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Orlando Magic fans prepare man caves for October 28 opener of the 2010-11 NBA season.

ORLANDO, FL…

For members of the Orlando Magic, preparation for the upcoming NBA season means several weeks of intense practice in training camp. For Magic fans, getting ready means preparing their “man caves” for several months of equally intense NBA viewing–particularly when those games involve the team from south Florida.

In your dad’s day, the “man cave” was the workshop in the garage. Today, it’s typically a finished room in the basement where the man of the house might work out, have an office, and, of course, watch sports—especially when it’s local NBA entry, the Orlando Magic. DirectBuy, the leading home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, has some pointers for making the man cave guest-friendly for the upcoming NBA season and beyond.

“While being able to get away from the rest of the house and watch sporting events like basketball in peace may have been the genesis of the man cave, what might not have been taken into consideration initially was the desire to someday invite others to watch the game with you,” said Brian Cohen, owner of DirectBuy of Orlando. “Let’s face it, if you’re setting up a space fit for entertaining guests that’s something most men may want some assistance with.”

So what items might today’s man cave need to complete the perfect hoops-watching party?

  • Kegerator, a man-cave essential for a beer-drinking crowd
  • Wide Screen TV with HD; surround sound speakers also recommended
  • Sectional sofa to accommodate multiple visitors; reclining chair with cup holders for the host
  • Full-size, built-in bar area or free-standing, mobile bar station
  • Tile or wood flooring that’s particularly resilient to spillage
  • Pool table, air hockey, or foosball for halftime recreation
  • Mini-kitchen with microwave to reheat Buffalo wings
  • Home gym equipment—e.g. treadmill, elliptical—to work off the excess calories consumed during man cave weekend basketball marathons.

DirectBuy offers nearly everything you need to create the perfect man cave, no matter what your favorite sport might be, at prices direct from manufacturers or their authorized suppliers. If you know what you want but don’t know how to pull it all together, DirectBuy also employs product specialists and professional designers well-versed in the art of designing the perfect recreational space, while keeping you on budget.

Conveniently located at 502 Sunport Lane, Suite 400, in Orlando, DirectBuy of Orlando offers consumers a comfortable, welcoming setting where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

For more information on a DirectBuy Club membership, visit directbuycares.com.

About DirectBuy Club

For more than 39 years, DirectBuy Club 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 150 locations in North America, DirectBuy Club offers its members access to more than 700 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in the US, and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in Canada.

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

Orlando Magic fans prepare man caves for October 28 opener of the 2010-11 NBA season.Read More

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

Tracy Driven Students for October

PLYMOUTH, MA…

For the past three years, Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac has honored local high school students for their accomplishments inside and outside the classroom with the monthly Driven Student award. This year’s award program kicked off at Plymouth South High School, with Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac throwing a pizza party for 16 freshman students selected by their teachers for their positive performance both inside and outside the classroom.

Those students treated to a pizza party include: Alexa Cole, Kevin Cowden, Katya Edson, Tim Elrick, Rebecca Geary, Tommy Giorgio, Lexy Halpin, Christina Jaros, Marisa Kanter, Dylan O’Connell, Andrew Pelzer, Kayla Phakousahn, Anthony Schena, Bobby Sirois, Alex Swiniarski and Wilma Urbain.

 “One of the most difficult transitions a student can make is going from middle school to high school. You’re essentially going from the big man on campus to low man on the totem pole within a few months,” said Jeff Tracy, president of Tracey Chevrolet Cadillac. “These students were selected by their teachers as the students who have made that transition seamlessly. For that, they are worthy recipients of the Driven Student award.”

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

 “The Driven Student program has been wonderful for our students, particularly the freshmen,” said A.J. Butters, Freshman Academy House Master. “Freshman often take a backseat to upper classmen in terms of recognition. With this program, we have a way to recognize the students who are getting the job done, even if it is early in their high school career.”

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

So easy at Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac

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

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

When your first name is “mud,” there’s always room for improvement… Creating more room in your mudroom.

CHICAGO, GURNEE, NAPERVILLE, TINLEY PARK, IL …

By the name alone, the mudroom has low self-esteem. After all, the moniker suggests it’s okay to get it dirty. Still, if you want your mudroom to be more efficient, or if you want to create a mudroom, there are some basic guidelines to follow.

“The mudroom was designed as a way to keep wet and/or dirty shoes and clothes out of other parts of the house. Yet it doesn’t take much for the clutter in a mudroom to get out of control so that it becomes an obstacle on your way in and out of the house,” said Dave Kushner, owner of DirectBuy of Northern Illinois. “By incorporating a few organizational ideas and using some ‘user-friendly’ materials, your mudroom can be a cleaner operation.”

For starters, Kushner suggests the following:

  • Flooring – By definition, mudrooms are prone to dirt and that means wear and tear. For material, you will probably want to install something durable like textured rubber, or ceramic or unpolished stone tile. No matter what you select, a darker color will aid in camouflaging dirt. An outdoor doormat made of rubble or bristle and an indoor mat made of a water-absorbing material can minimize the dirt that gets tracked into the house.
  • Walls – Vinyl wallpaper or high-gloss paint are viable options for walls that will no doubt need to be wiped down frequently. You may also want to consider vinyl cove as a low-maintenance, economical choice for baseboard—particularly since the mudroom is likely to need a good mopping from time to time.
  • Coat storage – You can go the route of hooks or take it a step further with cubbies for the kids’ coats. If you go with hooks, make sure to hang them at child’s height. Have a little fun with this and assign everybody their own hook/cubby and label it.
  • Waterproof area – For inclement weather, you’ll want a waterproof area for wet items like hats, gloves, scarves, etc. A drip tray/scraper topped by a removable grate can be invaluable for wet shoes. You can also create a makeshift drying rack out of an accordion-style wine rack.
  • Seating/storage – A good bench is an essential part of a mudroom. Make sure the bench is off to the side and doesn’t obstruct any doorways. The space under the bench can be used for storing shoes. Better yet, a built-in bench or window seat, hinged at the top, can help keep clutter under wraps.

“A lot of older homes, and some newer ones, were built without mudrooms. If you don’t have one, you should really designate a transitional area where people enter the house as your mudroom,” said Kushner. “Not only does it provide a storage space for bulky coats and boots, but it saves the wear and tear on the rugs and floor inside your home and makes the upkeep of your home more manageable.”

About DirectBuy Club

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 or their authorized suppliers. Buying direct makes members’ hard-earned money go much further, while having the selection and choice not available at any retail store. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers, and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality. The DirectBuy Clubs serving the greater Chicago area are part of more than 150 locations throughout North America.

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

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

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

When your first name is “mud,” there’s always room for improvement… Creating more room in your mudroom.Read More

Old Colony Elder Services Announces New Congregate Meal Site at The Woodlands in Plympton

From left to right- Josselyn Holmes (resident at complex), Sandra Henry, Plympton Director of Council on Aging, and Joe Freitas, Plympton Selectman at the recent opening of Old Colony Elder Services' new congregate meal site at The Woodlands in Plympton.

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) has announced the opening of a new congregate meal site at The Woodlands elderly complex located at 165 Country Road in Plympton.

The new meal site will provide meals to elders who reside within the complex, which is made up of 40 apartments. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, meals will be served in the congregate. Since OCES does not yet have a Meal Site Manager for Fridays, meals will temporarily be delivered to each apartment.

“This is a start. Our long-term goal for The Woodlands congregate meal site is to be open five days a week and invite all Plympton seniors to participate,” noted Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES.

The number of seniors throughout the area in need of meals is growing. OCES supports these seniors by providing healthy meals to them through the Nutrition Program’s congregate meal sites and Meals on Wheels. OCES serves elders, their families and caregivers in 23 towns in Southeastern Massachusetts.

About OCES
Incorporated in 1974, Old Colony Elder Services is one of 27 private, non-profit Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES offers a number of programs to serve seniors, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers such as Family Caregiver; Adult Family Care; Supportive Housing; Nutrition; Money Management; Protective Services; Home Care and more.

OCES offers these programs in the towns of Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Kingston, Lakeville, Marshfield, Middleboro, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rockland, Stoughton, Wareham, West Bridgewater and Whitman.

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

In 2009, OCES was honored with the Metro-South Chamber of Commerce’s “Economic Impact Award”. The agency has 140 employees. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

Old Colony Elder Services Announces New Congregate Meal Site at The Woodlands in PlymptonRead More

How to make “top shelf” office space out of your closet.

ORLANDO, FL…

In the corporate world, if they ask you to move your office to the closet, it’s probably not a good sign for your long-term future with the company; however if you find yourself working from home, converting a closet into a home office can be an effective and economical use of space. DirectBuy of Orlando, the leading home improvement and furnishings club, has some helpful tips on converting a closet into a functional home office.

“Whether you work out of your home or not, nearly everyone has some semblance of office space in their home,” said Brian Cohen, owner of DirectBuy of Orlando. “By converting the closet in the guest room or in the basement, you can maintain that room’s primary function while giving yourself or other family members more than adequate office space.”

So, how do you convert a closet into functional office space? For starters, clear everything out of the closet, including clothes, rods, and shelves. Next, take precise measurements of the space, making note of wiring and lighting. Depending on your particular space and what’s available, you may also need to consider the following:

  • Installing an electrical outlet within the closet if none are nearby. Make sure you install enough to accommodate a computer, lighting, a printer, and other office necessities.
  • Installing a jack for either an Ethernet or DSL line to connect to the Internet. If possible, and to save yourself installation costs, it may be more affordable to buy a wireless router and purchase a laptop with a wireless card.
  • Painting the closet walls will make it seem more like a room and less like a closet. Lighter colors can make your workspace seem bigger than it is.
  • Installing shelves that will function as a desktop that’s the width of the closet and long and deep enough to give you space to either write or work at your computer. You may also want to consider installing additional shelves for storage purposes.
  • Purchasing small file cabinets on wheels for storage underneath your work area.

“One of the downsides to working at home is you essentially never leave the office,” said Cohen. “By converting your closet, you can literally close the door on work for the day. You can even put a lock on it for added security and to remove the temptation to work during off hours.”

DirectBuy offers nearly everything you need for your home office—at wholesale prices direct from manufacturers or their authorized suppliers. In addition, DirectBuy also employs product specialists and designers if your home improvement project is a bit more than you want to take on or you don’t have the time.

Since 1971, DirectBuy Club has helped consumers enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, flooring, and accessories, by providing an avenue to purchase directly from the manufacturer. Conveniently located at 502 Sunport Lane, Suite 400, in Orlando, DirectBuy of Orlando offers consumers a comfortable, welcoming setting where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

For more information on a DirectBuy Club membership, visit directbuy.com.

About DirectBuy Club

For more than 39 years, DirectBuy Club 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 150 locations in North America, DirectBuy Club offers its members access to more than 700 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in the US, and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in Canada.

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

How to make “top shelf” office space out of your closet.Read More