Celebrating Our Clients
This Month:
Spark Seminars
Johnny T-shirt
 Client Amy Tiemann, Ph.D. started Spark Seminars in 2002 out of her commitment to sharing child safety strategies with parents and children. "When I taught high school psychology, our discussions about students' safety concerns showed me how essential it was for them to learn how to protect themselves" says Amy. "After becoming a parent myself, I realized that most of us are not taught the information we need to know in order to keep our children safe. SPARK Seminars exists to fill that gap. My mission is empower parents to teach their children skills that will allow them to move throughout the world with safety and confidence," adds Amy.
Amy's workshop is entitled "Safe Kids in an Uncertain World" and is designed to give parents the skills needed to make abuse prevention part of their family's education. "Kids need tools to be resourceful about safety," says Amy. "Simply telling a child, 'do not talk to strangers' is often ineffective and not applicable to real-life situations." She adds, "Teaching our kids how when, how, and whom to ask for help is an important gift we can give our children that will last a lifetime."
Topics in the seminar include preventing abuse, molestation or abduction by strangers and acquaintances, teaching children HOW to talk to strangers, and ways that parents can continue to set appropriate limits as children grow into teens and earn more freedom. Further, the seminar teaches the warning signs of potentially abusive situations, and strategies for making safety skills a part of daily life, increasing a child's confidence while reducing anxiety.
Amy earned her doctorate in neurosciences from Stanford University in 1996 and her bachelor of science degree from Brown University in 1990. Before moving to Chapel Hill, she taught advanced placement psychology and chemistry at Lick-Wilmerding High School in San Francisco, California. She is an advocate for children's issues and has been trained in physical self-defense skills.
Amy lives in Chapel Hill with her husband and daughter. A "temporary" relocation to the Triangle for Michael's job at Red Hat software became permanent when the whole family fell in love with Southern Village. In her spare time, Amy writes novels and screenplays.
To schedule a customized seminar for your neighborhood association, your business or your school, email Amy at atiemann@nc.rr.com, call 942-2299, or visit her website, http://www.sparkseminars.com.
 Johnny T-shirt proprietor Chuck Helpingstine started the business with
his brother and other partners in 1983. Located on Franklin Street,
Johnny T-shirt is a retail store that features items near and dear to
Carolina fans. UNC T-shirts, sweatshirts and hats of all types are the
store's mainstay, but they also feature a huge selection of Carolina souvenirs. The store is frequented by UNC alumni, students, and tourists and is known for providing the best selection of quality sportswear and unique gift items for the ultimate Carolina fans and others looking for great gifts.
Chuck's favorite thing to do in the office is "brainstorm ideas for improvements that can make our business more efficient." says Chuck. Chuck employs (depending on the season) between 20 to 35 employees between the retail operation on Franklin Street and the warehouse
located in Hillsborough. Many of his employees are UNC students and alumni. "Employees are our most valuable resource," said Chuck. "Most are students. I rely on them to spot trends. Our whole staff helps with buying decisions to make sure we have items in the store that our
customers will like."
Although busy year-round, football season is particularly busy for the store, Chuck notes, and adds, "I look forward to football season. We are hoping for good weather and some good football." Holiday season is also busy (from November 15-December 24). Basketball season also starts in November and graduation and camp season follow not far behind. Why the name, Johnny T-shirt? Chuck says, "In high school, my friends and I would refer to people in
different jobs or with different interests as 'Johnny Lawyer' or 'Johnny Doctor' or 'Johnny Skateboarder.' When I went to college, I took the lingo There and it expanded. I became Johnny." Chuck knew he wanted to use the word t-shirt in his business name. And the rest is history.
Chuck met his wife, Beth, at the store (she used to work for him while she was in pharmacy school at UNC). She is a full-time pharmacist. Chuck and Beth have two children who attend Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools. Be sure and visit the Johnny T-shirt website, http://www.johnnytshirt.com or call 1-800-554-6862 to order a catalog.
William H. Bunch, CPA, PA
102 Market Street, Suite 200
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 929-0595
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