Thursday, September 8, 2011

The Elephant in the Living Room


The Elephant in the


NIGHTFLY ENTERTAINMENTHying Room95 minutes

Don't be misled: The only animals you'll see in a living room in this doc are a cougar and a Burmese python. (The runaway-slitheraway?--Gabon viper is nabbed in a garage.) Director Michael Webber's fastmoving, bittersweet film reveals a world of dangerous and entirely unregulated pets (lions, tigers, bears) raised behind closed doors. Much of the action takes place in suburban Ohio, a state that rivals parts of Florida for nuisance alligators. Hidden cameras rolling, we attend a reptile show where dads cart off snakes that could devour their offspring. But the real drama lies in the interplay between a passionate cop who moonlights as an exotic-animal rescuer and a sympathetic sadsack who can't bear to part with his full-grown African lions. The cat owner's tear-jerking travails drive home the filmmaker's point better than any finger-wagging activist ever could.--Michael Mechanic




Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Is It Time To Replace Your Battered Garage Door?


Garage doors can take a lot of abuse from daily use as well as accidents that happen during playtime. Minor damage may occur from the frequent opening and closing of the doors in order to shelter your vehicles. Other damage can include weather damage such as heavy rain, hail and snow. Over time this can cause the door of your garage to become quite battered and eventually require it to be replaced.


Replacing a garage door may also help with heating costs as the seals around new doors may be more sturdy and fit better. Dents and damage can allow cold air or rain inside the garage, which can lead to increased heating costs or water damage. Replacement garage doors come in a variety of styles from rapid roll to full size and sectional doors in various finishes. Windowed garage doors can also add a nice touch to the exterior and lots more light inside.A new garage door can add new life to a home's appearance and increase its resale value. A battered door may still function but the appearance will certainly not make it attractive to prospective buyers. Replacing it with a newer garage door can brighten a home in many ways such as doors that have more windows, allowing more light to enter. New doors may also include state-of-the-art openers and a new entry system that can make a garage opener easier and more secure.When a garage door becomes very beat up in appearance, or requires more and more repairs in order to stay functional, it may be time to consider replacement. Replacing a garage door is best handled by a professional, who will ensure that the new door and its hardware are fully functional and properly installed. If you have children who count on the convenience of the door as they exit and enter each day, you'll want to be absolutely sure the door is working perfectly.Children often use garage doors as a target when practicing sports such as hockey, football or tennis. This can lead to a garage door becoming quite dented and unattractive. The impact from hockey pucks, basketballs or other types of sports equipment frequently hitting the door of your garage can create further damage beyond cosmetic dents. It can lead to the tracks, hinges and cables becoming worn or damaged. This may also occur from very constant opening and closing of the garage door.

Replacing a garage door may also help with heating costs as the seals around new doors may be more sturdy and fit better. Dents and damage can allow cold air or rain inside the garage, which can lead to increased heating costs or water damage. Replacement garage doors come in a variety of styles from rapid roll to full size and sectional doors in various finishes. Windowed garage doors can also add a nice touch to the exterior and lots more light inside.




Police target 'Hanoi-style' house raids; Crimewatch TURNING the spotlight on crime in the Huddersfield district. The column is compiled with the co-operation of Neighbourhood Watch Liaison:


[bar] CAR KEY BURGLARIES - Raids where car keys are taken during a house burglary to steal expensive cars parked in the drive - known as 'Hanoi-style' break-ins - are increasing across the country. West Yorkshire Police have now issued the following advice: If you have a garage, park your car in it. Many people with garages use them for storage. Clear them out and use them for the purpose for which they were built. This will keep your cars out of the sight of preying eyes. Consider fitting an electric garage door. This is an added incentive to use the garage. Many people just cannot be bothered getting out of their cars, and unlocking the garage, especially in bad weather. If you have to park your car in the driveway consider fitting substantial gates or security posts.


[bar] BURGLARY - Almondbury, June 25. Raider tried to get at keys for back kitchen door through cat flap but then forced entry through front upvc door. Alarm activated. Large flat screen TV taken but raider challenged by neighbour leaving house threw TV at him and ran off up Thorpe Lane and on to Ings Road. Suspect: Iraqi male, short black hair, unshaven, 5ft 10 - 6ft tall, average build. early twenties. Almondbury, June 26.DO NOT leave car keys in an obvious place, make it as hard as possible for the thief. Take your car keys to bed with you. New cars have very sophisticated locks, immobilisers and other security devices and the only way to start the vehicle is to have the key. Thieves are selecting cars they want to steal from outside houses. They will look for any opportunity to steal keys that are left hanging up in the kitchen or hallway or left on the table - and will actually target them. It is therefore vital that householders do hide the keys from view. Make sure that you take other simple crime prevention measures to ensure that they don't become victims of sneak-in thieves or burglary, such as remembering not to leave doors and windows unlocked.Europrofile lock on back upvc conservatory door snapped. Mobile phone and keys stolen, used to steal blue Mercedes E320 S28 BET and a silver Toyota Corolla YC05 OUK. Almondbury, June 26. Europrofile lock on side upvc door snapped but raider disturbed by occupants awakening. Nothing stolen. Dalton, June 22. Raider used bin and guttering to climb through first floor bathroom window at back and went downstairs to open kitchen window to allow other suspect/s entry. Keys taken and suspects escaped through front door. Two laptop computers stolen. Moldgreen, June 27. Climbed onto window ledge then up drain pipe at rear to enter through open window. Stole electrical goods[bar] CONTACT: Dave Whitteron, Neighbourhood Watch Liaison, Kirkburton Police Station, Telephone: 01484-436840 or email: dw368@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk or call Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111

Europrofile lock on back upvc conservatory door snapped. Mobile phone and keys stolen, used to steal blue Mercedes E320 S28 BET and a silver Toyota Corolla YC05 OUK. Almondbury, June 26. Europrofile lock on side upvc door snapped but raider disturbed by occupants awakening. Nothing stolen. Dalton, June 22. Raider used bin and guttering to climb through first floor bathroom window at back and went downstairs to open kitchen window to allow other suspect/s entry. Keys taken and suspects escaped through front door. Two laptop computers stolen. Moldgreen, June 27. Climbed onto window ledge then up drain pipe at rear to enter through open window. Stole electrical goods[bar] CONTACT: Dave Whitteron, Neighbourhood Watch Liaison, Kirkburton Police Station, Telephone: 01484-436840 or email: dw368@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk or call Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111




Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Commentary: Bastille Day! Have some fancy French pastries in a


Just how should you celebrate France's national holiday?


In celebration of Bastille Day, Pix Patisserie is hosting its fifth annual block party this Saturday, from 3 p.m. until midnight. In between bands, bites and glasses of wine, see if you can find signs of the pastry shop's automotive roots.Joyeux Le Quatorze Juillet! (That means Happy Bastille Day)

Joyeux Le Quatorze Juillet! (That means Happy Bastille Day)




Police alert as lead thieves strike in valley


* THEFT - Outlane, Aug 24. Lead flashing stolen from above bay windows at five homes in Weldon Drive. Marsden, Aug 25. Thief climbed onto adjoining garage roof and stole lead flashing. Pennine Domestic Supplies Ltd, Peel Street, Marsden, Aug 28. Lead flashing stolen from roof.


CONTACT: Dave Whitteron, Neighbourhood Watch Liaison, Kirkburton Police Station, Telephone: 01484-436840 or email: dw368@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk or call Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111* VEHICLE CRIME - Cowlersley, Aug 24. Raider smashed front window to get inside and steal sat-nav. Golcar, Aug 25, Rear car door panel scratched. Golcar, Aug 26. Petrol cap unscrewed and diesel siphoned from tank. Cowlersley, Aug 29. Paintwork and wing mirrors damaged on five cars. Golcar, Aug 26. Paintwork scratched on parked vehicle. Linthwaite, Aug 24. Raider got in by smashing front nearside window. and stole ipod on display.Europrofile lock on back upvc door of house snapped. Raider did not get inside as the owners had door fitted with sash jammers. Marsden, Aug 26. Laminated safety glass at back of garage smashed in attempt to get inside.* CRIMINAL DAMAGE - Olive Branch, Manchester Road, West Slaithwaite, Aug 25. Two windows smashed at restaurant. Milnsbridge, Aug 25. House window smashed with thrown brick. Golcar, Aug 26. Plastic frame cover of caravan parked on driveway damaged. Longwood, Aug 26. Suspect seen by police to headbutt bus shelter causing damage. Suspect detained by police. Linthwaite, Aug 28. Paving stone thrown through living room window damaging laminate flooring. Raider sped off in car. * BURGLARY - Golcar, Aug 27. Key stolen from previous burglary used to get inside. Untidy search made of bedroom and property stolen. Heights, Aug 26. Stone from garden used in bid to smash dining room window.* ATTEMPTED BURGLARY - Golcar, Aug 25. Europrofile lock on front upvc house door snapped in bid to get inside. Golcar, Aug 28. Europrofile lock on back upvc patio doors of house snapped in bid to get in. Longwood, August 28.Raider then smashed kitchen window to get in. Not yet known what has been stolen. Linthwaite, Aug 27. Metal grate under front living room window forced up to get in through unlocked basement kitchen window. Property stolen from lounge. Raider escaped through lounge window. Linthwaite, Aug 28. Paintwork along both sides and front of vehicle scratched.Raider tried to steal lead from above garage door.Linthwaite, Aug 24. Raider smashed nearside back window of vehicle, reached in and opened door. Thorough search made but nothing stolen.

CONTACT: Dave Whitteron, Neighbourhood Watch Liaison, Kirkburton Police Station, Telephone: 01484-436840 or email: dw368@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk or call Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111




Monday, September 5, 2011

Under pounds 200,000 2 Doctors Row, Linthwaite


THREE bedrooms are offered in this spacious split-level family house.


AGENT: Intercounty Estate Agents 01484 439080The ground-floor has a contemporary style dining kitchen, lavatory and separate utility room that leads to the integral garage. Upstairs are three good sized bedrooms and a white-coloured bathroom.This fine family home has double glazing, gas central heating, an integral garage and driveway.The lower ground-floor has a large lounge with sliding doors leading to an enclosed rear garden.

AGENT: Intercounty Estate Agents 01484 439080