Business
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MR. ALAN'S SUPERSAVER
COUPON OF THE WEEK
*25.00 OFF
ANY OF THE FOLLOWING QUALITY NAMEBRAND
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furopean Collectton8
Only at Mr. Alan's in West Bloomfield
High Tech For
The Horizontal Set
Kenneth Cole
TIM COHAN SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS
ou're home alone, corn- tomation, such scenarios are an
fortably ensconced on your everyday part of his life at home.
living-room sofa, ready to Virtual Automation, which
watch the newly released Mr. Barris runs from his West
video of last sum- Bloomfield house,
specializes in home
men's blockbuster Name: Dave Barris
automation. He
thriller. You say
two words: "Start Occupation: Founder can integrate a
and owner, Virtual Au- handful of special
movie."
switches and plugs
As if by magic, tomation
the lights in the Family: Parents, Wil- with the existing
adjacent kitchen liam and Arlene; broth- wiring, and turn a
turn off, the liv- er, Joel; sister, Alyssa; house into some-
thing straight out
ing room lights
dim, the window fiancee, Rochelle Van of "The Jetsons."
'We can auto-
curtains close, Bierendonck
the TV comes to Activities: Member, mate lights, appli-
life and the VCR Building Industry Asso- ances, thermostats,
begins to roll the ciation of Michigan and security systems,
tape. The sounds Construction Associa- lawn sprinklers ,--
just about any-
and aroma of the tion of Michigan.
thing that runs on
popcorn popper
electricity," Mr.
in the kitchen
waft into the room. You haven't Barris says. 'We can even mo-
done anything but push a button torize drapes so they'll open and
or two. close on command."
The systems in
an automated
home can respond
to a variety of in-
puts, including
key chain-size re-
mote controls,
preprogrammed
timers and voice
commands. Many
functions can be
controlled by tele-
phone, so, for in-
stance, a call from
the office can turn
up the furnace.
The house will be
warmed up to the
temperature
specified, without
having to worry
about big gas bills
that result from
keeping the heat
up all day.
A typical living
room can be auto-
mated for about
$200, and a corn-
Dave Barris and Rochelle Van Bierendonck of Virtual
pleth system for a
Automation.
3,000-square-foot
Sound like some unattainable home runs about $6,000. The
couch-potato fantasy? For Dave
Barris, owner of Virtual Au- HIGH TECH page 42
PHOTO BY DANIEL L IPPM
y
Lorenzo Banfi
Johnston &Murphy
COLE • HAAS
CABLE & Co.
BACCO BUCCI
BALLY
BRUNO MAGLI ecco Rockport
EXCLUDING DISCOUNTED MERCHANDISE
COUPON EXPIRES: 3/1/96
Not valid in conjunction with second pair half-off sale.
AU. /CLAWS
European Collections West Bloomfield • On the Boardwalk
6893 Orchard Lake Rd. • Just South of Maple • (810) 626-3362
Store Hours: Mon.-Weds. & Sat. 10-7 • Thurs. & Fri. 10-9 • Sun. 12 5
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LALIOUE
This magnificent piece
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Complimentary Gift Wrapping
6644 Orchard Lake Road at
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Mon-Thur-Fri
10-9
Tue-Wed-Sat
10-6
bi
Sun 12-5
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810 855-1600
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