Gutter screens which cover the whole trough generally have openings that are too large and debris is able to get through. Some newer gutter screen designs have tried the opposite approach and are designed with openings so small that debris cannot pass through. These products utilize a screen with microscopic holes that is supposed to prevent the screen from clogging. But, if the roof isn’t cleared regularly these finer screens will become clogged and water will not be able to pass through spilling over the roof side instead. And remember, both of these products require frequent maintenance. When done infrequently the process requires removing, cleaning, and reinstalling the screens. Ultimately it is a lot of wear and tear on the screens and the gutter line itself. We find it is two or three times as expensive for us to clean gutters with screens covering them because of the time involved dealing with the screens.

We generally recommend installing downspout screens as opposed to gutter trough screens. Downspout screens are far less expensive, cover only the downspout opening and will prevent larger debris from getting into the downspout where it is most difficult to get to. Regular cleaning  means  you, as a property owner, have eyes on your roof and gutters more frequently, so potential issues are more likely detected and resolved early.

Gutters and roofs should be cleaned  regularly whether or not gutter screens are in place. If you have gutter screens be sure to stay on a regular service schedule or they will take more time and money to clean. If you haven’t invested in gutter screens, consider simply regularly cleaning your roof and gutters. Your investment of time and or money will pay you back ten fold over time.

Last week I went to Someone’s in the Kitchen on LaSalle Ave in Montclair and bought a spatula. But it wasn’t just any spatula. It turned out to be a magic spatula. Magic you say, how so..? Well… Next I sauntered up the street to Farmstead’s Wine and Cheese, spatula in hand. When Jeff the owner saw the spatula he was compelled to grant me a 10% discount on the yummy cheese I bought. 

It turned out that Jeff (of Farmstead’s) and Jennifer (of Someone’s in the Kitchen) had a deal for their customers. Shop with one, and the other would extend a 10% discount. I was excited, what a great way to support each other. I figured since I paid for the spatula, it wouldn’t really be stealing to use the idea.

 I have always felt lucky to have such an amazing group of storefronts that work with us. Wonderful people, great local businesses, folks with superior products and service. Many of them I met because I loved their stores. 

To say thank you, and encourage cross promotion, Mr Sparkle will be showing love to our storefront clients by offering their customers 10% off any of our services with a proof of purchase from their businesses. We’re sending out an email offer on February 14th, listing our local storefront clients. I hope you will take advantage of this offer, support our partners, and keep your money local when possible.

Link to the promotion!

It started when I was young. People were always saying I was making something out of nothing. And it was true. But the part that nobody saw, the hardest part, was getting hands on enough of the right kinda nothing to make something outta.

Sometimes I find something and have a vision for it right away. Then, it is mostly a matter of time, waiting for it to fully bake, waiting for the missing pieces to find each other. Eventually they will end up in my garage, (everything does). finally, I am called to put them into an obvious order.

Ironically, transmuting and repurposing have been invaluable sensibilities for building and running a business. Entrepreneurship also provides a never ending flow of opportunity to make the world Sparkle.

For a sample of my one and only public showing visit: http://www.ujuju.com/item.php?id=535

Thank God for good advisers.

Public faces often avail themselves of professional stylists. Clearly a quality product or service must follow, but our businesses and brands require the same attention to excel in the marketplace. Like my dress style, left to my own devices the Mr Sparkle Brand might have stayed very much the same over the years. The difference for my brand, however, is that I have been fortunate to work with outstanding talent who know as much about branding as I do about windows. Carbonated Agency in Berkeley (and their previous iterations) have developed the brand from the beginning, and have always brought in excellent contractors to help where their expertise thins.

Don’t be fooled, this post is a shameless promotion of the amazing people who helped make our newest website happen. It is a shout out to supreme professionalism, organization and cooperation not to mention skill and genius. To be clear. There are those who do their jobs well; then we graduate slowly up the scale toward those who not only love what they do, but reach so deep inside to produce a product that isn’t simply new or novel, but actually works and feels better.

An expert in any given field guides their client through an experience, not simply doing as told. They provide clear timelines and define clear expectations for their performance as well as defining the clients responsibilities. Experts provide several possible directions, educate and make recommendations on best practices while allowing for our input, until they help us hone in on our desired destination.

For this, my first of many Blogs, I want to recognize the cast and crew who took the new Mr Sparkle Website from an idea and brought it into reality. Thank You–

Designers: Carbonated Agency — Amy Suits & Wendy Wong
Developer/Consultant — Jeff Brock Studio
Copy Writer — Stefanie Marlis