Baskin-Robbins is putting five of its signature 31 flavors in the deep freeze.

The company, which has thousands of outlets around the globe, is replacing some old flavors with new ones to celebrate National Ice Cream Day in the U.S. on Sunday, and Baskin-Robbin’s 65th anniversary.

Caramel Praline Cheesecake, Campfire S’mores, Apple Pie a La Mode and Superfudge Truffle are leaving the list. French Vanilla, a staple since 1945, is out, too.

Srinivas Kumar, chief brand officer at the company, said “over the decades we have retired some of our iconic flavors into our deep freeze — like ‘Miami Ice’ from the 1980s and ‘Beatlenut’ in the 1960s — but never before have five flavors gone into the deep freeze at one time.”

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What happens if gutters are not cleaned?  Well, several things can happen, ranging from a flooded basement to a rotted porch or deck to damaged landscaping to name a few.

UpperCrust Maids will be offering gutter cleaning, commencing in mid August, 2010.  Check out further details by pressing HERE.

Photo credit HERE

a.  The price ranges vary tremendously

b.  Some companies insist on an in house estimate while others do not

c.  Companies differ in the types of products they offer

d.  The crew numbers vary from 1 cleaner to up to 5 or even 6 cleaners per home

While reading a review of another company recently, I was struck by something that the reviewer wrote.

He said regarding pricing that….

They charge around $100 for a house with 3 BR, 4 Bathrooms and a finished basement

Based on that comment, I can tell you how much their employees make and I also can tell you why they are able to charge slave wages for all that work (yes, $100 amounts to slave wages for a house that size).

a.  I’m pretty certain that the “company” is not registered as a real company.  But even if they are, I am 100% positive that they carry zero insurance.  There is no way that they can afford to carry insurance and  still be able to charge $100 to clean a 3 bedroom, 4 bath house with a basement (That’s a lot of work—-that’s 3 floors!)

b.  The person who owns this “company” is the one doing the cleaning (as opposed to simply running the business).  And my guess is that she has a family member helping her out.  That way she does not have the expense of payroll and she does not have to hire a company to complete her payroll.  They are probably also a “cash only” company that does not pay taxes.

c.  IF she has an employee outside of her family, that person is making either minimum wage or less than minimum wage.  I determine that based on the low fees she is charging.

Here is the deal.  Cleaning companies have overhead.  Legitimate companies are carrying Workers Comp insurance (expensive), liability insurance (expensive) and some type of bonding insurance (more affordable).  Insurance alone puts companies in a position where they must charge a decent and realistic rate.

What happens if a company does not carry insurance?  Well the danger is on the part of the homeowner.  If a worker in an uninsured company gets hurt while in the home, that homeowner is responsible for the medical bills.  That is a fact. And if something gets broken, the homeowner must hope that the “company” can afford to pay for it since they have no insurance.  And in the case of theft….no bonding insurance to fall back on.

What is the true price for cleaning a 3 bedroom, 4 bath, 3 level home?  Well if it’s a first time “deep” cleaning, it will cost a minimum of $260 and possibly more, depending on how many hours it takes to clean it and its condition.

Ongoing cleanings of that same house would generally run (for 3 levels) at least $168+ every 2 weeks.

In life, we get what we pay for.  Of course a homeowner will save money by hiring a pseudo-company that is uninsured and pays no taxes.  But in the long run, what good is it doing to gamble?  The IRS is being cheated and the homeowner is assuming great risk by having this uninsured person or persons in their home.

How do legitimate cleaning companies arrive at our rates?  We look at the full picture.  Overhead is a reality and so is labor.

I say it time and time again. Hire a real company. Don’t take any chances on hiring people from off the street to come into your home around your children, your pets, your valuables…..your keys.

Photo credit HERE

Credit to Teresa Ward of Teresa’s Family Cleaning of NY for the idea to post this beautiful explanation of our flag!

For a while that same strip in Mt. Rainier was home to the most incredible vegan restaurant. It was called “Quest  for Fresh” and they offered the best soup and vegan food I have ever tasted.  All natural. All healthy.  All delicious.

They no longer are in business and I am actually relieved (but not happy) that they have closed. The reason?  I was tired of watching the train wreck and wanted it to finally end.  And as a customer, I felt that I was not appreciated and often had the sensation of being dropped by this restaurant.

I mention the restaurant here because as a business owner, there are many lessons I have learned from them.

First of all, it took them several years to finally move into their space after purchasing it.  The wait was literally yeeears.  Yet, they were buying the space.

When they finally arrived, they became an instant success and with the right management they would have been hugely successful. They had the support, the loyal customers and the love.

What they lacked was organization and it appeared that the owner/head cook was scattered in her thinking.  The phone was constantly being disconnected and the number changed all the time.  They would not take credit cards (in this day and age!)  One order would lead to a 2 hour wait for the food. The food was so good that people would wait!

As odd as it sounds, they would stay open for a week or two—-and then they would disappear for months without explanation.  They would then return abruptly and open up only on Sundays.   Very frustrating and confusing.

A lesson I learned as a business owner is to be consistent and accessible.  Clients need to know that if I say we are open 5 days per week from 8:30 – 4:30, my word is bond. Otherwise, the client will feel confused and lied to.  Clients need to know that they can reach me. That’s why they have my phone number and email address.

At one point, Quest for Fresh, closed for at least 6 months and I was hoping it was over. But they revived….and started the same pattern again of disappointing customers and having their phone numbers disconnected.  My understanding is that they have finally closed for good.

As a business owner, my goal is to follow through with promises and to put the needs of clients first. The goal is never to disappoint or lead clients on.  I have many loyal clients. Some have been with us since the inception of the business. Here at UpperCrust Maids, we believe in rewarding loyalty with value.

If you are not yet a part of the UpperCrust family of satisfied clients, give us a try. I believe you will like our dependability and quality as well as work ethic. We deliver on promises and we aim to please.

Call us at 301-322-7112 so we may give you an estimate.  And remember our slogan…..white glove service on us!

Photo credit HERE

I listed the information below from the Annapolis website:

Join Historic Annapolis at HistoryQuest, 99 Main Street, for three nights: and live the debate over liberty, in the same fashion as the Founding Fathers would have, around the punch bowl! Partake in the “spirits of 1776″ each evening with rum punch, mixed according to original 18th-century recipes, and finger foods.

Thursday, July 1st – Add your voice to the discussion as Mr. Paca and Governor Eden duel with words the issues facing Annapolitans in 1776. Where do your loyalties lie?

Come dressed in appropriate 18th-century garb and receive the member’s price!

When: Thursdays, June 3 and 17, and July 1, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Where: HistoryQuest, 99 Main Street
Admission: $10 members, $15 nonmembers

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Sunday, July 04, 2010
Fourth of July Celebration and Naturalization Ceremony
William Paca House and Garden, 186 Prince George Street
Celebrate our nation’s birthday at the home of Declaration of Independence signer William Paca! The day begins as fifty immigrants become American citizens in a moving Naturalization Ceremony. Visitors will enjoy tours of the Pacas’ home, live musical performances, and a Revolutionary War encampment. Costumed interpreters portraying William Paca and members of his household will bring the past alive. Children’s activities include patriotic crafts and the opportunity to add their John Hancock on the Declaration of Independence with a quill pen.

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Sunday, July 4
The Signer’s Stroll
Historic Annapolis Foundation and the Four Rivers Heritage Area invite you to participate in the July 4th edition of the Heritage Stride, the Signers’ Stroll! Take a short family-friendly trek (1.25 miles) through the City’s historic district.

The theme will be “Liberty” and ten stops along the way include all four Maryland-based Signers’ homes, as well as sites related to African American history, women’s history, and the principles of freedom represented in the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The Signers’ Stroll is an interactive guided tour for adults, families, and especially kids participating in leading roles. Play our “History Hop” game, and win a prize.  Wear your patriotic red, white, and blue to join in the spirit!

This event is free, but RSVPs are requested by calling the Four Rivers office at 410-222-1805 or by email at heritage_area@aacounty.org.
8:30 a.m.
Begins at the Charles Carroll House
107 Duke of Gloucester Street

Website HERE

Photo credit HERE

I was surprised to discover that she had been using a private “cleaning lady” to clean her home, as opposed to using a bonded and insured cleaning company.

Numerous sources have reported that between August, 2009 and May, 2010, Paula’s maid, “Mary Alice White” literally stole expensive property and jewelry from both Paula and her husband. She was caught by the husband and was also caught trying to sell the stuff at a local pawn shop.

To be honest with you, I am happy that Ms. Deen and her husband did not have something more ominous happen as the result of allowing this cleaning lady in their home.

Quite frankly, it is dangerous to hire a single maid from off the street.  And yes, even if the person has references from others in the neighborhood, that “cleaning lady” is someone from off the street.

Here is how a cleaning service should be chosen:

a. Search the phone book or a reputable outlet such as Angie’s List or Checkbook for a list of real maid services.  To qualify as “real” the service must be registered as a business.

b. Check with the service to find out what types of insurance they carry (should be bonding, liability and worker’s comp insurance)

IF they don’t have insurance, don’t hire them.  Why?  Because if one of their workers gets hurt in your home, YOU will be responsible for their medical bills.  And if a worker steals from your home, the onus would fall upon you totally to try to get your things back. You would have no supervisor of an insured company to call.

Hiring a real cleaning company takes that burden off of you.  ALSO, real cleaning companies perform background checks and professionally train employees to clean.  Real cleaning companies pay taxes and unemployment.  Cleaning ladies do NOT pay taxes, which is why they demand cash.

Why are people insisting on entrusting people from off the street into their homes?  Generally it’s because they are looking to have their homes cleaned for dirt cheap.  They are willing to trust anything to walk into their home—-around their keys and their children and their pets, all to save a few bucks.

It is nothing short of a phenomenon.  However, too many people are not willing to pay cleaning companies what they are worth. They would much rather risk life and limb rather than to pay to have their homes cleaned.

I’m happy that Paula got off easy.  And yes, if all she lost were some jewels, I consider that getting off easy.  The thief could have taken her key, had a copy made, and given it to a “boyfriend” who in turn could have done things to that family that I don’t even want to go into.  But use your imagination.  I would strongly urge Paula even now to have all her locks changed.

In closing, you get what you pay for.  There are no shortcuts in life.  When you hire a cleaning lady as opposed to hiring a real cleaning company, you take on so many risks that it’s not even funny.  First of all, the IRS views you as the cleaning lady’s employer.  They hold YOU responsible for the taxes. And you are breaking the law if you are paying her in cash to help her hide the fact that she is working tax free.

Hire a real cleaning company. Yes, you will pay more but at least you will be protected.  I will continue with these warnings for as long as my business exists.

Give us a call. We’ll be happy to send out a bonded, insured crew to clean your home.   301-322-7112

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Picture source HERE

I love gift certificates. I often receive gift certificates to Starbucks, which I love.  When I got married a few years ago, I received several gift certificates to various department stores which was great because I was able to choose what I really needed.

Recently a new client of UpperCrust Maids purchased a gift certificate that I offer right here on this website. She bought a year’s worth of cleaning for her husband-to-be.  Can you imagine your loved one buying you a year’s worth of house cleaning?

Not only do we offer the spouse package, but we have gift certificates for bridal and baby showers, for sweethearts, for parents.  I just cannot imagine a more useful gift than the gift of a clean home.

When I think about home, it’s a place of comfort and rest and beauty. It’s where we spend most of our time (usually).  Home to me is solace and peace.  And the condition of the home affects the mind.  It really does.  It also reflects the mindset of the person in the home.

Some people desire a clean home, but they simply cannot find the time or energy to clean.  So the next time you are thinking of that perfect gift to give a friend or loved one, stop by our Boutique and purchase a gift certificate. Trust me, your loved one will be soooooo appreciative!

By the way, you may purchase any of the gift certificates for yourself too!

Photo credit HERE

In any event, for places of employment that does allow people to bring their dogs to work, I say GREAT!

Of course my adorable “Satchel” is such a spoiled brat that I would never get anything accomplished if I took him anywhere.  He demands all my attention.

Thank God for pets in general.  They are absolutely sweet and they don’t hold grudges and they love you even when you may not be worthy!

SOURCE

Photo credit HERE

Well guess what?  Star Wars in Concert is en route to DC.

Verizon Center, July 17th at 2 and 10 pm

GO HERE for more details

Photo Credit  HERE