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Alvin Ubell

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Alvin Ubell (1933) is an architectural designer, building inspector, business owner, author, and TV and radio personality based in Brooklyn, NY.[1] He is an advocate for do-it-yourself home improvements and repairs that enhance safety, comfort and energy savings.[2] He currently serves as vice president, senior inspector (partner) and founder of Accurate Building Inspectors.[3]

Background and Education

Born in Brooklyn, New York in 1933 to Russian-Polish immigrants, Alvin Ubell was raised speaking Yiddish. He is the third son of four brothers: Earl Ubell (1926), Seymour Ubell (1931), and Robert Ubell (1938).[4] [5]

Ubell graduated from Tilden High School in Brooklyn, NY.[6] He attended Purdue University as an undergraduate and studied architecture at the Pratt Institute.[1] He joined the U.S. Navy in 1953 during the Korean War as a 3rd Class Petty Officer serving two years as a radiological warfare technologist and damage controlman on the troop training vessel, the USS Randall APA 224.[7]

Career

During his early career, Alvin Ubell worked as a construction manager and architectural designer. He also worked as a cabinetmaker, carpenter, stair builder and draftsman.[1][6]

In 1961, Ubell co-founded, with his wife Estelle Rita, Accurate Building Inspectors (ABI), a home and building inspection firm in Brooklyn NY.[8] In 1983, Ubell’s son, Lawrence joined the company.[8] In addition to providing inspection services within the Greater New York area,[9] Ubell has provided expert testimony before the courts on matters involving construction standards and regulatory codes.[10] He has also been interviewed by news organizations in matters of construction hazards and public safety.[11]

Television

From 1975 through 1981, the ABC Television Network hired Ubell to be featured as “Al Ubell” the “Household Hints & Safety Reporter” on the TV series Good Morning America (GMA).[12][13] During the weekly morning segment, Ubell was allotted two minutes and thirty seconds to demonstrate various home improvements and do-it-yourself home repairs such as replacing a home door lock.[14] During the approximate 250 episodes in which he appeared, Ubell was often joined by a Good Morning America host or reporter such as Steve Bell, David Hartman, Sandy Hill, Joan Lunden and others.[12] [15] At the end of each TV segment, Ubell signed off by saying either, “America, go forth and save energy” or “America, go forth and fix.”[16]

From 1982-1983, Ubell worked on ABC TV’s “Kids are People Too”.[17] Thereafter, Ubell appeared on the WABC-TV “Regis Philbin Show” from 1982-84 and then on the WCBS-TV “New York” show from 1983-1990. Subsequent TV appearances include the ABC-TV Home Show[13] from 1991-1992, CNN[18][19] and a recorded video for ABC Video Entertainment titled, “America Go Forth & Save Energy”.[13]

Radio

In 1981, Alvin Ubell made his first radio appearance on WNYC FM when Marty Wayne invited him as a guest on the “Senior Edition” program.[20] When Leonard Lopate assumed the role of new host for the program in 1985, Ubell was invited again as a regular monthly guest. In 1997, Ubell was joined on-air by his second son, Lawrence Ubell. Writing in 2006 about the Ubells on WNYC radio, New York Times journalist Jennifer Bleyer explained,

The Ubells are father and son, a pair of short, sturdy men with piano-key smiles. As independent building inspectors who describe themselves as the “Gurus of How-To,” they appear once a month on Mr. Lopate’s afternoon program, doling out home-repair tips along with friendly banter in robust Brooklynese.[20]

During the live radio broadcast of The Leonard Lopate Show, Ubell and his son advised WNYC callers on home improvements, building regulations, and preventive home repairs.[21] The Ubells also challenged Lopate listeners with a word quiz derived from the building industry nomenclature.[22] Ubell’s final guest appearance on WNYC FM was September 14, 2018.[23]

Ubell also appeared on the ABC’s TalkRadio Network from 1984-1988.[13][24]

In December 2018, Ubell and his son Lawrence joined the Leonard Lopate At Large show at WBAI New York 99.5 FM.[25]

Spokesperson

Ubell was a product spokesperson for several national companies including Black & Decker, Brooklyn Union Gas, Carrier Corp., Rust-Oleum Corporation, and Slant/Fin. He has appeared in ad campaigns such as the Oldsmobile AAA “Winter Driving Safety Tips” TV commercials.[13] In 1982-83, Ubell was hired by General Electric to “promote the company's new "Quick Fix" program aimed at guiding appliance-buyers in making their own repairs on GE and Hotpoint washers, dryers, dishwashers, refrigerator-freezers and ranges.“[26]

As a spokesperson, Ubell also wrote articles for Rust-Oleum and True Value.[27]

Publications

Ubell has written and co-authored several books on home improvement and repair which have been translated from English into Polish and French.[28] 

   • Al Ubell's Energy-Saving Guide For Homeowners. Written by Alvin Ubell and George Merlis. (1980 & 2002)
   • Save Energy, Save Money. Written by Alvin Ubell and George Merlis. (2001)
   • Recipes For Home Repair. Written by Alvin Ubell and Sam Bittman. (1974 & 1976)

From 1980-2005, Ubell was “Household Hints & Safety Editor”, and contributing author for Family Circle magazine writing articles on safe housekeeping and home repairs.[29]

Membership

Ubell was a member of American Institute of Architects (AIA)[13] and was a 1976 charter member of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and chair person of the Ethics Committee at a time when home inspectors were not required to have licenses or permits, only insurance.[13] [8]

Awards

  • Achievement & Ethics, Institute of Jewish Humanities.(June 2000).
  • American Hardware Manufacturers Association (August 1986).
  • U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (Feb. 1982).[30]

Personal life

Alvin Ubell has three children from his marriage with Estelle Rita Ubell: Charles Ubell, Lawrence Ubell, and Anna Ubell Garcia.[31]

References

  1. ^ a b c Bleyer, Jennifer. ( September. 3, 2006) The Linoleum Guys. https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/03/nyregion/thecity/the-linoleum-guys.html. The New York Times. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  2. ^ Yenckel, James T. ( October 24, 1980) ENERGY: Ah . . . A Weekend To Insulate. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1980/10/24/energy-ah-a-weekend-to-insulate/80a97335-fcde-4084-a04f-dccf6ed192d6/. The Washington Post. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  3. ^ Lawrence Ubell and Alvin Ubell - Newsroom Author Details. https://www.homeinspector.org/Newsroom/AuthorDetails/205. American Society of Home Inspectors. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  4. ^ Bernstein, Adam. (May 31, 2007) Earl Ubell, 80; Reporter on Science and Health by Adam Bernstein. https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/30/AR2007053001535.html. The Washington Post. Retrieved April 14, 2023
  5. ^ Lavietes, Stuart. (May 31, 2007). Earl Ubell, Who Enlightened Public on Science, Dies at 80. https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/31/nyregion/31ubell.html. New York Times. Accessed June 26, 2023.
  6. ^ a b Posner, Edna. (May 14, 1971). Mirror Focus. Daily Mirror.
  7. ^ U.S.S. RANDALL (APA-224) Crew Roster. https://web.archive.org/web/20230503181246/https://www.hullnumber.com/crew1.php?cm=APA-224. HullNumber.com. Archived from the original. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  8. ^ a b c ABI Anniversary. (June 20, 2011) http://accuratebuilding.com/about_us/events/abi_press_june20_2011.html. Accurate Building Inspectors, Inc. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  9. ^ Radcliffe, Virginia. (November 21, 1971) These Diagnosticians Check On the Health of a House. https://www.nytimes.com/1971/11/21/archives/these-diagnosticians-check-on-the-health-of-a-house.html. The New York Times. Accessed June 23, 2023.
  10. ^ The Unbalanced Power of Expert Witnesses (November 20, 2015). https://www.wqxr.org/story/do-expert-witnesses-have-our-fates-their-hands/. The Leonard Lopate Show. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  11. ^ Gorman, Steven (June 17, 2015) Experts point to likely wood rot in California balcony collapse. https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-california-collapse/experts-point-to-likely-wood-rot-in-california-balcony-collapse-idINL1N0Z330I20150618.
  12. ^ a b Bliss, Jr., Edward. (2010). Now the News - The Story of Broadcast Journalism. https://books.google.com/books?id=lAdv3youHkYC&dq=abc-tv%20%22al%20ubell%22&pg=PA278 Columbia University Press, pg 278. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g Alvin Ubell, Curriculm Vitae. http://www.accuratebuilding.com/about_us/au_vitae.html. Accurate Building Inspectors, Inc. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  14. ^ ABC Network - Good Morning America - WLS- TV. “Al Ubell on Changing a Door Lock” segment. (August 17, 1979). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hv_ihjs9LI&t=2507s. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  15. ^ Getty Images – Casts and Guests of “Good Morning America” https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/al-ubell?phrase=%22Al%20Ubell&assettype=image&sort=mostpopular&license=rf,rm&suppressphrasecorrection=true. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  16. ^ KRGV TV 5 Good Morning America from March 1980. “Al Ubell – Storm Panels for Summer” segment. March 14, 1980. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-2TZ4lGItE&t=644s. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  17. ^ Getty Images, KIDS ARE PEOPLE TOO - Show Coverage. (May 11, 1981). https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/show-coverage-shoot-date-may-11-1981-l-r-randy-hamilton-al-news-photo/463156338?adppopup=true. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  18. ^ CNN Live at Daybreak with Carol Costello, Chad Myers and Alvin Ubell. (October 4, 2005). CNN Transcripts. http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0510/04/lad.03.html. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  19. ^ Live from CNN with Kyra Phillips and Alvin Ubell (August 3, 2006). CNN Transcripts. http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0608/03/lol.01.html. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  20. ^ a b The Linoleum Guys. Jennifer Bleyer. https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/03/nyregion/thecity/the-linoleum-guys.html. New York Times, September. 3, 2006. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  21. ^ Al and Larry Ubell, Gurus of How-To, The Leonard Lopate Show. https://www.wnyc.org/story/55234-al-and-larry-ubell-gurus-of-how-to/. Jan 9, 2008. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  22. ^ The Gurus of How-To, The Leonard Lopate Show. https://www.wnyc.org/story/100792-gurus-how-. Nov. 10, 2010. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  23. ^ The Ubells on Autumn Home Repairs. (September 14, 2018). https://www.wnyc.org/story/ubells/. Midday on WNYC, hosted by Matt Katz. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  24. ^ Advertisement for ABC TalkRadio. (April 15, 1985). https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1985/BC-1985-04-15.pdf. Broadcasting Magazine, page 16. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  25. ^ Leonard Lopate At Large. https://soundcloud.com/leonard-lopate/home-repair-experts-alvin-and-lawrence-ubell-take-your-calls-121818. WBAI-FM, Pacifica Radio, New York. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  26. ^ Yenckel, James T. (April 2, 1982). COPING: Mr. Fix-It's Quick Fix. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1982/04/02/coping-mr-fix-its-quick-fix/2b77d001-7825-4d7e-8efb-2c189a146b51/. The Washington Post. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  27. ^ Ubell, Alvin. (March 24, 1988). The "Guru of How-To" solves common household mysteries. http://www.digifind-it.com/watertown/DATA/TownTimes/1988/03-24-1988%20Home%20Improv%20Gd.pdf. The Town Times, page 9. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  28. ^ Ubell, Alvin. https://worldcat.org/search?q=Alvin+Ubell&author=Ubell%2C+Alvin&itemSubType=book-printbook%2Cbook-digital&itemType=book. Accessed June 26, 2023.
  29. ^ Consumer Guides, Family Circle Articles by Alvin Ubell. http://accuratebuilding.com/publications/family_circle/. Accurate Building Inspectors, Inc. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  30. ^ Consumer Product Safety Commission Certificate (February 9, 1982) http://accuratebuilding.com/about_us/Alvin_Ubell_Consumer_Product_Safety_Commision_Award_feb9_1982.pdf. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  31. ^ Ubell, Alvin. Merlis, George. Save Energy, Save Money: Simple Steps to Stash Your Energy Use and Costs. (2001). https://www.google.com/books/edition/Save_Energy_Save_Money/1hIiw2mGWMwC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22Alvin+Ubell%22++children&pg=PP3&printsec=frontcover. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
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