Farce As Sahara Desert Dust Hits U.K.

Saharan dust, pictured on a house window in Great Shelford, is one cause of high air pollution levels.

Advice as high levels of pollution and Saharan sand hits Cambridgeshire region: People have been advised to go easy on physical exercise as Saharan sand contributed to some of the worst air pollution the city has seen. Cambridge is experiencing the highest category of air pollution today, brought in part by sand and dust blown over from the African desert. sand and dust blown over from the Saharan desert. East Anglia and East Midlands were the two areas in the country given the maximum “very high” rating, with much of Cambridgeshire badly affected, although it is expected to subside tomorrow.

Sarah Jane Lewis has a severe form of asthma, which requires her to take 18 tablets a day, so stayed in today to bake and watch the cycling. The 46-year-old, who lives in Eaton Ford, said: “I’m not prepared to take the risk and go outside so I have made the decision to stay indoors and shut all the doors and windows. It’s like a furnace in here. It’s extreme, but at the end of the day when you have got lungs like mine it’s better to take the precautions.”

Health advice from Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) states that when air pollution reaches the maximum level of 10, as it did in East Anglia and East Midlands yesterday, people should “reduce physical exertion, particularly outdoors”, especially if they are feeling the effects of the pollution such as sore throat and wheezing.

James Nisbet plays six-a-side football at Netherhall School’s pitches on Wednesday nights and does not feel the need to change his plans. The executive manager of sports supplements supplier BSC Nutrition Ltd said: “Obviously this is a ridiculous warning and it seems that no-one has been put off playing tonight. “If anything, it just gives us an excuse for some lazy defending.”

Neil Mackay, of Mackays hardware shop in East Road, saw a business opportunity and offered a discount on face masks. He said he has seen an increase in people wanting to buy them to get the “taste of pollution” out of their mouths.  The elevated pollution levels have been caused by a combination of light south-easterly winds, which keeps local pollution close to its source, the continental air flow and dust which has blown up from the Sahara desert.

Will Morgan, a post-doctoral research associate at the Centre for Atmospheric Science at Manchester University, suggested the pollution is being driven by a “cocktail of emissions from industry and traffic emissions” from continental Europe as well as UK sources. Those suffering from the effects of high levels of pollution - including sore eyes, coughs and sore throats - should cut down the amount of activity they take outside, advice from Public Health England (PHE), Asthma UK and Defra says.

It adds that asthmatics might need to use their blue reliever inhalers more often as they could be prone to attacks today and over the next few days. Other people with lung and heart problems, and those who are older, should also avoid strenuous exercise or activity. Paul Cosford, director of health protection at PHE, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme it is “clearly a serious issue”, but added it is “important that we don’t get it out of proportion”.  He said: “It’s a small number of days of very high air pollution levels. The pollution will go down towards the end of the week.

“For the vast majority of people, they will suffer no harm as a result. We may notice sore eyes, coughs, sore throats and perhaps a little bit of a wheeze if we are taking physical activity outdoors. “If that occurs, it is sensible just to reduce during these high pollution episodes the amount of physical activity.  He added: “The most important advice is for those people who are vulnerable - people who have lung disease or heart disease and particularly asthma. That’s where the advice - if you are in a very high-polluted area, to reduce the amount of strenuous physical activity that you are taking outdoors - is sensible just for these few days.”

Watch a video from the Met Office of the dust moving towards the UK below.

The skyscrapers of the Canary Wharf area in London shrouded in smog.

Pupils should stay indoors at lunch to avoid smog, says UK government adviser: Prof Frank Kelly says children should not be allowed to use playground in areas with severe pollution. Schools in areas affected by severe air pollution should keep pupils indoors at lunchtime to avoid them having asthma attacks and potentially lifelong lung damage, a key government adviser is urging. Prof Frank Kelly said children should be stopped from using the playground during school hours to reduce their exposure to the smog that is affecting south-east England and is expected to spread to the Midlands and East Anglia. Kelly is the chair of the Department of Health's Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollution and a member of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' Air Quality Expert Group.

His advice comes after some schools in the capital decided to keep their pupils indoors on Wednesday as a precaution. Asked if that was sensible, Kelly told the Guardian: "As a general response this is a good approach as children tend to run around outside and therefore breathe deeper. Thus on days like this they will be inspiring a lot more pollution if outdoors than when they are breathing normally (hopefully) inside." The policy should apply to morning and afternoon breaks, as well as lunchtime, Kelly said. "Advice would be the same for breaktimes if pollution levels were increased at the school location." "But we can't do this forever, and in London we face the much wider problem of poor air quality every day. The Saharan dust will pass, but London will continue to fail its citizens on air quality. Children's developing lungs are at particular risk, both long- and short-term.

Dust from Sahara Desert sweeps across Cambridgeshire: Desert dust and sand from the Sahara desert has started to sweep across Cambridgeshire. Bosses at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs are warning that people in the East of England and the Midlands should be prepared for “very high” levels of pollution over the next few days. The dust, which is covering cars and window houses across the UK, is as a result of a continental air flow which has travelled all the way from Africa.

Love it : ) ....

Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire braced for repeat of Sahara desert dust deluge: motorists urged to carry 'sandstorm kits' - Residents who woke yesterday to find their windows and cars covered in dust blown thousands of miles from the Sahara desert have been warned to brace themselves for an even heavier deluge this morning. And this time, Hertfordshire County Council and Central Beds Council are advising rush-hour motorists and mums and dads on the school run to carry a ‘sandstorm kit’ – including buckets and spades. At the weekend, very strong winds swept up a large amount of sand from the Sahara desert in north-west Africa, around 2,000 miles away, lifting it high into the atmosphere.

It spread west over the Atlantic, got picked up by southerly winds and was pushed north over the Mediterranean and north-west Europe before arriving in Cornwall and Devon on Sunday. Overnight, it met a weather front and spread north and east, arriving in Herts and Beds on Monday morning. The sand can get caught up in rain droplets and, when the water evaporates, a thin layer of dust is left, as hundreds of motorists who spent Sunday washing and polishing their cars can testify. Paul Hutcheon, deputy chief forecaster at the Met Office, said: “We usually see this happen several times a year, particularly in summer when you get these big dust storms in the western Sahara and the southerly winds to bring that dust here.”

This morning’s forecast Saharan sandfall is expected to be even heavier and could bring with it items larger than just grains of sand, such as tiny pebbles, African litter and even camel dung. As a result, a joint high-level meeting was held late last night (Monday) involving representatives of the councils’ environmental disaster planning teams, emergency services and the NHS. Although the April sand shower is not expected to be heavy enough to pose any risk to pedestrians, they are urged to take precautions by carrying umbrellas or white lacy parasols. And a checklist has been issued for motorists, who are advised to carry the following in their vehicles:

■ a bucket and spade set (must be primary colours);

■ one of those windmill-type things we stuck in sandcastles when we were kids;

■ sandals (male drivers must have accompanying white socks);

■ flip flops; and

■ knotted handkerchief.

Highways officials at county council HQs in Hertford and the appropriately-named Chicksands are taking full advantage of the freak environmental conditions to appease disgruntled taxpayers. A spokesman for the two authorities said: “We’ll be sending out our fleets of gritting lorries to shovel all the sand that falls into the hundreds of potholes that still need repairing. “We’ve been assured that because Saharan sand is a much stronger material than that normally used by our highways repair teams, the mended holes are expected to last for at least 30 minutes.”

One In Ten Brits Admit To Never Cleaning Their Windows

Leaving smears on windows or mirrors.

Don't bother asking your man to clean up, he'll only do half a job! Two thirds of women still do the cleaning even if their husbands say they've already done it: The research, commissioned by cleaning products firm Karcher Window Vac, also found just 35 per cent of women believe their other half does a 'thorough job' when asked to help out with domestic chores.

And four in ten said they were convinced their man did half a job to avoid being asked to help out in future. The study also found that men often used cleaning shortcuts such as pushing rubbish down further into a full bin rather than emptying it, leaving big smears when cleaning mirrors and putting coloured clothes in with whites when doing the washing.

But it's not all down to the man of the house being hopeless. Nine in ten women describe themselves as very house proud and over a third would never want anyone else to be responsible for the cleanliness of the home. Perhaps that's because more than half the women studied admit they judge people heavily based on the cleanliness of their homes, while 56 per cent can't stand clutter.

TV interior design expert Naomi Cleaver, said: 'As an interior designer, a home's appearance is very important to me and I understand how house-proud people are. 'I'm not surprised to learn more than half of women judge people on the cleanliness of their homes.' Homeowners in London are keeping up appearances as a huge 95 per cent describe themselves as house-proud. Scotland is home to the UK's most prolific cleaners with a third of housewives declaring they tidy daily. According to 45 per cent of housewives, clean windows are vital to keep a house looking great and a quarter clean their windows before hosting guests.

But one in ten Brits admit to never cleaning their windows.

Men only do 'half a job' when cleaning according to the nation's women: If you’re a man who will do anything to get out of household chores, then don’t worry – it seems the majority of women would rather you didn’t help at all then do a bad job. According to the nation’s women, men only do 'half a job' when tackling household chores. Research carried out among 2,000 females found around two thirds regularly have to go round and clean or tidy up after their husbands have already 'done it'. The study also found that six in ten women wish their partner wouldn't bother helping out around the house at all because they do it so badly.

The research, commissioned by Karcher Window Vac, also found just 35 per cent of women believe their other half does a 'thorough job' when asked to help out. And four in ten said they were convinced their man did half a job to avoid being asked to help out in future. Throwing everything out of sight or simply moving the mess around and cramming things into cupboards were the most common tidying techniques men proved guilty of.

TV interior design expert Naomi Cleaver, who worked with Karcher Window Vac on the campaign, said "As an interior designer, a home's appearance is very important to me and I understand how house-proud people are. ''I'm not surprised to learn more than half of women judge people on the cleanliness of their homes.''

The study also found pushing rubbish down further into a full bin, leaving big smears when cleaning mirrors and putting coloured clothes in with whites as common cleaning shortcuts by men. Squirting bleach down the toilet instead of cleaning it, ignoring the recycling system and picking bits up off the floor instead of hoovering was also frequent. Results also saw a fifth of women admit they were grateful that their partner makes the effort to assist with cleaning, but wished he wouldn't. While a less lucky one in ten have to completely re-do a cleaning job their partner's attempted - usually because they've dusted round objects rather than lift them or wiped mess from surfaces onto the floor.

In fact, six in ten women would actually prefer their partner just left the cleaning to them and helped in other ways. But it's not all down to the man of the house, nine in ten women describe themselves as very house proud and over a third would never want anyone else to be responsible for the cleanliness of the home. Perhaps that's because more than half the women studied admit they judge people heavily based on the cleanliness of their homes, while 56 per cent can't stand clutter.

Homeowners in London are keeping up appearances as a huge 95 per cent describe themselves as house-proud. Scotland is home to the UK's most prolific cleaners with a third of housewives declaring they tidy daily. According to 45 per cent of housewives, clean windows are vital to keep a house looking great and a quarter cleans their windows before hosting guests.

But one in ten Brits admit to never cleaning their windows.

Household jobs are a running cause for arguments. With the battle against tradition and expectation from men for women to take care of all things indoors, it can make life difficult. When we ask our men to help out however, they do it with minimal amounts of effort and we end up having to do it again. They know this. They know that if they do it shoddily that we will take the job back off them. So we take a look at some of the corners they cut in order to plead inability in the house cleaning department according to Karcher Window Vac. Leave smears on windows or mirrors- We are not trying to reinact a horror movie here, or the set of an abandoned house in a zombie flick- you are actually supposed to see your reflection in it.

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Wellingtonians could face fines over use of water during ban: Wellingtonians who flout the region's outdoor water use ban are being warned for now - but fines of up to $20,000 could follow for repeat offenders. A total ban on outdoor water use was introduced two weekends ago to ease the strain on the region's dwindling water reserves. Wellington City Council spokesman Clayton Anderson said 50 warning letters had been sent to residents who had breached the ban. "All have been for outside use for washing cars, hosing paths, cleaning boats and watering plants," he said. The council had not yet issued any fines, but repeat offenders would not get off so lightly. "If they have been dobbed in again, then I'd say our guys would take it seriously and probably issue some kind of fine." The council has discretion to set the amount of smaller fines, while courts could impose a fine of up to $20,000. Mr Anderson said the council did not have a uniform fine system in place.

"We can't remember the last time that we've had to impose a fine - because we haven't really had this problem before." Capacity Infrastructure, which is responsible for water management in Wellington and the Hutt Valley, said Lower Hutt residents were also being issued with warnings. But in Upper Hutt, infringement notices are being issued in the first instance. Capacity spokesman Alex van Paassen said three infrinegment notices had been issued, but it was yet to be determined if they would result in fines.

He said there had been a good response to the water conservation message in the region. "We've been getting calls from people who are concerned when they do see people washing the car or using the hose outside, so people have got right in behind the ban, really." Businesses which needed water - such as water blasters, house cleaners, painters or window washers - had also got behind the ban. Only two days of rain are currently forecast in the next fortnight.

The fastest female window cleaner in the world just got faster: Deborah Morris, of David Morris Window Cleaning, is now the fastest female window cleaner in the world, having cleaned the requisite number and sizes of windows in just 15.32 seconds. Previously - Deborah Morris (UK) cleaned three standard 1.14 m x 1.14 m (45 x 45 in) office windows set in a frame with a 300 mm (11.75 in) long squeegee and 9 litres (2 gal; US 2.37 gal) of water in 16.28 sec at the Cleaning Show 2011 held at NEC, National Exhibition Centre, in Birmingham, UK, on 3 March 2011. A base time of 13.28 sec was achieved but 3 sec penalty was incurred. Deborah works for husband, David Morris Window Cleaning in Cornwall. She can be seen here practicing. Previous blog here.

Click picture for video.

Creeping Cleaner: Sohail Abdulla (above) adjusts his robotic glass cleaner on the ‘‘testing window’’ installed in the family’s basement. A young inventor's desire to help his ailing father clean windows has scored the pair a trip to the United States. "One day I came home from school and my dad was cleaning the windows outside and he was struggling because he has back and knee pain, so I decided to make a robot to clean the windows for him," Sohail Abdulla says. Working in a purpose-built laboratory basement of the family's Mt Roskill home Sohail constructed a robot which slowly crawls across windows squirting glass cleaner and squeegeeing it off.

The 17-year-old's ingenuity won him the American Ambassador Outstanding Award at the Genesis Energy Realise the Dream award ceremony last year. The prize includes an all-expenses paid trip to the INTEL Science & Engineering Fair in Phoenix, Arizona in May. The fair is the biggest of its type in the world with more than 1500 participants from around the globe showcasing their science research and innovations.

For the teenager who aspires for a future in mechatronic engineering the opportunity is a boon. "I haven't been to America before so the whole experience will be quite great," he says. Despite his win Sohail's dedication to his project hasn't slumbered. Since receiving the award the inventor has worked diligently in his basement lab, creating a new and improved version which relies on microfibre cloth to clean the windows instead of wipers. "The idea is to develop it to clean high-rise buildings. I've researched it and a lot of people have lost their lives cleaning windows up high." To make that vision a reality Sohail is devising a way to get the machine to lift itself from one window to the next.

Sohail says the project wouldn't be possible without the support of his dad, who even installed a "testing window" in the basement. And because the teen's Realise the Dream chaperone can't make the overseas trip Sohail is able to take his dad to say thanks. American Ambassador to New Zealand David Huebner is thrilled Sohail received the award. "His participation in the INTEL Science & Engineering Fair will enrich the event and further deepen the relationship between young Americans and Kiwis interested in science and technology."

Over Norton runner's cleaning regime for marathon training: He may have an active day job but Jim English is hoping his work as a window cleaner around the Cotswolds will help him run a marathon.

The 33-year-old, who lives in Over Norton, near Chipping Norton, is running the Brighton Marathon on Sunday for disabled children’s charity Whizz-Kidz. He hopes to raise £1,000 for the charity, which provides children with wheelchairs and other mobility equipment.

Mr English, who set up his own window cleaning business two years ago, has been training hard since the start of the year. He said: “Hopefully, window cleaning will help the running and the running will help the window cleaning. “I’ve been trying to do one long run a week. “Every kid should be given the opportunity to be active.”

To sponsor him, go here. Whizz-Kidz aims to improve the quality of life of disabled children and young people in the UK through the provision of customised mobility equipment such as wheelchairs and tricycles.  It is dedicated to providing help and advice to the children and their families and raising awareness of mobility-related issues through national campaigning. Log onto www.whizz-kidz.org.uk for more details.

A 14.5-tonne framed window will be fitted into Christchurch's transitional cathedral next week. The coloured-glass trinity window is expected to be fitted into the southern wall of the Shigeru Ban-designed cardboard tube structure on Madras St on Wednesday. The triangular window includes 49, 1.2-metre tall panels and incorporates images from Christ Church Cathedral's original rose window. Each image comes from the same position as on the rose window. Johnny McFarlane, of project manager Beca, said the lifting plan had taken two weeks to devise. Christchurch engineers yesterday visited the build as fact-finding tour organised by the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand. Bishop Victoria Matthews said the transitional cathedral was on track to be opened in June.

Why is corporate Britain's reputation in tatters? Ian Wright, corporate relations director at British drinks firm Diageo says.. "There’s a really healthy distrust of business right now, and business has a real task on its hands to bring back the situation….But you've got to bear in mind that the British public has a massive capacity for hypocrisy. The same people who complain that multinational companies don't pay their taxes will pay their window cleaner in cash."

Here Dr Tom Manion, CEO of Irwell Valley Housing Association, analyses the effect the bedroom tax will have on the social housing sector. April Fools’ Day heralds the introduction of the ‘bedroom tax’ - or as David Cameron prefers – the ‘spare room subsidy’. Whatever the terminology, what difference will it make to relieving housing need and making savings to a nation’s £200 billion welfare tab? There are crazy reactions to this scheme including an invitation from Ealing Council to simply foster children and Frank Field’s call to a re-enactment of a 14th century response to the window tax - tear walls down inside your house and reclassify homes from 3 bed to 2 bed.

How to save for a cash ISA: Regularly saving small amounts of money can quickly add up to a substantial sum worth investing. Follow these simple tips to start saving for an easy access ISA. Now the new tax year has started, investors should be grasping the opportunity to save up to £5,760 in cash, tax-free, in an Individual Savings Account (ISA). Yet often the chance to build up a nest-egg is missed because people feel that they don’t have any spare money to set aside. The economic climate has led to a decline in savings and a rise in personal debt. Recent research by Aldermore found half of Britons (51 pc) had no money to fall back on in emergencies. One in five stated their mortgage stretched them, leaving them without the provision to save, while two-thirds said commitments to credit card, student loans and car repayments were leaving them in the red at the end of the month. Aldermore’s research found that one of the biggest drains on people’s expenses is paying for a window cleaner.

This Russian Tycoon Is All About Business: (MOSCOW) - It was a rich payday even for an oligarch. Last month, Mikhail Fridman's Alfa Group collected $13.9 billion for its stake in oil giant TNK-BP, sold in one of Russia's biggest-ever takeover deals. But the 48-year-old billionaire isn't planning to spend the proceeds on yachts or sports teams, like other Russian tycoons. For him, he said, there is nothing that can match the thrill of business. "You have no idea how interesting it is to think up these operations," he said in an interview in his spartan Moscow office. "It's fun." He is already looking at expanding his group's holdings in the oil, telecommunications, retail and banking businesses where it has made billions over the last two decades. Alfa is one of a growing number of cash-rich groups that got their starts in emerging markets but are increasingly reaching beyond their home territories, creating new competition for established companies and investors. Alfa got its start as a window-washing cooperative in the collapsing Soviet Union of the late 1980s. Mr. Fridman and a few friends from Moscow's Steel and Alloys Institute, a prestigious Moscow university, tried everything from selling computers to trading oil and currencies, getting rich as Russia lurched toward capitalism.

Two years on from seeking a bailout, Portugal's austerity plan has hit the country's population hard, as AP reports: Pictured Elena Baptista, left, serves a meal to her daughter Vania, 12, left, son Joao, 7, and husband Pedro, partially seen on the right, in their house's kitchen/living room in Loures, outside Lisbon. Serving a frugal lunch in their kitchen not much bigger than a bathroom, Pedro and Elena Baptista spoon stewed chicken feet onto their boiled potatoes and leave the slightly meatier wings for their 12-year-old daughter, Vania, and 7-year-old son, Joao. The Baptista family counts itself among the casualties of an unrelenting financial crisis that is squeezing the life out of some European Union economies, including Portugal. Pedro Baptista, a stocky 37-year-old, has found work as a part-time window cleaner but his wife Elena, 35, has been on welfare for almost a year after losing her job in a school canteen. Scraping by on a monthly household income of €650 ($840) and constantly going cap-in-hand to charities and family members has sapped their confidence. But Pedro is determined to stay positive. "Ups and downs are part of life. Things will improve," he says. "We just have to hold on."Exactly how long is hard to say, however, as Portugal's prime minister warns his nation to harden itself for more austerity.

'This Bud's For You' - This week marks the passing of Michael Roarty, the legendary beer marketer and Advertising Hall of Fame member who for four decades oversaw iconic campaigns at Anheuser-Busch. Among them were the beloved "This Bud's For You" ads. The theme of this particular spot, which came out in 1979, is to serve as a salute hardworking men and women across America --including construction workers, chefs, secretaries, ship captains, and window washers. Bud is toasting them with a cold, frothy brewski at the end of a long day. The voiceover at the end is by singer Lou Rawls; using him was a milestone because he was one of the first African-Americans to lend his talents to the company, and no less remarkably, in helping to sell a beer targeted mostly at white workers. Video can be seen at the link.

One of the gifts my husband Jack gave to me this spring is he hired a company to wash the outside of the windows on our house. Oh my, that will kick into action the spring cleaning frenzy and the “to do” list will fill up in a heartbeat. Second, after the window washers are through I will be inspired to wash the inside of the windows. All that sun shining brightly through the clean windows will encourage me to deep clean the rest of the house, like baseboards, window ledges, and winter heat cobwebs in the ceiling corners. Taking control of your life is the number one priority for a happy, healthy and stress reduced life. There are many books out there, and I have a bunch of them, that help you get organized and on a positive track with your life and enjoy the things that really matter. You are in charge, get started now!

Jim Wagner of connectedcontrators.com got the idea for the business when he was considering franchising his family's window cleaning firm in Warwick. He wants to connect contractors with customers and vice versa.

Site links contractors, customers -Network helps businesses share info, too: One of the Orange County Business Accelerator's enterprises in incubation aims to spread the word about finding reliable companies for renovation and building projects. If it sounds like Angie's List, it is; consumers can also comment about their experiences on connectedcontractors.com. But it's different in that contractors can recommend companies they've done business with, too. The site also offers space for companies to showcase their history and experience in the field, as well as display coupons and advertisements.

The ideas behind the business date back more than a dozen years, when Jim Wagner looked into franchising his family's business, the Estate Window Cleaning Co., which he operates in Warwick. Along the way, Wagner said, research into business operations led to the conclusion that there was a market for another company, one dedicated to connecting contractors with customers and vice versa. "We're a home-improvement network," Wagner said, "that encompasses everything a homeowner, a property owner, needs: contractors, suppliers, retailers, professional services and financing."

Consumers use the site for free, while businesses pay rates based on the services they need and their number of employees. Services for contractors include a variety of software applications for business tasks, including a cloud-based customer-management platform, sales forecasting, project proposal writing, and work scheduling. The company has several hundred business members, and a typical month brings 800 to 1,000 unique visitors to its website.

Q: How did researching the possibility of franchising your window-cleaning business evolve into connectedcontractors.com?

A: When we started to build the infrastructure we needed, we realized pretty quickly that the tools we were building could benefit others, and it should be its own business.

Q: A dozen years is a long time spent starting a business. What's kept you at it?

A: I believe in the overall mission of what we're trying to accomplish. Time spent on account management is lost time. There's a lot you can do to reduce the day-to-day thing.

Q: Could it have gotten where it is more quickly?

A: Had we taken on an investor early on, that would have speeded up the process. But we were in a trial-and-error phase for a long time. We were constantly refining what we were doing. But there's less stress, more freedom than if you have investors. You have the freedom to go wherever the road takes you.

Q: Where do you want that road to go in five years?

A: I hope we're doing exactly what we're doing now, except instead of helping a few companies locally, we're helping many companies nationally.

Q: Any advice for prospective entrepreneurs?

A: Two words: Collect contingencies. Be ready for anything and everything, because anything and everything might just happen. 

Young businessman welcomes BFP Choices Education Fair: A young businessman has voiced his support for the BFP Choices Education Fair, which comes to Wycombe next month, calling it a welcome way for youngsters to explore the options that lie before them. The Fair, at High Wycombe Town Hall on April 26, will offer 14-16 year olds a look at what options lie before them in terms of education or career path. There will be exhibitors covering higher and further education, apprenticeships and a range of career choices, along with a host of speakers.
Mohammed Zahir (pictured), 23, a young entrepreneur and owner of High Wycombe based Domestic, Office and Window cleaning company – Sabka Cleaning, says he “welcomes events like this as they help young people explore the options available to them – both in and out of formal education – and that he wished something similar was promoted more when he was younger.

Mr Zahir said: “I strongly believe there is so much potential in the High Wycombe area, young people who do want to get into business and there are not enough events happening that could inspire young people. In addition to broadening their understanding of the options available to them, if there’s one thing which young people can take away from events like this is honing their networking skills with other individuals and organisations- which is a vital tool for success in any field.”
His firm, Sabka Cleaning now provides domestic, office, window and carpet cleaning services to number of private and commercial clients across High Wycombe and is set to grow over 2013. He founded the business while studying full time at The University of Birmingham. He said: “Although others told me I wouldn't succeed and that I have no business acumen as a young person and that I'd either fail in business or at university, I associated with other entrepreneurs, sought advice from where I could and remained passionate and dedicated to my goals of succeeding at both.”

CHINA’S service industries expanded at a faster pace last month, supporting a further acceleration of growth in the world’s second-biggest economy. The non-manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index rose to 55.6 from 54.5 in February, the Beijing-based National Bureau of Statistics and China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing said in a statement on Wednesday. The image of a cleaning worker is reflected on the glass window of a Beijing Rural Commercial Bank Co. branch in Beijing. Service industries accounted for 45 percent of China’s gross domestic product last year, according to the statistics bureau, up from 41 percent in 2003.

City Councilor At-Large Felix Arroyo, a Jamaica Plain resident, is running for mayor. How can a school system with an $800 million budget and a high per-pupil spending rate offer nothing but an empty classroom? Arroyo said that is one of the questions he aims to answer with the City Council’s auditing powers. Government transparency is one of Arroyo’s big concerns. “Make sure you’re the window-washer, so people can see what’s going on inside,” he said of a city councilor’s role in City Hall.

Cleaning Companies Aim To Help Women Undergoing Cancer Treatments: When you're fighting cancer, you're fighting for your life and sometimes it can be tough to keep up with the every day tasks. Some local companies, however, are working to help women undergoing cancer treatment by giving them one less thing to worry about by cleaning their homes. The service is something Laura Scott, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, relies on. She currently undergoes an aggressive treatment, which she says cuts into her energy levels. "One of the things is it zaps your energy level. You just don't have the energy to do it all and you can't do it all," Scott told FOX 29's Stephanie Esposito. Thanks to companies like Cleaning For A Reason and Professional Building Services, Inc., Scott doesn't have to do it all by herself. You can watch the story in the video at the link.

Window Cleaner spotted above New York streets: A nice sunny day to be working outside, in New York Street, if you have a head for heights.

Emily Taylor's dark comedy, Cannonball. Taylor will stage the work at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, morphing into 10 characters living or working in a shopping centre. They include faux spiritual CEO David, an evil Cabbage Patch doll and the psychiatrist's receptionist, Hilda. Taylor tested the work at New Zealand's Fringe Festival where she won the best solo work award. "To play all the different characters I have to really draw on my skills as a performer," Taylor said. "I have to make my body move distinctly differently and change my voice for each character. "Miles, a rough-around-the-edges window cleaner is the most popular with the audience." Taylor said much of the humour depended on value clashes between the characters and the situations they found themselves in. "The title Cannonball refers to the fact that all the characters are hurtling towards fates they have no control over," Taylor said.

Coal dust causes concerns for some in West Elizabeth: Many West Elizabeth residents, especially those living near state Route 837, for months have complained about black coal dust on their properties and in their homes. “It feels like baby powder, but it's black,” resident James Halt said. Halt and others said they believe the dust is coming from trucks transporting coal from mines in Somerset County to RiverLift Industries at 1000 Madison Ave. in West Elizabeth. “I live on 837 and they come right past my house,” Halt said. “I've been having coal dust in my house. I could have the doors closed and it's still in my house.” He said there is residue on his patio furniture, windows, carpets and in other areas of his home. “We're concerned of what we're breathing it in,” Halt's wife Edith said. “Coal miners have to wear masks when they deal with coal dust,” Halt said.

He said the coal dust began appearing last August. “My screens are all black,” Councilwoman Janet Isaacs, who lives a few doors down from the Halts, said. “It's bad. It's never been this bad. My house used to be white.” Halt said he hasn't noticed as many trucks since he met with RiverLift Industries co-owner Bob Schaefer and borough officials last week. Councilman Daryl Celestino said he is getting an air monitor for the borough. “I'm more concerned about the health issues than the cosmetic issues,” he said. Celestino said the roof of his mother's Viola Street house is black because of the dust. “My mother's window washer came on Tuesday and washed her windows,” he said. “He asked what the heck was going on and (said) that the coal dust on her windows was horrendous.”

LAX's revamped international terminal debuts on a smaller scale: Santa Monica's Museum of Flying will display a 24-foot model of the Tom Bradley facility, which has undergone a makeover overseen by noted Denver architect Curtis W. Fentress. The terminal display is part of the Museum of Flying exhibit because it is too big to be safely shown at the existing Bradley Terminal, said Gina Marie Lindsey, executive director of Los Angeles World Airports, the city's airport agency. The 1.5-million-square-foot Bradley Terminal will feature about 5,000 windows, according to Fentress' designers. "I think window cleaner is a wise investment," Lindsey joked.

Woeful Wollongong shopping: Unusual though it may be, I have always enjoyed shopping. Perhaps it is my love of gadgets and such that causes me to seek out bargains, new products and special deals. I am a sucker for buying a product that has been demonstrated in the store or a show, only to find that the product never works as well is home as it did when it was demonstrated. Knife sharpeners, magnetic window cleaners that clean both sides of the panes at once, egg slicers, pineapple peelers - you name it, I have tried it.

Unsolicited Window Cleaner Sparks Police Call: Mystery window cleaner reported - A caregiver at a Bridgeton Drive home reported that a man came to the home, cleaned some exterior windows, and then left. The homeowner does not contract for the service, the care giver reported.

Mum’s anger over fading gravestone: A grieving mother has been left outraged after lettering on her son’s headstone has started to fade. It has been less than five years since Elaine Clark’s son Graham (pictured) was buried at Harton Cemetery in South Shields. The 21-year-old died on June 4, 2008, days after falling from a ladder as he was window cleaning in the Laygate area of South Shields. A year after he was laid to rest, a headstone was placed on the graveside and paid for by his grief-stricken family. They have now been left outraged after noticing lettering on the headstone is now starting to fade and disappear – only four years after it was put in place.

The owner of Abbey Memorials in Coston Drive, South Shields, Pauline Misra, says the recent bad weather and sap from nearby trees has led to the lettering fading. As a goodwill gesture, the company has offered to pay half towards the cost of replacing the lettering. But Mrs Clark, from Biddick Hall, South Shields says the firm should foot the entire bill. She said: “It was last year when I first noticed the lettering coming off the headstone. I contacted Abbey Memorials in October. “They said the lettering was coming off because of the weather and they wouldn’t repair it, but they would if I paid half.“I know the lettering will fade as time goes on, but after only four years? “There are headstones that have been there longer than Graham’s and their lettering is fine.”

Mrs Clark claims an independent stonemason who came out to look at the headstone says it had not been done properly. The 48-year-old added: “I don’t think I should have to pay. I have already paid once for the headstone and the lettering why should I pay again? I just think it’s a disgrace.”

Mrs Misra, who has run Abbey Memorials for 17 years said: “When we were informed about the lettering, we went out to the graveside to inspect the headstone. “The lettering is fading but this is down to two recent bad weathers and sap from the nearby tree. This is something we have no control over. “We do re-guild headstone less than two years old if it does fade, but not if the position where they are situated will mean the gilding is going to continually come off.

“We have offered to pay half towards the cost of re-guilding as it’s not as simple as just coming out and re-doing it. The stone would have to be taken away and then concreted back in place. “There is a similar problem with headstones – called slopers – which the snow lies on when it falls. When it melts away, it will take some of the gold dust with it. “We are not unreasonable people and we have offered to pay half towards the cost of having the headstone re-guilded. “I am really sorry Mrs Clark and her family are dissatisfied with this offer."

Telford window cleaner given five years for burglaries: A window cleaner has been jailed for more than five years after being found guilty of burglary and perverting the course of justice. Shrewsbury Crown Court heard that Barry Gilbert entered the bedroom of one house while the owner was asleep and stole a telescope and tripod by his bed. Recorder Denis Desmond said the owner now suffered from anxiety and did not feel safe in his home.
Gilbert, 29, of Willowfield, Woodside, Telford, was on trial at Shrewsbury Crown Court having denied two counts of burglary, one count of theft and one count of perverting the course of justice. Yesterday the jury found him guilty of all the charges and Recorder Desmond sentenced him to five years and eight months in prison. The court heard that on October 10 last year two homes in Waverley, Woodside, were broken into. 

From the first home, which belonged to James Adams, car keys, an Accurist watch, tobacco, a camera and a telescope were stolen. The car keys were then used to take a Ford Focus car from the drive. From the second home, two rings and two LCD televisions were stolen. The court heard that Gilbert had also called his aunt Teresa McCollum and asked her to change her statement about the day she saw him walking with a television.
Recorder Desmond said: “You have one relative who lives with you, your Aunt Theresa. “You tried to get her to lie to help your defence. She was too strong. It upset her greatly that you tried to do that.” Recorder Desmond said that the defendant committed the burglaries while he was on bail for two offences of battery.

Acid threat robber jailed: A robber who threatened to spray terrified shop staff with acid unless they handed over cash and cigarettes has been caged for more than three years. Christopher Bowlt issued the “ugly threats” to the staff at the Premier convenience store, in Osborne Road, Hartlepool, before demanding that the money and cigarettes were put into a carrier bag. The 30-year-old, who was carrying a milkshake bottle with ‘acid’ scrawled on it in marker pen, said: “If you don’t, I’m going to squirt this bottle of acid all over you. It burns through your skin and bones in 20 seconds.”

Despite the threats, the two workers chased after the fleeing drug addict and detained him until police arrived.
Judge John Walford, sitting at Teesside Crown Court, praised the pair’s courage and blamed Bowlt’s drug addiction and debts to dealers for the crime. He told the dad-of-two: “It has blighted your life and as a result of it blighting your life, you decided to blight the lives of others. “It is a measure, perhaps, of the grip in which drugs hold people, who, when they are unaffected by them, can be decent, law-abiding and hard-working. “When they are in the grip of drugs or, as in your case, in the grip of drug dealers with their evil tentacles, then they behave in a way which is not only harmful to society, but harmful to the people directly affected by their criminal behaviour.”
The court heard that Bowlt had small amounts of amphetamine and heroin on him when he was arrested on February 12. The court heard that a short time before the crime, the unemployed window cleaner snatched a handbag from a car while its owner strapped children in the back of the vehicle. The defendant admitted charges of robbery, theft and possessing Class A and Class B drugs, and was jailed for three years and four months. Jim Withyman mitigating, described the hold-up as “amateurish” and said the bottle did not contain acid. He said: “He has in the past been a hard-working man, a family man. “He is now estranged from his family. His partner could not deal with his intermittent drug use. He knew that store had CCTV. It was a very amateur attempt by him, but that shows the state he was in.” The court heard that Bowlt, of Keswick Street, Hartlepool, paced up and down outside the shop in Osborne Road “soul-searching” about whether to raid it. Judge Walford told him: “You took the wrong decision. You had with you what might, in the cold light of day, have been an amateurish weapon. “But, confronted by someone issuing ugly threats as you did, it is hardly surprising that those young people were terrified.”

Extending Window Life Expectancy With Cleaning

Cleaning the frames occasionally with warm water and an appropriate detergent can extend the life of UPVC windows. Unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (UPVC), a rigid, chemically resistant form of PVC used for piping, window frames, and other structures.

Could the UK’s Worsening Weather Be Shortening the Real Life Expectancy of Double Glazing? When we buy double glazing there is general assumption that it is likely to last us at least a couple of decades but could the apparently worsening UK weather be shortening the real expected life of our double glazing? Since their introduction to the UK from Germany in the 1970s PVC-U Windows have been marketed on their longevity and durability, and the relatively small amount of maintenance needed. The estimated ‘typical service life’ of these windows was revised up from 25 years to 35 years according to a BRE study commissioned by the British Plastic Federation (BPF) for windows that are ‘under normal urban and non-aggressive conditions’.
 

A movement of the Jet Stream southwards, 2012 being the wettest winter since records began, and growing concern about the likelihood of more freak weather in the future are beginning to prompt worries among some home owners about the life true expectancy of even the more durable and hitherto perceived safer investments in their home such as the double glazing.
 

Part of the possible answer could be found in the German Institute for Construction with Plastics report which indicated that faults are more likely to appear in the non PVC components of a double glazed window such as the operating mechanism or the seals. If these components were subjected to and were susceptible to the ill effects of more extreme and aggressive conditions, could this affect double glazing life expectancy?
 

Experienced double glazing installation, spares and repairs specialist Dave Pearson of Swindon Based DA Windows commented: “As I understand it, apart from high rainfall and some terrible flooding in some parts of the country the weather for the this winter period from December to February has actually been nearly average and not unusually cold – but I think you’ll find that since 1998 we’ve had 6 of the wettest winters on record. Lots of rainwater always spells worry for home owners. I’d agree that PVC-U frames of windows are likely to be one of if not the most durable components and that it’s the other parts that may need attention, maintenance and perhaps replacing in some windows during their working life”.
 

Dave went on to say “We often have to replace ‘misty’ double glazed units. This happens where the seal of the glass unit is broken, the desiccant in the space bar becomes saturated and the moisture then starts to collect in the gap between the panes. Expansion and contraction over time in response to the effect of the elements is likely to be a cause of this in some cases. Natural wear and tear of the other window elements such as friction stays, handles etc. can also result in the need for replacement parts and repairs.”
 

Dave also had some pointers for people keen to make their PVC-U windows last as long as possible.
 

“Cleaning the frames occasionally with warm water and an appropriate detergent can keep the frames looking great and can remove any deposits. If you’re able to check the gaskets, hinges and hardware when you can you may be able to quickly address and potential problems. You may need to lubricate some parts of the hardware from time to time too."
 

"On the whole though it’s my experience that PVC-U windows are extremely durable and are likely to last a very long time, and they don’t all need replacement parts or extra work. I’m not convinced that the kinds of weather we’ve been having is likely to affect your window life expectancy”.

Did you know? The word window originates from the Old Norse 'vindauga', from 'vindr – wind' and 'auga – eye', i.e. "wind eye". In Norwegian Nynorsk and Icelandic the Old Norse form has survived to this day (in Icelandic only as a less used synonym to gluggi), in Swedish the word vindöga remains as a term for a hole through the roof of a hut, and in the Danish language 'vindue' and Norwegian Bokmål 'vindu', the direct link to 'eye' is lost, just like for 'window'. The Danish (but not the Bokmål) word is pronounced fairly similarly to window.

Window is first recorded in the early 13th century, and originally referred to an unglazed hole in a roof. Window replaced the Old English 'eagþyrl', which literally means 'eye-hole,' and 'eagduru' 'eye-door'. Many Germanic languages however adopted the Latin word 'fenestra' to describe a window with glass, such as standard Swedish 'fönster', or German 'Fenster'. The use of window in English is probably due to the Scandinavian influence on the English language by means of loanwords during the Viking Age. In English the word fenester was used as a parallel until the mid-18th century and fenestration is still used to describe the arrangement of windows within a façade. Also, words such as "defenestration" are in use, meaning to throw something out of a window.

From Webster's 1828 Dictionary: Window, n. [G. The vulgar pronunciation is windor, as if from the Welsh gwyntdor, wind-door.][3]

Kärcher Window Vac Bring Out The Extension Pole

Some window cleaners use these - they are very good for drip-less window cleaning. Up until now they have been tied to window cleaning poles by various methods. Now Kärcher have brought out an extension pole, all be it a limited height.

Effortless window cleaning just got even easier: Following on from the launch of its ground breaking Window Vac, Kärcher – leading cleaning specialist – is excited to launch a full range for the Window Vac line. The first of its kind, the Window Vac has revolutionised window cleaning, making it easier than ever to achieve streak free windows with ease, leaving surfaces completely dry, crystal clear. The new range includes a selection of packages to cater for every window cleaning need, including a narrow vacuum head accessory, detergent applicator and replacement blades. The Kärcher Window Vac and accessories make light work of removing liquid from mirrors, shower screens, tiles, condensation from windows and even spills from floors and worktops. Perfect for those who don’t want to spend a long time on their housework but aren’t willing to compromise on the results.

WV50: The WV50 Window Vac is handheld, easy to use and achieves an expert finish with one satisfying swipe. Weighing in at just 700g there is little chance of fatigue - even if you were to clean up to 45 windows, which can be achieved in a single charge. The product is available from £59.99 RRP.

WV60: The WV60 includes a further narrow vacuum head (170mm) for the Window Vac - perfect for cleaning smaller windows with ease. It also includes a spray bottle with micro-fibre cloth and 20ml cleaning concentrate so you can start cleaning immediately. RRP £79.99

WV70: The ultimate Window Vac package, including a narrow vacuum head, spray bottle with micro-fibre cloth and 20ml cleaning concentrate. Furthermore it includes replacement blades for both the (170&280mm) vacuum heads and two replacement micro-fibre cloths, meaning with this must-have gadget, window cleaning has never been so easy!  RRP £99.99

Window Vac reaches new heights - Window Vac Extension pole: The Window Vac extension pole is the perfect accessory for cleaning those hard to reach areas, such as attic and conservatory windows.The Window Vac slots into the extension pole guaranteeing a streak free finish for windows all over your house. Phil Springall, Marketing Manager - Home and Garden Division at Kärcher UK comments: “We are thrilled to have expanded the Window Vac offering with a full product range – now window cleaning truly is easier than ever. The accessories allow windows and surfaces to be cleaned in a fraction of the time it can take using traditional methods. The Window Vac range has been created to save time and effort and add a little fun to one of the most hated household chores.”

All the extra accessories are avaiable to be purchased on the Kärcher website and be delivered directly to your door. Launched last year, the Kärcher Window Vac has made a strong impression and the consumer verdict is crystal clear: "Finally have really clean and sparkling conservatory windows. First time in 15 years they look like new.” The Window Vac leaves no drips, is streak free and saves time. For more information on how Kärcher’s Window Vac can take the bore out of chores visit Kärcher.

Kärcher Extreme Window Cleaning