the entire April 2015 issue in PDF form

Independent Times
April 2015
Volume 25, No 8
See Page 4 for
City of Ann Arbor Deer Survey
PAGE 2 - April 2015 - Independent Times
Things To Do:
INSIDE:
City of Ann Arbor
Released Aerial
Deer Survey Results
– Page 4
Pulitizer Prize-Winning
Author To
Present Lecture
– Page 6
For April events at the Ann Arbor
District Library, call 734/3274555 or go to www.aadl.org.
April 4
Used Book Sale at Dexter District Library, 3255 Alpine Street,
Dexter, MI 48130. 734-426-4477. The second Saturday of month. 9
a.m. to 3 p.m. Hundreds of titles,
from children through adult, fiction and non-fiction from 25 cents
to $2 each.
April 5
Easter
April 15
The Washtenaw Wanderers
Walking Club meeting at R.E.I.
Store, 970 West Eisenhower Parkway, Ann Arbor. 7 p.m. Join us
for fun, fitness and friendship.
If you have calendar items, please
email the who, what, when and
where to: jan@jjdvpub.com
Used Book
Sale at
Dexter District
Library
April 4
Rising Longevity and
Your Retirement
– Page 7
Archives of Michigan
Makes 1921-1939
Death Certificates
Available Online
– Page 8
Recipes
– Pages 10 & 11
You can see back issues
of Independent Times
on the website at
www.independenttimes.net
You will also find a
complete copy of the
German settler story
from Washtenaw County.
It is in a downloadable
pdf format.
Volunteers Lend
Support To State Parks’
Efforts To Eliminate
Invasive Plants
– Page 12
Spacious Ungrades:
Ideas to Easily
Enhance the
Master Closet
– Page 14
Independent Times - April 2015 - PAGE 3
From the Editor:
Jim Taylor
April 2015
Volume 25, No. 8
The weather outside was frightful. . .
It is now March 25, 2015 and the snow from the leftover
piles of January have almost disappeared. All in all the winter
of 14/15 did not treat us too badly. We did not set any long-time
records like it did out east in Boston and close-by places. We
got hit with one pretty good snow storm of about a foot of snow
in January a couple of months ago. But so far so good we are
doing okay this winter. Except, of course, for the temperature.
Man, was it ever cold. I don’t know all the scientific details
about the polar vortex but I do know when it got down below
zero it was cold. As my father-in-law used to say “It was colder
than a well diggers butt in January.” And believe me, that’s
cold.
Almost time to attack the yard
I’ve been around long enough to know that just because the
calendar says April 1 doesn’t mean we’re done with snow. We
are usually in for an early spring surprise snow storm so I haven’t
put away the snow shovels yet. I am preparing for spring yard
work though. I’m’ getting out the spreader, bags of seed and
fertilizer and, of course, all the rakes.
This time of year it’s almost fun. I’m starting to get the itch
to go out and hit some golf balls. . I used to play a lot. Just about
once or twice a week. But in the last few years I’ve pretty much
given it up. I’ve been playing so bad it has ceased to be any fun.
Maybe this is the year when I’m going to get it all back. Maybe
or maybe not, we’ll see.
PUBLISHED BY:
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Independent Times
P. O. Box 460
Hamburg, MI 48139-0460
Phone: (734) 769-0939 or
(810) 231-3038
Staff::
James W. Taylor, Editor/Publisher
Janet L. Taylor, Sales/Layout
Deadlines: 15th of month prior to
next issue.
Just go to www.independenttimes.net to find
Independent Times each month.
Wherever there is a computer and Internet
connection--you can find I.T.
©Independent Times, 2015. All rights
reserved. Any reproduction of this or
any issue of Independent Times is
prohibited.
PAGE 4 - April 2015 - Independent Times
City of Ann Arbor Released Aerial Deer Survey Results
The City of Ann Arbor completed two aerial surveys of the
deer population on February 10
and March 6. The first survey
counted 116 deer and the second
survey counted 168. Both aerial deer survey results, specific
counts and survey area maps are
available via the Deer Management Project website at www.
a2gov.org/deermanagementproject. The map from the March 6
survey is on page 5 of this issue
of Independent Times.
The aerial surveys were conducted by a three-person crew
of city staff who visually counted deer via helicopter. The first
aerial flyover included all areas
of the city, except downtown
near hospitals and the Arboretum while the second survey
included the entire city, including downtown and the Arboretum. Findings were consistent
between the two surveys, which
indicate the majority of deer in
Ann Arbor are largely located in
Wards 1 and 2. The population
concentration of deer in Wards
1 and 2 also is corroborated by
A2 Open City Hall survey results, resident public comments
during two public meetings and
numerous resident emails and
photos submitted to city staff
Sandhill cranes are a sure
sign of spring. Photo taken in
Livingston County
Answer on page 6
Celebrity
Cross-Check
by P.J. Schneeberger © 2015 SnowMountain Productions
Find words and celebrity name to fit the clues. Match letters
with numbers in each square to cross-check answers.
1
2
3
4
5
-Suffused with light; sane
6
7
8
9
10
-Establish as valid with evidence
7
12
9
10
1
-Go on a journey
13
3
10
14
10
-Subdivision of a play
4
14
13
4
5
10
-Not outdoors
6
8
10
11
7
15
-Metrical writing
11
12
1
10
14
11
-Special ability
13
11
2
7
5
15
-Firmly built
10
13
13
12
14
5
7
11
12
1
noting an increase in deer sightings and garden and property
damage.
In addition to consulting
with the Michigan Department
of Natural Resource staff about
the flyover results, city staff will
use a variety of data to assist in
the development of deer management plan options for City
Council consideration at the
end of April, including aerial
deer counts, A2 Open City Hall
survey results, public meeting
comments and other feedback
received directly from residents.
n
8
9
8
1
11
Italian physicist who invented the first electric battery in 1799
12
3-6-15 Ann Arbor Aerial Deer Survey Results
11
2
2
4
13
2
1
3
2
Ward 1
2
1
2
10
1
0
5
4
1
1
8
2
4
2
3
9
9
3
2
Ward 5
2
2
4
Ward 2
1
5
3
4
1
3
5
5
2
3
1
3
2
Ward 4
Ward 3
5
8
1
Observation areas
Ward boundaries
Weather conditions during survey:
Temp: 17 deg. F
Humidity: 51%
Sky: Clear
Visibility: 10 mi
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
Miles
´
PAGE 6 - April 2015 - Independent Times
Pulitizer Prize-Winning Author To Present Lecture
The U-M Center for the History of
Medicine presents the 14th Annual Horace W. Davenport Lecture Polio: A Look
Back At America’s Most Successful
Public Health Crusade in the Medical
Humanities featuring David Oshinsky,
Ph.D., Director of the Division of Medical Humanities, NYU School of Medicine,
Professor of History, New York University
and Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Polio: An American Story.
After a brief introduction by University of Michigan President Mark Schlissel,
Dr. Oshinsky will reflect on the 60th anniversary of the polio vaccine, approved for
widespread
public use inCross-Check
April 1955.
Celebrity
David
Polio: AnProductions
by P.J.Oshinsky’s
Schneeberger ©book
2015 SnowMountain
American
Story
won name
the Pulitzer
Prize
Find words
and celebrity
to fit the clues.
Match letters
with
numbers
in
each
square
to
cross-check
answers.
for History, among other awards, and in2
3 make
4
5 polio eradicafluenced Bill 1Gates
to
-Suffused with light; sane
tion the top priority of the Bill and Me6
7
8
9
10
-Establish as valid with evidence
linda Gates Foundation.
Other 11works
Conspiracy
7
12 include
9
10 A
1
-Go on a journey
So Immense: The World of Joe Mc13 3
14 10
Carthy, which
was 10
a New
York-Subdivision
Times Noof a play
table Book
of
the
Year;
and
Worse
Than
4
14 13 4
5
10
outdoors
Slavery, winner of the Robert -Not
F. Kennedy
6
8 for
10 distinguished
11 7
15
Book Award
contribu-Metrical
writing
tion to human rights.
11 12 1
10 14 11
-Special
Professor Oshinsky’s reviews
andability
essays appear
regularly
the-Firmly
Newbuilt
York
13 11
2
7
5in 15
Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington
12 1
13 13 12 14 5
7
8
9
8
1
11 12
Post,
and 10other
international publications.
n
Italian physicist who invented the first electric battery in 1799
See David Oshinsky
Author of
Polio: An
American Story
Sunday, April 12
3 to 4:30 p.m.
Puzzle on page 4
Celebrity Cross-Check answers
LUCID, PROVE, TRAVEL, SCENE, INSIDE, POETRY,
TALENT, STURDY
ALESSANDRO VOLTA
Downtown Library,
Multi-Purpose Room
Independent Times - April 2015 - PAGE 7
Rising Longevity and Your Retirement
News reports continue to reveal
that older Americans are living
longer than previously estimated.
How might this news affect the
financial lives of retirees and/or
the retirement planning strategies
of those nearing retirement age?
Those additional two years could
mean that the time the typical
person might expect to spend in
retirement could increase by 10%
or more than he or she originally
anticipated. As a result, the values
associated with a retirement
accumulation and/or distribution
plan may need to be adjusted
accordingly.
For example, individuals still
accumulating retirement assets
who had previously determined
they needed a $1 million nest-egg
would now need $1.1 million to
finance those two added years. For
someone who is in mid-stream on a
retirement savings plan, increased
longevity could mean boosting
contributions by 20% or more to
catch up. Similarly, individuals
who are already retired might
need to scale back their annual
withdrawal amounts in order to
create reserves for those extra two
years.
Making Your Money Last
Because of increased longevity,
managing cash flow in retirement
is more critical than ever. As a
starting point you will need to
clarify your current financial
situation, as well as any significant
changes you expect. Two sources
will provide this information:
• A net-worth statement,
which provides a snapshot
of your assets, debt, and
cash reserves.
Even
with
reasonable
assumptions about investment
returns, inflation, and retirement
• Your monthly or annual living costs, it is likely you will
budget, with itemized encounter numerous changes to
breakdowns
of
your your cash flow over time. Experts
income and expenses. If often recommend a monthly
you haven't retired yet, it's review of your budget, as well as
a good idea to prepare a a comprehensive annual review of
projected budget of your your financial situation and goals.
retirement income and
Continued Page 8
expenses.
Answer on page 8
PAGE 8 - April 2015 - Independent Times
Archives of Michigan Makes 1921-1939
Death Certificates Available Online
The Archives of Michigan recently made available images of
Michigan death certificates from
1921 to 1939 for free on its website www.seekingmichigan.org.
The certificates join others
from 1897 to 1920 that were previously made available. The Michigan collection now contains 2.6
million death certificates for researchers. Genealogy researchers,
in particular, find death certificates
useful while tracing family history.
State Archivist Mark Harvey
said that the index of death cer-
tificates from 1940 to 1952 will be
made available in about a month
with certificates from that period
becoming available as privacy restrictions are lifted. For example,
images of the certificate from 1940
will be made available online in
January 2016. The death records
represent a partnership between
the Archives, the Vital Records
Section of the Michigan Department of Community Health and
FamilySearch.org.
“This collection of death certificates covers a period if Michigan
history of significant growth and
From Page 7
Continued Next Page
The material discussed in
this article is meant for general
As you monitor your finances
illustration and/or information
keep the following factors in mind,
purposes only and is not to be
as any one of them could affect
construed as specific tax or
your cash flow and necessitate
• Inflation and health care investment advice. Although the
adjustments to your plan.
costs.
information has been gathered from
• Interest rate trends and
• Life events such as sources believed to be reliable, it
cannot be guaranteed. Please note
market moves may result in
marriage, the death of a
an increase or decrease in
spouse, or the addition or that individual situations can vary.
income from your savings
loss of a dependent may Therefore, the information should
and investments.
also affect your cash flow. be relied upon when coordinated
with individual advice. Bear in
• Changes in federal, state, It is worth paying close mind that there is no guarantee that
and local tax rates and attention to cash flow, making any specific goal will be met.
regulations.
sure you budget carefully, monitor Article submitted by Scott
E. Wiard, President of Horizons
• Changes in Social Security income and expenses frequently,
Planning Corporation, a fee-based
or Medicare benefits or and take action whenever you
Registered Investment Advisory
eligibility, as well as new believe that significant changes
firm located in Ann Arbor. He can
may be necessary.
be reached at (734) 761-3155 n
Puzzle on page 7
Teleword Answer: CLASSICAL
rules affecting employersponsored
retirement
benefits
and
private
insurance coverage.
development,” Harvey said. “In
these records, researchers will find
evidence of the influx of Eastern
European immigrants, the emergence of Detroit as the automotive
capital of the world and the impact
of the Great Depression.
Researchers can search four
different data fields. The certificates are indexed and searchable
by an individual’s last name, first
name, county and township/village/city of death, birth year, age
and parents; names. Additional
Independent Times - April 2015 - PAGE 9
From Previous Page
At right: The Archives
of Michigan has made
available images of
Michigan death records from 1921 to
1939, expanding its
online collection to
2.6 million records Among the death records in this group is
that of illusionist and
stunt performer Harry
Houdini, who died in
Detroit on October
31, 1926.
information that can be found in
death certificates includes the persons occupation, cause of death,
burial location and birthplace.
Among the death certificates in
the group is that of illusionist and
stunt performer Harry Houdini,
who died in Detroit on October
31, 1926, of internal injuries after
being punched multiple times in
the abdomen by a fan at a show in
Montreal several days earlier.
The Archives of Michigan is
responsible for preserving the records of Michigan government
and other public institutions. With
documents dating back to 1792,
the Archives of Michigan houses
much of Michigan record heritage.
More than 80 million state and local government records and private
papers, 300,000 photographs and
500,000 maps, plus films and audio tapes are available for research.
A growing number of materials in
the Archives are available on its
website at www.seekingmichigan.
org.
The Michigan Historical Center is part of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Its
museums and archival programs
help people discover, enjoy and
find inspiration in their heritage. It
includes the Michigan Historical
Museum, 10 regional museums.
Thunder Bay National Marine
Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve and the Archives of Michigan. Learn more at www.michigan.gov/michigan history.
The Michigan Department of
Natural Resources is committed to
the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of
the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information,
got to www.michigan.gov/dnr. n
PAGE 10 - April 2015 - Independent Times
RECIPES:
Vegetable Squares
Chicken Salad
2 pkgs. Pillsbury crescent rolls
2 (8 oz.) cream cheese
1 cup mayonnaise
1 pkg. ranch-style dressing mix
1 head broccoli
1 head cauliflower
1 bunch green onions
1 large, or 2 medium, firm tomatoes
3 chicken breasts, cooked and diced
1 cup celery, diced
1/4 cup green pepper, diced
2 teaspoons onion, chopped fine
2/3 cup walnuts, chopped
2 cups white seedless grapes, or your
favorite grapes, cut in half
Dressing:
1/4 cup half and half cream
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons white vinegar
2/3 cup mayonnaise
Mix first six ingredients together in bowl. Mix dressing and pour over chicken mixture. Garnish with olives or parsley. Can be served in a hollowed out
cantaloupe half or served on lettuce leaves.
Potatoes and Hot Dogs Au Gratin
2 Tablespoons butter
1/4 cup flour
1 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
Dash of pepper
1/2 lb. Velvetta process cheese
spread, cubed
4 cups chopped cooked potatoes
1 lb. hot dogs, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 10-oz. pkg. frozen peas and carrots, cooked and drained
Spread dough into full-sized baking
sheet (approx. 19” x 17”) and bake according to package directions. Cool. Beat
cream cheese until fluffy. Add mayonnaise
(also garlic and pepper to taste if desired)
and dressing mix. Spread over cooled
dough. Chop vegetables into small pieces
and mix well. Spread evenly over cream
cheese mixture. Cover and refrigerate approximately 1 hour or more. Cut into desired shapes. Serve chilled.
Dirt Cake
1 (20 oz.) pkg. Oreos, finely crumbled
2 (8 oz.) pkgs. cream cheese, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
16 oz. Cool Whip, thawed
4 cups milk
2 (4 oz.) pkgs. instant chocolate pudding
Make a white sauce with butter, flour, milk and
seasonings. Add cheese spread; stir until melted. Add remaining ingredients; mix well. Spoon into a
2-quart casserole dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 1
hour. Makes 6 to 8 servings.
Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar
and Cool Whip together. Then mix milk and
pudding. When thick, fold into Cool Whip
mixture. Use a resealable container and alternate layers of pudding mixture with Oreo
crumbs. Top with layer of crumbs. Keep
refrigerated. Can also use other flavors of
pudding and Golden Oreos.
Independent Times - April 2015 - PAGE 11
Ham Tahitian Supper
Oven-Fried Chicken Parmesan
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 Tablespoons corn starch
1 15 1/4-oz. can pineapple chunks
1 cup water
2 Tablespoons vinegar
1 green pepper, cut into strips
1 1/2 to 2 cups cubed ham
3 cups cooked hot rice
1/2 cup Kraft grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
Dash of pepper
2 1/2 to 3 lb. broiler-fryer, cut up
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 Tablespoon milk
1/2 cup butter
Combine brown sugar and cornstarch
in pan. Add drained pineapple syrup, water
and vinegar. Cook, stirring constantly until clear and thick. Stir in pineapple, green
pepper and ham. Cook until hot and serve
over hot cooked rice.
Combine cheese, flour and seasonings. Dip
chicken in combined egg and milk; coat with
cheese mixture. Place in baking dish; pour butter
over chicken. Bake at 350 degrees, 1 hour or until
tender. 3 to 4 servings.
Pecan Sandies (Makes about 4 dozen cookies)
Honey Glaze Snack
4 cups corn cereal
squares
1 1/2 cups miniature
pretzels
1 cup pecans
1/3 cup butter
1/4 cup honey
Combine
pretzels,
pecans and cereal. Melt
butter in pan, stir in
honey and blend well. Pour over cereal to coat. Spread in jellyroll pan. Bake at 350 degrees for
12 to 15 minutes, or until
lightly glazed. Stir occasionally. Spread on wax
paper to cool.
Store in air-tight container.
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup confectioner’s sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans
Additional confectioner’s sugar
In a bowl, mix together flour, baking powder and salt until well
combined. Set aside.
In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, cream
butter and confectioner’s sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
Beat in vanilla. Scrape down sides of bowl. On low speed or using a wooden spoon, gradually add flour mixture, beating just until
blended. By hand, fold in pecans. Cover dough with plastic wrap
and chill for at least 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Lightly grease hands and roll pieces of dough into 1-inch balls. Place about 2 inches apart on prepared
cookie sheets. Flatten balls slightly with bottom of a glass dipped in
confectioners sugar. Bake one sheet at a time for 18 to 20 minutes
or until edges start to turn lightly golden.
Immediately slide parchment paper onto a wire cooling rack. Cool
cookies for 5 minutes, then transfer from parchment paper to cooling
rack and cool completely. PAGE 12 - April 2015 - Independent Times
Volunteers Lend Essential Support to State Parks’
Efforts to Eliminate Invasive Plant Species
On a cold and windy Sunday
afternoon, Laurel Malvitz-Draper
leads a crew of a dozen volunteers
carrying hand saws and pruning
shears on a half-mile trek through
the woods at Brighton Recreation
Area to a large opening where
they’ll go to work. The opening is
a fen––a rather unique wetland–
–that has an unwanted, exotic
shrub establishing itself in what
is otherwise a habitat of grasses,
sedges and wildflowers.
Glossy
buckthorn,
the
uninvited guest, is originally
from Eurasia, but was brought to
this continent generations ago by
European settlers who planted it
in rows in their yards. Spread by
birds that ingested its seeds, the tall
glossy buckthorn works at cross
purposes to the native plants in
the ecosystem, which are typically
short, sun-loving species.
“Glossy buckthorn will dry out
the ground ahead of it,” MalviitzDraper explained. “It will move
more water out of the soil than
the plants that are typically there.
It’s reached that critical point here
where it takes active management
to stay ahead of it.”
The assignment this day was
simple: cut down the buckthorn and
treat the stumps with an herbicide
that will be transported into the
plants’ roots and kill it, allowing
the native species to prosper.
Malvitz-Draper
runs
the
Department of Natural Resources’
stewardship volunteer program
in southeastern Michigan. The
program is designed to preserve
and restore the ecological balance
Laurel Malvitz-Draper coordinates the DNR’s stewardship volunteer program in southeastern Michigan. Here, she prepares the
herbicide and colored dye mixture that will be swabbed over cut
glossy buckthorn stumps at Brighton Recreation Area.
to the natural areas in the state’s
parks and recreation areas.
Fens, like this one, are rare
habitats in the United States,
found mostly in the glaciated areas
of the Upper Midwest. They are
similar to the better known bogs
– also grass- and sedge-dominated
wetlands – with one significant
difference: Fens are fed by ground
water while bogs are renewed by
rainwater. While bogs are slightly
acidic habitats (with a pH of less
than 7), fens are slightly basic.
“People have heard of bogs, said
Malvitz-Draper, who developed
the stewardship program. They’re
less familiar with fens. Fens are
found in the lower three or four
tiers of counties in Michigan, a
combination of the glacial past and
the soils and sediments they left
behind. They’re worth protecting.
“Both bogs and fens are nutrientpoor systems,” she continued.
“That’s why you find carnivorous
plants there – pitcher plants and
sundews. They’re handling the
fact that it’s nutrient-poor by being
able to digest insects.”
The area the crew concentrated
on has a slightly higher elevation
than the surrounding area, creating
an island that allowed the unwanted
buckthorns to get a foothold.
Volunteer Donna Bozgan didn’t
like that.
“I have problems with invasive
species on a personal level,” said
Donna Bozgan, a master gardener in
training from Meridian Township,
Continued Next Page
Independent Times - April 2015 - PAGE 13
From Previous Page
who
was
participating in
her second DNR
stewardship in
as many days.
“I’m originally
from
Wayne
County
and
I’ve seen what
emerald
ash
borer has done.
We lost trees in
our backyard,
but it’s just
everywhere.”
Bozgan,
who’d worked at
Ionia Recreation
Area the day
before she went
Working within a fen, volunteers at a Brighton Recreation Area stewardship
to the Brighton
workday
cut and remove glossy buckthorn from an area where the invasive
site, said she’d
plant found favorable conditions to thrive.
be back out
removing
Rodney
Beckwith,
the
invasive plants the next weekend. is one of nine state parks where
scoutmaster
of
Boy
Scout
Troop
Over the course of a three- Malvitz uses volunteer crews to
395 in Hamburg, brought four
hour shift, the volunteers removed maintain and preserve the natural
Scouts, including his two sons,
almost all of the glossy buckthorn, habitat. Most have regular monthly
Zachary and Alex, to the event.
while leaving the native plants on stewardship days, though the work
It’s part of the troop’s commitment
the island––tamaracks, hazelnuts varies with the season.
to spend a day a month doing
and poison sumac among them–– “In the spring, we pull invasive,
Though
garlic mustard and in summer it’ll community service.
to stand.
this was the first time his Scouts
“The native things that are there be spotted knapweed,” Malvitzparticipated in a DNR stewardship
are naturally occurring, Malvitz- Draper said. “In the fall we collect
event, it fit in well with the Scouts’
Draper said. “They should be seeds from native plants. Usually
ethic of helping maintain the
there. But we made great progress. summer and winter are our big
environment, Beckwith said.
We’re getting rid of that buckthorn shrub removal times. There’s sort
of a season for everything.” And Tom Zerona, an engineer from
in big chunks at a time.”
White Lake Township, made the
The accomplishment, however, volunteers for every assignment.
half-hour drive with his 14-yearis only temporary, Malvitz-Draper “We welcome anyone who
old son Luke to help out. Luke’s
said. The glossy buckthorn will be has an interest in or wants to
committed to doing volunteer work
back. And so will the volunteers. learn a little more about ecology,”
as part of his school program. Tom
“This is an ongoing effort, she said. Malvitz-Draper added. “But all
of the volunteers have their own said, and “we though it would be a
“It’s never finished.”
Continued Page 14
Brighton Recreation Area reasons for participating.”
PAGE 14 - April 2015 - Independent Times
From Page 13
good thing to come out and help the environment.”
Sean Zera, a herpetologist (that’s a reptile and
amphibian enthusiast) from Ann Arbor, said he’s
been participating in DNR stewardship days for
quite a while.
“It’s one of those things that’s hard to explain,” he
said. “But it gives me an excuse to get out, especially
in the middle of winter, when I’m not likely to get
out otherwise. And it gives me an excuse to visit
these areas and check them out. It’ll probably come
back in the summer and check out the flowers.”
The DNR holds volunteer stewardship events
almost every weekend at parks and recreation areas
across southern Michigan.
For more information, check out the department’s
Calendar of Volunteer Stewardship Workdays,
available on the DNR website www.michigan.gov/
dnrvolunteers.
Grave Sites
$1,000 Discount
Regular price $1,990 each
Now Only
$990 per site.
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Spacious Upgrades
Ideas to Easily Enhance
the Master Closet
So, you’ve decided to make some updates
to your home? Whether you plan on building
a home from the ground up, purchasing new
construction or adding value to your current
residence, there are many opportunities for
upgrades.
You may be wondering what projects are
worthwhile, and which are not? In a recent
study commissioned by ClosetMaid(r), 45
percent of existing home buyers noted that
they have made changes to their master bedroom closet since moving in. In addition, 61
percent of new home buyers said they are
considering renovating or upgrading their
master closet within 18 months. When considering where to make investments in your
home, don’t close the door on the closet! You
can create the closet of your dreams with a
few simple tips.
Add paint and update the lighting.
Bring the bedroom paint into the closet.
This makes the space feel like a true extension of your bedroom, not a forgotten area
that belongs behind closed doors. Great
lighting is also important in a closet - it helps
you to see everything clearly. Why settle for
a standard light fixture when you can add a
statement piece that not only provides proper
light, but proper style.
Utilize more space.
Most master bedroom closets come standard with only a single shelf and rod. Since
most closets have little need for so much
long hanging space, professional organizer
Lorie Marrero, author of “The Clutter Diet,”
suggests improving your closet with the addition of double hang space.
Independent Times - April 2015 - PAGE 15
“Don’t be shy about adding
shelving up as high as you can to
accommodate seasonal items and
long-term storage boxes - utilize
every space you can,” said Marrero. A good rule of thumb for
double hang space is 84 inches for
the top shelf and 42 inches for the
lower shelf.
By adding additional shelves,
your storage space goes from
standard to functional. Adjustable
systems such as ClosetMaid(r)
ShelfTrack(r) create a perfect upgrade for your closet. The wire
shelving and brackets can be reconfigured as needs change.
Consider accessories.
If you plan to update your closet with a wire system, there are a
multitude of perfect accessories
to include such as a tie and belt
rack or shoe shelves. You may also
consider installing a laminate or
wood system. These products can
provide drawers, doors, decorative
molding and more and can transform your closet into a personal
haven.
“Adding drawers into your
closet system can centralize your
clothing into one space,” said Marrero. “The more storage, the better.”
Investing in a functional closet
organizing system can help you
save time now by reducing the
stress of finding items when you
need them, and benefit you in the
future by adding extra value to
your home. After all, “standard”
just doesn’t work for today’s closet.
For more information about how
to get organized visit ClosetMaid.
com, StorganizationBlog.com or
call 1-800-874-0008.
Above: Create space within
your home with the proper
tools, such as ClosetMaid’s
ShelfTrack in white.
Source: ClosetMaid

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