Duinkerken Homes, Inc.
Newsletter
September 2010
In This Issue
 13 Tips for Home Security
 Green Cleaning
 Vendor Spotlight: Alpha
Electric
 Useless Information Quiz!
 Professional Women in
Building Council
Contact Us
Duinkerken Homes
10 Lakeview Lane
Weaverville, NC 28787
828-645-2728
828-450-9395 –Brandon
828-450-5690 –Kate
Dhomes@charter.net
Visit us online!
www.duinkerkenhomes.com
www.duinkerkenhomes.com
13 Tips for Home Security
With the economy hitting new lows, the FBI is reporting that every 15 seconds
a house is burglarized. I was reading this information in last month’s Reader’s
Digest and thought – not my house – who would want to burglarize my house?
I then closely examined my house from the outside – the windows are wide
open with the wimpiest screens you’ve ever seen. Two out of three of the doors
were unlocked and last week, the front door wasn’t even closed all the way.
The big deterrent at my house warding off predators – 3 dogs that will lick you
to death and gladly accept a predators praise and petting, before directly
leading them to my stash of cheap jewels. And I’m not alone. I became aware
that half the houses I drove past today have ground level windows wide open I
could tell you all of my friends’ houses have either doors or windows that are
always unlocked as well. So with this slowed economy I now need to think –
why NOT my house. Here are some tips from predators on how to keep your
houses safe:
1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets,
painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.
2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your
yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my
return a little easier.
3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste … and taste means there are
nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder
what type of gaming system they have.
4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might
leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.
5. If it snows while you’re out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot
tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.
6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don’t let your alarm
company install the control pad where I can see if it’s set. That makes it too
easy.
7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the
 windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom—and
your jewelry. It’s not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.

8. It’s raining, you’re fumbling with your

Contact Us umbrella, and you forget to lock your door—
understandable. But understand this: I don’t
Duinkerken Homes take a day off because of bad weather.
10 Lakeview Lane
Weaverville, NC 28787 9. I always knock first. If you answer, I’ll ask
828-645-2728 for directions somewhere or offer to clean
your gutters. (Don’t take me up on it.)
828-450-9395 –Brandon
828-450-5690 –Kate 10. Do you really think I won’t look in your
Dhomes@charter.net sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers,
the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.

11. Here’s a helpful hint: I almost never go into kids’ rooms.

Visit us online!
www.duinkerkenhomes.com
12. You’re right: I won’t have enough time to break into that safe where you
keep your valuables. But if it’s not bolted down, I’ll take it with me.

13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If
you’re reluctant to leave your TV on while you’re out of town, you can buy a
$35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real
television. (Find it at faketv.com.)

Green Cleaning Products that Actually Work!

Well, this economy isn’t doing anything for my desire to be pampered with the
luxury of a maid, something that I continue to dream of any time I walk into
my house. Here is a list of reliable green cleaning products that, according to
Kadi Dulude of Wizard of Homes, a professional cleaning service, actually
work well and are available at your local grocer.

-Shaklee - What we love about Shaklee is that all you need is one bottle of their
Super Cleaning Concentrate to make an all-purpose cleaner, window cleaner,
degreaser and tough spot remover. Just mix it with water and the required
amount of concentrate. It has absolutely no smell, which is nice. Also, try their
Scour Off Heavy Duty Paste -- it looks and smells like body butter, but it's the
toughest scrubbing paste we’ve tried.

-Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day - Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day All Purpose Cleaner is
good for just about everything. It's a great generalist that safely and effectively
cleans floors (try it on hardwood floors!), counters, and surfaces in bathrooms,
kitchens or any room both inside and outside -- even windows. The cleaner is
concentrated, hard-working, earth-friendly and biodegradable. And the smell:
feels like an aromatherapy treatment while you’re cleaning.

-Method - One of our favorite brands to work with. Not only do the products
look cool, they do a great job of cleaning. Plus, they leave behind a pleasant,
fresh smell that you’ll love. Be warned though – we’re not a fan of their
 stainless steel cleaners.
Contact Us -Nature's Source Glass Cleaner - Nature's Source Natural Glass Cleaner works
Duinkerken Homes wonders on windows and it's the cheapest green cleaner around. Plus, it leaves
10 Lakeview Lane no streaks, smells good, and can be used on other surfaces around the home as
Weaverville, NC 28787 well.
828-645-2728
-Seventh Generation Glass & Surface Cleaner - Sometimes you just need to
828-450-9395 –Brandon breathe in and breathe out without smelling anything in the air. That’s what the
828-450-5690 –Kate Seventh Generation Free and Clear Glass & Surface Cleaner is for. It’s a no-
nonsense, effective cleaner that leaves your surfaces spotless and sparkling
Dhomes@charter.net
without any residual smells.

Visit us online!
Vendor Spotlight: Alpha Electric – Chris
www.duinkerkenhomes.com
Smith
Chris Smith of Alpha Electric is the vendors of the month! We love Alpha
Electric for their down to earth, no-nonsense attitude, reliable scheduling
and honest, hard work. Alpha Electric Services, LLC was established in
2008. Chris is a certified licensed electrical contractor in North Carolina
who has been doing electrical since 1993. Chris takes much pride in his
work. He enjoys doing the electrical in your everyday typical home, but he
loves the challenge of the unusual ones as well. Big or small he does every
job as if he and his family were going to be living there. Chris does not
take short cuts or even does the job just to code - he goes above and
beyond what is required. He is a perfectionist and makes sure that every
job is done in a neat and timely manner. There will never be a mess for the
home owner or a contractor to clean up. Alpha Electric Services, LLC does
re-models, residential, commercial, generators, outdoor lighting, CATV,
and service work. Whether it is hanging a ceiling fan or wiring in the latest
lighting system he has pride in his work and will make sure that you are
happy with the service that he has provided for you. If you have questions
or need ideas, he is also great at helping you to decide what type of
lighting and placement is great for your home. Senior Citizens and
Churches get a 15% discount!!

Chris and his wife, Jocelyn, have two wonderful children Leeya (13) and
Hunter (10). Chris and Jocelyn believe that work is very important, but
there is no time like spending it with your family. In the summer, Chris
and his family enjoy going to the lake to kneeboard and wakeboard and in
the winter, they snowboard and ski. Chris and his family are heavily
involved in clogging, which is a mountain heritage that needs to be
preserved. Chris placed 1st place in Traditional Solos for men and 2nd
place in the Flatfoot Solos for men at the NC State Fair this weekend!!
Congratulations to Chris!!! Please contact Chris at
alphacsmith@bellsouth.net for assistance with your electrical needs.
Contact Us Useless Information Quiz!
Duinkerken Homes The first person to answer the “Useless Information Quiz” will win a $5
10 Lakeview Lane gift card to Subway! I realize with the easy access to technology, the
Weaverville, NC 28787 “Useless Information Quiz” answer might be found without much effort!
So, we ask that you PLEASE do not to Google the question! Send your
828-645-2728
reply and address to dhomes@charter.net! Again, the first person to
828-450-9395 –Brandon correctly answer the quiz will get a $5 gift card to Subway!
828-450-5690 –Kate
The only woman that has appeared on a U.S. paper currency is ?????
Dhomes@charter.net

We will announce the winner on our Facebook and LinkedIn pages.

Visit us online!
The Professional Women in Building Council
www.duinkerkenhomes.com
The Professional Women in Building Council (PWB) of the Asheville
Home Builder Association (AHBA) is dedicated to promoting,
enhancing and supporting women within the building industry.

On November 18, 2010 from 6-8 pm the PWB will be hosting a wine tasting
and a silent auction at The Wine Studio - 169 Charlotte Street in Asheville, NC.
The theme for the evening will be Wines for the Thanksgiving Table. The
event will be open to our members and the general public. Proceeds from the
event will go to our scholarship fund. Each year the PWB gives a scholarship
to a qualified student attending college to attain a degree in a construction-
related field.
We are asking your company to donate items for our silent auction. In return
we will gladly support your company during the event by:
 Displaying your brochures and business cards
 Display signage
 Company logo and recognition on the bid sheet
 We’ll publish a Thank You to your company for the donations in an
issue of the Asheville Home Builders Association monthly newsletter,
which is received by our membership of over 600 local builders and
associate companies.

Gift certificates, gift baskets and discount packages make ideal donations and
can generate new clients which may become regular customers. Donating an
item is simple and doesn’t have to be expensive – anything large or small will
help raise funds for our scholarship fund!
Please make sure to mark November 18th on your calendars!!! This is going to
be a lot of fun AND you get to see Brandon and I dressed up! Please email me
at dhomes@charter.net to let me know your donation and time frame. A dollar
amount needs to be given with your donation so that we can start the bidding at
 that amount. We really appreciate your generosity and will gladly accept any
and all donations! Look forward to seeing you on November 18th!

Contact Us
Duinkerken Homes
10 Lakeview Lane
Weaverville, NC 28787
828-645-2728
828-450-9395 –Brandon
828-450-5690 –Kate
Dhomes@charter.net

Visit us online!
www.duinkerkenhomes.com