Thursdays Detroit Tigers game felt like a quintessential performance from the teams two pillars. Justin Verlander started in his 366th career game for Detroit, going up against the Rays and pitching seven solid innings as he put himself in position to get the win. But the team lost its 3-2 lead when an unreliable bullpen pitcherthis year, its Francisco Rodriguezsurrendered a solo homer to Steven Souza Jr. in the eighth inning.

With the game tied at three in the bottom of the ninth, Miguel Cabrera came to the plate with a man on first and one out. He took Tommy Hunters 2-1 fastball and muscled it to opposite field, earning his 314th career home run as a Tiger.

This Tigers win was the exception to the norm this year in Detroit. The aging group has slowly faded out of contention, leaving a sub-.500 team likely looking to sell most of its few players of value at the trade deadline.

In the Verlander era (starting in 2006), the Tigers have made the playoffs five times, which is five more times than they made the playoffs in the 19 years before. Due to a number of stellar trades by former GM Dave Dombrowski and some extravagant spending from late owner Mike Ilitch, the Tigers completely changed their image. A team with the most losses in American League history in 2003 became a pennant winner in 2006. In the decade since, Detroit has unendingly employed a win-now philosophy. As Ilitch chased the World Series title he craved, he continued to build up his payroll and gave the okay to swap minor-league prospects for established veterans.

As a whole, the pricey veterans led the team to several exciting seasons but always fell short of the ultimate goal. This generation of consistent division winners was led by manager Jim Leyland, a chain-smoking, no-nonsense baseball lifer who wasnt afraid to call out his team when they lacked effort. Leyland retired in 2013 after a third straight Central Division title, but in a curious move for an aging team still seeking a trophy, his replacement was the former player and first-time pro manager Brad Ausmus. The young manager has also come under fire for his questionable in-game moves, particularly his bullpen strategy. His three years as manager have produced zero playoff wins.

Most representative of the Tigers current situation is Victor Martinez, a broken-down jalopy of a player who, despite giving All-Star caliber seasons just a few years ago, has now become painful to watch. The 38-year-old DH simply cannot run after years of leg and knee injuries. In the past, Martinez could hit well enough to negate that fact, but now hes a liability in the batters box as well as the basepaths.

Detroits stars, Cabrera and Verlander, havent declined as sharply as Martinez, but they still arent what they used to be. Verlander, coming off last years controversial Cy Young loss, has had a few too many shaky starts. In particular, hes given up more free passes than he usually does: The pitchers allowed 42 walks in 14 starts this season. Last year, he walked 57 batters total. Verlanders lasted less than six innings five times in 2017, and has yet to pitch in the eighth inning or later this year.

Meanwhile, Miggy has gone from an outstanding hitter to a merely okay one, by his standards. As hes battled injuries, his slugging percentage sits at .446, a far cry from his usual .500s. At least hes hitting the ball hard:

For the first time in a long time, Verlander and Cabrera are not the Tigers best players or most valuable assets. Those honors belong to outfielder J.D. Martinez and starting pitcher Michael Fulmer, both acquired through savvy transactions. Martinez was released by the Astros at the start of the 2014 season, but since coming to Detroit hes turned himself into a brilliant, reliable source of both contact and power hitting. A foot injury delayed the start of Martinezs 2017 season, but hes returned without any problems at all, boasting an OPS of 1.093. However, Martinez seems not long for Michigan. He enters free agency after this season, and any team currently in playoff contention would pay a high price even for half a season of his talents.

Fulmer, though, is the untouchable jewel of the Tigers future. The reigning AL Rookie of the Year, if he lives up to his potential, could be Baby Verlander. Acquired from the Mets in the Yoenis Cespedes trade, Fulmer is already the teams best option on the mound. Hes posted an ERA of 3.40 this season, with a home runs per nine rate that leads the league and walks per nine rate in the top 10. A shoulder injury indicates that there could be some bumps on the road, but hes extremely valuable.

Technically, there is some hope left for this season, too. Despite a 31-34 record, the Tigers only sit two games out of wild card contention, and 4 games back of the division-leading(!) Minnesota Twins. But somehow, in a mostly mediocre AL, only two clubs have a worse record than the Tigers, and the teams above them (particularly Cleveland) seem poised to improve in the second half. The beat-up old Tigers dont have what it takes for a playoff run this year. Better to sell now than chase a fools dream this year and be left with nothing.

Enjoy the strikeouts of Justin Verlander and the hitting of Miguel Cabreratheyre not going anywhere. Unfortunately, that probably means theyll have to suffer through some dull, irrelevant seasons very soon. But if the Tigers are patient and make the right moves this year, especially if they get some good young guys for J.D. Martinez, the team could trampoline right back into the playoffs. They might be able to rebuild a championship contender just in time for Verlander and Cabrera to still play a small part.

See original here:
The Tigers' Window Has Closed, But They Could Reopen It Soon - Deadspin

An independent shop in Perth has appealed for help in an attempt to meet the cost of fixing a window smashed by vandals.

Alison Mountain and Jeanette Sendler, joint owners of Bridgends Hat in the Cat, were horrified to find their display window had been broken last month.

The situation was made worse by the fact it was felt that as the insurance excess was so high it was not worth making a claim for the damage said to be 400.

They put up a notice asking for help from the public to restore the pane of glass and generous donations have helped prevent the hat designers being so out of pocket.

Bridgend has seen an apparent rise in the number of firms being hit by vandals, with Friends Barber and The Cafe on Main Street also seeing windows damaged in recent months.

Since we started asking for help to fix the window, 85 has been donated, explained Alison.

It has been amazing, people clearly see this is a hit to the community image, and residents and even visitors have come inside to give us money.

One lady on holiday very kindly just put 20 in our donation hat.

Its so important that Bridgend starts to pick itself up, and I think people are willing to make that a community effort.

Alison explained why the breakage was such a setback for the shop.

She added: While other businesses have been able to make claims on their insurance policies, our contract is tied into a sizable excess which makes it not worth filing a claim.

Despite the boarded up window panel, master hat designer Jeanette still entered the remaining display spaces into the Perth Festival of the Arts Shop Window Competition.

It was commended as a worthy runner up as part of a contest won by Fair City toy shop, Fun Junction.

Read more here:
Hat designers call for community help to replace smashed shop window - Scottish Daily Record

Most people value their homes as their biggest and most important asset. Repairing damage, making improvements and regular maintenance are among the efforts that people make to protect the value of this vital investment.

Home Repair

If there is damage that needs to be repaired or you want to embark on a home improvement project, note the things you can attempt to do your own as well as the tasks that should be only handled by qualified professionals.

Spare some time to research about different companies, their work, contracts and financing terms. Taking the right steps to wards routine maintenance will enable you to enjoy every improvement that is added to your home.

Being Prepared

Keeping a home in the best condition possible whether you are planning to sell it or are settling in as a new homeowner requires you to be adequately prepared for routine or unforeseen repairs. This entails regular inspections and setting aside enough money to cover your home repair and maintenance costs.

Home Maintenance Budget

Create a budget for home repairs whole considering that a newer home will usually require less maintenance than an old home. It is also important to note that both regular expenses and unexpected repairs need to be accounted for.

An essential step while budgeting is to list the supplies you need for upkeep, including the items that are used for preparation and cleaning up during the project. Online resources can help you gather estimates and calculate the costs. The pricing of common home repairs will vary with different contractors and the type of repairs that are being undertaken.

Glass Repair and Replacement Services Glass companies in Phoenix are available to handle glass repairs, installations and other glass services for residential properties. Glass windows and doors are usually made from sturdy glass but exposure to strong impact can cause damage. This makes it necessary to seek the services of a reputable company that offers professional glass repair and effective solutions.

The process of professional glass repair typically begins with a consultation and inspection during which experts observe the damage and determine whether a replacement is required. Based on the type of window or door you want, a quote will be provided. You may opt to upgrade your windows and doors for reasons such as energy efficiency.

Upon approval of the repairs or replacements that need to be carried out, the designs and structures will be worked on accordingly. Installations are always handled by trained and professional installers who have the expertise and experience to work on such projects. Every aspect of glass repair is dealt with diligently to ensure that the installations are durable and reliable.

Glass Repair Solutions for Every Home

Homeowners need to be assured that the type of glass they choose caters for proper insulation and safety. Select glass brands according to your aesthetic, security and energy efficiency needs. There are also customized solutions that homeowners can choose from with different glass grades and styles that are based on budget and personal preference. Glass repair and replacement services make it possible for people to have their requirements fulfilled effectively.

Bio

Shirley Walker is a freelance writer, blogger and business owner. She is passionate about developing meaningful continent and helping other business owners in the industry their goals. Visit the site to find out more about glass companies in Phoenix.

Read the original post:
Home Repair and Glass Repair- Keeping your Home Safe and Functional - Times Square Chronicles (press release) (registration)

Teams of insurance adjusters will gather at the Ratliff Ranch parking lot to speed up assessments of car damage caused by the recent hailstorms amid reports of a surge in claims and backlogs at local repair shops.

State Farm sent in a group of adjusters, some from out of state, to help local agents. Other insurance companies are expected to join State Farm. During a parking lot appraisal of damaged local vehicles from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. today for people who made appointments through their adjusters. Plans called for keeping the Ratliff operation active until claims thin.

Already some in the insurance industry predict the recent hailstorms which brought baseball-sized hail and some even bigger hail storms caused more damage than any other storm in Odessa history. Reports of damaged roofs, broken windows and smashed car windshields were widespread.

Meanwhile, emergency management officials with the City of Odessa and Ector County await assessments of damage to public property while Ector County Judge Ron Eckert weighs declaring the area a disaster, which could trigger state and federal aid.

Several factors explain why this storm will likely amount to Odessas most expensive: The population grew during the most recent boom and the city became more densely populated. Odessans bought higher end vehicles and nicer homes as values also inflated.

That makes for a large loss, especially when you had the size of hail we had, said Paul Talley, a local State Farm agent.

By mid-day Friday, Talley said he had fielded 870 claims since the hailstorms, and the rate of new claims had not slowed. Auto claims made up the bulk of them in the days after the storm.

The majority of the claims that weve been receiving is damage to windows, Talley said. Hail breaking large windows in some of the nicer homes. Weve heard of chunks of roof being blown off during the high winds, baseball sized hail tearing holes in siding of homes and of course massive damage to windshields and bodies of vehicles.

Other State Farm agents said the company anticipated about 10,000 claims. And as roofers, auto shops and glass repair companies were inundated with customers, suggesting weeks or months of repairs ahead.

Damage was reported throughout Odessa, while the central and eastern areas of the city appeared to get hit the hardest.

Christina Marquez, an insurance agent with Tara Simmons Insurance Agency, said she was advising clients to seek estimates before filing a claim to make sure the costs of the damages exceeded their deductibles and avoid unnecessary claims.

I know the body shops and everything have been super busy, but that way they can assess what the damage is, Marquez said.

She also anticipated record-breaking storm damage once its all tallied.

I dont think weve ever had that many claims coming in all at one time, Marquez said.

Mark Hanna, a spokesman for the Insurance Council of Texas trade association, which represents about 500 insurance companies, said he will be in town early next week to project costs of damage from the recent storms. Send me all this so I have it next week

City and County leaders directed department heads to compile reports of damages to government property.

The City of Odessa reported 81 vehicles damaged but were still assessing damage to other city property by Friday.

Ector County did not have figures on the total amount of damaged vehicles by Friday. Ricky George, the countys emergency management coordinator, estimated a week before county officials would have a sense of the scope of damage to the countys property.

So far, few citizens had reported damage to the City of Odessa online by Friday, said Assistant Fire Chief John Alvarez, who is the citys emergency management coordinator. City and county officials asked Odessans with property damage to report it online at Odessa-TX.gov/stormdamage or flag it on social media by using the hashtag #ohail17 to help provide a sense of the scope of the damage, which could help with a disaster relief designation.

Damages would have to meet a threshold of $495,000, almost certainly below the likely cost of the widespread damages. The relief funding, if granted, could assist local governments with cost, provide help to uninsured Odessans or offer small business loans for hard-hit local companies.

We are trying to do everything we can to find out how much damage it was, Alvarez said, adding the city and county would reach out to the schools and hospitals. We dont have the resources to go look at every house every neighborhood. Thats manpower intensive and we just dont have that manpower. . . Tell us your damage, tell us your amount. It would make it easier

The county judge has the authority to declare a disaster area but awaits better estimates on the cost of the damage, George said.

If you have a tornado come through town its pretty obvious, but things like this you really have to look at before you make those decisions, George said. Theres no way to accurately estimate the size of the damage until we get all the data analyzed and the insurance agents come in and assign a dollar amount to that.

See the original post here:
Damage assessment continues - Odessa American

A Crowborough construction company fitted the external cladding to the tower block devastated by fire in London. As part of the Public Inquiry it is expected key questions will be asked about the role the cladding played in allowing the fire to spread so quickly.

Harley Facades Limited were paid 2.6 million for their part in the refurbishment work to Grenfell Tower, this included the installation of exterior cladding as well as window replacement. The Rydon Group based in Forest Row were the lead contractor for the whole project.

Harley explain on their website that Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) panels are a commonly used product in the refurbishment industry and that they do not manufacture these panels.

Commenting on the fire, Ray Bailey, Managing Director at Harley Facades Limited said:

This is an incredibly tragic incident. Our thoughts are with the residents and their families who have suffered such a personal loss. We will fully support and cooperate with the investigations into this fire. There will be many questions about this whole incident and so you will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for us to comment or for others to speculate on any aspect of fire or it causes in advance of these inquiries. At this time, we are not aware of any link between the fire and the exterior cladding to the tower.

The Guardian newspaper have published an article today (16th June) in which they describe the complex chain of companies that worked on Glenfell Tower.

In 2015 Harley Curtain Wall Ltd went into administration but the Directors continued trading under another existing company with a similar name. The previous article from that time is shown below.

Harley Curtain Wall Ltd also specialised in windows, doors, structural glazing and rainscreen cladding systems. The company was currently working on a high profile project to transform the old Port ofLondon Authority offices into a new hotel complex known as No.10 Trinity Square, due for completion toward the end of this year.

Last year the company also announced that it had won two other multi-million pound contracts in London 3m from Sussex based Rydon Group, to carry out the complete overclad and window replacement works to Grenfell Tower in Notting Hill and 2.25m to design and install a complete new facade to Premier House in Edgware. At the time they said on their website:

Prior to the recession,Harley was extremely busy in the London tower block market sector, but when the crasharrived in 2008, local council spend on high rise towers was drastically reduced to cover just essential maintenance.

With the economy now improving, and the market returning, long overdue refurbishment programmes are once againbeing given the green light.

Ray Bailey formed Harley Curtain Wall Limited in 1996. In late 2002 Harley secured a major contract to clad four 11-storey tower blocks in Croydon and the following year the company moved into purpose built offices calledHarley House on Farningham Road.

Julie Palmer and Simon Campbell from business rescue and recovery specialist Begbies Traynor were jointly appointed to handle the administration of Harley Curtain Wall Ltd on 8th September 2015.

A total of 11 people employed by the firm have been made redundant and various assets have been sold to Harley Facades Ltd, which was incorporated in 2010.

Julie Palmer, Regional Managing Partner at Begbies Traynor, said:

Unfortunately, after reviewing all options we were left with little choice but to close the business. The firm had entered difficulty due to cashflow difficulties.

Harley Curtain Wall Ltd reported revenue of 6.4m in 2014.

Mark Harris who was the Commercial Manager at Harley told CrowboroughLife:

The business had traded successfully and profitably for nearly 20 years. In that time, Harley had always maintained a superb relationship with both clients and its supply chain. In any given year we undertook a small number of larger scale projects, enjoying repeat business from a number of key clients. Our preferred business was the refurbishment market, and in particular, overcladding existing high rise residential tower blocks.

Like all construction business, the 2008 downturn took us all by surprise, and not least the sustained period of recession. Harley managed to survive the recession, and until recently, expected to be around for the foreseeable future. However, as a result ofissues on one single contract causing a major cash flow problem, the business was unable to continue trading, andwas sadly placed into administration.

Harley was one of the longest surviving family owned UK cladding companies, and it was avery sad day for all involved when the business was placed in to administration.

Records held by Companies House show Raymond Bailey as Director and Belinda Bailey as Company Secretary of both Harley Curtain Wall Ltd and Harley Facades Ltd. Both reside at an address on Glenmore Road in Crowborough. Harley Facades Ltd, based in Paddock Wood, was previously called Telecom Distribution Services Ltd. The nature of the business is now recorded as glazing.

Employees and local dreditors can contact the Joint Administrators on 01722 435190 or see http://www.begbies-traynorgroup.com.

For more information about theHarley Curtain Wall Ltd see their website and Facebook page.

Read more from the original source:
Crowborough company fitted cladding to Grenfell Tower - Crowborough Life

CCG Asset Management has made strong progress on its latest phase of window replacements for Port of Leith Housing Association.

Beginning last month, works have consisted of traditional sash and case window replacement to around 130 pre-1919 properties and, PVC window replacement to around 70 post-1980`s properties across the greater Leith area and since the start of the contract.

CCG Asset Management manager, Stephen Riley, said:CCG Asset Management has extensive experience in the delivery of window replacement contracts. This window replacement programme is a continuation of work undertaken for the association over the past two years and we are delighted to continue our partnership. The site team has done very well so far and we look forward to seeing the finished results.

A Porth of Leith HA spokesperson added:Port of Leith Housing Association are pleased to be in the third consecutive year of working alongside CCG for our Window Replacement Programme to both our Pre 1919 and Post 80s properties. This project will benefit a huge number of our tenants as well as improving the energy efficiency of our housing stock.

There is a great deal of Pre-planning to ensure successful delivery to projects of this scale and we are very pleased to see that the site team has remained fully efficient and pro-active at co-ordinating the works and the windows installed are of an extremely high quality.

We look forward to working with CCG for the remainder of the year.

See more here:
CCG Asset Management makes window replacement progress - Scottish Housing News

Details Last Updated on June 13th, 2017 June 13th, 2017 Written by Brandon Peoples

Chances are if you've driven through downtown Emporia this past week, you've noticed some changes to one of the older buildings on Commerical Street.

The Capitol Federal building at 6th and Commercial is getting a much needed upgrade to its historic windows. Already two frames have been replaced since the project began last week. Branch manager Claire Spellman says it was beyond time to replace the windows.

The building was originally constructed in the 1920s and Capitol Federal moved into the site in 1973. The new windows will not only help the aesthetics of the building but will also allow for more energy efficiency.

Spellman says the project hasn't interrupted the branch's ability to serve its customers.

Six windows are being replaced, including all five on the south side facing 6th Avenue and the window above the main entrance on the west. Spellman says the investment by Capitol Federal on the project is another example of the company investing in the communities they serve. The project isanticipated to becompleted by early July.

Read this article:
Capitol Federal building getting much needed window replacement - KVOE

Miami Herald

Miami Dolphins' Cameron Wake, with nothing to prove, insists 'the fire is inside of me' at 35 Miami Herald It means nothing. Or how about the Dolphins using a first-round pick on Charles Harris, a player they hope will eventually replace you? It doesn't push me or not push me, Wake said. I'm not a guy that uses outside forces to push me. The fire is ... and more »

Go here to see the original:
Miami Dolphins' Cameron Wake, with nothing to prove, insists 'the fire is inside of me' at 35 - Miami Herald

Last night, a set of benchmarks emerged showing just how powerful Apples iPad Pro lineup has become, even beating the top-tier MacBook Pro in some instances. Apple continues to market the iPad Pro as a PC replacement, and with the improvements in iOS 11, it seems the device is as close to that as ever before.

Could/has the iPad Pro replace your laptop or desktop?

Apples iPad lineup has always been powerful, but recent improvements like the A10X processor and M10 coprocessor have given the device an extra boost in terms of power.

The problem many people have had with iPad Pro, however, is its software. Since its inception, the iPad has essentially run the same operating system as the iPhone, just scaled up for the larger screen. With more recent versions of iOS, though, Apple has started bringing more advanced features to the iPads version of iOS.

For instance, iOS 9 brought new multitasking features with split-view and slide-over window management. Meanwhile, iOS 11 brings a host of improvements, including system-wide drag and drop, a Files application for more advanced document management, and more.Theres also the new ProMotion 120Hz display technology, which lends itself to improved Apple Pencil support.

With the new software features and hardware power, it seems as if the iPad Pro is inching closer than ever to being a PC replacement. Something that continues to standout as a missing feature, however, is support for pro-level applications like Final Cut and Logic Pro.

For me, the iPad Pro is a crucial aspect of my workflow, acting as a second-screen for notes, handouts, and PowerPoint slides during homework and lectures. As for acting as a full PC replacement, the iPad Pro is close thanks to split-screen multitasking, but what prevents me from using it alone is the lack of a solid keyboard. While some excellent options exist from companies like Brydge and Logitech, Ive yet to find one that can match a dedicated laptop keyboard, including Apples own Smart Keyboard.

Currently, I use the 9.7-inch iPad Pro, but the new 10.5-inch model is certainly calling my name, much like it did for Ben. Given how heavily I use Apple Pencil for notes and annotations, the new ProMotion display technology seems like it would be a noticeable improvement for me.

We asked earlier this month if iOS 11 makes the iPad a more convincing laptop replacement, but now that weve seen just how powerful the new iPad Pro models are, especially when paired with the ProMotion display technology, things are a bit different.

What are your thoughts? Could/has the iPad Pro replace your PC? Let us know in the poll below and support your vote in the comments.

Go here to read the rest:
With power & software improvements, how close is the iPad to replacing your computer? [Poll] - 9to5Mac

The Elk Lake School Board on Wednesday opened the door to a pair of maintenance projects in the weeks ahead.

It awarded to A.R. Popple Construction of Wilkes-Barre a $42,000 bid for the removal and demolition of a boiler.

Board members also granted permission to send out for bids a window replacement project which will replace all of the windows in the high school with new windows that meet or exceed energy codes.

Energy manager Kim Guiton who oversees an energy efficiency plan for the school district will be taking bids as soon as the plans can be drawn up and sent out with a pre-bid and walk-thru meeting on June 14.

Work is to be completed by Aug. 18.

In other business, the board entered into a Memorandum of Understanding for 2017-18 with the Northeastern Intermediate Unit which prescribes courses of action which the body undertakes on behalf of its 19 member school districts.

The board also approved a new school policy on student wellness.

It gave a first reading for new policies dealing with immunizations and communicable diseases, and another with attendance.

The board also looked into proposals for health care benefits for employees and recommended the one with Highmark with rates essentially the same as last year.

The board approved hiring Laura Mitchell to a 12-month business office secretary position; also a special education teacher for summer position to Jon Sova; and two special education summer associate positions with Terri Bennett working with elementary students and Tammy Conrad working with secondary students.

The board also approved adding returning college student Megyn Stevens to the summer student worker list.

At the beginning of the meeting, business secretary Jeanie Rogers read letters of resignation by Iris Hoffman and Denise Churchill, two associates in the special education program which the board accepted with regret.

There was little discussion about the 2017-18 budget with a notation that it would be voted on at the next regular board meeting June 22.

In its role as school board for the Susquehanna County Career and Technology Center, members heard from director Alice Davis who shared TV news clips from WNEP Channel 16 and WBRE Channel 28 about Mountain View High School senior Darion Brodeur who received a car that had been rehabbed by automotive students so when Brodeur graduates from high school shell have a vehicle to get her to and from Lackawanna College where she plans to further her education.

Davis also talked about a 1250-hour barbering course, SCCTC is considering offering; along with community service projects of building dog houses for a local shelter and free libraries at fire houses in Susquehanna County with funds provided by Southwestern Energy; as well as a nutrition program with Elk Lake elementary grades.

The board also was apprised of talks which might lead to an out-of-state articulation agreement with the State University of New York at Cobleskill, with visitors on the SCCTC campus May 23.

Davis noted on Wednesday that 145 SCCTC students were eligible to graduate the next night.

She also said that a health careers day camp would be held July 10-13; and on July 13, Claverack REC would be having its annual picnic at Elk Lake with 1300 chicken dinners expected to be served utilizing resources of the SCCTC culinary arts program.

Board members also approved Jeannie Rogers to continue to serve as board secretary for the next 12 months at $3,800 for the year, no increase.

They also okayed renewal of clinical nurse supervisor contracts with Christopher Drake on a month-to-month basis and to Chelsea Lunger as a part-timer three days a week.

The board also accepted a $2500 grant from the Tulsa Foundation for its welding program, and granted approval to the administration to apply for a Perkins grant which could add $139,039 to the budget.

The board noted that SCCTC was also looking for a substantial Plan Con J reimbursement from the state.

Original post:
Elk Lake board gives green light to summer work - The Wyoming County Examiner