs, excluding VAT, had soared from £427,176 in the first year to £2,625,994 in 2008-09. "It confirms the criticisms people made right from the start. It's such a crazy design. The window cleaning is almost impossible, the quality of the materials used means to replace anything – the wood, the granite and everything – is very expensive. I want the parliament's public audit committee to look at why the costs have gone over by so much and why the estimates were so badly out." The Holyrood building was dogged by soaring costs throughout its construction. The original price quoted was £10-40m, but the final bill was £414m. Also see here.

Census Bureau looking for workers: Over the next three months, the U.S. Census Bureau will recruit more than 3.8 million people across the country, including more than 48,000 in Wisconsin. The recruitment goal for Madison is about 4,200, said Lydia Ortiz, a Census spokeswoman. It's the flexibility of the part-time job that appeals to Murray, who is nine months pregnant with her first child and due Thursday. "And it's always neat to look into other people's houses. Does that seem creepy?" said Murray, who got a perfect score on the exam, which was graded on the spot. Porter's son, Thad Johnson, 37, a Madison window washer, also took the test. He was hoping the job would start sooner. "It's a slow time of year for my work," said Porter, who scored 93 percent. "It would be doing something different than I've ever done before. I think I'd be really good at it."

JUNEAU ARTISTS GALLERY, 175 S. FRANKLIN ST. Jeweler Rowan Law is the featured artist for the first Art Walk of the new year at the Juneau Artists Gallery. Rowan will be in the gallery from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on January 8 with his work. His new creations are matching sets consisting of earrings and coordinating pendants. Rowan has never offered sets before, and is excited about these one-of-a-kind combinations. Rowan is well known in Juneau for his handcrafted jewelry, which is mostly made with sterling silver. He usually oxidizes the silver, which gives it an antique or rustic looking dark patina. Many of the pieces also contain yellow gold, copper, and brass. Stones including opal, labradorite, and turquoise are set into some pieces. Rowan cuts and shapes many of the stones himself, using an electrically powered grinding wheel. By holding each stone against the wheel, he creates unique shapes from the original rough stones, and then finishes by polishing the stone, also against the wheel.
Rowan and a friend once owned a window washing business in Maui, and one of their customers was a high-end jewelry store. Rowan washed the windows inside the shop, and he thought the studio area in the back of the shop, where the jewelry was created, was very interesting. It wasn't until about three years later, after he moved to the mainland, that he started reading about jewelry making and eventually took a few classes, including from Michael Hunter who used to teach at UAS. For the most part Rowan is self taught, and his style has evolved as he developed his skills.