How to Remove Mortar Stains and Smears

Remove mortar stains from brick, block and concrete

Mortar stains and smears make the surface of a masonry structure ugly. Mortar stains and smears often remain after new construction or can be the result of aging.  Over time bricks and blocks may become stained due to “efflorescence.” Efflorescence is the result of salt and other mineral deposits seeping out of the mortar. The efflorescence stain can be removed by using a few basic techniques used by professional masons. Over the past 20 years I have used these techniques many times to remove unsightly mortar stains and smears from brick, block and concrete.

Things You Need for the Project

Rubber Gloves and Safety Glasses

Power Washer

Bucket

Water

Muriatic acid

Garden Hose with spray nozzle

Stiff-bristled brush

Extension pole

Steps

1) Spray the surface with the power washer. Use the power washer to remove as much excess mortar debris and stains as possible.

2) Put on the safety glasses and rubber gloves. Muriatic acid can cause burns, so you want to wear safety gear at all times for protection.

3) Pour approximately one gallon of water into the bucket. Slowly add about 1 ½ oz. of muriatic acid to the water. Be careful not to splash the acid. You want to use a cleaning solution of approximately one-part-acid to ten-parts-water to begin the cleaning process. This ratio should be effective to remove most mortar stains. Gradually increase the strength of the cleaning solution, if necessary to remove tougher stains.

4) Spray the masonry surface with the garden hose. The surface must be wet before you begin to use the acid wash cleaning solution.

5) Put the stiff-bristled brush on the extension pole.

6) Place the brush into the bucket to saturate the brush with the cleaning solution.

7) Apply the cleaning solution to the masonry surface. Use the brush to scrub the mortar stains and smears off the brick, block or concrete surface. Repeat this process until all the mortar smears and stain are gone.

8) Spray the surface with the garden hose to remove the acid residue. Use plenty of water to make sure that the surface is completely free of any acid residue.

Warning

Do not powerwash or use an acid cleaning solution on a newly constructed masonry structure. New mortar must be allowed time to properly cure. Generally, a period of about 30 days is needed.

How to Fire a Lawyer

Lawsuits can get complicated and sometimes things don’t go as planned. Many times a dispute arises between a client and an attorney that can’t be resolved. Dismissing a lawyer is not a complicated process, in itself. You have the right to fire your lawyer at any time. However, complications may arise as a result of firing a lawyer. Changing lawyers may result in delays that are prejudicial to your case. Also, a change in lawyers may cost you to incur additional legal fees while the new attorney gets up to speed on your case. And remember, you still may owe money to the attorney that you fired for work already done on your case.

Firing an attorney is not an action that should be taken lightly. Carefully evaluate your situation before deciding to switch lawyers. You may find that your differences can be resolved. However, if you must fire your lawyer, take a few appropriate measures to avoid any future misunderstandings.

Notification

Proper notification informing an attorney that you wish to terminate their services is essential. You can terminate the attorney’s services with a phone call, letter, email or do it in person. Make sure you tell the lawyer when the termination is to take effect. It is important that you accurately document the date and time of the lawyer’s termination. If you dismiss your lawyer by phone or email, ask the lawyer to immediately provide written confirmation of his termination.

Follow Up

Send the lawyer a certified letter reaffirming effective date and time of his termination. Keep a copy of the letter and the return receipt proving delivery of the letter for your records. You may need this as evidence if a dispute later arises over the legal bill. You do not want to be responsible for fees occurring after the lawyer’s termination.

Substitution of Attorney

Make sure that the lawyer that you fired sends you a signed Substitution of Attorney form. The Substitution of Attorney form must be signed by your old lawyer and your new lawyer to be effective. This form notifies the court and opposing parties of your change in legal representation. This will ensure that all relevant court documents are sent to the proper lawyer.

Firing or dismissing a lawyer should be done properly. You should take the proper precautions when firing an attorney to avoid any future misunderstandings.

 

Get the Best CCW Training Courses at Front Site

If you need the mandatory training to qualify for a carry concealed weapon permit in your state or want to learn firearm handling skills from the best, then look no further.  Front Sight Firearms Training Institute is located near
Las Vegas, Nevada on 550 acres.  Front Sight was started by Dr. Ignatius Piazza in 1996.  This is the most extensive handgun training around.  The handgun courses range from one day and two day defensive to four day combat master prep courses.  This training exceeds that which is offered by police departments and all but a few
military specialties.  The training includes both classroom and extensive live firing exercises.  This training is not the usual just shoot at the target routine.  The shooting drills involve quick draw and reload scenarios and live fire tactical training that are designed to teach street proven tactics. 

The courses are open to both novice and experienced shooters.  Although the training is intense and comprehensive, there is no boot camp mentality from the instructors.  The instructors are top of the line.  Most have military or law enforcement backgrounds.  Regardless of their backgrounds all instructor candidates must complete Front Sights Instructor Development Course.  This is no easy task.  Fewer than one out of ten people
`make the grade on their first attempt.  This includes seasoned law enforcement and military instructors.  Now that's something to consider when choosing training that your life may depend on. 
Front Sight trains people from all walks of life and experience levels.  Testimonials from students attest to a greater feeling of security and safety that comes from knowing that they have the skills and confidence to protect
themselves and their families.  This skill and confidence comes from the 500 to 1000 rounds of ammunition used by the student during their two to four day course.  Compare that to the training offered elsewhere.  Students leave with the ability to handle themselves in real situations, with real life dangerous criminals. 

Front Sight training is not limited to handguns. There are also courses in empty hand defense and how to defend against two edged weapons such as knives. There are also courses on Tactical Shotgun and Precision Rifle.  They also offer night training courses to advance your skill level.  If that's not enough, I've saved the best for last.  There are two to four day courses using a fully automatic Uzi or M16.  Just make sure you bring 1,200 to
2,400 rounds.

If you own a handgun for personal or professional use, you owe it to yourself and your family to have the best training available.

The Difference Between the Taliban, al-Qaida and the Mujahideen

Every day we hear news reports about the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Sometimes it’s hard to differentiate between the various fighting factions. It can get confusing to distinguish between the Taliban, al-Qaida and the Mujahideen.

The Taliban came into existence following the Afghanistan Civil War which occurred after the Soviet troop withdrawal in February of 1989.  The decade long war with the Soviets left Afghanistan devastated.  Thousands of youths were left orphaned.  These young people grew up at a time when there was nothing but war and fighting. They took refuge in Pakistan where they were educated in Pakistan’s religious schools called mandrassas. These schools were designed to develop military minded Islamists. Hundreds of thousands of youths were indoctrinated in these schools.

The raging Afghan Civil War left the people desperate for a stabilizing force. Warlords fought each other to gain political control. The Taliban was formed by students at the mandrassas.  They chose Mohammad Omar as their leader.  Omar had fought against the Soviets and was wounded four times.  The Taliban’s original goals were to restore peace, enforce Sharia and disarm the population. The Taliban wanted to restore the integrity of Islam in Afghanistan. The Taliban follow their own strict interpretation of Sharia law.

Al-Qaida is an international terrorist organization formed by Osama bin Laden sometime around 1988. Al-Qaida recruited and trained thousands of fighters to resist the Soviets.  The objectives of al-Qaida are to establish the rule of God and purify Islam of depravity.

They believe in becoming martyrs for the cause.  They engage in terrorism through bombings, assassinations, kidnappings and suicide attacks. These types of methods are chosen to wage their “jihad” or holy war. Al- Qaida members are fundamental Sunni Muslims. 

Mujahideen is plural of the Arabic mujahidin.  Mujahidin means “effort or sacrifice.” The word first came into use in English in 1958 to describe someone who fights in a jihad.  Today the name “mujahideen” is used to describe various groups of armed fighters that follow militant Islamic ideologies. The mujahideen were loosely associated group of fighters that fought against the Soviets in the 1980’s. The seven main mujahideen groups joined together to form the Islamic Unity of Islam Mujahideen.

The three groups all trace their origins back to the resistance of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

Can a Convicted Felon Get a License to Practice Law?

The rules concerning who can be admitted to practice law is governed by the supreme court of each state, working together with the state bar association. Standards vary from state to state, but all states require that an applicant be of good moral character. Each applicant must pass a background check that includes an inquiry into any criminal convictions or civil judgments that may indicate that the applicant’s character is questionable. Credit checks are also done to see if the applicant has a history of financial irresponsibility. Criminal convictions, civil judgments and financial irresponsibility will reflect negatively on the applicant’s character and fitness to practice law.

Character and Fitness

When evaluating criminal convictions the question becomes whether the crime committed is one involving moral turpitude. Crimes of moral turpitude are usually defined as acts of lying, cheating or stealing. If an applicant has been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude it is highly unlikely that they would be given a law license anywhere in the United States.

Felons

A person who has been convicted of a felony that was not considered a crime involving moral turpitude may be admitted in some states. However, any convicted felon faces an uphill battle in convincing the Character and Fitness Board that they are fit to practice law. Generally, a period of five years or so must have passed since the conviction and in this time period the person must have demonstrated that they are of good moral character. The Character and Fitness Board will consider factors such as the applicant’s remorse for the crime and their contribution to the community since the conviction.

The purpose of the Character and Fitness Board is to protect the public. If an applicant can convince the Board that they are of good moral character despite the felony conviction they may be admitted to practice law. In states such as Texas a felony conviction is not an automatic bar to getting a law license. In Texas they focus on acts of dishonesty involving lying, cheating and stealing. In Florida the Character and Fitness Board will not automatically reject a felony applicant but will consider the degree of the felony.

Although it is difficult, a person with a felony conviction can obtain a license to practice law in some states. The burden is on the applicant to prove to the Character and Fitness Board that despite their past actions they are of good moral character.

Sources

The Florida Bar News

The Texas Board of Law Examiners

A Short History of Black History Month

Black History Month is celebrated in the United States in the month of February.  All across the country events are held to honor the achievements of African Americans of the past and present.  There are festivals and expositions designed to showcase the traditions and culture of the African American community.  But many are unaware of the origins and history of Black History Month. Until the early 1900’s the history of African Americans was largely ignored.

The origins of Black History Month can be traced back to Carter G Woodson.  Woodson was the son of former slaves who earned a PhD from Harvard University.  This was quite an accomplishment for an African American at the time.  It was during his college studies that Woodson became troubled by the lack of reference to African Americans in the history books.

Woodson established the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1915.  In 1916 he founded the Journal of Negro History.  In 1926 he started National Negro Week in an effort to focus attention on the historical contributions of the African Americans.  Woodson chose the second week in February in honor of the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.  February was also the month that the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People was founded in 1909.

In the early 1940’s the teaching and celebrating of black history began to expand.  The blacks in West Virginia began celebrating Negro History Month. The 1960’s resulted in a dramatic increase in interest in African American culture and history. Young black students on college campuses became increasingly aware of African American issues.  Black History Week was on the road to becoming Black History Month. In 1976, after 50 years the Black History Week celebration became Black History Month.

Looking back from the beginning, we can see the abundance of Black History Month festivals and celebrations that grew from those early efforts to raise cultural awareness. The Black History Month brings tremendous focus on the contributions of African Americans to the United States. Do not forget the efforts and sacrifices made by those early pioneers in the effort to raise cultural awareness.

The Perfect Female Body

The Perfect Female Body

Things Worth Knowing About Women

Here’s an interesting opinion on the perfect woman from over 100 years ago. Some things never change too much, such as mans’ search for the perfect female body, the perfect ten. Check out the chart to see how the modern perfect women compares to the perfect female figure in 1911. In 1911, the perfect woman, the perfect 10 was 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighed 140 pounds.

The Handy Cyclopedia
Of
Things Worth Knowing

A Manual of Ready Reference

Copyright. 1911, by Joseph Trienens

THE PERFECT FEMALE FIGURE.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Miss Helen Loewe, a student at the
Chicago Art Institute, is credited by art critics with closely
approaching the standard of physical perfection set by statues of the
goddess Venus. Miss Loewe was posed as a model for a series of
photographs issued for the benefit of the playground fund of Oak Park.

Aside from the artistic nature of Miss Loewe, a comparison of
measurements with those of the typically perfect figure explains part of
the success of these photographic studies.

Miss Loewe.		Perfect figure.
5 ft. 7 in	Height.	5 ft. 8 in.
138	Weight	140
13-1/2	Neck	13
32	Chest	33
36	Bust	37
22	Waist	23
36	Hips	39
22	Thigh	24
10	Upper arm	11
8-1/2	Forearm	9
14	Calf	15