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Jennifer Harber tabbed as executive director of The Bridge Center

BRIDGEWATER, MASS.

The Bridge Center, a non-profit (501)(c)( 3) recreation center that serves children with developmental, physical and emotional disabilities, has recently named Jennifer Harber as its Executive Director.

As Executive Director, Harber oversees all aspects of The Bridge Center’s operations, including fundraising, program, personnel and marketing strategy. Part of that strategy included renaming and branding of The Bridge Center from its former name Handi Kids. The new name was chosen to better reflect the expansion of programs they offer to children and families throughout the South Shore and Greater Boston areas.

“The Bridge Center has so much to offer the families of the South Shore. I’m thrilled to help bring all that the Bridge Center offers to a larger audience,” said Harber. “A big part of that has been developing relationships with other South Shore non-profits.  Groups like the United Way of Plymouth County have been very receptive to what we’re working to accomplish at The Bridge Center.”

Throughout her career, Harber has developed, managed, and coordinated programs in camp, residential, and community settings.  She comes to The Bridge Center after serving as Program Director for Massachusetts General Hospital’s YouthCare program where she managed and developed camp and teen programs, and developed and implemented training and consultation services for children, classrooms and programs. 

Harber holds an undergraduate degree from Cornell University with majors in psychology and math and a Master’s in Education from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education. She also earned a post-graduate certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders and will complete her MBA from Babson College in 2010. A Norwood resident, Harber likes to read, bake and snowboard in her spare time.

About The Bridge Center

The Bridge Center’s beautiful 20-acre campus is located in Bridgewater, MA and provides accessible play and skill-building activities for all children regardless of the nature or severity of their disability. Year-round activities include nine weeks of summer camp, therapeutic horseback riding, school vacation camps, holiday parties, Saturday programs, teen programs, vocational training, after-school activities and family support groups. 

The Bridge Center also offers carefully designed summer programs and social skills groups designed to meet the social and behavioral needs of children with Asperger’s Syndrome, High Functioning Autism and related challenges.

If you’d like to learn more about The Bridge Center’s programs or are interested in becoming a supporter, please call (508) 697-7557 or send an e-mail to info@TheBridgeCtr.org.

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Boston Based Bearing Company Saves Big Bucks with Green Initiative

Boston based Emerson Bearing is saving big bucks on packaging costs each month and they attribute it to their latest green initiative.

Emerson Bearing, which caters to OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) and MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Operations) markets throughout the U.S., decided to seek a more environmentally-friendly way to package each shipment of bearings and related products.

The company invested in a $1,300 machine that recycles cardboard boxes by shredding and converting them into packaging materials. Now, instead of expensive bubble wrap, Emerson Bearing packs most of their shipments in this environmentally friendly, biodegradable cardboard “fluff”. The bottom line? Not only is it better for the environment, but the company reduced their overall packaging costs by $500 to $1000 per month.

“We’ve obtained significant cost savings, upwards of $12,000 per year by simply seeking ‘greener’ alternatives. Had we been aware of this great technology, we would’ve incorporated it years ago,” noted Steve Katz, the company’s president.

Paper-Free Online Comprehensive Bearings Catalog

Emerson Bearing has also taken measures to reduce new paper consumption. They have recently launched a sophisticated new website that features an online catalog of more than 3 million bearings and related parts which can also be downloaded and saved to a PC/laptop and used as a reference guide. Spec sheets, conversion charts and more are available online at emersonbearing.com.

The Emerson Bearing Difference

In a proud tradition, the same families that started the company in 1957 keep Emerson Bearing rolling by specializing in bearings for OEM and MRO markets across the country. Emerson Bearing has a staff of 22 and a 23,000 square foot facility to provide bearings ranging in size from 3mm to tunnel-boring 15-foot-diameter giants.

Emerson Bearing offers customers a one-stop shopping experience. With an online product catalog with over 3 million bearings; a vast inventory of bearings; worldwide sourcing; a fixed price program; a knowledgeable staff dedicated to delivering; same day shipping and 24/7 service, Emerson Bearing has become the leading provider of bearings to OEM and MRO markets in the U.S.

Emerson Bearing maintains headquarters at 201 Brighton Ave. Boston, MA. For more information, contact 617-782-1400 or toll free, 800-225-4587, email info@emersonbearing.com or visit www.emersonbearing.com

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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