Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

During MWC Barcelona 2021, Huawei Executive Director and President of Carrier BG Ryan Ding delivered a keynote speech Innovation: Lighting up the Future. In his keynote, Ding said that innovation in ICT is becoming a key driver of the global economy and its value is moving beyond the telecoms industry. Ongoing innovation in 5G, in particular, will bring more value to operators, the ICT industry, and the global economy, and will light up the future of every industry.

"The pandemic has created a new normal in which the digital economy is the driving force for the global economy. ICT infrastructure, as the cornerstone of the digital economy, is playing an increasingly important role," said Ding. "The value of ICT now transcends the telecoms industry and has transformative implications for the global economy as a whole."

In countries where 5G is developing faster, operators have seen faster revenue growth, and these countries also tend to have better digital infrastructure overall. Taking China as an example, in less than 18 months, more than 820,000 5G base stations have been deployed, and Chinese operators achieved a 6.5% increase in revenue and a 5.6% increase in net profits in the first quarter this year. The rapid development of digital infrastructure driven by 5G will add EUR1.9 trillion to the Chinese economy in the next five years. The same stories are also unfolding in South Korea and Europe.

As ICT infrastructure is the cornerstone of the digital economy in the 5G era, operators are playing a more important role than they used to.

Ding said, "Currently, the major goal of operators in 5G is to achieve business success in three key markets consumers, homes, and industries through innovation in network deployment, market development, and operation optimization."

"In the consumer market, 5G means not just faster speeds; it also brings new experiences and new value. Some operators have already achieved initial business success."

According to Ding, there are three steps an operator can take to succeed in the 5GtoC market. The first is to speed up 5G deployment, with targeted network planning and investment based on precise insights into high-value areas, key scenarios, and potential users. The second is to accelerate 5G user migration, and the third step is to create value-driven, flexible pricing models.

Today, 5G has been applied in over 1,000 projects in more than 20 industries including steel and mining, enabling safer and more efficient production. Chinese operators have made great progress and are entering the phase of taking early successes and replicating them at scale.

"We've learned from Chinese operators' experience that the success of 5GtoB depends on three factors," said Ding. "First, selecting the right industries. Operators should choose target industries by looking at four factors: demand, affordability, replicability, and technical feasibility. Second, defining the scope of your offerings. Operators can serve as network providers that offer connectivity services. They can also serve as cloud service providers, or even system integrators that provide end-to-end integration services. Different roles require different skillsets and yield different business value. Third, designing innovative business models. This is key to replicating 5GtoB success at scale."

During the pandemic, there is a growing demand for home broadband, and this has highlighted the advantages of 5G FWA that enables rapid deployment and contactless O&M. Middle East operators have achieved remarkable commercial success by taking FWA as a key use case of 5G.

"5G success first requires a 5G network that provides the best user experience, and this guides how we innovate at Huawei," said Ding. Huawei has launched the industry's lightest and most powerful Massive MIMO that consumes less energy. It can be carried and installed by just one person, which speeds up network deployment.

With Huawei's Optical Cross-Connect (OXC), one sub-rack can replace nine cabinets normally needed. It has four times larger capacity, but uses 95% less power. Huawei's 5G Super Uplink solution combines the advantages of 2.1 GHz and 3.5 GHz to enhance uplink capacity and indoor coverage. This solution provides a peak uplink rate of over 450 Mbit/s, enabling hundreds of users to live stream the Xiamen Marathon in 4K in April using their 5G smartphones.

To support green development models and carbon neutrality, according to Ding, Huawei keeps innovating at three levels: equipment, sites, and networks. At the equipment level, Huawei uses components with higher power efficiency to make hardware platforms more energy efficient. At the site level, Huawei's simplified site solutions help operators lower energy consumption, as well as save on electricity and rent.

At the network level, Huawei has launched a multi-band and multi-RAT power saving solution. This solution can cut energy consumption in wireless networks without compromising network performance. With Huawei's innovative solution, 5G equipment working in low and high bands can share a cabinet, and as a result, less energy is used. When it comes to multi-band equipment power saving, Huawei's goal is to make one plus one less than one.

Korea IT Times

Original post:
Huawei's Ryan Ding says ongoing innovation is lighting up the future of every industry - Korea IT Times

Before skiing was big business in Maine, several of most notable mountains in the state had to find different and unique ways to keep locals coming back year after year. Whether it was new lodging, new amenities or new equipment to get up and down the mountain, competition was fierce. That included a duel of sorts between Sunday River and Mt. Abram in the late 1970's. Each mountain was trying to grab the attention of skiers but also families and in the process,began to toy with different ideas. According to New England Ski History, that led Mt. Abram to debut a monorail ride in 1978 called the "American Zephyr".

Shared by Todd A. Merry in the Facebook group Old Pictures of Forgotten Maine, some of his families home videos show what visitors to Mt. Abram experienced on the monorail ride in the late 70's. When it debuted, it was the first-of-its-kind in the northeast and was received so well that Mt. Abram opened a second, smaller monorail ride in 1979. The popularity led Attitash in New Hampshire to add a similar attraction to their mountain as well.

For Mt. Abram, the "American Zephyr" excitement was short lived unfortunately. Once the new shine wore off, there were a cascade of issues with ride experience for many. Sometimes the ride would go too slow because of nervous riders, other riders were too aggressive leading to dangerous behavior on the monorail. After several seasons of complaints, Mt. Abram decided to abandon the monorail business in the early 1980's.

15 Stores You Shopped At In Maine But Your Kids Have Never Heard Of

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Mt. Abram In Maine Was Once Home To A Thrilling Monorail Ride - wcyy.com

According to a new research report titled Dimmable LED Lighting Market Global Industry Perspective, Comprehensive Analysis And Forecast by 2021 2026

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Regional Dimmable LED Lighting Market (Regional Output, Demand & Forecast by Countries):-North America (United States, Canada, Mexico)South America ( Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador, Chile)Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, Korea)Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy)Middle East Africa (Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iran) And More.

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Dimmable LED Lighting Market Growth Analysis, Incredible Possibilities and Forecast To 2026 New Mexico Tribune - New Mexico Tribune

Sure, it might seem daunting, but taking your backyard to-do list one item at a time lets you accomplish more than you think over the course of a weekend. Get your backyard in tip-top shape by tackling a combination of these tasks (depending on your setup) and before you know it, your outdoor space will be ready for barbecues and plenty of entertaining.

Revive wood furniture. Dont get intimidated! Most of the time needed for this project is letting the pieces dry completely between steps. Using a kit like Furniture Clinics Garden Furniture Restoration Kit gives you everything you need to clean, brighten, and condition your wood furniture, as quickly and easily as possible.

Refinish metal furniture. Over time, metal furniture can develop chips in the finish and rust, and a little regular maintenance can help stop it in its tracks. Check the forecast for a warm, dry day [and] work in a shady, protected area if possible, says Rachel Rothman, chief technologist at the Good Housekeeping Institute. First, use a small wire brush to wipe away the rust spot, clean with soap and water and let it dry completely. Use a spray paint thats formulated for metal and outdoor use to reseal the raw metal areas. Let the paint dry completely before exposing it to the elements.

Garden Furniture Restoration Kit

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Get garden beds under control. Carolyn Forte, the cleaning lab director at the Good Housekeeping Institute, says taking time to pull weeds by hand actually gets the job done quicker than you might think. Make sure the soil around your annuals is nicely aerated and get rid of any and all debris, she explains. Putting down mulch helps prevent new weeds from popping up during the season and makes beds look neater.

Pro tip: Use a flat-edged shovel to straighten out any uneven edging around the beds.

Power wash outdoor surfaces. Banish mold, mildew and dirt from your patio and siding with the help of an easy-to-use power washer. Theres no need to get a commercial grade machine for a job like this; a small model works well. First wash down surfaces and remove loose debris, and use the lowest possible pressure that is effective, says Rothman. As a general rule, Rothman advises using the broadest and lowest pressure nozzle you can, and to test an inconspicuous area first. Stand at least six inches away as you work your way in a sweeping motion and maintain a consistency distance from the siding. Hold the tip of the nozzle at an angle above the surface you are cleaning. Watch out, the instant squeaky-clean results can be a little addicting!

Add the right accents. Bring a little bit of your indoor style outside, with rugs and pillows that are weather resistant. There are so many options these days! You want to get accessories that are easy to keep clean and hose off when neededlook for outdoor rugs made with polypropylene. Its durable and easy to clean, and the texture feels surprisingly close to what youd find in an indoor rug. If youre not buying new, you can treat your existing outdoor cushions and pillows with a UV fabric spray to prevent fading and stains, Rothman says.

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Long-Handle Steel Edger

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Fill hanging planters and pots. One of the to-dos many people miss is replacing dirt in their pots and hanging planters, Forte explains. After any summer season, nutrients in the soil will be depleted. Replacing or mixing in some new soil or compost will give your new plants what they need to grow all summer long. If youre filling a larger pot and dont want it to get too heavy, you can use leftover Styrofoam on the bottom instead of filling it completely with dirt, she says.

Mow the lawn, but not as short as you think. It turns out less is more when it comes to your lawn. Keep your mower blades sharp and make sure youre only cutting a third of the grass length, as cutting it too short will weaken it. You should raise your mower deck so you are removing less with each cut, says Rothman. Keeping most cool-season grass in the 2.5 to 4-inch range will keep your lawn healthier."

Pro tip: If you plan to water your grass, do it in the morning or early evening; water will evaporate at midday.

Add some lighting. Dont underestimate the magic of bistro-style lights in your outdoor space. Vertical lines over an outdoor seating area always look niceor simply drape them along your fence line. As a time saver, use lighting clips to make the whole job a cinch. They attach to whatever surface is available and the light cords clip right in. Worried about outdoor power? Try solar lights.

Freshen up the fire pit. If youve invested in a beautiful fire pit, youll want to keep it looking pristine for as long as possible. The secret to longevity is cleaning out completely cooled ash after a fire. Simply brush it out of the bottom of your fire pit between uses. If you dont want to worry, invest in a water tight cover to go over your fire pit between uses.

Pro tip: Avoid letting water mix with ash in your fire pit; over time it turns into lye, which eats away at metal.

Clean the grill. The biggest mistake people make when cleaning a grill is trying to scrape off stuck-on gunk while the grates are cold. Instead, work with a warm grill and a high quality, metal-bristled grill brush thats in good condition to clean. Then, lubricate the grates with a high heat oil. Once the grill cools down, remove and clean the drip trayyou never want to store it with grease in it because it attracts animals, says Forte. Line it with aluminum foil to make clean up easier next time.

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Taking time where you have it to complete these little outdoor projects can make a big impact on the look and feel of your yard! Get started today and youll be blown away by how much more welcoming your outdoor space looks.

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10 Ways to Beautify the Backyard in One Weekend - GoodHousekeeping.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

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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.

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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