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Letting your plans for new kitchen cabinets slide.

CHEEKTOWAGA, NEW YORK…

When it comes to remodeling your kitchen, especially the cabinets, it’s easy to get hung up on looks. You have to remember, however, that you still want your new cabinets to be functional as well. To that end, DirectBuy of Buffalo, the leading home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, recommends sliding cabinet doors as a functional and attractive alternative.

“Sliding kitchen cabinet doors work in a similar fashion to sliding patio doors—on a grooved run–only on a smaller scale,” said Mark Klinger, owner of DirectBuy of Buffalo. So if you’re tired of the bumps and bruises from running into a cabinet door that someone left open – which is very common – installing beautiful kitchen cabinets with sliding doors is a great way to go.”

Kitchen cabinetry with sliding door fronts tends to work best in contemporary, modern, or Asian-inspired designs. Clear glass doors present an appealing alternative, giving you the opportunity to display your dinnerware or barware.

Sliding doors are also available in wood cabinets and often provide a clean and/or linear design that can dramatically enhance the appeal of your kitchen.

“Beyond all those benefits, sliding kitchen cabinet doors offer an added bonus in that they nest inside the cabinet when open but don’t take up any additional storage space, added Klinger.

DirectBuy carries everything you need for a kitchen remodel at prices direct from the manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. In addition, each DirectBuy club employs product specialists and designers who can help members create the kitchen that works best for their home.

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped consumers enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, and accessories, by providing an avenue to purchase directly from the manufacturer. Conveniently located at 4950 Genesee Street in Cheektowaga, New York, DirectBuy offers members a comfortable setting, where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

For more information on a DirectBuy membership, you can call 716-684-1400 or visit www.directbuy-buffalo.com.

About DirectBuy

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped hundreds of thousands of families enjoy a better quality of life, enabling them to buy directly from more than 700 manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. Buying direct makes members’ hard-earned money to go much further, while having the selection and choice not available at any retail store. DirectBuy has been serving the greater Buffalo area since 2005. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers, and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality.   DirectBuy of Buffalo is one of more than 160 DirectBuy locations throughout North America.

Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by contacting DirectBuy at 716-684-1400, or visiting www.DirectBuy-Buffalo.com. 

To learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership, visit www.directbuycares.com.

Letting your plans for new kitchen cabinets slide.Read More

Home safety for the upcoming holiday season.

MERRILLVILLE, IN…

Sure, you may not have gotten around to carving your Halloween pumpkin, but the holiday season will be here before you know it. To that end, it’s never too early to start preparing your home to be safe during the holiday season. That’s why DirectBuy, the leading members-only home improvement and home furnishings club, is offering some home safety tips to help homeowners get a head start.

“According to the National Safety Council, 45 percent of all unintentional deaths occur around the home. Add holiday items to the mix—lights, trees, candles, guests, etc.—and you up the ante on things that could possibly go wrong,” said Mike Georgeff, of DirectBuy. “By taking a few extra precautions, you can make your home that much safer, not only for the holiday season but the rest of the year.”

Some easy, cost-effective measures to improve safety in your home include:

  • Regularly testing your smoke alarms and installing smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms on every level of your home — especially near sleeping areas.
  • Using insulated tape or plastic clips to hold outdoor lighting; be sure to keep electrical connectors off the ground and away from metal rain gutters.
  • If your gas fireplace’s glass panel is cracked or broken, you’ll want to repair or replace it before using.
  • Replace your furnace filter regularly during heating seasons.
  • Keep candles away from your Christmas tree. If you’re going with a natural tree, select a freshly cut one, which are more resistant to ignition.
  •  Carefully inspect holiday light strings each year and get rid of any with frayed cords, cracked lamp holders, or loose connections. Be sure to unplug the light string when replacing light bulbs, too.
  • Use a timer for your outdoor lights, turning them on after 7 p.m. to avoid the electricity rush hour. For indoor lights, never leave them on when your house is unattended or you are asleep.
  • Never connect more than one extension cord together; instead opt for a single cord long enough to reach the outlet without stretching, but not so long that it can get easily tangled.

“The holidays are a special time of year that help foster memories that can last a lifetime,” said Georgeff. “By taking just a few precautions to be safe during the holiday, those memories can be for the special times you had and not a preventable tragedy.”

DirectBuy offers many products to help your home run more efficiently during the holiday season and the rest of the winter months—all at direct insider prices. In addition, DirectBuy also employs product specialists and designers, so if you need some assistance in selecting products or just a second opinion, you have seasoned professionals at your service.

For more information on a DirectBuy membership, you can visit http://www.directbuycares.com.

About DirectBuy 

For more than 38 years, DirectBuy has been showing thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save as they shop for virtually everything for in and around their homes – from furnishings, home improvement and flooring, to entertainment and outdoor products, accessories and much, much more. With more than 160 locations in North America, DirectBuy offers its members access to approximately 700 brand-name manufacturers and their authorized suppliers in the US, and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers and authorized suppliers in Canada.

Consumers interested in seeing DirectBuy’s savings, service and selection up close may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting www.directbuy.com or www.directbuycares.com.

Home safety for the upcoming holiday season.Read More

Noted Environmental Attorney Greg D. Peterson joins Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers, P.C. of Boston, MA

DATELINE: BOSTON, MA…

Attorney Greg D. Peterson, prominent for his role in shepherding complex brownfields and redevelopment projects throughout New England, has become a partner at Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers, P.C. of Boston, MA.

Peterson, who was most recently a partner at the global firm of DLA Piper, was also formerly affiliated with Hill and Barlow. His legal practice focuses on five core areas: environmental impact review and permitting, the purchase and sale of contaminated properties including brownfields redevelopment, hazardous materials response advice, complex property use, development and structuring agreements, and the negotiation and closing of commercial real estate loan facilities and workouts.

Attorney Jeffrey P. Hart, a founding member of Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers, welcomed Peterson to the firm stating, “The breadth and depth of Greg’s legal experience will enhance the scope of legal services offered through the Real Estate Department of Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers, providing existing and future clients with the value added opportunity to secure seasoned legal counsel on projects involving complex real estate, environmental permitting and multifaceted land reclamation components. Our firm’s size (22 Lawyers) will also provide Greg’s existing clients with significant increased value for the same high quality legal services.”

Peterson has significant experience in both the private and not-for profit sectors and has received accolades from many quarters. He is a co-recipient of the 2005 Public Affairs Award from the Massachusetts chapter of NAIOP (the commercial real estate development forum) for the work that produced the Smart Growth Overlay Zoning and school funding Act (MGL Chapters 40R and 40 S) and its implementing regulations. Smart Growth principles encourage well-planned development that protects open space and farmland, revitalizes communities, keeps housing affordable, and provides more transportation choices. He was also recognized by NAIOP for his instrumental role in drafting and working toward passage of the Expedited Permitting Act in 2006, and the Act Restoring the Landlocked Tidelands Exemption from Licensing in 2007.

Repeatedly cited in Best Lawyers in America, Peterson has provided environmental legal advice on many high profile projects including Kendall Square, a 10-acre mixed used redevelopment on a heavily contaminated former manufactured gas plant site adjacent to MIT that won EPA’s 2006 Phoenix Award for best Brownfield redevelopment in the United States. He was also instrumental in advancing MEPA clearance for the construction of Langwood Commons, a mixed-use residential and office redevelopment in Stoneham, MA, that had become mired for a decade in the environmental review process. Peterson also expedited the permitting of Edgewood, the first major 40R smart-growth project brought to market in Massachusetts, encompassing a 400-unit residential apartment complex on a portion of a former state hospital property in North Reading, MA.

Peterson, who received his B.A. magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Columbia University and his J.D. cum laude from Harvard Law School, is a member of Massachusetts Bar. He serves on the National Board of Directors of NAIOP and as Co-Chair of NAIOP’s Massachusetts Growth Committee. He is also a member of the Boston Bar Association and is a past President of the Real Estate Bar Association for Massachusetts.

Peterson, a native of Montana, is a resident of Carlisle, MA where he has actively served in a number of capacities over the years. He is currently a Trustee of the Town of Carlisle Affordable Housing Trust, a past Trustee of the Carlisle Conservation Foundation, and a former elected member and past Chairman of the Carlisle Planning Board. Peterson is also a recipient of the 1999 Conservationist of the Year award from the Town of Carlisle. Greg is active in open space and agricultural preservation.

Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers, P.C.

Formed in 1991, Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers, P.C. is committed to providing high quality, comprehensive legal services to its clients. Featuring a breadth and depth of experience and perspective usually found only at larger law firms, Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers. P.C. offers sophisticated legal counsel to entrepreneurs, businesses, individuals, families, and institutions.

Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers’ areas of expertise include corporate law, employment matters, mergers and acquisitions, litigation and dispute resolution, estate planning, taxation, real estate, bankruptcy, and municipal law.

The offices of Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers, P.C. are located at 101 Huntington Avenue, Prudential Center, in Boston, MA 02199. For additional information, or to arrange for a consultation, please call 1-617-218-2000, e-mail info@tbhr-law.com, or visit www.tbhr-law.com.

Noted Environmental Attorney Greg D. Peterson joins Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers, P.C. of Boston, MARead More

Tracy Driven Student award goes South…Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac recognizes Plymouth South freshmen.

PLYMOUTH, MA…

For the past two years, Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac has honored local high school students for their accomplishments inside and outside the classroom with the monthly Driven Student award. This year’s award program kicked off at Plymouth South High School, with Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac throwing a pizza party for 20 freshman students selected by their teachers for their positive performance both inside and outside the classroom.

Among those treated the students to a pizza party, include: Melissa Connolly, Brittany Reed, Jason Lamb, Haley Garvey, Sean Dowling, Greg Peters, Andrew Wells, Maddie Braz, Ally Booth, Ashley Meyer, Melanie Hawes, Sydney Quirk, Robbie Cheetham, Nick Trainor, Shelby Arnold, Rebecca Laudermilk, Tim West, Sydney Stetler, Yannis Rigas and Kyle Nickerson.

“In the years we’ve been doing the Driven Student award, it’s the freshmen that continue to amaze me. It’s not easy to transition to a new school, especially one the size of Plymouth South. It says quite a bit about these young men and women that their teachers felt them worthy of the Driven Student award,” said Jeff Tracy, president of Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac.

In addition to the pizza party, students also received Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac drink koozies for being selected Driven Student of the Month for October.

“We can’t thank Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac enough for recognizing the efforts of these students,” said A.J. Butters, Freshman Academy House Master. “It’s great to see students getting recognized publicly for all their hard work and dedication. These 20 freshmen have made a positive impact on Plymouth South High School in their first few months.”

 

Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac’s Driven Student program recognizes Plymouth high school students for their performance and achievements in and out of the classroom. Awarded on a monthly basis, recipients are selected by faculty and advisors at the student’s given school.

So easy at Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac

For more than 80 years and three generations of dealers, the Tracy family has made it so easy for customers on the South Shore and greater Plymouth area to purchase new and used automobiles. Since its beginnings in 1992, Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac has emphasized first-rate customer service and straightforward, bottom-line pricing with fair trade-ins every time–without the games or gimmicks you find at other dealerships. For more information on new and used trucks and automobiles, you can go to www.tracymotors.com or stop by the dealership, conveniently located at 137 Samoset Street, just off exit 6 on Route 3. For more information, or to make a service appointment, you can also call (800) 640-2884.

Tracy Driven Student award goes South…Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac recognizes Plymouth South freshmen.Read More

Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield Needs Volunteers for Marshfield Polar Express Magical Train Ride

MARSHFIELD, MA… At least 150 volunteers will be needed for the Boys and Girls Club’s Marshfield Polar Express magical train ride event which will come to life on the Kingston commuter rail on December 12th. It is a one-day event with four train trips scheduled during the course of the day.

The Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield needs volunteers at the event to act as characters such as elves and chefs. They also need all-around volunteers to commit to meetings and help with set up and clean up of the event. Volunteer elves must be 15+ years old and all other volunteers must be 18+ years old and submit to a CORI background check. Community service hours will be awarded to volunteers. Marshfield High School Girls Varsity Basketball and the Key Club are already on board to help out with the event.

The Boys and Girls Club has already sold 1,000 tickets and Train Ride 3 is close to being sold out. This event is sponsored by Tiny & Sons Glass, Rockland Trust and Vertex. All proceeds from the Polar Express event benefit the privately funded, non-profit the Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield.

“This should be a spectacular event, but we really need volunteers to successfully pull it off,” said the club’s Executive Director Greg Jackson. “We’re excited to have MHS Girl’s Basketball and the Key Club involved and certainly welcome other groups as well.”

Those who would like to volunteer should contact Kathleen Newcomb at the Boys and Girls Club (781) 834-CLUB (2582) or stop by the club, which is located in library plaza.

Tickets for the “Polar Express” event are $20 each and on sale now at the Boys and Girls Club. Tickets may also be purchased online at marshfieldpolarexpress.com.

About the Boys and Girls Club

The Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield’s purpose is to establish a safe haven for recreation, which includes a variety of supervised activities for greater than 4,000 youth (between the ages of 6 to 18 years old) within the town. The Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield has five Core Areas: Character and Leadership; Education and Career; Health, Sport Fitness Recreation and Life Skills; The Arts; and Technology. These Core Areas serve as the foundation for all programming.

As a privately-funded, non-profit organization, the Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield relies tremendously on the generous philanthropic support of individuals.  Financial gifts assist in providing the financial strength necessary to continue the club’s mission “to enable and inspire all young people to realize their full potential as productive and responsible citizens, as well as become tomorrow’s capable leaders.”

For more information about the Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield, please contact (781) 834-CLUB (2582) or visit the website at MarshfieldBoysAndGirlsClub.com or write to the club at P.O. Box 311, Marshfield, MA 02050.

Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield Needs Volunteers for Marshfield Polar Express Magical Train RideRead More

A perfect 10! DirectBuy of Southeast Denver celebrates 10-Year Milestone

ENGLEWOOD, CO…

For ten years, DirectBuy of Southeast Denver has been offering consumers in the greater Englewood area a brand new way to save on home improvement projects, furnishings and accessories.

As the leading home improvement and home furnishings club with direct insider prices, DirectBuy of Southeast Denver offers products ranging from light fixtures to televisions to kitchen cabinets, from more than 700 manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. DirectBuy also offers design, delivery and installation services.

“The growth we’ve experienced since we opened our doors 10 years ago is a little hard to fathom,” said Gerald Reif, owner of DirectBuy of Southeast Denver. “Not only have we grown in terms of the number of our members, but also in the number of manufacturers who want to sell their products through DirectBuy. And that’s got us even more excited about the next 10 years.”

In addition to tremendous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, flooring and accessories, DirectBuy also offers design services to its members, as well as a listing of local contractors who offer installation services, many times at a discounted rate.

“Our 10 years in business have not only given us the opportunity to help families in the greater Denver area create the home of their dreams, but to also establish ourselves as part of the local business community,” said Reif. “We look forward to further cultivating those relationships with our customers and the community as we build toward even bigger and better things in the years to come.”

Since 1999, DirectBuy of Southeast Denver has helped consumers enjoy enormous savings by providing an avenue to purchase directly from the manufacturer and their authorized suppliers. Conveniently located at 6950 South Tucson Way, Suite L in Englewood, DirectBuy offers consumers a comfortable setting, where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

DirectBuy Membership

Consumers who are interested in joining DirectBuy of Southeast Denver are encouraged to attend an exclusive Open House event, which is designed to educate families about DirectBuy’s unique business model.  The Open House also helps consumers better understand how DirectBuy members avoid traditional retail markup when purchasing brand-name merchandise. 

To request a “Free Insider’s Guide to Buying Direct” and a Visitor’s Pass to learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership, visit www.directbuy.com.

About DirectBuy

For more than 38 years, DirectBuy has been showing hundreds of thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save as they shop for virtually everything for in and around their homes – from furnishings, home improvement and flooring, to entertainment and outdoor products, accessories and much, much more. With more than 160 locations in North America, DirectBuy offers its members access to more than 700 brand-name manufacturers and authorized suppliers in the United States, and approximately 500 brand-name manufacturers and their authorized suppliers in Canada..

Consumers interested in seeing DirectBuy’s savings, service and selection up close may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting www.directbuycares.com.

A perfect 10! DirectBuy of Southeast Denver celebrates 10-Year MilestoneRead More

Having a Bear of a time getting football tix? DirectBuy of Chicago North and DirectBuy of Lake County host raffle for football tickets.

CHICAGO, GURNEE, HOFFMAN ESTATES, NAPERVILLE, TINLEY PARK, IL …

Are you ready for some football? If so, we’ve got your ticket – two tickets actually – to be a part of the action, as DirectBuy of Chicago North and DirectBuy of Lake County are celebrating the football season by raffling off two tickets to the Chicago Bears versus St. Louis Rams game on December 6, 2009.

“Chicagoland residents love their football and their Bears,” said Mark Perry, DirectBuy of Lake County’s Managing Partner. “We’re really looking forward to this month-long celebration of what’s truly become America’s pastime: the game of football.”

Fans who attend an Open House at either DirectBuy of Chicago North or DirectBuy of Lake County will automatically be entered into the drawing and also receive a piece of authentic NFL apparel, while supplies last. The promotion officially kicked off on October 27 and runs through November 26, with the winner being announced on November 30, 2009.

“In this part of the country, football is a bit more than just a game. It’s an event, a happening. Unfortunately, not everybody has access to or can afford to buy tickets,” said Brent Gilliland, Managing Partner at DirectBuy of Chicago North. “We set up this special raffle to celebrate the Bears’ promising start to the 2009 season and to give fans an opportunity to be a part of what we hope will be a very successful year for them.”

While the raffle itself will award two tickets to a Bears game to some lucky fan, DirectBuy also offers everything else football fans could possibly need to watch the game from home — flat screen TVs, recliners and home theater seating, even kegerators for your den or entertainment room — at direct insider prices from your favorite brand names. In addition, each DirectBuy club employs product specialists and designers who can help members create the “man cave” or entertainment room that works best for their home.

Fans can also enter by sending their name, address, phone number and e-mail address on a 3 x 5 index card to DirectBuy, Attn: Mike Georgeff, 8450 Broadway, Merrillville, IN 46410.

For more than 38 years, DirectBuy clubs have offered members the opportunity to enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, and accessories by purchasing from over 700 brand-name manufacturers and authorized suppliers. With several convenient locations in the greater Chicago area (Chicago, Gurnee, Hoffman Estates, Naperville, and Tinley Park), consumers can enjoy a comfortable, country-club setting, where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

For more information on a DirectBuy membership, you can visit http://www.directbuycares.com.

About DirectBuy

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped hundreds of thousands of families enjoy a better quality of life, enabling them to buy directly from more than 700 manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. Buying direct makes members’ hard-earned money go much further, while having the selection and choice not available at any retail store. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers, and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality. The DirectBuy clubs serving the greater Chicago area are part of more than 160 locations throughout North America.

Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting http://www.directbuycares.com. 

Locations of the DirectBuy clubs serving the greater Chicago area are: DirectBuy of Hoffman Estates, 2200 Stonington Ave Ste. 150, Hoffman Estates, IL; DirectBuy of Chicago North, 6325 North Avondale Ste. 110, Chicago, IL; DirectBuy of DuPage County, 1864 High Grove Lane Ste. 124, Naperville, IL; DirectBuy of Lake County, 3900 Washington Street, Gurnee, IL; and DirectBuy of Tinley Park, 18400 S. 76th Avenue Ste. B, Tinley Park, IL.

To learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership, visit www.directbuycares.com.

Having a Bear of a time getting football tix? DirectBuy of Chicago North and DirectBuy of Lake County host raffle for football tickets.Read More

100 South Shore Seniors on Home Care Wait List according to Old Colony Elder Services

DATELINE: PLYMOUTH COUNTY AND AVON; EASTON AND STOUGHTON, MA…More than 1,000 seniors are on the Home Care wait list for services thanks to state budget cuts already incurred this year in the elderly home care program. Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) of Brockton, one of 27 private, non-profit Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts explained that the waiting list was imposed on September 8th and forty one days later, more than 1,000 people are waiting. Mass Home Care says that cuts already implemented will push the waiting list up to as many as 6,000 people by the end of June 2010.

Cutbacks this year have already been made to the Home Care and Enhanced Community Options programs. These programs are essential because they help seniors maintain their independence and enable them to live in the least restrictive setting, usually their own home.

“We are very disappointed over the large number of seniors who need home care and cannot get it. The typical home care client is an elder who needs help with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, eating and/or walking. With cuts to home care, often their only other choice is a nursing home,” explained Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES. As of today, due to the waiting list criteria, OCES is unable to provide services to approximately 100 elders.

“It is ironic that the door to nursing home care is wide open, but the door to home care has been slammed shut for hundreds of seniors,” said Al Norman, Executive Director of Mass Home Care.

Based on the 2006 “Equal Choice” law that Mass Home Care wrote, seniors and individuals with disabilities are supposed to be given a choice of where they wish to receive services – at home or in an institution; most people prefer their own home. Because of these budget cuts, many seniors now have the choice of nursing home care or a waiting list.

Norman added, “The hits we’ve already received have a taken a toll on very vulnerable seniors. It’s fiscally short-sighted to cut the programs that keep people out of the more expensive levels of care. In a budget crunch, this is precisely the time to keep home care open, and divert people away from institutions.”

About OCES
Incorporated in 1974, Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) is one of 27 private, non-profit Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  OCES touches the lives of approximately 16,000 people a year. They have 140 employees and operate 20 programs serving elders, their families and caregivers. 

OCES serves elders, their families and caregivers in the towns of Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Kingston, Lakeville, Marshfield, Middleboro, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rockland, Stoughton, Wareham, West Bridgewater and Whitman.

The organization’s mission is to provide services that support the dignity and independence of elders by helping them maximize their quality of life; live safely and in good health; and, prevent
unnecessary or premature institutionalization. 

For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

100 South Shore Seniors on Home Care Wait List according to Old Colony Elder ServicesRead More

How to create your dream green home

ORLANDO, FL…

Outside of Barry and Susan Sitkoff’s home sits six cans of recyclables and one bag of trash, however; their passion for living green goes far beyond their curb appeal. As a hydrogeologist at NASA, Susan walks the walk of an environmentalist, routinely performing environmental cleanups and assessments as part of her job. So when it came time for Barry and Susan to build their new home, green was the natural direction—it was just a matter of how.

“Green homes are healthier, safer, more comfortable and cost less to operate,” said Susan Sitkoff. “They connect people to the land and community around them.”

In May of 2008, the Sitkoffs officially began the process of building their dream green home. It started by attending a green building workshop at DirectBuy of Orlando South where they learned about the different green construction methods and products available. Having already researched retail pricing for their green products, the couple saw the significant cost savings they would experience with a DirectBuy membership and sought membership that same day.

“For the most part, everybody wants to live greener, but there’s a cost associated with that,” said Brian Cohen, owner of DirectBuy of Orlando South. “At DirectBuy, our members are buying directly from the manufacturer. That can result in significant savings on green products up front so you can run your home more efficiently and save on energy costs on the back end.”

With the assistance of DirectBuy’s product specialists, the Sitkoffs made their purchases with quality and efficiency in mind and created a “greener than green” dream home. Here’s what went into their dream green home:

Walls – Constructed with Eco-Block, an insulated concrete form containing three inches of foam on the outside, three inches of foam on the inside and a solid three-inch concrete core. Building with ECO-Block can save homeowners up to 50 percent on energy cost. Eco-Block has other significant benefits, including: reduced noise transmission; resist the growth of mold or mildew; can be built to any seismic or hurricane-storm standard; and has an up to a four-hour fire resistive rating.

Attic – A closed cell foam was installed on the roof deck while an AC feed and return were installed in the attic without roof vents to prevent energy loss and allow the Sitkoffs to use their attic as living space – something that is virtually unheard of in Florida.

Windows – Double-pane, Low E windows were installed throughout the house. Double-pane windows (not to be confused with double-hung windows) have two panes of glass, and can reduce heat loss by 50 percent or more. In addition, the Low E glass used (the E stands for emissivity) minimizes the impact of direct sunlight by reflecting heat back to its source. The Sitkoffs further reduced the impact of direct sunlight by designing their home with north and south facing patios.

Garage Door – A steel-back insulated garage door with R-15 insulation was used to provide excellent thermal performance. R-15 high density insulation consists of more fibers per square inch, resulting in a higher R-value per square inch in less space than standard insulation products.

Toilets and Faucets – The Sitkoffs installed low-flow toilets, showerheads and faucets  that should reduce water usage by 50 percent.

Water Heater – A gas on-demand water heater was installed instead of the typical hot water heater that continuously heats the water in the tank. A tankless hot water heater, like the one installed, can reduce energy usage while making hot water available by turning on the tap.

Appliances – Their gourmet kitchen was equipped with all Energy-star rated appliances, including a 48-inch dual fuel (electric oven gas range) with a six-burner top and a warming drawer to provide heat with less power than the oven to keep food at a perfect temperature.

Lighting – All of the lights have dimmers or Eco-bulbs. Eco-bulbs have the following benefits:  

  • High power factor means less distortion on the electricity network
  • Last up to twice as long as other energy-saving bulbs
  • Reduce green house gas emissions
  • 15,000 hour life – the equivalent of either 14 standard bulbs or three average energy-saving bulbs.
  • Recyclable packaging
  • Very low amalgam content used in production

Flooring – Carpeting with recycled content was installed, as well as natural stone (travertine floors and bathroom tile with granite countertops for the kitchens and bathrooms). Natural stone flooring and tile are sustainable choices that will last many lifetimes.

The Sitkoffs completed their dream green home in June of 2009. Since moving in, they spend $100-$150 less a month on electric than their neighbors with the same size home.

“We might have spent a little more to build green but in the long-run, we will save substantially,” said Barry Sitkoff.

And the greening of their dream home is far from over.

“The next thing on our list to buy is an energy rated washer and dryer that will reduce power usage even more,” said Susan Sitkoff. “And the next big project will be installing rain barrels to capture rainwater to use for irrigating our planned greenhouse. We will continue to look to DirectBuy for all our green products.”

Since 1971, DirectBuy clubs across North America have helped consumers enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, and accessories, by providing an avenue to purchase directly from the manufacturer. In addition, each DirectBuy club employs product specialists and designers who can help members create the home of their dreams.

DirectBuy Membership

Consumers who are interested in joining DirectBuy are encouraged to attend an exclusive Open House event, which is designed to educate families about DirectBuy’s unique business model.  The Open House also helps consumers better understand how DirectBuy members avoid traditional retail markup when purchasing brand-name merchandise. 

To request a “Free Insider’s Guide to Buying Direct” and a Visitor’s Pass to learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership, visit www.directbuy.com.

About DirectBuy

For more than 38 years, DirectBuy has been showing hundreds of thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save as they shop for virtually everything for in and around their homes – from furnishings, home improvement and flooring, to entertainment and outdoor products, accessories and much, much more. With more than 160 locations in North America, DirectBuy offers its members access to approximately 700 brand-name manufacturers and their authorized suppliers in the United States, and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers and their authorized suppliers in Canada .

Consumers interested in seeing DirectBuy’s savings, service and selection up close may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting www.directbuycares.com.

How to create your dream green homeRead More