text:
Cabinet Painting in Eno Valley, North Carolina
Cabinet painting in Eno Valley is an inexpensive way to give your space a brand new look! The Eno Valley cabinet painting experts use the highest quality paint and the most modern colors to give your kitchen or bathroom an amazing transformation. Whether you're looking for a vibrant splash of color or a subtle change, Exceptional Painting specializes in Eno Valley cabinet painting.
FREE Kitchen Wall Painting
with the purchase of cabinet painting services
expires 04/30/2024
Call for a Free Quote
(984) 203-6329
"I had the great pleasure of having my kitchen cabinets painted by Mr. Leondras and his crew. I could not be more pleased with the awesome outcome and communication throughout the whole process. I highly recommend Exceptional Painting for all your painting needs especially KITCHEN CABINET PAINTING."
- Wilmer Reyes
Completely Transform Your Kitchen
Did you know that using a semi-gloss finish will not only give your Eno Valley cabinets a richer look, but also makes it really easy to clean? Exceptional Painting will work with you to match colors and textures to ensure the finished product is better than expected. Providing superior cabinet painting in Eno Valley since 1995, Exceptional Painting has the expertise to instantly increase the value of your investment. You will be amazed to see how a fresh coat of paint can completely transform the look of your entire space. Call Exceptional Painting today at (984) 203-6329 for a free quote.
Don't Replace, Revamp!
If you have a small-to-average size kitchen, you are looking at thousands of dollars to replace your cabinets. And in many cases, replacement costs could be greater than that as people tend to replace countertops in the process, leading to electrical and plumbing work. Why spend more than triple the cost by replacing? You can have a beautiful, newly updated-looking kitchen by painting your cabinets in Eno Valley! No more outdated bathroom cabinets or boring kitchen cabinets. Call (984) 203-6329 for a free quote on cabinet painting in Eno Valley.
★★★★★ - "The Exceptional Painting Crew was very quick in finishing several areas of my mother's home without compromising quality work. Thank you all again!"
Michele Smith, Cabinet Painting in Durham, NC
2023-09-12 -
★★★★★ - "We just moved into our house from out of state and wanted our cabinets painted. They made it a super easy process. They were incredibly efficient and very professional. And just in general, very kind. We have already scheduled them to continue with other rooms in the house because we were so pleased with what we saw. 5 stars y'all. Promise."
Sam in Durham, NC
2023-08-02 -
★★★★★ - "Exceptional Painting team did a fantastic job updating my 90's oak kitchen cabinets. The owner Leondras and his team delivered exceptional customer service start to finish. They took great care with my things and the work was impeccable. Very competitive pricing, high quality work and finished ahead of schedule. I am thrilled with the results."
Anna K., Cabinet Painting in Raleigh, NC
2023-07-17 -
★★★★★ - "Not good work, not great work, very exceptional work! Appreciate their service!"
Clarence S., Cabinet Painting in Hillsborough, NC
2023-07-17 -
★★★★★ - "Mr.Leondras did kitchen cabinet painting job at my home. He & his team did an exceptional work. He has taken the preparation work with at most care. His service is really very good and my kitchen cabinets are looking awesome now. I will highly recommend him."
Rajani M., Cabinet Painting in Raleigh, NC
2023-04-17 -
★★★★★ - "He came to my home in Cary, NC to repair and paint my kitchen cabinets. He was very professional and took great care of my home. He didn't leave a speckle of mess and truly worked like a surgeon who cared about his craft. I highly recommend."
Linda C., Cabinet Painting in Cary, NC
2022-12-08 -
★★★★★ - "Leonidas and his team did a fantastic job painting our kitchen cabinets in Wake Forest, NC. He is meticulous with great attention to detail. I was very impressed with how he took care of our home by covering the floors and masking areas to protect them from paint. The finished product was beautiful. Great job!"
Brian F, Cabinet Painting in Chapel Hill, NC
2022-12-08 -
★★★★★ - "They did an amazing job painting our kitchen cabinets in Durham, NC. Extremely professional, efficient, and detail oriented. They completely transformed our kitchen and our cabinets look brand new!"
MImi T., Cabinet Painting in Durham, NC
2022-09-21 -
★★★★★ - "We contracted with Exceptional Painting to paint our kitchen cabinets and some of the interior walls of our just purchased home in Durham. Mr. Leandrus Owens was very professional, courteous, and friendly. He supplied us with a quote in a timely fashion. When the cabinets were back up and the walls finished I was amazed at the quality of the work. Every painted surface was smooth and there were absolutely no splatters or drips anywhere. Truly it was an exceptional job and I recommend this company without reservation."
2022-09-01 -
★★★★★ - "We were very pleased with Exceptional Painting. We used them to paint our kitchen cabinets in our home in Fuquay Varina. Leondrous is very much a perfectionist and was extremely polite through the entire process. The attention to detail was top knotch! His staff was also kind and friendly. He even offered to come back and do touch ups once our kitchen was finished and floors complete. Will definitely stay in touch and use them again!"
Katrina T., Cabinet Painting in Fuquay Varina, NC
2022-08-02 -
★★★★★ - "Very pleased that the good reviews are spot on and we chose Exceptional Painting to paint our kitchen cabinets. Leondras is very meticulous and has great attention to detail. Our new hardwood floors and appliances were well protected - I see no evidence that they were ever here, other than the beautiful white cabinets. He didn't consider the job complete until any touch-ups were caught and addressed (by him or us). He communicated well throughout the process and always gave notice when he and his team were on their way. Overall he really went above and beyond, and I'll be sure to recommend him to friends and family, especially since his service area is so large (includes Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and beyond)."
EC, Cabinet Painting in Raleigh, NC
2022-07-12 -
★★★★★ - "Great job done by Exceptional, Leondras and his team! Would recommend."
David B., Cabinet Painting in Chapel Hill, NC
2022-07-12 -
★★★★★ - "This is my second time choosing Exceptional Painting. This time Leondras and his team transformed my kitchen by painting the cabinets. I would definitely recommend them and plan to use Exceptional Painting for future projects."
Dana F., Cabinet Painting in Sanford, NC
2022-07-12 -
★★★★★ - "Hillsborough, interior and cabinets painting!"
Mr. H
2021-08-23 -
★★★★★ - "I could not be happier with my kitchen cabinets! They are gorgeous! Leondras was a pleasure to work with - friendly, professional, responsive, and an excellent craftsman. He provided the quote, scheduled a time, and did not deviate once confirmed. I would recommend him to anyone looking for high-quality painting services. You will not be disappointed!!"
Robin Constantino
2021-07-27 -
★★★★★ - "Leondras and his team painted our built-in bookcases next to our fireplace. They did a great job. I could tell they had done this before by using the right primer and prepping it correctly. They really transformed 1980s built-ins into something modern. Leondras was very professional and went the extra mile to patch the doors to make them look nice. I would absolutely recommend Leondras and his team to paint any cabinets or built-ins."
2021-07-13 -
★★★★★ - "My experience with Mr. Leondras of Exceptional Painting was more than outstanding. I found his company on the internet several years ago and kept the information. I was impressed with his professionalism, photos of his work showing his process of cabinet painting, and his expert communication. I kept this reference and when my daughter needed her kitchen and bathroom cabinets painted, I gave her this information. She and her husband were thrilled with the quality of his work given to the home where they just moved. Then I decided to wait no longer and I had Mr. Leondras and his assistant, Mr. Willie, paint my kitchen cabinets white. The outcome was gorgeous - even better than when my cabinets were new. There was extensive prep work, surface protection, and excellent clean-up. The double cabinet finish makes the painting very durable and beautiful. I had never had cabinet knobs and drawer pulls and he added those.
Mr. Leondras is a Christian who is not timid to show his faith. One day while he was painting, I was upstairs when I heard him start singing hymns. His voice is remarkable and as I listened while working at my computer, I felt a sense of peace as I recalled these same hymns from childhood to adulthood. During COVID and just losing two dear friends, I needed to hear those hymns. It felt like I was getting a hug from heaven. Tears swelled in my eyes. It was such a blessing to me. So not only did I receive gorgeous white cabinets, I received a much-needed touch of God's love."Linda H., Clayton, NC
2021-03-11 -
★★★★★ - "Mr. Leondras and his team did a wonderful job painting my kitchen cabinets in Durham! I couldn't decide on a color and he took the time to bring me over samples and work with me. My kitchen looks brand new, love the lighter color. Mr. Leondras kept me posted every day and always cleaned up after they were done that day. His pricing also includes a warranty on the cabinets. Highly recommend! Will be using them again in the future for painting."
Alayna in Durham, NC
2021-02-17 -
★★★★★ - "We live in Governor Park Chapel Hill. Leondras gave our kitchen and master bath a makeover that looks awesome! The dark cabinets are now white and look wonderful. The timeline was exactly as quoted. He truly is passionate about his work and it shows. Everything was painted using a sprayer, the finish is very durable. I did make a couple of marks accidentally and he came back to repair. Extremely happy and highly recommend."
Anonymous in Chapel Hill, NC
2020-12-18 -
★★★★★ - "Leondras painted our kitchen cabinets and downstairs walls and trim. He checked in with me daily and did everything he said he would. I highly recommend his services."
Danny Davis in Hillsborough, NC
2020-12-14 -
★★★★★ - "Leondras and his team did an exceptional job repainting our kitchen cabinets. Leondras is just one of those guys that are easy to work with. He did a great job communicating with us and fixing any concerns we had about the job. I am a detailed oriented person and wanted A++ work and that is what I received in the end. I look forward to working with Leondras and his team on future projects."
Brandon V in Apex, NC
2020-12-07 -
★★★★★ - "I hired Exceptional Painting to paint my laundry room cabinets. They were maple and I wanted them gray. Mr. Owens was very easy to communicate with and the price was very reasonable, especially when compared to other quotes I received. I would definitely hire again!"
Mel R., Cabinet Painting in Durham, NC
2020-11-18 -
★★★★★ - "Leondras did an excellent job painting my outdated kitchen cabinets. I chose to have them painted white. What an amazing transformation! The price was considerably cheaper than replacing with new cabinets. Leondras is very professional, attentive to details, and aims to please the customer. He's absolutely wonderful to work with. I was so impressed that I had him come back to paint my kitchen walls, living room, and foyer. I am planning to have him paint additional rooms in the very near future. I highly recommend Leondras Exceptional Painting for all your painting needs."
S. Thomas in Durham, NC
2020-09-21 -
★★★★★ - "I just had Leondras come and paint my very large bathroom cabinet. They were stained and he painted them white. Communication was excellent and he was on time. The price was considerably cheaper than replacing the bathroom cabinets, and I love the way they turned out. I would highly recommend anyone in the Raleigh area to give Leondras a call."
B. Jones in Raleigh, NC
2020-08-19 -
★★★★★ - "Leondras did a fantastic job on our kitchen cabinets! Very impressed with the end result, and he was a great person to work with throughout the process. Definitely recommend!"
Maggie in Hillsborough, NC
2020-08-07 -
★★★★★ - "I'm so happy I went with Exceptional Painting to paint our kitchen cabinets. Leondras was great to work with. He was extremely flexible around my schedule, as I had to change the timing of things last minute a few times. He was a joy to be around. Since I enjoy doing some work myself, he showed me some painting tips which I'm very grateful for. He was honest in everything he did. And the job turned out great. We are very happy with our cabinets. They look beautiful. On top of that, he was finished with the job ahead of schedule. Leondras even came over after the job and showed me how to touch up the paint if I needed to. Overall, I was very happy with my experience with Exceptional Painting and I would highly recommend them."
Matt Tillman in Durham, NC
2020-08-03 -
★★★★★ - "Leondras did a wonderful job painting my bathroom cabinets. He was very professional. I highly recommend Exceptional Painting."
Nick in Raleigh, NC
2020-07-28 -
★★★★★ - "Leondras did an excellent job painting my kitchen and bathroom cabinets and walls. He was very professional. The job was completed when he said it would be. I live in Durham and would definitely hire again for another project. Thanks, Exceptional Painting"
Samantha in Durham, NC
2020-07-27 -
★★★★★ - "Highly Recommend!!
We can't say enough good things about Exceptional Painting...the name pretty much says it all. We had several different painters describe their process and provide us with estimates. It was not until we met with Leondras that we finally felt comfortable about having our kitchen cabinets painted. The process took just under a week and the results are even better than we hoped for. The surfaces are smooth and durable. Leondras is also an excellent communicator...something that is rare these days.
An excellent job by a super nice guy!"Diane & Van in Pittsboro, NC
2020-03-09 -
★★★★★ - "I had the great pleasure of having my kitchen cabinets painted by Mr. Leondras and his crew. I could not be more pleased with the awesome outcome and communication throughout the whole process. I highly recommend Exceptional Painting for all your painting needs especially KITCHEN CABINET PAINTING."
Wilmer Reyes in Durham, NC
2019-07-24 -
★★★★★ - "Leondras and his team did an exceptional job with our kitchen cabinet painting and interior painting! They were professional and did amazing work transforming our dark cherry kitchen cabinets to a beautiful white and our dark cherry kitchen island to a gorgeous blue-gray. We definitely recommend them to anyone looking for cabinet and/or interior painting - you won't be sorry!"
Bruce & Janell B
2019-06-28 -
★★★★★ - "Leondras Owens and his crew did a great job of painting our tired-looking kitchen cabinets. The cabinets now look brand new. Leondras and his employees took great care to protect the work area and thoroughly cleaned up after completion of the jobs. The job was completed on time and at the cost quoted. We highly recommend Exceptional Painting and will call on them again for our next painting project."
Peter & Heidi in Chapel Hill, NC
2019-06-20 -
★★★★★ - "After getting multiple quotes to have our kitchen cabinets painted, we chose Exceptional Painting and could not have been more pleased with our choice. Mr. Owens was very professional and helpful throughout the whole process and went above and beyond to make sure that the cabinets were perfect and exceeded our expectations! You can tell he takes great pride in his work. I wanted our island to be a different color than the cabinets, and I had picked out a color that had to be matched at the store where Mr. Owens gets his paint and it was a perfect match! His communication was top notch and stayed in touch every step of the way to let us know when he would be there and when he would be done. I highly recommend Exceptional Painting for any of your painting needs!"
Lauren R. in Raleigh, NC
2019-06-19 -
★★★★★ - "Leondras was great to work with and we are very pleased with the results. Our kitchen cabinets look brand new. Our popcorn ceilings needed a lot of work and he made them look brand new as well. The communication was very good and he went above and beyond our expectations at a very reasonable price. I'd highly recommend Exceptional Painting."
Michael Brown in Durham, NC
2019-06-18 -
★★★★★ - "Exceptional Painting just finished repainting our kitchen cabinets for our home in Hillsborough. They did a great job and were very professional and easy to work with. I would certainly use them again and would readily recommend them."
Grover, Cabinet Painting in Durham, NC
2019-03-18 -
★★★★★ - "The Exceptional Painting team painted my kitchen cabinets, repaired drywall, painted the kitchen and two bed in my home. They also did ceiling work in the bathroom and foyer. I was totally impressed by their work, work ethics and professionalism. Mr.Owens and his team cared for and respected my modest home as if it was a luxury home. There was just one "you want what! ?" moments and they nailed it. Now, that's EXCEPTIONAL!"
J.& R. Morton in Raleigh, NC
2018-11-01 -
★★★★★ - "Interior painting, painting kitchen cabinets, drywall repair,"
J Hawkins-Morton in Raleigh, NC
2018-10-29 -
★★★★★ - "I recently hired Exceptional Painting to paint my kitchen cabinets. Leondras was very responsive and kept me informed and up to date throughout the process. I am very impressed by the high-quality work and attention to detail. Leondras and his team were courteous and friendly and I would definitely recommend them for any painting project!"
Erica Hoefler in Holly Springs, NC
2018-10-17 -
★★★★★ - "Leondras & team painted our kitchen cabinets for us. They provided a fair quote within a day of us reaching out, and completed the job within a week. He did a great job and was sure to cover up the surrounding areas (floors, walls etc.). We are very pleased with his work, and have recommended him to others."
Justin O. in Fuquay Varina, NC
2018-07-10 -
★★★★★ - "Leondras and his crew did a fantastic job repairing and repainting our kitchen cabinets. He was very courteous and responsive. He even came to finish the job on a Saturday. I highly recommend Exceptional Painting."
Andrew in Raleigh, NC
2018-03-05 -
★★★★★ - "I got quotes from 5 or 6 cabinet painters and had conversations with each. Leondras is as professional and as much a perfectionist as they come. We LOVE our "new" cabinets. The whole experience was the best contractor experience we have ever had! He does what he says he is going to do and takes pride in doing it right. Would absolutely hire again and recommend HIGHLY."
Charles in Cary, NC
2018-01-22 -
★★★★★ - "Mr. Owens and his team transformed my 15 year old maple kitchen cabinet into a beautiful off white color. In fact, when I saw the finished product, I can truly say that the cabinets looked brand new. Each member of his team was professional and respectful and they were able to complete their work a day early. I highly recommend Mr. Owens and his team."
Gloria Davis in Durham, NC
★★★★★ - "Exceptional Painting did an amazing job transforming our kitchen cabinets. Our cabinets were 28 year old pickled wood, with a lot of grime, grease, and use embedded in the wood. Upon finishing the cabinets my kitchen looks modern and pristine with the updated Alabaster cabinets. The work was done in a timely and efficient manner. Leondrus took the time to update us frequently about the work being done. To make the transformation even better I had them paint the trim. Inside and out the cabinets and drawers look great and I highly recommend Exceptional Painting."
Cathryn in Chapel Hill, NC
"Exceptional Painting did a great jobs with our kitchen cabinets. They were professional, nice, and kept us in the loop about everything. Would recommend."
Megan Munroe, Cabinet Refinishing in Chapel Hill, NC
2023-09-12 -
★★★★★ - "Leondras and his team provide exceptional work at an affordable price. I will be using them again for my other painting needs."
Ujjaini S., Drywall Repair in Cary, NC
2023-07-17 -
★★★★★ - "Leondras was exceptional like the name. Highly recommend. He has a lot of wisdom and experience. I felt confident trusting him either the work."
Tialer M., Drywall Repair in Durham, NC
2023-07-17 -
★★★★★ - "Exceptional painting did an excellent job repairing my kitchen wall. Mr. Owen did an incredible job with repairing and painting the wall. I would definitely recommend and call him again."
Patricia S., Painting in Raleigh, NC
2023-07-17 -
★★★★★ - "Professional, friendly service, good job"
Kerrie N., Interior Painting in Cary, NC
2023-04-17 -
★★★★★ - "Work is excellent. Mr. Owens is a perfectionist and so are his employees. Most beautiful kitchen I have ever had when they finished. Look forward to my next project with this company, only painters I will ever use. It was amazingly how there main goal was to please the customer. Kitchen was gorgeous and sparkling clean before they left after a 12 hour day."
Linda F., Interior Painting in Raleigh, NC
2023-04-17 -
★★★★★ - "Exceptional painting by far best painters I ever hired. My kitchen cabinets look like they are factory finished. Mr. Owens was very professional and really has pride in the work he does and so do the men and women who work for him. Patrick his supervisor was excellent. They work together like nothing I have experienced before. If you want perfection then they are the company to use. Very honest and trustworthy."
Anthony F., Cabinet Refinishing in Durham, NC
2023-04-17 -
★★★★★ - "Exceptional Painting was fantastic to deal with, they provide quality work and focus on customer satisfaction. I will use them for ALL my painting needs in the future."
James K., House Painting in Cary, NC
2023-04-17 -
★★★★★ - "Extremely professional. Went above what was required and wasn't here to simply make money but actually took pride in their work. I would highly recommend for any job."
RWR, Interior Painting in Hillsborough, NC
2023-04-17 -
★★★★★ - "Thank you so much for your talent.
Larry and I sincerely appreciate you taking the time and care on our home."Doris B., Painting in Cary, NC
2023-04-17 -
★★★★★ - "Excellent job repairing my damaged wall. Always very professional. Will definitely call on Leondras again!!!"
Kim M., Drywall Repair in Raleigh, NC
2023-02-10 -
★★★★★ - "Dude it freaking amazing! Also great conversation!"
Rock M., Drywall Repair in Hillsborough, NC
2023-02-10 -
★★★★★ - "I am delighted with the results and communication! I will absolutely call Exceptional Painting again, could not be happier!"
Seana, House Painting in Durham, NC
2023-02-10 -
★★★★★ - "Exceptional Painting responded to my inquiry for Dry wall repair, Interior and Exterior Painting on the same day. They were able to schedule my service promptly at my convenience. They arrived on time, they were Professional and Courteous. They protected all surfaces and cleaned up all areas once the Work was completed. Once the Wall repair was completed I couldn't tell where the damage had been. They did an exceptional job and I will definitely use them for my next job."
Donna M., Exterior Painting in Raleigh, NC
2022-12-08 -
★★★★★ - "Leondras Owens of Exceptional Painting actually did do an exceptional job of drywall repair and painting after electrical work had been done all over our house leaving ugly holes. He is honest and professional, and his communication was good all round from start to finish. He did a few other touch up jobs as well, constantly with a positive, easy-to-work-with attitude. We are new to Mebane, NC, and are delighted to have found Exceptional Painting. I highly recommend this company!"
Janet M., Drywall Repair in Cary, NC
2022-12-08 -
★★★★★ - "Trustworthy and top-quality people. Top quality work. True craftsmen that take pride in their work. We're going to use them for all of our interior painting projects over the next few months."
Anthony M., Interior Painting in Hillsborough, NC
2022-12-08 -
★★★★★ - "Had a hole in my wall that needed repair. The hole was repaired and the service was quick and professional. Highly recommend to customers who need drywall repair."
D'Andre G., Drywall Repair in Cary, NC
2022-12-08 -
★★★★★ - "Exceptional Painting did a fabulous job on our kitchen cabinets. The owner, Leondras Owens and his team were incredibly professional and exceeded our expectations. Mr. Owens maintained excellent communication with us throughout the entire process. We love the finished product and would highly recommend his company."
Vickie C., Cabinet Refinishing in Raleigh, NC
2022-12-08 -
★★★★★ - "Leondras and his team were phenomenal. We had the popcorn ceiling removed and the ceilings repainted in a 2500 sqft house. From the very beginning, Leondras was impressively responsive- which is super helpful when you're trying to coordinate multiple renovations in the house. The final result of the ceilings is beautiful! The quality of work, efficiency, friendliness, and professionalism could all be given 5 stars."
Rachel L., Popcorn Ceiling Removal in Durham, NC
2022-12-08 -
★★★★★ - "Mr. Leondras Owens of Exceptional Painting repaired my water-damaged Raleigh kitchen ceiling on October 10, 2022.
I am old enough to have owned a number of houses and to have dealt with many tradesmen. Mr. Owens is, quite simply, an old-school craftsman whose priorities are outstanding workmanship and customer satisfaction.
Without hesitation, I can say that I didn't know a homeowner could still find someone for a routine drywall repair/painting of his ability and standards. Halfway through his time at my house, I was very happy with his repair, but he stayed two more hours to get the job as close to perfect as possible. Who does that any more?
Leondras Owens' company is aptly named, as he is truly an exceptional individual. You will be very glad that you engaged him for your repair."Robert E., Ceiling Painting in Raleigh, NC
2022-12-08 -
★★★★★ - "Mr Owens and his team were very professional, courteous, and considerate of my home. They were detailed oriented, paid attention to my concerns, cleaned up the jobs, and showed genuine interest in my project. He was accommodating and very approachable. He and his team did great work and I would eagerly recommend Exceptional Painting for your project!"
Angela B., Painting in Raleigh, NC
2022-12-08 -
★★★★★ - "For this job, we looked at several companies but Exception Painting was a great choice and now I know why? The owner did exactly what he said and was very professional in his appearance and interaction with my family, and most importantly, he is a man of God. Would recommend this company to anyone who is looking for a great, professional service."
Keith W., Drywall Repair in Apex, NC
2022-12-08 -
★★★★★ - "Mr. Owens was fantastic to work with and was able to meet our tight schedule! I would use his services again if the need arises!"
David J., Interior Painting in Wake Forest, NC
2022-12-08 -
★★★★★ - "The attention to detail of Exceptional Painting is truly impressive. The work they do is truly top-notch."
Jim C., Drywall Repair in Raleigh, NC
2022-12-08 -
★★★★★ - "Leondras did a great job painting our cabinets. He took his time and ensured that everything was done with the highest quality. He immediately addressed my questions and concerns and went above and beyond by fixing some areas that weren't on the original estimate. This isn't something you see very often and I really appreciated it."
Steve B., Cabinet Refinishing in Raleigh, NC
2022-12-08 -
★★★★★ - "Willie and his team did excellent work. Their attention to detail was above and beyond typical service."
M H., Garage Floor Painting in Apex, NC
2022-12-08 -
★★★★★ - "Leondras was a pleasure to work with. I hired his company to paint the interior of the house we recently purchased and my garage and I worked from home with my two dogs for most of the job. Leondras and his crew were pleasant, responsive, efficient, tidy, flexible, and professional. I'm so happy with how it turned out. It feels like my home now. Thanks, gang!"
Kim O., Interior Painting in Cary, NC
2022-12-08 -
★★★★★ - "We had a ceiling leak from a plumbing problem and Mr Owens did a fantastic job repairing the drywall and matched the ceiling paint to perfection. We were in the process of moving to a larger home. We hired his company to paint the whole interior of the new house. My husband and I are very particular with the quality of the painting and he fixed some crown moulding that was poorly done by the previous owner.
He did a fabulous job and was very pleasant to work with. I would highly recommend him. A very nice honest guy."Annette B., Drywall Repair in Durham, NC
2022-09-21 -
★★★★★ - "When I reached out to Exceptional Painting about drywall repairs and interior painting, we were looking for a pretty quick turnaround between the estimate and getting the work done (our house was a bit of a mess from some other work, and we wanted to get it back in order). After Leondras shared some of his recent work, I knew he was the right choice. I reached back out after his initial inspection and estimate, and he was able to work us into his already busy schedule and get our project started and finished in great time with exceptional results! We can't even tell where the holes in our walls and ceiling were after the job was complete. Thanks for everything!"
Adam C., Drywall Repair in Cary, NC
2022-09-15 -
★★★★★ - "I had a huge hole in my wall from an elbow going through it. I was such in a frenzy, and didn't know what to do, being that this was the first time this has happened. Went through numerous searches on google looking up different companies. My main concern was finding the right company that could repair the wall and match the exact paint to the point that you couldn't tell the hole was ever there. I found this company and I was so pleased with the work! Not only did he adjust his schedule to mine but most importantly, YOU COULD NEVER TELL THE HOLE WAS THERE, after he completed the job. It took no time and was very professional. Let's just say if this ever happens again, I have the company number on speed dial."
Kiara J., Drywall Repair in Carrboro, NC
2022-09-15 -
★★★★★ - "Wonderful experience, such professional and good work. Leondras and his team repaired our ceiling in a timely fashion and we are so impressed by how it looked finished. 100% recommend for drywall and painting needs!"
Catherine C., Drywall Repair in Durham, NC
2022-09-15 -
★★★★★ - "Exceptional Painting and Leondras Owens did an excellent job from start to giving a quote all the way to the job itself and the clean up! Very pleased with a professional job done right and well! Pleasure to work with him!"
Deborah P., House Painting in Cary, NC
2022-08-02 -
★★★★★ - "I have used Mr. Owens' crew from Exceptional Painting several times for interior work. I appreciate their attention to detail. Always pleased with the results, and they do a nice job cleaning up afterwards. Highly recommend."
Melanie C., Interior Painting in Durham, NC
2022-08-02 -
★★★★★ - "I have used Mr. Owens' crew from Exceptional Painting several times for interior work. I appreciate their attention to detail. Always pleased with the results, and they do a nice job cleaning up afterwards. Highly recommend."
Melanie C., Cabinet Refinishing in Raleigh, NC
2022-07-12 -
★★★★★ - "Wonderful experience! Timely communication and excellent work ethic. The final product exceeded expectations. I highly recommend Leondras and his team for any project!"
Kendra S., Cabinet Refinishing in Durham, NC
2022-07-12 -
★★★★★ - "Leondras and his team did great work painting my kitchen cabinets. Leondras was communicative throughout the process and went out of his way to make sure the end result matched our expectations exactly. We appreciated Leondras being able to get our job scheduled quickly; however, we did provide quite a bit of flexibility when it came to specific times he needed to be at the house. Overall we are happy with the results and the pricing was very competitive."
Larissa H., Painting in Cary, NC
2022-06-29 -
★★★★★ - "Great job from Exceptional Painting. Highly recommended!!!!"
Homero Z., Interior Painting in Wake Forest, NC
2022-06-29 -
★★★★★ - "Let me begin by saying this...I have never had anyone as meticulous and professional as Mr. Owens! My kitchen cabinets are stunning! I knew they would be beautiful, but I had not idea they would this beautiful, for Mr. Owens went above and beyond. I will not hire anyone else but him, for he is an excellent contractor with a very kind and beautiful heart. He is a true craftsman, for his finish products says it all. If you want someone who is caring, thoughtful, communicative and a contractor who pays attention to every detail, hire Mr. Owens. Yes, I will hire Mr. Owens again for all of my painting needs. He, in my opinion, is the best! Thank you so much, Mr. Owens, for your God-given talent as well as your heart and professionalism."
Yvonne G., Painting in Chapel Hill, NC
2022-06-29 -
★★★★★ - "Exceptional Painting transformed our builder-level cabinets into something we can admire every day. While they were in our home, their respect for cleanliness in our space was total.
During the project, decisions we made caused problems we had not foreseen. Exceptional Painting stepped up to make drywall repairs and outstanding painting repairs.
We did not feel like there were workers in the house. They were friends helping us to make our kitchen/baths re-do perfect.
When we need a professional job done in the future, we will call Mr. Owen and his lively crew. Thank you."steve cairns in Holly Springs, NC
2021-12-22 -
★★★★★ - "Exceptional Painting did a fantastic job with the exterior painting of our house and refurbishing our deck. It looks brand new. Leondras and his team were efficient, thorough, and carried out the work in a very timely manner, dedicated, all the way from power washing to painting. I will use Exceptional Painting for all our future painting needs!"
2021-03-17 -
★★★★★ - "Mr. Leondras and his team were great to work with. They did a great job repairing water damage to my drywall in the ceilings in two rooms. They did such a good job I had him come out recently and paint three rooms in my home. The house doesn't look the same. You won't be disappointed in their work."
Pam in Raleigh, NC
2020-12-30 -
★★★★★ - "Professional work, fast and reliable. We were very happy with the results and how clean and fast the team worked."
Dalit Halfon in Cary, NC
2020-12-24 -
★★★★★ - "This first thing I want to mention is the cleanliness of this business, all the floors were covered, the workers arrived on time and the painting was done with excellence."
B. Tate in Hillsboro, NC
2020-10-27 -
★★★★★ - "The drywall repair and repainting of my bathroom was truly exceptional. Great communication throughout the process! Myself and my tenant are thrilled with the finished result! For all of my future painting needs, I will look no further."
Hal in Carrboro, NC
2020-08-19 -
★★★★★ - "We contacted 5 contractors, but only 2 gave us the quote the way we asked. Leondras was one of the two. It was clear he had experience, knowledge, and professionalism. We are very glad we hired him. His crew did a fantastic job, cost was competitive, and they arrived on time and completed the work as promised. Communication was outstanding. We will use them for sure in the future. Glad they were on Yelp, it made them easy to find and set up a quote."
Philip and Magdalena in Durham, NC
2020-05-14 -
★★★★★ - "They did a fantastic job in a short amount of time! Great crew, professional, polite, and perfect!"
Gina Willard in Raleigh, NC
2020-05-08 -
★★★★★ - "Exceptional Painting did an EXCEPTIONAL job in every way: interior painting, cabinet painting, fireplace painting in both our new house in Chapel Hill and our Durham house (preparing to go on the market). The staff was professional, trustworthy, and the job was completed on a tight deadline. I would not use any other company for painting."
Lee in Chapel Hill, NC
2020-05-07 -
★★★★★ - "I would recommend with high praise. I am very pleased with the work. Very professional and will use them again. If you looking to get work completed, this is the one you're looking for."
LaTeisha Davis
2020-05-04 -
★★★★★ - "Leondras and his team with Exceptional Painting did an excellent job of painting
our kitchen and family room. They arrived on time, covered everything that we were not able to move out of the room, did patchwork and finished the job the same day. Everyone was courteous and efficient. Leondras also did some extra trim painting that was a bonus for us. I would definitely recommend him to do any painting.
The price was very reasonable."Beth Purcell in Holly Springs, NC
2020-02-24 -
★★★★★ - "Exceptional Painting did a fantastic job creating a seamless patch in our ceiling. We had a 2'x2' hole cut into our ceiling by another contractor who ghosted us before finishing the work. We reached out via Yelp for help patching this and Leondras answered quickly, provided an affordable rate and flexible scheduling. He did a professional job of covering our furniture and creating a bubble for his work area to ensure dust would not damage our furniture. The work was completed efficiently and took about one afternoon. The spot is not noticeable on our ceiling and it looks great! Thank you Exceptional Painting."
Hannah Papes in Holly Springs, NC
2020-02-24 -
★★★★★ - "Very professional and high quality work. Not all painting companies are created equal. Leondras provides excellent service at a fair price. Don't hire the cheapest company out there or you'll be unhappy with the result. Exceptional Painting is just that...exceptional."
Nabil L., Painting in Durham, NC
2020-01-10 -
★★★★★ - "We had an outstanding experience with Exceptional Painting last month. They refaced our kitchen cabinets. The quality of painting, workmanship, process, and technique was excellent. The owner, Mr. Leondras has demonstrated vast and strong knowledge in his field, perfection, and exhibited that he is a detail-oriented person. We were 110 % satisfied with the final product to our kitchen cabinets. In addition to a job well done, the cost was very reasonable and affordable. I would highly recommend Exceptional Painting to any customer who is looking for outstanding quality, affordable price, and great customer service. It was a pleasure to work with Leondras and indeed it was was truly an exceptional experience !!!"
Magdy Oraby in Cary, NC
2019-07-25 -
★★★★★ - "Exceptional Painting recently completed a fantastic job on my home. Leondras and his team went above and beyond and provided high quality work. I would definitely recommend them for future projects."
Dana Fitzpatrick in Durham, NC
2019-07-25 -
★★★★★ - "I've used Exceptional Painting exclusively for all my painting needs for the past 7 years. Whether it's a small job or the entire house, the job is always high-quality, done on time, and at a fair price. We recently needed some last-minute painting done for a rental property in Durham. The Exceptional Painting team was able to squeeze me in the next day, started the job and within 3 days, the new tenants moved into a freshly painted house. The house looked great and tenants were happy!"
Anonymous in Durham, NC
2019-06-24 -
★★★★★ - "Leondras was professional and did a great job. After having the home on the market for 2 months, we had our master bath cabinets done. Coincidence or not, the home went under contract with the very next showing!"
Mike R in Cary, NC
2019-06-19 -
★★★★★ - "We had a wonderful experience with Leondras and Exceptional Painting. From start to finish they were punctual, polite, and professional. I highly recommend their services to anyone looking for affordable, high quality work."
Tim in Chapel Hill, NC
2019-06-18 -
★★★★★ - "From the knock on the door to the finished product. Leondras more than exceeded our expectations. For a living I'm a contractor and always expect nothing but the best from my crew. So when I have contractors perform work for me in my home I'm very particular. Needless to say Leondras and his team met and exceeded my expectations. I would highly recommend him to anyone."
The harmon's in Durham, NC
2019-06-18 -
★★★★★ - "We came across Exceptional Painting years ago when we lived in Raleigh. Their professionalism, prompt response, quick project completion, communication, and customer care blew us away! After moving to Youngsville, we were concerned that we might be outside of their service area - but, no...Mr. Owens and his team have since gladly, over the years, assisted us on three more interior painting and dry wall repair projects and we couldn't be more thrilled! We recommend them to everyone we know. Customer service and quality care are truly a priority for them. The work they've done for us (all interior rooms and spaces, crown molding, wainscoting, ceiling, baseboards, shelving, trimming) is absolutely exceptional and it's why our family keeps calling them back whenever we need projects completed. Thank you, Mr. Owens! You and your team will always remain our go-to company!"
Crystal in Youngsville, NC
2019-03-12 -
★★★★★ - "I needed some interior painting done that included some ceiling repair. The work was completed in a day and everything looks great! They covered up everything while they worked and left the work area spotless when they left."
Carole S. in Morrisville, NC
2019-02-04 -
★★★★★ - "I hired the Exceptional Painting Crew to start work just after Christmas 2018. They painted my whole house interior with the exception of a few rooms I did myself. Best customer service experience ever. They took the time to pay attention to the details which are crucial in any job. I was amazed when they told me on New Year's Eve that they were done for the day but that they would remove all plastic and drop cloths and such so that our family of 6 could enjoy the Holiday on the comfort of our furniture which was all covered in plastic. Then they re-covered everything the next day and continued the work to completion on January 3, 2019. I just wanted to say that I am quite pleased, amazed and happy with your work. Thank you to you and your team for an exceptional job. Stay in touch please Mr. Leondras.
ibm, Mebane N.C."Anonymous in Alamance, NC
2019-01-07 -
★★★★★ - "I found Exceptional Painting on Angie's List, where they had a 5-star rating. Angie's List has never steered me wrong, so I rang them up to handle a re-painting of my family room and kitchen ceiling.
Leondras and his crew exceeded expectations! They had my family room and kitchen sealed up like a CDC Ebola lab and re-did the ceiling in record time with no spills and no mess. When it comes time to re-paint my house, Exceptional Painting will be my go-to from now on."Alexander M in Durham, NC
2018-12-03 -
★★★★★ - "Interior painting work performed on a row house on W Barbee Chapel Road in Chapel Hill including drywall repair.
Precise estimate; work quality, cleanliness, timeliness and professional/courteous staff."Anonymous in Chapel Hill, NC
2018-11-05 -
★★★★★ - "Exceptional Painting was absolutely exceptional. Respectful, meticulous, and speedy with their work. Our kitchen looks brand new. Their attention to detail was evident in their prep work, and they left the kitchen clean. Absolutely would recommend and encourage anyone to use."
Anonymous in Chapel Hill, NC
2018-11-05 -
★★★★★ - "We have really appreciated the fine job that Exceptional Painting has done for us. We've had a number of rooms and hallways painted by their crew in our Governor's Club, Chapel Hill home. Their attention to detail and willingness to work with us to get everything just right means a lot."
Anonymous, Interior Painting in Chapel Hill, NC
2018-11-05 -
★★★★★ - "Leondras and his team do fabulous work. They are reliable, professional and provide a fantastic paint job. They pay attention to the details!"
Kim Norwoos in Chapel Hill, NC
2018-10-29 -
★★★★★ - "Exceptional Painting has done several jobs for us over the past four years and we have been delighted with the outcome of each of their projects.
They have removed wallpaper and glue, painted interior rooms and exterior trim and doors. All off those jobs have been done in an immaculate manner.
We live in the Governors Club in Chapel Hill and so often when we ask for quotes, we are left with the impression that we are being charged higher than going rates because of our club environment. We have always found Exceptional Painting to be very competitive and provide superior craftsmanship. We unconditionally endorse and recommend Loendras and his entire team of talented employees for any tasks you may have. You will not be disappointed."Paul Olson in Chapel Hill, NC
2018-10-29 -
★★★★★ - "Mr. Owens & his team were great! They were prompt, courteous & professional. They corrected & finished some interior painting I tried to do on my own. They also did a wonderful job on another room & I look forward to having them finish the rest of my house."
Nikki B in Durham, NC
2018-10-29 -
★★★★★ - "I hired Exceptional Painting in October 2018. Leondras and his team were incredible. They tackled a laundry list of drywall repairs, ceiling repairs including popcorn ceiling and cracks throughout my home in Durham, as well as touch up painting and interior painting of entire rooms. They were very friendly and professional, kept me informed throughout the project, asked my input when needed, and provided service above and beyond what I was expecting. Their prep work, surface protection, and clean up were outstanding. I was very, very satisfied with Exceptional Painting, and I will definitely hire them again."
Lydia in Durham, NC
2018-10-11 -
★★★★★ - "Exceptional Painting does exceptional work! They are professional, prompt, courteous and excellent painters. Plan to use them for additional projects and would highly recommend them to anyone looking for top quality, reasonable painters."
Anonymous in Raleigh, NC
2018-09-12 -
★★★★★ - "Mr. Owens came over in the evening to give me an estimate as I needed a room painted quickly. He showed up the next morning with his sons to get the job done on time and did a great job. Flexible, courteous, professional and thorough in a short amount of time."
John Miketa in Durham, NC
2018-09-06 -
★★★★★ - "I cannot say enough great things about Leondras and Exceptional Painting! I needed two big patches of drywall repaired in my house in order to put it on the market to sell. When I contacted Leondras, he told me he could come out the next day and take care of it! He was on time and extremely professional. One of the patches was considerably more difficult, as it had a plumbing pipe sticking out of the wall at a weird angle, but he made both of them look great. I will definitely be using him again!"
Erika Powell in Apex, NC
2018-09-05 -
★★★★★ - "We had a great experience with Exceptional Painting recently. We had numerous popcorn ceilings to be repaired. They did an exceptional job blending the drywall repair from a whole house replumb. Leondras was super friendly and professional, and especially helpful throughout the process of deciding what we should do for the best results. It turned out even better than we expected! And the work was scheduled swiftly, though most other companies seemed unreachable during the "busy season."
Paula in Fuquay Varina, NC
2018-09-04 -
★★★★★ - "I scraped popcorn from several of my ceilings thinking I could smooth the ceilings DIY style, and I damaged the drywall in the process. Leondras and his team came to the rescue and completed the drywall repair and interior painting of the ceilings within the timeline that I needed and the budget that I wanted. The end result looks great! Leondras is an excellent communicator and responds quickly via text or call. His team was friendly, respectful, and punctual. I will definitely use them in the future!"
Amber K in Durham, NC
2018-09-04 -
★★★★★ - "Are you looking for a good painter? We have found a great painting company right here! They painted our main floor and what a great job they did. They repaired the drywall where pictures had been hung, were very careful not to spill or do any damage, and cleaned up when they were finished. They were also very quiet and polite. What more could you ask from a company? Oh yes, they were very reasonably priced! Great job Leondras and crew!"
Linda Musso in Hillsborough, NC
2018-09-04 -
★★★★★ - "Mr. Owens and his staff provided a very professional painting service this past weekend...they were on time, knowledgeable, efficient and the three rooms and touch-ups that were completed look great... I will use their services again in the future and will be recommending them to others... great job!"
Anonymous in Raleigh, NC
2018-09-04 -
★★★★★ - "We hired Exceptional Painting to do our 2-story family room & entry + ceiling, as well as our kitchen and master bedroom. Leondras gave us a fair price and was very professional. Our painting crew included Willie, Edgar, Anna, Alejandro, etc and they were top notch. They were friendly, arrived on time each day, and worked very efficiently. They left everything so tidy each day and the painting they did looks amazing. They had great attention to detail. We are so pleased!"
Beth A. in Durham, NC
2018-08-20 -
★★★★★ - "Very professional and my sunroom looks beautiful after a new color paint for the walls and ceiling pant"
Anonymous, Interior Painting in Durham, NC
2018-07-12 -
★★★★★ - "I had a good experience with Leondras and Exceptional Painting. They performed quality work when sealing and painting my garage. I would surely call them again."
Z Turkal in Durham, NC
2018-05-25 -
★★★★★ - "This was the third time we used Exceptional Painting for interior and exterior painting. Leondras and his professional crew are courteous, efficient, neat and truly do an exceptional job! Their attention to detail is what sets them apart."
Susan Galdy in Durham, NC
2018-05-24 -
★★★★★ - "Exceptional Painting did a great job on my Meadowmont house in Chapel Hill. We had interior and exterior painting done, plus extensive drywall repair. The work was top notch, and the team was quick and did not leave a mess."
Anonymous in Chapel Hill, NC
2018-05-24 -
★★★★★ - "Getting our house ready to put on the market, we had Exceptional Paining (Leondras Owens) do some repair to our popcorn ceiling, and some interior and exterior work. He did an exceptional job repairing and MATCHING the 15 year old popcorn ceiling."
Anonymous, Popcorn Ceiling Removal in Hillsborough, NC
2018-05-24 -
★★★★★ - "We were very happy with the interior painting performed by Exceptional Painting. The crew was very professional and did a meticulous job. Leondras is very professional and was quick to respond to emails if I had questions. I would highly recommend this company."
Dave in Wake Forest, NC
2018-04-18 -
★★★★★ - "I live in The Preserve at Jordan Lake in Chapel Hill. I have used Exceptional Painting for both interior and exterior painting. Leondras is very professional (as is his team) and courteous. The painting projects are very quickly and efficiently completed. They are extremely careful with protection of non-painting surfaces (floors, carpets, etc.). I have only ever been pleased with the work his company has done in the last two years. Two thumbs up!!"
Barb Shore in Chapel Hill, NC
2018-04-18 -
★★★★★ - "Exceptional Painting did a great job with drywall repair and painting of several rooms including 2 with cathedral ceiling"
home owner in Chapel Hill, NC
2018-04-18 -
★★★★★ - "I had a really good experience with this company. The owner came by for a quote on the day it was requested. Got a quote within 24 hours and it was quite reasonable in comparison with one other. The owner described the process (where every door and every hinge gets numbered and put back in exactly the same place it was taken from) and he showed pictures of how the doors are sanded/primed/painted in his warehouse. He sent me photos of any doors/drawers that were damaged to document where there were problems that preceded him. There were problems with noticeable gaps in some of the doors - where the miter cuts in the corner of doors were not quite perfect. When the doors were strained, you never noticed, but painted white it was noticeable. He caulked those gaps and applied another coat of paint. The cabinets look fantastic - I think we'll double this investment when we sell."
Anonymous, Painting in Chapel Hill, NC
2018-03-19 -
★★★★★ - "From the moment I met Mr. Owens to the completion of the job, Exceptional Painting was first class. My job was completed within the time estimated, the work was top notch, and the entire operation was professionally handled. The workers were prompt, near and a joy to work with."
C.Lewis in Raleigh, NC
2018-03-12 -
★★★★★ - "We had our home's interior (which included drywall repair and sanding) painted and wood stained. Leondras and his team were very professional and courteous and did an amazing job! They started on the promised date and finished one day earlier than expected, which was cherry on the top."
Kitty in Hillsborough, NC
2018-03-12 -
★★★★★ - "We first used Exceptional Painting to remove popcorn ceilings in our upstairs in 2015. I got three quotes and ultimately chose Exceptional Painting because their prices were fair and Leondras made a great first impression.
When it was time to work, the crew did an excellent job. They were on time, carefully prepped the area and were able to prioritize the master bedroom so we didn't have to be displaced.
We used them again in 2017 to remove the popcorn ceilings downstairs as well and to paint several bedrooms. It went off without a hitch- crew started in the AM and worked through the day. Leondras personally checked the site each day, making sure to ask if I had any concerns.
They do great work and I wouldn't hesitate to use them again. You can really tell Leondras takes pride in exceeding expectations."David in Durham, NC
2018-03-06 -
★★★★★ - "Exceptional Painting painted all rooms, closets and ceiling in our new retirement home. Their quote was in line with the other quotes I received; detail oriented - effects of paint type/flaws in the construction/protecting other surfaces, etc.; told me how he would go about the painting/what he would do, and did it right down to covering up all of our possessions and floors. Professional and followed through on everything!"
CM in Chapel Hill, NC
2018-02-07 -
★★★★★ - "It wasn't easy making our Victorian bedroom walls look like new, but these guys did it with meticulous preparation and professional attention to every detail. We are thrilled."
Anonymous, Interior Painting in Chapel Hill, NC
2018-02-05 -
★★★★★ - "We live in the Pittsboro area and searched for a long time to find someone to do a small painting job and some drywall repair. We decided on Mr. Owens' company and are glad we did. He brought in his team of very professional people who each had a specific job. In six hours, they applied two coats of paint in two rooms and a hallway, painted all trimwork and doors and patched numerous holes in the walls. (One hole was the size of an outlet and you cannot tell it was there.) We have had other painters come in and we have never been as satisfied as we are with the job Exeptional Painting did. They truly live up to their name. David Scott 2/2/18"
David Scott, Interior Painting in Durham, NC
2018-02-05 -
★★★★★ - "Exceptional Painting is who I always recommend to buyer and seller clients. There are so many different kinds of paints and stains, it can be overwhelming, but Leondras (owner) is very knowledgeable about all of them and will advise you properly. It's nice to work with someone who is passionate about their job. They clean up very well, are respectful of your personal property and landscaping. They are honest and dependable, and work within their promised time frame.
I hired them for my own 2 houses- for interior and exterior. Both times, they did an excellent job, and I couldn't have been more pleased.
Leondras oversees his projects and crew carefully to always ensure top quality work and proper time management. He will walk through the job upon completion to ensure your complete satisfaction. He will warranty his work. They are my go-to painting company, and I highly recommend them."Arlette Pendergraph, REALTOR in Durham, NC
2018-01-29 -
★★★★★ - "100% professional in every way. If only EVERY person you hired had this kind of stellar work ethic. I could go on and on and on but that pretty much says it all!! Thank you Leondras and crew!!"
John and Candy Walter, Painting in Chapel Hill, NC
2018-01-24 -
★★★★★ - "We were very happy with the team and their work. They were all very professional and took care to make sure we were happy and satisfied with the quality of work! The communication was great and they showed up on time and on the dates they confirmed."
The Bauer Family, Painting in Morrisville, NC
2018-01-09 -
★★★★★ - "Exceptional Painting painted my entire house except one room and did an outstanding job. The job was timely, without a lot of mess and with professionalism. They work with me on choosing paint colors and making sure I was comfortable in my home while the work was being done. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for an exceptional painting company."
Adrienne in Durham, NC
2018-01-08 -
★★★★★ - "I recently hired Exceptional Painting to repaint 2 bedrooms and a large hallway, They had originally painted these for me way back in 2006.
Leondras and his team came on time and completed the job in two days just as they said they would. The price was exactly as quoted.
They did an exceptional job in all the work they did for me. They carefully covered everything not to be painted, did excellent prep work and painted everything so that it looks great! I highly recommend them for all of your painting needs. I plan to hire them again myself to repaint other rooms in my home."Richard B in Chapel Hill, NC
2018-01-02 -
★★★★★ - "Leondras and his crew did a fantastic job! They painted numerous interior walls as well as pressure washing our exterior. It was done quickly, with no mess, and looks beautiful. I usually do my own painting, but never again!"
Anonymous, Interior Painting in Chapel Hill, NC
2017-12-07 -
★★★★★ - "I was on a tight schedule, hoping to get my house painted between the time I closed on a Thursday and moved in the following Tuesday. Leondras and his crew accommodated me by coming in over the weekend and completing the job on Monday, in time for my move. They did a fantastic job painting the master bedroom, entry, dining room, and two story living room. They prepped thoroughly, taping edges, patching nail holes, and covering electrical outlets. The end result was perfectly painted walls. They worked efficiently and cleaned up everything when they were finished. They returned a couple weeks later to paint my kitchen cabinets, again with the same beautiful results. Leondras and his crew were courteous and easy to work with. I would definitely choose Exceptional Painting again."
Ruth in Durham, NC
★★★★★ - "Exceptional Painting painted 5 rooms in our house. They were very professional- moved & covered all furniture & floors, very precise edges, paint & trim look amazing! Definitely would recommend them (and I already have to my friends)"
Carolyn in Apex, NC
★★★★★ - "We have worked with Leondras and his staff several times...without a doubt, they are top quality craftsmen painters! VERY professional, detail-oriented. We had a problem with some incorrect caulking that had been done by a window contractor - Leondras knew right away what the problem was, and was NOT willing to paint because it would result in problems. He suggested we contact the window company - we did, they removed the problem caulk, and Leondras (along with Glen and Edgar) did a great job when they came back to complete the painting. We give Exceptional Painting our highest rating, and would use them for any paintwork. They live up to their company name, that's for sure."
Meg & Matt Segal in Cary, NC
★★★★★ - "Excellent job and customer service! They take the time to the prep work and the quality of the paint job was simply EXCEPTIONAL! Thanks Leondras!"
Terryl (Terri) Williams in Durham, NC
★★★★★ - "We hired Exceptional Painting to paint walls in our main floor, master bedroom, and bathrooms and baseboards, crown moldings, and trim throughout our main floor and upper level. We were absolutely thrilled with Leondras and his team. Their customer service and caliber of the work was truly exceptional from start to finish. After a late start on the first day due to some extended time required on the job before ours, Leondras made it up to us by putting in extra effort to repair several areas of our walls that had experienced significant damage to the very old dry wall. Then, I decided I didn't like the color in the master bedroom and Leondras redid it for only a small additional fee, even consulting with my husband on the color because I was out of town. (I love what they selected!) Then, we asked him to paint some additional trim that we had thought was already white, but Leondras noticed was not. Despite all of this, Leondras still finished the job on time, working several long days and coming on a Sunday with his family to complete it. Perhaps more important than their prompt service, Leondras and his team were kind, respectful, and honest. We entrusted them with a key to our home and they came and went the entire week as they needed, and we could not have felt more comfortable. Leondras' team often includes his two sons, Caleb and Brandon, who are also a pleasure to be around. Leondras and his team took impeccable care of our furniture and floors as he was painting, and put everything back exactly where it was. And finally, the finished product is beautiful and of the highest quality. I am a perfectionist, and I would have noticed any blemishes in the walls or trim, but everything is truly perfect. Leondras is detail-oriented and meticulous to an extent that I do not think anyone could have done a more perfect job. We could not be happier with our experience with Exceptional Painting, and we would not hesitate to hire them again!"
Brigitte & Scott in Chapel Hill, NC
★★★★★ - "Leondras and his team did an incredible job transforming my kitchen cabinets! My kitchen finally looks like the kitchen of my dreams! Leondras took the time to walk me through the cabinet refinishing process, have the cabinet paint color-matched to the trim in the house, and took great care to protect all of the surfaces of my home while the painting was ongoing. It was clear that Leondras and his team put a lot of time and care into their work. I have already received a ton of compliments on my new bright and fresh kitchen, and I am in love with the results! In addition, I had two interior stairwells painted, and they are perfect as well! Thank you so much for an Exceptional Painting experience!!!"
Stefanie in Raleigh, NC
★★★★★ - "It would be hard to describe how much we appreciated the work Mr. Owens did for us! We were in the middle of a do-it-yourself project gone wrong: painting cabinets. Within one day of calling him, Mr. Owens came to our house and told us what we needed to do to fix it ourselves, giving us a tutorial on how to do it. He then gave us several options of how he could help us, including doing all of it. His price was very competitive. He was very timely in finishing our cabinets, and saved our cabinets. Now, they look like we went out and bought cabinets with the finish already baked on! Mr. Owens is meticulous, inspects his work with a flashlight, and notices imperfections we would have never caught. The company is very professional and, moreover, we trust Mr. Owen. We cannot thank Mr. Owens and his staff at Exceptional Painting enough. We highly recommend their company."
Samantha in Chapel Hill, NC
★★★★★ - "Leondras and his crew did a super job. His communications with me prior to the work day were very good. My living room looks great!!!"
C. Cannon in Durham, NC
★★★★★ - "Bertha Johnson"
Bertha J., Painting in Durham, NC
2014-08-25 -
★★★★★ - "Craig Morrison"
S. Craig M., Painting in Durham, NC
2014-01-23 -
★★★★★ - "Eddie Hasty, Commercial Painting at UNC Hospitals"
Eddie H., Commercial Painting in Raleigh, NC
2014-01-21 -
★★★★★ - "I take pleasure in writing this letter of recommendation for you. Over the last ten years, you have performed exterior painting, deck staining, power washing, and several interior painting projects for us. We have always had competitive bidding so we know your prices are fair. You have always kept your commitment to show up on time and be finished on time. Your crews work quietly and consistently. You've shown flexibility and patience when I've made changes mid-project. And best of all, you always do a fine quality job and clean up daily, good as new."
Joan C and Arthur P, Durham, North Carolina
2012-08-06 -
★★★★★ - "This is to provide an overview of my professional experience with Leondras Owens and his crew from Exceptional Painting Company. We chose Exceptional Painting based on their experience. They were hired to paint the inside and outside of a large residential project. There were no frustrations concerning completion, touchups or change requests. If you asked for something to be fixed, it was fixed right away. Leondras was extremely pleasant to work with, paid attention to detail and listened to the needs of the customer and addressed them in a very professional manner. He took great pride in his work, which is rare these days. The crew was friendly, polite and efficient. I would use their services again and would highly recommend them to others."
Everett B., Painting in North Durham, NC
2012-08-06 -
★★★★★ - "Mike Banos, Ceiling Painting"
Mike B., Ceiling Painting in Cary, NC
2012-08-06 -
Stephanie Fountain, House Painting in Pittsboro, NC
★★★★★ - "Recently we received information about a Durham based company that did powerwashing, painting, staining. We followed up on that information and met Leondras Owen. He came to our house, assessed our need, and gave us a competitive quote. At the time, our deck stain was an issue for us. We were not pleased with our previous deck staining job, and we were concerned we would not be able to recapture the original beauty of our deck. We also needed to have our house powerwashed. We saw some photos of Mr. Owens work and decided to proceed with the job. Mr. Owens and his competent staff came during the hottest days of July and completed the task. They now only powerwashed our house (which had not been done in a while), but they cleaned, and restained our deck. I have to say that the deck looks brand new, and their work around the house not only met our expectation, it redefined our expectation of excellence! Fair, honest, hard-working, on-time, and exceeding expectations....that has been our experience with exceptionalpainting. We can recommend Mr. Owens and his company without reservation and would be glad to provide any additional information." Richard and Peggy Thompson, Powerwashing and Deck Staining"
Anonymous, Painting in Durham, NC
2012-06-28 -
★★★★★ - "Ava Alston Brownlee, Exclusive Agent Painting at Allstate Insurance Company, Durham, NC"
Ava B., Commercial Painting in Durham, NC
2012-06-28 -
★★★★★ - "Thomas E. Davis, Anderson Homes, Painting in NC"
Thomas D., Painting in Durham, NC
2012-06-28 -
★★★★★ - "Dawn Drew, ASP, IAHSP, The Wow Factor Home Staging"
Dawn D, Painting in Durham, NC


text:
President Obama signed the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (or JOBS) Act into law Thursday, legislation meant to make it easier for entrepreneurs to get investor financing that helps them add workers. Does that mean it will be harder for Republicans to frame Obama as anti-jobs?
"Well, if it works, it will make it harder," said Craig Shirley, a longtime conservative political strategist and writer who runs a Washington, D.C.-area public-affairs firm.
But there isn't enough time between now and Election Day for the law to fully take effect: Regulators have 270 days to write some of the required new rules, for instance, and only 215 days are left before Nov. 6. So it's unlikely voters will have much evidence by then that the law is working, or not.
"It gives (Obama) something to hang his hat on," Shirley said. But there's no shortage of other economic issues for Republicans to go after the president on, he said. "Federal spending and its impact on the economy, taking money out of the private sector."
Over at Americans for Prosperity, the Washington, D.C.-based conservative advocacy group, vice president for policy Phil Kerpen agreed that from the Republican perspective, Thursday was more a momentary truce and that Obama's record would still provide plenty of targets.
"I think the criticisms the Republicans had of the president are so broad in scope and sort of go to the core of his whole philosophy of governance that I don't think they're affected by him doing one positive thing," Kerpen said.
Also, even though the new law is known by the acronym JOBS, and jobs are very much on the minds of voters, Kerpen didn't think the legislation was likely to become much of a factor with average voters.
"I don't know how interested most most people are in an issue like this," he said. "It's certainly not top-of-mind for most people sitting around the kitchen table, you know, 'How easy will it be for companies to access public capital markets?' "
If anything, Kerpen thought any political effect would likely be a wash since both sides could lay claim to the legislation.
"It's going to be hard for them to gain political advantage because this is something Republicans supported as well," he said. "What's the political pitch here from the president, that 'I can get something done?' I guess there's that.
"But this doesn't fit in neatly with his speech about how Republicans all want dirtier air and dirtier water and Down syndrome children to suffer and by the way, they had this great idea I signed the other day. I don't know if this is something he can use to great effect given that his political opponents supported as well."
The fact that the president and congressional Republicans were able to agree on not just the JOBS Act but the STOCK Act, which the president signed the day before, could lead some to believe that both were more about election-year politics than anything else, especially since critics have pointed to weaknesses in both.
The JOBS Act may open the door to financial scams, critics say, while the STOCK act has loopholes that could keep it from being effective in terms of preventing congressional insiders from benefiting financially from information they learn about industries and companies through doing their jobs as lawmakers or staff.
But Darrell West, who unlike Kerpen and Shirley is not a Republican strategist but instead heads the governance program at the Brookings Institution, thinks such suspicions of motives aren't fair.
"I think that's overly cynical," West said. "Each bill has some noteworthy provisions that will help to address the issues that they're seeking to deal with. They're not revolutionary pieces of legislation but they push the ball along in ways that are helpful.
Copyright 2016 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Grow a bacteria culture
Post your project!
Explore thousands of Live
& Video based projects
Our Special Sauce
Watch Videos or Join Live Classes
Do Creative Projects
Share Safely
DIY traditionally means Do-It-Yourself and refers to the culture of building or creating things that can be bought. At DIY.org, we give DIY a slightly broader definition.
Our mission is to build a safe online community that kids can use independently, without parental supervision - a place where they can "do it themselves". Within this community, we encourage them to create, share, and interact with each other over shared interests, without the fear of negativity, bullying, or predatory behavior limiting them. To us, DIY means empowerment. Through our free site and app, we hope to empower millions of kids around the world to become creators, builders, and, most importantly, responsible global citizens.
DIY is ideal for kids between the ages of 6 and 13 years. Considering that these are some of the most important formative years of development, we're trying to touch as many childhoods as we possibly can with positive content and hands-on learning.
We aim to encourage skill-building by fostering a healthy competitive spirit and build a community of proactive, self-confident, eager-to-learn, and — above all — kind children. We hope that these kids will go on to become adults that have the same qualities.
You can create your DIY profile on https://diy.org/register. The only details we need are your name, birthday, and email ID. If you have the DIY App, you can use it to create your profile.
In order to interact and share on DIY, kids will need to verify their DIY account. Verification is a way for us to collect parental consent in compliance with COPPA. Once their account is verified, kids can:
To verify your account, you will need to submit a video of you and one of your parents saying the sentence "I'm here to use DIY" using the DIY App. Here are some guidelines for when you're creating a video for verification:
Once you've uploaded your video successfully, verification takes up to 72 hours. During this time, we check the video to verify parental consent and also to verify the age of the DIYer. This helps us keep DIY safe and free of intruders.
We aim to encourage skill-building by fostering a healthy competitive spirit and build a community of proactive, self-confident, eager-to-learn, and — above all — kind children. We hope that these kids will go on to become adults that have the same qualities.
If your verification has failed, it is possible that your video was missing one of these requirements.


text:
Experience intergalactic warfare through an epic story campaign, best-in-class multiplayer competition, and collaborative co-op missions.
Follow StarCraft II's three races in a cinematic struggle for survival in the Koprulu Sector.
Battle opponents of similar skill on maps from all corners of the galaxy. Climb the ladder and secure your legacy!
Team up with a friend to tackle intense missions and upgrade your commander with powerful units and abilities.
With large parts of StarCraft II's single-player and multiplayer modes accessible for free (see below), it's never been a better time to begin your StarCraft II story!
The award-winning StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty story campaign is free in its entirety.
Access Unranked and Versus AI for free; unlock Ranked with 10 first wins of the day in Unranked or Versus AI.
Kerrigan, Raynor, and Artanis are completely free, and all other Commanders are free up to level 5.


text:
Criteria 1
The Non-Discrimination and Staff Training criteria represents the foundational policies and practices in providing LGBTQ+ inclusive patient centered care. These questions assess whether a facility has LGBTQ+ inclusive policies and whether the facility shares these policies with the public and its patients and staff. In order to most effectively implement these policies, we also require training for staff in LGBTQ+ inclusive care. All questions in this section are scored and must be met in order to receive full credit: up to 40 points.
Supports: Patient Non-Discrimination Policy is LGBTQ+ inclusive*
Supports: Patient Non-Discrimination Policy is communicated
Supports: Visitation Policy is LGBTQ+ inclusive
Supports: Visitation Policy is communicated
Supports: Employment Non-Discrimination Policy is LGBTQ+ inclusive
Supports: Employment Non-Discrimination Policy is communicated
Supports: LGBTQ+ staff training requirement was met
Supports: LGBTQ+ staff training options were communicated
Criteria 2
The questions in this criteria all relate to best practices in the provision of Patient Services & Support—this could include providing LGBTQ+ clinical services, hiring a patient advocate for transgender patients, collecting sexual orientation and gender identity data in health records or providing training on LGBTQ+ inclusive medical decision making options, and more. In order to receive full credit (30 points) for this criteria, a facility must have implemented 11 or more of the recommended best practices. A facility may receive partial credit (15 points) for this criteria if it has implemented 6 to 10 of the best practices.
Criteria 3
The Employee Benefits and Policies criteria focuses on creating an LGBTQ+ inclusive workplace for healthcare facilities' employees—these efforts include equal benefits for LGBTQ+ employees, transgender-inclusive health insurance benefits, employee resource groups, LGBTQ+ inclusive hiring efforts, employee transition support, and more. This criterion is divided into two scored subsections. In order to receive full credit (15 points) for the first subsection, a facility must have implemented 7 or more of the recommended best practices. A facility may receive partial credit (10 points) for this criteria if it has implemented 4 to 6 of the best practices. The second subsection is related to the provision of transgender healthcare benefits for employees and is worth 5 points.
Supports: Employee Policies and Benefits
Supports: Provides at least one health plan that covers medically necessary services for transgender people, including gender transition-related treatment.
Criteria 4
The Patient & Community Engagement criteria focuses on community outreach and promotion to let the LGBTQ+ community know that healthcare facilities are a welcoming and affirming setting, working toward LGBTQ+ inclusion. Efforts to promote community inclusion may include, meeting with local LGBTQ+ groups, sponsoring a local pride event, developing LGBTQ+ focused marketing materials, and more. In order to receive full credit (10 points) for this section, a facility must have implemented 4 or more of the recommended best practices. A facility may receive partial credit (5 points) for this criteria if it has implemented 2 to 3 of the best practices.
Criteria 5
Points Deducted
The Responsible Citizenship Criteria focuses on known activities that undermine LGBTQ equality or patient care. Healthcare organizations can have 5 points deducted from their score if they have certain policies in place that may lead to discriminatory treatment that is in conflict with their non-discrimination policy. Facilities may have 25 points deducted if they have a large-scale official or public anti-LGBTQ blemish on their recent records. For a full description of this criteria and the difference between the 5 and 25 point deductions, see the Responsible Citizenship Criteria webpage.
If an organization has a point deduction for this criteria, please click on the "Important Transgender Services Information" link in the scorecard header for more information. If an organization received a 25-point deduction that link will take you to our webpage explaining the rationale for the deduction. If an organization has a 5-point deduction the link will take you to the organization's webpage where they provide important information about the transgender services they provide.
100% of every HRC merchandise purchase fuels the fight for equality.


text:
Daniel Chong, a California college senior who " was left alone in a federal holding cell for five days with no food or water," now at least has an apology from the Drug Enforcement Adminstration.
That likely won't make up for having to drink his urine to survive, as Chong spoke of to reporters on Tuesday.
Chong is a University of California, San Diego, senior engineering student. According to Fox5SanDiego.com, he "was detained for questioning along with eight other people during an April 21 raid in which agents seized guns, ammunition and various drugs."
Chong, who faces no charges related to the raid, says he suffered hallucinations during the five days. "I was completely insane," he said Tuesday, according to The San Diego Union Tribune. No one heard his shouts for help.
At one point, Chong said, he tried to commit suicide by cutting his wrists with the broken shards of his eyeglasses.
Today, The Associated Press reports, "DEA San Diego Acting Special Agent-In-Charge William R. Sherman said in a statement that he was troubled by the treatment of Daniel Chong and extended his 'deepest apologies' to him."
Copyright 2020 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.


text:
College Hoops: Wisco instantly irrelevant as No. 1, after a loss to
The good news is that it affirms that this season's Final Four will be tougher than ever to predict.
What's the marginal difference between the presumed 1-seeds (
One thing is obvious: There is no clear-cut No. 1 team. (Of course, last year there were a few clear-cut favorites and we ended up with
The hotter drama is at the margin, where the bubble feels insanely packed and should make conference tournaments much more intense.
Today's MUST-READ: Dan Steinberg of the amazing DC Sports Bog (the "gold standard of newspaper sports blogs" -- D.S.) breaks Sam Smith over Smith's ridiculous anti-blog rant from last week. The best is that he didn't use a sledgehammer; he used the stiletto of Smith's own "original" work. Here's the link, and if you didn't read my defense of sports blogs against "old sports media" haters (like Smith), here's the link to the interview on The Big Picture. (It's long, so just skip down to Question 8.) I have a feeling that Steinberg's post will resonate across both blogs and traditional media, because he carries both the cred of being one of blogging's finest along with the cred of being a writer for the Washington Post.
More CBB: Mid-Majors. Should we be watching UNLV more closely than we're watching Air Force?
Kevin Durant Watch: "Only" 17 points in a 29-point
Tom Brady Baby-Daddy Update: Brady's agent says he is "excited." (Yes, if "excited" means "whoops.")
NFL Combine: I'm thinking that "Pro Days" at individual college campuses has gutted the value of the combine as a way to gauge top picks.
There's still the drama of which players will emerge as "workout warriors" (see Vernon Davis in 2006), but otherwise? Meh.
NBA: Given the way that the Spurs shut down the Carmelo-AI tandem (24 points), how did anyone EVER think the pair would lift the Nuggets to West contention?
Gilbert Arenas Item of the Day: Off his 30-some points last night in a Wiz win, here's a link to a great story (from a DS.com reader) that has been pinging around lots of sports blogs. It's a great story of fandom, of Agent Zero and of sneakers. What more could you want?
NBA Trade Deadline: Kidd and Carter remain the biggest names. The standard litmus test will be if either/both/neither are playing tonight.
Rumor has it Carter is more likely than Kidd to go. Given the likelihood that Carter will bolt as a free agent in the offseason, why not get even 20 cents on the dollar today?
Bonds arrives at Spring Training: He's going to break Aaron's record. And you'll watch. But the coverage will drive you crazy.
"Let them investigate": Sounds like Bonds is going with "defiance" as his theme this spring.
Meanwhile, the "Don't Ask Me, Ask Barry" T-shirts are pretty funny. Will the Giants be selling those to the fans?
MLB: A-Rod vs. Jeter. In response to A-Rod's spirit of openness in his "media therapy" session about his strained relationship with Jeter, Jeter says that he's not going to talk about it. Stay classy, Cap!
The Cubs will pay Zambrano $12.4M for a year, while they either renegotiate a longer-term deal or watch him walk away for huge money. Nice to see the Cubs finally give some cash to a GOOD pitcher.
Charlie Weis Trial: Apparently, one quick way to get a mistrial as a defendant doc in a malpractice case is to rush to the aid of a juror who passes out.
Golf's Match-Play "tournament" should, in theory, be the sport's March Madness, complete with office pools. But they're not, which is a shame. Who doesn't love a good bracket?
It's the end of an era tonight for Chief Illiniwek, the


text:
Big Shark Shop Ride
February 28, 2026 @ 7:30 am - 10:00 pm
|Recurring Event (See all)
An event every week that begins at 7:30 am on Sunday and Saturday, repeating indefinitely
Event Navigation
Big Shark offers a wide variety on road and gravel. There are rides for every experience and comfort level. The specifics for all 10 of the rides listed on the Big Shark rides page.


text:
Home ·
Site Map ·
What's New? ·
© The Nizkor Project, 1991-2012
This site is intended for educational purposes to teach about the Holocaust and
to combat hatred.
Any statements or excerpts found on this site are for educational purposes only.
As part of these educational purposes, Nizkor may
include on this website materials, such as excerpts from the writings of racists and antisemites. Far from approving these writings, Nizkor condemns them and
provides them so that its readers can learn the nature and extent of hate and antisemitic discourse. Nizkor urges the readers of these pages to condemn racist
and hate speech in all of its forms and manifestations.


text:
Iran fires twice at US drone aircraft, misses
| Washington
An Iranian attack aircraft fired at least twice at an unarmed U.S. drone conducting routine surveillance in international airspace over the Gulf, the Pentagon said Thursday. The aircraft missed and the drone returned to base unharmed.
The shooting in the Gulf, which occurred just before 5 a.m. (0900 GMT) on Nov. 1, was unprecedented, Pentagon press secretary George Little said. The incident was not disclosed sooner because the military does not discuss classified surveillance missions, but agreed to answer questions after news reports revealed the shooting.
Little said the drone was about 16 miles (26 kilometers) off the Iranian coast when the Russian-made SU-25 Frogfoot warplane intercepted it and opened fire. He said it was the first time an unmanned U.S. aircraft was shot at in international airspace over the Gulf.
IN PICTURES: Iran's military might
"Our aircraft was never in Iranian air space. It was always flying in international air space," Little told Pentagon reporters. "The United States has communicated to the Iranians that we will continue to conduct surveillance flights over international waters over the Arabian Gulf, consistent with longstanding practice and our commitment to the security of the region."
According to the Pentagon, the Iranian war plane made at least two passes by the slower-moving drone, firing "multiple rounds."
Little said that once the Predator drone came under fire, it began to move further out and the Iranian aircraft continued to pursue it "for some period of time before letting it return to base." The Iranian plane did not follow the drone all the way back to its base, Little said, declining to say where that base was.
He said there was no other U.S. aircraft nearby that could respond to the attack, and added that the U.S. believes Iran was trying to shoot the drone down.
This is the second incident involving a U.S. drone and Iran.
In December 2011 a U.S. RQ-170 Sentinel drone equipped with stealth technology was captured in eastern Iran. Tehran claims it brought down the aircraft, but U.S. officials said the drone malfunctioned and had to land.
After initially saying only that a drone had been lost near the Afghan-Iran border, American officials eventually confirmed the plane was monitoring Iran's military and nuclear facilities. Washington asked for it back but Iran refused, and instead released photos of Iranian officials studying the aircraft.
International waters begin at 12 nautical miles offshore.
IN PICTURES: Iran's military might
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.


text:
2012 Humane Awards Announced
We are thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2012 ASPCA Humane Awards. This group of outstanding people and animals includes a rescue dog with more than 5.5 million views on YouTube and a 10-year-old horse advocate who has appeared before Congress.
The 2012 ASPCA Humane Award winners include:
ASPCA Dog of the Year
Abandoned in a trash heap, Fiona, an 11-year-old Poodle mix, was sick, covered in dirt, matted, infested with fleas and blind in both eyes. A Los Angeles-based animal rescue group Hope for Paws, came to Fiona's aid, and with the help of hundreds of donors all over the world, they raised the funds for Fiona's surgery. Fiona's miraculous story of survival has since garnered more than 5.5 million views online, a testament to what can be accomplished when homeless animals get a second chance.
ASPCA Cat of the Year
Scooter the cat was found on the street with no use of his back legs. He was rushed to Harts Run Veterinary Hospital in Fox Chapel, Pennsylvania. Visitors to the hospital instantly fell in love with the fluffy black and white kitten, and donated funds to purchase him a custom-made wheeled mobility device. Scooter now visits a nursing home and rehabilitation hospital every week and serves as a constant inspiration to the elderly and to patients who lack mobility due to injuries and strokes.
ASPCA "Tommy P. Monahan" Kid of the Year
After hearing about the inhumane and cruel practice of horse slaughter, now 10-year-old Declan Gregg of Greenland, New Hampshire, decided to raise his voice and get involved. Declan started his own blog, Children 4 Horses, to spread the word about horse advocacy issues. His dedication to horse advocacy brought him to the nation's capital twice in recent months, where he represented more than 1,000 children from the U.S. and abroad by presenting the letters to legislators in Congress.
Meet all the winners of the 2012 ASPCA Humane Awards! Do you know of a heroic pet or a person who dedicates his or her life to animals? Tell us about your hero in the comments!
And stay tuned to the blog for photos from the annual Humane Awards Luncheon, sponsored by the Hartville Group, Inc., on November 8 in New York City.


text:
British scientists have discovered something remarkable: Like some of us humans, Eurasian Jays — who share a family with blue jays and ravens — seem to have the ability to recognize and ascertain the "internal life" or psychological states of others.
The experiment was quite simple really: Eurasian jays give their mates food gifts, so scientists wanted to test whether they could predict which kinds of gifts their mate preferred In the experiment, researchers would let the monogamous birds watch their mate gorge on one certain type of food — let's say chocolate. Then they would allow the bird to choose and give its mate a "gift" — chocolate or strawberries in human terms — and the birds would inevitably choose the food their mate had not gorged on. In our human example, strawberries. If the bird did not see their mate gorge on a kind of food, it would not know which kind of food their mate wanted.
Here's a short video that explains the experiment:
"Our results raise the possibility that these birds may be capable of ascribing desire to their mates – acknowledging an 'internal life' in others like that of their own," Ljerka Ostojic, who led the research, said in a press release from the University of Cambridge. "Ascribing internal states to other individuals requires the basic understanding that others are distinct from the self and others' internal states are independent from, and differ from, one's own."
This is a trait, Wired points out in its write-up of the study, that we usually think of as uniquely human.
Nicola Clayton, a comparative psychologist who worked on the study, told Wired that this study implies a "richness ... for the world around us." The magazine adds:
"Evolutionary anthropologist Brian Hare of Duke University echoed her words.
"'This is another piece of evidence in support of the idea that corvid cognition converges with that of the great apes,' said Hare. 'Just like fish, dolphins and penguins all evolved flippers independently to deal with ocean living, it seems corvids have evolved intelligence that rivals that of our own ape family.'
"'We're all blown away by what chimpanzees and bonobos can do,' Clayton said. 'Most of us aren't going to see a chimp in their natural habitat. But there are these other versions of intelligent life in your backyard, or just down the garden path.'"
The study is published in the February 4 edition of the journalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.


text:
Don't Alienate Your Customer: Building A Successful Bank Channel Strategy
A solid banking channel strategy allows institutions to become more responsive to opportunities. As social media shifts the way we communicate, banks must consider how to attract and respond to clients and customers.
In today's connected society, how a bank interacts with its customers is just as important as what it has to say or offer. Banks have felt this pressure for quite a while, which has led to the introduction of new channels of interaction such as mobile and Internet banking. However, managing these touch points has become strenuous.
The goal of a well-managed banking channel strategy should be to extend the reach of the banking institution using the unique features available and to focus on those features that drove customers to choose this method. A well-defined banking channel strategy should provide orchestration between customers, sales and client support layers. It should also provide optimal customer experiences across all channels and take into account the expected customer value.
Banking Channels Today
Traditional channels include face-to-face interactions via branches, a mainstay of the community banking, or in person visits from relationship managers. Other non-personal channels have emerged as customer preferences have evolved. For example, ATMs have flourished over the years because of accessibility and online banking and call centers have made institutions available beyond the normal 9 to 5.
It is important to remember that any interaction with customers can be viewed as a channel. Many are overlooked such as Lockbox for commercial customers or customer marketing at events.
Recently, the industry has started adopting mobile and social media into its strategies. Many banks have Facebook pages and offer support on Twitter and some banks have even taken to Pinterest. As this digital shift in communications takes place, it is imperative that institutions be ready to adjust to the latest and most effective trends that emerge.
One area of focus is the mobile channel. There are now more wireless devices in the United States than there are people, and according to the trade group CTIA, Americans have doubled the amount of Internet data traffic they generate on smartphones.
But simply offering products doesn't equate to a successful strategy. Part of the process is finding unique features associated with a banking channel and building upon those features to create competitive advantages. Many institutions end up replicating existing processes without offering any additional value. This is mostly seen in organizations that roll out mobile capabilities that are mirrors of what is available to online banking customers.
So what should you consider when building a comprehensive banking strategy? Here are three starting points to think about:
1. Think About the Customer
Focus on what your customers are interested in and how they are going about getting this information. Take away the focus on the products or services themselves but why customers are choosing this option. Is there a particular driver that they are looking for?
2. Think Long-Term
As your product set grows make sure to look long term and see what areas of integration are available.
3. Assess New Communications Channels
Trends change quickly so make sure to do the internal review of your business and avoid chasing fads that may fade quickly. Focus on what will truly drive business from customers and not what fans and followers of the latest inclination say.
Within the industry and on many occasions, I have seen growth which leads to siloed and expensive re-creation of services that could have been avoided. Building a solid strategy allows institutions to become faster and more responsive to opportunities that arise. Don't let your banking strategy be an afterthought. Instead use the above points to create a strong, lasting strategy that will be remembered and revered by your customers and clients.
What channels do you see working best for banking clients and customers? Have you found some social media channels to be more successful than others?
John Wilson is a senior consultant at Capco's North American banking practice.