Apparently there is a great demand for on-call craftsmen.

Khosla Ventures and Pear VC just tripled their investment in Honey Homes, which provides a dedicated handyman to take care of all the tasks on a homeowner's to-do list. The company raised $9 million in a Series A funding round last June.

Era Ventures led the startup's most recent capital raise, an additional $9.25 million in funding that CEO and co-founder Vishwas Prabhakara called “an upside round.” (PitchBook estimated the startup's value at $39 million last June, though the company itself said that was “not accurate.”) In total, Honey Homes has raised $21.35 million in venture capital since its inception.

So what was the reason for the latest capital injection? A surge in member adoption. The company announced last fall that it had doubled its membership to “well over 1,000 members” in three months. It also grew annual recurring revenue by 3.6x by 2023. While the company declined to provide specific revenue numbers, Prabhakara said the company expects to “do the same and hit eight-digit ARR in 2024.” (Eight-digits is $10 million, of course.)

“Our team visits over 150 homes every day,” he added.

Husband and wife team Vishwas Prabhakara (Yelp's first CEO) and Avantika Prabhakara (former marketing director at Opendoor, Trulia, and Zillow) co-founded Honey Homes in 2021 with Katie Pham and Rory O'Connell. The startup, which launched with its first 10 beta customers in August of that year, hires the handyman as part of its staff. The handyman works as an employee to ensure that work is done consistently in a person's home.

Homeowners pay Honey Homes a flat fee for the convenience of an “end-to-end” membership-based service through the app. This fee ranges from $250 to $395 per month depending on location, although there are discounted annual plans available.

The way it works is that members are assigned a dedicated tradesman who comes by at least once a month to take care of renovations and preventative maintenance. Because employees are permanent, they also receive benefits like parental leave and paid vacation, a rarity in an industry that has traditionally relied on contract workers. However, if someone wants to try out different contract workers for variety, they have that option too.

Honey Homes is currently available to single-family homeowners in the San Francisco Bay Area (including the city itself) as well as much of the Dallas-Fort Worth region. It recently launched in Los Angeles and is currently expanding there as well, with plans to expand further in Texas as well.

“We cover about five times more households in our service area than we did a year ago,” said Vishwas Prabhakara.

Honey Homes only launched in San Francisco earlier this year, but according to Vishwas Prabhakara, this market is currently the fastest growing.

“The city is a different caliber [than the suburbs],” he said. “There are parking issues, there are crime issues, there's a lot to think about. But now it's actually kind of our crown jewel, our fastest growing market.”

The startup is also adding new features, such as AI, to streamline workflow for its team of tradesmen and provide more “maintenance requests on autopilot.”

Interestingly, DoorDash co-founder Evan Moore sits on Honey Homes' board of directors, and another DoorDash veteran, Andrew Ladd, was hired last year to spearhead Honey Homes' product development.

Moore told TechCrunch last year that he believes Honey Homes is different from many other consumer startups in the home services space that simply connect homeowners with potential providers or “act as a concierge.” Competitors include Angi, TaskRabbit and Thumbtack, among others.

According to Vishwas Prabhakara, the company decided to pursue an extension instead of a Series B after concluding that it needed less capital to become profitable than previously expected. (The company aims to be profitable in the next few years.) In addition to membership revenue, the average homeowner spends over $750 per year on additional services provided by the service, such as purchasing replacement parts.

Honey Homes currently employs 75 people and has doubled its team of craftsmen from 25 to over 50.

Clelia Peters of Era Ventures said she chose to invest in Honey Homes because “high-quality home maintenance services from a dedicated handyman were typically reserved for only the wealthiest homeowners or those who owned condos and apartments with on-site caretakers.”

She believes the need for Honey Homes' offering will be even greater in a world where homeowners are required to stay in and maintain their homes for longer periods of time (due to the lock-in effect caused by skyrocketing interest rates).”

“In addition, we expect the trend towards home electrification to lead to greater demand for reliable advice and installation services. Honey Homes is well positioned to provide these services,” she added.

The post Khosla Ventures, Pear VC triple down on Honey Houses, a sensible strategy to rent a handyman appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

While handymen can handle many household repairs, they might not be licensed for some projects, like plumbing or electrical work.

If he or she isn’t licensed, hire a specialized contractor who is, or you could be liable for damages. Or, if you try to sell the home, you could pay more to fix the issue so it meets local code requirements.

Large projects that take time, machinery and multiple workers, such as a kitchen remodel or home addition, often require a general contractor’s license. These projects often necessitate multiple types of licensing and levels of expertise.

A qualified handyman, though, can often tackle in one visit several smaller projects that don’t require licensing.

“A remodeling contractor and handyman are essentially the same thing in terms of ability,” says Dirk Hoerr, president of Budget Right Kitchens in Oak Park, Ill. “Where a remodeling contractor and a handyman typically differ is the size and the scope of the work they perform.”

THE HANDYMAN CAN

Handymen usually charge by the day or hour. They’re often cheaper than a contractor because most small projects don’t require multiple workers, and usually don’t have much overhead cost.

Some states limit how much a contractor can do. In California, a handyman can perform up to $500 of work, including parts and labor. Because California doesn’t offer specific licensing for handymen, any handyman who wants to surpass that limit must hold state licensing in the area of ​​work he or she is doing. For example, a handyperson who does a bathroom remodel with minor plumbing work and floor installation would have to hold both plumbing and flooring contractor licenses to charge more than $500 for that project.

The cost of a handyman project can range from $75 to $5,000 or more, depending on the scope, but many are as low as $50 to $400, according to member reports.

TIPS FOR HIRING A HANDYMAN OR CONTRACTOR

Before hiring, interview several candidates. For handymen, pick one who you’re comfortable with, because you’ll be working closely with them around the house.

Be wary of any handyman or contractor who asks for full payment before doing any work. Ask for a written agreement that details the job, the cost and the payment schedule, and make sure to get a guarantee in writing.

Do your homework when hiring a contractor, especially since you may spend a lot of money on a project.

Home improvement experts say to get at least three bids. Because some contractors mark up the cost of materials, you may want to call the supplier to determine the cost of supplies to see if the contractor was reasonable.

Paying attention to how long it took the contractor to come up with the estimate is also important. If he or she says they’ll get it to you Monday but you end up waiting until Thursday, that could be a reflection of how they’ll perform the job.

The post Ought to I rent a contractor or handyman? – Orange County Register appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

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A chimney inspection is a vital part of owning a fireplace with a chimney. They’re usually performed with regular chimney cleanings, but more extensive issues might require an in-depth inspection. Although the chimney inspection industry isn’t as highly regulated as some industries, some inspectors are certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) to perform chimney inspections.

To choose the perfect candidate for the job, it’s not just a matter of hiring the first company who comes up in your search results when you search for “chimney inspection near me.” It’s a good idea to do your due diligence and vet your top choices. As a homeowner, you want to hire a qualified, responsible company to inspect and fix your chimney. Not doing so could cost you enormous amounts of money, time, and stress in the long run.

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Cost of a Chimney Inspection Near Me

If you need a chimney inspection performed, you can expect to pay between $300 to $600, with the national average costing around $450. These costs may go up or down depending on where you reside. For instance, the cost to have a chimney inspected in San Francisco, California, will vary from how much it costs in Concord, New Hampshire, due to the cost of living and local demand. The type of tool used during inspection could also affect the price of the chimney inspection. For example, some chimney inspectors may use a camera to check the flue, which can cost $200 to $400 but may go up to $1,000 if you have more than one flue. Inspection costs may also vary drastically by the level of chimney inspection that an inspector must perform. Search for “fireplace inspection near me” or “chimney cleaners near me” to start your hunt.

What’s Covered During a Chimney Inspection?

Chimney inspections vary by the level of inspection required—and the costs vary, too. A Level 1 inspection is a part of the annual cleaning, which costs between $129 and $377. On its own, a Level 1 inspection can cost $100 to $950. A technician will perform a more cursory inspection and ensure the chimney’s overall condition is sound with this type of inspection. The technician will examine easily accessible parts of the chimney, ensuring there are no blockages and the chimney is free of creosote buildup—a combustible byproduct of burning wood.

Level 2 inspections usually cost between $200 and $1,000. A technician typically employs this type of inspection if you have recently had changes to the system or there have been issues such as a recent fire or storm damage. This type of inspection may be required after a property is sold. The tech will check the same things that are checked in a Level 1 inspection and use a video camera to check the flue. The technician may even check other house areas, including the attic, basement, or crawl space.

Level 3 inspection may cost between $500 and $5,000. You’ll need a Level 3 inspection if there are severe structural problems, including loose masonry. This inspection includes all that’s included in Level 1 and Level 2 inspections, but it goes further to remove building or chimney components to check for proper clearances, particularly if a hazard is suspected.

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Do I Need a Chimney Inspection?

Some homeowners use their fireplaces extensively during winter months, and some homeowners use them only on special occasions to add to the ambiance. Whether you use your fireplace often or very little, it is still a good idea to get your chimney inspected. A chimney isn’t just bricks on top of a house—there are many complicated parts of the chimney working together to ensure that you can safely burn a fire in your fireplace. If any of these parts are damaged, they can cause carbon monoxide to leak into the home or even cause a chimney fire. And if you are one of those homeowners who has a fireplace but never uses it, it’s still a good idea to keep it in good condition in case you intend to sell your home. If you are wondering whether you need a chimney inspection, below are some reasons you should consider it. To start your search, try searching the web for “chimney inspectors near me.”

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emergencies

One reason to have your chimney inspected is that there are emergency issues with it. If these emergency issues aren’t addressed, you could be at risk for a chimney fire. You could also put your family’s respiratory health at risk from breathing in toxic air. If you experience any of the following emergencies, it is a good idea to have a chimney inspection completed before attempting to use your fireplace again. Here are some emergencies you should get resolved as soon as possible.

• You’ve noticed black smoke coming out of the fireplace.
• There is a chimney fire.
• There are structural issues with your chimney, such as loose masonry or a leaning chimney.
• Your carbon monoxide detector goes off when you have a fire lit.

Non emergencies

While non-emergency issues aren’t as critical, they are still necessary to address to keep your fireplace functioning properly. Even if you use creosote remover or creosote logs to minimize creosote buildup in your chimney, you should still regularly have cleanings and inspections. Here are a few non-emergency reasons to have an inspection.

• It’s time for an annual chimney cleaning and inspection.
• You hear unusual noises coming from your chimney and suspect animal presence.
• There is a lot of soot buildup in your fireplace.

Other Considerations and Benefits

Another important reason you may need to have a chimney inspection performed is if a recent roof inspection revealed that you have bad or missing flashing. The roof inspectors will likely replace the flashing, but if water seeped into the chimney while the flashing was damaged or missing, you might need to address moisture problems. If you plan to sell your home, it’s a good idea to have your fireplace inspected and cleaned. Having a lot of soot and various debris in your fireplace may be a turnoff for potential buyers. Another reason to consider having your chimney inspected is if you can see that bricks are out of place or mortar is missing. This may mean that your chimney is experiencing spalling, which can cause bricks to crumble and collapse.

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DIY vs. Hiring a Professional Chimney Inspector Near Me

Some homeowners might think it’s a good idea to do their own chimney inspections as DIY projects to save some money. However, this is one home improvement task that is best left to professionals. A chimney inspection involves more than just cleaning out creosote, leaves, and any small animals living in your chimney. Chimney inspectors use tools like specialized camera equipment that the average homeowner won’t have on hand. An inspection requires recognizing potential problems with the chimney. For instance, a certified technician will determine if there are problems with the chimney’s structure and will also know if there is cracking in the flue that could put your family’s air quality at risk—or can even cause a fire. According to the National Fire Protection Association, inspection should be performed by a qualified agency. Therefore, it’s also a good idea to choose chimney inspectors that are highly skilled to do the job.

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How to Find a Reputable Chimney Inspection Near Me

A fireplace is a beautiful focal point in any room, but it can become dangerous if the right measures aren’t taken to keep it running correctly. Not only can you put yourself at risk by not having regular inspections, but not hiring a trustworthy, responsible chimney inspector can also jeopardize your property and your life. Many combustible parts of the chimney can be very dangerous if neglected or mistreated. Therefore, you shouldn’t trust your chimney inspection to just anyone. Interview several potential inspection companies and go the extra mile to verify the information that they have provided to ensure they are qualified. Here are some ways to ensure that the company you are working with is qualified to perform your chimney inspection.

• Start looking by searching “chimney inspection and cleaning near me.” Verify the results by using the CSIA website to see if the inspectors are licensed.
• Review the company’s Better Business Bureau (BBB) ​​site to view complaints about the company, if any.
• Ask for references from friends, family, or neighbors and check out reputable third-party reviews on the company.
• Interview technicians to narrow down your choices by asking the following questions and any others that you can think of that are specific to your situation.

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Questions to Ask Your Local Chimney Inspector

There may be a few weekend warriors out there who perform chimney inspections but aren’t qualified to do so. As a consumer, it is an excellent idea to protect yourself from unscrupulous chimney inspectors. A good way to do this is to choose at least three chimney inspection companies and interview them. It may also be a good idea to research these chimney inspectors to verify what they tell you. Here are some questions that you can ask to help you narrow down which company you should use.

• How long has your company been in business?
• What level of inspection do you think I need?
• Is your company insured?
• Do you have unresolved complaints pending against your company?
• Can you share references or reviews about the company?
• Do you offer free estimates on services?
• Are your technicians certified through the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA)?
• Do you use flashlights or cameras to do chimney inspections?
• Will you clean up after you’re done?
• How soon will you have my inspection report ready for me to review?

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FAQs

It is critical to hire qualified chimney inspectors because they will know what to look for to keep your property and your family safe from harm while using your fireplace. Here are some common questions homeowners like to know about the chimney inspection and cleaning process.

Q. How much does it cost to check a chimney?

Local chimney sweepers may offer a free chimney inspection if you are also getting a routine cleaning done. However, you will have to pay for a Level 1 inspection if you get it without a cleaning and pay more for Level 2 or 3 inspections, even when they’re performed with a cleaning. Depending on the level of inspection, you could pay anywhere from $100 to $5,000.

Q. Is the chimney a part of a home inspection?

A chimney inspection is typically not a part of the home inspection. A home inspector may quickly look for obvious problems with the fireplace, but they are not required to get up on the roof and do full-scale chimney inspections. Just because your chimney passed the home inspection for the home sale doesn’t mean there aren’t problems. It’s a good idea to have a certified chimney inspector perform a dedicated inspection.

Q. How often should fireplaces and chimneys be cleaned?

Fireplaces and chimneys should be cleaned at least once a year before you use them for the season. Most homeowners opt to get the cleaning done in the fall or winter, but you may run into delays or scheduling conflicts as a result of others trying to get their chimney cleaned. It may be easier to schedule an appointment at your convenience in the late summer or late spring.

Q. What happens if you don’t sweep your chimney?

Over time, creosote, dead animals, leaves, and other debris can build up in your fireplace and cause blockages. This can affect your air quality by releasing black smoke into your indoor air. Excess buildup can lead to a fire that starts in the chimney and can spread throughout your home.

Sources: HomeAdvisor, HouseLogic, HomeServe

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SANTA CLARA (AP) — The Miami Dolphins hired San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel as their head coach Sunday, making him the first minority candidate to get hired so far this offseason.

McDaniel, who is biracial, replaces Brian Flores, who was fired despite posting winning records in the final two of his three seasons in Miami.

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Flores sued the NFL, the Dolphins and two other teams last week over alleged racist hiring practices for coaches and general managers, saying the league remains “rife with racism” even as it publicly condemns it.

McDaniel had worked under 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan for the past 11 seasons and got his first shot as a head coach after only one year as offensive coordinator.

McDaniel was credited for his role in developing San Francisco’s creative running game that featured receiver Deebo Samuel as a running back at times, along with other wrinkles.

“Mike is awesome,” 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo said last month. “He really is. He’s kind of that, I don’t want to say the mastermind behind everything, but he’s kind of that guy in the background that doesn’t say a whole ton to a lot of people, but his mind is always moving. The ideas that he comes up with are so fresh and new that it’s a cool guy to have on the staff. …

“He’s a lot smarter than most of us. So he dumbs it down for us and kind of gets us all on the same page.”

McDaniel could bring some of those wrinkles to Miami to feature playmaking receiver Jaylen Waddle in even more creative ways,

The Dolphins struggled offensively this season despite finishing 9-8 in a roller-coaster campaign that featured a seven-game losing streak followed by a seven-game winning streak.

Second-year quarterback Tua Tagovailoa struggled at times and Miami ranked 22nd in the league in scoring this season.

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The 49ers had a much more productive offense despite also having a quarterback with limitations in Garoppolo.

The Yale-educated McDaniel got his coaching start on Mike Shanahan’s staff in Denver in 2005. He worked an offensive assistant in Houston for in 2006-08 when Kyle Shanahan was on that staff. McDaniel then worked in Washington for three years with Mike Shanahan as coach and Kyle Shanahan as offensive coordinator before working under Kyle Shanahan when he was a coordinator in Cleveland and Atlanta.

McDaniel then joined Shanahan’s staff in San Francisco in 2017 as run game coordinator and took over the offensive coordinator role this past season.

The Dolphins’ hiring of McDaniel followed some paths the team has used in the past, most notably how he is yet another first-time NFL head coach.

McDaniel becomes the 10th consecutive hire by the Dolphins to have exactly zero previous games as the person in charge of an NFL sideline, following Jim Bates, Nick Saban, Cam Cameron, Tony Sparano, Todd Bowles, Joe Philbin, Dan Campbell, Adam Gase and Flores. Bates, Bowles and Campbell were all interim hires.

Of those, including McDaniel, six have come during Ross’ ownership.

And all of those moves have come in the last 18 years, starting with the firing of Dave Wannstedt and Bates being put into place nine games into the 2004 season.

The Dolphins haven’t won a playoff game since 2000 for the second-longest active drought in the NFL to the Detroit Lions.

The hiring of McDaniel leaves the NFL with four minority head coaches with openings remaining in Houston and New Orleans. Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin, Robert Saleh of the Jets and Washington’s Ron Rivera are the others.

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The 49ers will receive two extra third-round picks the next two years as compensation for developing a minority head coach.

The post Dolphins Rent 49ers Offensive Coordinator Mike McDaniel As Head Coach – CBS San Francisco appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

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Eine Schornsteininspektion ist ein wesentlicher Bestandteil des Besitzes eines Kamins mit Schornstein. Sie werden normalerweise mit regelmäßigen Schornsteinreinigungen durchgeführt, aber umfangreichere Probleme erfordern möglicherweise eine eingehende Inspektion. Obwohl die Schornsteininspektionsbranche nicht so stark reguliert ist wie einige Branchen, sind einige Inspektoren vom Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) für die Durchführung von Schornsteininspektionen zertifiziert.

Um den perfekten Kandidaten für die Stelle auszuwählen, müssen Sie nicht nur das erste Unternehmen einstellen, das in Ihren Suchergebnissen auftaucht, wenn Sie nach „Schornsteininspektion in meiner Nähe“ suchen. Es ist eine gute Idee, Ihre Due Diligence durchzuführen und Ihre wichtigsten Entscheidungen zu überprüfen. Als Hausbesitzer möchten Sie einen qualifizierten und verantwortungsbewussten Betrieb mit der Inspektion und Reparatur Ihres Schornsteins beauftragen. Wenn Sie dies nicht tun, können Sie auf lange Sicht enorme Mengen an Geld, Zeit und Stress kosten.

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Kosten einer Schornsteininspektion in meiner Nähe

Wenn Sie eine Schornsteininspektion benötigen, können Sie mit 300 bis 600 US-Dollar rechnen, wobei der nationale Durchschnitt etwa 450 US-Dollar kostet. Diese Kosten können je nach Wohnort steigen oder fallen. Zum Beispiel werden die Kosten für die Inspektion eines Schornsteins in San Francisco, Kalifornien, aufgrund der Lebenshaltungskosten und der lokalen Nachfrage von den Kosten in Concord, New Hampshire, abweichen. Auch die Art des bei der Inspektion verwendeten Werkzeugs kann sich auf den Preis der Schornsteininspektion auswirken. Einige Schornsteininspektoren verwenden beispielsweise eine Kamera, um den Schornstein zu überprüfen, was 200 bis 400 $ kosten kann, aber bis zu 1.000 $ betragen kann, wenn Sie mehr als einen Schornstein haben. Die Inspektionskosten können auch je nach dem Umfang der Schornsteininspektion, die ein Inspektor durchführen muss, drastisch variieren. Suchen Sie nach „Kamininspektion in meiner Nähe“ oder „Schornsteinreiniger in meiner Nähe“, um Ihre Jagd zu starten.

Was ist bei einer Schornsteininspektion abgedeckt?

Schornsteininspektionen variieren je nach erforderlichem Inspektionsniveau – und auch die Kosten variieren. Eine Inspektion der Stufe 1 ist Teil der jährlichen Reinigung, die zwischen 129 und 377 US-Dollar kostet. Alleine kann eine Inspektion der Stufe 1 zwischen 100 und 950 US-Dollar kosten. Ein Techniker führt eine oberflächlichere Inspektion durch und stellt sicher, dass der Gesamtzustand des Schornsteins bei dieser Art von Inspektion in Ordnung ist. Der Techniker untersucht leicht zugängliche Teile des Schornsteins, um sicherzustellen, dass keine Verstopfungen vorhanden sind und der Schornstein frei von Kreosotablagerungen ist – einem brennbaren Nebenprodukt von brennendem Holz.

Level-2-Inspektionen kosten normalerweise zwischen 200 und 1.000 US-Dollar. Ein Techniker führt diese Art der Inspektion normalerweise durch, wenn Sie kürzlich Änderungen am System vorgenommen haben oder Probleme wie kürzlich ein Brand oder Sturmschaden aufgetreten sind. Diese Art der Inspektion kann nach dem Verkauf einer Immobilie erforderlich sein. Der Techniker überprüft die gleichen Dinge, die bei einer Inspektion der Stufe 1 überprüft werden, und verwendet eine Videokamera, um den Schornstein zu überprüfen. Der Techniker kann sogar andere Hausbereiche überprüfen, einschließlich Dachboden, Keller oder Kriechkeller.

Die Inspektion der Stufe 3 kann zwischen 500 und 5.000 US-Dollar kosten. Bei schwerwiegenden strukturellen Problemen, einschließlich losem Mauerwerk, benötigen Sie eine Inspektion der Stufe 3. Diese Inspektion umfasst alles, was in Inspektionen der Stufen 1 und 2 enthalten ist, geht jedoch weiter, um Gebäude- oder Schornsteinkomponenten zu entfernen, um die richtigen Abstände zu überprüfen, insbesondere wenn eine Gefahr vermutet wird.

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Brauche ich eine Schornsteinkontrolle?

Einige Hausbesitzer nutzen ihre Kamine während der Wintermonate ausgiebig, und einige Hausbesitzer verwenden sie nur zu besonderen Anlässen, um das Ambiente zu verbessern. Unabhängig davon, ob Sie Ihren Kamin oft oder nur sehr selten benutzen, ist es dennoch eine gute Idee, Ihren Schornstein inspizieren zu lassen. Ein Schornstein besteht nicht nur aus Ziegeln auf einem Haus – es gibt viele komplizierte Teile des Schornsteins, die zusammenwirken, um sicherzustellen, dass Sie ein Feuer in Ihrem Kamin sicher entzünden können. Wenn eines dieser Teile beschädigt ist, kann Kohlenmonoxid in das Haus gelangen oder sogar einen Schornsteinbrand verursachen. Und wenn Sie zu den Hausbesitzern gehören, die einen Kamin haben, ihn aber nie benutzen, ist es dennoch eine gute Idee, ihn in gutem Zustand zu halten, falls Sie beabsichtigen, Ihr Haus zu verkaufen. Wenn Sie sich fragen, ob Sie eine Schornsteininspektion benötigen, finden Sie im Folgenden einige Gründe, die Sie in Betracht ziehen sollten. Um Ihre Suche zu starten, suchen Sie im Internet nach „Schornsteininspektoren in meiner Nähe“.

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Notfälle

Ein Grund, Ihren Schornstein inspizieren zu lassen, sind Notfallprobleme. Wenn diese Notfallprobleme nicht behoben werden, besteht die Gefahr eines Schornsteinbrands. Sie könnten auch die Gesundheit der Atemwege Ihrer Familie gefährden, wenn Sie giftige Luft einatmen. Wenn einer der folgenden Notfälle auftritt, ist es eine gute Idee, eine Schornsteininspektion durchführen zu lassen, bevor Sie versuchen, Ihren Kamin wieder in Betrieb zu nehmen. Hier sind einige Notfälle, die Sie so schnell wie möglich lösen sollten.

• Sie haben bemerkt, dass schwarzer Rauch aus dem Kamin kommt.
• Es gibt einen Schornsteinbrand.
• Es gibt strukturelle Probleme mit Ihrem Schornstein, wie zum Beispiel loses Mauerwerk oder ein schiefer Schornstein.
• Ihr Kohlenmonoxidmelder geht aus, wenn Sie ein Feuer entzünden.

Nicht-Notfälle

Obwohl nicht dringende Probleme nicht so kritisch sind, müssen sie dennoch behoben werden, damit Ihr Kamin ordnungsgemäß funktioniert. Auch wenn Sie Kreosotentferner oder Kreosotstämme verwenden, um Kreosotablagerungen in Ihrem Schornstein zu minimieren, sollten Sie dennoch regelmäßig reinigen und kontrollieren. Hier sind ein paar nicht dringende Gründe für eine Inspektion.

• Es ist Zeit für eine jährliche Schornsteinreinigung und Inspektion.
• Sie hören ungewöhnliche Geräusche aus Ihrem Schornstein und vermuten die Anwesenheit von Tieren.
• In Ihrem Kamin hat sich viel Ruß angesammelt.

Weitere Überlegungen und Vorteile

Ein weiterer wichtiger Grund, warum Sie möglicherweise eine Schornsteininspektion durchführen lassen müssen, ist, wenn eine kürzlich durchgeführte Dachinspektion festgestellt hat, dass Sie schlechte oder fehlende Dachbleche haben. Die Dachinspektoren werden wahrscheinlich die Dachbleche ersetzen, aber wenn Wasser in den Schornstein sickerte, während das Dachblech beschädigt war oder fehlte, müssen Sie möglicherweise Feuchtigkeitsprobleme beheben. Wenn Sie Ihr Haus verkaufen möchten, ist es ratsam, Ihren Kamin inspizieren und reinigen zu lassen. Viel Ruß und verschiedene Ablagerungen in Ihrem Kamin können potenzielle Käufer abschrecken. Ein weiterer Grund, eine Inspektion Ihres Schornsteins in Betracht zu ziehen, ist, wenn Sie feststellen, dass Ziegel nicht richtig platziert sind oder Mörtel fehlt. Dies kann bedeuten, dass Ihr Schornstein abplatzt, was dazu führen kann, dass Ziegel zerbröckeln und einstürzen.

Foto: depositphotos.com

Heimwerken vs. einen professionellen Schornsteinfeger in meiner Nähe beauftragen

Einige Hausbesitzer denken vielleicht, dass es eine gute Idee ist, ihre eigenen Schornsteininspektionen als DIY-Projekte durchzuführen, um etwas Geld zu sparen. Dies ist jedoch eine Heimwerkeraufgabe, die am besten Profis überlassen wird. Eine Schornsteininspektion umfasst mehr als nur das Entfernen von Kreosot, Blättern und kleinen Tieren, die in Ihrem Schornstein leben. Schornsteininspektoren verwenden Werkzeuge wie spezielle Kameraausrüstung, die der durchschnittliche Hausbesitzer nicht zur Hand hat. Eine Inspektion erfordert das Erkennen potenzieller Probleme mit dem Schornstein. Zum Beispiel wird ein zertifizierter Techniker feststellen, ob es Probleme mit der Struktur des Schornsteins gibt und ob Risse im Schornstein vorhanden sind, die die Luftqualität Ihrer Familie gefährden oder sogar einen Brand verursachen können. Laut der National Fire Protection Association sollte die Inspektion von einer qualifizierten Stelle durchgeführt werden. Daher ist es auch eine gute Idee, Schornsteininspektoren zu wählen, die für diese Arbeit hochqualifiziert sind.

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So finden Sie eine seriöse Schornsteininspektion in meiner Nähe

Ein Kamin ist ein schöner Blickfang in jedem Raum, kann jedoch gefährlich werden, wenn nicht die richtigen Maßnahmen getroffen werden, um den ordnungsgemäßen Betrieb zu gewährleisten. Sie können sich nicht nur selbst gefährden, wenn Sie keine regelmäßigen Inspektionen durchführen lassen, sondern auch der Verzicht auf einen vertrauenswürdigen, verantwortungsvollen Schornsteininspekteur kann Ihr Eigentum und Ihr Leben gefährden. Viele brennbare Teile des Schornsteins können sehr gefährlich sein, wenn sie vernachlässigt oder falsch behandelt werden. Daher sollten Sie Ihre Schornsteinkontrolle nicht jedem anvertrauen. Befragen Sie mehrere potenzielle Inspektionsunternehmen und gehen Sie die Extrameile, um die von ihnen bereitgestellten Informationen zu überprüfen, um sicherzustellen, dass sie qualifiziert sind. Hier sind einige Möglichkeiten, um sicherzustellen, dass das Unternehmen, mit dem Sie zusammenarbeiten, für die Durchführung Ihrer Schornsteininspektion qualifiziert ist.

• Beginnen Sie mit der Suche, indem Sie nach „Schornsteininspektion und -reinigung in meiner Nähe“ suchen. Überprüfen Sie die Ergebnisse, indem Sie die CSIA-Website verwenden, um festzustellen, ob die Inspektoren lizenziert sind.
• Überprüfen Sie die Website des Better Business Bureau (BBB) ​​des Unternehmens, um eventuelle Beschwerden über das Unternehmen anzuzeigen.
• Fragen Sie nach Referenzen von Freunden, Familie oder Nachbarn und lesen Sie seriöse Bewertungen von Drittanbietern über das Unternehmen.
• Befragen Sie Techniker, um Ihre Auswahl einzugrenzen, indem Sie die folgenden Fragen und alle anderen Fragen stellen, die Ihnen einfallen und die für Ihre Situation spezifisch sind.

Foto: depositphotos.com

Fragen an Ihren örtlichen Schornsteinfeger

Es mag ein paar Wochenendkrieger geben, die Schornsteininspektionen durchführen, aber nicht dafür qualifiziert sind. Als Verbraucher ist es eine ausgezeichnete Idee, sich vor skrupellosen Schornsteininspektoren zu schützen. Eine gute Möglichkeit, dies zu tun, besteht darin, mindestens drei Schornsteininspektionsfirmen auszuwählen und diese zu befragen. Es kann auch eine gute Idee sein, diese Schornsteininspektoren zu recherchieren, um zu überprüfen, was sie Ihnen sagen. Hier sind einige Fragen, die Sie stellen können, um einzugrenzen, welches Unternehmen Sie verwenden sollten.

• Wie lange ist Ihr Unternehmen im Geschäft?
• Welche Inspektionsstufe brauche ich Ihrer Meinung nach?
• Ist Ihr Unternehmen versichert?
• Sie haben ungelöste Beschwerden gegen Ihr Unternehmen?
• Können Sie Referenzen oder Bewertungen über das Unternehmen teilen?
• Bieten Sie kostenlose Schätzungen zu Dienstleistungen an?
• Sind Ihre Techniker vom Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) zertifiziert?
• Verwenden Sie bei Schornsteininspektionen Taschenlampen oder Kameras?
• Wirst du aufräumen, wenn du fertig bist?
• Wie schnell haben Sie meinen Inspektionsbericht zur Überprüfung bereit?

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Häufig gestellte Fragen

Es ist wichtig, qualifizierte Schornsteininspektoren zu beauftragen, da sie wissen, worauf Sie achten müssen, um Ihr Eigentum und Ihre Familie bei der Verwendung Ihres Kamins vor Schäden zu schützen. Hier sind einige häufige Fragen, die Hausbesitzer zur Schornsteininspektion und -reinigung wissen möchten.

F. Wie viel kostet es, einen Schornstein zu überprüfen?

Lokale Schornsteinfeger bieten eine kostenlose Schornsteininspektion an, wenn Sie auch eine routinemäßige Reinigung durchführen lassen. Sie müssen jedoch für eine Inspektion der Stufe 1 bezahlen, wenn Sie sie ohne Reinigung erhalten, und mehr für Inspektionen der Stufe 2 oder 3, auch wenn sie mit einer Reinigung durchgeführt werden. Abhängig von der Inspektionsstufe können Sie zwischen 100 und 5.000 US-Dollar bezahlen.

F. Ist der Schornstein Teil einer Hausinspektion?

Eine Schornsteininspektion ist in der Regel kein Bestandteil der Hausinspektion. Ein Hausinspektor kann schnell nach offensichtlichen Problemen mit dem Kamin suchen, aber er muss nicht auf das Dach steigen und eine vollständige Schornsteininspektion durchführen. Nur weil Ihr Schornstein die Hausinspektion für den Hausverkauf bestanden hat, heißt das nicht, dass es keine Probleme gibt. Es ist eine gute Idee, eine spezielle Inspektion von einem zertifizierten Schornsteininspektor durchführen zu lassen.

F. Wie oft sollten Kamine und Schornsteine ​​gereinigt werden?

Kamine und Schornsteine ​​sollten mindestens einmal im Jahr gereinigt werden, bevor Sie sie während der Saison benutzen. Die meisten Hausbesitzer entscheiden sich dafür, die Reinigung im Herbst oder Winter durchführen zu lassen, aber es kann zu Verzögerungen oder Terminkonflikten kommen, wenn andere versuchen, ihren Schornstein reinigen zu lassen. Es kann einfacher sein, einen Termin im Spätsommer oder Spätfrühling nach Belieben zu vereinbaren.

F. Was passiert, wenn Sie Ihren Schornstein nicht fegen?

Im Laufe der Zeit können sich Kreosot, tote Tiere, Blätter und andere Ablagerungen in Ihrem Kamin ansammeln und Verstopfungen verursachen. Dies kann Ihre Luftqualität beeinträchtigen, indem schwarzer Rauch in Ihre Raumluft abgegeben wird. Übermäßige Ablagerungen können zu einem Feuer führen, das im Schornstein beginnt und sich im ganzen Haus ausbreiten kann.

Quellen: HomeAdvisor, HouseLogic, HomeServe

Verbinden Sie sich mit einem Schornstein- und Kaminprofi

Finden Sie die besten lokalen Profis und vergleichen Sie mehrere Angebote für Ihr Schornstein- oder Kaminprojekt.

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The post The way to Rent for a Chimney Inspection appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

Neighbors pay for extra eyes to patrol the community

Christien Kafton from KTVU reports.

SAN FRANCISCO – Neighbors in the Marina District of San Francisco have teamed up and are paying for extra eyes to keep an eye out for crime.

Car break-ins are commonplace in San Francisco. People who live and work in the city’s Marina District say their area is not immune to crime.

“There have been break-ins in stores, car windows have been broken, you can see one at least every week if not every day,” said Michelle Avedissian.

“Since moving here, I’ve broken into my car a few weeks after I moved in. So I see the concern that people are protecting their cars and going around checking,” said Jared Chavis.

Now, neighbors have banded together and paid for San Francisco Patrol Special Police Officer Alan Byard to patrol the area and respond to everything from break-ins to home invasions.

“I do everything a regular San Francisco cop does, except I don’t get involved in vehicle chases or write tickets,” Byard said.

Patrol special officers have been a part of the city since the 1850s. They work with sworn police officers and are hired to patrol a specific area and act with the same powers as police officers. Byard says that when he took over Marina Beat in 2017 he had around 60 clients, and lately the demand for his services has increased.

“It’s about 170 now. Probably 20 last month. Just because of what’s going on,” Byard said.

Those who live and work in the area say the extra eyes can’t hurt.

“Honestly, yes. That brings a breath of fresh air when someone walks around making sure the cars are in order,” said Chavis.

Byard said although he is paid to be here, those who don’t pay for his services benefit from being here. He pointed to houses in the area and said that even though they weren’t customers, he was guarding their homes and working to protect them.

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SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) – Fed up with brash property crimes, residents of the Marina District of San Francisco are taking matters into their own hands to protect themselves.

“We don’t feel safe in our neighborhood,” said Katie Lyons, a Beach Street resident. “And we have an alarm, we have cameras on our property, but we want the extra security that someone is keeping an eye on our house.”

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She said home and car break-ins in her neighborhood were so out of control that she is now paying for the security services of Patrol Special Officer Alan Byard.

Some of their neighbors have also recently become customers. Byard said he made several laps in his vehicle from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. looking for anything inappropriate or suspicious. He charges $ 65 a month per place of residence.

“It’s a beautiful area down here, people are scared of what’s going on,” said Byard. “They want a safe place to raise their children. Last year 10 of my customers left the city. “

Byard, who also patrols companies, says its private customers have more than doubled since the pandemic began, from 70 to 150 in the marina alone.

The biggest problem in the area is car break-ins, he said. He often deals with the homeless who sleep on the residents’ front doors. Petty thefts and break-ins are also common, according to Byard.

Patrol Special Officers work as private patrols overseen by the Police Commission.

Lyons said it was not uncommon to find stolen property, including empty luggage, right outside her home. Car burglars frequently break into vehicles parked at the nearby Palace of Fine Arts.

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“Especially at night I don’t walk with a purse, I drive or take an Uber, and that becomes a problem during the day too,” added Lyons.

In fact, popular Australian singer Clinton Kane was the victim of a brazen armed robbery in nearby Cow Hollow on Friday. Thieves made off with more than $ 30,000 worth of camera equipment.

Several videos posted on social media show that theft only lasts a few seconds and that witnesses or passing drivers do not deter burglars day or night.

A surveillance video by Trisha Bantigue shows a car break-in on Hawthorne Street and Howard Street in SoMa last month. She said she was careful not to leave anything in her brand new car and was still not immune.

A dash cam video was repeatedly recorded on Friday at Fisherman’s Wharf on Beach Street and Columbus Avenue. A waiting black Audi followed closely before the suspect finally stepped in.

Allan Brown, a resident of Marina, has lived in the area for 20 years.

When asked if property crime has gotten worse:

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“Oh, absolutely, absolutely. This place was once upon a time – nothing would ever happen here, ”he said.

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Kirkland & Ellis partner Austin Pollet joins Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison as the Wall Street firm expands its newly established San Francisco office.

Pollet, who joined Kirkland in 2013, focuses on all aspects of private equity transactions, with an emphasis on transactions with technology companies.

“Austin is a rising star in the private equity space,” said Scott Barshay, president of Paul Weiss corporate division, in a statement. He has “significant experience at a young age in a range of transactions with high-growth technology companies”.

After the hiring of lawyers Karen Dunn and Bill Isaacson from Boies Schiller Flexner in June, Apple Inc., Oracle Corp. and Uber Technologies Corp. Difficult Market for Wall Street Firms.

In January Paul Weiss added Melinda Haag, Walter Brown and Randy Luskey from Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe, and Jeremy Veit from Kirkland to expand their San Francisco office.

Pollet represents private equity firms, including domestic and cross-border leveraged and management buyouts, venture and growth capital investments, divestments, and other mergers and acquisitions.

He has advised the San Francisco-based private equity firm Francisco Partners on numerous transactions, including the acquisition of RedSail Technologies and the carve-out acquisition of PioneerRx and its portfolio companies on several transactions.

Pollet has also represented Cerberus Capital Management as well as HGGC, K1 Investment Management, Tower Arch Capital, True Wind Capital and Vista Equity Partners.

His addition will expand the company’s transactional capabilities in California, Paul Weiss chairman Brad Karp said in a statement. He noted that Pollet is “deeply embedded in the California business and tech community.”

Pollet is the latest addition to the Wall Street firm, whose gross revenue rose 11.2% to $ 1.54 billion last year and earnings per equity partner increased 14.3% to $ 5.369 million, according to the company American Lawyer’s Figures.

Earlier this month, the firm added Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom’s tax partner, Brian Krause, and Willkie Farr & Gallagher’s financial practice group co-chair, David Tarr, to its New York office. The company also brought in Sullivan & Cromwell partner Krishna Veeraraghavan as a partner in its corporate division in New York in January.

Large law firms flocking to Northern California looking for deals in the tech industry often struggle to compete with local firms like Cooley, Fenwick & West, and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, especially when it comes to representing startups and growth companies goes. Outsiders sometimes struggle to prove to potential customers that they really “get” technology.

That didn’t stop Big Law from moving to the Bay Area last year to try to capitalize on a red-hot tech market.

Freshfields Bruckhaus & Deringer opened its Silicon Valley office in July with employees from Davis Polk & Wardwell, Sidley Austin and Wilson Sonsini. Since then, the company has signed a 10-year lease for 40,000 square feet in a new office building in downtown Redwood City.

Debevoise & Plimpton opened an office in March and moved 14 of its lawyers to its third office in the US to benefit from technology-related work. Jenner & Block also announced last month that it would move to San Francisco and hire Ann O’Leary, former California chief of staff Gavin Newsom, for its new office.

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Kevin Giddings, 54, is that Owner of Milborrow Chimney Sweeps in West Sussex, England. Despite having some well-known clients, including Buckingham Palace, his job is fairly straightforward. Most days he and his staff make house calls to repair chimneys, clean boilers and of course swept chimneys.

A few times a month, however, Giddings’ job involves slightly different tasks. On these days he gets dressed – with a top hat, black gloves, a tie and a jacket with tails (he puts the jacket on just above his kettle suit). He puts his black cat Sooty on his shoulder and takes an old-fashioned wooden fireplace brush. He smears soot all over his face. And when he’s done, he makes his way to a stranger’s wedding.

Everyone knows that a happiness seeking bride needs things old, new, borrowed, and blue. But if you’re trying to tip the scales towards wedded happiness in the UK, your best bet is to make sure you have a real chimney sweep, too. For a small fee, often around £ 100, you can make sure someone shows up to shake hands with the groom, kiss the bride, take pictures, and generally give sooty cheers. “Our job is to wish everyone the best of luck,” explains Giddings. “It’s one of the best parts of a chimney sweep.”

A chimney sweep from the Victorian era, the inspiration for today’s “Lucky Sweeps”. Unknown / public domain

“It is believed that you will be lucky enough to attend your wedding,” said Liz Leicester of Pete the Sweep in North Yorkshire, whose husband Mark Leicester is making such appearances. But as with most superstitions, the roots of that superstition are difficult to trace. A shared story that Leicester and Giddings both told me is about King George II, a puppy and a faulty horse.

Basically it is said that during a royal procession a dog pinched the legs of the king’s horse and frightened the horse. A chimney sweep then emerged from the crowd, brought the animal under control, and then disappeared again. “The king was unable to personally thank the sweep,” says Leicester. “So he said that from that day on, sweeps should be considered a godsend.”

There are other explanations as well. In a 1951 article for folklore, historian Philip Brown went over most of them and did not come to very many conclusions. It could have something to do with the ancient Roman connection between soot and fertility, he says – Vulcan, the god of fire and forge, was married to Venus, the goddess of love – or an old tradition, the fireplace on New Year’s Day clear out day, for good luck.

A Pete the Sweep wedding rep, complete with brat. Liz Leicester / Pete the Sweep

Certain 17th century May 1st parades may or may not have been preceded by street sweepers who may or may not have dressed like chimney sweeps. There is also another popular (and probably wrong) story where a chimney sweep falls off a roof, gets caught in a gutter, is pulled through a window by a “young girl”, and she soon marries.

There might be a moral dimension to humiliating yourself on a somewhat proud day – a bride dressed all in white takes a risk by kissing a sooty sweep on the cheek. Giddings makes a purely utilitarian argument: “Two hundred years ago, when a new bride became a wife, she became the mistress of the household,” he says. “The landlady had to be responsible for the cooking, the heating, the hot water … if she didn’t get to know the chimney sweep, she couldn’t take care of all of that.” In other words, it’s better to start strong from day one.

If you look at real British history, luck and chimney sweeping are some strange bedfellows. From the late 17th century – after the Great Fire of London decimated many of the city’s old buildings and people built new ones with thinner chimneys – adult sweepers began to hire young boys, often orphans, to clean them up in the chimneys.

A “climbing boy” and his boss from 19th century Italy. Museo Sonogno / public domain

The insides of chimneys are not very healthy places, and many of these so-called “climbing boys” have had burns, irritation, and respiratory problems – or “chimney sweep’s cancer,” a type of scrotal tumor that was the first occupational cancer ever diagnosed. Life was so bad for young people that Parliament passed a law in 1864 banning the use of climbing boys.

However, the idea of ​​the lucky chimney sweep survived this historical irony. “In the British Isles or the Continent, just a cynical stomach ulcer … would not welcome a chance meeting with a chimney sweep,” wrote George L. Phillips in 1951 in the Journal of American Folklore.

Happy chimney sweeps appear in literature, from Mary Poppins (in which a grumpy Mr. Banks refuses to shake hands with a sweeper) to Ulysses (in which a minor character calls out “Soot luck”). According to Time magazine, Prince Philip emerged from Kensington Palace at 11 a.m. on the morning of his wedding to Queen Elizabeth in 1947 [and] shook hands with a chimney sweep. “

Sweeps today love to keep up the tradition. The summer is a solid sideline, generally a slow time to sweep: Leicester says they’ll host at least one wedding a week from around April through September, and Giddings estimates he’s gotten around 100 gigs at a time .

Another stroke of luck from Milborrow Chimney Sweeps is kissing the bride. Kevin Giddings / Milborrow Chimney Sweeps

Many British chimney sweeps advertise wedding appearances, and although most stick to the standard Victorian outfit, many try to stand out from the crowd by offering souvenirs or special extras – champagne, official certificates, bags with real soot. Some work with the wedding parties to make sure they appear “out of the blue” – a chance encounter, even a choreographed one, is considered the happiest.

Mark Leicester travels to concerts on a flowered bicycle, sometimes with a historically correct assistant: “If he has one, he takes it with him [a little boy dressed as] a kid, ”says Liz. And Giddings has his black cat, which he has trained from childhood to love crowds and to travel around on his shoulder. (Sooty is the latest in a long line: “Unfortunately, the cats themselves are not lucky because they keep crossing the busy street near us and being run over,” says Giddings.)

However, apart from cats, everyone else tends to be one step ahead. Wedding parties generally give good reviews – the best part is when families become repeat customers and the sweeps can check out the couples they’ve once helped, Leicester says. And the ones that do the best are likely to be the sweeps themselves, getting in, getting out and getting paid. “It’s a happy day,” says Giddings. “I’m happy to participate.”

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