July Spotlight: Dan Duster - Motivational Speaker, Activist and Seminar Instructor

If you want to learn how to influence people; you’ve come to the right place. Dan Duster is known as The Influence Man! As a keynote speaker and workshop facilitator, he's influenced over 50,000 people.

He’s been influential most of his life. His passions are youth empowerment, social justice and personal and community development. As the great grandson of Ida B. Wells, he talks about her struggles and triumphs in the late 1800’s to motivate audiences to overcome the obstacles we face today and Stand Up against injustices in the workplace and our communities. He is a qualified trainer with the Institute of Cultural Affairs where he designs and delivers programs and training in Strategic Planning and in Group Facilitation Methods.

He has helped people improve their personal relationships, dramatically increase their sales (as much as 50% in one month) and achieve their life dreams. Now he wants want to help you. He has a system for establishing your goals, improving your communication, mastering your ability to influence others and then developing your own personal strategic plan to enhance your life. If you feel that you are stuck in a rut and you are not achieving the things you are capable of, then 'Create Your Abundance Series' is for you. The series is designed to help you to progressively increase your ability to decide exactly what you want and be able to obtain it, and start THRIVING.

"It is the best series that I've put together. I've talked with Millionaires to get their insight into what it takes to Create Your Abundance."

As a result of his ability to influence people, he has accomplished the following:

High School: Whitney M. Young
Student Government Parliamentarian
Junior Class President
Senior Class President
Homecoming King
Most Popular
Most Likely to Succeed

College: University of Illinois - Urbana in 1991
President - Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
Student Government – Executive Board
Vice President – Minority Commerce Association
Para-Professional Career Consultants
Member – Chancellor Student Advisory Committee

Activities:
TRC - Executive Board
Illinois JumpStart– Founding Board Member & Ex. Bd
Illinois African American Coalition for Prevention –Founding Board Member & Ex. Bd.
Member - University of Illinois Student Affairs Advisory Council

Businesses:
Owner/Founder – 3D Development Group (www.3ddevelopmentgroup.com)
Owner – Local Motivators (www.localmotivators.com)
Owner – Crafty Communication (www.craftycommunication.com)
Speaker – Dan Duster (www.danduster.net)

Duster’s family has had a positive influence in the Chicago area for decades going back to his great-grandmother; Ida B. Wells. He educates people about her legacy as well as the struggles and triumphs of other leaders in African American history. A community activist himself, Duster is a board member and advisor to several organizations. He also created the Life Readiness Program, a program focused on giving inner city youth the skills necessary to be successful in life.

He was one of the speakers along with Senators John Kerry and George Allen at the U.S. Senate press conference in 2005. He's presented at The Federal Reserve, Allstate, Exelon, Sears, DePaul University, Northeastern Illinois University, Loyola, University of Illinois, University of Wisconsin, filled in for Les Brown and Ryan Baker, and was the keynote speaker at McCormick Place for the CPS Model United Nations program and many more events.

Duster has impacted audiences across the nation through his workshops and keynote speeches. He has created several books and motivational CDs and has appeared in The Washington Post, on CNN.com, Fox TV, and dozens of publications and radio stations. In 2006, he was included in the first edition of Who’s Who in Black Chicago. He was also nominated to the White House for his volunteerism and impact on the community.

"Fabulous Foundations": The latest in Garage flooring

Using garages as just a place to park the car is a thing of the past. Garages are now being utilized as workspaces for crafts, hobbies and home businesses. In many cases, the garage is the preferred means of entering a home. So, while considering the transformation of the walls and ceilings, complete the project by finishing the floor as well.

There are a variety of choices that fall under two categories: floor coverings and floor coatings. Some are do-it-yourself, and others require professional installation. Below are the pros and cons of each.

COVERINGS

Rubber Mats - these mats simply roll out onto the floor and are held in place along the edges with double sided industrial strength tape.

Pros: they are easy to clean from oil and other chemical spills, and can cover any surface from bare concrete to damaged floor coverings.

Cons: does not supply protection of concrete and may trap moisture which can cause deterioration of the concrete floor.


Plastic Tiles - durable plastic material that simply snaps together. The tension between the tiles is what holds it in place so no adhesive is required.

Pros: because each tile has to be laid individually, it allows for more creativity with the design, and once installed it can be driven on immediately.

Cons: deterioration of the concrete floor can still occur due to moisture being trapped underneath.

COATINGS

These products are painted on and they bond to the bare concrete providing an excellent protective barrier. Also, resin flecks are applied to not only provide aesthetics but to add non-skid resistance.

Epoxy floor coatings - The most popular type of floor coating

Pros: cost effective and available in a wide variety of colors and textures

Cons: takes several days to install, and requires waiting up to a week be driven on.


Polyaspartic/polyurea coatings - used for many years in industrial settings and now making it's way into residential garages.

Pros: provides better chemical and UV resistance than the epoxy. It also dries quickly and can be driven on within 24 hours. It is 98% more flexible than epoxy making it resistant to cracking. Can be installed in temperatures ranging from -20F to 120F, where epoxy range is 60F to 90F.

Con: the most expensive to install.

May Spotlight: Katie Brady the Music Lady

Katie Brady the Music Lady will rock, wiggle and giggle with your little ones in an interactive, audience participation performance. Katie Brady the Music Lady specializes in music education and entertainment for ages 0-6. If you are looking for a playful, rockin' show for your children's venue, school or birthday party, go to www.katiebradythemusiclady.com and discover the fun. If you're happy and you know it, come dance and sing with Katie Brady the Music Lady.

Former front woman and co-writer for San Francisco-based bands CrackerJack Tattoo and Sweet Harriet, morphs into "Katie Brady The Music Lady" to create a playful and interactive show for children. Miss Katie fills a room with fun playing kid's favorites like "The Wheels on The Bus" and singing some of her original children's songs that are bound to become new favorites like "Crazy Day" and "Pet Rock"!

"This has been such a wonderful and natural addition to my music life. Having children of my own and teaching music to pre-schoolers has provided me with a glimpse of what music can do for kids and, well, for everyone. It can turn a grumpy face into a happy face. It can challenge, instruct and add joy to every situation."

Having been involved in various aspects of music her whole life, Katie wants to share her love of songs and creating songs.

"You can make a difference in someone's life with music. I want to be a giver in the world and music is my gift."

For more information on Katie Brady and the servcies she offers, please visit her website at http://www.katiebradythemusiclady.com/ or contact her via email at katiebrady@verizon.net

'Bright' Ideas: The benefits of accent and task lighting!

Accent lighting creates a mood, and highlights the paintings, photos, furniture, walls, cabinetry and the decorative items you have inside. Task lighting directs light to a designated area to illuminate work spaces or aid in making appropriate color choices with clothing and accessories. Explore your style from the list below to help you chose the lighting appropriate for your needs:

Track Fixtures are offered in a wide range of styles and finishes and are ideal for spotlighting apparel or illuminating those hard-to-light areas.

Monorail Systems are a flexible alternative to track lights as they can easily be shaped during installation to meet your needs.

Wall Sconces are an ideal way to use an empty wall to achieve a flattering and decorative lighting solution.

Recessed Fixtures have been upgraded from the large lenses with a strong glare to smaller lamps that come with a directional feature for precise task lighting.

Tape Lights are ideal for those small cove, accent or toe space areas and are available in a variety of colors.

Button Lights can be recessed or surface mounted to highlight cabinets or shelves.

Light Bars can be easily installed under cabinets and come in a variety of lengths.

Surface Mount Fixtures are a simple lighting solution and are available in a variety of colors, styles and finishes and are now available in a broad range of styles.

Many of these solutions feature long life and low energy use.  For a complete selection of colors and options, please visit your local home improvement store.

April Spotlight: Deb Keirce Fine Artist

Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

Debra Keirce is a fine artist living and working in Northern Virginia. She is a member of several art societies, and has exhibited and sold her work throughout the nation. Her signature style is realism that uses intense color and detail, and her passion is miniature art, which is created using magnifying lenses. In fact, she is featured as one of the Piedmont region's most successful miniature artists in the winter 2010 issue of The Piedmont Virginian magazine.


Debra has been creating commissioned artwork for the last three decades. Her regular clients include a custom puzzle company in New England, realtors, and collectors of miniature art. Currently, she is focused on entering juried art exhibitions and shows throughout the United States.

Are you are looking for a one-of-a-kind gift? A portrait of a loved one or pet, a painting of a special house, church, or building? These are all wonderful keepsakes to celebrate special occasions. All of Debra's materials are archival quality, and will last for generations. Consider commissioning a painting or drawing in acrylic, oil, watercolor, pen and ink, or pencil. Most pieces can be completed within 2 to 3 weeks.

For more information please visit Deb's website at http://www.debkart.com/.
You may email her at DebraKeirceArt@Yahoo.com, or call her at 571-236-0047

Spring Clean and "Go Green"

Many of us avoid "Going Green" because we're afraid of adjusting to HUGE changes. We help make it simple by providing you with ways to "Go Green" while you Spring Clean!

Home Office:
Stop unsolicitated mail like coupons, sales papers and catalogs. "Shred all unwanted paper": This not only reduces bulkiness of paper which makes it easier to dispose of, but also helps prevent identity theft!

Closets:
Remove everything from your closets and seperate into two categories. 1) What you've used in the past year and, 2) what you haven't used in 2 years. "Donate items not used in 2 years to a local charity or offer to members on Freecycle": Recycling is at the top of the "Going Green" list.  Visit our website for a complete listing of charities that will pick-up your stuff and information on joining Freecycle.

Kitchen:
Go through your refridgerator and pantry and dispose of expired and unwanted foods. "Reuse jars for leftovers or donate food you don't want to a local food bank"
Get rid of the multitude of disposable plastic bags. "Recycle them and move on to reuseable bags": Many retailers sell reusable bags for under a dollar!

Garage:
In most cases our garages are used as graveyards for the things we can't part with, and many times we have no idea what's actaully out there!  Be honest with yourself and realize that if it has been sitting unused for 2 years or more, then you obviously don't need it. "Have a garage sale!": You can enjoy watching others tote away your junk for you and make money at the same time.

March Spotlight: Gold Canyon Candles

Gold Canyon’s natural cleaning product line, Homeology™, includes an infusion of pure essential oils from eucalyptus, citrus, lavender, rosemary and mint– some of the most effective essential oils for green cleaning. These synergistic blend combinations provide a pleasant and natural scent – aromatherapy for your home. Pure essential oils are light-sensitive and love the cool blue bottles that protect them from harm.


Homeology™ is aromatherapy for the home. Our plant-based, environmentally friendly cleaning products contain fragrant essential oils for a pure and natural scent that soothes you while wiping out dirt and germs. Our Homeology line of products includes all-natural cleaning supplies that are effective, biodegradable and safe to breathe. Homeology has been featured in the Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, and is a proud recipient of the “Greenie Award” in Everyday with Rachael Ray magazine.

Essential oils clean as wonderfully as they smell. If you press on the peel of any citrus fruit, out comes a substance that not only smells heavenly, but in itself has an impressive ability to cleanse, disinfect and deodorize your home. From ancient Greece and Rome to the world of Shakespeare, essential oils have been used for ages and known for their cleaning, health and aromatherapy qualities. Listed below are some of the essential oils that are used in our products and the benefits of each…

Cinnamon – Used by the ancient Chinese for uplifting and healing qualities, cinnamon contains antifungal and antimicrobial properties and is thought to be anti-allergenic.

Clove – Used widely in the dental industry for its antiseptic and disinfectant qualities. Keeps insects away and kills mold.

Eucalyptus – Known for its stimulating and healing qualities as an antifungal and antiviral agent. Also known to deodorize.

Lavender – Thought to be an antifungal, antiviral floral used since Shakespeare’s time to calm, relax and deodorize.

Lemon – Known for its natural cleaning properties and excellent health benefits as a source of vitamin C and an energizer to the body with its antifungal and antiviral qualities.

Mandarin – A member of the orange family whose aroma is believed to uplift and promote a feeling of cleanliness.

Peppermint – Greeks and Romans crowned their heads with this mint as it was known to calm and stimulate, relieve pain, eliminate nausea and calm nervousness. Known for its anesthetic properties and cold remedy as a chest decongestant.

Rosemary – Has a reputation of energizing, stimulating and strengthening memory.

Spearmint – In ancient Greece, this mint was used as body perfume. It was thought to stimulate and strengthen while bringing comfort to one’s mind.

Sweet Orange – Used in fine fragrances for many years, historically as bridal decorations for the last century, it is also known to uplift and invigorate the senses.

To view the Homeology line from Gold Canyon, log on to http://www.wix-n-stix.com/ and click on Home Scents then HOME CLEANING.

To get a free sample of Homeology, contact Jennifer Allen at http://www.wix-n-stix.com/ and mention the Closets Galore and More Newsletter for a special discount on your first order. Give your home an aromatherapy treatment with Homeology today!