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OCES Announces Key Staff Promotions

Christine McLaren
Christine McLaren

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the regional agency that serves older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout the greater Brockton and Plymouth county area, has recently promoted two senior staff members.

Nicole Long, MSW, LICSW, who has a decade of tenure with OCES, has been promoted to Assistant Executive Director, and will work alongside Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director on strategic and operational areas. In her new role, Ms. Long will oversee Housing, Nutrition, Healthy Living and Volunteer Programs, the Ethics Committee, Social Work supervision and Development Department.

Ms. Long began her career at OCES in the Family Caregiver Support Program and has been promoted several times. For the past two years, she held the position of Community Programs Director. She holds a Master of Social Work from Bridgewater State University and is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW). Ms. Long also serves as a Commissioner on the Board of Directors for the Plymouth Housing Authority.

Christine McLaren has been promoted to Community Programs Director and will report to Ms. Long, Assistant Executive Director. Ms. McLaren will continue to manage OCES’ Nutrition and Healthy Living Programs and will chair the OCES Cultural Competency Committee. She will also assist the Assistant Executive Director in developing strategic planning initiatives. Ms. McLaren has served OCES for the past six years, and most recently held the position of Community Programs Manager. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts from Middlebury College and a Certificate in Gerontology from the University of Massachusetts Boston.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES serves 20 communities in Plymouth County as well as Avon, Easton and Stoughton. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton and designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’ mission is to support the independence and dignity of elders and people with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency has 224 employees and operates more than 15 programs serving older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call 508 584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org.

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Waltham CPA Strives to Become World’s Toughest Mudder 2015

Justin Horr
Justin Horr

Justin Horr, Staff Accountant at Rodman & Rodman CPAs, a full service tax and accounting firm catering to small and medium-sized companies throughout the greater Boston area, will compete in the World’s Toughest Mudder® competition in Nevada beginning Saturday, November 14, 2015 at 2 p.m. and continuing through Sunday, November 15, 2015 at 2 p.m.

World’s Toughest Mudder extreme competition is “designed to find the toughest man, woman, and 4+ person team on the planet.” Horr will be competing for the Worlds Toughest Mudder title and First Place Men’s Prize of $10,000, as well as raising money for the Wounded Warrior Project.

Participants must be in top physical condition, as they will be tested to their physical and mental limits in a grueling 24-hour obstacle race challenge at Lake Las Vegas. Horr will face other competitors as well as the challenges of rock and sand terrain, water obstacles, and a cliff dive. Weather will also be a challenge with the extreme temperature change from day to night and the potential for strong winds and/or a sandstorm.

Steve Rodman, CPA, MST, president and the entire Rodman team support their hard‐working colleague who is competing at this professional level on a world stage.

“Rodman CPAs have a similar approach. We roll up our sleeves, dig in and get things done,” noted Rodman.

To support Horr and make a donation to Wounded Warrior Project, visit https://www.crowdrise.com/justinsworldstoughes/fundraiser/justinhorr.

To learn more about Worlds Toughest Mudder 2015, visit https://toughmudder.com/events/worlds-toughest-mudder.

About Rodman & Rodman CPAs

Founded in 1961, Rodman & Rodman CPAs provides accounting, tax and business services to small and medium-sized companies throughout New England and beyond. The team specializes in improving business performance, business processes, operations, information technology, finance, and change navigation. Rodman CPAs provides companies with a sustainable financial roadmap through expert partnership/corporate structuring for optimal tax benefit; grant qualification assistance and auditing; ongoing advisory services for federal, state and local tax incentives; and strategic financial planning and management.

The firm has a specialized renewable energy and clean technology accounting and tax services practice, known as the “Green Team” which serves renewable energy clients throughout the U.S. The company is Green Business Certified. For more information, visit their website at www.rodmancpa.com or contact (617) 965-5959.

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Why is your child in a slump after school? Computer ergonomics are even more important for students.

photo of child at computerRHODE ISLAND…

In households with elementary age students, computer use is a focal point for parents. Yet how children are seated at the computer takes a literal backseat to what students are viewing on the computer screen. While both merit concern, how your child sits at the computer can have lasting negative impacts.

“Chiropractors are treating more young patients suffering from the effects of working at computer stations that are either designed for adults or poorly designed for children,” said Dr. Michael Gottfried, president of the Chiropractic Society of Rhode Island and chiropractic physician at Aquidneck Chiropractic in Middletown, Rhode Island. “With more than 70 percent of elementary school children using computers for schoolwork, parents really need to literally have their children’s backs.”

To reduce the possibility of your child suffering painful and possibly disabling injuries, Gottfried recommends several precautionary measures. First, if children and adults in your home share the same computer workstation, make sure that it can be modified for each child’s use. For instance, position the computer monitor so that the top of the screen is at or below the child’s eye level.

Second, make sure the chair at the workstation fits the child correctly. This can be achieved by placing an ergonomic back cushion, pillow or a rolled-up towel behind the small of the child’s back for added support.

Finally, your child’s knees should be positioned at an approximate 90- to 130-degree angle. This can be accomplished by placing a foot rest, stool or similar object underneath his/her feet.

“The length of time your child spends at the computer should be monitored for a number of reasons. For their posture’s sake, make sure they are taking periodic breaks—at least once an hour—to stretch,” said Gottfried. “Also, don’t assume the computer stations at your child’s school are ergonomically sound and fitted to people their size. Ask questions, see for yourself. Posture during their developmental years is incredibly important, particularly at school where you cannot monitor them.”

As one of the oldest and largest chiropractic associations in the country, the Chiropractic Society of Rhode Island regularly presents at elementary schools to discuss ergonomics at the computer and safe backpack use. To contact a chiropractor for a presentation, you can contact

The Chiropractic Society of Rhode Island (401) 207-0700 or visit www.RIchiro.org.

About Chiropractic Society of Rhode Island (CSRI)

Founded in 1918, CSRI is one of the oldest chiropractic associations in the United States and represents more than 25 percent of the chiropractic physicians in the Ocean State. In addition to providing a regional voice for chiropractors in the business and legislative arenas, CSRI also helps educate the general public on the benefits of chiropractic. Those all-natural benefits can include relief from headaches, asthma, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, carpal tunnel, colic, and stress, just to name a few. Olympic ski champion Picabo Street, NFL legend Jerry Rice and Basketball Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman are but a few notable celebrities who have embraced chiropractic.

The Chiropractic Society of Rhode Island is located at 1272 West Main Road, Building 2, Middletown, RI 02842. For more information, call (401) 207-0700 or visit www.RIchiro.org.

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Lapels Dry Cleaning opens at 12623 Tatum Blvd, Phoenix, AZ

photo of Shane Kelly, owner of Lapels Dry Cleaning of Phoenix
Shane Kelly, owner of Lapels Dry Cleaning of Phoenix

PHOENIX, AZ, and HANOVER, MA…

On September 26, Lapels Dry Cleaning, an innovative, environmentally friendly dry cleaning company headquartered in Hanover, Massachusetts, opened a store at 12623 Tatum Blvd, Phoenix, AZ. This satellite store represents the second Lapels Dry Cleaning location owned and operated by Shane Kelly (the other is at 8240 North Hayden Road in Scottsdale, AZ).

“Lapels Dry Cleaning of Scottsdale has been very well received and we’re confident of a similar response in Phoenix,” said Kelly. “Lapels cleans clothes in an environmentally responsible way. The day we opened our doors, we were one of the few dry cleaners in Phoenix who could proudly claim to have no hazardous waste in our dry cleaning process.”

Lapels Dry Cleaning of Phoenix, just like Lapels Dry Cleaning of Scottsdale, will use GreenEarth®, the dry cleaning industry’s only non-toxic cleaning alternative.  By utilizing GreenEarth and the latest technology in equipment, Lapels’ dry cleaning process has no odor and is gentler on clothes, thus lengthening the life of clothes.

In addition to dry cleaning, Lapels Dry Cleaning of Phoenix will also clean: leather and suede; area rugs; comforters and household items. Additional services include: tailoring and alterations and heirlooming and gown preservation.

Lapels offers it’s customers Automatic Rewards earning them credit towards free dry cleaning for every dollar they spend, Loyalty Programs, a VIP Program which eliminates the need to wait in line, the use of a 24 Hour Drop Off Service and FREE Home Delivery to all its customers. Same day service is also available with pick-up after 5 pm.

Hours for the new Lapels Dry Cleaning of Phoenix will be Monday through Friday, 7 am to 7 pm; Saturday 8 am to 5 pm; and Sunday, 12 pm to 3 pm. The grand opening for the new Lapels will be held on October 31, 2015.

For complete information on Lapels Dry Cleaning, please visit www.mylapels.com.

Lapels Dry Cleaning – Environmentally Friendly Cleaners
Each Lapels Dry Cleaning store offers a full slate of services, including: same-day dry cleaning; shirt service; tailoring; shoe repair; wedding gown preservation; suede and leather processing; box storage and fur storage. Lapels Dry Cleaning has stores in Arizona (Gilbert, Chandler, Phoenix, Scottsdale), California (Poway), Colorado (Littleton), Connecticut (Cromwell), Florida (Fleming Island, Orange Park) Louisiana (Monroe, West Monroe, Delhi, Rayville, Winnsboro), Massachusetts (Abington, Allston, Bedford, Boston, Boston Seaport, Brighton, Cambridge, Cohasset, Dedham, Easton, Framingham, Hanover, Hingham, Kingston, Marshfield, Martha’s Vineyard, Natick, Needham, Newtonville, Norton, Quincy, Walpole, Wellesley, Westford, Westwood and Wilmington), Mississippi (New Albany, Tupelo, Pontotoc), Missouri (Wildwood), New Jersey (Brick), Ohio (Liberty Township), Oklahoma (Edmond, Oklahoma City), Pennsylvania (Bloomsburg), Rhode Island (Lincoln); South Carolina (Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Island), Texas ( Bee Cave, Brownsville,). Additional locations are coming soon to Tampa, FL, Waltham and Wakefield, MA; Rochester Hills and West Bloomfield MI; Oxford, MS.

Lapels Dry Cleaning has received a number of accolades in the franchise world. That includes being ranked in Entrepreneur’s 26th Annual “Franchise 500” as well as Entrepreneur’s “Top 50 New Franchises,” as one of today’s top franchise opportunities. Entrepreneur’s “Franchise 500” is the best and most comprehensive rating of franchises in the world and is based on objective, quantifiable measures of a franchise operation.

Lapels has also achieved acclaim in the dry cleaning industry. Lapels Dry Cleaning CEO Kevin Dubois is the co-author of Entrepreneurial Insanity in the Dry Cleaning Business, sold on Amazon.com.

Lapels Dry Cleaning corporate offices are located at 962 Washington Street, Hanover, MA 02339.

To learn more about franchise opportunities with Lapels Dry Cleaning, call toll free (866) 695-2735 or email sales@lapelsdrycleaning.com. Additional information and up-to-date company news can also be found on the company’s Web site, www.lapelsdrycleaning.com.

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Edgewood LifeCare Community to hold Nature Walk & Beekeeper Presentation on October 7th

Edgewood logoMainEdgewood LifeCare Community, an award-winning non-profit senior living community located at 575 Osgood Street in North Andover, will hold a Nature Walk event on Wednesday, October 7, 2015 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is no cost to attend and this event is open to the public.

The Nature Walk, which is a program of Edgewood Lifelong Learning (ELL), begins in Edgewood’s auditorium with a presentation by beekeeper Mary Foley, who will lecture on “Discovering the Fascinating World of Bees”. A complimentary lunch will be served, followed by a Nature Walk to Edgewood’s on-site beehives.

“This presentation provides exciting insight into the life of bees, their role in ensuring our own food supply, and how their very existence has been threatened. Our beekeeper, Mary Foley, maintains our hives, so we may produce our own Edgewood reserve honey which is enjoyed in Edgewood’s dining venues and sold in our convenience store,” explained Kathleen D’Amico, Edgewood’s Marketing Director.

Reservations for the Nature Walk event are required. Call 978-494-6843 or email RSVP@EdgewoodRC.com

About ELL 

Edgewood Lifelong Learning (ELL) is a highly successful program with courses similar to those offered by Boston area universities, yet within a convenient locale. A wide range of unique lectures, classes and films, many which are open to the public, are offered on an ongoing basis.

The Edgewood Difference

Founded in 1997, Edgewood LifeCare Community is an award-winning, non-profit senior living community focused on enriching the lives of their members. Edgewood offers independent living, health care and support services, which empower members to be the architects of their own well-being. Edgewood is dedicated to providing a well-rounded, intellectually stimulating and physically active environment for older adults.

As the only LifeCare community in the Merrimack Valley, Edgewood offers refined independent apartment and cottage home living for active older adults as well as short term rehabilitation and long term care at the Meadows Health Center. Edgewood LifeCare Community boasts lower entrance fees as compared to the Greater Boston area, and monthly rates for services remain stable regardless of the level of care needed. Edgewood LifeCare Community is located at 575 Osgood Street in North Andover, MA. For more information, contact (978) 738-6145 or visit www.edgewoodrc.com.

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Between Rounds Announces their Newest Cream Cheese Creations. Flavor Suggestions Encouraged.

BR Logo from Andy smallBetween Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café, the unique bakery café and bagel shop with locations throughout Connecticut, has recently concocted two delicious new cream cheese flavors just in time for fall – Peach and Apple Caramel.

Between Rounds seasonal and innovative flavors are developed and produced in-house. They are available for a limited time only and will rotate depending on the month. The company’s traditional cream cheese flavors that are menu staples include plain, low-fat vegetable, scallion, strawberry and vanilla raisin walnut.

The brainchild of Staten Island brothers Jerry and Joe Puiia, Between Rounds cafés are located in Vernon, South Windsor, Manchester and Tolland. The Puiia hallmark is manufacturing and selling their own bagels, which set them apart from other cafés. Now, they are quickly becoming known for new, offbeat cream cheese flavors handcrafted right in the store.

“We offer the traditional flavors, but the trend is flavors that have a little twist to them. Robust or unusual flavors are the most popular,” explained Jerry Puiia, co-owner of Between Rounds.

According to Puiia, some flavors are more difficult to create than others. For example a single fruit-based flavor, such as Between Rounds strawberry cream cheese, doesn’t have the ingredient complexity of their new apple caramel flavor. Also, flavors that are savory tend to have a more complex ingredient panel. One other consideration during creation of a new flavor is the shelf life. No preservatives are added to Between Rounds cream cheese creations.

Between Rounds encourages the community to suggest new flavors. Anyone who recommends a cream cheese flavor that Between Rounds adopts, will receive a certificate for a dozen bagels a month for six months. “Cream Cheese Flavor” suggestions may be emailed to info@betweenroundsbagels.com with your name and flavor suggestion.

About Between Rounds

Founded in 1990, Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café is a unique bakery café and bagel shop renowned for their fresh, baked-on site bagels and baked goods as well sandwiches, wraps, salads, soups, specialty coffee and a unique line of giftware.  Between Rounds offers patrons an upscale, fast-casual dining experience with free Wi-Fi and the added convenience of a drive-thru window.

Between Rounds is expanding and franchise opportunities are available. Between Rounds’ current locations include South Windsor, Vernon, Manchester and Tolland.  Corporate headquarters are located at 19A John Fitch Blvd, Route 5 in South Windsor, CT.  For more information about Between Rounds franchise opportunities contact (860) 291-0323 or visit www.betweenroundsbagels.com.

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Relocating and Expanding – Rodman & Rodman CPAs move to Waltham

Rodman & Rodman CPAs, a full service tax and accounting firm catering to small and medium-sized companies throughout the greater Boston area, has relocated from Newton to University Office Park, 51 Sawyer Road, Suite 610 in Waltham, MA 02453.

Rodman CPAs’ telephone and fax numbers will remain the same.

After more than two decades at 3 Newton Executive Park in Newton, Rodman CPAs transitioned to their new Waltham office on August 27, 2015. The move, which was prompted by growth, will better accommodate additional staff over the long-term as well as enhance on-site educational and networking capabilities. The new office is 8,500 s.f., which nearly doubles the firm’s space. This will allow for hosting of QuickBooks Workshops, Round Table Groups and other events.

The firm will continue to provide expert tax advisory, accounting, and business strategy services to a diverse array of clients in a wide variety of industries, including renewable energy. Rodman CPAs serve as true business partners helping clients perform and succeed with innovative and cost-effective solutions during each stage of the business lifecycle.

Steve Rodman, CPA, MST, president, announced that the firm will also unveil a new logo and website over the next several months.

“We are excited about our new Waltham office which will better accommodate expansion over the long term, and we are looking to add a few of the best and brightest to meet the increasing needs of clients. As an active community member, we will continue to build and strengthen our outreach efforts in a number of ways,” said Rodman.

About Rodman & Rodman CPAs

Founded in 1961, Rodman & Rodman CPAs provides accounting, tax and business services to small and medium-sized companies throughout New England and beyond. The team specializes in improving business performance, business processes, operations, information technology, finance, and change navigation. Rodman CPAs provides companies with a sustainable financial roadmap through expert partnership/corporate structuring for optimal tax benefit; grant qualification assistance and auditing; ongoing advisory services for federal, state and local tax incentives; and strategic financial planning and management.

The firm has a specialized renewable energy and clean technology accounting and tax services practice, known as the “Green Team” which serves renewable energy clients throughout the U.S. The company is Green Business Certified. For more information, email info@rodmancpa.com, visit their website at www.rodmancpa.com or contact (617) 965-5959.

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VoiceNation’s CEO to Share Story of Revolutionary Open Source Live Answering Software During Webinar on September 29th

Jay Reeder
Jay Reeder

Jay Reeder, CEO of VoiceNation, the industry leader in live answering and virtual receptionist services, will be a special guest speaker for the Digium Webinar Series – Innovating with Asterisk “What Can Asterisk Do For Me?” on September 29, 2015 at 12PM CDT/1PM EDT.

The free webinar provides real business examples of innovative Asterisk implementations. Reeder will share VoiceNation’s Asterisk story and use of the software to build their revolutionary open source answering service software, OpenAnswer.

Set to make a global impact on the telecommunications industry and businesses worldwide, VoiceNation’s OpenAnswer is intuitive, intelligent open source live answering software that provides the call center industry with a collaborative solution that is freely available to download, install, and modify.

OpenAnswer is built on familiar open source technology like Asterisk, FreePBX, Apache, Linux, PF Sense, SIP and more. The system is designed to increase operator efficiency, accuracy, and productivity. There are no licensing fees and call center owners get unlimited seats and scalability with OpenAnswer. The online documentation at www.voicenation.com/openanswer outlines the step-by-step process to get started installing the software, and features need-to-know information and tips on how to configure OpenAnswer to fit your needs.

“OpenAnswer is a true go-to resource for call center entrepreneurs, as well as IT gurus seeking technical support, up-to-date software downloads, and implementation instructions. Through the use of Asterisk, we’ve developed a way for entrepreneurs who would not have been able to start a call center, to have the opportunity to do so at very little cost,” explained Reeder, who was named one of “The 20 Highest Rated Telecom CEOs To Work For in 2014” by GetVoIP.com.

To register for the Innovating with Asterisk webinar featuring Reeder, visit

http://go.digium.com/innovating-with-asterisk.

About VoiceNation

VoiceNation is a leading virtual PBX, voicemail, and innovative live answering service provider. Named “Top Provider in Industry” by PC World, the company’s cloud-based virtual phone services offer all the features of a physical PBX at a fraction of the cost or complexity of traditional technology. VoiceNation enables businesses of all sizes to compete in the marketplace as a Fortune 500 company on a small business budget with 24-hour presence management.

Founded in 2002, VoiceNation is a privately-held company that serves more than 50,000 customers including Comedy Central, Delta, Dunkin’ Donuts, Rolls Royce, and StateFarm. The company also provides qualified non-profit, tax-exempt charities with access to voicemail, faxmail and other specialized communication services at reduced cost through their Care2Call outreach program.

To learn more about VoiceNation, visit www.voicenation.com.

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A beautiful development, The Pines in Dighton, Mass.

The Pines EntranceDIGHTON, MA and SOUTH EASTON, MA …

Stonebridge Homes, a builder/developer based in South Easton, Mass., recently began work on The Pines, a 33-lot subdivision in Dighton, MA. Two model homes have been completed (The Beacon and The Norton models) and are located on Silvia Way (GPS 1410 Pine Street, Dighton, MA) and will be used both for open houses and as the subdivision’s sales office.

The Pines offers convenience and affordable luxury living. Located just minutes from Route 24, right off Pine Street in Dighton, The Pines is commutable to both Providence and Boston.

The Pines offers five model floor plans ranging from 1,602 square feet to 1,881 square feet.  The floor plans offer two-story and single-story homes with both contemporary and traditional flair while offering distinctive, open floor plans, stylish selections, granite countertops, ceramic tile and hardwood flooring, fine trim finishes, stainless steel appliances, natural gas heat, central air conditioning, recessed lighting, certified energy efficient,  two-car garages, and maintenance-free exteriors.

In addition, residents will admire the splendid curb appeal at the subdivision’s entrance, which is decorated with elaborate stone walls with plentiful flowering shrubs and perennials.

“The Pines offers luxury living and convenience at very affordable prices for new homes,” said Eoghan Kelley, Manager of PMJD Realty, LLC.

Houses at The Pines start at $375,900. To view floor plans, please visit The Pines on http://www.thePinesDighton.com. For more information, including open house hours, or to make an appointment for a tour of The Pines, please call JoAnn Drabble of REMAX Welcome Home at 508-930-1711 or joanndrabble@comcast.net.

About Stonebridge Homes, Inc.:

For more than 20 years, Stonebridge Homes and its team, based in South Easton, Massachusetts, have built many residential communities throughout Massachusetts, including Tanglewood Estates (www.eastontanglewood.com) in Easton, Mass; Briggs Landing  (www.briggslandingllc.com) in Westport, MA, Stoney Ridge Estates (www.stoneyridgedighton.com) in Dighton and Maplewood Estates (www.newhomesatmaplewood.com) in Rockland, Mass. More recently, Stonebridge Homes has been focusing on building and managing construction in towns of southeastern Massachusetts, including Dighton, Easton, Foxboro, Norfolk, Norwell, Norton, Pembroke, Rockland and Westport. The styles of these communities have varied from imaginative condominiums to custom single‐family homes designed by its in-house architect whose specialty is customizing dream homes for individuals, couples and families. Each development is built with the same commitment for quality and satisfaction.

For more information, please visit www.stonebridgehomesinc.com or call 508.230.2300.

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