On the rooftop of a strip mall near Hollenbeck Street and the 10 Freeway, burglars stripped six air conditioners of their copper coils in recent weeks. Then they returned to pull apart three more air conditioning units.

Although the thieves may have made about $900 for two nights' work, businesses like World Gym, Dental Fun Zone and several others were left sweltering - and facing an estimated $100,000 in damage, said one expert called in by the West Covina police.

"We have a rash of copper thefts - and not just in our city," said Cpl. Rudy Lopez.

Thefts of copper, aluminum and other metals have increased in recent years as the materials' value has soared, but their worth to the burglars is still far less than the damage done to the victims, authorities said.

The nighttime game lights are dead at Little League fields in Montclair and Hacienda Heights because of copper stolen in the past two weeks.

Watsco, Incorporated Earnings Conference Call (Q4 2007)

Watsco, Inc., along with its subsidiaries, distributes air conditioning, heating, refrigeration equipment, and related parts and supplies in the United States. Its products primarily comprise residential central air conditioners; light commercial air conditioners; gas, electric, and oil furnaces; commercial air conditioning and heating equipment and systems; and other specialized equipment. The company also offers various parts, including replacement compressors, evaporator coils, motors, and other component parts; and supplies consisting of thermostats, insulation material, refrigerants, ductwork, grills, registers, sheet metal, tools, copper tubing, concrete pads, tape, adhesives, and other ancillary supplies. Watsco operates through approximately 380 locations in 32 states. It distributes its products to contractors and dealers who service the replacement and new construction markets.

Businesses left sweltering, paying big for copper thefts

On the roof of a strip mall near Hollenbeck Street and the 10 Freeway, burglars stripped six air conditioners of their copper coils in recent weeks. Then they returned to pull apart three more.

Although the thieves may have made about $900 for two nights' work, businesses like World Gym, Dental Fun Zone and several others were left sweltering - and facing an estimated $100,000 in damage, said one expert called in by police.

"We have a rash of copper thefts - and not just in our city," said Cpl. Rudy Lopez.

Thefts of copper, aluminum and other metals have increased in recent years as their value has soared, but their worth to the burglars is far less than the damage done to the victims, authorities said.

The nighttime game lights are dead at Little League fields in Montclair and Hacienda Heights because of copper stolen in the past two weeks.

Evidence of industry 'greening' at AIME 2008

A strong showcase of environmentally friendly products at the tradeshow for the business events industry next month is further evidence of the rapid 'greening' of the industry. Leading the charge is the event itself, AIME 2008, held in Melbourne on 19 - 20 February, which has announced it will be Australia's first Climate Neutral(tm) exhibition.

The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, an exhibitor and the event's venue, will showcase its new Melbourne Convention Centre, which is the first convention centre in the world to have achieved a '6 Star Green Star' environmental rating.

Another leading international venue to feature at AIME, the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre, also has an extensive environmental program.

In Highlander, function, not flash

The redesigned Toyota Highlander needs to transport and entertain youngsters, swallow cargo, and conquer snow. It needs to be safe, comfortable, and luxurious, and it needs to do all these things without breaking the bank - in car payments or at the pump. A tall order, but the leading midsize SUV competitors really have gotten that good.

Toyota's California design studios sculpted the exterior, which is bigger in all major dimensions than the old Highlander.