German Politician & Window Cleaner Faces 5 Years For Tattoo

Window cleaner & Politician Marcel Zech, 27, is accused of displaying this tattoo showing Auschwitz and a Nazi slogan in public at a pool in Oranienburg, 15 miles outside of Berlin.

German charged over 'tattoo of Nazi death camp: Zech, a member of a state council, faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison if convicted under strict laws which ban the display of Nazi imagery. He is a member of the far-right National Democratic Party, and won a seat on the council of the state of Barnim, which is in north-east Germany and borders Poland. Zech made the pool visit on November 21, where he was pictured with his tattoo on display.

Local police launched a manhunt at the start of this month to find the man's identity, which led prosecutors in the town of Neuruppin to name Zech on Friday. Zech has a criminal record for race hate crimes. In June this year he was ordered to pay €360 after posing as a police officer to try to learn the identities of anti-fascist demonstrators who tore down his party's posters in his hometown.

In a 2013 court appearance he was fined €1,200 for assault. He won his council seat in 2014. He works as a window cleaner and, according to local media reports, has been seen at least once before swimming in a lake with his tattoos on show. On his stomach he has the old Reich eagle tattooed - not a forbidden symbol. On his left arm he has a black sun, a typical Nazi-era symbol. Germany's Office for the Protection of the Constitution, the domestic intelligence agency, lists him as a 'neo-Nazi'.

He belongs to one group which provocatively buried a wooden swastika in the ground opposite the gates of the Sachsenhausen concentration camp near Berlin. Zech has so far declined to comment on the charges.

A German man has been charged with incitement to hatred after he was pictured with a tattoo apparently of the Nazi death camp at Auschwitz. The tattoo has the slogan "To Each His Own", which was on the gate of the Buchenwald concentration camp. The photo was taken at a swimming pool in the town of Oranienburg, north of Berlin, at the end of November.

German media named the man as Marcel Zech, a member of the far-right National Democratic Party. Mr Zech sits on the council in the district of Barnim in eastern Germany. The trial process has been sped up, German media reports say, and is scheduled to start on 22 December. Germany has strict laws against the promotion of Nazi ideology in Germany. The punishment for Mr Zech if he is convicted could be as much as five years in prison.

Artist Jonathan Meese was prosecuted in 2013 for giving Nazi salutes at an event the previous year, but successfully argued the gesture was part of an interview-turned-art performance and was acquitted. The latest case comes after several violent incidents this year at reception centres for migrants in Germany. A senior German intelligence official told the BBC in October that Germany's decision to take in asylum seekers was fuelling a resurgence in the far right.

Window Cleaning News Revisited

John Lockwood knows who’s who and what’s what in the hood.

Keeping it real with some old friends: John Lockwood is a neighborhood character who I have known and photographed many times over the years. Anyone who has spent any time on Avenue A is familiar with John. He makes his living washing windows. He owns and runs his own company, Rose Window & Awning Cleaning. John is getting to be one of the last of the old school, independent, go-to street guys who knows who is who, and what is what, as far as the goings-on in the hood. That said, he is not a gossip, but if there is a need to know, good chance John can give an insider’s tip. John earns his money, is hard-working, honest and a stand-up guy. Remember this Harlem Window Cleaner who turned his life around?

Groupon under fire in Germany over bad deals: Groupon recently launched in Austria from America but in Germany the company has been panned. A German man and his family made the first complaint when he bought a Groupon voucher online for the "Great China" restaurant in Hamburg. The man named as Marc W., 21, paid 147.60 Euro instead of 200 for the voucher but as it turned out the restaurant does not except any vouchers. Since then Marc is trying to contact Groupon to get his money back but said he had had no reaction since then.

Another woman Katrin Wege (44), the owner of the "Blaue Blume", lost about 10,000 due a Groupon deal. The offer for her restaurant in Hamburg was supposed to be online for 24 hours but actually was available for 48 hours, she said. Some 700 vouchers were sold for 14,50 each with an original value of 30 Euro. Groupon keeps about half of the price for themselves with the rest going to the firm. Martin Harneit, pictured (33) who owns a window-cleaning service and was hoping for some advertising through Groupon also suffered, with a similar story to Katrin Wege. Groupon also sold more vouchers than he agreed on, and still owes him 800 Euro. Now, the small business of his is under threat of being bankrupt if they do not get the money back. Similar blogs here & here.

The Salary poll:  The results of the Sunday Province's poll on managerial and executive wages are in. More than 1,000 of you voted on whether 20 different Lower Mainland salaries were too high or too low. Unsurprisingly, the overwhelming response for nearly every job was "too high." Only highrise window washers, teachers and the manager of Stanley Park were seen as underpaid by the public, according to the online survey. One surprise was the mayor of Vancouver - the voting was split 50/50. $31,200 Highrise window washer -

 96% said UNDERPAID & said 4% OVERPAID 

"Are you kidding me? I make decent money but you couldn't pay me enough to do that job. Maybe not skilled labour, but how dangerous is that? Without these guys, the CEOs would not have a beautiful corner office view." - Brian Z., Agassi. Another blog on window cleaners salary here & here.

Don't moralise on tax, Gauke: Oh dear! David Gauke has made himself look a right wally by telling the British public that paying people cash-in-hand is 'morally wrong'. Last week exchequer secretary to the Treasury Gauke lambasted members of the British public who pay cash to tradesmen, cleaners, window cleaners and anyone else who may ask for cash payment. He trilled that cash-in-hand payments have left a £2 billion black hole in the economy and proceeded to judge the moral standing of those that pay cash – but what he failed to add is that paying someone cash is perfectly legal.

You can pay everyone in cash if you wish, it's up to the person you pay cash to, to declare their income, including the cash payments. It's not up to any customer to ensure the person or company they purchase an item or service from is paying the correct amount of tax.

What Gauke seemed to want to say, but couldn't, is that he thinks tradesmen and others who rely on cash are dodging tax and he doesn't like it. This is all a bit rich from the man who used to make a living out of helping the wealthy avoid tax. Gauke was a solicitor at Macfarlanes, a company which specialises in tax structuring – which translates as helping rich people pay less tax. Research last year showed tax avoidance costs the UK economy £69.9 billion a year, putting the £2 billion lost to cash-in-hand operations into perspective. Gauke looks like a fool. While he judges those who pay labourers and cleaners, people who are typically on low wages and may be struggling hard to pay bills and find enough work, his own governmental department, the Treasury, strikes deals to allow companies to escape millions of pounds of tax. Original blog here.

Bungling burglar jailed after being recognised by unique tattoo: A man’s distinctive neck tattoo helped police identify him as a bungling burglar who pretended to be a window cleaner and hooked a handbag inside a house with his broom. Neil Simpson (24), of Francis Gardens, Peterborough, had asked a woman if she wanted to have her windows cleaned on June 15. Later that day, the woman saw him feed a broom through her window and try to steal her handbag by hooking it with the stick. The would-be-burglar was caught in the act by the homeowner, and fled the property empty-handed. She called the police and told them of the distinctive tattoo on his neck, which was a large black symbol.

Simpson was then arrested for another matter the following day, and was immediately linked to the burglary when officers saw a large black tattoo on his neck. He pleaded guilty to burglary and six other break-ins across New England and Dogsthorpe at Peterborough Crown Court on Monday, July 23. Simpson has been sentenced to two years in prison. Detective Constable Tom Rowe said: “Simpson was a serial burglar and we are committed to ensure we catch those responsible for such offences. “I hope this sends out a strong message to others that we will bring offenders to justice.” Also see here: UK Window Cleaner Filmed Stealing Credit Card.

Soap Comparison Video

John in Germany touts the merits of Ecover washing up liquid which has now developed in to even adding to your WFP tank on many forums as an option even though it gives a high tds. It could be a fad, but early results look promising.

Psychic Window Cleaning Cat Predicts England Win Over Germany

Meet Felix the cat. Felix, born in Ludwigshafen, Germany but now living in Bognor Regis, England, has quite an incredible ability for a cat. Not only does he clean windows, he leaves predictions in writing on major sporting events & even world affairs. To name a few, Felix has predicted Obama's Presidency, the world recession & even the BP oil spill. He has predicted every major premier league game result this year & all the NFL major football games since he was born. Naturally being a window cleaner, Felix shows his predictions through his work and if it wasn't for Mrs Ivy Robinson of Upper Bognor Road snapping this picture of Felix we would have been none the wiser. When interviewing Ivy & why she thinks that Felix has the correct result, she quoted "of course it's an England win, Felix is never wrong - Felix eats frauds like Paul the Octopus for breakfast." When asked what she'll think of spending the fifty quid on for this story, Ivy said, "Felix definitely needs a break, I was gonna take him to Mallorca, but I think I'll buy him some professional window cleaning equipment instead."

You may have heard of Paul the Octopus (story below), but some people in the know have said he is a fraud & cheat. Why, only the other day "Bad Psychics," a website dedicated to exposing the truth - admitted that Paul was ousted from the UK at quite a young age due to his total lack of credibility or any noticeable career & his real name is Günther!



Oracle Octopus picks Germany to beat England at Cup: An octopus born in England and living in a German aquarium that has correctly picked the winner of Germany's three World Cup results so far Friday tipped Joachim Loew's side to beat England in Sunday's match. Oddly Enough - The eight-legged octopus named Paul, a denizen of Sea Life in Oberhausen, has become a celebrity oracle in Germany after accurately predicting Germany would beat Australia in the opening Group D match, would lose to Serbia and then beat Ghana.

Friday, Paul once again was given the choice of picking food from two different plastic containers lowered into his tank -- one with an England flag on it and one with a German flag. The container Paul opens first is seen as his pick. Paul moved quickly and opened the box with the Germany flag, a selection that soon made it into national news broadcasts across Germany. Paul was born in Weymouth, England.

Huf Haus - The Future is Here & it Likes Glass

The house that Huf built: German building firm Huf Haus are bringing their cutting-edge, energy-efficient building service to Ireland this year, and they have a lot to teach us about green living. Renowned German building firm Huf Haus will be launching its cutting-edge, energy-efficient building service in the Emerald Isle later this year and is aiming to teach Irish builders a thing or two about what being truly 'green' really means. The Iredales were "flabbergasted" by the end result, while British architectural guru Kevin McCloud was equally impressed. "If Mercedes built houses, this is how they would do it," he declared in genuine awe at the German construction engineering produced during the course of his show. The family-owned firm Huf Haus lays claim to being the European market leader in contemporary post-and-beam architecture. It has an annual turnover of €100m and promises to deliver a systems-building breakthrough in this country.

"The green (r)evolution home is our major contribution to environmental and climate protection," says Georg Huf, president of Huf Haus. "We look forward to launching our services in Ireland, which we know is very focused on the issues of energy efficiency and environmental sustainability." Established in 1912, Huf Haus has developed its range of luxury timber frame houses with the express intent of bringing environmental sustainability to a new level. The company produces only about 150 houses each year, of which about 40pc are exported worldwide. In the 70s, Huf Haus significantly redefined its post-and-beam constructions, using a reduced-design language, large areas of glass and open-plan floor layouts. The timeless glass and timber buildings, with clear modernist lines, are unmistakable features of all Huf houses, which are constantly enhanced in line with latest technical and design trends.

The firm is targeting six to eight Irish clients in its first year here. This might appear modest -- but attaining this goal will prove challenging in the current economic climate. German timber frame firm DaVinci found the Irish market a tough nut to crack and has closed its marketing operation here. Huf houses cost around €2,000 to €2,500 per square metre - roughly two or three times the level a quality system-built home usually costs in this country. But don't think pre-fab when you think Huf Haus - think 'wow factor' contemporary design, hi-tech methodology and 'quick build' par excellence. Still, it is possible to buy a quality timber-frame system-built product in this country at significantly lower prices.

The Iredales were delighted with their Huf Haus purchase. However, the major fly in the ointment for them was the exchange rate factor. They failed to build this element into their calculations. Irish buyers will have no such worries, though they will have to factor in extras such as regular window cleaning at as much as €500 a pop if the German 'glass house' option takes off here. From pouring foundations and erecting the structure, it generally takes around three or four months before occupation. A trip to Huf HQ will also be required to hammer out personal specifications and fixture/fit-out details. "Huf houses are definitely not cheap," says the very appropriately named Huf marketing chief Michael Baumann (his surname is German for builder). "They cost quite a lot, but are not expensive at the end of the day. "They are the Rolls Royce of homebuilding -- and what everyone aspires to."

Prospective buyers can view a range of Huf houses at a show village near Frankfurt -- all decked out in the latest contemporary interior designs, at build prices ranging from around €500,000 to €2.5m plus. The most expensive Huf home yet - at around €10m - has been built for a private client in Switzerland. Huf houses are 'third generation' in every sense. Founded by Johann Huf in 1912 as a carpentry business, the firm was expanded by his son Franz, completing such projects as the German and Arabian Pavilions at the World Expo in Brussels. The company then broke further ground by shifting to the production of pre-manufactured wood panels and turn-key construction. Currently headed by Georg and Thomas Huf, the firm has now embraced the new 'eco-era' with a vengeance. Its major innovation lies in the fact that all constructive timber parts have been provided with a high efficiency insulation layer, eliminating the usual thermal bridges.

"We have remained true to our architectural visions while managing to retain the classic design which our many customers appreciate so much," says Thomas Huf, chief architect and co-president of Huf Haus. All glass panels are triple-glazed panels and with a rock bottom low u-factor. This is accompanied by the most advanced energy services, utilising heat pumps and self-regulating measurement/control technology. Huf Haus can provide individual solutions for all types of regenerative energy systems, including controlled ventilation, solar-thermal and photovoltaic systems. The firm even supplies 90pc or more of all fixtures and fittings, down to door handles, light switches and integrated piping. Huf houses meet stringent new energy savings regulations in Germany, stipulating a 60pc reduction in energy requirements for new homes by 2012. It remains to be seen, however, how the German specifications are received by the notoriously conservative Irish planning authority, and our national standards authority.

The preponderance of glass in the German design could, for instance, prove a stumbling block. The firm has, however, already overcome such obstacles and successfully completed a major nursing home in Co Sligo. Maggie Moran is the Irish representative for Huf Haus, and she is currently helping two prospective customers to plan and design new homes in Wicklow and Sligo. The Irish agent is currently negotiating the requisite certifications from the appropriate authorities. Huf Haus's partner architect in Ireland is Dublin-based Denis Byrne Architects. This award-winning practice recently won the international architecture competition for the new Bord Gais networks national distribution control building. "The impending launch of Huf Haus in Ireland will provide a compelling opportunity for new homebuilders to choose an architecturally advanced building with built-in energy efficiency and environmental sustainability," Ms Moran commented.

Unger Hi-Flo, Carbon-Tec & Window Cleaning Tool Videos

Unger Enterprises, Inc. is the leading provider of innovative professional cleaning solutions. Unger is an international company and has been manufacturing professional cleaning tools for more than 40 years. Unger takes pride in developing innovative and unique tools that help professionals clean more productively, in order to present a cleaner, healthier building. Unger has offices in the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, as well as manufacturing facilities in the United States, Germany and India. Unger provides innovative cleaning solutions to more than 80 countries worldwide.

The first video explains the difference between tap water & pure water.



The second video explains the nature of the reverse osmosis unit & the filtration stages.



This video explains the Unger Hi-Flo plus using telescopic poles & is probably best suited to the new starter.



The Unger Carbon-tec modular pole system.



Techniques & maintenance when using the Carbon-tec water fed pole. This is also a corrupted video, it freezes at 2:22!



Mark Unger, son of Henry Unger the founder - explains efficiency & productivity with Unger tools.

Mark Unger shows the new line of Unger window scrapers.

This Unger case study shows how water fed poles can beat other methods of cleaning shown at the "Fritz-Walter Stadium in Kaiserlautern, Germany.

The Unger marketing machine takes to the road with demonstrations around Germany featuring drums & cheerleaders!

Aquariums & Snakes that Eat Cleaners

A plucky zoo cleaner has fought off a python which tried to swallow her in its enclosure.
Cleaner Renate Kaiser, 33, was mopping the floor of the giant tiger python's enclosure at the zoo in Uhldingen, Germany, when it attacked. The 14ft long snake which has about 70 sharp teeth and weighs eight stones (50 Kilo), launched a lightning attack on Ms Kaiser's head, according to German media. A policeman said: "The snake had its jaws around her face. She was in danger of slithering down its gullet." But the brave cleaner fought back. As its powerful coils began to encircle her. She dug her thumbs into its mouth while zoo staff poured buckets of warm water down its throat. It became disorientated and released her. The effect of the water dulled the snake's sense of smell, while the thumbs rammed in its mouth caused it pain. According to the German media, the python, from Africa, can swallow antelopes and other large animals. Ms Kaiser was treated for bites and shock in hospital.

Aquarium window cleaners have been featured before on this blog. And also other window cleaners that work in Zoo's. Here are a few few video's to capture some of the moments. The first video features the actress Sung Yu Ri in a Korean TV drama titled "One Fine Day."

Hemlock scuba diver Don Storck, 67, volunteered his time to clean the underwater windows in the Wetland Pond exhibit at The Children's Zoo at Celebration Square in Saginaw. Over the winter a thick layer of algae had grown on the windows making it impossible to view the pond life.

A Georgia Aquarium shows its cleaner in action with added sound effects..

Finally the Atlantis aquarium in Dubai..

Hagenbeck Zoo, Hamburg, Germany. Now robots..

From Window Cleaning to Soccer

The Soccer/Football EuroCup 2008 was so memorable last night that Spain will be celebrating winning for weeks for what occurred last night. Spain & its public were so desperate to win this one, from the adverts to the slogan - "Podemos (we can do it)." In Mallorca, Spain it was a sleepless night, especially for the resident Germans. Personally we have Germans on each side as neighbours - never was victory so sweet & we celebrated till the early hours with the jubilant fans. The last few days, the lead up to the final has become more intense as a country that has 44 million people has not won the cup for the last 44 years. On the night, the better team won & the dancing in the streets hasn't stopped. The recycling bottle banks have been full for the last few days & even typing now the car horns are going & flags are being flown from car windows. The Spanish media have really put their back into this one: here are a few of the ads that have been plastered over the TV for the last few weeks.

Fernando Torres (otherwise known as "El Niño") the Spanish striker & who also plays for Liverpool during the season, scored the only winning goal out of an impressive side that crushed Germanys hopes. He is such a star for Liverpool football club, Nike even made an advertising campaign for him over in the UK (shown below). And finally I've added the video of the final goal that made it happen for Spain...pure delight.

Few would suggest the early morning grind of a Belfast window cleaning round is the ideal preparation for an afternoon attempting to breach the formidable English defensive pairing of John Terry and Rio Ferdinand. Stuart Elliott, though, could justifiably beg to differ. Then, while Ferdinand, Terry, et al were eyeing their first lucrative contract, Elliott was shelling out for buckets and chamois leathers as he spent his weekdays hauling his ladders around his home city before turning out for Glentoran on a Saturday. Elliott's early experiences sum up the difference between the two teams as eloquently as the 103-place gap that separates them in the Fifa world rankings. Yet despite having never been to Old Trafford before, the Hull City striker carries with him on to the pitch a growing reputation as a goalscorer of note, underlined by his standing as the joint leading scorer in English football this season. Sharing his tally of 28 goals? Thierry Henry. The 26-year-old established himself at Glentoran before a £100,000 move to Motherwell five years ago provided a more visible platform and 22 goals in 50 League starts earned him a £230,000 to Hull, who were then in the bottom division.
Elliott has maintained his impressive ratio of a goal every other game with Hull, and while his rise has not been meteoric, he admits he has not grown accustomed to his growing fame. "A few years back I was just a young lad from east Belfast cleaning windows and playing for the Glens," said Elliott, a committed Christian. "It is by God's grace that I moved to Motherwell and then on to Hull City. I have been in good scoring form this season and if I get an opportunity on Saturday I would be confident of taking it.