W.W. Grainger Inc. (GWW) reported another month of strong sales gains as November's results continued a rebound from last year's weakness.

The company is often considered a bellwether of the U.S. economy because of the breadth of its offerings, which range from lighting to mechanical to janitorial. Its fortunes have improved the past year amid a rebounding global economy.

Grainger said November daily sales increased 14%, or 11% excluding acquisitions and currency fluctuations.

Growth of 10% was seen in the U.S. while Grainger's Canadian operations had a 28% increase excluding currency changes.

Shares closed Friday at $133.67 and were inactive premarket. The stock is up 38% so far this year.

Source:Wall Street Journal

EDMOND, Okla. (KABC) -- A woman made a bizarre 911 call - reporting that she found a squirrel in her toilet.

She told the 911 dispatcher that she found some kind of animal in her toilet and when asked to describe it, she said, "Well, it's gray. That's all I can tell you. I didn't look real good because it scared me to death."

The squirrel was wet, cold and probably confused.

It took police several minutes to wrangle the squirrel, but they did it and released the creature into the park right across the street.

Source:ABC

MISSION, KS--(Marketwire - December 13, 2010) - (Family Features) Scrambling to tidy up the house before, during and after the arrival of holiday houseguests is one tradition that many Americans would like to simply forget. Between shopping for gifts, cooking elaborate meals, and reconnecting with loved ones, keeping the house clean can seem like the one chore that never gets checked off the holiday to-do list.

"Being a part of the families' homes for more than 80 years, we know that families want to spend more time together during the holidays," said Samuel Monnie, Director of Brand Management for Kenmore Floor Care Appliances. "Breaking your cleaning tasks down into a few easy steps can help you to spruce up your space, while still having plenty of time to enjoy the season."

The home cleaning geniuses at Kenmore have several simple ideas for a clean, healthy house during the holidays:

1. Don't sweat the small stuff. Focus your energy on the areas guests spend the most time in, like the family room, kitchen and guest baths and bedrooms.

2. Don't let allergies spoil the holiday cheer. Deep clean carpets and other allergy-ridden areas with the Kenmore Intuition Upright Vacuum: a HEPA filter combined with the HEPA cloth dust bag captures 99.97 percent of all particles down to .3 microns in size, keeping irritating allergens at bay. The vacuum also includes the Pet Handi Mate attachment that lets you quickly remove pet hair from furniture and more.

3. Consider mixing up a quick batch of homemade cleaner for an easy, green alternative to harsh chemical products. Mix two tablespoons of mild dishwashing soap and two cups of water in a spray bottle. Give it a shake and use anywhere you'd typically use a commercial all-purpose spray, like countertops, bathroom surfaces, and highchairs.

4. Save time by tackling multiple surfaces -- including hard to reach and clean areas -- with one versatile tool. The Kenmore Progressive Canister Vacuum cleans ceiling fans, shelves, tight corners and more with its unique 6-in-1 handle and extended reach wand. It also takes the hassle out of cleaning stairs with exclusive Stair Grip design, which keeps the vacuum upright on steps without slipping.

5. Most importantly, relax. The holidays can be hectic but be sure to appreciate the special times spent with loved ones, making memories that will last a lifetime.

"Holiday preparation doesn't have to mean a spotless house," Monnie said. "But planning ahead and prioritizing cleaning tasks go a long way toward a stress-free holiday season."

Give yourself a break this year by choosing the right equipment and getting a head start on holiday preparations. For more information about Kenmore vacuums and floor care products designed with busy families in mind, visit www.kenmore.com. 

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

About a year ago, I decided I was tired of buying liquid cleaners that are mostly water. You know what I mean -- the ubiquitous quart squirt bottles filled with pretty colored liquids that overflow the cleaning products aisle at the grocery store. All of them have several things in common. The bottles are plastic and designed to be disposable (a huge landfill problem), and they are filled with something I already have at my house -- water. So, why can't I just buy the cleaning agent and mix it with my own water? If I did that, I would no longer have to lug home extra water that I paid to have shipped from somewhere else. Frankly, I don't want to pay the cost of shipping water from the manufacturer to my nearby grocery store, when I have perfectly fine water available in my home. So for the last few months, I've been researching cleaning products, and though what I've learned isn't surprising, I think most of us never consider what costs are involved.

More At Source: Huffington Post

Revelations that the workplace sickness is costing the Government millions of dollars in sick leave alongside lost productivity are behind growing calls for the introduction of a National Standard for the NZ cleaning industry.

"There are government departments spending over $1 million each year on sick leave payments which we believe can be reduced through the introduction of a National Standards for the cleaning industry, and not only provide healthier workplaces but save taxpayers this expense," said New Zealand's leading commercial cleaning company Crest Cleans' managing director Grant McLauchlan.

Figures released under the Official Information Act that Crest has sighted, shows that the NZ Police topped the list of government departments for sick leave spending over $21 million during the 2009/2010 financial year.

Of the 58 government departments that responded to questions about costs being incurred as a result of workplace illness, 17 spent over $1 million in annual sick leave payments.

"Crest believes that there is a significant opportunity to reduce these costs and put a renewed focus back onto the health element instead of solely looking at the safety message," said Mr McLauchlan.

"However to do that the New Zealand needs a comprehensive set of National Standards to tidy up the cleaning industry and we're pleased that the Ministry of Economic Development is looking into this."

"With recent reports that ill-health is costing the economy at least $5 billion a year and affecting the country's productivity levels, the sooner these National Standards are introduced, the sooner we can see workers health improve and taxpayer dollars saved," Mr McLauchlan said.

Source Voxy New Zealand

OMAHA, Neb., Dec. 8, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Never mind the sparkling countertops or bleached sheets, the crumb-free floor or snug bath robe hanging in the closet. What lurks beyond the hotel room door that requires your immediate attention are the uninvited guests who remain there long after the last guest - bed bugs.

The increased prevalence of bed bugs has made headlines across the country in recent months. Escaping the wrath of the bugs' bite is easier if you know what to look for. The Maids encourages travelers this holiday season to be on the lookout for the parasitic hitchhikers to avoid an outbreak in your own home.

Bed bugs affix themselves to clothing, furniture and bedding and are transported from place to place by humans unaware. In an effort to keep homes clean and healthy, The Maids, the experts in home cleaning, offer these simple steps to minimize exposure to bed bugs.

• Before you embark upon your journey, troll the Internet for bed bug registries that list affected hotels. Check travel websites that catalog travel reviews; travelers who've had a run-in with an infested hotel will likely "talk" about it online.
• Upon entering a hotel room, place luggage in the bathtub or atop the toilet seat. Wayward bugs can't crawl up these surfaces and keeps them from unwittingly spreading to your home. While in the room, keep luggage on the luggage rack, off the floor. Hard-sided luggage lacks the folds and creases of its soft-sided cousin making it more difficult for the pest to hide in your bags.
• Since bed bugs are large enough to see, check the mattress and bed frame for any signs that the pests have been comfortably hiding. Do you notice any tiny black spots? Spots and stains are good indicators of either a current or prior presence. Pull back sheets, inspect mattress seams and examine any other upholstered items in the room. Bed bugs are drawn to wood - don't neglect the nightstand and dresser. If it appears as though the critters have invited themselves into your hotel room, ask the management for another room.
• Before packing the car for the trip home, place luggage in large plastic bags and knot securely. Once home, immediately wash all clothing on the hottest temperature setting suggested by the care labels. Dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes. Avoid packing items that can only be laundered on a cold-water setting.

Keep in mind that the presence of bed bugs is not a condition of an unsanitary environment; bed bugs are carried from homes to hotel rooms and back by people. The recent resurgence of bed bugs offers travelers an opportunity to learn all they can about prevention. Bagging luggage or engaging in diligent inspections may seem like overkill, but eradicating the bugs can be timely and costly. As is often said, it's better to be safe than sorry.

About THE MAIDS:

THE MAIDS, founded in 1979, is a premier residential cleaning service in the U.S. and Canada. Rated as the fastest-growing residential cleaning franchise in Entrepreneur magazine for four years, THE MAIDS is one of the oldest and largest residential cleaning franchisers, serving over 40 states and three provinces in North America. For more information, visit THE MAIDS' web site at www.maids.com or call 1-800-THE-MAIDS.

SOURCE THE MAIDS

Almost two months after being accused of exposing himself to an elderly patient at a Rochester Hills nursing home, a former janitor pleaded guilty in Oakland County Circuit Court on Wednesday.

Wayne Henry Devary Jr., who was fired from his job at MediLodge Nursing Home after the October incident, now faces a maximum sentence of probation and four months in jail, according to Circuit Court Judge Wendy L. Potts.

He pleaded guilty to aggravated indecent exposure.

"Did you, on Oct. 18, 2010, expose yourself to somebody?" Potts asked Devary, who stood handcuffed in the courtroom Wednesday morning.

"Yes," Devary answered quietly.

Oakland County sheriff's deputies were called to MediLodge on Oct. 18 after a nursing assistant reported she had just walked into a room and witnessed Devary with his pants and underwear pulled down in front of a 93-year-old female resident in a wheelchair.

Devary reportedly then put the woman's hand on his genitals, deputies said.

Devary, a three-year employee at the 166-bed facility, ran into the bathroom and told the witness she "didn't need to report this to anybody," deputies said.

Deputies said Devary then confessed.

More At The Source:Rochester Patch

ST. LOUIS (AP) undefined The president of a janitorial services company is facing federal for allegedly embezzling nearly $1 million.

The indictment of 54-year-old Herman Schamber of St. Louis was announced Wednesday. A phone message left with his attorney was not returned.

Federal prosecutors say Schamber embezzled more than $964,000 from Nationwide Janitorial Services Inc., where he had worked for about 30 years.

Authorities say Schamber worked in St. Louis but also owned a separate firm called Custom Janitorial Services and Supplies that provided janitorial supplies to small malls in the East Rutherford, N.J., area. He is accused of creating false invoices for Nationwide Janitorial Services on behalf of Custom Janitorial Services and Supplies.

From The Source:Bloomberg.com

Fast food giant McDonalds has paid out more than £20,000 after one of its employees was partially blinded by an acid-based cleaner.

And according to Wandsworth Council, the court fine was the result of the first successful prosecution against McDonalds in the UK over an accident in the workplace.

The burger chain was taken to court by the council under safety at work laws after a member of staff suffered burns to his face and eyes that has left him with only around 55 per cent vision in his left eye.

The injuries were caused when the man, who was working as a maintenance operative at the company’s Wandsworth Bridge drive-thru restaurant, used an acid-based drain cleaner to unblock a waste pipe.

Last month, South Western magistrates court heard that on June 23, 2008, the employee, with the full knowledge of his manager, bought a corrosive chemical drain cleaner from a nearby DIY store.

The first attempt at using the sulphuric acid-based cleaner did not work and so the employee was given money by a manager to buy a second bottle.

More at source: Your Local Guardian

Palermo, 7 Dec. (AKI) - Police from the city of Syracuse on the southern island of Sicily on Tuesday seized 124 religious objects suspected of being stolen by the former cleaner of a church. Among the items were statues, 17th and 18th century paintings and candle sticks.

Paramilitary police responsible for protecting Italy's art found the allegedly stolen items hidden in the suspect's home.

Investigators say it was the the biggest bust in Sicily of stolen church objects in the last ten years.

Source Andronkos