Knife bests Squeegee

Two people were injured early this morning in a combination squeegee-and-knife attack at a Des Moines gas station. An unidentified woman allegedly struck a Des Moines woman in the head with a window squeegee at QuikTrip, 2300 Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, before another unidentified woman cut and stabbed the victim – identified as 19-year-old Aleisha Robinson – in the forehead, neck and shoulder blade about 1:55 a.m, according to a police report. Trisha Young, 20 of Des Moines, was also stabbed in the back three times when she tried to aid Robinson. The victims said the altercation began earlier in the night at Razzmatazz in Urbandale, when one of the unidentified women punched Robinson in the eye. A fight ensued at QuickTrip when, by chance, Robinson parked next to the unidentified women. The knife that was allegedly used in the stabbings was recovered at QuikTrip. The victims couldn’t identify their attackers, but a witness said he knows where the suspects live.The incident is still under investigation.

R.I.P Jim Willingham

It was a quick announcement yesterday, but I don't think anyone was expecting the passing of Jim so soon. Here are just a few of the responses:

"Throughout the day I thought about Jim, his commitment to the window cleaning industry, and how his efforts helped bring so many people together around a common interest. A new community was built around those growing interests. The work within that community, in agreement and disagreement, demanded an unselfish leadership that constantly reminded everyone that our self interests could be melded into and served by a dynamic, effective organization. Jim Willingham provided that kind of leadership and set the example for others to do the same. The bonds of friendship that are created from the difficult work of giving birth to, and sustaining, a meaningful, dynamic organization like the IWCA, transcend physical association into the realm of heart and soul. I look at the list of names that received this message from you, Sam, and marvel at the connections we all have to one another. Connections formed and graced by working in, working for, helping people develop a professional approach to window cleaning, while developing a professional association. I hope I speak for others in saying I became a better person as I learned to put into practice what I learned from these associations in the International Window Cleaners Association. All this initiated and set in motion by a down home, cowboy whose gentle, humorous style and sometimes stubborn insistence brought about the focus of the creative energies of so many. God love him, God keep him, and let us all hold him fondly, individually, and somehow in the collective memory of the organization that he worked so hard to create and sustain." Jerry Rigdon

I found it hard to believe when I first saw this thread coming through. I thought that surly someone had gotten it wrong.

Of course our thoughts are with Jacinda. Jim and Jacinda have certainly had an impact on each of us in this business; whether we knew Jim personally or not. Jim was one of very few people, that when he gave me advice or suggestions, I knew it would do me well to listen carefully. He was certainly a straight shooter, and never boring to spend some time with. Even though I had not spent much time with him of late, I find myself missing him already. Steve Miller

Jim has been my friend, role model and window cleaning idol. A sad day to hear Jim is gone. I will miss you, Jim. Gordon Perrot

Words sometimes get used to make someone larger than life. Platitudes are spoken about people that may not really deserve them. Words like legend, icon, vanguard, mentor and role model. Every one of those words really and truly apply to Jim Willingham. He wasn't just a window cleaner, although You Tube evidence exists to show just how good he really WAS as a window cleaner. There was so much more to Jim, and by extension, Jacinda. Always quick to help where needed, founding member of the IWCA, willing to mentor others in the industry, quick with a joke, and about as straightforward and honest as you'd expect a good Texan to be. Jim would treat you with the same patience, dignity, and respect whether you operated a multi-state company with dozens of employees, or you just bought a set of gear yesterday and were just starting out. He didn't pull punches or play politics in an industry and association that sometimes does too much of both. I've known Jim for 19 years, and I will miss not seeing him around. We did in fact lose a legend today, and an icon, and a role model. And many of us, far too many of us, lost a friend. Godspeed Jim, and be strong Jacinda. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you. Jeff Klass

This is truly a sad day for the industry. Jim was one of the most selfless men I ever had the pleasure of getting to know. Jim joined us at J. Racenstein with one goal; to make the industry better. He was always excited to meet window cleaners (large companies to small) and help them do better for themselves. He traveled tirelessly even when sick spreading the word. Jim was proud of the industry and loved everybody in it; he even loved his competitors in Lubbock; I never heard Jim utter a negative word about a window cleaner; if you were in his industry you were his friend. The only thing he loved more than his industry is Jacinda. I am grateful to have spent so much time with Jim during the past couple of years. He taught me so much about the industry and I will always be grateful for that. But more importantly he showed me how a true gentleman conducts himself through thick and thin. The entire team at JRC and I will miss him terribly; he was our friend. Cameron Riddell

Jim can be seen doing his stuff here. Thanks for the memories.

Jim Willingham - Window Cleaning Legend

This was just posted over on the Window Cleaning Network by Gary Mauer:

Following are excerpts from a note about Jim Willingham, with the sad news that Jim is entering hospice care, and nearing the end of his year long battle with cancer.

It's not known how much time he has, but he's not in pain at this point, and the family is hoping for a comfortable, peaceful passing. Jim loves his friends, his family, his business and the other work he has done over the years in the window cleaning industry. His support of Big Brothers and Big Sisters has been hugely rewarding. He lived life on his terms but never missed a beat when another needed a hand. Your job is to not be sad for long. Jim would not want that. Each day he was attending any sort of treatment, he carried with him a good joke and told it to everyone, the ill, the nurses, the doctors. So have a laugh or just shoot the breeze; Jim will be there in spirit laughing and gabbing with you. Thank you all for the jokes, the emails, the cards, the flowers. It has meant the world to Jim and myself. I know we would not be where we are now if it were not for all of you.
Jacinda Willingham.

Here is Jim in action: -

Tax Fraud

Arrests in window cleaning tax fraud. Tuesday 08 April 2008:
Police arrested 29 people on Tuesday in connection with an investigation by the tax office into possible tax fraud and extortion and bribery in the window cleaning business. According to the Telegraaf, this follows a major investigation by tax investigators into the way independent operators are forced into paying a percentage of their income to other window cleaners for permission to clean the windows in 'their' streets. During Tuesday's arrests guns, ammunition, cars, money and paperwork was seized, says the paper. Several marijuana plantations were also discovered and homes and business premises searched. In total, 370 officials were involved in the investigation.
© DutchNews.nl

The tax office traditionally cracks down on certain professions - for example, window cleaners or taxi drivers - by trawling through computer records to see if their income looks suspicious. Such processes have been made easier with a new “web robot” called Xenon. The Revenue says that Xenon “identifies websites of interest to us and collects information from the internet to assist with our inquiries”. In the most serious cases, the taxman is also able to bug people's homes and intercept their telephone calls, e-mails and letters. These powers were granted this month after an extension of the Serious Crime Act. From The Times, March 6, 2008. UK

More Fabricating Debris

Alex Lambrinides of window cleaning resource tests a piece of 'Arch' tempered glass in his workshop & shows again what fabricating debris sounds like. See more video's from GANA on the float glass manufacturing processes by clicking on the pictures below.

Its interesting to note that ARCH admit that contaminating debris will possibly be present on one or both sides of the glass & dimpling or marking could be present. And that these surface conditions do not threaten the visual integrity of the product! Download the pdf here.

Another Contender?

Is Stefan the fastest window cleaner in the world?

IT'S taken 24 years washing to polish his skills to perfection, and now Stefan Tinkler is aiming to be the fastest window cleaner on the planet. Mr Tinkler wants to wipe away all competition when he attempts to wash three large panes of glass in the quickest time at the ISSA Windowclean 2008 championship, which is held in Amsterdam on May 6. The father-of-two, who lives in Barber Close, Stanground, Peterborough, already holds the title of the slickest window cleaner in the UK after winning the national championship in Coventry last month. To get the illustrious title, the 36-year-old managed to wipe the three panes, measuring 45ins by 45ins, in just over 17 seconds. However, Mr Tinkler knows he can go faster. He said: "The audience made me a bit nervous, if the truth be told. I reckon I can do it in 10 or 11 seconds. "The current world record is held by Terry "Turbo" Burrows, as he is known within the trade. Set in England in 2005, his record stands at an impressive 9.24 seconds. Time penalties are deducted for any water marks left on the glass and contestants are limited to a maximum squeegee size of 12ins. To make sure he is prime condition for his trip to Holland, Mr Tinkler is busy practicing on his purpose-made windows which stand in his garden. He said: "Space is a bit tight, but I've managed to put up two panes so far. "We want to move into a new industrial unit soon, and I hope to put up three panes in that one. "Mr Tinkler, who runs 'All Clear Without a Smear' with colleague Peter Rootham, said he has washed windows all over Peterborough since he started aged 13 helping his grandad out on his round. And through the years there have been times when he has had a lucky escape after tumbling from his ladders. He added: "I have usually landed on my feet. The worst that has happened is that I winded myself. Once I fell off a roof backwards, though, and my head hit the soil about half-a-foot from a tree stump sticking out of the ground. Another 6ins and that would have gone through my head. "As well as domestic and commercial premises, the firm has at least one special client – Peterborough Cathedral.Mr Tinkler added: "We don't do the stained glass windows, because they need specialist care, but we do the entrance doors, and all the outside buildings such as the Deanery and restaurant."

You may also be interested in previous blog posts.

Everything is Pointless

I've copied this title from another blog with this headline title, because after listening to the window cleaning business coach today, I felt that little things do matter & although not directly related may change the way you work with a little more care.

This was news back in May, 2007 when a window cleaner drowned in his own bucket & not an urban myth as some people seem to think. I've been seeing for a while now 'caution stickers' on window cleaners buckets aimed at protecting young children generally, but never the less, its another small detail that should be considered when working & being aware of whats happening around you. Infact drowning in buckets for children occured in 16% of all cases according to this American report from 1995 due to 'head weight' of much youger children.

A window cleaner drowned in his bucket of water after suddenly collapsing while he worked, an inquest heard. Mark Fairhurst, 35, of Wigan, Greater Manchester, was found by customer Elizabeth Bebe in June 2006 with his head submerged in water. Bolton Coroner's Court heard that a heart condition caused the collapse but the cause of death was drowning because he had been unable to save himself. The jury returned a unanimous verdict of accidental death. The father-of-one, of Fowler Close, Scholes, was working at the home of Miss Bebe in Whelley, near Wigan. She told the inquest: "I went outside to hang some washing at the back when I saw a ladder propped up against the wall. "I then saw Mark lying on the ground motionless, with his arms tucked in and his head tilted to the right inside the bucket. "It looked like he had been in that position for some time. I went to call a neighbour who then called the ambulance and the police." Miss Bebe told the jury she thought Mr Fairhurst may have fallen while on the ground, rather than from his ladder. The hearing also heard that the window cleaner had complained about heart palpitations earlier in the year but had not told his doctor. Pathologist Dr Charles Wilson told the jury he had been informed that Mr Fairhurst had been assaulted in August 2005 which had led to memory problems. He said he could not rule out the incident being linked to his blackout - but was satisfied there was no foul play.