Janet Davis Cleaners - July 2020

(248) 543-0340 | www.janetdaviscleaners.com 27607Woodward Ave., Berkley, MI 48072 “HOT OFF THE PRESS” Dry Cleaning News

JULY 2020

The first job I ever had was working at the cleaners for my dad during the summers. I was 16 at the time and only worked during the summer. I’d go to cross-country practice in the morning, even during the summer, then drive up to the cleaners later in the day where I worked as a customer service representative. I started right at the front lines of this business. Growing up, my parents told me that my siblings and I were free to work for them while we were in school. However, they had a rule that we couldn’t work full time there unless we’d already graduated with a college degree. It was never assumed that I was going to work for the cleaners once I was old enough to “take over the business.” My parents assumed I would head into college, find another job, and pursue a different career. As a teenager, working at the cleaners was just a job at that point. I didn’t have any deeper attachment to it other than being there for my dad sometimes when he needed help. It was a good fit. Throughout high school, I was involved in sports after school and worked in the summer. That combination of sports and working taught me the building blocks of what life is like after school; I learned what hard work really means versus just working at a job. In college, I worked as an intern for a wealth manager at Smith Barney. Two different people referred me, so I assumed I should get the job. It didn’t quite work out that way, so I called in every so often to check in. I was never too pushy; I just reached out to see how they were doing. Once I got the job, the hiring manager told me (nicely) that I was the most “pleasantly annoying” person she’d ever met. She said it was the only reason I got the job because they had already filled every summer intern position. That term, “pleasantly annoying,” is something I’ve used going forward. A LIFE FULL OF JOBS And Only One Career

I came back to Janet Davis Cleaners when my dad reached out to me for help. He had just lost his production manager. While he didn’t necessarily want help in that area right away, Dad wanted me to come in and start running the office and help with customer service — something I could do confidently because I had worked in almost every position during those summers so long ago. I got started and found the work very gratifying, far more than my 16-year-old self ever did. Then, as they say, the rest is history. The reason I’m here isn’t because my parents changed my mind or because I felt duty-bound to take up the flag. I’m here because I earned my position and the respect of everyone here, and I’m so incredibly grateful for all the experiences and people in life who helped me to this point.

–Kyle Matthews 1 (248) 543-0340

Find Your Family’s Next Crafting Project

FREE YOUR FRIENDS FROM SPOTS THIS FOURTH OF JULY!

DIYS FROM ACROSS THE ENTERTAINMENT SPHERE

Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or brand-new to crafting, there are lots of ways to get your kids creating. For example, why buy merchandise from their favorite video game or TV show if they can make it themselves? Check out these resources for free crafting ideas to keep your kids connected to their favorite characters when they’re not looking at a screen. DISNEY-THEMED CRAFTS From “Star Wars” to all things Mickey Mouse, entire fictional universes can come to life inside your home and make your family time feel a little more magical. Family.Disney.com offers projects for every difficulty level. Many require glue guns and adult supervision, but that’s what makes them fun and interactive for both you and your children. Who knows, you might just find inspiration for other decorations in your home after a few Disney- inspired crafting sessions. NICKELODEON-THEMED CRAFTS Whether it’s “Blue’s Clues,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” or “SpongeBob SquarePants,” there’s no doubt that your little one is familiar with some of Nickelodeon’s most iconic children’s shows. NickelodeonParents.com offers DIY crafts that’ll encourage your kids to get busy and creative while decorating their play areas and beyond. The site also filters crafts by categories like Big Kids, Educational, and Noggin, so you even have options if you want your child to learn something while they play. GEEKY CRAFTS If your kids are huge gamers, GeekCrafts.com is a great website for finding DIYs that they can get invested in. Not everything is designed for small kids, but there’s a large archive to choose from, and it’s not difficult at all to recognize what crafts will be best for your family. From Minecraft-themed building blocks to Pokemon felt hats, you’ll find lots of fun projects that’ll get your kids excited and asking, “What’s the next step?”

July is a time for outdoor food and barbecue! But with so much finger food, stained clothes are a real issue. Kids and adults alike wiping their sauce-laden hands across their shirts, dropping saucy ribs on jeans, or dripping that bit of mustard on a shirt; it’s enough to make anyone doing laundry groan. It’s not just you or your kids who suffer from food stains. Perhaps you’ve heard your sister grumble about how her kids are a complete mess after indulging in your brother-in-law’s barbecue ribs. Maybe a friend lamented over a favorite, ketchup-stained shirt because of a particularly juicy burger. Despite whatever stain challenge your loved ones or you face this month, don’t take this battle on alone. Every year, our team here at Janet Davis Cleaners prepares for the onslaught of summer eaters who are both satisfied with and a little dismayed by the outcome of their barbecue. With five generations of family working at the cleaners — and many barbecue gatherings in between — we know what it takes to keep clothes spot-free and bright throughout the summer. With years of experience under our belts, rest assured that you, your friends and family, and your favorite T-shirts are in good hands. While we can remove those especially tough stains professionally here at the cleaners, you and your friends can tackle some stains from the comforts of home. Head over to Page 3 to learn a few of these tips! And remember, when in doubt, reach out to Janet Davis cleaners. For a worry-free summer of delectable eats at your Fourth of July celebration, or any party you hold this year, lift your loved ones’ spirits — and the stains on their shirts — by sending them our way!

We hope these free resources help you and your family spend a little more creative time together! Have fun!

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Summer barbecues are a blast, but the food stains that follow are not. Luckily, most of the clothes you wear in the summer are washable, so you’re probably in a good position to get those stains out on your own. But, before you tackle those stains and toss the clothes into the wash, keep a few tips in mind. GET THOSE STAINS OUT THE BEST TIPS TO REMOVE FOOD STAINS

FIRST: DON’T TOUCH THAT STAIN!

tells me their son just came off the soccer field with more field on him than where they just left, blotting and not rubbing is the best way to get those stains out.”

Some stains must not be agitated, and one of those is mustard. The yellow dye in mustard is called turmeric, which gives mustard its bright yellow color — and the reason why it’s nearly impossible to get out. We’ve seen it time and time again; the more someone tries to work mustard out of clothing, the more they push it into the fibers. “Once you try and fail to remove it at home, it’s never coming out,” affirms Kyle Matthews, head of Janet Davis Cleaners. That’s why, if you end up with mustard stains, you don’t touch them — bring the piece of clothing to us.

THIRD: DON’T TOSS IT INTO THE DRYER!

Don’t put your clothes in the dryer unless you’re 100% sure the stain is out of the fabric. When you’re dealing with a stained piece of clothing, you can launder it at home; you can even apply soap directly on the area. “The first thing I would do, after blotting it, is to wash it to see what you got left,” Kyle explains. Often, after taking off the substance from the surface of the fabric, washing it can remove whatever is left. Check to see if the stain is completely gone by hanging it up to dry. If you’ve followed the steps above and the stain hasn’t come out (or if you’re dealing with mustard), then bring it on over! We’ll give it our all to get those stains out and return your clothes to the way they were.

SECOND: DON’T RUB. BLOT!

Many people often think that scrubbing at a stain is the best way to get it out. That’s not true. The best way to remove food from your clothes — be it ketchup, potato salad, or even gravy — is to blot it with a dry, absorbent towel. “I give the same advice I give family members,” says Kyle. “If someone calls and

SUDOKU

The Best Grilled SUMMER VEGETABLES

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tsp salt • 1/4 tsp pepper • 1 1/2 tsp dried Italian seasoning • 1 1/2 tsp garlic, minced • 2 lbs assorted vegetables, trimmed and halved (asparagus, mushrooms, red onion, red

bell peppers, baby carrots, and yellow squash are great on the grill)

• 5 tbsp olive oil • 2 tbsp lemon juice • 1/4 cup parsley leaves, chopped

DIRECTIONS

1. In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic. 2. Brush vegetables with olive oil and place in a large bowl. Top with lemon juice and seasoning mixture. Toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes but no longer than 2 hours. 3. Prepare the grill at medium-high heat. 4. Grill vegetables in batches, cooking 3–5 minutes on each side until browned and tender. (Carrots will cook longer, 6–9 minutes per side.) 5. Remove from the grill, sprinkle with parsley, and serve hot.

3 (248) 543-0340

Inspired by DinnerAtTheZoo.com

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.

1 Becoming Pleasantly Annoying 2 Find Your Family’s Next Crafting Project Friends Don’t Let Friends Go to Bad Dry Cleaners 3 Don’t Let Spots Ruin Your Summer (248) 543-0340 www.janetdaviscleaners.com INSIDE THIS ISSUE

27607Woodward Ave. Berkley, MI 48072

The Secret to Delicious Grilled Veggies

4 National Ice Cream Day Prompts Homemade Creations

BY MAKING YOUR OWN SWEET TREAT! CELEBRATE NATIONAL ICE CREAM DAY

Whether you’re a fan of mint chocolate chip or just plain vanilla, nothing cools you down on a hot summer day quite like ice cream. It’s only fitting then that National Ice Cream Day lands on July 19 — right in the middle of the hottest month in the U.S. Ice cream’s history stretches as far back as 500 B.C. when Middle Eastern royalty combined sweet flavors with ice for a cool treat. Ice cream made its way to North America in the 1700s, and it remained a dessert for the wealthy and famous for years. George Washington even spent $200 on ice cream throughout the summer of 1790. (That would be $5,611.20 in today’s dollars!)

even save money by making it yourself! Celebrate National Ice Cream Day by creating this everyday treat using these tips. MAKE IT HOW YOU WANT IT. You can flavor your ice cream however you’d like, but there are a few basic ingredients that are necessary for most batches: milk, sugar, gelatin, and eggs. Dairy-based products like milk are the most common foundation for ice cream. Sugar adds the sweet, scrumptious flavor we all love, and gelatin aids in thickening the mixture. The eggs happen to be one of the most important ingredients because they give ice cream its classic texture while reducing the rate at which it melts. This ensures your ice cream remains in near “mint” condition as you enjoy it.

Healthy Alternatives: Use bananas or almond milk for dairy-free ice cream. For vegan ice cream, use agar powder instead of gelatin and eggs. For those looking to avoid sugar, honey is a naturally sweet substitute. GET TO WORK! You’ll need to heat your ingredients on the stove prior to churning and cooling your ice cream. An ice-cream churner is the easiest way to create a perfectly smooth texture, but if you’re looking for an activity to wear out the kids, then have them shake their own ice cream! Simply place all your ingredients in a small baggie, close it up, and place that baggie in a larger one with ice cubes. Shake firmly for at least 15 minutes for homemade creamy goodness.

Thankfully, these days you don’t have to be rich to enjoy ice cream. In fact, you can

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