National Clothesline

In New York, one cleaner is facing the prospect of cleaning up neighbors’ properties in addition to his own.

Busy Bee, located at 1818 Merrick Road, recently tested three houses in its immediate vicinity for possible perc contamination.

The company, owned by Robert Bernstein, has already been involved in a voluntary cleanup investigation of its own property since March of 2001.

In December of 2003 and January of this year, testing performed at the back door of the premises revealed high levels of volatile organic compounds, including perc.

Soon after the results were discovered, the state Department of Health and Environmental Conservation directed the business to expand its testing to include nearby residential properties, as well.

In July, three homeowners on Alice Street — June MacDonald, Audrey Maher and Joe Weinstein — granted permission to have their backyards tested by Roux Associates, an environmental consultant retained by Busy Bee.

The soil-gas testing, which began last week, cost the cleaners about $350 to $400 per home and took about a half hour to complete. Special rods were placed three feet into the ground within ten feet of each home with the purpose of gathering air from underground into a canister.

Those samples will be tested at a lab for a period of six weeks. If any of the properties yield positive results, then other houses on the street may have to be tested.

Michael Roux, a senior hydrogeologist with Roux, told a reporter from the New York Herald: “The screening tests done so far at Busy Bee have given us an idea of how much volatile organic compounds there are, but it didn’t break it down. This testing breaks down the compounds and will give us an idea of where else to look.”

Because groundwater samples at Busy Bee indicated an inordinate amount of volatile organic compounds, Roux will also test the groundwater on Alice Street soon. Prior to that test, however, the company will install three temporary wells in the area.

“We need to determine what way the groundwater is flowing, and the wells will do this,” Roux added. “If we do find high levels of PCE and other volatile organic compounds on private property, we can treat it.”

The ASN Laundry Group will host an Open House on September 18-19 at its Bronx headquarters, 1731 West Farm’s Rd. Hours will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday

Featuring the latest IPSO washer-extractors and ADC and IPSO dryers, the show will also exhibit ESD card systems, Vend-Rite dispensers, Standard Change Makers, Natco boilers, R&B Laundry Carts, soaps, detergents and other supplies.

All participating manufacturers will have representatives on hand to answer questions and are offering special Open House discount prices.

Additionally, seminars for current and potential laundry owners are planned and factory personnel will conduct service schools for maintaining IPSO washer-extractors and ADC dryers. For a complete schedule, visit www.asnlaundrygroup.com.

To register, call (718) 542-8686.

The National Cleaners Association is making plans for its TexCare ’05 exhibition which will be held at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, NJ, April 9-10, 2005.

For the 2005 show NCA is returning to the venue of its last TexCare exhibition, located just minutes from both downtown Manhattan and the Newark Airport. The center is also near the Meadowlands Race Track and the Continental Sports Arena.

Exhibit hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 9 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday April 10. Educational seminars. which won’t compete with exhibit time, will be held in conjunction with the show.

NCA has made arrangements for accommodations with hotels within walking distance of the center. The Embassy Suites is just across the street from the center and the Hampton Inn is two blocks from the center.

Booths are available in singles and as blocks for two, four, six, ten and 16. Each booth is 10' x 10' The cost of $1,395 per booth with discounts for multiple-booth blocks.

Each booth rental entitles the registered company to three exhibitor badges. Additional badges will be available for $50 per person in advance and $100 per person on site. Non-exhibiting allied trades can pre-register for $200 in advance or $300 on site. Non-exhibiting consultants can pre-register for $100 per day in advance and $150 on site. NCA members receive a 25 percent discount on those prices.

Admission for drycleaners will be free.

For more information, call Ann Hargrove. (212) 967-3002, ext. 231.

Cleaners in New York and Massachusetts will have a few upcoming chances to improve their spotting and finishing skills — not to mention, their golf game — thanks to the efforts of the North East Fabricare Association.

On the weekend of September 18 and 19, a two-day class covering the topic of professional spotting will be offered by the association at Kem Cleaners, located at 809 State St. in Schenectady, NY.

Students will meet from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Instructor Carmelia Bernardi will emphasize delicate materials that cause cleaners problems, including wools, white wools, silks and rayons.

Attendees will also learn whether to use a volatile dry solvent, how to use a steam gun, when to test or when to use a towel to blot a stain, and what kind of technique to use for what type of stain.

The program will cost association members $265 each; non-members must pay $315 each.

Bernardi will be back again for another educational session on Saturday, October 23 at The Cleanist, 301 1/2 Court St. in Plymouth, MA.

She will be joined by Fred Bernardi, who will present to students techniques on the “Art of Finishing.”

The course will outline a number of topics, such as enhancing customer relations, plant production and work quality, and a classroom study of fibers, fabrics and the characteristics of steam.

The class, which runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., will cost members $165 each or non-members $215 each.

Just around the corner, NEFA will host a day on the golf course. On Wednesday, September 29, the association will present The Bradley Friel Memorial Golf Tournament with a shotgun start time of 9:30 a.m.

The tournament will follow a scramble format. A bag lunch will be provided prior to dinner and cocktails at 3 p.m.

The event will be held at Kettle Brook Golf Club, 136 Marshall St. in Paxton, MA. New England Golf Business rates the course as one of the top three public facilities in Massachusetts. For a preview, visit www.kettlebrookgolfclub.com.

The cut off date for registration is September 17. Golf packages — which include golf, lunch and dinner — cost $110 per golfer. Those who wish to attend the dinner only may purchase a dinner package for $35.

For more information on any of NEFA’s scheduled events, contact the association by calling (800) 442-6848 or (781) 942-7630.