CTV Winnipeg Published Saturday, March 29, 2014 5:17PM CST Last Updated Saturday, March 29, 2014 5:40PM CST

There were few signs of spring around Winnipeg on the first day of spring break.

The Bridge Drive-In, a Winnipeg institution, opened its doors on Saturday, which for many is a sure signal of the start of spring.

"We've had about 10, 12 customers so far, been open for about a half hour, forty minutes roughly," said co-owner Justin Jacob.

The customers kept coming, but Jacob said opening BDI took a little more effort this year.

"There's a fair amount of work actually, he said. We actually got the Bobcat in to clear the off the lot here and we had to do some chipping and shoveling on the patio here."

This winter has been the coldest in 35 years with 50 per cent more snow than normal.

"I think people are tired of it, yeah, said Lisa-Marie Stefaniw-Buhay. It's time to have spring. It's time for the sun to come out and melt all the snow away."

That melt will mean more clean-up for the city. Garbage is already peeking through the snow.

The beginning of yard waste pick-up will be delayed until there's actually something to pick up. The city says it will begin yard waste pick-up on April 28 ifthe weather permits it.

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Few signs of spring on first day of spring break

Philadelphia Painters Philly #39;s Best Painting Contractors
Philadelphia Painters are the leading painting contractors in the Philadelphia PA area - the best residential house painters and the best commercial painting...

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Philadelphia Painters Philly's Best Painting Contractors - Video

BALTIMORE From the moment it was created in 1879, a tiny landscape of the River Seine by Pierre-Auguste Renoir has been characterized by a tangled weave of embellishments, layers and knots.

When the Impressionist master sat down to dash off a quick oil sketch of the river, he picked up not the usual piece of canvas, but museum experts confirmed last week a linen napkin from his mistress that had an elaborate geometric pattern in which threads twist above, below and around one another.

Our textile curator, Anita Jones, spent a lot of time looking at the painting under a high-powered microscope, Katy Rothkopf, the Baltimore Museum of Arts senior curator of European painting and sculpture, said at the preview of a new exhibit, The Renoir Returns, which opens Sunday.

The fabric is a type of linen damask that in the late 19th century was used for table linens, Rothkopf said. It was unusual for painters to use this type of fabric, but it turned out to be a good choice. Linen increases in strength when wet and is smoother than wool or cotton.

But as elaborate as the fabrics geometric structure is, its virtually a model of simplicity when compared to the 135-year-old artworks past.

The FBI said Thursday that the investigation into the theft of Paysage Bord du Seine (On the Shore of the Seine) from the museum in 1951 has been closed. After interviewing dozens of witnesses over nearly 18 months, there wasnt sufficient evidence to arrest anyone either for stealing the artwork or for intentionally possessing stolen property, Special Agent Gregg Horner said.

Crowds expected

The 5-by-9 inch paintings story is expected to draw throngs of visitors to the museum this weekend when the Renoir goes on display for the first time in more than six decades, as part of an exhibition drawn from the collection of the paintings donor, Baltimore heiress and philanthropist Saidie May, who bought the artwork from a Paris gallery in 1925 and later bequeathed it to the museum.

The twice-divorced May was a free spirit, an amateur artist and a cousin of the art collectors Etta and Claribel Cone. (Two paintings by May also are on display in the exhibit, which also includes works by Piet Mondrian, Jackson Pollock and Paul Klee.) It was May who put up the money that enabled the artists Marc Chagall and Andr Masson to flee from Nazi-occupied France during World War II and to escape to America with their families.

More recently, the Renoir was in the possession of a Virginia driving instructor named Marcia Martha Fuqua. She made headlines worldwide in September 2012 when she said shed bought a Renoir painting at the Harpers Ferry Flea Market as part of a box of odds and ends costing $7 without knowing the artworks true value.

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Flea-market Renoir returns to museum after mysterious disappearance

SAN JOSE -- A three-day sting this week targeting unlicensed home-improvement contractors netted 19 suspects in the South Bay and 121 throughout the state, according to state licensing officials.

Investigators with the Contractors State License Board looked for offenders advertising on fliers, in phone directories, online, on posted business cards and "penny saver" periodicals, said spokeswoman Melanie Bedwell.

Often, it was as simple as finding an ad that doesn't include the contractor's license number.

"If they're not licensed they may not know that's required by law," Bedwell said.

The 19 suspects from the South Bay plied trades such as painting, drywall, concrete work, fencing, landscaping and tree trimming. All were given a notice to appear in court for contracting without a license, and nearly all for illegal advertising.

Most of the suspects hailed from San Jose, with exceptions being from Campbell, Saratoga, San Carlos, East Palo Alto and Newark. Other sting areas ranged from Yolo County in the north to San Diego County in the south.

By law, a license is not required if the job is valued at less than $500, but Bedwell said oftentimes that is exploited.

"What they end up doing is going over to fix a sprinkler for $50, but they say 'Oh I can also do this, and I can do that' and it adds up," she said. "You have to look at the comprehensive job. It's federal law that you can't break those things up."

The penalty for contracting without a license is up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $5,000. For false advertising, it's a fine of $700 to $1,000.

For the sting, investigators posed as homeowners seeking bids for various home improvement projects.

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Contractor sting nets 19 in the South Bay

Talking About A Home: Radio Show with Outdoor Lighting Perspectives - 3/15/14
Charleston Home + Design magazine spoke with Alan Rayborn from Outdoor Lighting Perspectives on March 15, 2014.

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Talking About A Home: Radio Show with Outdoor Lighting Perspectives - 3/15/14 - Video

Maid Services Peoria Arizona
Maid Services in Peoria Arizona. Before and After. House Cleaning Services in Peoria, AZ 85382, 85383, Maid Services in Peoria, AZ 85382, 85383, 85381, House...

By: Mari Williams

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Maid Services Peoria Arizona - Video

(MENAFN -Arab News) standard contracts for housemaids must address the issue of runaway workers said hattab al-enezi spokesman for the labor ministry.

'the runaway phenomenon (known in arabic as 'huroob') will be solved via this standard contract which will be signed by the two countries" said al-enezi. 'in addition any assault on employers is a criminal act that is punishable by the kingdom's laws."

al-enezi pointed out that the labor ministry website had introduced a domestic labor program called 'musaned" (arabic for support) which aims to familiarize both workers and employers with their rights and obligations.

the website highlights the privileges that domestic workers are entitled to including health care contract renewal paid sick leave and days off.

the program will also provide information on service providers such as recruitment offices.

the agreements signed by labor-exporting countries with the kingdom take into account the best interests of both employer and employee said al-enezi.

'workers should not refuse tasks without legitimate reason in accordance with article 6 of the domestic workers' labor law" he said. 'workers must also maintain respect of their employer and his family members in addition to respecting islam and the laws and regulations of the country."

the terms of the agreement span five years and can be extended automatically for the same period he said.

recruitment offices in the kingdom however are incurring huge losses due to the imbalance in the content of the agreement and the 'musaned" program.

yahya al-maqboul chairman of the recruitment offices committee at the jeddah chamber of commerce and industry said that workers and investors in the recruitment sector are facing challenges in light of these new rules which has affected their income.

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Maid contracts to address runaway issue

GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- Maid of Earth LLC, a family-owned and operated cleaning company, has teamed up with Cleaning For A Reason to bring eco-friendly cleaning services to women battling cancer.

"As a local business, we feel it is our responsibility to give back to our community," said Owner Katie Birch in a news release. "Our partnership with Cleaning For A Reason will help women have more time to spend with their friends and family. We hope our services can alleviate some of the stress that accompanies cancer and that we can help to create a healthier environment for healing."

Maid of Earth is a company that cleans homes and small offices using eco-friendly cleaning products that are plant-derived, non-toxic and effective.

The company teamed up with Cleaning For A Reason, an international nonprofit foundation based in Lewisville, Texas, that aims to help women battling cancer through cleaning service donations.

Maid of Earth will clean two homes per month for four consecutive months at no charge.

Since 2006, Cleaning For A Reason has donated more than $4 million in free services.

For more information, or to apply for a free house cleaning, visit CleaningForAReason.org.

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Genesee County cleaning company to donate services to women battling cancer

SISIS Megaslit and Maxislit at The Belfry
Chris Milton, head mechanic at The Belfry talks to us about why new course manager Angus Macleod was keen to invest in two new SISIS Slitters. The SISIS Mega...

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SISIS Megaslit and Maxislit at The Belfry - Video

GreenThumb Kendal helps raise 20,000 for Sport Relief

10:00am Saturday 29th March 2014 in News

A KENDAL lawn business is having a dual celebration this week after scooping a company award and helping to raise more than 20,000 for Sport Relief.

GreenThumb Kendal beat off more than 200 other branches of the lawn treatment specialists to win its Franchisee Award 2013.

Husband and wife team Gary and Karen Cothliff took over the local branch in 2010.

This year saw them achieve a 25 per cent increase in turnover.

Gary said To be awarded GreenThumbs Franchisee of the Year is a real accolade and a tribute to our staff and customers, especially as the majority of our new customers come to us through recommendation.

Great customer service has always been at the forefront of our working practises and it is great to see this paying off.

As well as winning Franchisee of the year, Gary and Karen have also contributed to GreenThumbs ongoing fundraising total of more than 20,000 for Sport Relief.

GreenThumb have raised money by donating 5 for every new customer that take up their service, and existing customers that upgrade to a lawn care programme.

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GreenThumb Kendal helps raise 20,000 for Sport Relief