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Bringing the indoors out… DirectBuy of Fort Mill offers tips on setting up the perfect ‘outdoor kitchen’.

FORT MILL, SOUTH CAROLINA…

An “outdoor kitchen” used to mean roughing it over an open fire and sleeping on the ground. Nowadays, what items used to be considered indoor-only are making their debut outside, especially when it comes to outdoor kitchens—a hot new trend that’s taken cooking on the grill from a summer activity to a year-round thing. DirectBuy of Fort Mill, the leading members-only home improvement and home furnishings club with direct insider prices, not only sells “outdoor kitchen” units and other accessories at manufacturer’s low prices, but offers some helpful pointers on selecting the right equipment and setup for your home.

For starters, when it comes to selecting a grill, DirectBuy Club recommends considering:

●       Stainless steel gas or charcoal grills – outdoor kitchen means just that: sun, rain, wind and in some markets, snow. Even covered, your grill will be exposed to the elements to a certain degree and you want a grill made of materials that will withstand bad weather and corrosion.

●       Free-standing or under-the-counter refrigeration units – help minimize trips to the “other” kitchen and gives you a place to store leftovers for the next cookout.

●       Infra-red burners – make sure the grill you do select uses infra-red burners, which heat up faster.

●       Storage – choose a grill with plenty of shelving and cabinets

“The beauty of the outdoor kitchen is it reduces trips to the real kitchen to get supplies. This means you can actually spend time with your guests while preparing your meal. That’s why it’s just as important when selecting your outdoor kitchen to not forget the comfort of your guests,” said Brian Harris, owner of DirectBuy of Fort Mill. “DirectBuy also gives members the opportunity to save a lot of money by buying outdoor furniture for their outdoor kitchen, directly from the manufacturer.”

When it comes to selecting furniture for your outdoor “dining room,” there are a number of options in terms of style – sling, metal, cushioned, and strapped to name a few – and materials – aluminum, iron, resin, teak, wood, wicker, fabric, and vinyl. More choices mean more decisions on materials, fabrics, and colors. DirectBuy not only has great outdoor furniture at manufacturer-direct prices, but also designers who can help you make some of those decisions.

“One rule of thumb is unless you’re planning to buy an entire set of outdoor furniture at once, stick with neutral colors like white, taupe or sandstone,” said Harris. “Even if the shades aren’t a perfect match, it won’t matter if there’s a little distance between items.”

DirectBuy of Fort Mill carries a large selection of brand-name appliances and furniture for your outdoor kitchen at direct insider prices from manufacturers or their authorized suppliers. DirectBuy of Fort Mill also employs product specialists and designers who can help members create an outdoor kitchen that’s functional for the cook as well as guests.

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 2180 Carolina Place, Suite 103, in Fort Mill, South Carolina, DirectBuy of Fort Mill 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 http://www.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 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 www.directbuy.com or www.directbuycares.com.

Bringing the indoors out… DirectBuy of Fort Mill offers tips on setting up the perfect ‘outdoor kitchen’.Read More

Old Colony Elder Services to Hold Six-Week Program for Family Caregivers

Old Colony Elder Services’ Family Caregiver Support Program is offering a complimentary six-week educational course for family caregivers entitled “Powerful Tools for Caregivers”.

The Powerful Tools for Caregivers course is designed to help family caregivers take care of themselves while taking care of a relative or friend. Caregivers who are caring for a parent, spouse or friend at home, in a nursing home or even across the country, will benefit from this special class which will teach them ways to reduce stress, communicate more effectively and take care of themselves. Caregivers will also learn how to relax as well as cope with any feelings of guilt, anger and depression. Goal setting and problem-solving will also be covered during the course.

Rochelle Sugarman, who is the Family Caregiver Support Program Supervisor at OCES will be leading the classes along with Chris McLaren, Care Advisor of the Family Caregiver Support Program at OCES.

The class meets once a week, from 10 a.m. to noon, on Tuesdays, from April 20th to May 25th at Old Colony Elder Services located at 144 Main Street in Brockton.

“We are very much looking forward to bringing this exciting beneficial course to caregivers in our area,” noted Sugarman.

Registration is required by April 13. To register for the program, contact Rochelle Sugarman at OCES, 508-584-1561, extension 312.

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.

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When shipping items overseas, size matters…How small shipping companies can save customers time and money on overseas shipments.

BRAINTREE, MA…

When you’re arranging for a larger shipment overseas—20 boxes, suitcases, computer equipment, or a piece of furniture—size does play an important role in how much it will cost. Yet the size of the shipping company you choose could play an even larger role in the cost–even whether or not your shipment makes it to its final destination.

Typically for ocean shipping, larger international shippers have a minimum of three to five cubic meters; while most small shippers will only send a couple of boxes. So, if you’re only sending over a few larger items that don’t meet the minimum requirements but are too bulky for the smaller shippers or U.S. Postal Service, you can be paying for quite a bit of unused space.

“Boston has a lot of international students and people from abroad working here, many who don’t know there are other options out there like small shippers who can better meet their needs,” said Joe Fell, co-owner of Boston Pack and Ship, a small load shipping specialist for the past two decades.

Boston Pack and Ship offers international ocean shipping to most major cities around the globe. Since Boston Pack and Ship has only a one cubic meter minimum, compared to the three-to-five cubic meter minimum for large shippers, sending your items via ocean freighter can be an affordable option.

Besides smaller minimums and offering pick-up services, Boston Pack and Ship also provides customized package and custom crate building services at its workshop in Braintree, Massachusetts. Most importantly, Boston Pack and Ship is certified by Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association (NeLMA).

NeLMA is a sanctioning body for the International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM). Wood to be used for pallets and crates for overseas shipping must be heat-treated for 30 minutes at 133 degrees to receive the NeLMA stamp. This heat treatment kills any insects and their eggs that may be in the wood. Any crate shipped overseas without the appropriate stamp can be seized by customs authorities. What happens to the contents of an uncertified crate can range from fumigation to permanent destruction of the crate, its contents, or return of the shipment to the U.S.—all at the owner’s expense.

“There are many repercussions from using a shipping company large or small that is not certified. Having your items damaged or destroyed is one. The other is the possibility that the wood used on your pallet or crate is infested. There have been a few cases in the news recently where insects have made their way into the U.S.—and vice versa to other countries–via crates and done significant damage to trees and vegetation,” added Fell.

In addition to paying attention to minimums and only using shippers with the proper ISPM certifications, Boston Pack and Ship offers a number of other special overseas shipping services, including:

●       One page introductory e-mail outlining the entire process – full explanation of all fees

●       Preparation of all export customs documents.

●       Door-to-port service – Boston Pack and Ship will pick up your boxes at your home or office. Delivery is to a bonded warehouse where you can pick up your goods or arrange for final local delivery.

●       Consolidation of your shipment on a pallet – all boxes are stretch-wrapped in plastic and strapped to the pallet.

●       Complete information regarding shipment – name of vessel, voyage number, date of departure and arrival as well as a booking number will be e-mailed to you prior to shipping.

●       Complete contact information of overseas agent (name, address, phone, e-mail) to arrange delivery from port to final destination.

●       $500 worth of insurance for loss on each box is included.

For more information, 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

Boston Pack and Ship has 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.

When shipping items overseas, size matters…How small shipping companies can save customers time and money on overseas shipments.Read More

Is the economy the real business killer? Business coaching franchise offers the seven major killers of a business.

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY…

In today’s economy, businesses face many challenges. Yet according to business coaching franchise Winfree Business Growth Advisors, the real challenges a business faces are there in good and bad economies. Winfree Business Growth Advisors refers to those as “The Seven Major Killers of a Business”.

“There’s no question our economic times play a role in whether businesses succeed or fail. More often than not, a bad economy exposes a business’s flaws,” said Dr. Keith Winfree, founder of Winfree Business Growth Advisors. “Ninety-five percent of the businesses that fail will fail because of one of the Seven Major Killers of a Business—and a bad economy will only hasten that result.”

The Seven Major Killers include:

  • Marketing and Sales
  • Recruiting and hiring of the right people for the right job anywhere in a company
  • Coaching and mentoring of key people anywhere in a company
  • Cash, gross margin, and net profit
  • Business valuation, exit strategies, succession planning and business transition as Business Brokers.  
  • Innovation through quality improvement and other industrial engineering processes (Baldrige National Quality Program)
  • Leadership/Legal/Risk Management/Wealth Management

While any one of the “killers” can put a small business under, Winfree cites recruiting and hiring of the right people and coaching and mentoring as the two critical ingredients.

“Hiring the wrong sales people is a common area where business owners go awry, usually because they haven’t clearly defined what they’re looking for in a sales person and then fail to mentor and manage them once hired,” said Winfree. “The end result of hiring the wrong sales person can cost a company as much as $250,000 in lost sales and damage to the company’s reputation. Two or three bad hires can literally kill a business.”

Located across the United States, Winfree Business Growth Advisors coaching franchises help sales professionals and small business owners maximize growth potential and take their respective businesses to a higher level through cutting-edge sales coaching, business coaching, sales training and seminars. Unlike other business coaching franchises, Winfree Business Growth Advisors coaching franchises guarantee results.

In addition to coaching small business owners, Dr. Winfree speaks to many business organizations. Those interested in having Dr. Winfree for speaking engagement can call 800-616-9260. To purchase a copy of Winfree Rules of Surviving the Sales, Marketing and Business World, an e-book which sells for $9.95, visit Winfree Business Growth Advisors Web site at www.winfree.org.

About Winfree Business Growth Advisors

Located across the United States, Winfree Business Growth Advisors coaching franchises help sales professionals and small business owners maximize growth potential and take their respective businesses to a higher level through cutting-edge sales coaching, business coaching, sales training, and seminars featuring Winfree’s signature Black Belt System™–a Five Phases and 12 elements covering everything from initial marketing efforts to customer retention.

Winfree Business Growth Advisors currently runs coaching franchises in California (San Francisco and Los Angeles), Illinois, Kentucky (Louisville), Massachusetts (Boston), New York (Manhattan), Texas (Dallas-Fort Worth) and Virginia (Hampton Roads) as well as in Canada (Winnipeg, Manitoba).

For more information on Winfree’s programs or franchise opportunities and available an Area Development territories, please go to www.winfree.org or contact Dr. Keith Winfree at (800) 616-9260.

Is the economy the real business killer? Business coaching franchise offers the seven major killers of a business.Read More

eLove named top U.S. matchmaker at Internet Dating & Matchmaking Conference

NORWELL, MA…

As a company in the online dating and matchmaking business, eLove is a bit unique in that it tailors its services around the stage of life its clients are in. It’s a concept that’s taken the matchmaking industry by storm and gained notoriety among matchmaking professionals. Case in point, eLove being named one of the top three U.S. matchmakers at the seventh annual Internet Dating & Matchmaking Conference (iDate) held in Miami, Florida this past January.

iDate is one of the matchmaking industry’s largest events for Online Dating and Social Networking business management. The 2010 iDate Awards were voted on by industry experts and the general public.

“We’re ecstatic to be the only national matchmaking company to be honored,” said eLove’s Chief Operating Officer Terry Fitzpatrick. “Our matchmakers work extremely hard with our members and it’s nice to see them get the recognition they deserve.”

In addition to its awards ceremonies, the iDate Conference provides matchmaking professionals the opportunity to network with other matchmakers and learn more about current industry trends, including: business strategies, mobile technologies, new markets, social networks, mobile marketing, venture capital, software, partnerships, legal issues, background search and payments. iDate conference attendees include:

  • Social networking business executives
  • Software & technology executives
  • Venture Capitalists and Seed Funding Capitalists
  • Mobile Telecommunication executives
  • Marketing executives
  • Media executives
  • Background Search executives
  • Payment processing executives
  • Affiliate managers & Affiliates

“We take tremendous pride in the work we do in helping our clients find that special person and when that happens, that really is reward enough. An honor like this truly is icing on the cake and reinforcement about how well we do what we do,” said Paul A. Falzone, CEO of eLove.

The next iDate conference will be held in Beverly Hills, California in June 2010.

eLove is all you need

eLove, the next evolution in dating, has arrived.  eLove is the first “life stage company” within the dating industry to provide different levels of dating services, from internet to traditional matchmaking, based on how serious singles are about meeting their soul mate.  Never before has a dating service catered so completely to everyone regardless of their age, sex, or relationship goals. With matchmaking offices in 21 states and an online dating network of more than three million singles worldwide, eLove is everything that singles have been wishing for whether they are looking for casual dating or a serious, committed relationship.                                                                                

eLove’s Matchmaking Service offices are located in:  Arkansas (Bentonville, Fort Smith, Little Rock); California (Mountain View, Sacramento, Walnut Creek); Connecticut (Glastonbury, Stamford); Illinois (Chicago, Downers Grove, Normal, Northbrook, Rockford); Indiana (Carmel, Ft. Wayne); Kansas (Overland Park, Wichita); Kentucky (Louisville); Maryland (Columbia, Frederick); Massachusetts (Newton, Norwell, Shrewsbury, Woburn); Michigan (Bingham Farms); Missouri (Springfield, St. Louis); Nebraska (Lincoln, Omaha); New Jersey (Saddle Brook); Nevada (Las Vegas); Ohio (Cincinnati); Oklahoma (Oklahoma City, Tulsa); Pennsylvania (Mechanicsburg); Rhode Island (Warwick); South Carolina (Greenville); Tennessee (Memphis, Franklin); Texas (Austin, San Antonio); Virginia (Falls Church, Richmond); Wisconsin (Appleton, Elm Grove, Madison).

 For more information on eLove, visit www.elove.com.

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Wounded Warrior Project receives over $10,000 from Advanced Charitable Services, presented by Norwell and Plymouth based Advanced Mortgage Services.

DATELINE: NORWELL AND PLYMOUTH, MA
Wounded Warriors Project, a national organization that helps wounded veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan engagements, received a financial boost via a check for $10,500 from Advanced Charitable Services based in Norwell, MA.

The sizable donation was raised via a golf tournament recently held at Southers Marsh Golf Club, Plymouth. More than 85 golfers participated in the fund-raiser which included a round of golf, dinner, awards and auction.

“We are delighted to help out the veterans who paid a high price for our freedom,” noted Brian Comer, President of Advanced Mortgage Services. He added, “The spirit and the success of this initial event have inspired us to make it an annual outing and fund-raiser for this great cause.”

Michele Comer, Senior Vice President of Advanced Mortgage Services based in Norwell and Plymouth, Mass., formed Advanced Charitable Services, Inc., a non-profit organization to promote and raise funds for worthy charitable causes.

Linda Perry, Area Outreach Coordinator for the Wounded Warrior Project, was on hand to accept the check and noted, “This kind of contribution and community effort help raise the spirits of our wounded Iraq and Afghanistan vets, as well as help to fund the programs and services that the Wounded Warrior Project offers to help them to rehabilitate and assimilate back into the civilian world.”

Wounded Warriors offers a range of programs, services and events designed for an individual’s needs beyond a vet’s hospital stay. Services range from combat stress recovery, peer mentoring, family caregiving, benefits counseling, advocacy, disabled sports programs, and backpacks stocked with necessary items for vets as they are discharged from a medical facility.

The mission of the Wounded Warrior Project is to honor and empower wounded warriors. Its purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public’s aid for the needs of severely injured service members, to help severely injured men and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. WWP is a national, apolitical organization headquartered in Jacksonville, FL.

The next golf tournament/fund-raiser for Wounded Warriors is scheduled for this summer. To participate, contact Stacey Jordan, (800) 337-4660.

Wounded Warrior Project receives over $10,000 from Advanced Charitable Services, presented by Norwell and Plymouth based Advanced Mortgage Services.Read More

Topeak receives four prestigious red dot awards for product design

NORTH ATTLEBORO, MASS AND TAICHUNG, TAIWAN…

Todson, Inc., the U.S. distributor for Topeak bike products, recently announced that Topeak had won four prestigious red dot awards for 2010, including one “Best of the Best” distinction for the MegaMorph™ compact floor pump. Three red dot product design awards were awarded for the AirBackpack, RaceRocket mini pump and Mini 20 Pro tool.

The red dot design award, held by the Design Centre of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany since 1955, is one of the biggest and most renowned design competitions in the world. This year’s competition evaluated 4252 products from 1,636 companies from 57 countries in three disciplines: “red dot award: product design”; “red dot award: communication design”. In the end, only the very best from the field of top-class participants are selected for the award.

“You can call it the Academy Award for designers and it still would be a bit of an understatement in describing what it means to win a red dot design award,” said Neal Todrys, president of Todson, Inc. “Topeak has always led the field in bringing innovation to cycling accessories. Winning these four awards is a testimony to how innovative some of Topeak’s products actually are.”

Here’s a little information about the winners:

Red dot “Best of the Best”: MegaMorph™ – The newest of the award-winning

Morph family of pumps, the MegaMorph is an innovative, highly-portable, folding floor pump for cyclists who want the most compact floor pump. Every design detail of the new MegaMorph has been streamlined to produce a minimized profile when

folded. Utilizing the same high-performance barrel as Topeak’s JoeBlow™ line of floor pumps, the MegaMorph pumps to 160 psi to fill road and mountain bike tires fast and features a padded handle, top-mounted fold-out analog gauge, SmartHead™ all-valve hose head, 360-degree swiveling hose and a fold-out footpad.

Red dot award; AirBackpack – Unlike typical cycling packs that use heavy foam padding for comfort and rigid plastic for structural stability, the new Air BackPack features lightweight, multi-channel air chambers located in the hip belt and back contact area to provide tunable comfort and rigid pack support. The internal air chambers are pressurized with an integrated micro pump and release valve which fold into the hip belt, allowing the wearer to make fine adjustments while on the go. These full-length, deeply channeled air chambers also aid in cooling the rider by drawing a continuous airflow across the back area.

The Air Backpack weighs only 675 grams and folds to a compact size for storage or travel. With space for a hydration bladder, tools, pump, clothing and more this ingenious pack makes mountain biking more enjoyable.

Red dot award; Race Rocket MasterBlaster – Intelligently designed to provide maximum performance, this incredibly powerful mini pump inflates up to 140 psi in one single action. To meet the needs of road and mountain bikers, Race Rocket MasterBlaster and its innovative SmartHead ThreadLock accepts Presta and Schrader valves and extends on a flexible hose – taking pressure off the valve stem when filling a tire. And to top it off, the RaceRocket is tiny in size and easily slips into a jersey pocket or saddle bag.

Red dot award; Mini 20 Pro – Topeak has taken the common cyclist’s multi tool and turned it into a mechanical work of art. This 20- function wonder contains all the tools a mountain biker could ever need wrapped in a high-strength alloy body. The professional quality, hardened steel tools resist wear and tear while the integrated cast CrMo chain tool makes quick work of any drive train repair. The Mini 20 fits in its own neoprene pouch.

“It is truly an honor to receive four red dot awards and it is especially exciting to be presented with a “Best of the Best” award for our new MegaMorph pump,” says Topeak President Louis Chuang. “Our in-house design team is very proud to have their ideas recognized by this international design award and confirms their commitment to the highest level of innovative design and quality.”

World Class Sports Accessories

Todson, Inc., the exclusive importer for Topeak for the U.S., is committed to providing the best in sports accessories to consumers around the globe.  Over the past 16 years, Topeak has risen to become the top cycling accessories brand in the world. 

In addition to Topeak cycling accessories, Todson is the distributor of renowned OnGuard line, the toughest line of power sport, bike and gear security products in the world.  The OnGuard line is available only through authorized dealers. Recognized for their legendary anti-drill and pick-proof M-Cylinder mechanism and flat key lock system, OnGuard’s locks, whether key or combination lock, are tested, approved and certified to guard bikes or power sport vehicles the world over.  OnGuard is the leading lock brand in Europe, in particular, Amsterdam, the bike theft capital of the world. 

Todson has successfully marketed recreational goods for more than 50 years. Now in its third generation of family ownership, Todson specializes in strategic sales and marketing, distribution, brand management and e-commerce. For more information about Topeak cycling accessories and OnGuard Locks, visit www.Todson.com or contact Todson at (800) 213-4561.  The company is located at 73 N. Washington Street, N. Attleboro, Mass.

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