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: [email protected] 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: Editorial/Sales Office: 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. Located in Garden G at Washtenong Memorial Park 1, 2, 3 or 4 sites available Private Owner – Call 810-231-3038 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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