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Wareham March for Meals a Success

Howard Goodwin with Judy Whiteside, Wareham Selectwoman
Howard Goodwin with Judy Whiteside, Wareham Selectwoman

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the Brockton based regional agency that serves older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout the greater Brockton and Plymouth county area, recently organized a “March for Meals” in Wareham.

March for Meals is part of Meals On Wheels Association of America’s (MOWAA) national campaign. On March 26, 2015, elected officials from Wareham and OCES staff delivered meals to 10 recipients in the community.

Alan Slavin, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, and Judy Whiteside, Selectwoman, also helped pack meals at the congregate site before delivering meals. They were accompanied by Christine McLaren, OCES Community Programs Manager, Maribeth Waldron, OCES Nutrition Program Supervisor and Cheryl Johannessen, OCES Meal Site Manager in Wareham, as they delivered meals to local seniors.

“It’s an honor to have local officials participate in our March for Meals event. Many older adults are homebound, unable to prepare meals, manage their grocery shopping or attend one of our congregate meal sites.  The Meals On Wheels program is essential for those who would otherwise not get a nutritious daily meal. Furthermore, the daily social contact is a crucial safety check of older adults living alone,” explained Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES.

The Meals On Wheels program serves individuals age 60 and over who are unable to prepare their own meals. Both the home delivered Meals On Wheels program and the congregate meal sites rely on the assistance of OCES’ volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering for the meals program, or want more information about other volunteer opportunities, contact OCES’ Volunteer Coordinator at 508-584-1561.

Lunch reservations for older adults and individuals with disabilities at the Wareham congregate meal site may be made by calling Cheryl Johannessen at 508-291-3100, extension 6514. Older adults who are interested in receiving meals delivered to their homes can call OCES at 508-584-1561 and request an assessment.

About Meals On Wheels Association of America
MOWAA is the only national association and network dedicated solely to ending senior hunger in America. For more information, visit their website at www.mowaa.org.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES serves 20 communities in Plymouth County as well as Avon, Easton and Stoughton. OCES is a private, non-profit organization located in Brockton and designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’ mission is to support the independence and dignity of elders and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency has 210 employees and operates more than 15 programs serving older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

 

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Spartan Surfaces renews agreement to rep SelecTech products

Thomas Ricciardelli
Thomas Ricciardelli of SelecTech, Inc.

AVON, MA and FOREST HILL, MD…

SelecTech, Inc., a leader in the manufacture of innovative flooring products from recycled materials, recently announced a one-year renewal of its agreement with Spartan Surfaces to represent the Avon, MA-based company in the North Atlantic and Midwest regions.

“We have been very pleased with our relationship with Spartan Surfaces and their representation of our ESD and non-ESD products. Their knowledge and breadth of coverage has been extremely beneficial in bringing the uniqueness of our products to markets where, pardon the pun, we had barely scratched the surface,” said Thomas Ricciardelli, president of SelecTech, Incorporated.

SelecTech’s FreeStyle ESD flooring products are made using recycled material and are 100 percent recyclable. Utilizing a breakthrough interlocking technology, FreeStyle products completely bypass the need for adhesives and floor prep to install or replace flooring. This dramatically reduces installation times because old flooring can be left in place and machinery and furniture does not have to be completely moved or removed for installation.

“We’re extremely excited about renewing our agreement with SelecTech and continuing the marketing of FreeStyle products to our current customer base and prospects,” said Meredith Nicholson of Spartan Surfaces. “FreeStyle ESD products, which create a static-controlled environment, have been particularly attractive to our clients that utilize electronics and sensitive data like electronics manufacturing, communications, aerospace, biotech, healthcare, and other high-tech industries.”

Based in Forest Hill, Maryland, Spartan Surfaces is a sales and consulting group specializing in commercial flooring alternatives. Spartan Surfaces offers sales and marketing solutions in the Atlantic Coast and Midwest regions. For more information, visit www.spartansurfaces.com.

To learn more about SelecTech products, including the FreeStyle and FreeStyle ESD flooring products, visit http://www.selectechinc.com.

About SelecTech, Inc.

SelecTech, Inc. was founded in 1993 with the mission of creating valuable products from scrap plastics. The company has become a leader in the manufacture of flooring products from recycled materials and uses one million pounds of recycled materials annually. Their products are made with up to 100 percent recycled content, are 100 percent recyclable and installed without adhesives making them some of the “greenest” and most cost-effective flooring products available. The unique interlock system on SelecTech’s flooring products enable them to be installed at a much lower cost, without a lot of costly downtime, which provides significant value to customers.

Using state-of-the-art technology and innovative product design, SelecTech created the top performing Place N’ Go residential flooring products, which are available at Home Depot. They are also the creators of the renowned commercial and industrial FreeStyle, FreeStyle ESD and StaticStop ESD flooring lines.

SelecTech is a vendor partner of Health Care Institute, an International Facility Management Association (IFMA) alliance partner. The company is headquartered at 33 Wales Avenue, Suite F in Avon, MA. For more information about SelecTech, visit http://www.selectechinc.com.

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Work combined with play help small business owners get away

Paul Dion CPA
Paul Dion CPA

MILLBURY, MA and NEWPORT, RI…

The approaching Memorial Day weekend has left many small business owners wondering how they can afford to go away for vacation this summer. If they choose to include some business, it’s possible to turn a five-day excursion to the Cape, a retreat to the mountains or some other trip into a tax deduction and vacation.

“Many small business owners are unclear as to what is business travel and what is not. A simple definition is that if a trip for business causes you to leave your place of business overnight, it’s a business trip and deductible,” said Paul Dion, CPA. “There are some parameters business trips must adhere to. Done correctly, an entire ‘business trip’ can be written off as a business expense.”

The IRS states that travel expenses are 100 percent deductible as long as your trip is business-related and you are traveling away from your regular place of business longer than an ordinary day’s work and you need to sleep or rest to meet the demands of your work while away from home. If the trip meets that definition, you can deduct 100 percent of lodging, tips, car rentals, and 50 percent of your food.

For example, let’s say a small business owner from Millbury spends two days meeting with prospects on the Cape. The first meeting is on Friday morning and the second meeting isn’t until Monday. According to IRS regulations, both days can be deducted as business expenses, even if after the meeting on Friday morning the small business owner spent the rest of the day at the beach.

“The beauty of this deduction is that not only are Friday and Monday deductible, but so are Saturday and Sunday,” said Dion.

Though the IRS does not require receipts for travel expenses under $75 per expense—with the exception of lodging—Dion advises keeping a tax diary of your expenses while you’re away. A good tax diary is essential in order to audit-proof your records. Adequate documentation includes amount, date, place of meeting, and business reason for the expense.

When planning an extended business trip, Dion advises consulting with your tax preparer or accountant.

Adds Dion, “Better yet, pay a visit in person. It’s tax-deductible.”

For more information, call Paul Dion CPA at (508) 853-3292 or visit www.pauldioncpa.com.

ABOUT PAUL DION, CPA

Beyond simple “bean counting”, Paul Dion, CPA and associates work side by side and speak in common English to help clients fully understand their tax situation and take proactive steps to pay the least amount of tax legally allowed while minimizing the risk of an audit.  Clients save money and sleep well as night.

Business services include small business accounting, payroll, cash flow management, strategic business planning, new business formation, internet controls, QuickBooks, part-time CFO, bank financing, succession planning and non-profit organization direction.

For a free book, more information or a complimentary consultation, please visit www.PaulDionCPA.com or contact Paul Dion CPA, via Info@PaulDionCPA.com or (508) 853-3292.  Offices are conveniently located at 22 West Street, #6, (Felter’s Mill), Millbury, MA  01527.

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Edgewood LifeCare Community Announces Informative Interactive Panel on May 21

_DSC8593-2Edgewood LifeCare Community, the award-winning, non-profit senior living community in North Andover, is holding an “Explore Your Options” informative Interactive Panel & Luncheon for seniors and their family members on Thursday, May 21, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. This event will be held in the Edgewood Auditorium located at 575 Osgood Street and is open to the public. There is no cost to attend.

As the only LifeCare community in the Merrimack Valley, Edgewood offers refined independent apartment and cottage home living for active older adults as well as short term rehabilitation and long term care at the Meadows Health Center. They are dedicated to providing a well-rounded, intellectually stimulating and physically active environment for older adults.

Kathleen D’Amico, Marketing Director will help attendees navigate the various senior living options available today, so they may gain a better understanding of their options and make the best choice for their needs. Residents will also be in attendance to talk about their experiences of researching communities and share their stories of life at Edgewood.

With the focus always on residents and their independence, Edgewood answers to the wants and needs of residents, not shareholders. Edgewood has long-standing management and staff that go “above and beyond” to ensure that every day is the best it can be. As a self-managed, not-for-profit, all investments are used to enhance the community. Edgewood LifeCare residents never have to worry about relocating again, because all the care they need is at Edgewood.

To reserve a seat for the complimentary luncheon, call 978-208-4230 or RSVP online at www.edgewoodrc.com by May 18th.

The Edgewood Difference

Founded in 1997, Edgewood LifeCare Community is an award-winning, non-profit senior living community focused on enriching the lives of their members. Edgewood offers independent living, health care and support services, which empower members to be the architects of their own well-being. Edgewood is dedicated to providing a well-rounded, intellectually stimulating and physically active environment for older adults. Members enjoy entertainment, trips, wellness programs and a wide range of unique lectures, classes and films, which are offered on an ongoing basis through the Edgewood LifeLong Learning (ELL) program. Many of these programs are also open to the public.

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

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Winters Home Services of Cambridge Hires New Technician

Brian Falasca
Brian Falasca

Winters Home Services, an award-winning provider of plumbing, heating, cooling, and drain cleaning services, based in Cambridge, MA, has recently appointed Brian Falasca, a Journeyman plumber, as a Technician.

In his new position, Mr. Falasca will work with Winters’ master plumbers in serving the plumbing and heating needs of residents throughout the greater Boston area.

Mr. Falasca graduated with high honors and a plumbing degree from Minuteman Career and Technical High School in Lexington, MA. Mr. Falasca’s leadership ability served him well during high school, where as captain of the hockey and golf teams, he led them to all conference and state tournament victories. Following high school, he immediately became a licensed plumbing apprentice and several years later, a Journeyman plumber.

Encouraged by his father who was a gas technician for National Grid for 25 years, Mr. Falasca continued his education in gas and heating at the Peterson School of Woburn, MA.

“Brian has superior technical and leadership skills along with a very good work ethic. He excels at providing the highest level of customer service and is a great fit for our team,” noted Tim Flynn, owner of Winters Home Services.

Mr. Falasca resides in Medford, MA. He is a part of the Challenger Baseball Division in Medford, and helps the organization host events. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family and playing golf.

About Winters Home Services

Winters Home Services is an award-winning service company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, specializing in plumbing, heating, cooling, and home monitoring services. Offering the first-to-market CarePlus Home Monitoring Program and lifetime guarantees on many of their services, the company focuses on high quality workmanship and consistent world-class customer service. Winters Home Services promises to fulfill the needs of every customer with a sense of urgency, ensuring comfort, safety and well-being.

Winters Home Services is one of the largest residential plumbing companies in the greater Boston-area with a large fleet on the road and a full staff of licensed and insured plumbers and technicians. Tim Flynn, Winter’s owner, was recently named a Boston Power Player, helping Boston residents meet their real estate goals. Flynn has shared plumbing, HVAC and home monitoring tips on New England Real Estate Journal (NEREJ) Radio, Boston.com Real Estate Talk Boston and WPLM-FM 99.1. For more information, call 866-482-7586 or visit wintershomeservices.com.

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Lapels Dry Cleaning redefines “The Future of Dry Cleaning” with operational improvements and new technologies

Lapels Dry Cleaning's new technologies
Lapels incorporates new technologies for franchise owners

HANOVER, MA…

For its commitment to green practices and more efficient operations, Lapels Dry Cleaning has earned its signature line as ‘the future of dry cleaning’. With its latest series of technology and operational improvements, however, Lapels Dry Cleaning has demonstrated the future is now.

“I grew up in the restaurant and hospitality business where you have to continually improve workflow and efficiency in order to stay ahead of increasing costs. I brought that same mentality to the dry cleaning industry,” said Kevin Dubois, CEO of Lapels Dry Cleaning and co-author of Entrepreneurial Insanity in the Dry Cleaning Business. “For decades this industry saw little to no change in technology – and now what is happening is so exciting.”

Made exclusively for Lapels Dry Cleaning franchise owners, the new dry cleaning machine combines the world’s only non-hazardous cleaning solution with the most efficient run time in the industry.  Unlike most other dry cleaning processes, the new machine heats the solvent, which reduces dry times. The new dry cleaning machine also features an onboard computer to provide maximum efficiency in programming and operation.

“The combination of new equipment, improved programming through trial and error and heating the dry cleaning solvent has resulted in a 53-minute dry time, a reduction in more than 20 percent from where we were,” said Dubois. “That improvement translates into a faster turnaround time, which improves the customer experience and increases retention.”

Adds Dubois, “The beauty of these improvements is how much it benefits our franchise owners as well. With a more efficient dry time, they can clean more clothes, making them more profitable.”

In addition to operational improvements, Lapels has introduced technology to improve the customer experience as well. In 2014, Lapels made a smart phone app available to its customers. The app enables customers to schedule deliveries and pickups, notify the store that they are on their way in and view their receipts as well as a number of other functions.

“A huge part of being greener is to use less energy—electricity, gas for your vehicle,” said Dubois. “The technology improvements we have made make it faster for clothes to be cleaned and make it more efficient for customers to receive their clothes. And that’s a scenario where we all win.”

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

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

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

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

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

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Winters Home Services Offers Tips to Improve Indoor Air Quality

DSC06078 smallMay is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month and Winters Home Services, providers of plumbing, heating, cooling and air quality services to residents throughout the greater Boston area, offers tips for improving air quality in the home.

According to the American Lung Association, an estimated 40 million people in the nation are affected by allergies, and asthma is the leading chronic illness among children.

Tim Flynn, owner of Winters Home Services explained, “Indoor air quality is crucial because we spend the majority of time indoors, where we are repeatedly exposed to indoor air pollutants. Indoor irritants can trigger an allergic or asthmatic reaction.”

To improve the home’s air quality for individuals with asthma and allergies, it’s important to reduce irritants such as dust and dust mites, mold, pollen, smoke, pet hair and other pollutants.

Air cleaners or purifiers can help reduce pollutants. High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are designed to remove 99.97 percent of all airborne pollutants, which includes pollen and dust. Installing an ultra-high efficiency air purifier such as IQAir, one of the highest rated air purifying systems in the U.S. and available through Winters Home Services, can significantly improve air quality.

Water leaks and high humidity can lead to mold growth. Check for, and repair any plumbing leaks promptly. Keep homes dry by using dehumidifiers.

Minimize dust and dirt tracked in from the outdoors by removing shoes at the door to your home. Reduce irritants that settle on your home’s surfaces by cleaning these surfaces weekly with a damp cloth and using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter.

Replace air filters and ensure routine maintenance and repair of air conditioning units.

The fireplace can be a major source of carbon monoxide and combustion pollutants. Make sure to have the flue and chimney inspected annually for exhaust back drafting, flue obstructions or cracks, excess creosote or other damage.

Forego the fragrance aerosols and other synthetic fragrances, which can emit various chemicals into the air.

“Improving a home’s indoor air quality can reduce the exposure to allergens and pollutants, which is key in the management of asthma and allergies,” explained Flynn.

Take steps towards better air quality in the home. Have your plumbing, heating and air conditioning systems inspected annually and consider installing an air purifier. Contact Winters Home Services at 866-482-7586 or visit wintershomeservices.com.

About Winters Home Services

Winters Home Services is an award-winning service company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, specializing in plumbing, heating, cooling, drain cleaning and air quality services. Offering the first-to-market CarePlus Home Monitoring Program and lifetime guarantees on many of their services, the company focuses on high quality workmanship and consistent world-class customer service. Winters Home Services promises to fulfill the needs of every customer with a sense of urgency, ensuring comfort, safety and well-being.

Winters Home Services is one of the largest residential plumbing companies in the greater Boston-area with a large fleet on the road and a full staff of licensed and insured plumbers and technicians.  Dedicated to supporting the community, Winters is a sponsor of the Duckling Day Parade annual Mother’s Day event and a partner of the Friends of the Public Garden, a non-profit organization that works to protect and improve Boston’s first public parks: the Boston Common, Public Garden, and Commonwealth Avenue Mall. The company is an ongoing supporter of events at Club Café.

For more information, call 866-482-7586 or visit wintershomeservices.com.

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Revzon Consulting Group, LLC Promotes Ron Casimiro to VP of EZ B Plan Sales

Ron Casimiro
Ron Casimiro

Revzon Consulting Group, LLC of Marshfield, MA, a consulting firm that provides trust and retirement services to financial service firms nationwide, has promoted Ron Casimiro to Vice President of EZ B Plan™ Sales.

Mr. Casimiro served as Revzon Consulting’s Senior TPA Specialist for four years prior to his promotion. In his new role as VP of EZ B Plan Sales, Mr. Casimiro will oversee the company’s EZ B Plan, which is a full-service, one-stop 403(b) for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations, churches and public schools.

Mr. Casimiro has more than 20 years of product and industry experience in tax deferred annuities, qualified plan administration, qualified plan conversion and third party plan administration.  He holds a Bachelor of Science in Management and Marketing from Philadelphia College of Textile & Science, and completed the Pension Administration Program at Bentley University in Waltham.

Mr. Casimiro resides with his wife in Hull, MA.

About Revzon Consulting

Revzon Consulting Group, LLC is a multi-faceted firm focused on fulfilling the needs of the trust industry. Revzon Consulting provides financial service firms such as banks, trust companies, law firms, and investment advisors with a wide range of solutions to help meet business goals. Founded in 1997 by Les Revzon, Revzon Consulting has provided project management, retirement plan, personal trust, corporate trust, participant recordkeeping, trust operations, and compliance services to dozens of clients in the U.S. and Canada. Revzon Consulting Group is located at 465 Furnace Street, Suite 6 in Marshfield, MA. For more information, contact 781-740-1004 or visit www.revzonconsulting.com.

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Old Colony Elder Services Appoints Alisa DeLage, LCSW, MSW As Home Care Program Manager

OCES logoOld Colony Elder Services (OCES), the Brockton based regional agency that serves older adults and individuals with disabilities, has appointed Alisa DeLage, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, as Home Care Program Manager.

In her new role, Ms. DeLage oversees the Home Care Program’s supervisors, care managers and operations. The Home Care Program enables older adults and individuals with disabilities to remain in their own homes by providing them with services needed to maintain their independence, from basic home care personal assistance to a variety of other long term supports.

For four years prior to joining OCES, Ms. DeLage worked for an adoption and foster care agency in Taunton, MA. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Bridgewater State University and a Master of Social Work from Wheelock College in Boston. She is working towards a second Master’s degree in Nonprofit Leadership. Ms. DeLage is a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and resides in Quincy, MA.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES serves 20 communities in Plymouth County as well as Avon, Easton and Stoughton. OCES is a private, non-profit organization located in Brockton and designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’ mission is to support the independence and dignity of elders and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency has 210 employees and operates more than 15 programs serving older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

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