Show of hands: Who likes to vacuum? I'm not raising my hand either. That's why robotic vacuum cleaners have been the stuff of slacker dreams ever since iRobot unleashed the first Roomba more than a decade ago.

Home robots have evolved, and I've been testing out a new Roomba competitor called the Neato BotVac Robot Vacuum 85 from Neato Robotics. I like it, though my experience wasn't completely clean. Models start at $479. My test unit cost $599.

I was especially curious to try Neato because the Newark, Calif., company says it takes advantage of a proprietary laser scanner and navigation software that's based on the same technology Google uses in its driverless cars. After watching Neato plow into a few parked toy trucks in my family room, I'm not sure if I'd ever get into one of those vehicles.

More at source: USA Today

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Pittsburgh Real Estate Investors Looking For Service Providers

The Pittsburgh Real Estate Investors Association is looking for vendors who provide services to the Pittsburgh real estate market. The club and its membership are searching for service providers who either deal in property maintenance or investor services.

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Real Estate Guru Josh Caldwell with Finance Guru Loral Langemeier

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (PRWEB) April 23, 2014

The Pittsburgh Real Estate Investors Association is looking for vendors who provide services to the Pittsburgh real estate market. The club and its membership are searching for service providers who either deal in property maintenance or investor services.

The Pittsburgh REIA is one of the fastest growing real estate investor clubs in America. The club made up of hundreds of real estate investors from the Pittsburgh metro area and beyond. Each of these investors is engaged in buying, selling, renovating, or leasing property in South-West Pennsylvania. Vendor-members are encouraged to interact directly with investors and develop personal relationships.

There are a number of business types that traditionally benefit from exposure to real estate investors. Among these business types are plumbers, electricians, roofers, landscapers, general contractors and any other building trade. The investors who make up the Pittsburgh centered club own hundreds of properties and are always looking for good contractors in Allegheny, Butler, Beaver, Westmoreland, Armstrong, Washington, Green, and other surrounding counties. Service business providers like real estate attorneys, accountants, internet marketing, printers, direct mail marketing, and janitorial services also do really well with real estate investors.

The Pittsburgh Real Estate Investors Association has a growing list of national retailers who provide discount services to club members. Among these discount providers are Home Depot, Lowes, Sherwin Williams, Sears Commercial, Build-A-Sign, and more than twenty others. Any company that offers a discount to club members on the local level would be a welcome addition to the club. Local restaurants, sports teams, and other business interests that have no relationship to the real estate world are also encouraged to apply. Becoming a vendor partner of the Pittsburgh Real Estate Investors Association is the same as any other marketing that targets an upwardly mobile demographic.

Any local or national company interested in becoming a vendor-member of the club should visit the club’s website at http://PittsburghREIA.com and download the membership application or just follow this link. All applications will be reviewed by a committee of local investors. Each applicant will be evaluated under the following criteria; reputation of the business, area serviced by the business, and utility of the business. Approved vendor-members are entitled to attend all club events. This includes all monthly meetings at the Greater Pittsburgh Masonic Center. These meetings are held every third Tuesday and run between 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM.    Vendors may also choose to present classes to the membership about their particular business. The thrust of these classes must be educational in nature and be timed to one hour or less. Vendors can also attend sub-group meeting that are held at various locations around Allegheny County. The sub-groups focus on market niches, and attract smaller crowds of specialized investors. Lastly each vendor member will be permitted to advertise in the clubs online newsletter. This newsletter is emailed to each member of the club. The newsletter is also archived online at the club high 

CEDAR FALLS | A dozen part-time custodians with the city’s Public Works department came into work Tuesday morning only to be abruptly sent home without jobs.

The part-time custodians are being replaced by workers from ABM Janitorial of Waterloo, a private custodial services company. The City Council passed the contract with ABM without discussion in a unanimous vote on Monday night.

The contract appeared as one of 30 other items on the council’s “Resolution Calendar,” a large chunk of the agenda that is voted on in a single motion.

More at source: WCF Courier

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Established in 1974 by David G Wilson, Advanced Cleaning Services is celebrating its 40th year of commercial cleaning in Canada. With humble roots, Advanced Cleaning Services began with one man, a mop, a broom and a dream. Operating a business in the competitive world of janitorial and commercial cleaning services was anything but easy, but through hard-work and dedication, Advanced Cleaning Services has stood the test of time.

Advanced Cleaning Services was around before the internet even existed. Back then, it didn't matter how big your marketing budget was or how many twitter followers you had. Advanced Cleaning Services grew their business the old fashion way, by standing on their three pillars of commitment, service and experience. By providing a professional cleaning service with a customer satisfaction guarantee, Advanced Cleaning Services expanded slowly through word of mouth recommendations.

Over the years, times have changed and so has Advanced Cleaning Services. In 1989 the company was past down a generation to David's son, James Wilson. James has been the CEO for many years now and was responsible for making Advanced Cleaning Services one of the first commercial cleaning companies in the Greater Toronto Area to have a website and market cleaning services online. With a keen business prowess and commitment to his customers, James has worked closely with many of the biggest companies and building managers in the Toronto area, bringing in millions of dollars worth of sales year over year.

“Advanced Cleaning Services is lucky to have worked with so many great customers and we would like to thank everyone who has supported us throughout the years. If it wasn't for our incredible clients or our experienced cleaning staff, Advanced Cleaning Services wouldn't be here today,” said Advanced Cleaning Services CEO, James Wilson. Bolstering a long list of recommendations from clients and an A+ rating with the BBB, it's no wonder Advanced Cleaning Services has been around for so long with no signs of slowing down.

To celebrate it's 40th year anniversary, Advanced Cleaning Services is offering its next 40 customers one month of free commercial cleaning services. If you own or operate a business or building in the Toronto area, you do not want to miss out on this deal. With one free month of cleaning, a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee and an A+ rating with the BBB, Advanced Cleaning Services stands head and shoulders above the competition.

About Advanced Cleaning Services: 
Advanced Cleaning Services is a leading commercial cleaning and janitorial company located in Ontario, Canada. Established in 1974, Advanced Cleaning Services offers a wide range of cleaning services from carpet steam cleaning, to parking lot sweeping, window washing, day porter services and more. Advanced Cleaning Services' dedication to customer service, rigorous quality assurance program and longevity has set them apart from the other cleaning companies around Toronto.

For more information on janitorial services or for a free cleaning estimate, visit the Advanced Cleaning Services website at http://www.advancedcleaning.ca or call 1-877-580-3980.

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