Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

UNION CITY -- Nearly 100 people, including about a dozen Bay Area residents, face potential criminal charges after being arrested during a statewide undercover sting targeting unlicensed contractors.

Fraud investigators from the Contractors State License Board conducted stings on Wednesday and Thursday in Alameda, Los Angeles, Monterey, Placer, San Diego, San Luis Obispo and Sonoma counties. Investigators posed as homeowners seeking bids for home improvements including painting, tree trimming, gutter installation and water heater replacement.

A total of 92 people, including 14 who bid on work at a rental home in Union City, were arrested on suspicion of contracting without a license, board spokesman Rick Lopes said Friday.

"Their goal is to fly under the radar, to pay workers in cash under the table and to not pay taxes," Lopes said while standing outside the home in the 3100 block of Chimney Court used to bust the bad contractors.

Investigators contacted the suspects after finding them online at websites including Craigslist, in fliers left on homeowner's doors or by word-of-mouth from legitimately licensed contractors who knew their competitors were not licensed.

Loren Reed, with the California Department of Consumer Affairs, said investigators put out bids at the Union City home for outdoor repairs including landscaping and fencing. Inside the home, they asked suspects to bid on items including plumbing, carpeting and

When the suspects arrived at the home to bid on the repairs, investigators asked for proof of a contracting license. When they could not provide one, the suspects were arrested, Lopes said.

In one instance, Lopes said, one suspect presented a fake, plastic license ID card to an investigator. The investigator knew better and the suspect was arrested.

Under California law, any job estimated at more than $500 must be performed by someone with a state license. State law also requires contractors to place their license number in print, broadcast and online advertisements. Those without a license can advertise to perform jobs valued at less than $500, but the ad must state that they are not licensed.

State authorities said the stings also were aimed at catching a number of suspects on a "most wanted" list of known violators. Warrants have been issued for the arrest of people who appear on the list, who Lopes said are unlicensed violators known to prey on unsuspecting homeowners. The list is available to the public at http://www.cslb.ca.gov/generalinformation/newsroom/mostwanted/.

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Statewide sting targets unlicensed contractors, with a dozen in Bay Area

UNION CITY -- Nearly 100 people, including about a dozen Bay Area residents, face potential criminal charges after being arrested during a statewide undercover sting targeting unlicensed contractors.

Fraud investigators from the Contractors State License Board conducted stings on Wednesday and Thursday in Alameda, Los Angeles, Monterey, Placer, San Diego, San Luis Obispo and Sonoma counties. Investigators posed as homeowners seeking bids for home improvements including painting, tree trimming, gutter installation and water heater replacement.

A total of 92 people, including 14 who bid on work at a rental home in Union City, were arrested on suspicion of contracting without a license, board spokesman Rick Lopes said Friday.

"Their goal is to fly under the radar, to pay workers in cash under the table and to not pay taxes," Lopes said while standing outside the home in the 3100 block of Chimney Court used to bust the bad contractors.

Investigators contacted the suspects after finding them online at websites including Craigslist, in fliers left on homeowner's doors or by word-of-mouth from legitimately licensed contractors who knew their competitors were not licensed.

Loren Reed, with the California Department of Consumer Affairs, said investigators put out bids at the Union City home for outdoor repairs including landscaping and fencing. Inside the home, they asked suspects to bid on items including plumbing, carpeting and

When the suspects arrived at the home to bid on the repairs, investigators asked for proof of a contracting license. When they could not provide one, the suspects were arrested, Lopes said.

In one instance, Lopes said, one suspect presented a fake, plastic license ID card to an investigator. The investigator knew better and the suspect was arrested.

Under California law, any job estimated at more than $500 must be performed by someone with a state license. State law also requires contractors to place their license number in print, broadcast and online advertisements. Those without a license can advertise to perform jobs valued at less than $500, but the ad must state that they are not licensed.

State authorities said the stings also were aimed at catching a number of suspects on a "most wanted" list of known violators. Warrants have been issued for the arrest of people who appear on the list, who Lopes said are unlicensed violators known to prey on unsuspecting homeowners. The list is available to the public at http://www.cslb.ca.gov/generalinformation/newsroom/mostwanted/.

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Statewide sting targets unlicensed contractors, including a dozen in the Bay Area

On the western corner of Temple Sinai's Forbes Avenue property in Squirrel Hill, 50 people spent five hours Sunday creating a 16-by-23-foot sponge of plants and mulch.

It will be fed when the next rain pours from the roof to the gutter, down the disengaged downspout into a bank of gravel that will release it at a trickle across a small trench in the sidewalk to the rain garden.

Depending on the duration and severity of any one storm, one little patch like that keeps tens to hundreds of gallons of water out of the municipal system.

As impatient as a hungry raccoon, I always think "little by little" means "too little by too little" when I hear about another small, sustainable solution to our wildly expensive and massive problems.

I wonder why everybody who has cognizance and a few hundred dollars doesn't do what Temple Sinai has done. The more water that's kept out of underground pipes, the less overflow. The less water to treat, the less cost to us all -- except that if Alcosan builds pipes and tanks to the tune of $2 billion to meet a government mandate to reduce sewage overflow, our bills will go up regardless of solutions we provide at home.

Alcosan should consider offering people who spend on solutions of their own some relief from the rate hike.

At Temple Sinai, I imagined the rain garden as a patch on a quilt of Pittsburgh that's still a mostly empty frame. I imagined patches filling in the quilt from where I stood: a patch in the property across Murdoch Street and patches on each property across Forbes and then, hopping over Wightman and up Forbes toward Murray Avenue.

I took my fantasy citywide: Alcosan subsidizes a rain barrel for every property owner and partners with Nine Mile Run Watershed Association to install them. In fantasy, of course, time stands still. In reality, Alcosan has until Jan. 23 to submit its final plan to the Allegheny County Health Department, state Department of Environmental Protection and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Rabbi Ronald B.B. Symons, director of Temple Sinai's Tikkun Olam Center for Social Justice, said the rain garden, whose installation was organized by Zelda Curtiss, was one result of a session in which congregants were asked to name things that "kept them up at night -- not arthritis or money or kids but something they could dedicate time to" to make the world a better place.

About 200 people voted on 17 categories, paring the list to four: public education, transportation, elder care and the environment. The rain garden shows the synagogue's commitment to that environmental goal as Alcosan wrestles with its costly choices.

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Walkabout: Synagogue plants environmental cure to curb rain runoff

Seventeen handymen and builders in Seaside were cited and released after a statewide undercover sting operation, Contractors State License Board officials announced Friday.

Undercover investigators from the board's Statewide Investigative Fraud Team, known as SWIFT, posed as homeowners looking for help with tree trimming, gutter installation, water heater repairs, fence building, painting and home repairs.

Although the sting took place in Seaside, the unlicensed contractors hailed from around the Central Coast.

Besides Seaside, those cited reside in Pacific Grove, Monterey, Salinas, Soledad, Marina and one in Gilroy.

The stings took place Wednesday and Thursday in Monterey, Alameda, Los Angeles, Placer, San Diego, San Luis Obispo and Sonoma counties.

Of the cities targeted, Seaside had the most citations after Redondo Beach, where 18 people were cited.

Investigators said 92 people were cited, but the number may grow because some targets still might fax or email bids to the undercover officers.

The Monterey County District Attorney's Office and Seaside police worked with the state investigators.

Seaside police Cmdr. Louis Lumpkin said the sting was similar to one conducted two years ago in the city.

Asked if Seaside was chosen as a target for any special reason, he said, "It was just our turn again."

Read more from the original source:

17 unlicensed contractors cited in Seaside as part of sting

The City of Douglas continues work on various projects. This work is being completed by the Department of Public works and is part of the Mayor and Councils ongoing infrastructure improvement program.

Please be aware of the need for water conservation. We respectfully request residents conserve water by checking faucets, pipes, and toilets for leaks and only watering lawns and gardens between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. On behalf of the City of Douglas, thank you for your commitment to ensuring a sustainable water supply for our community.

3rd Street & Chino Road

All vehicles traveling to Mexico via the Port of Entry continue to use Chino Road to Pan American Avenue. Heavy commercial trucks continue to be diverted to 3rd Street via H Avenue.

Construction roadside improvements begin and include sidewalk installation and street lighting work on 3rd Street and Chiricahua Avenue to Chino Road.

Curbing Installation

Curb and gutter installation is taking place on 19th through 23rd Street and Tompkins Avenue. Construction hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Fire hydrant and water system maintenance continues along with miscellaneous concrete sidewalk repairs, pothole patching, cleanup, and graffiti cleanup throughout the city. If you have questions, please contact the Department of Public Works at 417-7329. Should problems arise with water and/or sewer services on the weekend or a holiday, please contact the Douglas Police Department at 417-7550, and on-call staff will be dispatched to your residence.

The City asks that you please obey all construction detours and use caution while driving or walking through these construction zones. We apologize for the inconveniences and we thank you for your patience. Please help keep everyone safe.

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Road Constuction

Chimney Cleaning Company on Long Island, Reliable Chimney Recently Announces the Launch Of Their New Website.

Long Island, New York (PRWEB) October 22, 2012

Managed as a family business, Reliable Roofing and Chimney takes care of all commercial and domestic masonry issues and offers excellent services in brick work, roof repair, gutter repair and chimney cleaning, water proofing, flat roofing among others.

Now that Reliable Chimney is dominating the chimney industry there next challenge will be to make a presence for themselves online. This month they hired Long Island Web Design & Search Engine Optimization Company, Benjamin Marc to design, develop and brand their new website. Some of the "must have" features that Reliable stressed to Benjamin Marc was sections on the website for each one of the services. Here are the services provided by Reliable on the new website.

Chimneys

Roofing

Masonry

Gutters

and Prefab Chimney

Reliable Chimney also wanted to show customers their 5 star ratings from previous customer testimonials. Reliable will be also blogging and asking frequently asked questions in the upcoming months. Clients are provided free estimates of the work on the site that may include setting up, repairing and removal of materials and provide a 10% discount on the cheapest estimates of other companies. Finally Reliable Chimney offers free tips to customers on small do it yourself projects around the home. Here is an excerpt from the website.

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Long Island Chimney Cleaning Company, Reliable Chimney Recently Announces the Launch of Their New Website

SEO Service Group's latest client Seers Support Services offers facilities management services to clients in Cardiff and surrounding areas.

Cardiff, Wales (PRWEB) October 22, 2012

When asked about what types of services they offer, a company representative stated, "We are a leading facilities management company based in Cardiff who look after commercial properties and commercial estates and properties throughout the UK. We specialise in managing all aspects of both hard and soft landscaping in and around your building. Key services include contract cleaning, commercial window cleaning, gutter cleaning, pressure washing, tree services, grounds maintenance and cherry picker hire."

Seer Support Services provides construction, window, pressure and gutter cleaning services for commercial estates. Additionally, they also offer tree services and landscape maintenance. The company has received numerous accreditations, including IPAF and City & Guilds. The company strives to deliver first class service to their customers. Unlike their competitors, the relationship that Seer Support Services develops with their clients is a top priority.

Competitive pricing and phenomenal customer service are just some of the reasons why the company has been able to flourish despite the rough economic conditions. "We will provide you with a competitive quote for the work you require and ensure that risk assessments and method statements are in place before any work on site begins. Like most responsible organisations these days, we take Health & Safety considerations very seriously and are proud to be able to demonstrate this by being accredited to both SAFEcontractor and CHAS," explained Rebecca Rees, the Seers Support Services director. The company's ability to clean high rise windows has made them a popular choice among hospitals and building sites.

For more information on the company or to employ their services, please visit http://www.seerssupportservices.co.uk.

About Seers Support Services

Seers Support Services is the leading provider of landscape maintenance and cleaning services in South Wales. The company specializes in commercial estate maintenance for properties all over the UK. Each member of Seers Support Services' staff is highly trained in all services offered. Their key services offered include contract cleaning, pressure washing, gutter cleaning, grounds maintenance, window cleaning and cherry picker rentals.

John Wider SEO Service Group 0031-6-15678807 Email Information

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Seers Support Services Seeks the Services of SEO Service Group to Improve their Online Visibility

Robert Lenney, GutterGlove gutter guard inventor and a gutter cleaning expert whose company has cleaned more than 6 million feet of gutter since 1996, said, "Cleaning gutters is pretty easy as long as you follow ladder safety basics."

Ladder safety: Always let someone know you'll be using a ladder to work on your roof or gutters. Use a safe, sturdy, four-legged step ladder for single-story homes - with a small shelf strong enough to hold a five-gallon bucket to collect gutter debris. Lash down the bucket with a lanyard. Two-story homes require aluminum extension ladders.

Fiberglass ladders are sturdiest, but also heaviest, and when cleaning gutters for hours on end, muscle fatigue can set in from moving the heavier ladder. So go for the aluminum ladder. Use wooden shims under its legs so it will stand "vertically level," not leaning to the left or right. Secure it at the "point of bearing" (usually the roof guttering) and extend it three feet above that point, moving its base one foot out (from the point) for every four feet of rise (75 degrees).

Garden hose: Use a garden hose with a pistol-grip trigger spray nozzle so you can adjust water pressure with one hand.

Gutter scoop: Scooping out leaf debris is the best method of gutter cleaning. An excellent tool is the bright orange plastic "Gutter Getter" scoop (in most hardware stores). This is unique as its front scooping edge is thin enough to conform to the bottom of the trough, making it easy to scoop even the toughest of debris in any size gutter.

Gloves: Gloves protect hands from dirty, often rotting leaf debris containing bird, pigeon and squirrel droppings. They can also prevent cuts by torn metal shards and gutter screws. Rubber gloves get poked and torn by shards and screws but thick, suede glove material is best as it is superior to cotton, leather and rubber.

Eye protection: This is a must as one never knows what will fly out of downspouts and gutters: rats, birds, frogs, wasps and bees - often leaving at high speeds.

Rake roof: Rake away as much roof debris as will come loose without damaging the shingles and hose down the rest. Leftover debris will dam the valleys causing roof leaks.

Rubber shoes: When walking on the roof for gutter cleaning, wear rubber-soled shoes as they adhere best and prevent slips and falls. Rooftops are moist in the morning, so walk on them after the sun has been up long enough to dry the moisture.

Downspouts: Ensure downspouts are clear. After gutters are cleaned, run the water hose down inside the downspout full-on. If water backs up out of the top, a clog is present. Normally, this can be unclogged by tapping the side of the downspout, but if it doesn't work the downspout must be unscrewed and removed for flushing at ground level. Original Print Headline: DIY gutter cleaning takes right tools

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Action Line: DIY gutter cleaning takes right tools

A zoologist in Central Australia says he has never seen so many budgerigars congregating around waterholes.

Anthony Molyneux from the Alice Springs Desert Park says the explosion of budgie numbers is a rare phenomenon.

"The largest flock I've seen is about 5,000," he said.

"I was sitting on a dam wall and they flew up and around me. It gave me goose bumps. It's an experience that I will never forget and will stay with me forever.

"If you see them in the distance it looks like a swarm of insects until you work out that that's so many thousands of budgies.

"So it's certainly a sight to behold, that's for sure."

He says the birds are thriving on abundant seeding grass across the region.

There have been reports of flocks of up to 15,000 budgies at waterholes from Alice Springs to Barrow Creek.

"I've been in Alice a bit over 13 years and I've never seen this many around ... so it's a classic boom and bust," Mr Molyneux said.

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Thousands of budgies flock to outback waterholes

A zoologist in Central Australia says he has never seen so many budgerigars congregating around waterholes.

Anthony Molyneux from the Alice Springs Desert Park says the explosion of budgie numbers is a rare phenomenon.

"The largest flock I've seen is about 5,000," he said.

"I was sitting on a dam wall and they flew up and around me. It gave me goose bumps. It's an experience that I will never forget and will stay with me forever.

"If you see them in the distance it looks like a swarm of insects until you work out that that's so many thousands of budgies.

"So it's certainly a sight to behold, that's for sure."

He says the birds are thriving on abundant seeding grass across the region.

There have been reports of flocks of up to 15,000 budgies at waterholes from Alice Springs to Barrow Creek.

"I've been in Alice a bit over 13 years and I've never seen this many around ... so it's a classic boom and bust," Mr Molyneux said.

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Budgie numbers explode at outback waterholes