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It's
hard to live in this world without getting steamed
up about things frim time to time. Health experts
say that blowing off the stress is better than
keeping it inside -- but how do you do that
without landing in trouble? This week, we're
pointing you at some of the culprits of increased
blood pressure -- your elected representatives.
How do you find them? How can you talk to them
and get your point across? What can you do if
you don't see change for the better? We've got
it -- so read on.
We also want to keep
those collars you get hot under in good shape,
so you'll find tips in that regard, as well.
See you soon!
Ed and Mary Longanecker
Iris City Cleaners and Laundering Company |
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Bumper
Sticker Sighting
Don't
upset me! I'm running out of places to hide
the bodies. |
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Keep
Your Shirt On COUPON!
These days, less casual
shirts are still "in" at the office --if you
couple them with a jacket or otherwise dress
them up to make them more suitable to a business
environment. Your casual shirts will jump a
level on the corporate ladder when they're professionally
finished. Let
us return your softer shirts to the more crisp
and like-new condition you bought them for!
Have $10 in regular drycleaning done and we'll
do a shirt at no charge.
(Include first page of
this newsletter with coupon with your order.
Offer expires Sept. 510th 2004. Cannot be combined
with other offers.) |
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Constructive
Anger
Sometimes you're so
angry you just have to tell somebody.
It might be something you saw on the news, or
heard on the radio, or read in the paper.
But suddenly, you know that something
must be done!
The backbone
of our nation is the right to voice opinions.
Attached to that
backbone are the ribs of representative government
-- your local officials, state representatives
and US legislative members.
When was the last time you took action instead
of just ranting about the problem? You
really CAN make a difference, if you go about
it the right way.
How-to
for Hot Heads
Put the steam out by
contacting the appropriate person to handle
whatever it is that has you boiling mad.
Here are some tips.
- Find
the right target. If
your issue is local in nature (bad storm drains
that back up, or noise from a new commercial
development) you need to address those concerns
to a local department or agency. If
it's a state-wide issue, go to your elected
state representatives. If it's national
or international in scope, you'll be aiming
your message at Washington itself.
- Local
departments: check the
blue pages of your phone book.
Call for addresses or e-mail contacts
if they aren't listed.
- State
representatives, Governor:
The internet can get you the right contacts.
Try the Electronic
Frontier Foundation, which includes
a locator form based on your zip
code.
- National
representatives: Find
your Senator through the US
Senate website; Representatives
through the US
House website; Other government
officials (including President,
Supreme Court, etc.) through the Write
Elected Officials website set up
by Congress.
- Gather
the facts. If you want
action, you'll need to explain all the pertinent
information as succinctly as possible.
Have it available when you write.
- Decide
on your mode of communication.
These days, after the anthrax scare, there
is very little postal mail that gets through
to Congress without rigorous inspection (and
often, lengthy delay.) Phone calls are
good if the issue is pressing, but e-mail
is better still, since your message is printable
and can be easily responded to.
- Write
calmly. You may be crazy
over something, but sounding like you are
will not get you the action you hope for.
Write a draft, then go back and take out all
the emotional words, exclamation points, and
other things that might cause your letter
to be ignored. If you have trouble
staying calm over the issue, get a friend
or family member to write it for you --
one who is not as incensed as you.
- Keep
track of your contacts and their replies.
It helps to be able to say to the next person
on your list, "Senator So-and-so has already
worked on this and suggested I contact you,
as well."
The
other key to getting the attention of your officials?
VOTE! And for that, you need to be registered.
- You
can get registered at your local library
(the American Library Association says that
over three quarters of a million people have
done so at their local library) and also
get lots of other helpful information for
contacting your representatives, including
information on local issues, absentee ballot
information, elected officials' voting records,
and much more. Check out the ALA
website for details.
- Other
sites to help you get registered
include the Declare
Yourself website, and others available
on the internet. Put "voter registration"
in your favorite search engine.
- Get
others to vote by signing them up.
There is a National Mail Voter Registration
Form that will help people vote who might
not otherwise make it to the polls.
Find out more on the Federal
Election Commission website.
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Strangle
Hold?
Remember those old
commercials for "ring around the collar" --
and the agast expressions on people's faces
when someone with a grimy ring inside their
collar entered the room? People may not make
as big a deal about it as they used to, but
those ugly rings are still a fashion faux pas.
Here
are some quick tips for avoiding the stares:
- Obviously, frequent
cleaning of garments will help to
prevent rings from forming. It will also prolong
the life of your clothing. Our stain experts
can keep your neckline pristine when garments
are regularly cleaned.
- Adjust your
collars as necessary. That means
if they're too tight, moving the button might
save you both a ring and a pain in the neck.
- Try some
of the popular collarless shirts for a change
of pace. No need for a tie, either!
- If you wear
scarves, try slipping one inside
your collar instead of always wearing them
on the outside of your clothing.
- Don't forget
the accessories. Ties are on top
of your collar, but they can pick up stains
and perspiration residue, as can scarves.
We can not only clean them expertly,
but treat them to make them more moisure-resistant.
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We
are enormously appreciative of the opportunity
to share our weekly newsletters with you.
We feel that much of the content is valuable
for anyone who purchases fine clothing and is
interested in their preservations and cleaning.
Click on the symbol to the right if your would
like to send this and future newsletters to
a friend.
Thanks a million, Ed and Mary
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The Iris
City Cleaners Connection
is a weekly
news letter dedicated to the interest of fine
garment care, restoration, and
conservation. It is published in
Mt Pleasant, Iowa by Iris City Cleaners and
is an extension of our services described in
www.iriscitycleaners.com
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