Window Cleaners: Social Networking, Bananas & Vinnie Jones

Local businesses use social networking: Social-networking sites may seem like just a way to meet new people, but for Tony and Dawn Evans, social networking helped their business take off. Five years ago, when Tony Evans quit his job at a Wal-Mart deli, he knew very little about window cleaning. Today, he and his wife — also known as Mr. and Mrs. Squeegee — use social-networking sites to get in touch with other business owners and clientele. Online forums have been a huge help to the Evanses in their business, New View Window Cleaning. Window cleaners gather on the sites to discuss methods and new technology, post videos, and even arrange conferences, he said. “I’m pretty active in some window-cleaning forums where we get a lot of our information,” he said. “It helps us to cut down on our learning curve.” He also joined the social-networking site Twitter around a month ago and has amassed around 60 followers. For Mr. and Mrs. Squeegee, social networking has become essential to the operation of their business. “We were getting responses within the first couple of months from the website,” Evans said. “It’s been very, very beneficial for our business.”

Eric's 'banana' tumour ordeal: It was a mammoth operation to remove a mammoth brain tumour. In fact it took 18-and-a-half hours at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital to cut out a tumour the length of a banana and twice as wide. Now Eric Holden, aged 63, is recovering from his ordeal, grateful that specialised brain equipment funded by a Sheffield charity could be used to help save his life. He was diagnosed with a benign brain tumour in July 2008, after losing his reading sight. "When I was told I had a brain tumour it was a real shock, mainly because I didn't have any headaches or fits. I just lost my reading sight. I'd been to the opticians to tell them my glasses weren't strong enough but after new lenses failed to correct the problem, I was referred to the hospital for a field test.
"I failed this miserably, so I was referred for an MRI scan, which found I had a brain tumour entangled in my optic nerve. It was as long as a banana and twice as wide. I just couldn't believe something so big could fit in such a small space… "I was told the tumour needed to be removed so, soon after being diagnosed, I underwent a massive 18-and-a-half-hour operation. Surgeons removed the tumour using a microscope and endoscopic drill. "Although the operation went really well, I did have a long recovery time. For weeks after I slept constantly and my surgeon, Dr Tom Carroll, was really worried. But I was a lot better after a month or so. "After that I had Gamma Knife treatment to shrink the rest of the tumour. I won't know whether that has been successful for a few months yet. But my sight improved as soon as I had Gamma Knife treatment, which was a relief." Specialised equipment was funded by Neurocare, a charity which supports the neurosciences department at the Royal Hallamshire.
Doctors told him that without the operation he would have died. "But a factor which also played a part in my survival was my fitness level. Because I used to be a window cleaner, my fitness level was exceptional – in fact that of a 30-year-old. At my age that is pretty good going and it helped to save my life. "It's been a tough couple of years. Just before I was diagnosed one of my three children, Kristopher, who had cerebral palsy, passed away. Then this happened. My wife Patricia has been brilliant, a complete star. "We've been happily married for 46 years. She's the most wonderful person I could ever meet and she helped me enormously in my recovery.
"As for now, things have started to settle down a bit, although having to stop work has really impacted my life because I used to love it so much. I hope to get my fitness level back so one day maybe I can clean some windows again. But I feel brilliant again, so I'm grateful for that. I now need a new knee and then I'll be raring to go!" After hearing of the success of Eric's operation and the size of his tumour, The May Hearnshaw Trust made a donation of £35,000 to Neurocare, which helped to finance another piece of revolutionary equipment, the Skull Base Endoscope. It allows surgeons to operate more easily on life-threatening brain tumours in the skull base, which are particularly hard to reach.

Vehicle-mounted access platform - CTE lift: Specialist window-cleaning contractor RJ Norris has recently started using a CTE ZED21J vehicle-mounted access platform from CTE UK to be able to clean a wider range of buildings. The ZED21J is said to incorporate a sigma boom with a fly-jib to offer 21m maximum working height and access to windows and fascias even when there is an obstruction between the vehicle and working area.
The ZED21J has a maximum working load of 200kg in all possible configurations – enough, says CTE UK, for two average-sized people and up to 40kg of tools, with 10m outreach from 1 to 14m above ground level in a straight vertical line. Performance includes full and continuous 360o turret rotation for all-round access, with true zero tail-swing, which is important when working in narrow streets.
The company adds that simple controls inside the basket and at ground level allow users to operate the platform very easily. The boom and basket can be positioned using just one hand. The maximum working height of 21m is achieved by straightening the entire boom and fly-jib using the same controls. The vehicle can be driven by anyone with a normal ‘Category B’ car licence.

A Green Certification Adds Value To Any Company: The Green Business Leagues sister company Green Clean Institute has just certified Clean World USA. Clean World USA has received the Gold Certification from the Green Clean Institute, which is the highest level of Green Certification that a Janitorial firm can receive. They are located in the South Carolina area and are a large corporation that has made tremendous strides on developing a Green program in their company. Getting a Gold certification requires more than just token effort, it requires janitorial firms to educate, and implement green techniques and practices to their operations.

Police today renewed an appeal for help in finding a 33-year-old-man who has gone missing in Grove. Alexander Wileman was last seen leaving his home in Albermarle Drive on Wednesday, February 3, to go to work as a self-employed window cleaner. He was driving a white Citroen van at the time, with Red Star Window Cleaning written on the sides. Mr Wileman is described as white, 6ft tall, of medium build with cropped black hair. Police said they believed he was wearing a multi-coloured top like the one pictured. A police spokesman said: "Alexander’s partner received a letter saying that he was going to stay away. "He is a vulnerable person and Thames Valley Police appeals for his safe return. If you see him, please contact police immediately on 0845 8 505 505."

How to turn your children into nice little earners: Earning money not only lets parents off the hook (somewhat), it is good practice for later life, and might even help them acquire such useful skills as how to turn up on time, or sort out fractious infants. The problem is where to find these jobs. Shops won’t take under-16s, and often prefer responsible 18-year-olds. Waiting at parties isn’t an option for under-18s, who aren’t allowed to serve alcohol. And so few people now get their newspaper delivered in my area that the traditional boy on a bicycle has pedalled into history: our newsagent does drop-offs in his car. Sweeping up leaves and running errands for elderly neighbours are nice ideas, gleaned from the internet, though it takes a hard heart to charge the neighbour for fetching her milk from the corner shop. Window cleaning or grooming unfamiliar pets I would not encourage, because a trip to A & E after a fall from a ladder or a savage bite would be a bore.

Vinnie Jones: The Window Cleaner? What’s the worst job you’ve ever had? I bought a window cleaning round from a bloke when I was 17 – you buy a book with the addresses. People came out of their houses shouting: ‘What are you cleaning my windows for? Bugger off.’ He’d made the whole thing up. I was thinking it would make me a millionaire but it ended halfway down my street. I’d borrowed the £300 for the book; it may as well have been £3million. Not only did I not I have a business, I had a £300 debt.

DEPARTMENTAL INFO, WINDRUSH DR.: A resident who initially reported that he had arrived home to find footprints in the snow around his house called back on Saturday to notify police that the prints were those of a window-washer, as evidenced by an invoice he had later found.

Google unveils virtual glass elevator that lets you fly around the world (Melbourne): The Liquid Galaxy project is an interactive booth with wraparound LCD screens, reports News.com.au. Screens show synchronised views via Google Earth and you can use a six-axis mouse to move your way through air and water. The video was taken by Mashable staff at a live demo by creator Jason Holt at TED. "With the Liquid Galaxy, we could fly through the Grand Canyon, leap into low-Earth orbit, and come back down to perch on the Great Pyramid of Giza without even breaking a sweat." The effect is stunning. Take a look at the video.

About 1400 customers in Melbourne’s west are still without power, after lightning during yesterday’s storms struck transformers and strong winds blew tree branches and debris across power lines. The storms were also bad news for three men who fell while cleaning out roof gutters or carrying out repairs during the wild weather. A 67-year-old man tumbled more than three metres and dislocated his shoulder when his ladder buckled during his roof repairs at Springvale South. A second man, 48, fell from a ladder while cleaning his roof gutters at Red Hill, while a 63-year-old man injured his chest and ribs after falling while cleaning gutters in Boronia. Ambulance Victoria paramedic team manager Carmel Rogers should people should consider checking their homes before predicted weekend storms hit. "Carrying out repairs in the rain is quite hazardous with the potential for the ladder to slip," she said. Emergency crews are continuing to mop up after the devastating thunderstorm, which dumped more than 30 millimetres of rain over inner Melbourne in less than two hours.

Window Cleaning On The Go

Kevin James with his quad bike & water fed pole set-up: Kevin of "Life on a Ledge window cleaning" operates on the Somerset/Wiltshire border servicing the main towns: Bath, Bradford on Avon, Frome, Westbury and Trowbridge. As you can imagine, he gets a little peckish whilst working & has made his hot wfp unit not only have the capacity to heat his water, but also to cook his breakfast. As always, click the pictures to enlarge. More info' on Kevin's wfp set-up can be seen here.

James Sun, a finalist of Donald Trump's reality show "The Apprentice," follows in the footsteps of his former mentor with his new program "War on Business." The Korean-American entrepreneur was one of four finalists to compete for an opportunity to run one of Trump's many companies during Season 6 of the NBC reality program. Though Sun did not win, he did go on to become the host of his own business-savvy show. Set to air in Singapore tomorrow, "War on Business" draws from the principles of Chinese general Sun Tzu's famed "The Art of War." Sun morphs into a business expert who traverses the world to instill the wisdom of Sun Tzu's strategies and tips upon participating entrepreneurs. The show bears some striking similarities to "The Apprentice." Project challenges and "The War Room," in lieu of Trump's fierce boardroom, are featured in the upcoming program. No one, however, will be "fired" in the show.
Instead, Sun provides guidance to a series of entrepreneurs, honing their skills and helping them develop their businesses. According to his official website, Sun first stepped into the realm of business at the tender age of 11, where he persuaded window cleaning companies to let him handle their publicity, advertising their services door-to-door. According to a press release, BBC Worldwide is producing and distributing "War on Business" and plans to distribute the show in Hong Kong, Malaysia, China, Thailand, the Philippines, India and other markets.

The search for the son of a Bountiful newspaper man has been given new life as his picture begins to circulate on half-gallon cartons of milk sold in Utah and southern Nevada. "We're totally struggling where to go. We're hoping with the milk cartons we will get more people looking," said Rolf Koecher, father of 30-year-old St. George resident Steven Koecher, who went missing Dec. 13 in an upscale Henderson, Nev., neighborhood. Steven Koecher, formerly employed with the Salt Lake Tribune, moved to St. George last spring to find a job. "He was frustrated that he was unable to find a full-time job," said Rolf Koecher, adding his son had found a part-time marketing job for a window-washing and home service business. Rolf Koecher said his son has a degree in communication from the University of Utah.

New campaign to combat rogue window washers in Linlithgow: Trusting home-owners could be unwittingly inviting convicted burglars to peer into their homes. Now a major awareness campaign is being launched in Linlithgow to ensure your window cleaner's shammy isn't hiding a shady character. Ian Geddes, a licensed local window cleaner who raised the issue with community councillors, claims there are about six licensed workmen in the town – but about 16 operating illegally. And without licence checks, you have no idea who you are letting on to your property. He said: "Someone could come straight out of Saughton Prison, spend £200 buying a ladder and sponges and set themselves up in business." By law all window cleaning firms and their staff must be licensed. All should carry photographic ID, showing they've had their records checked and have full public liability insurance.

Lucky escape as pane of glass falls from Southend tower block: A man narrowly avoided falling out of a Southend tower block window after a pane of glass fell through. He had been washing the window of his flat, in Quantock, Chichester Road, when it fell 13 floors and smashed on the ground. Luckily the stool the man was standing on fell backwards and he avoided injury.

Wantage man missing: Police are asking the public to help them trace a self-employed window cleaner who has been missing from his home for the past five days. Alexander Wileman, 33, was last seen leaving his home on Albermarle Drive, Wantage, on Wednesday to go to work. He was driving a white Citroen van at the time, with 'Red Star Window Cleaning' written on the sides. Mr Wileman is described as white, 6ft tall, of a medium build and he has cropped black hair. Police have described Mr Wileman as a vulnerable person. Anyone with information on his whereabouts should contact police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Mayoral candidate Don Marsh plans to revise discrimination law: This is the first segment of the Face in the Race series, which will feature the five candidates for Gainesville’s mayor seat. When Don Marsh moved to Gainesville, he baled hay for $25 a day and donated plasma twice a week for extra cash. That was nearly 30 years ago. Now Marsh, owner of a window-cleaning business, has a new challenge—running for Gainesville mayor. Marsh runs against Craig Lowe, Richard Selwach, Monica Leadon Cooper and Ozzy Angulo for the office in City Hall. “We all are underdogs to apathy,” said Marsh, who believes he will win if 20 to 25 percent of voters head to the polls on March 16. He also plans to revise the city’s anti-discrimination ordinance, which amends Chapter 8 of the city Code of Ordinances to include protection from gender discrimination. The ordinance allows citizens to use bathrooms that suit their gender identity, defined as “an inner sense of being a specific gender” as opposed to biological sex. Marsh believes the ordinance is too broad and could open the door to sexual predators taking advantage of the provision.

Pajaro Valley schools scrape by with fewer workers: Lead custodian Bobby Salazar remembers when Aptos High School classrooms were mopped every day, when dusting and window washing and raking around buildings were part of the regular routine. But the campus custodial staff has dwindled over the years. Layoffs last year claimed two from the crew and there's a possibility of more job losses at the end of the year after the Pajaro Valley Unified School District board of trustees cut maintenance $450,000 as part of a $5.5 million budget reduction package.

BOSTON - Nine million dollars was given to Harvard University to research and assemble robotic bees. No jobs were created with the stimulus money. "If that's going to put people back to work, I need to know how," said state Sen. Richard Tisei. "That's a perfect example of wasted money. People are catching on to what this was all about." One billion dollars has gone to schools across the state to make sure teachers aren't laid off and services aren't cut. But some of the expenditures are unusual. They include $12,000 for pest control in the Bridgewater schools, $25,000 for vertical blinds in Agawam schools and in Edgartown schools, $13,000 was spent on window cleaning.

Bedford, Mass. — The School Committee appeared last Thursday night at a meeting of the Finance Committee (FinComm) to present the fiscal year 2011 (FY11) budget it plans to recommend to the town in March at the Annual Town Meeting. To achieve the 3.2 percent increase, the schools cut funding for library books, exterior window washing at the high school, summer custodian jobs, special education tutoring, supplies, teaching and office staff, planned replacements of computer equipment, and more, achieving many reductions through creative reorganization and rethinking of programs. At the same time, the recommended budget included some additions, notably a behaviorist at Davis and Lane Schools and an instructional coach for math at Lane School.

Tony Evans of "A New View window cleaning" gives us a brand new episode in the new series entitled "Window Cleaning & Restoration." Tony can be followed on Facebook, Twitter & don't forget to check out his blog.

Craig Aldrich shows some glass protection products.

And finally.....

Window Cleaning News

Window washer rescued from outside skyscraper: DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO — A window washer stuck in a basket between the ninth and 10th floors of the Omni Hotel in downtown San Diego was lowered to safety yesterday afternoon with the help of firefighters. Jimmy Zapien, 27, was washing windows outside the skyscraper about 1:50 p.m. when the basket's cable became jammed in the pulley system, preventing the basket from moving up or down, said Maurice Luque, a spokesman for the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department. A firefighter rappelled from the roof of the building to the basket and strapped the window washer into a harness. Zapien was then safely lowered. Zapien's co-workers from Southland Exterior Building Services, as well as hotel employees and passers-by, craned their necks to watch the rescue unfold. Applause broke out as soon as he touched ground. The ordeal lasted less than an hour.

Westlake Boys take top honours, NZ: An ingenious mathematics based computer game and a user-friendly magnetic window washer saw Westlake Boys High School take out the two top honours at the annual Smales Farm North Shore Regional Awards as part of the Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme (YES). The student companies, made up of year 12 and 13 students, were presented with awards at a ceremony at North Harbour Stadium last night in front of an audience of dignitaries, sponsors, mentors, parents and fellow students who participated in this year’s Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme. Fellow Westlake student company ProDG won the Smales Farm North Shore YES Company of the Year Runner Up with their pragmatic magnetic window washer.

Have you seen stolen window cleaner's van? A window cleaner’s van was stolen from a driveway in Crowthorne overnight between Monday and Tuesday. The white, LA53 plate Ford Transit van has the words ‘Town and Country window cleaning services’ written on the side and was taken from the owner’s drive in New Wokingham Road sometime between 9pm on Monday and 8am the following morning. Anyone with information can call police on 08458 505 505 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

MANAMA: The Labour Ministry launched an investigation into two worksite accidents yesterday that killed one worker and left another seriously injured, reports ANIQA HAIDER. Indian Pokkillatha Ali Sulaiman, 51, fell to his death from the second floor of a building in Isa Town. The accident took place at 10am when he was cleaning a window at the Traffic Directorate. Mr Su-laiman worked for a cleaning company and leaves behind wife and two children.

Dust haze blankets coast: The Coffs Coast again held its breath again yesterday as another dust haze blanketed much of the east coast. While it wasn't of the same magnitude as the dust storm a couple of weeks ago, paramedics again treated people for breathing difficulties and local air traffic was again affected. By mid morning, the visibility was reduced to 5000 metres adding to the difficulty of pilots and the tower at Coffs Harbour Regional Airport. “The dust that's blowing over from South Australia and western NSW is being lifted by strong winds caused by the combination of a cold front and a low pressure system moving across Bass Strait,” said Mr Crow.
“Here in Coffs Harbour, there's been a layer of dust sitting at about 2300 feet. The bureau has forecast the likelihood of further hazes or storms in coming weeks, but it's hoped the inland dust will finally be settled by rains forecast around Christmas. The dust is proving a boon for some at least. Local house-washers and automatic carwashes are predictably flat out - and then there are the window washers! “I just can't keep up,” said Bayden Hogan of Coffs Window Cleaning. “While the dust isn't as noticeable on vertical surfaces like windows, there's a fine film on the windows so when it rains it turns to mud. We are very, very busy.”

Dougherty County School System; The board also approved the recommendation from its Buildings & Grounds Committee to award the Administration Building pressure washing/window cleaning project to Albany's Akridge Interiors, the lowest qualified bidder at $22,000. Minority businesses Robie Thompson and Tandem Contracting turned in bids of $7,990 and $8,400, respectively. Akridge is a women-owned business. The board voted 5-2 for the bid. Board members Velvet Riggins of District 3 and Anita Williams-Brown, at-large, voted against it. "I would like to talk to the (Building & Grounds) Committee about the process in which these people were selected," Riggins said. "There's still people being eliminated, but we're pleased with what the (Building & Grounds) committee has done with including more minority businesses. But, there's still more work to be done." Maschke said the pressure washing/window cleaning project received seven bids, which he said, "was good participation on a small project." He said the large participation follows the Building & Grounds Committee directing school system staff to solicit proposals from local, small and minority firms.

Cleaning up on windows is just the start for Everest chief: At 1,732ft above sea level, it is the UK’s highest pub. But the cosy hostelry is well-known for another reason. It was the setting of a memorable television ad in the 1980s for the Everest double glazing firm. In the ad Ted Moult, the farmer-cum-TV personality, dropped a feather in front of a window and watched the feather fall vertically onto the sill. “Fit the best. Everest,” said Moult. It was one of those ad slogans that stuck in the public’s consciousness. Although Moult shot himself in 1986 after a period of depression, the ad lives on. Everest recently remade the promo with TV presenter Craig Doyle in the Moult role. As well showing the double-glazing, the ad revealed that the pub’s roof was fitted with solar panels.
It is a neat snapshot of where Everest is today; solar panels are a growing part of Everest’s business as consumers look to “green up” their lifestyles. Simon Jarman, Everest’s managing director, believes that there is a “big opportunity” in energy efficiency as some 20pc of a house’s heat is lost through its windows. And he says that the TV ads still resonate. “There is not one person who doesn’t remember that ad campaign. Most companies would do anything to have that brand awareness,” he says. Business is going well, despite the downturn. The doors and windows market fell by 12pc last year and is down 14pc this year. Everest’s sales of doors and windows, however, have grown by 13pc this year. Overall it is seeing 2.5pc sales growth. This is due to what Mr Jarman describes as a “flight to brand”. Everest pitches itself at the top of the market, which has attracted customers. Everest’s average customer is 55 years old. Eighty per cent of its clientele do not have a mortgage. Most are in the A and B demographics. “We don’t compete on price and we haven’t reduced our prices at all. Our customers are savers rather than borrowers, which has made them more resilient in a downturn,” he says.

A company that has revolutionised the window business with it’s custom designed safety windows has just scooped an international award. Britplas, based on Winstanley Industrial Estate off Long Lane, Orford, clinched the top award for Product Design for Healthcare at the Design & Health International Academy Awards. The business won the accolade for it’s Safevent windows, which have taken to the medical industry by storm with safety features that has seen it fitted in secure units across the country. The judges praised the company’s design saying: “The Safevent window allows patients and staff to fully open a window in complete safety with no restrictions, permitting maximum natural ventilation. Due to its unique design, it has no locks or hinges and has self-cleaning glass. Its installation in over one hundred acute locations is testimony to its operational success.” The window has a fine mesh over the openable side that allows the window to be open and let in air, but nothing else can get through. It also offers extra safety as they are designed to be anti ligature fittings. Already it has become a massive success and the windows have been installed at hospitals across the country.

Class under glass help Blue Peter star: Sunderland students are on a high after using their singing skills to help Blue Peter presenter Joel Defries through a hard day's work. The popular BBC kids' show's latest presenter had his work cut out when he stopped off in the region to film part of the TV programme. And pupils from Highfield Community Primary School, Ford, Sunderland, were on hand to help him get through his gruelling day. A team of abseilers responsible for cleaning The Sage Gateshead, IS-IS Property Service, had set Joel the task of helping them get the iconic regional landmark spotless. Joel was given extensive training to learn how to abseil, and how to clean windows, before being put to test on the roof alongside the experienced team. And to help him with his work, a team of youngsters from the school sang George Formby's When I'm Cleaning Windows as they waved him on from the building's concourse. When he got back down to earth, Joel said: "I knew it sounded good but The Sage Gateshead has never looked so good." Anthony Wintle, an experienced abseiling window cleaner from IS-IS, added: "I think my job's safe – for now."

Providing insights into strengthening your business: In celebration of Small Business Week, Campbell River Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Business and Professional Women’s Network, will present Together We Are Stronger – Insights and Ideas to Strengthen Your Business. The evening will kick-off with networking and an opportunity to learn more about the BPWN and the Chamber of Commerce. During dinner, Brent Hohlweg, co-founder and CEO of Men in Kilts, North America’s premier window and gutter cleaning company, will share his insights about the growth, success and unique marketing twist of his business. Over dessert and coffee, a panel of local entrepreneurs will discuss their business experiences and address questions from the floor.
Men in Kilts, with head offices based in Richmond, B. C. provides an industry first guaranteed five minute eco-friendly green estimate to more than 4,000 clients across the entire Lower Mainland. Hohlweg’s business partner and Men in Kilts president, Nic Brand, started Men in Kilts in 2002 with just $500 and a ladder strapped to the top of a rusty old Honda. Since then Hohlweg and Brand have taken the company from idea and sole proprietorship to an outstanding commercial success. Sales have doubled every year since incorporation and in 2009, Men in Kilts will surpass the one million mark. The corporation has been built with a long-term vision to franchising across North America. Hohlweg’s professional background includes many years in management with a Fortune 500 retail company and number of small start ups. Most recently Hohlweg was awarded the 2008 Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the Richmond Chamber of Commerce.

Police warn of window washer scammer making rounds: Don’t open your doors to strangers, warn Saanich police, as a man claiming to be a window washer has scammed a number of seniors out of money. Police know of at least five incidents around Greater Victoria – including Saanich, Central Saanich, and Oak Bay – since September, where a man calling himself John and claiming to be from a window washing company says he is in need of assistance. The man has told his victims that he’s at the building – most often apartment buildings for seniors – to wash windows and that his van broke down nearby. He asks residents for money to get his vehicle fixed. Most often he requests $20 or $40, but has also asked for $200.
The latest incident happened on Oct. 10 when the suspect entered a building in the 500 block of Marsett Place claiming to be in distress because his vehicle broke down. In this case, he showed his driver’s licence to the victim, presumably to prove his legitimacy. “I don’t know if it was fake or not,” said Sgt. Julie Fast. “My guess is that it was his actual driver’s licence, but (the victim) couldn’t recall the name on it.” The man also entered a business in the 4000 block of Quadra St. on Oct. 5 with the same story, asking for $80 to fix his vehicle. The man was very forceful and wouldn’t leave, so staff called police. He was gone before police arrived and some money was given to him before he left.
“This person is being allowed into (apartment) buildings, which means he’s being buzzed in ... Don’t let anybody into the building that you don’t know,” said Sgt. Julie Fast. “If you’ve got this individual asking for money, if your suspicions are raised, don’t hand over your money to anybody. Don’t give them money if you don’t know them. And if you do find yourself giving money to somebody and they leave, and you’re thinking, ‘Why did I do that?’ call police. Anything suspicious like that, report it to police right away.” The suspect involved is described as a caucasian man between 35 and 45 years of age. He is between 5’8” and 5’10” tall, 160 to 180 pounds. He has short dark brown hair. Police are asking anyone with information on this man to give call 250-475-4321 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

'Chilling' threats to get cash: A man who loaned his life savings to a friend who was later jailed for drug dealing made chilling threats to try to get the cash back. Antony Weegram gave £12,500 to friend Antony O'Connor to set up a window cleaning business. But he harassed O'Connor's mother Debra Dunn on several occasions after he was jailed for five years last year. Teesside Crown Court heard how Weegram, 25, inferred to her that O'Connor could be attacked in prison if they did not come up with the money. Weegram received a suspended prison sentence yesterday after admitting harassment. But he denied threatening violence. The court heard Weegram first approached Mrs Dunn in the street on January 4 and went with her to her daughter's house where they were expecting a call from O'Connor. But he left before the phone call after things got heated and Weegram said: "I'm not waiting five years to get the money back." On January 19, he contacted her again through a third party who warned the debt could rise to £16,000. Mrs Dunn then called Weegram to try and sort things out, but felt harassed again after another heated conversation. Sam Andrews, prosecuting, said: "The first time she met him he made her believe her son might come to harm in prison. "She was clearly harassed throughout this period and frightened by his behaviour." There was no suggestion the loan was used or intended for drugs. Paul Cleasby, mitigating for Weegram, who was of previous good character, said: "He is sorry for the upset that he has caused Mrs Dunn." Weegram, a welding inspector of Belmont Gardens, was sentenced to three months in prison suspended for two years. Judge Peter Fox said: "That to a mother obviously already in distress at her son's offending and sentence, it must have come as an additional burden to bear and it was a chilling thing for her to hear."

Finally: Tony Evans of "A New View window cleaning" gives us another episode in the weather or not summer edition..

Sunday Window Cleaning Videos

This weeks window cleaning bundled videos:

Wayne Shockey of Awning cleaning Services gives us more fabulous videos. First up - his DIY fix for that Unger pouch that just keeps falling off. Some get them stitched, Wayne has another way..

Wayne shows us the way he cleans awnings - great job!

Wayne shares his power washing secrets..

Don the window cleaner tells us about the pipeline. See his stuff here.

How much does a high-rise window washer make?

Tony Evans of "A New View window cleaning" shows the RHG backpack. Another episode in the weather or not summer edition, a little more networking with a Tucker pole & finally having a tough time getting rid of those hard water stains.

Another video series up for grabs on the internet. The website isn't up yet!

Rocketboom's Ella Morton discovers the dangers of window washing..


Jake of "Clear Choice" from Texas tells us how to clean a window...


And finally CLIN...

Window Cleaning Snippets

How about this for a wfp anniversary cake? Tony Evans of New View window cleaning in Iowa recently celebrated his 23rd wedding anniversary. You may know Tony from his videos. Click photo's to enlarge. Tony will be hosting the Mid-West window cleaning conference this Saturday.

Window cleaner wants bodybuilding record: Windown cleaner turned muscleman Tommy Campion will be doing anything but tipping the scales when he attempts a world record. The Sunderland strongman is hoping to get his name in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's lightest bodybuilder. Tommy, who lives in Presthope Road, Pennywell, will travel to Manchester next month for a competition where he will attempt his record-breaking weigh-in. The 50-year-old, who is also a keen runner, said his low weight, which averages at about eight-and-a-half stone, is not down to dieting, but genes. He said: "I am only 5ft 2in tall and I take after my mam being very slightly built, so that's how I am so light. "The record for the lightest bodybuilder is 60kilos and I will be about 53kilos on the day."
The dad-of-three is confident of success and will be excited to have his name in the record books. But Tommy also wants to show other young people who are taking up bodybuilding that you do not need to be massive or take drugs to look good. He said: "I think there is a misconception among young people that you need to take drugs to look good when you are body building. "I look good and I don't take anything." Tommy began bodybuilding 25 years ago and for the past eight years has been competing as a member of the British Natural Bodybuilding Federation. In recent years he has been placed fifth and sixth in national competitions, which he says is quite an achievement. He said: "I have had a lot of complements from people saying I have done well to get this big when I am such a small frame."

£2 con lands teenager in custody: A teenager who tried to con elderly homeowners out of their cash has been sentenced to 16 months in custody. Steven Anthony Martin, 18, of Dan y Coed, Pentre, admitted two counts of fraud at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court. Judge David Wynn Morgan told him: “It is not going to do any good to you to send you into custody but it will give vulnerable and elderly people a break from what you do.” Chris Jowett, prosecuting, said that at 7.10pm on Saturday, February 21, Martin knocked on a widow’s door claiming he was the window cleaner’s son. He told her the windows and guttering had been cleaned and the cost was £1.50. She locked the door behind her, returning with two £1 coins, which she then handed over without waiting for the change because she felt scared. He left and she telephoned her elderly neighbours to warn them, but she was too late because he had already turned up. He spun the same story but was told to leave and was later arrested, the two £1 coins in his pocket. Lucy Crowther, defending Martin, who has previous convictions for fraud using the same tactic, said: “He has asked me to tell the court he is very, very sorry for what he has done.” She said he had fallen into bad company taking huge amounts of drink and drugs.

Oswego police are warning residents about solicitations by young men and women who are going door-to-door trying to sell magazine subscriptions or other services, such as window cleaning or landscaping. The ultimate goal is to get people to write a check to a company called Quality Subscriptions Inc., with the expectation of receiving goods or services in return, police said Thursday. Police said the solicitors portray themselves as either living in the local area or being friends with someone in the neighborhood. However, the solicitors are contracted by a company out of Georgia called Quality Subscriptions or United Family Circulation, according to police. There have been numerous complaints about the company and their sales associates in Illinois and around the country, police said. The village of Oswego requires most solicitors to obtain a permit and provide their personal information for a background check before conducting business within village limits. Police encourage residents to ask solicitors to show their permit.

The question of the cost to clean the Peoria County Courthouse doesn't necessarily hinge solely on price - it's about return on investment, some say. The Peoria County Board on Thursday will vote whether to accept the lowest bid for two years of cleaning and tidying everything from the floors to the walls. A county committee is recommending approval of the $348,000 low bid by Complete Cleaning Service with the caveat that after the bid is accepted, the administration tries to slash it by 10 percent or more.
The county terminated the contract with Complete Cleaning Service earlier this year following internal management struggles in the company. Complete Cleaning Service has since reorganized. Three other companies returned complete two-year bids between $359,664 and $431,232. The city of Peoria pays a little more than $300,000 annually for cleaning services at City Hall, the Fire Department's Central House (but not the individual fire houses), the police station, three offices in the Twin Towers, the Dries LanePublicServices Building and a few others. Lyons said with this contract, the county already is getting the best bang for the buck.
"Peoria County should snatch up this bid, smile with glee and shake hands on the deal before the bidder has second thoughts," he said. "I'll say it again and again: It is easy to employ a worker, but it takes some real skill for a government to secure a cleaning staff worker with a self-embraced value for talented work ethic and proud results."

Such is the scale of political dishonesty at home and abroad, such is the magnitude of the economic recession, and so few are the leaders deserving of our respect that my commentaries must disguise the fact I'm an optimist at heart. And yet my glass is usually half full to overflowing, such is my belief in the innate goodness of people and their ability to see through and triumph over all the bull thrown at them. A couple of economic forecasts have come in recently that should help cheer us up. The most important, from the International Monetary Fund, suggests that the UK's recession may yet be over before Christmas – although I remember that was said of the Great War.
But we never hear about the self-employed – one of the main drivers of our economy and a vital component of any recovery. From modest window cleaners to highly qualified consultants they make the economic world go round – adding value, creating jobs and paying taxes. To generate more work, build new businesses, create more employment and pay greater taxes they need less of the state's burden on their back. Petty regulation and oppressive overheads in the form of taxes need to be cut – and yet even in a recession our politicians pass more laws and raise their charges. The Climate Change Bill being the latest example. The law of supply and demand suggests that if there are more politicians, the cost should fall – sadly the world over, it's the exception that proves the rule.

A new Web-based business in Holland aims to connect people needing work done with service companies that can do the tasks. Chorelink LLC began business the start of July, founded by Joe Meckly. A person or company needing a task or service completed can be posted on the Web site or called in, with no charge. The business lists more than 100 service categories, from accounting to window washing. When a chore is posted, service companies that have subscribed to Chore Alert will get an e-mail notification, enabling them to contact potential customers in their category and geographic areas. Meckly said the company’s intent is to give consumers and businesses an efficient way to connect.

Vulnerable elderly people living in sheltered housing in Argyll are facing new additional charges of up to almost £40 a week on top of their rent. Service charges are being introduced next month by Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA), which took control of Argyll and Bute Council’s housing stock in 2006. The charges are to pay for a variety of services provided at sheltered housing not covered by tenants’ rent, which include wardens, lift maintenance, laundry and window cleaning.

Police said the man who fell from Benson Tower early Sunday did not appear to have life-threatening injuries. Officers said they were called to the scene at about 4:15 a.m. They said they were not sure where he fell from, but a fifth-floor window has a broken screen. Police said they think the man landed on an awning. The victim was taken to a hospital for treatment. Police have not released his name.