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Driven to help others…Plymouth North students win Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac Driven Student Award for “Adopt a Platoon” program and “Literacy Leaders” efforts.

PLYMOUTH, MA…

In the two years since its inception, the Tracy Chevrolet Driven Student program has honored a number of Plymouth high school students for excelling inside and outside the classroom. This month’s honorees, members of Maggie Madden’s Literature class, are being recognized for their efforts as students and as teachers.

As students, the group participated in a “Share Literacy” program, which involves interaction with Life Skills students. In addition to helping them with their reading skills, Mrs. Madden’s students helped the Life Skills perform an abbreviated version of Charles Dickens’ Christmas Carol.

“I don’t know if I’ve ever been more proud of a group of students,” said Mrs. Madden. “The Life Skills students had a lot of fun in putting on the play but I think our students received the real gift. They had a chance to step outside their comfort zone and do something for others and that’s truly a gift.”

In addition to working with the Life Skills students, Mrs. Madden’s class initiated a school-wide “Adopt a Platoon” program. The initial intent of the program was for PNHS students to send letters to soldiers overseas. This class, however, took it a step further, adopting a specific soldier, Matthew Randall, a graduate of Plymouth South High School and son of Plymouth North custodian Dan Randall.

Presently stationed in South Korea and serving as a physician’s assistant, PFC Randall recently visited the class on Friday, March 26.  On that same day, Mrs. Madden’s class was recognized as the Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac Driven Students of the Month award.

In recognition of their work with the Life Skills students and the Adopt a Platoon program, the students were treated to a pizza party, courtesy of Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac. Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac Service Manager Rick McGue delivered the pizzas to the students and teachers attending the party.

Students taking part in mentoring the Life Skills students and the Adopt-a-Platoon program include: Adam Benedict, James Bradley, Alexander Dearn, Amber Desrosier, Dani Diaz, Deirdre Hill, Thomas Kane, Mike Khederian, Christopher Rose, Chris Schaefer and Ryan Shea.  In addition to their teacher, Mrs. Madden, these students rely on the aide of Alida Nickerson, Adjustment Counselor, and Tanya Little, Student Support Specialist.

“With our Driven Student Award, we make the effort to recognize students who may not get the credit deserved but our doing things worthy of recognition,” said Jeff Tracy, president of Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac. “By adopting PFC Randall and taking the Life Skills students under their wing, these students are most deserving of the Driven Student of the Month award.

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.

Driven to help others…Plymouth North students win Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac Driven Student Award for “Adopt a Platoon” program and “Literacy Leaders” efforts.Read More

An ‘extreme’ approach to networking…ActionCOACH Angie Segal goes to ‘extremes’ as a partner of an Extreme Office Makeover for local non-profit.

SILVER SPRING, MD AND ROCKVILLE, MD…

As an ActionCOACH business coach, Angie Segal coaches her clients to seek out the proverbial “win-win” situation. As one of the founders of the ORIGINAL Third Tuesday networking group and a partner in the Extreme Office Makeover, she helped find a way to create a win-win-win for the nearly 400 business owners who participated in this month’s event.

The Extreme Office Makeover contest involved a group of local business partners donating goods or services to be awarded to a Montgomery County, non home-based business. Segal donated three months of business coaching. Other services donated from partners in the Extreme Office Makeover group included IT services and software, accounting, printing, water coolers and office supplies to name a few. In total, more than $100,000 in goods and services were donated by Extreme Office Makeover sponsors.

“This really was a win-win-win situation. Obviously, it’s great for the company that wins the Makeover but it also gives the sponsors an opportunity to showcase their business’s offerings and perhaps win a new client,” said Segal, owner of an ActionCOACH franchise in Silver Spring, MD. “Personally, I think it’s a win for everyone involved because we created an opportunity for almost 400 business owners to network and make new acquaintances and who knows what that could lead to.”

The Wellness Community of Greater Washington DC was the proud winner of the Extreme Office Makeover. The Wellness Community is a non-profit which provides cancer support, education and hope for thousands of people in the Greater Washington DC area.

“We are thrilled!” said Paula Rothenberg, president & CEO of The Wellness Community. “As a small nonprofit organization that provides all of our programs free of charge to people affected by cancer, we are dependent upon the support of many individuals, foundations and corporations. To receive this tremendous gift of much needed products and services is overwhelming.”

A first runner up prize was also awarded to the Computer Learning and Resource Center of Silver Spring, Maryland, which received a variety of goods and services from the participating business partners.

In addition to ActionCOACH, contributing sponsors of the Extreme Office Makeover included: Mosaic Technologies, Rockville Printing & Graphics, the Law Offices of Whittaker & Associates, Diverse Office Solutions, RMR & Associates, Reznick Group, Sisarina, Action Coach, RCD & Associates, IMC Water Coolers, iCore Networks, Intelligent Office, CMR Alliance, Shred Station Express, Urban BBQ, Potomac Grill and Comcast Business Class.

Founded in August 2009 by Angie Segal of ActionCOACH and Ron Dobransky of Rockville Printing & Graphics, the Original Third Tuesday networking group meets from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. every third Tuesday at Clyde’s at Tower Oaks at 2 Preserve Parkway in Rockville, Maryland.  There’s no membership fee or admission to attend Original Third Tuesday networking group session. All business owners are welcome.

About ActionCOACH

ActionCOACH is the world’s #1 business coaching firm and executive coaching firm. Operating in 26 countries, the franchise has more than 1,000 offices around the world. That includes locations in the five states (and Washington DC) that make up the Gulf Atlantic region: Alabama (Pelham); Delaware; Louisiana (Baton Route, Loranger, Mandeville, New Orleans and Shreveport); Maryland (Baltimore, Freeland, Fallston, Manchester, Rockland, Silver Spring); and Mississippi (Madison).

Founded in 1993, the ActionCOACH has received numerous awards including Fastest Growing Franchise, Franchisee Satisfaction, Best Overall Company and has been named the number one business coaching franchise for more than five years running.

For information on ActionCOACH Founder Brad Sugars’ 2010 “Business is Booming” North American tour, please visit, http://businessisboomingtour.com/. 

To learn more about working with an ActionCOACH or the ActionCOACH franchise opportunity, contact Karen Boyd, www.karenboyd.actioncoach.comwww.karenboyd.actioncoach.com, (410) 374-3536.

An ‘extreme’ approach to networking…ActionCOACH Angie Segal goes to ‘extremes’ as a partner of an Extreme Office Makeover for local non-profit.Read More

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