Good Housekeeping

Theres more to setting up your new TV than fiddling with the menus to get the best picture quality and downloading your favourite streaming apps to watch the latest season of Virgin River or catch up on missed episodes of Strictly Come Dancing where you place your telly in a room has a big impact on your viewing experience.

Theres no rule that it has to go on a TV stand. In fact, there are plenty of reasons not to use the feet that come in the box and instead take advantage of your wall space. Mounting your telly lets you change the angle of the screen, gives you more room for furniture and, as the set is less likely to topple over, its safer for kids too.

Wall brackets are available to fit all sizes of TV whether its an expensive 4K model or a more affordable set under 500 and are installed relatively easily using pre-built holes on the back (you will see this called VESA, more on that below). Some keep the telly in a fixed position, while others let you swivel, tilt or turn it within 180 degrees.

Interested? Heres our pick of the best TV wall brackets in 2022:

Not sure which bracket is best for you or what questions you should consider before buying? Keep scrolling to read a buyers guide under our recommendations.

We test the best TV wall brackets based on build quality, ease of installation and how well they connect to your TVs VESA mount, plus how well the TV weight is supported once fixed to the wall. We look out for extra features they offer, such as built-in cable management or spirit levels. This list is based on rigorous research comparisons of specifications, features, design quality and pricing plus hands-on experience.

Best TV wall mount overall

Best fixed TV wall mount

Best budget fixed TV wall mount

Best tilt TV wall mount

Best wall mount for small TVs

Best wall mount for small to medium TVs

Best wall mount for big screen TVs

Best wall mount for heavy TVs

The main types of TV wall mount

TV wall brackets come in all shapes and sizes, but the most common types are fixed (also called flat or low profile), tilting and full motion. As the name suggests, fixed mounts keep your TV in one place, working best if the telly is around eye level, so you wont strain your neck looking up during your next classic movie marathon. Tilting wall brackets can be moved so the screen shifts forwards slightly, and these are best for TVs higher above your eye level, such as above a fireplace.

Full motion brackets are easily the most complex of the bunch, letting you extend the telly outwards, tilt or swivel it side-to-side. These work in any room where you need to move the screen to find the perfect viewing angle, but are the hardest to install.

How to find the right TV wall mount

Once you have picked the type of wall mount that works best for your home, you will need to make sure it fits on your telly. Read the spec sheet for the bracket and make sure it handles your screen size (this is measured in inches), weight (measured in kilograms) and the size of VESA mount (measured in millimetres).

What exactly is a VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association)? This refers to four pre-built screw holes you will find on the back of your TV used to connect a mount. Lets keep this simple. If you cant find the details in the manual or online, you can measure this yourself: its the distance (in millimetres) between the two horizontal holes and the distance between the two vertical holes. So, if your result is 100 mm across and 100 mm high your VESA is 100 x 100 mm. Common sizes are 200 x 200, 400 x 400 and 600 x 400, but every telly is different so always check.

Lastly, your wall has to be strong enough to support both the weight of your TV and the bracket. Try to stick to sturdy brick or concrete walls if possible. Use on drywall or a stud wall may not be possible, or need extra support with professional installation.

Wall mounting your TV: pros and cons

For us, the biggest pro of wall mounting your TV is that it saves space getting the telly up high means you dont need a large stand or cabinet taking up valuable square inches, giving you more room for sofas, accent chairs or a childrens play area. This opens up another exciting possibility for more snug homes: using a wall means you can shop for larger screen sizes. Even better, you no longer have to lay out all of your furniture and sofas facing the direction of your TV.

If you do have children (or if youre just slightly clumsy) having the TV on the wall is safer as the set cant be toppled over and cause an injury. At the same time, using a tilted or a motion mount gives you more flexibility on how the screen is positioned, letting you swivel the display away from glare pouring through the blinds.

Of course, there are also a few downsides to mounting your telly. The biggest is that doing so usually requires more effort than just popping on the feet and setting it on a cabinet. Installation is always fairly easy, but may require a helper and you often have to use a drill. Failing to do it properly can result in damage to your TV (and wall).

Its also important to remember that you may also lose easy access to ports on the back of the TV so connecting a set-top box, streaming device or wired soundbar may be more difficult. Unless you have good cable management, you may also see wires hanging down from the telly to the power socket. And the issue with not using a larger TV cabinet in your living room? You lose the storage that comes with it.

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Best TV wall mounts and brackets for 2022 in the UK - Good Housekeeping

CLEVELAND, Ohio When youre broke, you learn how to fix things. When you have money, you pay a pro.

Thats the wisdom my dad shared with me once, probably when my first car was leaking coolant and overheating. And I stubbornly thought changing the cars thermostat would fix a much larger problem.

Sometimes the pro is worth it. Other times, it pays to be resourceful. With rising prices from groceries to energy bills, many of us are more worried about money.

Buying my first home recently has given me plenty of things to fix but feeling broke didnt make unclogging my sink any easier. But two local nonprofits I didnt previously know about could have made it much easier.

These two organizations, Home Repair Resource Center in Cleveland Heights and LakewoodAlive, offer a variety of classes to teach people how to make common fixes around the home. You dont have to live in these cities to attend.

Theres no question that if you can paint and scrape your own home, youre going to save thousands of dollars, said David Brock, education and outreach coordinator at the Home Repair Source Center.

Saving You Money is cleveland.coms and The Plain Dealers new column about saving money. If youre feeling the pinch of record inflation, youre not alone. The goal of Saving You Money will be helping readers save and highlighting resources that can help, maybe with some bargain bin shopping in between.

We want to know how we can help you save money. Send your questions and comments to smcdonnell@cleveland.com.

Both LakewoodAlive and the Home Repair Resource Center work toward similar goals. Teach people about their homes. Show them how to make fixes and perform maintenance. And create educated consumers so that they know how to shop for contractors when need be.

There are plenty of helpful videos and articles online, and even friendly workers at local hardware stores. But its hard to beat local people ready to help or provide hands-on learning at a small fee.

The savings in some cases can be substantial.

Take tuck-pointing, which is fixing the mortar joints between bricks. If you spend four hours fixing your homes front steps or brick faade, thats potentially $100-an-hour in savings, Brock said.

A plumber usually charges $100 to $150 just to show up for a clog, which you may be able to handle yourself.

A leaky faucet might be fixed with a $20 part, rather than buying a whole new faucet.

Learning how to caulk, sealing cracks around windows and doors, can save 15% on energy bills, Brock said. And regular maintenance can prevent costly projects down the road.

Little projects add up. And you can start small.

Matt Clark, the Tool Box coordinator at LakewoodAlive, said outdoor projects are a good confidence builder. Doing some landscaping or building a stone patio can get you started before you paint accent walls or hang a big TV.

It really depends on your comfort level, but Clark and Brock recommended a few projects to start.

Basic plumbing is good to learn. Everyone gets a clog at some point. So is drywall patching and painting, and maintenance to keep water out of the basement.

Even minor electrical work, like replacing an outlet or a light fixture, can be done with the right precautions. Clark even fixed a refrigerator, what would have been a $200 repair, with a vacuum and a YouTube video.

Both Clark and Brock stress safety. If the project can hurt you, you need to rent heavy equipment, or if youre just in over your head, you should start smaller.

Its better to start with projects where you can stand or lay down, rather than going on a ladder.

You can build that comfort over time. I feel comfortable on the roof, but if I see wires I freak out. For others its the reverse problem.

A display at the Home Repair Resource Center in Cleveland Heights is used to teach homeowners about circuits and electrical work.Sean McDonnell, Cleveland.com

Part of what makes hands-on classes great, Brock said, is people can fail in class rather than at home.

Both the Home Repair Resource Center and LakewoodAlive have services open to anyone, but residents can get discounts and have access to the tool libraries.

Hands-on classes at the Home Repair Resource Center cover a variety of topics like installing locks on a door, wiring light fixtures, looking for studs and tiling walls.

A single repair class is $25 while an advanced repair workshop is $40. A six-part womens how-to series is $150. Residents from partner cities (Cleveland Heights, Euclid and Shaker Heights) are eligible for discounts, and added discounts of 50% to 100% are available to low-income residents.

The Home Repair Resource Centers extensive tool library is temporarily closed until a new person is hired to run it. When open, its only for residents. You can reach the Center at 216-381-6100 or find it at hrrc-ch.org.

LakewoodAlive is holding Knowing Your Home series that runs through October.Courtesy of LakewoodAlive

LakewoodAlive has a Knowing Your Home educational series running through October that is in-person, and held at different locations depending on the class. These are free and open to the public, including non-Lakewood residents. Readers can find classes at lakewoodalive.org/knowing-your-home-educational-series.

The Lakewood Tool Box is available for just city residents, tenants and landlords. Residents can get a membership for $30 while landlords pay $75. Theres a refundable deposit to borrow tools.

You can reach LakewoodAlive at 216-521-0655 or visit lakewoodalive.org.

While I think these nonprofits are a best bet, there are other resources to turn to.

Lowes and Home Depot both have workshops livestreamed on their websites. They offer in-person workshops that vary by store.

The internet is obviously full of information. Brock recommends starting with Google, rather than YouTube, because youll get a broader set of results.

A YouTube channel I often turn too is I Like To Make Stuff. The host builds a wide-range of things but has lots of home-specific videos in his archive. Obviously, PBS This Old House is a classic that you can turn to.

The most frustrating thing for me, whether its fixing my home or any other skill, is Im bad at most things the first time I do them.

Clark says Im not alone. He learned the hard way on his first house, too. To get it right, you just have to keep doing it, he said.

And nothing is perfect. Youll notice that most walls arent square, straight, or flat. And wherever you see molding, like around windows and doors or on the floor, it covers up gaps you dont want to see.

An important step Clark recommends that I shouldnt have skipped: Do your research first.

After painting but before writing this, I took an online paint seminar from Home Depot. While the hosts had too many bad jokes, they also pointed out several things I wish I had done.

Same goes for unclogging my sink. I tried snaking it and throwing every chemical or homemade concoction I could think of down the drain. I learned from Brock and Clark later that some of those chemicals could eat away my drainpipe.

People can almost always redo something that didnt turn out well. Clark, who worked in construction himself, said the pros make mistakes too. And they also look things up online from time-to-time.

It can seem daunting, but youll get better at doing-it-yourself overtime. And youll save in the process.

Consider these online retailers for your DIY needs:

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Looking to save on home repairs? Your labor is free; 2 Cleveland-area nonprofits offer great resources to hel - cleveland.com

Were going to uplift the entire block, Catalyst CEO Elliot Lewis predicts when Catalyst opens its doors at 433 Pine Ave. this month. The business is just awaiting final licensing approvals from the City before it opens what Lewis calls his flagship store.

This will be the 6th brick and mortar dispensary under the Catalyst name (the other Long Beach locations are on 2nd Street in Belmont, on Cherry Avenue and on 10th Street, as well as in Santa Ana and Bellflower). For Lewis, a Long Beach native, this location is a passion project.

The drywall is installed, the landscaping is planted and all thats left to do is to welcome customers.

But Lewis vision extends beyond the storefront to the community that surrounds it. Hes been working closely with nearby residents and businesses to help plan events, like a pop-up art gallery, live music and cultural celebrations, for the block.

Catalyst has a different business model than most cannabis stores. Given that the company name means agent of change, its no surprise that Catalyst takes a distinct approach compared to others in the industry.

Take, for example, the four pillars of Catalysts business model: Community outreach, social equity and fire weed at fire prices. Catalyst supports women by highlighting a different woman-owned brand on Wednesdays. It is also a strong union supporter and works with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union to offer union jobs that provide employees with good pay and benefits.

Were trying to redefine the way the cannabis business is done, Lewis said. The younger generations are socially conscious and care about buying from companies that are, too. Its important to have a good menu with good prices but, ultimately, our customers are interested in supporting businesses whose employees contribute to the community not those who are off on an island, wearing a Rolex and counting their money.

Catalyst sells a variety of cannabis products, from edibles and flowers to pre-rolled and concentrates from a variety of brands. While the cannabis brings people in the door, its the customer service that keeps them coming back, Lewis said.

When asked what hes most proud of, Lewis doesnt talk about Catalysts success, the partnerships hes forged with cities or even his expansion plans he discusses the beach clean-ups, food pantries and legal justice clinics he and Catalyst employees volunteer for, along with many other community organizations Catalyst supports. Were promoting a culture of volunteerism, he said, noting that potential employees interviewing for positions at the new Pine Avenue location must show a willingness to get involved in community outreach.

The desire to give back runs deep for Lewis, who often brings his wife and four children, ranging in age from 5 to 12, with him for weekend volunteer work. Its good for them to see people modeling integrity, honesty and service just as they need to see there are people in need who we can help.

He knows there is marketing and political value in contributing to his community, and he doesnt try to pretend he doesnt know. Lewis is, after all, a business man. But, whether its by bringing toys to children or selling to a satisfied customer, Lewis said he is most fulfilled when he is helping others.

Success has not come without knocks. From disagreements with his industry peers on the best approach to working with cities to disputes with partnerships to overcoming COVID-19 issues, Lewis has faced plenty of challenges. He is looking ahead and not behind, though, with much anticipation for Catalysts future.

I dont consider this work, I love it, Lewis said. Im excited to every day to make #WeedForThePeople a reality.

Learn more about Catalyst by visiting the companys website or follow Lewis on Instagram @catalyst_ceo.

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Weed for the People: Catalyst Cannabis focuses on community, equity and accessibility - Studio LBP - Long Beach Post

Takeaway: When the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) consolidates cases and transfers them to a single, multidistrict litigation (MDL) court, the process is in a very important respect coercive. Counsel for the plaintiffs not only lose their chosen venue, but may also lose control of their cases. The overriding purpose of multidistrict litigation is efficiency, including avoiding duplication of effort by different plaintiffs counsel. Accordingly, MDL courts assign the lions share of the litigation work to appointed counsel, such as a Plaintiffs Executive Committee, who need to be compensated for that work. A recent decision by the Eleventh Circuit shows how these issues played out in the fractured Chinese drywall MDL, where the appointed MDL counsel secured a major portion of settlement funds generated after a group of cases had been transferred out of the MDL court and back to the district court where they had been filed. Amorin v. Taishan Gypsum Co., Ltd., --- Fed.Appx. ---, No. 20-12100, 2021 WL 2349920, at *1 (11th Cir., June 9, 2021).

In the Chinese drywall MDL, thousands of plaintiffs mostly from Florida and Louisiana sued Chinese manufacturers of drywall and other businesses involved in its production and sale, alleging claims for property damage (and some personal injury) resulting from the installation of the allegedly defective drywall.

The JPML consolidated the cases and transferred them to Judge Eldon Fallon of the Eastern District of Louisiana for pretrial proceedings. While the case was pending before Judge Fallon, he appointed a group of attorneys (Class Counsel) to prosecute the cases before the MDL court.

In 2018, after about a decade of litigation, Judge Fallon remanded over 1,700 of the Florida cases back to Judge Marcia Cooke of the Southern District of Florida. After this remand, counsel for the individual defendants negotiated a settlement with a group of defendants that resulted in agreements being reached with almost 500 individual plaintiffs, with settlement payments to this group totaling over $40 million (the $40 million fund). Counsel for these plaintiffs were compensated from the $40 million fund under contingent fee agreements with the individual plaintiffs.

In 2019, Class Counsel filed a motion in the Southern District of Florida to recover common benefit attorneys fees and costs from the $40 million fund, contending that their work prosecuting the cases as lead plaintiffs counsel before the MDL court contributed to that settlement. In particular, Class Counsel claimed that they were entitled to recover 20% of the $40 million fund. Counsel for the individual plaintiffs opposed the motion.

In January 2020, Judge Fallon of the MDL court approved a global settlement between the same defendants and all of the remaining class members (other than the Florida plaintiffs), awarding Class Counsel 60% of the fees paid under the global settlement. Class Counsel then amended their motion before the Southern District of Florida to increase their request to 60% of the $40 million fund, consistent with Judge Fallons 60% award. 2021 WL 2349920, at *2.

In May 2020, Judge Cooke granted Class Counsels amended motion in part, finding that the settling Florida plaintiffs benefitted from Class Counsels litigation efforts before the MDL court, including their efforts to secure the global settlement, and awarded Class Counsel 45% of the $40 million fund. Counsel for the settling plaintiffs appealed this ruling to the Eleventh Circuit under the collateral order doctrine, as the amount of the disputed fees [was] fixed, the district courts allocation of that amount [was] completely separate from the merits of the underlying action, and the appeal [was] unaffected by further district court proceedings. Id.

Reviewing Judge Cookes order for an abuse of discretion, the Eleventh Circuit affirmed. The panel relied on the common fund doctrine, which rests on the perception that persons who obtain the benefit of a lawsuit without contributing to its cost are unjustly enriched at the successful litigants expense. Id. at *3 (quoting Boeing Co. v. Van Gemert, 444 U.S. 472, 478 (1980)). Such awards, the panel reasoned, need not satisfy rigid eligibility requirements given that common benefit fees are grounded in the courts equity power. Id. Accordingly, and [p]articularly in complex litigation, courts have broad managerial power that includes significant discretion in awarding fees, and thus are authorized to compensate appointed counsel for their significant duties and work in multidistrict litigation. Id.

The panel concluded that the $40 million fund constituted a common fund, that the Southern District of Florida had jurisdiction over that fund pursuant to the agreement of the parties to litigate common benefit fees in that court, and that the fee award was within the district courts discretion. Id. at *4.

The panel concluded: The district court rightly acknowledged that Individual Counsel worked hard to bring about the FIS [Florida individual settlements]. But their work did not exist in a vacuum. They benefitted from the decade of foundational work that Class Counsel exerted in this groundbreaking MDL, which involved evasive defendants in China, complex jurisdictional challenges requiring two trips to the Fifth Circuit, decertification attempts, and liability determinations. That Class Counsel has otherwise been compensated for this work [through the 60% global settlement award] does not prevent them from continuing to reap the rewards of their efforts. Moreover, preventing appointed counsel from recovering awards when their work leads to massive recoveries down the road would make it harder for courts to find capable and competent lawyers to take on that work in the future. Id.

Read more:
Eleventh Circuit affirmance of fee award demonstrates the long reach of an MDL - JD Supra

(This story is sponsored by .)

Similar to performing repairs and renovations, summer is also the best time to waterproof your homes basement. From June to September, we get a much appreciated break from the rain. That makes it the optimal time to that may be prone to leaking.

There are several factors that can cause a leaky basement, including the environment surrounding it. Any clay, soil, or water located around the basement can slowly put pressure on your homes walls, which can result in cracking or even a collapse. Once water or soil permeates your basement, you can experience sinking, damaged flooring, warped walls, mould, and mildew. All of these are extremely costly to repair.

To avoid your basement and wallet from taking a hit, enlist the professional team at to ensure your foundation is solid. The Ontario-based company provides homeowners with free waterproofing estimates and has been serving the surrounding Hamilton area for more than 25 years.

There are three important reasons why should be completed during the warm summer months.

When it comes to , the higher temperatures in the summer can help the sealants and protective coating dry more quickly. For basements that require excavation, its best to do this in the summer when the surrounding dirt can be shovelled.

In the winter, the ground is frozen, which makes repairs more costly, says a representative at Aquatech Basement Waterproofing. The summer and early fall seasons are when we recommend homeowners have their foundation inspected.

While its difficult to excavate during the winter, the experienced team at Aquatech Basement Waterproofing can provide other services like installing pump systems or applying coating.

Humidity goes hand-in-hand with damp, mould-filled basements. In the summer, humidity levels increase, making your basement more prone to excess moisture and mildew. Instead of using fans to circulate the stuffy and smelly air, have your basement waterproofed so it can handle humid conditions.

Depending on your basement situation, the offers a handful of services that can keep your home dry.

Aquatech Basement Waterproofing offers interior and , basement underpinning, foundation crack repair, wet basement repair, leaky basement repair, and sump pump repair and installation. The services that your home requires will be determined by a professional contractor upon consultation.

Homeowners who wish to fully waterproof their basement will have the flooring removed, drainage system updated, corrugated siding and drywall installed, and a new basement floor poured. This waterproofing process should be performed every 25 years to avoid expensive leaks and damage from occurring.

Aquatech Basement Waterproofing also provides dependable waterproofing services to homes without basements, ensuring that nasty weather conditions never enter your humble abode.

To book your free phone consultation and waterproofing estimate, visit

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Why summer is the ideal time to waterproof your basement - The Georgia Straight

by Mick Rhodes | mickrhodes@claremont-courier.com

In Part I How Much is Too Much?, the COURIER described how an elderly Claremont couple, the Roberts, came to be mixed up with Rooter Hero, a California and Arizona plumbing company with 10 locations.

We delved into scathing reviews from consumers and former employees detailing allegations of fraud, and into a revealing 37-page California State Contractors License Board document detailing scores of accusations of wrongdoing with respect to the companys business practices.

Yes, online reviews are to be viewed with a jaundiced eye; its common to game the system and attempt to discredit your competitors with fraudulent negative reviews.

So, the COURIER went to the source and talked to two ordinary consumers who came to be entwined with the company.

One, 34-year-old Glendora resident Jenna Tennyson, had some less than flattering lasting impressions of Rooter Hero.

Part one: How much is too much?

Next week part 3: Gaming the System

Listen to the PODCAST

Its not our problem

If I left a review, it was prior to the job being done and I would retract it if I could. They are awful, Ms. Tennyson told the COURIER through Facebook Messenger.

Ms. Tennyson was referencing a Google review she posted about Rooter Hero. She went on to describe a repair job involving a backup prone, leaky toilet. Rooter Heros tech said the toilet was faulty, and charged Ms. Tennyson $1,000 to replace it with a new one.

But before she was allowed to pay, the tech told her she needed to leave a Google review for the company.

And they didnt leave until I did, Ms. Tennyson said. Actually, if I remember correctly, it was part of the process upon payment. You couldnt pay until you left the review. It was all on their system, on their tablet.

Heres her Google review from a year ago: Did a wonderful job repairing our massive plumbing issue at work. Thank you so much guys!

Honestly, I dont even remember what I wrote, Ms. Tennyson told the COURIER. I remember it being so rushed and weird. Like I had to leave a review in order to get to the screen to pay.

Days later the new toilet was still having the same issues, so she called another plumbing company. That tech removed the newly installed toilet to reveal it was mounted on a wax ring that was sitting over a 4 drain that was half-occluded by a protruding concrete foundation, Ms. Tennyson said.

A reasonable person would assume this kind of glaring, obvious problem would surely have been noted by Rooter Heros tech once he saw it. And, if not, once the tech learned the customer was aware of it, one would think he would have returned and fixed the problem, or offered another solution. That was not the case.

Ms. Tennyson reached out to Rooter Hero after the second plumber pointed out the obvious reason the toilet wasnt functioning properly, and then they didnt cover the problem because it wasnt their problem, she told the COURIER.

Ill throw something in for you

Rooter Heros detractors also include Roseville, California residents Erin and Tim Malispina, who posted a cautionary review on Facebook in February, warning potential customers away after very nearly spending $2,500 on a simple repair another local plumber ended up doing for $180.

Like the Roberts, the Malispinas Googled 24-hour plumber near me the evening of February 18 after their shower would not stop running, and Rooter Hero popped up at the top of the search.

A Rooter Hero tech arrived, Then he takes a look and after maybe 10 minutes, hes like, Yeah we cant fix this. This has to be all ripped apart. Weve got to go into the back wall and tear out the drywall, re-do the entire [shower plumbing], and then fix it that way, Mr. Malispina said. Then he pushes that little piece back on extremely tight, and he tells me its going to be $1,800.

The Malispinas didnt have that much liquid cash on hand.

And he said, Well, we can finance it. But I cant finance anything less than $2,500, Mr. Malispina recalled. I was like, Why would I finance $2,500 if its an $1,800 project? And he said, I tell you what, Ill throw something in for you; do you need a sink or a toilet?

Tired and startled by the sudden prospect of going into debt to the tune of $2,500 to repair what seemed to them to be a simple fix, the Malispinas nevertheless reluctantly agreed to have the tech return the next day to do the job.

But something just didnt sit right, and Ms. Malispina phoned her aunt, whos knowledgeable about such things. She referred her to a Rocklin outfit, Whest Koast Plumbing, that sent out its tech Joseph Rippley the next morning.

He was in there for maybe 20 minutes, and hes like Oh yeah I can fix this right now. Ive got the part inside my truck, Mr. Malispina said of Mr. Rippley. He has this little puller to the get the piece out. He said, Man, that guy really jammed that in there. I had trouble pulling it. He got it out, and in 30 minutes tops he was in my house, finished the project and done for $180.

Mr. Rippley installed a new shower valve cartridge, a part that cost about $40. He saw no water damage, dry rot or mold, conditions which could have prompted the removal of drywall.

This job was a simple, obvious thing, and [checking the cartridge] is one of the first things youd look at, said Whest Koast owner Charlie Hopkins. This is typical fare of misdiagnosis, overpricing the consumer and hard pressure sales. People just cant say no sometimes. I cannot believe how many times I tell people, You have a resource with the contractors state license board. They will do everything. Theyll help you file the paperwork. Theyll return your money or fine them, and keep them from doing that stuff. But people will not do it.

Clearly though, some have.

Following an investigation into numerous consumer grievances filed with the California State Contractors License Board, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra filed a formal complaint against Rooter Hero on March 19, 2021.

Case number N2019-298 lists 51 calls for discipline dating back to 2017, including allegations Rooter Hero willfully or fraudulently contracted for work that was not required and overcharged for work performed, departed from accepted trade standards for good and workmanlike construction, willfully or fraudulently overcharged for work that was not required, causing a substantial injury, made substantial misrepresentations to a California homeowner in the procurement of the contract, performed unnecessary work in replacing the plumbing system that had no indication that it needed to be replaced, requested and received payment that exceeded the value of work or materials provided to the ... project, and numerous and sundry complaints of out of code work and other questionable business practices.

Proposed actions include the suspension of the contractors licenses of Rooter Heros owner and CEO John Akhoian (aka Oganes Akhoian), CFO Tamar Akhoian (who is presumably married to Mr. Akhoian), COO John Clinton Bergeron, and William John Beyermann, the companys responsible managing employee.

A hearing date is forthcoming, according to Joyia Emard, Public Affairs Manager for the California Contractors State License Board.

Additionally, on May 7, 2018, in another California State Contractors License Board investigation into similar allegations of wrongdoing, then California Attorney General and now Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris ordered the CSLB licenses for Akhoian Enterprises Inc., John Akhoian, Tamar Akhoian, and William Beyermann be placed on probation for three years.

Case number N2015-270 stipulated each was ordered to post a $45,000 disciplinary bond or cash deposit. The order also prohibited John Akhoian or Tamar Akhoian from serving as an officer, director, associate, partner or qualifying individual on any contractors license during the period of probation.

So how is it that a company with a history of consumer complaints of fraud and abuse, one that in 2018 was reprimanded by the state contractors license board for same, and is currently under investigation for allegations of even more, still continues to rise to the top of the various online review platforms search results, with five-star ratings?

The answer is clear: its gaming the system.

View original post here:
GAMING the SYSTEM: The Scam-part 2 | Claremont Courier - Claremont Courier

Gloria Hafemeister| Correspondent

COLUMBUS, WI The Roche brothers at Columbus call themselves biological farmers.

Kevin, David and Dennis Roche and their wives Tracy, Amy, and Jacki operate a farm that has been in the family since 1852. Kevin says they are constantly striving for healthier soil and crops and he knows that everything that is done on the soil has an impact.He not only considers the basic nutrients, but the micronutrients and the role they play in the structure of the soil and the ability of the plants to utilize all the nutrients.

The Columbus farm family served as one of the hosts of the Wisconsin Cattlemens Association annual tour on Saturday, June 26.The event began with a tour of the 1,300 head feedlot followed by a description of how they manage their 3,760-acre grain operation.

The feedlot operation finishes groups of Holstein steers, dairy crosses and straight colored, which are marketed at various locations depending on market preference.

Cattle arrive at around 400 pounds, with a target market weight of 1,400 pounds. All pens of cattle are tracked for dry matter intake per day, daily gain, and profit per animal.

In the past the family did custom feeding but now they own all the cattle, which are fed ryelage, corn fines from a local elevator, distillers grain, pellets and corn silage.

The ryegrass helps them eat better and diversifies the diet," Kevin Roche says. "They have a more constant dry matter intake.We track everything every day on the computer and know it has made a difference.

MORE:Wisconsin Cattlemen's Association heads to Rio processor for annual meeting

The Roche family harvests rye when it heads out. This year they plantedhalf triticale which Kevin believes adds more nutrient value and is easier to pack .However, they did not harvestas much tonnage.

We house the cattle in a barn that is bedding pack, then they go to a flat barn with rubber Easy Fix slats, Kevin said.

He describes the flat barn as a comfort barn built back in 1972. They replaced the roof twice and installed rubber slats in 2015.The Roche's will likely replace the rubber within the next few years but believeit pays for itself in cow comfort and rate of gain.

"We monitored the animals in the beginning and noticed they all wanted the rubber slats in favor of the others, Kevin said.

The Rocheshadanother building built in 2013.Because of the roofs pitch and the angle of the building the facility stays warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

The bedded pack barn was built in 2007 and at first had no insulation. After replacing the roof in 2016 they installedbubble insulation in the roof and opened the sides, resulting in better air circulation for the animals. Kevin expectstheroof tolast longer.

The brothers estimate they provide 41 square feet per animal. The living areas are scraped and bedded twice a week. The Rochesput in a wood chip basetwice a year that is covered with corn stalks and discarded drywall scraps.

We figure these drywall scraps help prevent pneumonia, odor and flies.The hairy wart disappeared, too, Kevin says.

He notes thatthe calcium sulphate in the dry wall is not only good for the bedding pack but it is very helpful in the composting that they do with their manure.

They began composting manure about 10 years ago and have seen many benefits.

With all these animals on a feed lot, Kevin saysthey needed to look at feed-lot runoff and manure management. At the time, some of the animals were housed in a confinement barn with liquid storage under the barn. The brothers didnt like the idea of building a lagoon and liquid manure storage for the feedlot area so they developed a composting system to utilize not only the solids from that barn but also some of the liquid from the other barn.

I didnt like the idea of all that liquid manure because hauling liquid encourages compaction and there are odor issues to consider, Kevin said.

Instead, they haul manure across the road and place it in numerous long windrows. Then they come through with a turning machine as needed.

The Roches point out that nutrients in compost are mostly in the organic form and are highly resistant to leaching.Composting is a speeded-up version of a natural decomposition process.

Microorganisms feed on manure and organic waste from the plant or animal kingdoms.In the presence of air, the organisms reduce these complex compounds into a stabilized organic material similar to humus, the organic fraction of soil.

The brothers monitor the windrows with a temperature probe. It's beneficial to allow the matter to warm just enoughto kill the weed seeds but they try to avoid heating it too much. If the composted manure is hot and dry it isn't turned as much. Water is added if it becomes too dry.

Kevin describes it as a biological. The materialis applied at a low rate, not so much for the nitrogen as for its other qualities.

Our goal is to unlock the mineral nutrients and N, P and K that is already in the soil. We use less commercial fertilizer when we get the biology in the soil going, Kevin explained.

He adds, The phosphorus and potassium is in a different form in compost than in manure.Some nitrogen is used up in the composting process.With the addition of the drywall, the nitrogen is locked up in the compost.In the field, manure must also compost in order to be beneficial but it takes a year or more for that to happen.This speeds the process.

In earlier years they added 100-200 pounds of gypsum per ton of manure,either by spreading it on the beds in the barn or adding it directly to the windrows.Now they have arranged to get drywall scraps from area builders, which are placed in pens where the cattle stamp them down, mixing themwith the manure.

The Rochesalso incorporate some leaves from the city of Columbus. Liquid manure on the leaves creates compost quickly.

They apply 2,500 pounds of compost every 2-3 years on approximately 800 acres of cropland.

While they have been at this a decade the Roches say they are still learning.

David describes that the missing piece in the process was the cover crops.The brothers have been active with the area Healthy Soil Healthy Water group of farmers with a keen focus on sustainability.

The currently feed some of the grain they produce and market the majority of it. The family has utilized no-tillsince the early 1990s and then moved into strip-till to better manage soil warm-up in the spring and deal with high residue.They plan to switch to raising more wheat in order to better accommodate the use of cover crops which have a longer growing season after wheat than after corn harvest

The brothers say they enjoy getting together with farmers at educational events and learning from what others are doing. They particularly follow the methods of Rick Clark and Dave Brown, both successful cover crop managers who have spoken at numerous healthy soil meetings during the last few years.

Kevin points out that these farmers became organic farmers by accident.He says the combination of compost, minimum tillage and cover crops helps to eliminate the use of chemicals on the land, especially when a crimper is used to kill off rye in spring rather than a chemical.

When the Roches started composting they developed a market for selling their compost to gardeners but have abandoned theidea due to the time it takes to manage that portion of the business. However, they see so much benefit to the compost on their farm that they now use everything they have to improve their own soil.

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Roche brothers of Columbus consider themselves 'biological farmers' - Wisconsin State Farmer

More than 9 feet of murky flood water rushed into the basement of the Bloomington Fire Department headquarterson East Fourth Streetthe night of June 18 and then seeped upwardthrough air conditioning vents, leaving the buildings entire ground floor soaked.

As Fire Chief Jason Moore and other emergency workers helped stranded motorists and removed garbage bags, mulch and tree limbs from blocked storm drains, water in the fire departments headquartersruined electrical systems, communication equipment and controls for the facilitys backup generator.

My office was flooded, Moore told The Herald-Times this week.

Moore, the firefighters and staff are now working out of temporary quarters three blocks west, in a former law office on College Avenue.

More: Bloomington mayor directed city's storm flood response from Washington, D.C.

The chief saidtotal damages to the building are still being assessedbut will exceed the citys deductible, which, according to city officials, is $100,000 per location, except the transit department, where it is $500,000.

Thunderstorms dumped about 6 inches of rain on Bloomington during the night from June 18 to June 19. One Bloomington resident died and numerous buildings were damaged by the flood waters, including businesses, homes and public infrastructure.

Aftermath: Downtown businesses still recovering from Bloomington flooding last weekend

The headquarters of the Bloomington Police Department also sustained significant damage to electronic and computer equipment, the department said.

Public Works Director J.D. Boruff told the Herald-Times that water rose to about 6 inches in the police departments basement, ruining most of the furniture, gear and equipment stored there. He said the water even reached past the bottom of some filing cabinets.Officials are still determining the evidentiary value of the files and are trying to dry those that by lawhave to be retained, he said.

While Boruff said he did not yet have details about the kind of claim the city would have to file for damage to the police department, he said the claim is going to be pretty substantial.

Capt. Ryan Pedigo, the police departments public information officer, told The Herald-Times via email this week police do not yet have a damage estimate, as the contractor is still locating and removing items damaged and/or contaminated by the flood waters.

It will most likely be quite some time before BPD has an idea of the overall cost to repair and replace all that has been damaged and/or contaminated, Pedigo said.

A spokeswoman for Mayor John Hamilton said total damage to the city is still being tallied.

The citys fire headquarters flooded for at least the third time in 20 years, Moore said, though this months flood was by far the worst.

Moore, who has been chief for five years, said the department now is weighing all options, including a permanent move elsewhere downtown.

Sleepless night: County firefighters kept busy during flood; IU Health Bloomington Hospital unscathed

Even before the flood damage, the department had been considering a major remodeling of the headquarters, but Moore said even if critical functions and equipment were moved out of the basement, he would still have concerns about getting trucks out of the building in another major flood.

Upgrades to equipment might mitigate some of those concerns, he said, but in preliminary discussions, the department also is weighing whether another location might offer more protections without compromising the departments ability to respond to emergencies.

Previously, city officials figured moving the departments headquarters might prove too costly, Moore said, but given the damage from the flood, the cost concerns have lessened.

Moore said the department likely will remain based at its temporary location until the damaged building has been remodeled or the department finds a new downtown location. For now, the department is keeping a fire engine at the temporary site, but only during the day, because of concerns over potentialtheft and vandalism.

After flood waters damaged the departments communication equipment, firefighters and command staff have switched to portable devices, which already played a significant role during the pandemic.

Boruff saidthough the police headquarters has flooded before, the damage generally has been so limited that city staff have been able to remove the water and make repairs. This time, however,with the drywall affected, a contractor was needed to assessand repairthe damage. The water did not rise high enough to get into the electrical system.

Boruff praised both the police and fire departments for their ability to adapt quickly and to continue to provide emergency services without interruption.

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Flood damage has meant Bloomington firefighters have to work out of a temporary location - The Herald-Times

If you didnt notice your only neighbor was a concrete manufacturing facility, it would be easy to think that 1843 Middle Road in Calverton, New York, was just another new, modern suburban home with some unusual siding.

Thats kind of the point. The house is actually a prototype for residences 3D-printed using concrete. Kirk Andersen, director of operations at SQ4D, the company behind the structure, said its meant as a proof of concept to show how livable the futuristic-sounding home actually is.

This is one of the biggest 3D printed things in the world, he said. Its a 1,900 square foot home, the proof that we can put a couple bedrooms, fit you out with a bathroom and you can decorate it however you want on the inside.

Concrete construction is already popular in some parts of the country, but in many areas, its still seen as novel compared to traditional wood framing.

Andersen said the 3D printing method is meant to make homebuilding more efficient, predictable and customizable.

For the prototype, Andersen said, the foundation was poured traditionally and the roof uses wood support struts, but the main body of the house was printed using a 3D concrete printer.

We start extruding concrete in an inch and a half bead. That inch and a half bead is on one side and another inch and a half bead is on the other side, with a five-inch gap between them, making up an eight inch wall, which is basically the normal size of a standard concrete block, he said. Its a gantry-based machine. We instruct it where to go. We set this thing up. All we need to do is level the ground.

The design for the house is determined by a computer program, which directs the 3D printing gantries how to move around the building site. Andersen said the floorplan can be redesigned by tweaking the computer code, leading to an almost infinite number of potential layouts.

For now, his company is focused on manufacturing single-story homes, which Andersen said are less architecturally complex than multi-story ones.

This 3D printed model shows the houses floorplan in miniature.

Zach Wichter/Bankrate

The prototype also has most of its utilities like electrical conduits on the exterior of the walls, but future models will have those pieces of infrastructure printed internally.

Concrete construction, along with other off-site building methods has some key advantages, especially in the current climate where supply chains are running tight and lumber prices are spiking.

Theres an overarching theme that builders are looking for alternatives to onsite, stick-built construction, said Devin Perry, executive director of business improvement programs at the National Association of Home Builders. Youve seen an uptick in interest due to labor and material constraints.

He added that concrete homes are already popular in areas where natural disasters like hurricanes and wildfires make wood-framed houses more costly to maintain, and surging lumber prices are giving alternative building methods a further boost.

Your upfront cost with material and some of the advanced construction methods exceed the typical wood-based, stick-built construction, he said, but the cost of concrete has not kept pace with the recent increase in lumber, so its becoming more affordable.

Plus, Perry added, concrete homes tend to have lower maintenance and energy costs, so theres downstream savings for homeowners.

He also acknowledged that concrete construction can be more carbon-intensive than traditional wood frame houses, but because of higher energy efficiency, most concrete homes make up that difference after about a decade.

You think concrete: cold, because youre probably in a basement. But theres millions of people living in concrete homes in Florida and Europe and around the world, Andersen said.

Although the prototype house in Calverton doesnt have any insulation, future builds will have insulating foam injected between layers of concrete in the walls. In the photo above, you can see the space in the partially finished walls where the insulation will be installed.

You can seal concrete many ways. This is concrete, its nothing new. I would prefer it over a wood-built home, Andersen said.

This is definitely one complicating factor. Concrete homes are going to be a little more complicated to modify than traditionally-framed ones once construction is completed.

Its concrete, nobodys stopping you, but thats not where were headed, Andersen said. SQ4D is focused more on constructing affordable starter homes rather than making ones that people will try to remodel significantly over time.

Kirk Andersen, director of operations at SQ4D, points out details of the model houses construction.

Zach Wichter/Bankrate

Im trying to make something single-story, reasonable size, affordable that you can raise a family in, he said. There are affordable housing crises everywhere.

Concrete houses are durable, but will require maintenance like anything else. Concrete can and will crack, Andersen said, but if those cracks are filled with the correct material, the wall will remain stable for decades to come. The next house his company builds will have a 50-year warranty.

Plus, Andersen said, emergency repairs can be easier on a concrete home in some situations.

If a flood happens you can power wash this thing out, youre not replacing drywall, he said.

Andersens company is working on scaling up in New York and expanding to Florida and California. Theyve actually already gone into contract on their first habitable home in Riverhead, New York, where the new owners are expected to move in this summer.

Meanwhile, other companies like Austin-based ICON have already built a community of 3D printed homes in Mexico with more on the way including a contract with NASA for structures on the Moon.

The technology for 3D printing homes is still being developed, but it is getting a foothold.

Its exciting to have more options for homebuilders, and 3D printing can be one of those, Perry said.

If youre interested in exploring this method for your own housing needs, its worth a quick web search to see what companies are doing this kind of work in your area, and reaching out to see what your options are.

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Could 3D printing be the future of homebuilding? See this demo house - Bankrate.com

CNN

A lot is unknown about the state, and fate, of the modern office worker as work-from-home orders lift and people begin a return to the traditional office. For many people, of course, that return wont happen many employers will allow employees the choice, and some will even move away from brick-and-mortar offices entirely. That means the home office will be here to stay for many people.

If your home workspace could use some help to get papers and files and charging cords and desk accessories organized, weve got ideas. We spoke to experts Nonnahs Driskill, founding organizer at Get Organized Already!, and Rachel Hoffman, a cleaning and organizing expert and the author of Unf*ck Your Habitat and Cleaning Sucks, to ask for their best tips for getting a home office in order. And we asked them to recommend the very best organizing solutions, all priced under $20.

Amazon

Clear 3-Section Vertical File

Driskill recommends these clear, vertical file folders that will keep your current projects organized but out of the way. She likes the nice, streamlined look of the translucent plastic file holder, and the versatility of the keyhole backing that allows the file holder to be mounted on the wall.

Amazon

Songmics 3-Tier Rolling Cart

A three-tier rolling cart is a favorite of organizers and small-space design experts who love the slim footprint, deep storage compartments and portability. In a home office, this cart can be used to store files or hobby supplies or, as one organizing expert we talked to uses hers for, a printer station to keep cartridges, cords and printer paper organized.

Amazon

Hongdream Wall-Mount Pegboard

The desk itself isnt the only available storage space Hoffman says to consider the space above, next to and below the desk as a place to create extra storage. She also offers this helpful tip: For people who cant install anything on their walls, leaning pegboards or magnetic boards with corresponding storage accessories help get a lot of items up off the desk and into a more out-of-the-way location.

Amazon

Kuhome Pegboard Accessories

Customize a pegboard system to fit your organizing needs with an accessories set like this one, which includes six cups with ring-style holders to attach to the board, which can be used to store pens, pencils, scissors, spare charging cords and more.

Amazon

Baskiss Cord Management Organizer

Adhesive cord managers grab onto cords, keeping them in reach rather than on the floor. This peel-and-stick adhesive cord organizing strip has seven slots and is safe to use on drywall, plastic, wood, glass, metal or rubber.

Amazon

Kootek Cable Management Sleeve

If your home office has been overtaken by a mass of unruly cords, a cable management sleeve can help bring some visual order to the room. This style is made of neoprene, so its flexible, and its reversible, allowing you to choose either the white or the black side depending on which better suits your decor. The sleeve is 118 inches long and can be cut into smaller pieces using scissors, or used whole to obscure a longer stretch of cord or cords.

Amazon

Cable Raceway On-Wall Cord Cover

Another way to manage and conceal cords is to use a baseboard cover. This D-Line cover comes in five colors beige, white, black, silver/gray and oak wood which will match to most baseboards. And, because theyre made of PVC, they can also be painted to match unusual wall or baseboard colors.

Amazon

mDesign 3-Tier Shelf Organizer Stand

Hoffman specifically mentioned that desks without drawers and other forms of built-in storage are trendier, and less expensive, and therefore tend to be popular in home offices. If you find that a little extra storage is needed, a desktop riser shelf adds space and keeps clutter organized.

Amazon

Desktop Bookshelf With Drawers

Creating more space on a desk can be as simple as investing in a narrow tabletop shelf that can sit atop a desk. Look for styles that offer open shelving for storing paper planners, notebooks and mailing supplies, as well as some drawers for holding smaller items like phone chargers.

Amazon

Extendable Desktop Organizer With Drawers

As Hoffman puts it, desk organizers that feature small drawers are a nice choice so not everything is out on display all the time. This desktop organizing system has open shelves and some drawers to tuck away small items when not in use.

Amazon

Office Accessories Caddy

Hoffman emphasizes using the space above, below and around a desk for storage. But if using vertical space to put up shelves isnt an option, look for a desk organizer tray with a small footprint that wont take up a lot of surface area.

Amazon

Headset Headphone Holder Mount

Desktop space is valuable and keeping it uncluttered is important, but so is keeping oft-used home office items within arms reach like bulky headsets. This clip-on headset and headphone holder attaches to the side of a desk, keeping headphones out of the way but still right there when you need them.

Amazon

Drinking Cup Holder Clip

A drinking cup holder that clips on the desk keeps that all-important water bottle, soda can or coffee cup right by your side but off of your desk, where it takes up space and threatens important papers and expensive electronics with a spillage accident.

Amazon

Desk Side Pen Holder

Even in our digital world, you still need a pen from time to time. This inexpensive pen holder clips to the side of a desk, keeping the desks surface free while ensuring theres always a pen handy when you need one.

Amazon

Desk Clamp Power Strip

Clamping a power strip to the underside of the desk means that you always have juice right when you need it. Its also nice to get power strips up off the floor, where they get in the way and collect a lot of dust.

Amazon

Under-Desk Drawers, 2-Pack

Under-desk drawers create hidden pockets of storage space for small items like pens and chargers. Just be sure to measure the height of your desktop piece to be sure the drawers will fit properly.

Amazon

Remote Control Caddy

Remote controls arent typically associated with offices, but these days everything from standing fans to lighting systems comes with a remote. If you have a lot of electronics and corresponding remotes in your home office, a 10-dollar solution will keep them all in one easy-to-locate place.

Amazon

mDesign Slim Plastic Wastebasket With Handles, 2-Pack

Sure, most home offices have a wastebasket for tossing out trash, but recyclables like cardboard boxes and soda cans are just as often found in a home office as in a regular office. Set up a small recycling center with two small, inexpensive wastebaskets for all those recyclables.

Standing bookshelves take up a lot of space and can be pricey, but a set of inexpensive, wall-mounted floating shelves can add a lot of storage in a home office. Shelves can be used for files, books or desk accessories, and theyre also a pretty way to display plants or collections.

Amazon

Y-Weave Medium Decorative Storage Basket

When it comes to storing small items in a home office, small bins can be used on floating shelves to create a streamlined look. These small, lightweight bins are perfect for stashing office supplies on floating shelves to get clutter off the desk.

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20 products under $20 to help clear the clutter out of your home office - CNN