Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

The first act of the play is a swirling portrait of Troy Maxson's life. We meet all the main people surrounding Troy. There's his best friend, Bono, whom he met while in prison. Now the two work together as garbage collectors and sip gin every Friday night. Then there's Rose, Troy's loving and dutiful wife. Lyons, Troy's son from a previous relationship, stops by to borrow some money. We also meet Gabriel, Troy's brother, who suffers from a World War II head wound and now thinks he is the archangel Gabriel. Last, there's Cory, Troy's son by Rose.

Wilson plants all the major conflicts of the play in the first act. Troy is trying to break the racial barrier at work by becoming the first black garbage truck driver. This conflict is actually quickly resolved as Troy wins his battle. We also get strong hints in the first act that Troy is having an affair with a woman named Alberta.

Ultimately, however, it seems that the main conflict of the play will involve Troy's son Cory. Cory has the chance to go to college on a football scholarship, but Troy refuses to sign the permission paper. Troy says he doesn't want his son to suffer from the same racial discrimination that kept Troy from being a pro baseball player. This tension comes to a head when Troy tells Cory's high school football coach that Cory can't play football anymore, which destroys Cory's hopes of going to college.

Things start to go really bad for Troy in the play's second act. When Alberta becomes pregnant, he's forced to fess up to Rose about his affair. Making matters worse, Alberta dies in childbirth. Rose agrees to raise the baby girl, Raynell, but says she no longer considers herself Troy's woman.

Not only does Troy lose his mistress and his wife, he also loses his best friend, Bono. We learn that the two men no longer hang out. This is partly because ever since Troy got the promotion to driver, the two don't work together anymore. More than that, though, it seems like Bono is really disappointed in Troy for having the affair. We also learn that Troy has had Gabriel put away in a mental hospital. Rose accuses him of doing this just to get half of Gabriel's disability check.

The play comes to a climax when tensions explode between Troy and Cory and the two go at each other with a baseball bat. Though Troy wins the fight, he loses his son forever.

The last scene of the play takes place years later on the day of Troy's funeral. We see Cory return home in a military uniform. He's gone out and made his own way in the world but is still struggling with the shadow of his father. He considers not going to the funeral, but is talked out of it by Rose. We're given hope that Cory is on the path to becoming his own man and forgiving his father when he and young Raynell sing a song together in honor of Troy.

The play concludes when Gabriel returns. He tries to blow his trumpet to open the gates of heaven for Troy. When no sound comes out, he does a ritualistic dance and chant. In the play's final moment, we're told the gates of heaven are wide open.

Follow this link:
Fences Summary - Shmoop

Imagine if we could reproduce the beautiful simplicity of the epic American white picket fence in a durable, maintenance-free material. We can! Cedar Rustic Fence Co.s vinyl fences look great and last a lifetime. With a Cedar Rustic vinyl fence, you can even go beyond the simplicity of white pickets. Our fences are available in multiple colors with styles to fit any home from traditional to contemporary.

You may not know it from our name, but Cedar Rustic Fence Co. is the largest fabricator and installer of PVC fencing in the Chicagoland area. Each fence is precisely routed on one of our computer numerical controlled (CNC) machines and assembled specifically for you.

Cedar Rustic Fence Co. always considers our customers first when manufacturing our vinyl fences. Most fence installers buy vinyl fencing products from third party manufacturers. These manufacturers are primarily concerned with their profitability and at times will skimp on product quality. Over the last 80 years, Cedar Rustic Fence Co. has gained perspective on the long-term value of customer service. We understand that compromising on product quality today will adversely impact the long-term success of our business.

Whether you are looking to add privacy, security or character to your yard, CR Vinyl from Cedar Rustic Fence Co. is the right choice for you. Our lifetime warranty is the most comprehensive in the industry. We guarantee your vinyl fence will never chip, peel, warp or fade unevenly. If it does, we will fix it at no additional cost to you.

Add charm to your yard and value to your property with a vinyl fence from Cedar Rustic Fence Co.

Here is the original post:
Vinyl Fences - Cedar Rustic Fence Co.

Organizers Seek African-American Actors to Fill Cast

DULUTH, Minn. The Lake Superior Community Theatre is planning a production of August Wilsons Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning play, Fences.

Fences is the story of the Maxsons, an African-American family in 1950s Pittsburgh.

The director, Paul Deaner, wants the production to be as authentic as possible, which means he needs an african american cast to fill the roles. Deaner knows finding the actors he needs would be difficult up the North Shore.

Duluth is the market we have to talent search for the show, said Deaner, the Executive Director of the Lake Superior Community Theatre. Its a big stretch for us, literally in mileage and in a shift in our dynamic of how were producing.

Fences was adapted into a movie in 2016, starring Denzel Washington and Viola Davis. Duluths Helen Davis is familiar with Fences and was the first one to get information Wednesday. Davis, who says she acted in high school, hopes to land the role of Rose Maxson.

Ive watched the movie over and over again and I feel I can have some compassion with this movie, said Davis. It brings us out for our culture and community to act and it brings out more, so people really understand what Fences is about.

Two more information sessions are scheduled. The first is Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7p.m. in the Denfeld High School cafeteria. Another is planned for Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Duluth Neighborhood Youth Services Washington Center.

After the information sessions, Deaner will start contacting prospective actors about actual auditions.

See the original post here:
Theatre Company Plans "Fences" Production - Fox21Online - FOX 21 Online

The Hannibal Jaycees' first pee wee fence painting contest for ages 5 to 9 and girls' contest for ages 10 to 13 were a big success, with 35 children registered in the pee wee and 12 in the girls' contest.

The Hannibal Jaycees' first pee wee fence painting contest for ages 5 to 9 and girls' contest for ages 10 to 13 were a big success, with 35 children registered in the pee wee and 12 in the girls' contest.

Both took place Sunday, July 2, before the National Fence Painting. The national event had only four contestants, including the local and state winners from the previous day.

Dawson Behl, 12, of New London, who won the state contest on July 1, was the winner. In addition to several prizes, he received the governors trophy, which may be displayed in the state capitol for one year. The trophy is to be returned to Hannibal on the Fourth of July in 2018, when Dawson will be a judge of the contest.

Ben Schwartz, 12, of Hull, Ill., whose brother, Henry, won in 2016, finished the national contest in second place.

Corgan Kramer, 12, who won the local contest on July 1, finished third, and Noah Lusk, 10, of Houston, Texas, fourth.

Girls' winners announced

Mollie Ferrel, 13, of Shakopee, Minn., won the girls' fence painting. Hannah Schindler, 10, of Hannibal, finished second, and Nicole Moore, 11, of New London, third.

Hannah, the daughter of Russell and Jessica Schindler, had prepared for her fence painting debut by practicing her technique but not using paint. Her costume for the judging included a bag full of items such as a mouse, marbles and firecrackers.

Three girls competing had been in the Tomboy Sawyer contest on Saturday. They were the new Tomboy Sawyer Rylee Rodriguez, Sophia Vandiver and Savannah Corey, who both also won contests at that event.

Additional contestants were Alana Lemon, 10, Kaite Locke, 12, and Riah Wigfall, 10, all of Hannibal; Brook Doughty, 11, of New London; Delaney Bowie, 11, of Deer, Ark.; and Megan Boteler, 11, of Liberty, Mo.

Natalie Vandiver wins pee wee contest

The pee wee fence painting contest was won by Natalie Vandiver, 7, the daughter of Kristen and Josh Vandiver of Hannibal.

Second place went to Landon Nichols, 8, of Hannibl, and third to Logan Upchurch, 9, of St. Charles, Mo.

One contestant came from Berkeley, Calif. Moses Trujillo, 8, was visiting his grandparents, Jim and Nettie Antoinette of Macomb, Ill. After competing he said he had never painted anything except pictures. He discovered the brush was heavy, then decided, Maybe it was the paint. His family toured Mark Twain Cave on July 1, and his mother especially enjoyed Hannibal's historic homes, reporting, Mostly I love to see the old buildings in the city.

Also competing in the pee wee contest were Hannibal youngsters Keegan Gillmore, Wyatt Terrill, Faith Watkins, Eran Dalton, Carlee McCoy, Tuck Danehy, Nathan Tweedy, Cathy Cothern, Allen Saxbury Jr., Zach Locke, Amara Coffey, Rorrie McCoy, Madison Straube, Bella Hayes, Rhett Hayes, and Kayln Butler.

Young fence painters from New London were Noah Hathaway, Jessica Moore and Thomas Moore. Also competing were Michael Fries, Hull, Ill.; Emma Tate, Center, Mo.; Molly Boteler, Liberty, Mo.; Tyrani Cranmer, Thompson, Mo.; Henry Schwartz, Hull, Ill.; Sophia Lusk, Houston, Texas; Connie Janusz, Sedalia, Mo.; and Rowan McDonough, New Lenox, Ill.

Short fences were provided for the pee wee contest. The Jaycees encouraged the crowd to support the company that provided the fences. This was 2x4's for Hope, which had a booth at the fence painting. Its founder, Chris Lawrence, explained to the crowd that each $3 or more donation for a 2x4 board helps build a tiny home for a homeless military veteran. The agency is based in Quincy, Ill., and the website is 2x4forhope.org.

Reach reporter Bev Darr at bev.darr@courierpost.com.

Read the original:
Dawson Behl is National Fence Painting Champion - Hannibal.net

It seems like everywhere I go in Jackson and Josephine counties, I see green shadecloth enclosures and spiffy new wood fences that obviously surround cannabis gardens. To my eye, they are far more offensive to look at than the plants themselves. Are those fences required by law? If not, why do the growers use them? If they are required, what were the legislators' goals in requiring fencing.

Rogue River Bill

Hey, that's quite a handle you've got, Rogue River Bill. And, yes, we've heard more than our share of complaints about those fences, particularly the tarp fences.

In general, 8-foot fences are required to obscure the view of the plants, though there are plenty of folks, including growers, who think long wooden fences are just plain ugly.

When Oregonians decided they wanted to legalize marijuana, there was much concern about keeping those plants away from the prying eyes of children.

Rules for the recreational pot program mandate that grows be shielded from public view, with one option to accomplish that featbeing the construction of an 8-foot fence.

However, a solid fence isnt required in every case, and growers can obtain waivers from the state,according to the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, which also oversees legalized marijuana.

If the grow site isn't close to a road, or is somehow obscured from public view, the fence wouldn't be required. Unfortunately, many of these grow sites are located near freeways, highways and other areas. In fact, despite the tall fences, pot gardens can still be seen from certain vantage points.

There has been a move afoot to allow growers to install other types of fences, but legislators haven't signed off on that idea yet.

Growing hemp has also become popular, and because it is an agricultural crop overseen by the Oregon Department of Agriculture, it doesn't even need a fence. Hemp plants look very similar to regular marijuana, but don't produce the high.

The only thing we can say, Rogue River Bill, is that after a few years, those massive fences will weather and hopefully become less obvious.

Send questions to Since You Asked, Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to youasked@mailtribune.com. Were sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them.

See the article here:
Since You Asked: Pot fence requirements are built into the rules - Mail Tribune

SAUGERTIES, N.Y. >> An 18-year-old town resident who ran through several backyards and vinyl fences in the hamlet of Glasco early Thursday, and appeared to be under the influence of some sort of substance, was taken to a hospital for evaluation, according to the police chief.

Quincy McKenzie, of 35 Sterley Ave., was arrested about 5:11 a.m. after police responded to a 911 call reporting a man yelling in the backyard of a residence on Edgewood Drive in Glasco, police said.

When officers arrived, McKenzie ran through several backyards and through two vinyl fences and continued screaming until an officer was able to subdue him, Police Chief Joseph Sinagra said. He said the officer was about to use a taser on McKenzie but was able to control him without it.

McKenzie was charged with the misdemeanors of criminal mischief (two counts), obstructing governmental administration and resisting arrest.

Advertisement

Sinagra said McKenzie suffered only minor bruises from hitting the fences.

The chief said McKenzie was sweating profusely and officers had reason to believe he was on some sort of a controlled substance. Sinagra said he knows McKenzie and that bizarre behavior was not typical for him, which is why officers took him to the HealthAlliance Hospitals Broadway Campus in Kingston for evaluation.

More here:
Saugerties teen charged, hospitalized after damaging fences in ... - The Daily Freeman

GARDEN CITY, Kan. -- Most know of the luxurious life of Major League Baseball players. Some know of the hardships players face in minor league baseball. But only a few know what players in independent professional leagues go through.

The travel is taxing and the money is barely enough to cover groceries for a month. None of that is deterring Mason Mayberry.

Your current subscription does not provide access to this content. Please click the button below to manage your account.

kAm%96 a_`a q@H=:?8 vC66? w:89 $49@@= 8C25F2E6 😀 😕 9:D 7:CDE D62D@? H:E9 E96 v2C56? r:EJ (:?5 @7 E96 !64@D {628F6 \ 2 `aE62> :?56A6?56?E AC@76DD:@?2= 32D632== =628F6 32D65 😕 E96 H6DE6C? &?:E65 $E2E6D] x?56A6?56?E =628F6D 2C6 ?@E 277:=:2E65 H:E9 |{q]k^Am

kAm|2J36CCJ 92D AFE E96 5:DEC24E:@?D @7 :?56A6?56?E 32== 2D:56 2?5 DECF?8 E@86E96C 2 DEC@?8 DE2CE E@ 9:D AC@76DD:@?2= 42C66C 27E6C 7:?:D9:?8 2 7@FCJ62C 42C66C 2E E96 &?:G6CD:EJ @7 u:?5=2J 😕 a_`e] %96 C:89E92?56C 😀 b` H:E9 2 E62>36DE b]ah t#p 😕 c` :??:?8D A:E4965 E9:D D62D@?] w6VD DECF4< @FE bf 32EE6CD 2?5 :DDF65 `g H2=

kAmw:D A:E496C D4@C6 \ 2 A@:?E DJDE6> E96 !64@D {628F6 FD6D 32D65 @? DE2ED \ 😀 ge[ H9:49 C2?@?8 >@C6 E92? a__ BF2=:7:65 A:E496CD]k^Am

kAm~7 A:E496CD H9@ 92G6 =@8865 2E =62DE b_ :??:?8D 😕 E96 !64@D {628F6 E9:D D62D@?[ @?=J 7@FC 92G6 2 36EE6C t#p E92? |2J36CCJ[ H9@ 92D 2AA62C65 😕 `a 82>6D[ >2<:?8 7@FC DE2CED]k^Am

kAmQp7E6C >J =2DE DE2CE 2E u:?5=2J[ x 5:5?VE J =2DE 2AA62C2?46 @? 2 7:6=5 @C H92E[Q |2J36CCJ D2:5 AC:@C E@ v2C56? r:EJVD 82>6 @? (65?6D52J] QqFE x >62?[ x H@F=5 92G6 E2<6? 32D632== 2?JH96C6 E@ 36 9@?6DE]k^Am

kAmQx H2?E E@ 82:? E96 @E96C 8FJD] xV> A=2J:?8 H:E9 2 76H @E96C 8FJD H9@ 92G6 A=2J65 277:=:2E65 32==[ D@ ;FDE 36:?8 23=6 E@ =62C? E96 82>6 7C@> E96:C 6IA6C:6?46]Qk^Am

kAmv2C56? r:EJ 😀 😕 H6DE6C? z2?D2D[ 23@FE 7@FC 9@FCD 7C@> (:49:E2 2?5 7:G6 9@FCD 7C@> s6?G6C]k^Am

kAm%96 (:?5 A=2J 😕 E96 |@F?E2:? s:G:D:@? 2=@?8 H:E9 E96 $2?E2 u6 uF68@ W}6H |6I:4@X[ p=A:?6 r@H3@JD W%6I2DX[ #@DH6== x?G256CD W}6H |6I:4@X[ %C:?:525 %C:886CD Wr@=@C25@X 2?5 (9:E6 $2?5D !FA7:D9 W}6H |6I:4@X] %96C6 2C6 D:I >@C6 E62>D 😕 E96 !24:7:4 s:G:D:@?[ 7:G6 @7 H9:49 2C6 😕 r2=:7@C?:2] %96 @E96C 😀 😕 %F4D@?[ pC:K@?2]k^Am

kAmt249 E62> @?=J A=2JD @AA@?6?ED 7C@> E96 D2>6 5:G:D:@?[ 3FE E96 EC2G6= 😀 DE:== C:8@C@FD] v2C56? r:EJVD 2G6C286 C@25 EC:A 😀 >@C6 E92? D6G6? 9@FCD] xEVD D9@CE6DE EC:A 😀 23@FE 7@FC 9@FCD E@ %C:?:525[ 2?5 :ED =@?86DE EC:A 😀 23@FE `_ 9@FCD E@ p=A:?6]k^Am

kAm%96 A=2J6CD 5C:G6 E@ 6249 D6C:6D 😕 8C@FAD] %96J FD65 E@ EC2G6= 😕 E62> G2?D[ 3FE E96J H6C6 E2<6? 3J E96 $2=:?2 $E@4<256[ H9:49 H2D :? E96 !64@D {628F6 :? a_`e 367@C6 >@G:?8 FA E@ E96 p>6C:42? pDD@4:2E:@? E9:D D62D@?]k^Am

kAmQxEVD 567:?:E6=J 2 8C:?5[Q D2:5 |2J36CCJ[ H9@ =:G6D H:E9 2 9@DE 72>:=J 😕 v2C56? r:EJ] Q%96C6VD ?@ @E96C H2J E@ C62==J 56D4C:36 :E] (6 A=2J 6G6CJ 52J] (6VG6 925 @?6 @77 52J D@ 72C 2?5 H6V== 86E @?6 2E E96 p==$E2C 3C62<]Qk^Am

kAm|2J36CCJ @C:8:?2==J D:8?65 H:E9 E96 %F4D@? $28F2C@D 367@C6 36:?8 EC2565 E@ v2C56? r:EJ ?62C E96 6?5 @7 DAC:?8 EC2:?:?8]k^Am

kAmQxE H2D <:?5 @7 2 D9@4<[Q |2J36CCJ D2:5] Qx H2D 24EF2==J :? E96 >:55=6 @7 2 >@G:6 H96? :E 92AA6?65] $@ x =67E E96 >@G:6 2?5 5C@G6 `c 9@FCD DEC2:89E E9C@F89 E96 ?:89E E@ D9@H FA E@ E96 =2DE 52J @7 DAC:?8 EC2:?:?8 7@C v2C56? r:EJ]k^Am

kAmQxV> D@ 92AAJ :E 92AA6?65 \ ?@ @776?D6 E@ %F4D@? \ 3FE E9:D 8C@FA @7 8FJD[ x 92G6?VE 366? H:E9 2 8C@FA @7 8FJD =:<6 E9:D :? 2H9:=6]Qk^Am

kAm|2J36CCJ 92D 7@F?5 4@>7@CE 😕 v2C56? r:EJ[ H9:49 😀 `had E9C@F89 %9FCD52J] w:D >@DE C646?E DE2CE 42>6 |@?52J 😕 2 ea =@DD E@ p=A:?6] w6 2==@H65 7:G6 CF?D[ ;FDE @?6 62C?65[ 😕 D:I :??:?8D] w6 😀 D4965F=65 E@ A:E49 E@?:89E 2E %C:?:525]k^Am

kAmQ%96 3:886DE 5:776C6?46 😀 ;FDE E96 @?6 E9C@F89 ?:?6[ 6G6CJ@?6 42? 9:E[Q D2:5 |2J36CCJ[ H9@ E9C@HD 2 EH@D62> 72DE32==[ D=:56C 2?5 492?86FA] Q*@F 42?VE C62==J 86E 2H2J H:E9 >F49]k^Am

kAmQxV> =@42E:?8 A:E496D 2 =@E 36EE6C] x H2D >@DE=J 2? @FED:56 72DE32== 8FJ 2?5 ?@H xV> H@C<:?8 :? 62C=:6C D@ x 42? H@C< >J D=:56C[ H9:49 😀 >J @FE A:E49]Qk^Am

kAm|2J36CCJ 7:?:D965 2 DEC@?8 D6?:@C J62C 2E u:?5=2J 2?5 H2D?VE DFC6 H96E96C 96V5 A=2J 32D632== 282:? 367@C6 962C:?8 7C@> ys sC@55J[ H9@ H2D >2?28:?8 E96 $28F2C@D 2E E96 E:>6]k^Am

kAmsC@55J 😀 2 7@C>6C 2DD:DE2?E @7 E96 %C:886CD[ 7@C H9@> 7@C>6C q@342E }:4< #@56D

kAm|2J36CCJ H2D 64DE2E:4 E@ 92G6 2?@E96C D9@E E@ 4@?E:?F6 E@ A=2J 32D632==[ 2?5 ?@H 96VD 9@A:?8 9:D E:>6 H:E9 E96 (:?5 H:== EC2?D=2E6 E@ 2? 277:=:2E65 AC@76DD:@?2= 4@?EC24E[ >F49 =:<6 #@56D

kAmQxE 567:?:E6=J <6AE >6 9F?8CJ E@ 8@ @FE 2?5 5@ H92E 92D 8@EE6? >6 96C6] x 6 42==65 FA[Q |2J36CCJ D2:5] Q%96C6VD 2 =@E E92E 92D E@ 8@ C:89E 7@C J@F[ 3FE J@F ;FDE 92G6 E@ 5@ H92EVD 8@EE6? J@F 96C6]Qk^Am

Go here to see the original:
2012 BG grad is swinging for the fences, gaining experience in Pecos League - Sentinel-Tribune

In general, I tend to prefer serious patina. My old aircooled Porsche still has bug guts on the windshield that it earned in the aftermath of an Iowa rainstorm. Rather than cleaning my cars, I prefer to spend my time driving them, and given a spare three hours on a Sunday afternoon, I'd rather head for the hills than pick up my clay bar. As Porsche fanatics go, I realize I may be in the minority with that opinion. I've seen my fair share of PCA Concours fields to know that a lot of Porsche folks enjoy spending their time cleaning the buttons on their dash with toothpicks and cotton swabs. That's not really my bag, but maybe this bag is yours?

A couple of years ago, Porsche Classic introduced this cool houndstooth carry bag that comes with a full suite of Porsche-endorsed cleaning products for your vintage P-car. It includes tire cleaner, window cleaner, plastics cleaner, wheel cleaner (different than tire cleaner) with some extra brushes, a cleaning clay, car shampoo, a polish, and a hard wax. Applicators for each are included as necessary, as well. The set is said to be a thorough, yet gentle all-around clean and protection kit, and everything was tested by engineers in Weissach.

None of that really matters, because we just wanted an excuse to post this really cool video that Porsche released to promote the set. Watch as this early production 911 is cleaned back to original, turning back the years right in front of your eyes.

Follow this link:
Can Cleaning Your Old Porsche Bring Back The Memories Of The Good Old Days? - The Drive

A fraudster has been jailed for two years after he posed as a window cleaner to try and get money out of vulnerable Huddersfield pensioners.

Leeds Crown Court heard on the evening of May 23, John Foggo went to the home of an elderly woman in Netherton and claimed to be collecting money for cleaning her windows.

The woman, who had Alzheimers was confused by him. He said he had been there on an earlier occasion when he had carried out the work.

John Bull prosecuting said the woman was helped daily by family and decided to ring her daughter but as she did so, her son arrived at the property.

He was surprised to hear voices inside and when he went in found Foggo who persisted with his ruse that he was the window cleaner. Asked how long he had been doing that he said two years and her son knew that could not be right.

There was a physical confrontation when he tried to stop Foggo leaving and they grappled briefly before the conman ran off. Her son tried to chase him but lost him.

However he was arrested the next day from his description and was also found to have been the person who called at two neighbouring bungalows in Netherton on May 19 telling pensioners who lived there he had come to collect money for cleaning windows, although in both cases the occupants did not hand over any money.

Video Unavailable

Click to play Tap to play

Play now

Mr Bull said Foggo was sentenced in 2013 for fraud offences when he visited homes in Mirfield claiming to repair and service boilers.

Daniel Smith representing Foggo said his previous convictions resulted from his drug misuse but he had become clean from heroin during his last custodial sentence.

The current offences occurred when his benefits had been stopped but he was now working as a scaffolder and had secure accommodation.

Foggo, 36, of New North Road, Huddersfield admitted one charge of fraud and asked for two to be taken into consideration.

Jailing him Judge Robin Mairs said his history showed he specifically targeted the vulnerable and weak.

Those you choose are easy prey and you prey on that vulnerability and confusion to try and get money from them.

This was planned offending, going to areas where they live and seeking them out. It is not hard to imagine the confusion and shock it causes on this in our society who deserve the protection of the courts from people like you.

See more here:
Bogus window cleaner jailed for targeting "vulnerable and confused" pensioners - Huddersfield Examiner

A handyman, also known as a handyperson[1][2][3] or handyworker,[4][5] is a person skilled at a wide range of repairs, typically around the home. These tasks include trade skills, repair work, maintenance work, are both interior and exterior, and are sometimes described as "side work", "odd jobs" or "fix-up tasks". Specifically, these jobs could be light plumbing jobs such as fixing a leaky toilet or light electric jobs such as changing a light fixture.

The term handyman increasingly describes a paid worker, but it also includes non-paid homeowners or do-it-yourselfers. Tasks range from minor to major, from unskilled to highly skilled, and include painting, drywall repair, remodeling, minor plumbing work, minor electrical work, household carpentry, sheetrock, crown moulding, and furniture assembly (see more complete list below.) The term handyman is occasionally applied as an adjective to describe politicians or business leaders who make substantial organizational changes, such as overhauling a business structure or administrative division.[6][7]

Many people can do common household repairs. There are resources on the Internet, as well as do-it-yourself guide books,[8] with instructions about how to complete a wide range of projects. Sometimes the fix-it skill is seen as genetic, and people lacking such skills are said to "lack the handy-man gene."[9] One trend is that fewer homeowners are inclined to do fix-up jobs, perhaps because of time constraints, perhaps because of lack of interest; one reporter commented "my family's fix-it gene petered out before it reached my generation."[10] A primary rule for all do-it-yourself repair work is focus entirely on one thing at a time.[11] For example, focus on getting a nail; then focus on hammering the nail; but don't try to do both tasks simultaneously. In this manner, injuries and mistakes are avoided.

Generally the job of paid handyman is low status, a semi-skilled labor job. It's a less prestigious occupation than a specialist such as a plumber, electrician, or carpenter. With the emergence of large national chains, an effort is being made to change that perception, by emphasizing professionalism and the fact that a handyman is actually a technician with multiple skills and a wide range of knowledge. At the same time, unpaid homeowners skilled at repairs are valued for saving money. And handyman tools sometimes become useful in different places: for example, when a proper neurological drill was not available, an Australian doctor used a handyman's drill in 2009 to open a hole in the head of a 13-year-old boy to relieve pressure after a brain injury; the boy's life was saved.[12]

An estimate was that in 2003, the market for home-maintenance and repair spending was up 14% from 2001 to 2003.[13] Another estimate was that the market in the United States was $126 billion and was increasing by about 4% annually.[10] American homes are aging; one estimate was that in 2007, more than half of all homes are older than 25 years.[13] And, as populations worldwide tend to become older, on average, and since increasingly elderly people will be less inclined and able to maintain their homes, it is likely that demand for handyman services will grow.

Many towns have handymen who work part-time, for friends or family or neighbors, who are skilled in a variety of tasks. Sometimes they advertise in newspapers or online. They vary in quality, professionalism, skill level, and price. Contractors often criticize the work of previous contractors, and this practice is not limited to handymen, but to all trades.[14] Handymen have advertised their services through flyers and mailings; in addition, free websites such as Craigslist and SkillSlate help customers and handymen find each other.[15]

In 2009, there were national handyman service firms which handle such nationwide tasks as public relations, marketing, advertising, and signage, but sell specific territories to franchise owners. A franchise contract typically gives a franchise owner the exclusive right to take service calls within a given geographical area. The websites of these firms put possible customers in touch with local owners, which have handymen and trucks. Customers call the local numbers. Typically these firms charge around $100/hour, although fees vary by locality and time of year. In many parts of the world, there are professional handyman firms that do small home or commercial projects which claim possible advantages such as having workers who are insured and licensed. Their branch offices schedule service appointments for full-time and part-time handymen to visit and make repairs, and sometimes coordinate with sub-contractors.

One Lehman Brothers executive, after being let go from the Wall Street firm, bought a Union, New Jersey franchise from a national handyman firm.[16] A franchise was approximately $110,000 with a franchise fee of $14,900, according to a spokesperson for a national handyman franchise.[16]

Some see a benefit of franchising as "entrepreneurship under the safety net of a tried-and-true business umbrella"[16] but forecast a 1.2 percent decrease in franchise businesses during the 2008-2009 recession.[16] In 2005, according to a survey released by the Washington-based International Franchise Association showed 909,000 franchised establishments in the United States employing some 11 million people.[16] Franchises offer training, advertising and information technology support, lower procurement costs and access to a network of established operators.[16]

Franchise handyman firms sometimes pitch clients by asking prospective customers about their unresolved "to-do lists."[17] The firm does odd jobs, carpentry, and repairs.[17] Trends such as a "poverty of time" and a "glut of unhandy husbands" has spurred the business.[17] Technicians do a range of services including tile work, painting, and wallpapering.[17] One firm charges $88 per hour.[17] The firm targets a work category which full-fledged remodelers and contractors find unprofitable.[17] A consumer was quoted by a reporter explaining the decision to hire one firm: "'I couldn't find anyone to come in and help me because the jobs were too small', said Meg Beck of Huntington, who needed some painting and carpentry done. She turned to one franchise firm and said she liked the fact that the service has well-marked trucks and uniformed technicians and that a dispatcher called with the names of the crew before they showed up."[17] There are indications that these businesses are growing.[17] There are different firms operating.[13][18]

Other competitors include online referral services.[10] In addition, some large home centers offer installation services for products such as cabinets and carpet installation.[17] Sometimes homeowners contact a professional service after trying, but failing, to do repair work themselves; in one instance, a Minneapolis homeowner attempted a project but called a technician to finish the project, and the overall cost was substantial.[19]

How well do the franchise chains perform? One Wall Street Journal reporting team did an informal assessment by hiring "handymen all over the country and asked them to fix a wide range of problems, from a relatively routine leaky faucet to a sticky door."[13] The reporter concluded that "with few licensing requirements and standards for the industry, prices are all over the board."[13] One quote was ten times as large as another.[13] Further, the reporter concluded "A big corporate name is no guarantee of quality or speedy service."[13] One corporate firm took three weeks to fix a stuck door.[13] Service varied from spotty to good, with complaints about unreturned phone calls, service people standing on dining room chairs, leaving holes between wood planking, but liked getting multiple jobs done instead of just one.[13] Customers liked handymen wearing hospital booties (to avoid tracking dirt in houses).[13] The reporter chronicled one experience with repairing a water-damaged ceiling. A franchise firm fixed it for $1,530; a second (non-franchise local handyman) fixed a similar ceiling for $125.[13] The reporter preferred the second worker, despite the fact that he "doesn't have a fancy van -- or carry proof of insurance."[13] Tips for selecting a good handyman include: ask questions, get written estimates on company stationery, make sure handymen guarantee their work, pay with credit cards or checks because this provides an additional record of each transaction, check references and licenses,[20] review feedback about the contractors from Internet sites. To find a competent worker, one can seek referrals from local sources such as a school or church or office park, to see if a staff handyman does projects on the side, as well as ask friends for referrals; a general contractor might have workers who do projects on the side as well.[20] Further, one can try out a new handyman with easy projects such as cleaning gutters to see how well they perform.[20]

Generally, in the United States, there are few legal issues if an unpaid homeowner works on a project within their own home, with some exceptions. Some jurisdictions require paid handymen to be licensed and/or insured. New Jersey, for example, requires all handymen who work in for-profit businesses serving residential and commercial customers, to be registered and insured.[21] Often handymen are barred from major plumbing, electrical wiring, or gas-fitting projects for safety reasons, and authorities sometimes require workers to be licensed in particular trades. However, minor plumbing work such as fixing water taps, connecting sinks, fixing leaks, or installing new washing machines, are usually permitted to be done without licensing. Many handymen are insured under a property damage liability policy, so that accidental property damage from negligence or accidents are covered.

The handyman image recurs in popular culture. There have been songs about handymen recorded by Elvis Presley in 1964, Del Shannon in 1964, James Taylor in 1977.[22] There are femme-fatale TV characters who fall for handymen.[23] Handymen have been portrayed in books and films, generally positively, as do-gooder helpful types, but not particularly smart or ambitious. In a book by author Carolyn See called The Handyman, a handyman is really an aspiring but discouraged artist who transforms the lives of people he works for, as well as having sexual encounters with some of his clients, and his experiences improve his artistic output.[24] The book suggests handymen discover "the appalling loneliness of the women who call him for help" whose needs are sometimes "comic," sometimes "heartbreaking," and deep down "sexual."[25] A 1980 movie called The Handyman was about a carpenter-plumber who was "good at what he does" but is "too honest and trusting," and gets taken advantage of by "women who find him handsome and understanding;" the movie earned negative reviews from critic Vincent Canby.[26] Other movies have used a rather tired formula of sexy-handyman meets bored-housewives, such as The Ups and Downs of a Handyman, a 1975 movie in which "Handsome Bob also finds he's a fast favorite with the local housewives, who seem to have more than small repairs on their minds."[27] In Canada, there's a television show called Canada's Worst Handyman which is a reality show in which handyman contestants try their best on jobs in order to not be labeled worst handyman. Home Improvement is an American television sitcom starring Tim Allen, which aired 1991 to 1999. On the children's television show Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, Handyman Negri was one of the characters residing in The Neighborhood of Make-Believe, as well as the neighborhood Mister Rogers resides in. Handy Manny is an American/Hispanic preschool television show that airs on Disney Junior and stars a handy man cartoon character named Manny. The Belgian comics and media franchise The Smurfs depicts Handy Smurf with traditional handyman's accoutrements, such as overalls, carpenter's pencil and work hat. Happy Tree Friends also has an orange beaver named Handy who is a handyman.

The list of projects which handymen can do is extensive, and varies from easy-to-learn tasks which take little time such as changing a light bulb, to extensive projects which require multiple steps, such as kitchen remodeling. Here is a partial list:

Note: this is a partial list

Read more:
Handyman - Wikipedia