We report clever crimes.. but the day I got burgled the culprit was

HE'S seen some of the toughest criminals and most brutal thugs in the land... but when Crimeline's Con Muprhy was robbed himself, it was by the dopiest gang in Ireland.

"Maybe he was but if he was the real man he portrayed himself to be he could have apologised in person."Jack lost the plot with me in a rant littered with f words, b words and even the c word was thrown in."But there are a lot of people in football like that, ask anyone in the media who works regularly with the Irish squad and they will tell you that for every player like Kevin Kilbane and Shay Given who make their jobs easy, there are a fair few snotty ones who just don't want to know. They are average players with very inflated opinions of themselves."Con said: "A good few years ago Marthat tina Navratilova played a match in the RDS, I was at the Press conference afterwards and she answered every single question openly and honestly, there was no hiding behind platitudes and giving one word answers."Eventually I ended up having an ear drum transplant to try and improve the situation."It wasn't a nice experience and in the days Big break... Con helped afterwards we did kind of feel violated that someone had been through our most personal belongings"."The guys we feature on Crimeline go to work slightly more prepared."To this day she remains the person i would most like to sit down and interview properly.".Con said: "The death of Latvian woman Baiba Saulite, who was shot in North County Dublin, is one that annoys me, mainly due to the fact that it was so cold-blooded and her kids, indeed her very young kids, were in bed."Sometimes the TV earphone is put on to the bad ear and I cannot hear the producers. It gets more complicated when they put it on the good ear, I can clearly hear the producer, but then cannot hear the people I am talking to all that well. Sure we manage somehow".He said: "I have only 20 per cent hearing in that ear, and it can cause me problems. It came about through my having a series of infections and diffi-culties with it when I was a kid."The main suspect is outside the jurisdiction at the moment, but I know the guards won't let this one rest and I really really hope they nail whoever pulled the trigger."He said: "Overall current affairs wouldn't appeal to me - maybe that's the area they might find me out in," but added: "I'm happy where I am and things are going grand."Despite his success on Crimeline, viewers need not expect to see Con reading the news any time soon."Now that I could just about deal with, but next day one of his people in the FAI came over and apologised on his behalf, saying that Jack was really sorry for what he had said.Con's home was burgled when he was just a teen living in Dublin. The radio and TV star said: "I was about 16 and I was the first person back to my house in Churchtown one evening.That wasn't a problem with downto-earth tennis legend Martine Navratilova."There's also the fact that whoever shot her seemingly did it purely for the money."The burglars had already left and, I swear to God this is true, they were later caught cycling down the Stillorgan dual carriageway with our video in a basket on the front of the bike."To be honest I hadn't a lot of time for him after that, and, of course, who put us out of the World Cup, Holland did, so maybe there was a point to my question after all."Funnily enough I worked in three different travel agencies and all three have closed down, maybe I got out in time before I single- handedly wrecked the entire industry."Before conquering the airwaves Con had worked as a travel agent: "I got into it because I had a belief I might get to see the world. Little did I realise that the bosses get all the good trips and the workers like me get the bus trip to Pontins and Butlins.Con said: "The biggest rollicking I have ever received in my life was from Jack. Back in 1994 we played Holland over there in a pre- World Cup friendly and we won 1-0. "Interviewing Jack on the pitch afterwards I made reference to the fact the Dutch had taken half their team off at half time and suggested that there was surely better to come from them at the World Cup itself.In his time as a sports presenter Con met all the greats, but Irish soccer boss Jack Charlton was a great disappointment.Con has had to battle twice as hard as his co-presenters as a childhood illness left him deaf in one ear."He was yelling: 'We have just come here and beaten the bl**dy Dutch and all you want to talk about is them, why won't you admit how well we played?' "He then removed his headphones, screamed at me that if we used the tirade on air he would 'Never speak to effin RTE again' and stormed off.Con, 44, who started his broadcasting career off as a sports presenter with RTE, got his big break with a stint covering for Marian Finucane and Ryan Tubridy - but he says he was still surprised to get the Crimeline call."The buzz for me is when information we receive on the show leads to an arrest, it's a good feeling to know that you played a part, however small, in catching a villain". But one unsolved crime still haunts him, the callous slaying of young mum Baiba Saulite.He said: "They rang me up and asked me to do it, I work mainly in sports so it was a bit of a shock, but they asked me so I thought I'd give it a go.

He said: "Overall current affairs wouldn't appeal to me - maybe that's the area they might find me out in," but added: "I'm happy where I am and things are going grand."

Creating A Classic Bedroom Look With Wood Furniture

A bedroom should be a place where you can escape from the busy day to relax and rest. Therefore, the environment needs to be calm, cozy and warm. The best way to achieve this goal is with the use of classic wood furniture, especially pine and oak. When these types of woods are added to any space, they instantly create a welcoming atmosphere. Wood pieces are also known to endure for a very long time. Even if the wood does suffer some bumps or nicks, it adds to the character and enhances the look of the piece. Anyone looking to produce a bedroom with a classic decor needs to use pine or oak furniture pieces.

The lines of the furniture can be arched, curved or straight. Each feature will produce a different effect. In addition, the thickness of the wood will also contribute to the look. Very thick, chunky oak will be a dominating force in the room. It tends to look more rustic than thinner, less bulky, pine furniture. Pine also has elements intrinsic to the wood like dark, circular knots that will vary with each furniture piece. Oak may have visible grain patterns throughout that add character to any item. Pine and oak can be given a dark or light stain to alter the color of the wood. The type of hardware used will also contribute to the style of the furniture. Stainless steel drawer pulls in a simple round shape tend to look more modern when with paired with pieces that have clean, simple lines and flat surfaces. Chunky pieces with large wrought iron or metal drawer pulls give off a more rustic vibe. Another thing to think about is the about of detailing on each piece such as an inlaid design, molding or abstract designs carved into the wood.Solid wood wardrobes have increased in popularity over the years. They are the perfect way to add additional storage space to any bedroom. There are many different types and plenty of interior configurations. Some may have just a hanging bar inside, while others may also have a shelf above the rack. Other wardrobe have either interior or exterior drawers, in addition to the hanging bar. These days, wardrobes can be used for more than just storing clothing. They can even house television sets or computers. Finally, remember that factors like the wall color, lighting, flooring, draperies and bed linens will all contribute to the atmosphere of any bedroom.

Solid wood wardrobes have increased in popularity over the years. They are the perfect way to add additional storage space to any bedroom. There are many different types and plenty of interior configurations. Some may have just a hanging bar inside, while others may also have a shelf above the rack. Other wardrobe have either interior or exterior drawers, in addition to the hanging bar. These days, wardrobes can be used for more than just storing clothing. They can even house television sets or computers. Finally, remember that factors like the wall color, lighting, flooring, draperies and bed linens will all contribute to the atmosphere of any bedroom.

Does Your Business Really Have a Strategy?

Bad strategy -- not a bad economy -- is what is dooming many American businesses to failure.

About Rich HorwathAdd to Digg Bookmark with del.icio.us Add to NewsvineA survey in the Harvard Business Journal reports that nearly 50 percent of the business failures in the U.S. resulted from flawed strategies -- not the poor economy.Discovery -- In this phase, you are pulling together everything you know about strategy, market intelligence, competitive intelligence, customer data and industry data so you have a solid bank of information on which to base your primary business assumptions. Strategic Thinking -- Getting together with your development team, you take the information from discovery phase and then use tools and models to generate new insights and discover what is going on in your business and how your business is moving forward in the future. Strategic Planning -- This takes the insights from strategic thinking and channels them into an action plan to achieve your company's goals and objectives. Strategy Rollout -- Research suggests that 95 percent of company employees don't understand company strategy, so it is imperative for companies to present the plan to the employees, who are ultimately responsible for enacting the plan. Strategy Tune-Up -- Like that diagnostic tune-up of your car, this step forces companies to look under the hood of their strategic plans to evaluate what is different, what has changed and what is new since they created the plan. This allows companies to then make adjustments in their tactics to fit the new conditions. It helps answer the ongoing question "Are we on the right path?"Horwath believes that a simple five-step process could unlock the potential of the strategic plan.Rachel Friedman Rachel@newsandexperts.comPart of this phenomenon is that companies create strategies, write the plans, and then let them languish in a desk drawer, according to Rich Horwath, author of "Deep Dive: The Proven Method for Building Strategy," ( www.strategyskills.com ).Rich Horwath is a strategist, speaker and author of the bestselling book on strategic thinking, "Deep Dive: The Proven Method for Building Strategy."

Rachel Friedman Rachel@newsandexperts.com

Preschoolers' room should be full of fun

By Jura Konciusand Liz Seymour

Question: We have a back deck off our main floor, along with a brick patio from the walk-out basement, which makes for a shaded sitting area. My question is how to decorate under the deck. We were thinking of stringing solar-powered lights and getting a bistro- style patio set.Answer: Start with something like one fun pillow in a shade you would never have chosen. Go to a place like West Elm or Pier 1 Imports or Marshalls or Target. With brown and green, you might add touches of sky blue, red or even lavender.Question: I'm trying to figure out what shade of blue I should use for my front door. The house is red brick with white window trim and a cedar and white front porch. I've decided to paint the porch floor navy blue.Answer: I really like Ikea for kids' furniture, especially beds and dressers. I went to Anthropologie and got really fun drawer pulls that I used instead of standard ones on the dresser. I also got beanbags from the Company Store for my kids' rooms, and they love them.Reader: Why not have the preschoolers make the artwork themselves? Buy some sturdy paper or pulled canvas and a few different paint colors that match the color scheme of the room. Then have the kids go at it! Frame the pictures and update them every few months.The Washington PostAnswer: Would you consider a black door to go with what you describe as a very classic house?Question: The color palette in my home is very safe. Lots of neutral browns and greens. I would love to add bright and unexpected colors but have no idea where or how to start. Any suggestions for a decorating newbie?Answer: Buy nice planters and get small trees or bushes to put in them. Boxwood, camellia, hibiscus or oleander make a nice tall statement. An outdoor rug is also fun. What about a fire pit?

Answer: Start with something like one fun pillow in a shade you would never have chosen. Go to a place like West Elm or Pier 1 Imports or Marshalls or Target. With brown and green, you might add touches of sky blue, red or even lavender.

It's certainly not nice toe see you two!

Byline: Andy Hirst

Imagine a circle drawn around the hole in the sock, about 1/4 inch (6mm) larger than the hole on every side. With your needle and thread, stitch around this circle using a simple running stitch, your needle piercing the fabric down, then up, about every 1/8 inch (3mm). Complete the circle and add five more stitches. Clip off the remaining thread.Thread a darning needle with thread that's similar in colour and weight to the fabric of the sock. Don't knot the thread. Trim the ragged threads around the edges of the sock hole.I thought the right foot felt a little strange halfway there but reckoned the new sock must have just got bunched up.And when I got there to examine the damage it was double dismay as the other sock had done the same thing.See, couldn't be simpler. I think I'll just go and buy some new socks. But not from the same place that the last lot came from.I'd sort it out when I arrived, but then it clearly felt that something was sticking through what it shouldn't be sticking through - my toe through the sock.CAPTION(S):Where there is no fabric, your thread will simply lie flat across the hole. Continue stitching parallel vertical lines all the way across the hole.Finally clip off the remaining thread.Although there won't be a next time for these.Now darners are few and far between these days so I thought I'd peruse t'internet to see how to fix the problem. It must be easy. Surely.With their colour-coded toes and heels they'd be easier to spot in the wash, marry up and then pop back in the drawer for the next time.Rethread the darning needle with another length of thread (again, don't knot it). Starting at the top of the hole, just outside the circle you've stitched, make a series of vertical lines all the way across the hole. Where there is fabric, weave your needle through the fabric in a running stitch.They cost a fiver for seven pairs which may have seemed, on the face of it, something of a good buy.* HOLY SMOKE: My rubbish socks zz310811socks.jpg or zz310811socks2.jpgI'M claiming a new world record for the shortest-lasting pair of socks.They were put on at 9.30am and 20 minutes later I set off to walk to a friend's house nearby in the village.When you've covered the hole with vertical lines make horizontal stitches, weaving your needle under and over the vertical lines you just made. Once the entire area has been filled up, make another six or seven running stitches (simple up-and-down stitches) in the sock outside the darning area. This will hold the stitches in place.On Tuesday morning I pulled on my pair of brand new 'essentials' socks from a high street store.

* HOLY SMOKE: My rubbish socks zz310811socks.jpg or zz310811socks2.jpg

Commentary: Making criminals out of volunteers

Suppose a Maryland politician were to advocate passing a new law that would make it a criminal offense for attorneys to volunteer more than a couple of hours of their legal services on behalf of their favorite candidates in this year's election. Would that strike you as outrageous? Surprise! That is the proposition currently being advanced by the Maryland State Board of Elections.

Who else would qualify as a professional? No one knows because the only source authority is the 1992 private letter ruling, and it only discussed graphic designers. Certainly attorneys and CPAs are professionals. This is significant because, in many political campaigns, CPAs volunteer as campaign treasurers. Other people serve as volunteer fundraisers, volunteer strategic advisers, volunteer finance committee chairpersons and volunteer office managers. Are these people also considered "professionals"? The question is important, for a violation of the election laws by a "professional" could earn the unfortunate volunteer up to six months in jail. And, as more and more volunteers are characterized as "professionals," the greater is the likelihood that the "professional exception" announced in the 1992 private letter ruling will overwhelm and entirely swallow up the clear statement of the law in Section 13- 233.The Maryland State Board of Elections has recently sought the advice of Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler on this issue. In light of the fact that the 2010 campaign is already well under way, we urge Mr. Gansler to complete his analysis quickly. The 1992 private letter ruling was incorrect and unconstitutional when issued and remains so. The attorney general should promptly acknowledge this fact and thus relieve attorneys as well as all other "professionals" in Maryland from any anxiety that they might face imprisonment if they volunteer their time this year in support of their preferred candidates for public office.Editorial Advisory Board members Elizabeth Kameen and Donna Hill Staton did not participate in this opinion.First Amendment issueMaryland's campaign laws prevent anyone from contributing more than $4,000 to any single candidate or more than $10,000 to all candidates over the course of the four-year gubernatorial election cycle. Thus, the 1992 ruling would mean that any attorney who volunteers his or her services on behalf of a candidate for more than a couple of hours each year has, over a four-year period, violated the state's election laws and is subject to being sent to jail for up to six months.In this regard, one obvious question is, "Who is a professional?" The 1992 private letter ruling suggested that a graphic designer performing voluntary work designing a campaign's literature would be considered a "professional." Recently, the Maryland State Board of Elections relied on the 1992 private letter ruling in suggesting that a person serving as a voluntary "spokesman" for a candidate would also be considered a "professional."In ruling that the contribution limits challenged in that case were constitutional, the Supreme Court explicitly stated, "The Act's contribution ceilings thus limit one important means of associating with a candidate or committee, but leave the contributor free to become a member of any political association and to assist personally in the association's efforts on behalf of candidates."End the anxietyRecently, the Board of Elections pulled out of its file drawer an unpublished private letter ruling issued by an assistant attorney general in 1992, which stated that a "professional" who provides voluntary professional services to a political candidate will be deemed to have made an in-kind contribution to that candidate. In such a situation, the value of the in-kind contribution will be computed by multiplying the number of hours spent by the professional times the professional's hourly rate.Who's a professional?The more recent Supreme Court decision in Meyer v. Grant is even more directly on point. In that case, a Colorado law made it illegal to pay people to circulate petitions seeking to amend the state constitution. Stating that such a restriction requires "exacting scrutiny," and finding the rationale for the law proffered by Colorado to be without justification, the Supreme Court overturned the Colorado law as unconstitutional.In light of the fact that it has been held unconstitutional to prohibit paying people to work for a political campaign, isn't it clear that it is equally unconstitutional to prohibit professionals from volunteering their time on behalf of a political campaign? At least in the Meyer case, Colorado had relevant legislative history that it could point to as a means of trying to justify its law; in this case, there is no legislative history on point because the restriction on professionals was entirely the creation of an assistant attorney general in 1992, and the private letter ruling contains no clue as to the basis for the ruling.In its seminal Buckley v. Valeo decision, the U.S. Supreme Court held that the process of electing candidates to public office is integral to the operation of the system of government established by the Constitution and that "legislative restrictions on advocacy of the election or defeat of political candidates are wholly at odds with the guarantees of the First Amendment."Now the Maryland Board of Elections seems to be determined to not only place limits on campaign contributions but in addition to place narrow restrictions on the rights of professionals to assist personally in the campaigns of their favored candidates.Even more important than the utter lack of statutory support for the proposition advanced in the 1992 private letter ruling is the obvious First Amendment issue inherent in any attempt by the State of Maryland to restrict the right of its citizens to volunteer their time and talents to assist in the election of their favorite candidates.

Editorial Advisory Board members Elizabeth Kameen and Donna Hill Staton did not participate in this opinion.

Beverly Hills Cigar Club Offers Three Great Picks for a Laid Back Holiday

With the Boys of Summer Gone, Suggestions for a Labor Day Smoke

Cigar Aficionados, the true keepers of the leaf, should lock the humidor this Labor Day weekend. Keep all that vintage tobacco "on ice" and celebrate the coming of fall humming one of Lee’s suggested favorites, a 601 Blue Label Maduro by tobacco genius Pepin Garcia and Miami's own Eric "Shorty" Espinosa. Of course it wouldn't do that cigar justice to smoke a Blue Label if you didn't drink one as well. So make sure to invite Johnny Walker along on your trip to Baja. Lee does suggest you press your cubes with AquaHydrate Mineral Water. No sense in watering Walker down with anything less.Lee encourages his fellow cigar enthusiasts, those who can easily name off their top five faves, to enjoy this year’s Labor Day with the Rocky Patel Decade. This fine Sumatra cigar was 10 years in the making. With a 95 rating from Cigar Insider, the Rocky Patel Decade is a great complement to one of Lee’s own picks, the 2008 Native Yeast Chardonnay of Iron Horse Vineyards, especially if sharing both with that special someone.For the beginning cigar enthusiast, Vin suggests you tie one on and tie one off for summer 2010 with the Alec Bradley Prensado. This full bodied, sophisticated cigar was rated a 93 by Cigar Insider. A superbly constructed Honduras cigar designed for a weekend celebration of the good life, it is box pressed, giving even the most amateur smoker that extra hint of style that will impress the ladies. Light one up and then cool down with a chilled mug of Ionizer Lager from Lightening Breweries of San Diego.BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. -- For this Labor Day, Vin Lee, Beverly Hills Cigar Club CEO, has pulled out his best pick of the sticks -- three top drawer smokes to go along with any level of celebration to cap off the summer. So whether you are stoking up the Santa Anas of Southern California, enjoying the cool breezes of the Boston shore or hanging with the hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico, heed Lee’s advice, as these cigars are sure to make it that much cooler or that much hotter.

Note: Vin Lee, CEO of Grand Metropolitan and Beverly Hills Cigar Club, is available to provide more tips or comment.

KITCHEN/BATH SPOTLIGHT: bathroom storage

The contemporary Malibu master bath from Wood-Mode is designed to be dually relaxing and functional. It features separate lavatory areas divided by back-to-back storage cabinets, and glass-fronted doors allow a peek at what's inside, while also providing added space for decorative storage elements.

FOR MORE INFO CIRCLE #32FOR MORE INFO CIRCLE #30Songe from Sonia is a staid, boxy contemporary vanity that is flexible and adaptable, with plenty of storage for bathroom essentials. It's available in a multitude of colors and in a one-color set-up for those who want a more dramatic look.FOR MORE INFO CIRCLE #35Keystone Wood Specialties: CIRCLE #42New River Cabinetry is a newly formed company offering semi-custom cabinetry. The company offers 70 popular finish colors available in both stains and paints, and 20 fashionable new door styles and eight wood species.SieMatic: CIRCLE #47The bathroom linen pantry from Studio Marler hides the medicine cabinet and provides easy access. The cabinetry is eco-friendly and frameless, built with 100 percent recycled materials, water-based dyes, no added formaldehyde and an ultraviolet finish.In and Out Cabinetry: CIRCLE #41SalonCenter from Armstrong Cabinets is designed to provide convenient solutions for the bath. A self-contained pull-out system, it allows for organization of hair dryers, curling irons and other vanity items. Several other cabinet accessories complete the bath, making it work well and look good (shown here in Waverly door style in new Vanilla Cream finish).FOR MORE INFO CIRCLE #38The New Blox modular component system by Xylem allows homeowners to design their own personal bathroom space. The mix-ormatch bath furniture system offers storage flexibility including some unique storage components. Its vanity drawer units have large European-crafted drawers that are open-sided and pull out with the entire face of the vanity. for more info circle #29Crown Point: CIRCLE #40Wellborn Cabinets: CIRCLE #48FOR MORE INFO CIRCLE #37The new Logix EasyTrax Cabinet from Diamond Cabinets features a sliding shelving system with five trays that can be rotated along a heavy-duty ladder system. The sliding trays can be quickly changed into one-, two-, three-, four- or five-shelf combinations at varying heights.FOR MORE INFO CIRCLE #28FOR MORE INFO CIRCLE #34Quality Cabinets: CIRCLE #44FOR MORE INFO CIRCLE #36Rutt Custom Cabinetry: CIRCLE #45Poggenpohl: CIRCLE #43ADDITIONAL RESOURCESAllmilmo USA: CIRCLE #39The Merillat base vanity hamper is designed to conveniently store laundry outof-sight. Its tilt-out design makes it easy to store dirty laundry, and the removable basket can be taken directly to the laundry room.Kohler Co. expands its Persuade furniture collection combining design and performance. Options include a contemporary console table, timeless petite vanity, or a full-height vanity with storage space. The petite vanity has two pull-out drawers, and a frosted glass bottom shelf, while the full-length vanity is ideal for discrete storage of bathroom products.The custom-designed hamper complete with side vents is part of a Venetian-inspired master bath and dressing area from Plain & Fancy Custom Cabinetry. The smooth black painted finish and Vogue door style also is incorporated on the adjacent vanity.Canyon Creek Cabinet recently introduced Newcastle, a cabinetry line designed to provide a high-quality, entrylevel product for today's price-competitive marketplace. It features four wood door styles in maple in six different stain colors, and one thermofoil door in white.FOR MORE INFO CIRCLE #33FOR MORE INFO CIRCLE #31

Wellborn Cabinets: CIRCLE #48

Kitchen Cabinet Hardware � A Great Way To Spruce Up The Look Of Any Kitchen

The kitchen, it is the one room in the home that you and your family end up spending the most time in. Then, why is it that people tend to neglect it when it comes to decorating and making it look beautiful? If you are spending the most amount of time in there, then it should be equally gorgeous, if not more, than the rest of your home. One way to get your kitchen space on the right track is by purchasing some new kitchen cabinet hardware to give it a stellar, completed look.

Now, you might be thinking, how is new kitchen cabinet hardware going to make my kitchen that beautiful? Well, because it has a pleasing look which comes from the many different materials it can be made from. Those materials include aluminum, brass, stone, wood, ceramic, steel, zinc, pewter, plastic, wood, granite, even porcelain and glass. Each has a gorgeous appearance, plus, they are available in a number of different finishes like brushed, antiqued, satin, polished, dull, and rubbed. With the material and finished options, you can find the perfect ones to complement the kitchen cabinetry that you have, achieving any kind of look that you want in your kitchen. For example, maybe you want a trendy, contemporary look and feel in your kitchen. Then, a great choice for you would be ones crafted out of metal that have a brushed finish. Or, if you want more of an antique feel, then a great option are ones that are also made from metal, but instead have that antique finish to them. Really, you can create any kind of look that you want in your space because of all the many selections that are available. All of these materials are also very durable, which is ideal for you because they will last for years and you will not have to worry about having to replace them because they break or get damaged.So, if you and your family end up spending the most amount of time in your kitchen, then it should probably be one of the rooms in your home that is the most beautiful. One easy and simple way of making your kitchen space into an elegant dream is by purchasing some fabulous kitchen cabinet hardware for it. Extremely beautiful, these wonderful accent pieces will give your kitchen a completed look that is sure to please.

So, if you and your family end up spending the most amount of time in your kitchen, then it should probably be one of the rooms in your home that is the most beautiful. One easy and simple way of making your kitchen space into an elegant dream is by purchasing some fabulous kitchen cabinet hardware for it. Extremely beautiful, these wonderful accent pieces will give your kitchen a completed look that is sure to please.

Readers' Poems […]

> THE HANDY MAN My name is Tom and what I do Is a general handy man I can fix those things that go wrong each day And I do the best I can If your toilet''s blocked and all gunged up I'll free it right away With a plunge plunge here and a flush flush there It will be fixed without delay When your lights go out and you're in the dark And you don't know what to do Ill be there in a 'flash' with my box of bulbs "I think a 60 watt for you" If your telly picture''s fuzzy I'll pop round and take a look Cos it's not much fun having nowt to watch When you feel a little crook If your kitchen sink gets clogged and blocked With rubbish from the dishes I'll unclog, clean and rinse it out To comply with your wishes When your wardrobe drawers just fall apart As you pull the damn things out I'll come straight around to fix them All you have to do is shout I'll take them to my workshop Cos I know just what to do Some glue, some pins and you will see They'll be as good as new So if you've got a job for me to fix Be it toilet, sink or pan I will always give it my best shot Cos I'm a general handy man By TOM HUTCHINSON, Forest Hall.

Commentary: Mom had a tough job

My mother was a genius, and so was yours.

He's back in my office, the dog having won that argument. I should hit save and send this before he pushes that butThere is a terrible noise coming from the living room. It is not, as I had feared, an invasion of Huns here to lay waste to our otherwise perfectly manicured subdivision. It is merely the dog and the boy yelling at one another over who has rights to said dog's tail. Since the dog outweighs the boy by a ratio of four to one, my money's on the dog.Working at home raises a plethora of questions best left to the Human Resources Office. Should the parent be charged with a sick day if he works from home? What if she doesn't work a full eight hours? Is it simpler to have the employee off and tell him not to work, or is some work better than a full day lost?Assuming tomorrow's appointment goes about like the last one, my productivity for Tuesday and half of Wednesday will be greatly reduced. Despite that, I have been able to read and respond to e- mail, check my calendar, and adjust the greeting on my voice mail so that if you tried to call me at work today you would know that I'm not there.It was coffee grounds. Non-poisonous, which has become my only criterion for concern. If it doesn't involve the CDC, I don't panic.He has re-closed the office door and is chewing on the wire connected to the speaker on the bookcase. I'm guessing that's unhealthy.There is an upside: I am writing in pajama pants, T-shirt and slippers. Downside: I have eaten two bowls of Cap'n Crunch, six handfuls of Cheez-Its and a bag of popcorn. The baby has eaten toast, organic risotto and a handful of dog food.No one, as I recall, was so desperately busy all of the time until we got the tools to make things easier.We are here because said baby spent most of the night impersonating Vesuvius. There were a lot of sheets and jammies to wash, but not much sleep to be had. It seemed that might warrant a trip to the pediatrician, who does not have an appointment available until tomorrow afternoon. The last time we had an afternoon appointment at the pediatrician we showed up 10 minutes early and sat in the waiting room until our appointment time had come and gone and an additional hour had passed. After our five-minute visit with the doctor, we waited another 40 minutes in the exam room for the nurse to come administer the vaccinations. The explanation: She got busy on the phone and forgot we were in there.I have also managed a conference call today and, with a little luck, the completion of this column, which I shall e-mail to the office. None of those things were possible when our parents were raising us. If there was a sick child, someone stayed home and did nothing but care for the patient, and that was usually Mom's job. She still managed to take care of work, without the benefit of a smart phone, e-mail, or conference calling, but it waited. There were no three-hour doctor's visits then, and even if Mom couldn't do business for a day, it didn't seem to significantly impair the speed of commerce.He has learned to open the large drawer that holds the kitchen trash containers. I don't know what he has just removed from the trash bag, but it's headed for his mouth. I'll be right back.He has wandered into my home office and pulled the door closed behind him, which surprises him, so the current ambient noise is frantic baby-banging on a glass door.

He's back in my office, the dog having won that argument. I should hit save and send this before he pushes that but

Republicans target Wisconsin's prevailing wage changes

State Rep. Mary Williams keeps in her Capitol office a tangible reminder of a law she says is holding down Wisconsin's construction industry.

"If the intent is to increase the cost of construction, then a repeal of Wisconsin's prevailing wage law will also accomplish that," Kahl said.Williams said she doesn't have a timeline for introducing her new bill. But she's keeping her gift from a frustrated contractor close to her as she considers how to draft the legislation.Williams last year introduced a bill that would have repealed those changes. It failed to gain support in the Democrat-controlled Legislature.Kahl pointed to data released by the Federal Highway Administration, which shows Wisconsin, while paying roadworkers an average of $23.60 an hour, spends less money per mile of construction than such states as Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and Alabama, all of which pay workers in the $10- to $11-an-hour range.But Williams now is preparing to introduce new legislation that could seek changes beyond those in her previous bill. She could, for instance, propose a complete repeal of the prevailing wage law or at least seek a higher threshold than the original $234,000.A year ago this month, Wisconsin's prevailing wage law changed, requiring contractors prove they are paying competitive wages to employees working on state and local government projects valued at $25,000 or more. The previous threshold for proof was $234,000, and the law required less paperwork.Williams' legislation, Kahl said, would "create a lot of $10-an- hour jobs with no benefits to replace a lot of family supporting jobs, and eliminate construction workers as a skilled profession.""This is a document a contractor had to work with to do a job because of prevailing wage," Williams said. "It's just huge. There's all this paperwork in the front to fill out. It's a mess."Opening the top-right drawer of her desk Wednesday afternoon, the Republican from Medford pulled out a thick stack of paper and let it drop like a brick, smacking the surface with a thud."I think we have to roll back the changes, at least to start," Litjens said. "When (towns are) laying a new layer of asphalt on a road and it's costing $50,000, it's not an efficient use of tax dollars."Litjens rejected Kahl's argument that repealing changes to the law would undermine construction work as a profession."I have a funny idea," she said, "it's going to have to come sooner than later."Robb Kahl, executive director of the Construction Business Group, a joint labor-management organization, disagreed, saying the prevailing wage law actually makes projects cheaper for Wisconsin municipalities."So, this was a big sea change for towns, particularly rural areas, where we did not get federal stimulus money for road projects."But Lee Turonie, a lobbyist for the Wisconsin Towns Association, said he is hearing just the opposite from his members. The association wants lawmakers to repeal the 2010 changes to the prevailing wage law. The $25,000 threshold has blocked new road projects in rural areas, Turonie said, though he did not provide specific examples.Higher wages, Kahl said, attract workers who care more about their jobs and build better roads. Watering down prevailing wage guidelines might add more jobs, but they would be the construction equivalent of fast-food jobs.Construction groups perhaps have been the most outspoken critics of the prevailing wage law, but Williams said her desire to change it stems from municipalities in her district.Towns in her district, she said, "are putting off projects, and counties are using their own employees and not subbing it out to third parties because it costs so much more."Fales noted the bad economy is mostly to blame for the lack of money municipalities have to pay for construction projects. The prevailing wage law has just made those projects even more expensive, he said."I don't think this is anything against any group of workers," she said. "This is putting people to work.""So, it's between (last year's bill) and the full repeal," Williams said. "We'll probably come out somewhere in between."Williams is gaining support from other Republican lawmakers, particularly those in rural areas. Rep. Michelle Litjens, R- Oshkosh, said prevailing wage was a hot issue during her fall campaign.That includes her hometown of Medford, which struggles with the costs of basic projects now included in the $25,000 threshold."For a town, $234,000 is more than a lot of towns spend on roads in a year," he said. "The road projects were very much protected from this (under the old threshold).

"I have a funny idea," she said, "it's going to have to come sooner than later."

"We found it by the curb!" When we saw this discarded vanity, we thought, Can one person's trash really be another's treasure? The answer is absolutely—meet our smashing new desk

SHOPPING LIST: OUR SECRET WEAPONS

MORE SURPRISING SALVAGE RENOVATIONS: sunset.com/salvage* Start with a vibrant color splash (we used Charlotte's Locks paint by Farrow & Ball; 1pt ., $30; farrow-ball.com).* DecoColor Liquid Gold Opaque Paint Marker defines small details ($2.50; amazon.com* A Preval spray gun makes painting furniture easy ($10; preval.com).* Extra credit: Tuck a collection of photos under a glass top (when ordering glass, ask for clear spacers).* If there are drawers, do they slide smoothly in their tracks? If not, walk on by.BY MIRANDA JONES | PROJECT BY AARON JONES* Stick to pieces made from solid wood; you'll run into trouble trying to sand a veneer.HOW TO TELL IF YOU'VE GOT A KEEPER* A Mona Lisa Gold Leaf Kit (from Flax; $11; 415/552-2355) adds gilded drama to the dull drawer pulls.

BY MIRANDA JONES | PROJECT BY AARON JONES

The wonder goal wasn't THAT good!

Byline: Pete Barrow

Some say it was 26 passes, some say it was 25 and some say 24, but all that matters is that the way the ball was worked through for Esteban Cambiasso to score was simply stunning.The problem with claiming a goal to be the 'best ever' is that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and every football fan will have a different take on what constitutes a superb goal.CAPTION(S):FOR fear of sounding like disgruntled of Tunbridge Wells, why oh why oh why do football commentators have to keep telling us that what happened last week was the 'greatest thing ever'? Apparently no one has ever scored a goal as good as Wayne Rooney's overhead kick that settled the Manchester derby, and this just seven days after Newcastle United's Ivorian international Cheik Tiot had been lauded as scoring the greatest ever goal as he bagged the Magpies' fourth as they recovered from four goals down to draw at home against Arsenal.So I will concede that Rooney's strike was pretty special, but can certain sections of the media get a grip? Come on chaps you know it makes sense - and it could save you a fortune in those laundry bills you must be running up to get your smalls done!Again this is purely my opinion, but really has there ever been a much better goal than the one Argentina scored against Serbia and Montenegro in the 2006 World Cup finals.In no way am I trying to rubbish the efforts of United's Shrek-like striker, it takes athleticism and technical ability out of the top drawer to pull off a stunt like that, but the way some of the pundits and portrayers on television, and particularly on radio, reacted you had to wonder if they needed to change their underwear soon after.Personally I would place two other categories ahead of the eye-catching finish - namely the solo run and the team goal.Then you have to consider the team goals.But then Marco Van Basten's volley from an acute angle as Holland beat Russia in the 1988 European Championship final is arguably one of the best instant strikes of all-time, if that is what floats your boat.The spectacular individual effort will certainly tick the box for many fans and in that category I would instantly put Trevor Sinclair's bicycle kick effort from outside the area for QPR against Barnsley in January 1997 ahead of Rooney's goal.And in this category you can start to throw in David Ginola's goal for Spurs at Oakwell (sorry I seem to be picking on Barnsley) or Ricky Villa's FA Cup final winner for Tottenham against Manchester City, or even John Barnes waltzing through the Brazilian defence to net at the Maracana.Surely George Best drifting past what appeared to be the entire Sheffield United defence before producing the perfect finish has to involve more skill than a one-off strike.

* LUCKY STRIKE: Wayne Rooney (centre) scores against City

FEEDBACK

Following is a collection of your opinions on various subjects taken from email and the RD B blog.

I've been a builder most of my life; I'm 72 so that's a long experience, all in custom building. I've built two marinas, boats, liveaboard-floating-homes, land homes, and even computers. In my view~ production homes are not built "incorrectly" but they are built with expethence ... shortcuts are in cosmetics and detailing. Doors will be functional but not beauti�il; moms will not have crown moldings; floors will be carpeted or even tiled but not finer hardwood with embellishments; and windows will not have multiple lites or panes. These, then, are examples of the expethent manner of building a production home. It doesn't diminish anything but the lifestyle enhancement For most people, that's OK. Some, even most, people never develop their tastes beyond that and can accept production because it is in their means. When their tastes do develop, it sometimes manifests in improvements to their production home. You may be seeing that result in your new first home and find it a comfort and maybe even attractive. I hope you do.WHY DO PRODUCTION BUILDERS GET A PASS?Degnan Design Buildershttp://bit.Iy/hXg88oTim CapaldiDobbs Ferry, NY.As an architect, I took great offence to Jay Grant's recent article "Marketing a spec home without buying the lot" (January 2011, page 8). His advice is very good for the home builder, a decent deal for the landowner, and all built on the expense of the architect who is "paid for his plan only if the effort results in a sale." Architects are notoriously bad businesspeople, and giving away free work with no reward (other than being paid the usual fee) is among the top of the list. Architects who participate in any such arrangement should either pull out a house plan they already have in the drawer (and been previously paid for design) or agree to a higher than usual fee to compensate for the risk. Otherwise, your magazine is promoting for builders to capitalize on the same bad business practices architects face from maltors, banks and others who have created the current housing economy.Capaldi Building Co.Gene MaioranoI'm a custom home builder and design/build remodeler. But I'm also very connected to the rest of our market in the Madison Area Builders Association (Madison, Wis). The "big dog" builder in our market has seen its ups and downs (before the companies merged and became who they are now), but I can say that they are genuinely concerned about their quality control, and they have the National Housing Quality award to prove it. I even overlap with them on numerous subcontractors, and when it comes to those subs, they are among the best of the best. in fact, knowing what I kno~ I would sooner refrr someone to the biggest production builder in our market than to some of the midsize, "semi-custom" builders in our market. As a remodeler, I get to see the worst of the worst and sometimes some pretty good work, too.RD B BLOGLEARN OUTSIDE THE COMFORT ZONEDeForest, Wig.It's definitely a challcnge to push yourself outside that comfort zone from time-to-time but when you do and you embrace it, the feeling is amazing. I look at it as a way to not only be a better person but to also be that much better at what I do in the buikling industry. I pushed outside of my comfort zone this past summer and decided to start writing a blog (crafti 945. blogspot.coin). I had no idea what I was doing at first but found my way and made a commitment to keep pushing on.DavidM. Hammer, AIABirmingham, Mich.http://bit.ly/elWmoe

Birmingham, Mich.

Shop these streets: three cities, three streets, and three distinct styles for your home

Retro cool in San Diego

For accessible modem design, walk down Kettner in Little Italy3 | Boomerang for Modern set in tight spaces, the couches, tables, and chairs by the likes of Charles and Ray Eames are displayed on a scale that makes it easy to imagine them at home. Closed Sun; 2475 Kettner Blvd.; boomerang formodern.com or 613/239-2040.Cowboy mod in Santa FeSTAY The El Rey is Santa Fe's hipster-vintage motel of choice, cozy casita-style rooms, heated pool, and all (for more details, see "50 Under $150," page 89).EAT El Diablo, a spacious family place with a huge square bar in the center and) funky red lamps, supplements a surprisingly wide taco selection with chocolate-drizzled churros. $; 101 Broadway; 303/954-0324.1 | Victoria Price The daughter of actor Vincent, Price blends contemporary furnishings with a traditional Southwest vernacular. Look for the work of locals Sherry Stein, who sews sturdy canvas workbags, and Yuki Murata, creator of minimalist tableware. Suite B102; victoriaprice.com or 505/982-8632.1 | Mixture A sunny loft space offering large-scale contemporary furniture--such as a curved sectional with a chaise that looks like a cushioned slide, or a Moooi lamp, its shade atop a lifesize black horse. Can't fit that into your carry-on? Choose from books, colorful tea towels, and tableware. Closed Mon; 2210 Kettner Blvd., mixturehome.comSanta Fe cowboy modEAT There's not a red-checkered tablecloth in sight at airy Bencotto, run by transplants from Milan and Modena. Choose from eight sauces (such as spicy pancetta) and homemade pastas. $$; 750 W. Fir St.; 619/450-4786.Eames rocker ($475) from Boomerang for Modern.2 | Form Function At Santa Fe's go-to lighting source, don't miss the Japanese-paper sconces from Jacqueline Mallegni--who makes her ethereal lights using rattan and willow from Abiquiu--or the tapers in saturated shades like pumpkin and seafoam. Suite A101; formplusfunction.com or 505/820-7872.Can't get there? Order thesewhile you are thereSoule Studios ceramic cafe bowls ($40 each) from Santa Fe Modern (santafemodern.com).For kitsch-free Southwest style, look to the Pacheco Park complexSTAY There's not much nearby, but downtown favorites like the Teatro (from $189$; hotelteatro.com) and the Oxford (from $220; theoxford hotel.com) are just a 15-minute drive away.Ceramic vase ($44) from Mixture (mixturehome.com).2 | Decade Alongside clothing aimed at the Etsy girl--colorful scarves, flowery dresses--you'll find the quirky likes of ceramic bird-adorned drawer pulls and canvas wall hangings. An old tomcat, Stella the Fella, struts around like he owns the place. 56 S. Broadway; decade-gifts.comEAT At the Chocolate Maven, around the corner, refuel on a grilled chicken sandwich, and save room for a chocolate buttercream cupcake. $$; 821 W. San Mateo Rd.; 505/ 984-1980.San Diego retro coolFor that vintage-meets-handmade look, head to South BroadwayDesign book ($50) from Mixture.5 | Santa Fe by Design New Mexico designers hold their own on this showroom's A-list of international kitchen-and-bath fittings names. We're fans of a local blacksmith's hand-forged iron door hardware and curvy vessel sinks by Stone Forest. Closed Sat-Sun; Suite D101; santafe bydesign.com--KATIE ARNOLDBamboo, wool, and silk yarns (from $6) from Fancy Tiger Crafts (303/733-3855).1 | Lee Alex DecorGeorge Nelson clock ($545) from Boomerang for Modern (boomerang formodern.com).4 | T-Trove Asian Decor The exterior may look like a warehouse, but the chi inside this showroom is fantastic. Check out the desk devoted to calligraphy, including how-to books and brushes. Closed Sun; 189 S. Broadway; t-trove.com or 303/722. -0949.--STEVE KNOPPERFirebird MonoRail pendant lamp (from $290) by Tech Lighting from Form Function (formplusfunction.com).Solar lanterns by Allsop Home & Garden ($23 each) from T-Trove Asian Decor (303/722-0949).Denver boho chicSTAY Porto Vista welcomes pets and holds yoga classes on the roof. But the boutique hotel also embraces a kind of '60s Bond-girl lifestyle, with black-and-white photo murals to illustrate. From $99; portovistasd.com1930s Double Saddle Navajo blanket ($4,200) from Victoria Price (505/982-8632).ANDREA GOMEZ ROMERO (5)2 | Architectural Salvage The gently musty aroma in this 5,000-squarefoot treasure trove will quicken the pulse of any This Old House fan. Piles of drawer pulls and house numbers beckon, though you can also take home entire doors or windows--or maybe just some soda-pop signs from the 1950s. 2401 Kettner Blvd.; architecturalsalvagesd.comBoho chic in DenverSearch beyond the Sputnikera lamps and refurbed vinyl sofas for tinted martini glasses and tribal wooden beads. As of April, the store was to move down the street (from #66) to a bigger space. 24 Broadway; leealexdecor.com4 | Subtext Gallery The gallery-plus-store's aesthetic runs from pop surrealist to lowbrow, but is always affordable. In a mix of photography, illustration, and graphic design, the sweet spot is limited-edition silk-screen prints ($40-$100). Open by appointment; 2479 Kettner Blvd.; subtextgallery.com or 619/546-8800.5 | Klassik The midcentury couches and club chairs at this vintage furniture and accessories shop look trim but feel solid. Many have been reupholstered in deep reds and earth tones, and are so comfy you'll wish you'd brought a book. 989 W. Kalmia St.; klassikdesign.com or 619/640-6995. -KATRINA BROWN HUNT3 | Santa Fe Modern3 | Fancy Tiger Crafts The DIY knitting, felting, and crocheting capital of Denver lures craftkids in thick-framed glasses with Japanese pink-robot-print fabrics, silk and bamboo yarn, and clumps of multicolor wool. 1 S. Broadway; fancytiger.com or 303/733-3855. The same crowd hits Meininger Art Supply (499 Broadway; 303/698-3838) to scour racks of colored pencils, markers, and papers.4 | Four What happens when four artists, designers, and antiques dealers join forces? An eclectic mix of old and new, from 100-year-old Persian rugs to sleek leather handbags from Colombia. Coolest find: a super-soft felt throw of churro wool made in the high desert north of town. Suite C202; 505/995-8411.Wide planks set off furniture pieces like an armchair made from Plexiglas and driftwood (surprisingly comfortable). Black-and-white horses gallop by on the walls, compliments of local photographer Tony Stromberg. Closed Sat-Sun; Suite A105; santafemodern.com or 505/ 992-0505.

Solar lanterns by Allsop Home & Garden ($23 each) from T-Trove Asian Decor (303/722-0949).