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Boot Camp for New Dads Advises Parents of 19 Essential Items for the Hospital

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When your baby’s birth is imminent and you are rushing to get to the hospital, it’s very likely that you’ll forget something. Being prepared beforehand is key and one of the best ways to start preparing is by making a list.

Greg Bishop, founder of Boot Camp for New Dads, a non-profit orientation program for fathers-to-be, operating in more than 260 hospitals, clinics, schools, fire stations and churches around North America and internationally, and author of two books on fathering, advises parents who are expecting to prepare a list of items to bring to the hospital, and keep it with the hospital bag to double check before heading out.

Below, Bishop shares the “19 Essential Items” that are listed in his most recent book Crash Course for New Dads: Tools, Checklists and Cheat Sheets:

1. A folder containing important documents including insurance cards, pre-admission forms, birth plan (two or three copies), etc.

2. Baby book (many nurseries will put your baby’s footprint in the book).

3. A watch with a second hand or digital readout.

4. Change of clothes and pajamas for mom (and dad, if staying overnight)

5. Warm shirt because hospital rooms are kept cool.

6. Basic toiletries such as a toothbrush, shaver, shampoo and deodorant.

7. Comfortable shoes, as you may do a lot of walking.

8. Something to read to mom.

9. CD, iPod or other music player with mom’s favorite music.

10. Pain-easing tools recommended at your birthing classes such as tennis balls, hot or cold packs, massagers, lotion, etc.

11. A bathing suit for dad to help mom take a shower which eases labor pains.

12. Something to eat and drink such as sandwich or power bars and juice, in a small cooler. Pack snacks for both of you for after the birth.

13. Cash to have on hand.

14. Pen and pad of paper.

15. Camera (photos and/or video), with extra film, battery, etc.

16. Address book and/or a list of phone numbers to announce birth.

17. Cell phone or calling card.

18. Champagne to celebrate. (Put your name on it and ask a nurse to store it in the fridge.)

19. Childbirth Coaching Guide from Crash Course for New Dads.

According to Bishop, “When you’re trying to get out the door and to the hospital, it’s guaranteed that you’ll forget one or more important items. Being prepared ahead of time is half the battle. In addition to considering our list of 19 Essential Items, expectant parents should talk to staff at the hospital; other attendees in birthing classes or someone they know who recently delivered a baby to get even more ideas for their list. Time is of the essence and you don’t want to have to drop mom at the hospital then rush back home to retrieve insurance papers or something else you must have. Every moment counts.”

Tips, Advice, Instructions and more

Greg Bishop offers strategies from more than 200,000 new dads that have gone through the Boot Camp for New Dads program in his second book, Crash Course for New Dads: Tools, Checklists and Cheat Sheets. His first book, Hit the Ground Crawling, covers work balance, being a dad, caring for a new mom and much more. Both books are available online at www.DadsAdventure.com.

New Dads Learn What to Expect at Boot Camp Workshops

Dads-to-be will be better equipped to face the challenges and opportunities of fatherhood after attending a Boot Camp “hands on” educational workshop. Men attend the class when they are expecting their first baby, and are joined in the workshop by “veterans” who had previously attended and have returned with their two to four-month-old baby in tow. They are able to give the dads-to-be a realistic idea of what to do and what to expect when their first baby comes. For many men attending, it’s their first time holding a baby.

Boot Camp for New Dads

Now celebrating their 18th year, Boot Camp for New Dads is nationally acclaimed as the “Best Practice” for preparing men to be fathers and has been named a U.S. Navy Model Program. Boot Camp for New Dads has prepared more than 200,000 men for fatherhood over the years.

With more than 4.1 million births (National Center for Health Statistics), and approximately 1.5 million men becoming new dads every year, it’s more important than ever for fathers to realize that being a “good provider” is only part of the very central role they have in their children’s lives.

For more information about Boot Camp for New Dads, visit www.bcnd.org, or to visit Dads Adventure, go to www.Dadsadventure.com. To arrange an interview with Greg Bishop, please contact sdubin@prworkzone.com, (781) 582-1061.

National and International Locations

Boot Camp For New Dads locations include ALASKA (Anchorage); ARIZONA (Chandler, Flagstaff, Gilbert, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sun City); ARKANSAS (Jonesboro, Paragould, Springdale); CALIFORNIA (Apple Valley, Bakersfield, , Fresno, Garden Grove, Irvine, Laguna Hills, Madera, Merced, Mission Hills, , Oakland, Orange, Pomona, Port Hueneme, San Diego, Santa Ana, Santa Barbara, , S. Lake Tahoe, Travis, Valley Springs); COLORADO (Aurora, Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver, Durango, Fort Collins, Fort Carson, Greeley, Longmont, Thornton, Wheat Ridge); CONNECTICUT (Bristol, Danbury, New London); FLORIDA (Brandon, Clearwater, Hollywood, Jacksonville, North Palm Beach, Orlando, St. Petersburg, West Palm Beach, Sarasota, Tampa); GEORGIA (Atlanta, Elberton, Gainesville, Marietta, Savannah); HAWAII (Pearl Harbor, Schofield); ILLINOIS (Aurora, Carbondale, Champaign, Chicago, East St. Louis, Evanston, Freeport, Geneva, Great Lakes, Highland Park, Libertyville, Moline, Oak Park, Rockford, Springfield, Urbana, Winfield); INDIANA (Anderson, Bluffton, Hammond, Indianapolis, Jeffersonville, Kokomo); IOWA (Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Jefferson, Sioux City); KANSAS (Junction City, Topeka); KENTUCKY (Paducah); LOUISIANA (Covington); MAINE (Auburn, Augusta, Bangor, Brunswick, Ellsworth, Waterville); MARYLAND (Annapolis) MASSACHUSETTS (Beverly, Ipswich, Lowell, Nantucket, Plymouth, Weymouth, Springfield); MICHIGAN (, Ann Arbor, Bay City, Centreville, Iron Mountain, Ithaca, Kalamazoo, Niles, St Joseph, Ypsilanti); MINNESOTA (Brainerd, Duluth, Robbinsdale); MISSISSIPPI (Tupelo); MISSOURI (Jefferson City) MONTANA (Billings, Helena, Miles City); NEBRASKA (Kearney, Lincoln, Omaha); NEVADA (Las Vegas) NEW HAMPSHIRE (Manchester, Portsmouth); NEW JERSEY (Princeton) NEW YORK (Glens Falls, Little Falls, Mineola, Rome, Utica); NORTH CAROLINA (Burlington, Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Concord, Ft. Bragg, Greensboro, Monroe, Raleigh, Shelby); NORTH DAKOTA (Grand Forks); OHIO (Akron, Cleveland, Columbus, East Cleveland, East Liverpool, Garfield Heights, Lima, Lorain, Mayfield Heights, Middleburg Heights, Orange Village, Portsmouth, Toledo, Warren, Westlake, Youngstown); OKLAHOMA (Claremore, Oklahoma City, Tulsa); OREGON (Corvalis, McMinnville, Salem, Silverton); SOUTH CAROLINA (Columbia, Pickens, Walhalla); TENNESSEE (Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis); TEXAS (Amarillo, Dallas, Fort Hood, Longview, Lubbock, Plano, San Antonio, Texarkana, Waco, Webster); VERMONT (Barre, Brattleboro, Middlebury); VIRGINIA (Charlottesville, Chesapeake, Hampton, Richmond) WASHINGTON (Everett, Fairchild AFB, Longview, Olympia, Puyallup, Yakima); WEST VIRGINIA (Wheeling); WISCONSIN (Florence, Green Bay, Madison, Oshkosh, Watertown, Wausau); JAPAN (Atsugi, Yokosuka), ITALY (Sicily); UNITED KINGDOM [a.k.a. Hit the Ground Crawling] (Birmingham, Liverpool)

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South Shore Skin Center’s Dermatologists Offer Insight on Signs of Stress

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With the holidays over, the bills rolling in and a bleak economic forecast for 2009, stress levels are running high.

Although you may believe you’ve hidden your stress well, signs of stress can be exhibited in your skin.

According to Dr. Richard Eisen, a dermatologist at South Shore Skin Center, “Stress affects your hormones, elevating Cortisol levels which increase oil levels in your skin. Stress will aggravate skin conditions such as acne, eczema and psoriasis. Yet, it can also affect your nails and cause your hair to fall out.”

There are two kinds of stress. Emotional stress pertains to the stress that goes along with stock market losses; the loss of a job or the loss of a loved one. Physical stress pertains to stress on the body due to pregnancy, illness or an operation. Both types of stress can affect your skin, nails and hair.

Dr. Eisen, along with dermatologist Dr. Ramzi Saad of South Shore Skin Center provide insight on how stress affects the skin:

For those who are prone to acne, the elevated levels of Cortisol will lead to increase in acne outbreaks. With more outbreaks, people are less confident and often have lower self esteem. This creates a negative feedback loop as they become stressed about their acne as well as everything else.

In extreme forms of stress and emotional upheaval, some people with acne try to reduce their acne by picking and scratching at it. This is actually a condition called acne excoriée. The picking and scratching of acne can lead to infection and scarring. In this case, it’s important that the person with acne excoriée see a dermatologist for treatment.

Other skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema and itching are worsened by stress and breakouts will be more severe and more frequent. When a person is stressed, s/he has less of a threshold of pain for the itching and scratches even more. Yet, even those who don’t have a skin condition, may scratch when they are under stress. Some people become itchy and scratch so much that they leave sores. This is a concern if it is ongoing, and should be evaluated.

Some people who are stressed will pick at their cuticles which damages the nail matrix and leads to ridges in the nails. Picking at the cuticles is known as a “habit tic”. It causes damage to the growing part of nail, resulting in ridges in the nail that may take up to a year to grow out. If a stressed person keeps picking at her/his cuticles, s/he will end up with permanent nail changes, and ridges, that can’t be reversed.

Stress will also show in your face. From dark circles under the eyes to frowning and furrowing of the brow. More sleep will help to remedy the dark circles, but frowning and brow furrowing can lead to deep lines which are more noticeable. Botox can relax the muscle used to frown and furrow the brow and stop the manifestation of stress.

Under severe emotional stress such as the loss of job, the hormonal changes ensued can affect the hair cycle. When the hair cycle is affected, more hair will be in the “resting phase” as opposed to the “growing phase”. Typically 10-15 percent of hair is in the resting phase normally, which means 50-100 hairs per day will be shed without shampooing and 100-150 hairs will be shed with shampooing.

Both emotional stress and physical stress (from pregnancy) will cause more hair to be in the resting phase, which is a condition called “telogen effluvium”. When there is an excess of resting hairs, the stressed person will lose a noticeable amount (sometimes in clumps) of 200 or more hairs per day. Typically, the stress cycle is six months long before the stressed person will begin to see hair growing back.

Drs. Eisen and Saad offer several tips to help combat stress exhibited in the skin:

· Try to eat well. Don’t skip meals or skimp on nutritious foods. Poor diet will only increase symptoms of stress.

· Try to get enough sleep.

· Try to exercise on a regular basis, at least three times a week. A brisk 20 to 30 minute walk can be beneficial and doesn’t require special equipment or a gym membership.

“Individuals who are experiencing more frequent acne outbreaks, acne excoriée or who have eczema, psoriasis or another skin concern should consult their dermatologist for treatment,” noted Dr. Saad.

To learn more about Dr. Eisen and the South Shore Skin Center practice, visit southshoreskincenter.com.

South Shore Skin Center

Founded in 1984, South Shore Skin Center is one of Massachusetts’ most progressive dermatology practices offering a wide range of medical, surgical and cosmetic services.

South Shore Skin Center’s cosmetic services include Fraxel re:pair and re:store; Gentle YAG, innovative Laser, IPL (Intensive Pulse Light), Thermage and treatments for age spots, acne scarring, birth marks, tattoos and more. The practice also offers a full range of affordable anti-aging services including Botox, wrinkle fillers, Microdermabrasion, laser skin resurfacing and chemical peels.

South Shore Skin Center offices are located at 223 Chief Justice Cushing Highway, Suite 202 in Cohasset, Mass. (781) 383-3340, and 45 Resnik Road, Suite 102 in Plymouth, Mass., (508) 747-0711. For more information, visit their website at www.southshoreskincenter.com.

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DirectBuy offers “play” areas for parents and children.

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

By purchasing directly from the manufacturer, DirectBuy members can not only save a lot of money, but enjoy the process as well. And while it can be a lot of fun to pick out your new kitchen, the new floors for your bathroom, it also requires your full attention. That’s a luxury members with children don’t always have.

The five DirectBuy franchises of the greater Chicago—DirectBuy of Chicago North, DirectBuy of Tinley Park, DirectBuy of Hoffman Estates, DirectBuy of DuPage County and DirectBuy of Gurnee—have developed a “Kids Zone” area in their respective clubs so parents can focus on the task at hand and kids can enjoy the DirectBuy experience, too.

Though not a supervised area, the Kids Zone features a number of things to keep school-age children occupied and entertained: books, puzzles and games. The Kids Zone also includes a flat screen television so children of members can watch movies or play games. 

“Let’s face it, most kids would rather go to the dentist than watch their parents shop for their next home improvement project. By the same token, it’s difficult for members with children to get the most out of the experience and do the research they need to do if they’re concerned about the kids getting fidgety. The Kids Zone gives children of DirectBuy members a place to play games, watch TV or even make new friends with other members’ kids while the grown-ups have their ‘fun’,” said I.J. Sell, owner of DirectBuy of Tinley Park.

Creating fun things to do for children is nothing new for DirectBuy. DirectBuy franchises across North America regularly donate equipment to youth organizations like the Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCAs, and children’s hospitals.

“Because we are entrenched in the greater Chicago community, we have an even greater incentive to make this a one-of-a-kind, unique shopping experience because many of the members are our friends, neighbors, even relatives,” said Dave Kushner, owner of DirectBuy of Hoffman Estates. “The Kids Zone and donations to youth groups are just an extension of that philosophy.”

Since 1971, DirectBuy showrooms have offered members the opportunity to enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products and accessories by buying wholesale, directly from the manufacturer. With five 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 call 1-800-DIRECTBUY or visit http://www.directbuychicago.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. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers, and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality.  It’s a comfortable, country-club setting, where you finally have the financial control of buying direct. The five DirectBuy showrooms 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.directbuychicago.com/. 

Locations of the five DirectBuy showrooms serving the greater Chicago area are: DirectBuy of Gurnee, 4081 Ryan Rd. #107, Gurnee, IL; DirectBuy of Hoffman Estates, 2200 N. Stonington Ave Ste. 150 Hoffman Estates, IL; DirectBuy of Chicago North, 6325 Avondale, Chicago, IL; DirectBuy of DuPage County, 1864 Highgrove Ste. 136 Naperville, 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.

 

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3rd Annual Comedy Night to be held at Venus II Restaurant in Marshfield on January 24th

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Mark your calendar for a night of great entertainment on Saturday, January 24th! The third annual Comedy Night will be held at the Venus II Restaurant, located at 277 Ocean Street in Brant Rock to raise funds for the Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield.

The talented emcee and comedian Chrissy Kelleher, who has opened shows for Kevin Nealon and Loretta LaRoche and appeared on Nickelodeon’s America’s Funniest Mom and who is the co-founder of the Boys and Girls Club comedy writing camp for teens known as Camp Chuckles, will host the event.

Kelleher will be joined by the area’s funniest comedians including local favorites Johnny Cullen, a former employee of the Boys and Girls Club and finalist in the Rhode Island Comedy Festival; Boston comedian Ed Kopesky who also appears regularly at the Comedy Studio; Jimmy Bowes, co-founder of Camp Chuckles; Dan Boulger, winner of the 2006 Boston Comedy Festival and from Comedy Central, Rich Gustus.

Max Clary, who is a 15-year-old and a recent graduate of Camp Chuckles and who is now a regular performer at the Comedy Studio in Cambridge, is also scheduled to appear in the show.

Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 each and all proceeds will go to the Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield.

More than 200 people attended last year’s sold-out Comedy Night at the Venus II which raised $4,500 for the non-profit club.

Tickets may be purchased in advance online at www.boysandgirlsclubof marshfield.com or at the Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield located in Library Plaza. Tickets will be available at the door on the night of the show at the Venus II. For more information contact 781-834-2582.

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 youths (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 www.MarshfieldBoysAndGirlsClub.com or write to the club at P.O. Box 311, Marshfield, MA 02050.

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Valentines Day dates for $10 or less

NORWELL, MA…

Just because we’re stuck in the middle of a recession, doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate Valentine’s Day. In fact, there are many ways to celebrate this lover’s holiday without breaking the bank. And according to love expert Paul Falzone, CEO of The Right One and Together Dating–one of the world’s largest brick-and-mortar dating services with more than 60 offices nationwide—many of those date ideas for Valentine’s Day won’t even require a trip to the ATM.

“Sure, the economy could be in better shape. But should that really matter when you’re sharing Valentine’s Day with someone you care about? We all know the answer to that one. Of course not,” said Falzone. “When it comes to Valentine’s Day, if people start to think with their hearts and not their wallets, they’ll discover a world of possibilities for romantic Valentine’s Day dates.”

For example:

  • Sunrise or sunset trip to the park or another location where you can snuggle up on a bench with comforter and hot chocolate to watch the sun come up or down.
  • Laundry date: Trip to the local laundromat; clothes have got to be cleaned anyway. Bring a picnic basket. Sharing washers and dryers recoups any expenses.
  • Attend a poetry reading at your local library or bookstore, many of which are free—save the price of any lattes or coffees. Your local newspaper’s calendar section should have the info. Better yet, find your favorite poem, dress in a black turtle neck, buy some instant espresso from the grocery store and host your own poetry reading.
  • Netflix chick flick movie marathon – Get a trial Netflix membership and rent all the chick flick/Valentine’s Day classics (An Affair to Remember, It Happened One Night, Casablanca). 
  • Valentine’s Day pot luck – Share your Valentine’s Day meal with two or three other couples with each bringing a dish.
  • Sledding (not just for kids)
  • Ice skating (some outdoor and indoor rinks are less than $5 per person if you have your own skates)

“When we were kids, Valentine’s Day meant cut-out hearts that you snuck into the locker of the person you had the crush on. We lost track of that ‘it’s the thought that counts’ approach to the day. Frankly, when it comes to Valentine’s Day, the only bottom line that really counts is that you’re with the one you love,” said Falzone.

Help is on the way
Catering to more than 300,000 members at more than 60 locations throughout North America, The Right One and Together Dating are the largest brick and mortar dating services in the industry, offering a more consistent product, a greater number of potentially compatible mates and added value of flexibility in transferring memberships to another geographic region. 
Romantic Locations

North American locations and affiliates of Together are located in:  Georgia (Savannah); Indiana (Ft. Wayne, Carmel, Mishawaka); Kentucky (Lexington, Louisville); Louisiana (Metairie); Maryland (Columbia, Frederick); Minnesota (Edina); Nevada (Reno); New Hampshire (Hooksett, Nashua, Portsmouth and Salem); Ohio (Cincinnati); South Carolina (Greenville); Texas (San Antonio) and Virginia (Falls Church).

The Right One’s offices and affiliates located throughout the United States include:  California (San Diego); Colorado (Glendale); Georgia (Atlanta); Illinois (Downers Grove, Rockford and Normal); Massachusetts (Norwell, Newton Center, Shrewsbury and Woburn); Michigan (Bingham Farms); Nebraska (Omaha and Lincoln); New Jersey (Cherry Hill); Nevada (Las Vegas); Pennsylvania (King of Prussia); Rhode Island (Warwick); Texas (Dallas and Austin); Utah (Salt Lake City); and Wisconsin (Madison, Appleton, Elm Grove).

Singles Station Dating Company, an affiliate of The Right One and Together Dating, is the largest independently owned personal introduction service in the Southwest. In the last 25 years, Singles Station has introduced more than 100,000 couples and is responsible for thousands of successful relationships and marriages. Singles Station Dating Co. has offices conveniently located in Oklahoma (Oklahoma City and Tulsa), Arkansas (Bentonville, Fort Smith and Little Rock), Tennessee (Memphis and Nashville), Missouri (Springfield and St. Louis) and will be opening soon in Kansas (Wichita and Kansas City). For more information about Singles Station, please visit www.singlesstation.com or call 866-807-LOVE(5683).

For more information about Together Dating and The Right One, please visit their websites at www.togetherdating.com and www.therightone.com, or call (800) 818-DATE (3283).

 

 

 

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USMMA’s Mike Campbell to Fight in WEC Championship in San Diego on January 25th

Mike Campbell, a resident of Franklin, MA and an MMA fighter coached by Tom Hafers, owner of United States Mixed Martial Arts (USMMA) studio in Bellingham, MA and New England Boxing Champion Matt Phinney, is set for a nationally televised WEC (World Extreme Cagefighting) bout at the San Diego Sports Arena on January 25, 2009.

Campbell, at 5’8” and 170 lbs. will put his perfect 6-0 record on the line against his opponent, Danillo Villefort, a 6’1”, 170 lbs. fighter holding an established 8-2 record. The two will meet in the WEC, one of the largest mixed martial arts organizations in the world. Facing talented fighters is nothing new to Campbell however, as his past two fights have been against some of the toughest New England has to offer. Campbell was named “Fighter of the Month” in MassMMA in June after defeating top-ranked welterweight Rich Moskowitz by KO in the first round. He then went on to defeat Tim Pinney. That fight being televised later in a reality MMA TV show called Tapout that featured Campbell and followed him through his training.

“I’m very excited about the match. Both Tom and Matt at USMMA are great coaches who have helped me get where I am today. I’ve trained hard and I’m definitely ready to take on Villefort,” noted Campbell. Campbell’s training for Mixed Martial Arts competition is made up of a compilation of combat skills involving Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Thai boxing, wrestling, kickboxing and judo. These skills, coupled with his conditioning, will be Campbell’s advantage in the cage on January 25th.

Campbell’s match precedes the World Lightweight Championship match between Jamie Varner and undefeated Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone main event and the co-main event rematch of Urijah Faber against Jens Pulver. This show is a step up in class, though the lights and cameras are nothing new to Campbell. “We’ve had the cameras around for the fights before and it wasn’t a issue. My focus is on the task at hand and I have a great team behind me that I know I can count on,” says Campbell.

Mike Campbell and his training camp will arrive in San Diego a few days before the event for final preparations. Weigh-ins are held the day before and Campbell will fight the following night. “This has been one of the toughest training camps I’ve run,” says Hafers. “Mike is in peak condition and his skills are there to match. I am very impressed by his work ethic; he has a very bright future ahead of him.”

With the training camp winding down and the fight date fast approaching, Campbell, Hafers, and Phinney put the finishing touches into training. Like so many great fighters from the past, Campbell appears to wear the mantle of a champion with a confident familiarity. His greatest test now coming before him, Mike Campbell is poised and ready to show the world in explosive fashion, the product of all his hard work.

The WEC event will be televised nationally on VERSUS at 9:30 p.m. EST (Visit the website versus.com/findversus to find the fight.) Tickets may be purchased through the San Diego Sports Arena Box Office or through Ticketmaster at 619-220-8497 or at ticketmaster.com.

For more information about WEC, visit www.wec.tv.

About USMMA

USMMA focuses on elevating the physical and spiritual well being of students through Mixed Martial Arts and Yoga. Classes offered include Strength & Conditioning; Brazilian Jiu Jitsu; Thai Boxing; Cardio Thai Boxing; Wrestling; Cardio and Open Mat; Kids Mixed Martial Arts; Pilates; Power Yoga and Deep Flow Yoga.

USMMA’s state of the art, 4,000 square foot training facility is complete with a 2,000 square foot padded MMA training floor equipped with heavy bags and conditioning equipment, a 1,500 square foot yoga studio, locker rooms, showers and a juice bar. USMMA is located at 316 Hartford Avenue in Bellingham. For more information, call 508-966-5006 or visit their website at www.usmma.org.

USMMA’s Mike Campbell to Fight in WEC Championship in San Diego on January 25thRead More

Groomathon to benefit MSPCA. DirectBuy of BostonSouth, Rockland, to host pet grooming event on Saturday, Jan. 31

ROCKLAND, MA…

On Saturday, January 31, it will truly be a dog’s day at the DirectBuy of Boston South located near the Rockland/Hingham line and just off Route 228. At that time, the local Zoomin’ Groomin’ van will be at the 10 Commerce Road location to offer grooming services for the pets of DirectBuy members and the general public. All proceeds from the event will go to the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

“Winter months are kind of a tough time for keeping your pets clean. You don’t want to wash them outside and unless you’ve got a dedicated area in your house for cleaning your pet, it means using one of your tubs or sinks,” said John Massaria, owner of DirectBuy of Boston South. “By hosting this event, we’re providing a service for our pet-owning members and pet owners from the general public and we are raising money for a very worthy cause, the MSPCA.”

The pet grooming event will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. as the Zoomin’ Groomin vans will be in the parking lot of DirectBuy of Boston South. While there is no charge to have your pets groomed, the recommended donation is $50-$100. One hundred percent of that money will be donated to MSPCA.

“We’re pet groomers by trade, but the reality is we’re pet lovers, too. An event like this not only provides a nice service for fellow pet lovers and gives us a chance to showcase our service, but it also raises awareness to the good work the MSPCA does and you can’t put a price tag on that,” said Jeff Loomis, owner of Zoomin Groomin franchise.

To arrange for the grooming of your pet and to participate in this event, please call Zoomin Groomin Mobile Pet Spa, (781) 792-1888.

DirectBuy franchises offer members the opportunity to enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products and accessories by purchasing wholesale, directly from the manufacturer. In addition, DirectBuy boasts a team of designers to help members with their purchases and gives them access to a roster of hand-selected contractors to expedite those projects.

Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by contacting the showrooms listed above or visiting www.directbuy.com.

About DirectBuy

For more than 37 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.

About Zoomin Groomin
Zooming Groomin Mobile Pet Spa, with corporate offices in Norwell, Massachusetts, is a pet grooming service that provides convenient, professional, door-to-door pet grooming, and is owned and operated by a team of professionals with copious experience in sales, marketing, management and pet care.  The company is franchising new locations to groomers and other pet enthusiasts throughout the country.

The Standard Spa Package rivals those of popular human spas, and pampers pets with a luxurious hydrosurge therapeutic bath, fluff drying, hair trimming and styling, ear cleaning, tooth brushing, nail maintenance, playtime and special treats.  The Medicated Spa Package for pets includes aromatherapy and hot oil treatments. For more information, please visit www.ZoominGroomin.com.

Groomathon to benefit MSPCA. DirectBuy of BostonSouth, Rockland, to host pet grooming event on Saturday, Jan. 31Read More

DirectBuy of Minneapolis awarded Service Center of the Year honors

Minneapolis, MN – DirectBuy, the leading members-only showroom and home design center that offers merchandise direct from manufacturers and their authorized suppliers, is proud to announce that franchise owners Darryn and Dana Fossand recently were the recipients of the highest honor for service excellence awarded to franchisees – Service Center of the Year.

“Working to constantly improve customer service is something our service staff takes very seriously,” said co-owner Darryn Fossand. “We strive to elevate the shopping experience for our members while continuing to provide them with tremendous selection and savings.”

DirectBuy centers had the opportunity to qualify for the company’s most prestigious service award, Service Center of the Year, by excelling in several key areas during a 12-month qualification period. To earn this award, centers were graded and awarded points in the areas of Merchandise Dollar volume, Purchase Order Volume, Renewal and New Member Purchase Percentages, Customer Service Rating, and individual staff performance recognition.

DirectBuy of Minneapolis received on-stage recognition at the International Sales & Service Conference, a plaque commemorating their achievement, a video production shown at the conference celebrating their honor and recognition in BuyLines – the company’s network wide newsletter.

“It was exciting to watch our staff build meaningful relationships with our members as they helped them complete their projects,” co-owner Dana Fossand continued. “It is truly rewarding to see the hard work and dedication of our service staff pay off with recognition as Service Center of the Year.”

DirectBuy of Minneapolis, conveniently located at 2090 W. 98th Street in Bloomington, is a 12,000 sq. foot showroom that offers consumers a comfortable, welcoming setting and design center where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

“DirectBuy of Minneapolis sets itself apart from traditional retailers by providing consumers with a low-cost, ‘one-stop shopping’ destination where they can furnish, build or renovate their home,” Darryn explained. “Members enjoy personalized service as they navigate through our extensive selection of brand-name, top-of-the-line merchandise.”

DirectBuy of Minneapolis offers area residents thousands of items, including kitchen cabinets, flat-screen televisions and major appliances from more than 700 top manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. 

To assist members with their home renovation projects, DirectBuy employs interior designers and product specialists who are specially trained in one of five areas of merchandise: Home Furnishing, Home Improvement, Flooring, Accessories, and Entertainment/Outdoor.

DirectBuy members also have access to renowned designer Christopher Lowell.  Lowell has designed twelve room settings – created exclusively with products available through DirectBuy – using his Seven Layers of Design.  An innovative approach to home décor, The Seven Layers of Design keeps homeowners on budget and from feeling overwhelmed by their project.

DirectBuy Membership

Consumers who are interested in joining DirectBuy of Minneapolis 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, call 1-952-835-0790 or visit www.directbuy.com.

About DirectBuy

For more than 37 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.

 

DirectBuy of Minneapolis awarded Service Center of the Year honorsRead More