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Boston Pack and Ship salutes Cape Cod Cares For Our Troops for holiday care package achievement.

BRAINTREE, MA and BREWSTER, MA…

Over its two decades as a small load shipping specialist, Boston Pack and Ship knows what it’s like to ship hundreds, even thousands of boxes at a time. That’s why the Braintree-based shippers holds Cape Cod Cares for Our Troops in the highest regard for achieving its goal of sending out 600 holiday to U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. ,

Cape Cod Cares For Our Troops is a non-profit organization started by 15-year-old Dylan DeSilva of Brewster, Mass. Cape Cod Cares for Our Troops, which sends care packages to U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan on a weekly basis, set a goal of 500 care packages to be sent for the holidays. Boston Pack and Ship donated 200 boxes and other packing supplies towards this effort.

“Boston Pack and Ship offers our heartfelt congratulations to Dylan and Cape Cod Cares for Our Troops for not only meeting its goal of 500, but for raising the bar and sending out 600,” said Joe Fell, co-owner of Boston Pack and Ship. “At Boston Pack and Ship, we specialize in sending out delicate, high monetary value items. Yet none probably mean as much as these care packages and we’re proud to have been a part of this effort.”

Cape Cod Cares for Our Troops’ regularly sends care packages to U.S. Troops overseas and accepts donations year round. Those interested contributing to the care packages can find a list of items and drop-off locations on www.capecod4thetroops.com. Cape Cod Cares for Our Troops also accepts monetary contributions to help with the cost of supplies and postage. Checks can be sent to: Cape Cod Cares for the Troops, 1831 Long Pond Rd.  Brewster, MA  02631.

“We’d like to thank Boston Pack and Ship and all our other sponsors and contributors for their generosity,” said DeSilva. “Five hundred care packages was a mighty ambitious goal, but with the help of all our volunteers and contributors, we were able to make it and then some. Thanks to all.”

For more information on Cape Cod Cares For Our Troops, please visit www.capecod4troops.com. For more information on the breadth of Boston Pack and Ship’s services, you can visit the company Web site at www.bostonpackandship.com. For a free quote on an out-of-state or international move or shipment, please call (800) 400-7204.

 Small load specialists

Formerly known as The Packaging Store and now repackaged as Boston Pack and Ship, these small load specialists have been a trusted strategic partner of many movers in eastern Massachusetts for more than two decades. Based in Braintree, Massachusetts, Boston Pack and Ship employs custom crates and packaging and foam-in-place solutions to pack and ship everything from artwork to heirlooms, computers to antiques to both out-of-state and international destinations. Known for its fast and efficient customer service, one call is usually all it takes to schedule a pickup for a door-to-door or door-to-port shipment. For more information, visit www.bostonpackandship.com or call (800) 400-7204 for a free quote.

Boston Pack and Ship salutes Cape Cod Cares For Our Troops for holiday care package achievement.Read More

DirectBuy of Greater Vancouver recognized at international conference

COQUITLAM, BC and SAN FRANCISCO, CA…

Peter Ruetz and Steve Pippy, owners of  DirectBuy of Greater Vancouver, didn’t necessarily leave their hearts in San Francisco. Yet it’s quite likely both will remember San Francisco for quite some time after receiving several honors at DirectBuy’s international sales and conference last month in the city by the bay.

DirectBuy of Greater Vancouver was recognized for merchandise purchased by its members in 2008—totaling more than $6.2 million—and new memberships in 2008. For new memberships, DirectBuy of Greater Vancouver earned the 600 level, the prize being a one-year lease of a Mercedes Benz. This marks the 10th consecutive year DirectBuy of Greater Vancouver has achieved the Mercedes honor.

“It’s great to attend DirectBuy’s international conference for a lot of reasons: new ideas, meeting other center owners and employees and just a whole lot of fun in usually a great location. To be recognized by Corporate for doing what we love to do at DirectBuy is just icing on the cake,” said Ruetz.

Held from November 22 to 25 at the San Francisco Marriott, DirectBuy’s conference, appropriately titled the Brilliance by the Bay, brought DirectBuy center owners from across the U.S. and Canada. Besides fun and festivities, the conference included an awards banquet, where DirectBuy of Greater Vancouver received these honors.

As the leading members-only showroom and home design center, DirectBuy offers manufacturer-direct pricing on products ranging from light fixtures to televisions to kitchen cabinets, all from more than 500 manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. DirectBuy also offers design services to its members, as well as a listing of local contractors who offer installation services to DirectBuy members, many times at a discounted rate.

Since 1971, DirectBuy franchises 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. With four convenient locations in the greater Vancouver area (Victoria, Vancouver, Coquitlam, and Kelowna), 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, visit www.DirectBuyBC.ca. 

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 500 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 Vancouver area since 1997. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers, and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality.  It’s a comfortable setting, where you finally have the financial control of buying direct. The four DirectBuy showrooms serving the greater Vancouver area are part of more than 160 franchise locations throughout North America.

Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by contacting DirectBuy at 604-552-5255, or visiting www.DirectBuyBC.ca. 

Locations of the four DirectBuy showrooms serving the greater Vancouver area are: DirectBuy of Vancouver, 2659 Lillooet St., Vancouver, British Columbia V5M 4P7; DirectBuy of Greater Vancouver, 91 Golden Drive Unit #1, Coquitlam, British Columbia V3K 6R2; DirectBuy of Central Okanagan, #5 2260 Hunter Rd., Kelowna, British Columbia V1X 7J8; and DirectBuy of Greater Victoria, 350B Bay Street, Victoria, British Columbia V8T 1P7.

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

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What’s “on tap” at your house? Hub Plumbing & Mechanical offers clean and green alternatives to tackle water woes.

DATELINE:  SOUTH BOSTON, MA…
Do you gag at the thought of drinking water straight from your tap? Have you and your family become bottled water addicts as a result?  Or, do you hold your nose while you shower because of the smell of your water? Can’t rinse off that scummy soap film either?

If so, John Wood, founder and CEO of Hub Plumbing & Mechanical of Boston outlines some alternative methods that can be used to clean up your water.

First of all, many consumers buy bottled water because they assume it’s safer or cleaner than what comes out of the tap from their municipal water source or well. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates bottled water used for drinking. While most consumers assume that bottled water is at least as safe as tap water, there are still potential risks. Although required to meet the same safety standards as public water supplies, bottled water does not undergo the same testing and reporting as water from a treatment facility. Water that is bottled and sold in the same state may not be subject to any federal standards at all.”

Wood urges consumers to take matters into their own hands by employing an in-home water filtration system. “If clean drinking water is your primary concern, a number of alternatives to buying bottled water are available. All offer greener alternatives to bottled water, reducing the huge volume of plastic water bottles that end up in landfills. Point-of-use (POU) systems treat water at a single tap. Point-of-use systems include pour-through products, faucet mount filters, counter-top manual fill systems, counter-top systems connected to sink faucet, or plumbed-in systems that are installed under the sink with a permanent connection to an existing water pipe.”

If your water woes are more widespread and include problems with rust or sediment, scale or odors, you might want to consider a point-of-entry filtration system explains Wood. “Point-of-entry (POE) systems treat water as it enters the house, providing filtered water for use throughout the house for drinking, bathing, cooking, laundry and dishwashers.”

Continues Wood, “POE systems can stop dirt, sediment, rust and scale. Both rust and sediment, left unchecked, can ruin appliances while scale creates unsightly build up on water fixtures, coats water heating elements thereby reducing their efficiency, wastes soap by reducing its lathering ability, and leaves an unpleasant residue on your skin, hair, and clothes when they are washed. Also, one of the most common chemical disinfectants found in municipal city water supplies is chlorine, which tastes and smells bad and can be removed with a carbon filter.”

Both POU and POE devices are based on various contaminant removal technologies including carbon filtration, ion exchange, reverse osmosis, and distillation. In addition, flow rate, filter size, filter life and port size are also important components in point-of-entry systems, which require professional installation. Whichever system is used, it should meet NSF/ANSI standard 53 and be certified to remove the contaminants of concern in your water.

About Hub Plumbing & Mechanical
Hub Plumbing & Mechanical was established in 1999 and now includes a staff of 16 full time employees. This full service plumbing company assists residential and commercial customers with code violations, sewer/drain clogs, garbage disposals, water heaters, water filtration, steam and hot water boilers, thermostats, leaky faucets, tub valves, gas pipes, appliance installation, outside hose faucets, and residential HVAC service.

Hub Plumbing & Mechanical was recently highlighted in a new book entitled “The Celebrity Experience” where Hub Plumbing & Mechanical’s Red Carpet Service was cited as an example of how it’s possible to create faithful life long customers by showering them with treatment usually reserved for celebrities.

Hub Plumbing and Mechanical’s signature Red Carpet service features experienced teams of licensed technicians who not only protect your floors with a red carpet, but also cover their work boots with stain-resistant booties, wear ID badges for security purposes, and arrive on time and smartly dressed in crisp, clean uniforms.

The company does not charge by the hour, but by the specific project. Hub Plumbing & Mechanical is available 24 hours a day and 7 seven days a week to provide immediate access and peace of mind. Dedicated 2nd and 3rd shift night dispatchers internally handle all calls at Hub Plumbing & Mechanical, not an answering service. The difference between the two enables Hub Plumbing & Mechanical to get real-time info on the customer 24/7 to expedite the call as efficiently as possible.

Hub Plumbing & Mechanical Inc. is located at 70 Old Colony Avenue in South Boston, MA 02127. For more information about Hub Plumbing & Mechanical call 1-866-HUBPLUMBING (482-7586), email services@hubplumbing.com, or visit www.hubplumbing.com.

What’s “on tap” at your house? Hub Plumbing & Mechanical offers clean and green alternatives to tackle water woes.Read More

Attorney Ed Tarlow of Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers, P.C. is honored by the New England Chapter of the Family Firm Institute.

DATELINE:  BOSTON, MA…
The New England Chapter of the Family Firm Institute recently honored Attorney Ed Tarlow, a founding member of Tarlow, Breed Hart & Rodgers, P.C. of Boston, MA, for his personal and professional generosity and leadership at the chapter’s quarterly meeting held on December 4, 2008.

Tarlow served as President of the largest and most well established chapter of the Family Firm Institute in the country, the New England Chapter (NEC), from 2000 until 2008. Tarlow was cited for special recognition by the NEC for his tireless work catalyzing sponsors, inspiring membership, developing NEC Committees, and serving as the driving force for many collaborative efforts.

In one such notable effort, Tarlow was instrumental in the creation of the Massachusetts Family Business Awards program, an annual competition designed to promote and highlight the many achievements of Massachusetts-based, family owned businesses, which is now entering its third successful year.

As a senior member of Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers, P.C., Tarlow has played a key role in increasing the firm’s expertise in the areas of taxation, business law, and estate planning, which are areas of paramount importance to family-owned businesses.  Tarlow is a member of the Boston Estate Planning Council, Attorneys for Family-Held Enterprises, the Society for Trust and Estate Planners, the Massachusetts Bar Association, the American Bar Association, as well as the Family Firm Institute.

In addition to having a wealth of published articles to his credit, Tarlow has achieved many noteworthy accomplishments. He received the SBANE (Smaller Business Association of New England) Community Service Award in 2007, was named the Boston Estate Planner of the Year in 2003 by the Boston Estate Planning Council, and was selected as a New England Super Lawyer by Boston Magazine in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008.

Family Firm Institute
The Family Firm Institute (FFI) is an international professional membership organization dedicated to providing interdisciplinary education and networking opportunities for family business and family wealth advisors, consultants, educators and researchers and to increasing public awareness about trends and developments in the family business and family wealth fields. The New England Chapter now boasts the largest membership of any chapter in FFI with members representing all consultant and advisory groups who work with family businesses.

Recent statistics indicate that more than 80 % of all business enterprises in North America are family owned and operated, and that they account for 60% of total U.S. employment, 78% of all new jobs, and 65% of wages paid. Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers focuses on working with family businesses, in particular, assisting them with the challenges of business succession between generations, as well as with issues involving corporate law, taxation, litigation, and estate planning.

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.

Attorney Ed Tarlow of Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers, P.C. is honored by the New England Chapter of the Family Firm Institute.Read More

Mercedes Zoldos a “star” at DirectBuy’s international conference

CHEEKTOWAGA, NY and SAN FRANCISCO, CA…

Mercedes Zoldos, Orchard Park resident and service manager at DirectBuy of Buffalo, didn’t necessarily leave her heart in San Francisco. Yet it’s quite likely she will remember San Francisco for quite some time after being recognized as one of DirectBuy’s “service stars” at DirectBuy’s international sales and conference last month in the city by the bay.

DirectBuy’s “Service Star” honors are based on a number of criteria, including merchandise volume, star ratings, member polls, personal accomplishment and years of service. Zoldos finished eighth out of literally hundreds of service professionals at the more than 160 DirectBuy showrooms across the U.S. and Canada.

“It’s great to attend DirectBuy’s international conference for a lot of reasons: new ideas, meeting other center owners and employees and just a whole lot of fun in a great location. To be recognized by Corporate as one of the top 10 among your peers is really icing on the cake and a tremendous honor,” said Zoldos.

Held from November 22 to 25 at the San Francisco Marriott, DirectBuy’s conference, appropriately titled the Brilliance by the Bay, brought DirectBuy center owners from across the U.S. and Canada. Besides fun and festivities, the conference included an awards banquet, where Zoldos received this distinction.

“I’ve run out of superlatives to use when describing the job Mercedes does for our organization. When it comes to serving our customers, staff and the community, she really is a service star,” said Mark Klinger, owner of DirectBuy of Buffalo.

A former veterinarian technician, Zoldos has worked for DirectBuy for the past three and a half years, first in Houston and for the past two years at DirectBuy of Buffalo. Married and the mother of two grown sons, Shawn and Eric, she lives in Orchard Park with her husband Darb.

As the leading members-only showroom and home design center, DirectBuy offers manufacturer-direct pricing on products ranging from light fixtures to televisions to kitchen cabinets, all from more than 700 manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. DirectBuy also offers design services to its members, as well as a listing of local contractors who offer installation services to DirectBuy members, many times at a discounted rate. 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.  It’s a comfortable setting, where you finally have the financial control of buying direct. DirectBuy of Buffalo is one of more than 160 DirectBuy showrooms 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.

 

 

 

Mercedes Zoldos a “star” at DirectBuy’s international conferenceRead More

Schwab pens “Plaintiff’s Perspective” on civil RICO.

 BOSTON, MASS…

Terrence M. Schwab, a senior associate at Boston-based Tarlow, Breed, Hart, & Rodgers, P.C. (TBHR) recently authored a chapter in the Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) publication Federal Civil Litigation in the First Circuit. Schwab wrote the Plaintiff’s Perspective for Chapter 13 entitled “RICO in Federal Civil Litigation.”

RICO refers to the Racketeer-Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Although it’s most commonly associated with fighting organized crime and mobsters, the civil provisions of the RICO statute afford a private cause of action against persons who engage in a pattern of racketeering activity.  A typical civil RICO case will involve a white-collar crime such as mail or wire fraud.  The penalties for violation of civil RICO are severe, and a plaintiff who prevails is entitled to triple damages and attorney fees. 

“Most people only know about criminal laws regarding racketeering through television and movies. Yet the civil provisions of RICO are powerful and can be used to stop many unfair business practices. Recently, Tyson Foods, Inc. was alleged to have knowingly hired illegal aliens to work for below market wages at its chicken processing plants. A group of Tyson’s workers brought suit against Tyson under the civil RICO statute alleging that legitimate employees were also paid below market wages because of the company’s illegal practice of hiring illegal aliens.  It was an ingenious use of the statute, and shows that there are many creative ways to fight unfair business practices under the civil RICO provisions,” said Schwab.

Schwab joined TBHR in 2007. Schwab’s practice focuses on disputes among business owners, shareholder disputes, commercial litigation, construction litigation, contract claims, creditor’s rights, employment litigation, insurance coverage claims and probate litigation. A Natick resident, he was most recently recognized as a “Rising Star” in Boston Magazine’s Super Lawyers special edition. He received a bachelor of arts degree, magna cum laude, from Boston University and earned his juris doctorate at Northeastern University School of Law.

“We’re quite pleased to have someone of Terry’s stature on our litigation team. His knowledge of important federal civil litigation in the First Circuit is a fine testimony to his expertise and we are most fortunate to have him at the firm,” said Richard P. Breed, a member of the firm’s management committee.

About 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.

Schwab pens “Plaintiff’s Perspective” on civil RICO.Read More

DirectBuy of Cool Springs earns A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau

Brentwood, TN…

DirectBuy of Cool Springs, the leading members-only showroom and home design center that offers merchandise directly from manufacturers and their authorized suppliers, was recently awarded an A+ grade by the Better Business Bureau as a BBB Accredited Business.

In an economy that has seen better days, consumers more than ever need help finding companies they can trust. With this in mind, the BBB released a revised ratings system on December 1, 2008 that replaced their old “satisfactory” and “unsatisfactory” scale to make it easier for consumers to find trustworthy businesses.

According to their website, the A+ rating is the highest grade assigned by the BBB and represents their degree of confidence that DirectBuy of Cool Springs is operating in a trustworthy manner and will make a good faith effort to resolve any customer concerns.

The BBB rating system relies on a computer-generated formula that takes into account 16 diverse factors based on objective data and real-life incidences of a business’s actions that have been confirmed and evaluated by actual BBB professionals.

The owners of DirectBuy of Cool Springs, Steve Blume and John Langley, opened their former Cool Springs location five years ago, and have been a recognized, BBB-accredited business since 2002. The Better Business Bureau contends that BBB Accreditation continues to be the most reliable way for most consumers to identify businesses that can be trusted to deliver upon their promises.

“With our advertising and savings claims, we face constant scrutiny,” explained Owner Steve Blume. “Our A+ rating validates our success in upholding these claims and the promises we made to our thousands of local members over the last six years.”

DirectBuy of Cool Springs was also among the top ten United States franchises in annual merchandise volume purchased by members, and the showroom attracts members who drive as long as four hours to shop there.

To assist members with their home renovation projects, DirectBuy of Cool Springs also offers access to interior designers and product specialists who are specially trained in one of five areas of merchandise: Home Furnishings, Home Improvement, Flooring, Entertainment/Outdoor, and Accessories. Additionally, members benefit from the use of a children’s play area, café and a member’s lounge to relax while shopping.

DirectBuy Membership

Consumers who are interested in joining DirectBuy of Cool Springs 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. 

About DirectBuy

For more than 37 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 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.directbuycoolsprings.com or www.directbuycares.com.

 

DirectBuy of Cool Springs earns A+ rating from the Better Business BureauRead More

USMMA Announces Special Holiday Packages for Men and Women

Give loved ones a gift of fitness this season. USMMA (United States Mixed Martial Arts Training Center) in Bellingham is offering special gift packages for men and women.

USMMA’s mission is to elevate the physical and spiritual well being of students through Mixed Martial Arts and Yoga. Mixed Martial Arts classes offered include Strength & Conditioning; Brazilian Jiu Jitsu; Thai Boxing; Cardio Thai Boxing; Wrestling; Cardio and Open Mat. USMMA’s Yoga center offers Power Yoga, Deep Flow Yoga and Pilates.

USMMA is offering a Yoga gift package which is 10 yoga classes plus two bonus yoga classes for $120. A Mixed Martial Arts gift package consists of 10 Mixed Martial Arts classes plus two bonus MMA classes for $200. The Mixed Martial Arts gift package is ideal for the experienced as well as for the novice.

Holiday gift packages will be available through December 31, 2008.

“It’s been over three months since I started at USMMA and I have dropped pounds and inches. My stress level has immensely changed! I’m so much more relaxed. USMMA challenges me in ways no other workouts have ever done. I’ve learned so much about Martial Arts, Strength and Conditioning and all around Wellness that I will never go back to my old ways of living,” noted Kelly Antosh, a member of USMMA and a resident of Franklin, MA.

Ron Howard, a Rhode Island resident who is involved in Mixed Martial Arts at USMMA explained, “The changes I’ve gone through since I’ve been with USMMA are unbelievable. I went from 275 lbs. to 232 lbs. in just about three months. Saying ‘it’s been a lot of hard work’ would be a huge understatement, but this team has brought out the best in me.”

“We have classes for all abilities. Many of our students have lost a lot of weight – up to 30 to 40 pounds. We teach our clients that good health is a way of life; help them meet their fitness goals and put them on the path to a lifetime of wellness,” explained Tom Hafers, USMMA instructor and owner.

The Yoga and Mixed Martial Arts gift packages may be purchased at USMMA, 316 Hartford Avenue in Bellingham. To learn more about USMMA visit the website at www.usmma.org.

About USMMA

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 Announces Special Holiday Packages for Men and WomenRead More

Tips for Creating Your Dream Home: Tried and True Tile Tips For Your Home

Want to make your master bath dazzle with enhanced tile designs, but aren’t sure where to begin? Careful planning and smart spending is important because it can get you the look you want for a price that won’t bust your budget. Let’s face it…renovating your master bathroom or any room is about a lot more than just stone or ceramic, so planning and getting creative with your budget is an important step.

If you’re thinking about replacing the tile in your kitchen or master bath and don’t know where to begin, here’s a little tutorial to help bring you up to speed.

Tile 101: Not all tiles are created equal. Sure, all tile feels hard to the touch, but some types are more durable than others. Tile is rated using a hardness scale, which you can use as a guide in determining how your room usage will affect your chosen tile.

            Tile Hardness Ratings

Group I – Tiles with a hardness rating in the first group are designed to hold up only to light usage. Use these tiles where traffic will be light and consist mostly of bare feet.

 Group II – These tiles can stand the wear and tear of normal traffic, however they will not last if placed in entryways.

 Group III – Tiles of this hardness rating can generally be used anywhere within the home and withstand a heavy degree of traffic.

 Group IV & V – Most likely you will not use these tiles in your home, as they are truly designed for extra-heavy, high-abrasion traffic.

Mosaic stone tile is the latest emerging trend. Available in a multitude of colors, these tiles can range in shapes and sizes, and may contain precious metals or stones. Mosaics fit nicely into both modern and traditional bathroom layouts. Feel free to mix it up by combining sizes, styles and shapes. And – while white stone tile is growing in popularity because of its ability to hide dirt and mildew and create a “clean and sanitary” look – be sure to use gray grout when installing the tile to achieve the best results. There are also several other materials and styles for you to choose from:

–         Brick

–         Cement

–         Ceramic

–         Pavers

–         Porcelain

–         Quarry

–         Saltillo

–         Terra Cotta

–         Terrazzo

The styles and colors you pick usually set the tone for the rest of the room’s accessories and mood so keep this in mind when choosing both color and materials.

Shop Wisely. Consumers with small budgets will be happy to hear that, generally speaking, larger stone tile is less expensive than smaller versions because it is cheaper to manufacture – and obviously that cost savings translates to you through the suggested retail price. The last piece of advice you should heed – plan ahead and make sure to add shipping time for products into your overall remodeling plan. This can be particularly important if you’re hiring an installer to do the work. A week delay in delivery can sometimes mean much more of a delay in the installation if that vendor has a full plate.

Sara Shragal is a staff writer for DirectBuy. For more information or other helpful tips for your home, visit www.directbuycares.com. You can send suggestions for future columns to questions@directbuycares.com.

Tips for Creating Your Dream Home: Tried and True Tile Tips For Your HomeRead More