Take a look at our newsletter this month.
“HOT OFF THE PRESS” Dry Cleaning News
(248) 543-0340 | www.janetdaviscleaners.com 27607Woodward Ave., Berkley, MI 48072 | 3645 Maple Rd., Bloomfield, MI 48301
FEBRUARY 2019
IN HONOR OF PRESIDENTS DAY
My First Visit to the White House
February is a month chock-full of historical achievements and celebrations. From the more recognizable commemorations, such as Black History Month and George Washington’s birthday, to the lesser known but equally important celebrations, like Rosa Parks’ birthday or Susan B. Anthony Day, the second month of the year holds significant importance in the American social conscience. One holiday that has a rather interesting history for both the nation at large and for me personally is Presidents Day. While it started out as a commemoration of our first president’s birthday, Congress proposed a measure in the late 1960s known as the Uniform Monday Holiday Act in order to add to the number of three-day weekends for the nation’s workforce. The change also included a provision to combine the celebration of Washington’s birthday with that of Abraham Lincoln’s, whose birthday is also in February. Whenever I think of Presidents Day and the insurmountable historical achievements of our forefathers, I’m reminded of the two trips I took to Washington, D.C. There, I was lucky enough to immerse myself in the rich stories of our country’s formative years surrounded by beautiful neoclassical monuments and iconic buildings.
is a political science and government teacher. C-SPAN invited her to the Capitol for a conference, so we made a trip of it. Walking along the sidewalks up to the building, I was immediately taken aback by how different the White House looks in real life compared to photos. Even if you know the precise measurements of the building, once you’re standing in front of it, the size and scope still blows you away. In order to actually tour the White House, you have to sign up approximately six weeks in advance and provide enough information for the Secret Service to know exactly who you are. Once you’re inside, you’ll notice that there aren’t any docents or tour guides. So while there is a distinct path, you’re more or less on a self-guided tour. My wife and I started on the ground floor of the East Wing in the visitors’ entrance, stopped in the Garden Room, traversed through the East Colonnade — a corridor connecting the body of the East Wing to the residence — and made our way through the china rooms and Family Theater. As we meandered through the halls held up by pillars reminiscent of old Roman architecture and classically aesthetic ideals, I couldn’t help but lose track of time. Regardless of who is president, this building still serves as a miraculous kind of living museum. There is so much to learn and even more to commemorate.
My wife and I agree that seeing the Secret Service was the coolest surprise of the tour. Because the White House no longer has docents, members of the Secret Service standing guard in the building will often answer visitors’ questions. At one point, we spent almost half an hour talking to one agent. He enjoyed my wife’s curious questions so much that he took us behind the ropes so we could see a painting of George Washington saved from the War of 1812. The agent then explained that while most people think of the Secret Service as protection for the appointed president, Abraham Lincoln actually signed the organization into law as currency protection before he died. Their primary responsibility was to detect counterfeit money. Now they serve as guards in the White House only if they get the highly sought-after chance. We learned even more great information on my second trip in 2018, when we brought our kids along. Even though they were only 3 and 5 years old, I could see the wonder in their eyes as they stared up at the Washington Monument and various war memorials. If you ever have the opportunity to take a trip to our nation’s capital, I highly recommend you visit. Even if you aren’t a huge history buff, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
–Kyle Matthews 1 (248) 543-0340
In the summer of 2017, I visited the White House for the first time. My wife
We live in the golden age of information. The answers to many of life’s questions are just an internet search away. Despite this readily available wisdom, we still have a bad habit of believing health-related myths. Here are three popular health “facts” that are total works of fiction. THE 5-SECOND RULE KEEPS FOOD SAFE Obviously germs and bacteria don’t really wait five seconds to pounce, but snatching your chip off the floor fast keeps most of the germs away, right? Not according to a 2006 study published by Dr. Paul Dawson. He found conclusive evidence that when food comes into contact with a contaminated surface, bacteria The 5 -Second Rule Will Make You Sick 3 HEALTH MYTHS YOU PROBABLY BELIEVE
WHAT SUPER BOWL ADS MEAN TO US
Do You Watch the Game for the Commercials?
As Americans all across the nation line their tables with dip and salsa, fill their coolers to the brim with the coldest of drinks, and pull on a jersey featuring their choice quarterback, they are officially ready for the biggest football game of the year: Super Bowl LIII. According to Fortune.com, 111.3 million people gather around their TVs to watch this one game, widely believed to be one of the greatest competitions known to man. But of those millions of people, 26 percent claim that the best part of the broadcast is something other than the game. More and more Americans tune in to the Super Bowl for one simple reason: to see what crazy commercials come out next. Even the most avid of football fans would likely admit that the ads have become a form of entertainment unto themselves. Each year, various agencies battle to create the most memorable and poignant commercial. You’ll likely remember Budweiser’s strategy of incorporating emotional appeals, using cute Labrador puppies and gallant Clydesdale horses to pull on viewers’ heartstrings. Or you might remember Amazon’s reliance on humor and the star power of several celebrities when their virtual assistant, Alexa, allegedly lost her voice. But you’ll definitely remember when Chris Hemsworth and Danny McBride made a faux film trailer for a “Crocodile Dundee” sequel when they were really just creating a tourism ad for the entire continent of Australia. While these commercials are technically secondary to the game itself, they still play a huge role in encouraging people to spend a Sunday afternoon seated around their TVs — even the viewers who don’t really like football. Here at Janet Davis Cleaners, we consider Super Bowl ads to be a bit like business referrals. While referrals might not play a significant role in our ability to service your dry-cleaning needs, they are necessary to expand our clientele base. If dry cleaning is our football game, then your referrals are our commercials. As you sit down to watch Super Bowl LIII, I hope that every time you see a commercial that really hits home, you remember how much referrals mean to us and consider passing our name along to a friend. We might not have puppies or Clydesdales, but we’ll still do a great job!
are transferred immediately. Even one second spent on tile, wood, or carpet is enough to infest your food with salmonella or another serious contaminant. BOTTLED WATER IS SAFER THAN TAP WATER People seeking out safer water alternatives increases the sales of bottled “spring water” each year. However,
bottled water is more expensive, bad for the environment, and, as Dr. Morton Tavel of the Indiana University School of Medicine pointed out, over 50 percent of bottled water is just filtered tap water. The same effect can be achieved with a home filtration system. Of course, if the tap water in your area has been contaminated, bottled water is a safer alternative. However, in most circumstances, bottled water is no healthier than tap water. CRACKING YOUR KNUCKLES CAUSES ARTHRITIS The connection between knuckle-cracking and arthritis came from studies where participants self-reported their habits. Modern medical research has shown these results to be false. The official stance from the John Hopkins Arthritis Center states, “There is no evidence that cracking knuckles causes any damage such as arthritis in the joints.” Still, chronic knuckle-cracking can lead to reduced grip strength, so you might want to break the habit anyway. You’ve probably heard these myths for years, but just because something is common knowledge doesn’t mean it is true. With information so easily available, always take the time to research the facts, especially when it comes to your health.
www.janetdaviscleaners.com 2
A Specialized and Successful Cleaning Process HOW JANET DAVIS CLEANERS TAKES CARE OF YOUR AREA RUG
While some of our most popular cleaning services include wedding- dress preservation, coats and shirts, tablecloths, comforters, and bedspreads, one service we provide that most people aren’t aware of is rug care. Whether you have an oriental, Persian, animal-hide, or standard area rug, careful maintenance and frequent professional cleanings will make your rug look its best and boost its overall longevity. STEP 1 They start by inspecting every rug to determine what its pretreatment should be. Each rug will need a unique pretreatment depending on its type and what kinds of stains or debris are embedded in the rug.
embedded in the fibers. Dusting is combined with eco-friendly cleaning agents and mechanical agitation to release any contaminants and restore any area damaged by smoke, flood, animal urine, or food. STEP 3 The rug is placed in a large spinning machine, where it is spun in quick circular motions while the rugologists spray water to rinse off the contaminants loosened during mechanical agitation. STEP 4 The rug is placed in a whopping 1,200-gallon wash tub, where paddle wheels are used to consistently agitate the fibers with eco-friendly cleaning agents and micro-emulsion technology. Whether it be a wool, polyester, nylon, olefin, or animal-hide rug, it will stay in the wash tub for up to an hour.
STEP 5 The rug is spun and inspected one last time. Once the water is gone and the stain removal has been verified, the rugologists groom and comb the rug and then place it on the rack to dry. If you’ve tried cleaning your area rug on your own, you’ve likely found the process to be difficult and not all that successful. Come on down to Janet Davis Cleaners so we can help keep your rug looking like new for several years to come.
STEP 2 Next, the “rugologists” dust the rug, which removes any debris
Spicy
SUDOKU
SALMON TARTARE
INGREDIENTS
• 1 8-ounce boneless, skinless salmon fillet • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice • 1/4 teaspoon lime zest • 1/4 cup cucumber, seeded and finely diced • 1 1/2 teaspoons jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced • 1 1/2 teaspoons shallots, minced • 3/4 teaspoon fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated
• 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh cilantro, minced • 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh chives, minced • 1 1/2 teaspoons grape seed or vegetable oil • Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste • Crackers or chips, for serving
DIRECTIONS
1. Place salmon in freezer for 20 minutes to make slicing easier. 2. Meanwhile, prepare other ingredients for mixing. 3. Thinly slice salmon into sheets and cut sheets into strips and strips into cubes. When finished, you should have 1/8-inch cubes. 4. In a mixing bowl, combine salmon with all other ingredients. Season with salt and pepper. 5. Garnish with chips or crackers and serve. 3 (248) 543-0340 Inspired by Epicurious
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
Monday–Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
(248) 543-0340 www.janetdaviscleaners.com INSIDE THIS ISSUE
27607Woodward Ave. Berkley, MI 48072
1 My First Visit to the White House 2 Let’s Retire These Health Myths
What Super Bowl Ads Mean to Us
3 How Modernistic Rugology Takes Care of Your Area Rug
Spicy Salmon Tartare 4 Prepare for an Adventure in Lapland
INTO THE ARCTIC CIRCLE
Adventure in Swedish Lapland
If you’re eager for a new adventure in 2019, you’ll surely find it in Swedish Lapland. With trail systems that take you into the Arctic Circle, the northernmost region of Sweden is home to national parks, glaciers, reindeer, the beguiling midnight sun, and spectacular night skies. Though winters are cold, one benefit of traveling to the region in this season is to catch a glimpse of the night sky. The northern lights are visible from a few remote locations like Abisko National Park, one of the first established national parks in Sweden. Traveling to Abisko is an adventure in and of itself. From Stockholm, the fastest option is to take one of only two airlines that fly into Kiruna, then travel by train to Abisko. Despite the challenge of getting there, adventure-seeking visitors from around the world arrive each winter to experience the Arctic beauty. Winter attractions include ice skating, snowshoeing, and the Scandinavian sauna (this last one is a must any time of the year). Befriend a Scandinavian and you might be treated to some pickled herring or even a princess cake, a raspberry-filled dessert covered in marzipan.
Scandinavians cherish their public lands, and the trail systems are well taken care of. Hikers and backpackers can enjoy the stunning beauty in both late spring and summer, as well as a chance to see the midnight sun. Because of its far-north location, Swedish Lapland receives close to 24 hours of sunlight from June through early August. Between the boulder fields, mountains, and stunning glacial lakes, hiking here is a treat. While hiking, you may spot reindeer herds or lemmings (a small rodent similar to a hamster) racing around rocks. The Sami people have herded reindeer for thousands of years through this very land. In the summer, keep an eye out for blueberries, lingonberries, and the brightly colored cloudberries. Because of the Arctic climate, weather conditions can change quickly from sunshine to rain and heavy fog, so it’s best to dress in layers and bring wind and rain protection if you plan to venture into the backcountry.
The fantastic scenery of Swedish Lapland awaits you, no matter when you decide to take your trip. What are you waiting for?
www.janetdaviscleaners.com 4
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker