Business Briefs for May 15

Published Thursday, May 15, 2008

By Denny Deady

Duty's Dirt receives award

Duty's Dirt has been selected for the 2008 Best of Decatur Award in the topsoil category by the U.S. Local Business Association.

The award program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, USLBA members are asked to identify companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success and overall customer satisfaction in their local market and business category.

Duty's Dirt, owned by Julie and Joe Duty, is located on FM 51, south of Decatur. In business since April, 1995, the company offers sand, gravel, base and topsoil. Services include driveways, excavation and house pads.

Hot Tanz supports research

Hot Tanz tanning salon in Decatur is taking part in the D-Feat Breast Cancer campaign in May to fund the continuation of research which now shows that vitamin D deficiency is strongly linked to a significantly elevated risk of breast cancer.

"The public deserves full funded vitamin D research, and we are doing our part," said Joann Madie, Hot Tanz manager.

Patrons of the professional indoor tanning community across North America are being asked to donate $1-$5 to support vitamin D breast cancer research.

Hudson earns GRI designation

Tommy Hudson of Midway Properties in Bridgeport recently received the nationally recognized Graduate REALTOR Institute (GRI) designation.

The Graduate REALTOR Institute is a national continuing education program offered by the Texas Association of REALTORS (TAR). Graduates have completed three 30-hour courses of instruction in specialized subjects, such as legal issues, finance, marketing, real estate investments, professional standards and technology tools. Less than 10 percent of TAR's 90,000 members have earned their GRI designation.

The designation is a mark of excellence that signifies the graduate is a "cut above" other real estate practitioners. It represents the knowledge and professionalism needed to perform successfully in today's complex real estate field.