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How to save energy (and dollars) this winter

CHICAGO, GURNEE, HOFFMAN ESTATES, NAPERVILLE, TINLEY PARK, IL … 

Winter in greater Chicago means spending a good portion of your time indoors. And while you want to keep your home warm, comfortable and cozy, that can run up quite a tab for your heating and electricity costs. As the leading home improvement and furnishings club, DirectBuy, with several locations in greater Chicago, has some helpful tips on heating your home more efficiently and keeping your electric bills in check.

“It goes without saying that during these tough economic times, homeowners want to save wherever possible,” said I.J. Sell, owner of DirectBuy of Tinley Park. “What’s amazing is that just by following a few simple steps, you can reduce your heating and electric bills significantly.”

Here are few things homeowners can do:

 

  • Set the thermostat no higher than 68 degrees when you are home, lowering the temperature at night and when you’re out.
  • Reverse the direction of your ceiling fans and run at a slow speed. This creates a gentle updraft and re-circulates the warmer air trapped at the ceiling to provide even, comfortable heat throughout a room.
  • On sunny days, open the shades and curtains on the side of your home facing the sun to take advantage of the heat benefits. Make sure to close the shades and curtains at night for the opposite reason.
  • Be wary of blocking your radiators or heating vents with furniture or drapes. To maximize heat from your radiator, place a sheet of aluminum foil between the radiator and the wall to reflect heat back into the room.
  • Replace all the lights in your high-traffic areas with compact fluorescent light bulbs. Replacing 25 percent of your lights with these bulbs can reduce your lighting expenses by 50 percent.
  • Weatherize your home by caulking and weather-stripping all doors and windows. Be sure to lock your windows to make them tighter and draft-resistant.

“There are few things more brutal than a Chicago winter. Yet by following some or all of these simple steps, you can keep your home comfortable and manage to save a bit on your heating and electric bills,” said Sell.

For more than 38 years, DirectBuy has offered members the opportunity to enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, flooring and accessories by purchasing from over 700 brand-name manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. With several convenient locations in greater Chicago (Chicago, Gurnee, Hoffman Estates, Naperville, and Tinley Park), consumers can enjoy a comfortable setting, where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

For more information on a DirectBuy membership, you can visit http://www.directbuycares.com.

About DirectBuy

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 and 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 160 locations throughout North America.

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

Locations of the DirectBuy clubs serving greater Chicago area: DirectBuy of Hoffman Estates, 2200 Stonington Ave Ste. 150, Hoffman Estates, IL; 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 Lake County, 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.

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eLove Launches Elite, Concierge-Level Dating Service

According to the U.S. Census Bureau News (July, 2009), there were more than 900 dating service establishments (including Internet dating services) nationwide in 2002. Eight years later, that number has grown significantly. So, with the glut of dating services out there, how does a consumer choose? In launching its new Concierge level of membership services, eLove makes it easier for soul-mate seeking singles to decide which service suits them best.

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. eLove’s Concierge level of service takes it one step further.

eLove’s professional matchmakers meet with the concierge level member to gather background information and conduct an in-depth interview about their goals and lifestyle. They learn about past relationships; what s/he does for a living; what s/he does for recreation; how s/he spends her/his time; her/his hopes and goals for the future and much more. During the interview process, eLove’s matchmaker is also busy evaluating wardrobe, manners and more to see where a little extra help might be needed.

Jill Vander, Executive Director of Matchmaking at eLove explains, “Not only do we delve into the lives of our members and their needs and desires in order to help them find their soul mate; we assist in other areas of their lifestyle to ensure that our members are putting their best foot forward when we introduce them to potential matches. We set them up for success.”

Concierge-level members of eLove can rely on their professional matchmaker, who also acts as a “lifestyle consultant” to help them become the best they can be and introduce them to other successful singles and potential soul mates.

“We let our Concierge-level members know what is working for them and what isn’t. We consult with them on just about everything from what to wear and where to go on a date to the good night kiss and the right type of flowers to send. We’ve even been known to procure theater tickets and make dinner reservations for them,” said Vander.

eLove is all you need

The next evolution in dating has arrived and it is called eLove. 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); 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 (Detroit); Missouri (Springfield, St. Louis); Nebraska (Lincoln, Omaha); Nevada (Las Vegas, Reno); New York (Manhattan); Ohio (Cincinnati); Oklahoma (Oklahoma City, Tulsa); Pennsylvania (Mechanicsburg); Rhode Island (Warwick); South Carolina (Greenville); Tennessee (Memphis, Nashville); 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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Romantic travel…What to pack and plan for romantic winter getaways.

WAITSFIELD, VERMONT…

When it comes to romantic getaways, what’s more important: where you go or what you do? While it’s difficult to argue the inherent romance offered by a tropical vacation or cruise or a ski lodge or remote cabin up in the mountains, sometimes what you pack or that spontaneous little side trip can enhance the intimacy of a romantic getaway.

As the creator of more than 90 customized travel maps across the United States, England, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico, Resort Maps believes travel is about the journey as much as the end destination, particularly when it comes to romantic getaways. Says Peter Hans, president of Resort Maps Franchise, Inc., “If you reflect on the great trips in your life, some of the best times occur on spontaneous little side trips. In fact, for many people, those side trips end up being more memorable.”

So, what sort of things can you do make your journey more memorable? Hans suggests:

 

·         Renting an automobile instead of using your everyday car. If the temperatures allow it, rent a convertible and ride with the top down.

·         Follow the signs – if you see a sign advertising something that sounds interesting, e.g. homemade ice cream store, stop in.

·         Take plenty of breaks – often times on a road trip, you’ll pass bridges, bodies of waters, shops, etc. that look interesting but you keep going. For your romantic journey, stop and smell the figurative roses and explore those places. Even pulling over on a country road to literally smell the roses or share an intimate moment can be a trip maker.

·         Plan a detour – do a little research on the area where you’ll be driving through and see if there’s anything of interest that could make for a nice little surprise.

While these spontaneous trips or adventures can serve as very tasty appetizers, you still want to enjoy the main course, your destination, as well. To do that will require some forethought.

Some romantic items you may want to include in your packing are:

·         Tea lights or scented candles – remembering the matches or lighter.

·         Luxury bubble bath.

·         Massage oil.

·         Music: an MP3 player and speakers or a CD player and CDs with your favorite love songs.

·         Rose petals to scatter in the bed.

·         Romantic notes to leave on each other’s pillow.

“The beauty of a romantic getaway is that it really can be anything you want it to be, anywhere you want it to be,” said Hans. “By following just a few of these ideas, you can create a trip that you’ll be talking about with your grandkids—perhaps once they are adults.”

Resort Maps are colorful, hand-drawn maps of resort towns and cities. Free to area visitors, each map advertises restaurants, accommodations, retail stores, factory outlets, recreation and attractions, real estate and other local services. Each advertiser is represented with a display ad surrounding the map, including a color-coded grid locator and a building drawn, highlighted and labeled making it easy to locate. With landmarks prominently displayed, Resort Maps are an easy and fun way to find your way around town whether you are visiting, new to the area or you just want to know what’s happening around your town. 

For more information on Resort Maps or to inquire about ownership of a Resort Maps franchise, please visit www.resortmaps.com or call 802-496-6277.

About Resort Maps

Headquartered in the Green Mountains of Vermont, Resort Maps has been creating and publishing advertising maps in the northeastern U.S. since 1986. In 1993, Resort Maps expanded its reach by creating a franchise model for distribution of its colorful, hand-drawn maps of resort towns and cities. Today, that network of franchises has grown to over 90 Resort Maps in publication in the US and the UK, with several more in the process of being published. More than 20 million Resort Maps will be printed and distributed in 2009.

For more information on Resort Maps and/or the franchise opportunity, visit www.resortmaps.com or call 802-496-6277.

Resort Maps franchises serve cities and towns in California (Carmel, Monterey), Colorado (Boulder, Breckenridge, Cherry Creek, Colorado Springs, Denver, Eagle River, Estes Park, Fort Collins, Summit County), Delaware (Bethany Beach, Rehoboth Beach), Florida (Clearwater Beach and Gulf Beaches, Cocoa Beach, Daytona Beach, Melbourne, New Smyrna Beach, St. Augustine, Tarpon Springs), Georgia (Savannah/Tybee Island), Maine (Bar Harbor/Acadia, Boothbay region, Camden-Rockland, Kennebunkport, Kittery, Portland, York-Ogunquit), , Maryland (Annapolis, Eastern Shore, Ocean City,  Solomons Island, St. Mary’s County), Massachusetts (Berkshires, Chatham-Orleans, Falmouth, Hyannis-Yarmouth, Martha’s Vineyard, Newburyport, Plymouth, Sturbridge, Worcester), Michigan (Traverse City), New Hampshire (Franconia/Notch Region, Hampton Beach, Hanover/Lebanon , Keene, Lakes Region, Mount Washington Valley, Portsmouth), New Jersey (Barnegat Bay, Cape May, Hoboken/Jersey City, Hunterdon, Lambertville , Long Beach Island, Ocean Grove, Point Pleasant, Princeton, Sandy Hook), New York ( The Hamptons, Lake George , Lake Placid, Saratoga Springs), North Carolina (Asheville, Brunswick County, Hendersonville , Outer Banks, Salisbury and Rowan County, Sandhills, Wilmington,), Pennsylvania (Bucks County, Chestnut Hill, Delaware River Valley, Gettysburg, The Main Line), Rhode Island (Newport, Providence), South Carolina (Charleston, Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach), Tennessee (Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge), and Vermont (Addison County/Brandon, Barre/Montpelier, Burlington, Killington/Rutland, Mad River Valley, Manchester, Mount Snow, Okemo, Smugglers’ Notch, Stowe, Waterbury/Richmond, Woodstock/Quechee) —as well as towns and cities in England (Chicester, Lewes, Windsor), Costa Rica (Escazu and Santa Ana) and Puerto Rico (Vieques, Culebra, San Juan).

Romantic travel…What to pack and plan for romantic winter getaways.Read More

Kevin Ouellette Named Manager of King Collision Center in Raynham

King Collision Center (http://www.kingcollision.com) providers of collision repair services to thousands of customers south of Boston, has recently named Kevin Ouellette as Manager of their Raynham location.

Ouellette, who is an Attleboro resident, will oversee operations at King’s third and newest location on Route 44 in Raynham.

Ouellette holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maine. After earning his degree in 2005, he attended U.S. Army flight training at Fort Rucker, AL. He was awarded his U.S. Army Aviator Badge in June, 2007. As a newly appointed Aviation Officer and UH-60 Black Hawk pilot he was deployed to Kuwait and Iraq from 2008 to 2009. Ouellette is the recipient of the U.S. Army Air Medal, which was awarded for participation in Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) operations while serving in Iraq.

Ouellette is now a member of the Connecticut National Guard. His new position as King Collision’s Manager is his first full time position after three years of active duty. Upon his return from active duty, Ouellette began looking for an engineering or management job. He had always had an interest in vehicles in general and when he saw King Collision’s ad for a manager, he applied.

“Kevin is an outstanding young man with proven leadership skills he developed while in service to our country. With the combination of Kevin’s caring, outgoing friendly personality, and Mechanical Engineering degree he was an easy choice for us to fill this important position. I’m very proud and pleased to have Kevin as a member of the King Collision team,” noted Bruce King, President of King Collision Centers.

Ouellette is a native of Raymond, ME.

Anyone Can Remove Dents – King Collision Centers Removes Doubts

Founded in 1984 by Bruce King, King Collision Centers provides superior collision repair and extraordinary customer care to thousands of clients south of Boston. King Collision is dedicated to earning customers for life and their team of professionals help clients through the collision repair process every step of the way – from coordinating a rental vehicle; providing accurate damage appraisal; assisting with the insurance claim process and ensuring that the vehicle is returned to its pre-accident operation, safety and value.

King Collision Centers have been selected to participate in the Repair Shop Referral Programs of 20 different insurance companies.

King Collision’s third location, situated on the Mastria Auto Group campus at 81 Brookside Circle (Route 44) in Raynham, is the result of a strategic alliance between King Collision and Mastria Auto Group. The strategic alliance enables King Collision to expand their customer base while Mastria will be able to offer the collision repair services of King Collision. The company continues to build strategic alliances with auto dealerships that want to offer collision repair services on-site, similar to their alignment with Mastria Auto Group in Raynham.

King Collision Centers are located in Pembroke, Plymouth and most recently, Raynham, MA.

For more information, visit KingCollision.com or contact 508-747-2005.

Kevin Ouellette Named Manager of King Collision Center in RaynhamRead More

Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers hosts free seminars in January on Wills and Trusts in Uncertain Times.

DATELINE: BOSTON, MA…

Are you relying on yesterday’s strategies to deal with today’s issues? Uncertain times are leading to changing economic circumstances for many individuals and families, making estate planning a topic of critical interest.

Learn more about “Wills and Trusts in Uncertain Times” at a seminar presented by Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers of Boston. This free seminar will be held on Tuesday January 5, 2010 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at the Wellesley Free Library located at 530 Washington Street, Wellesley Square, in Wellesley, MA. The same seminar will be repeated on Tuesday January 12, 2010 also from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at the Wellesley Library. On Thursday January 14, 2010 the seminar will be presented from 5 to 7 PM at the Wayland Library located at 5 Concord Road in Wayland, MA. The seminar is free and open to the public and light refreshments will be served. To reserve your place, please call (617) 218-2097 or email events@tbhr-law.com

The seminar will be presented by Perry Ganz, Esq. a partner with Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers, P.C of Boston. Attorney Ganz focuses his practice in the areas of estate planning and taxation and was named a Massachusetts Rising Star by Boston Magazine. He is a frequent speaker on estate planning strategies and has written articles for various publications, as well as the chapter entitled “Making Charitable Contributions” in Drafting Estate Plans, a Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education publication. He has also been quoted in the Wall Street Journal on changes in the federal estate tax law.

A variety of real life issues will be discussed, including pending and/or recent estate tax changes, common estate planning errors, asset protection strategies, estate tax reduction strategies, and avoiding probate. Plan on attending to learn more and to explore current estate planning issues and options.

Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers, P.C.

Formed in 1991, Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers, P.C. is committed to providing high quality, comprehensive legal services to its clients. Featuring a breadth and depth of experience and perspective usually found only at larger law firms, Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers. P.C. offers sophisticated legal counsel to entrepreneurs, businesses, individuals, families, and institutions.

Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers’ areas of expertise include corporate law, employment matters, mergers and acquisitions, litigation and dispute resolution, estate planning, taxation, real estate, bankruptcy, and municipal law.

The offices of Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers, P.C. are located at 101 Huntington Avenue, Prudential Center, in Boston, MA 02199. For additional information, or to arrange for a consultation, please call 1-617-218-2000, e-mail info@tbhr-law.com, or visit www.tbhr-law.com.

Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers hosts free seminars in January on Wills and Trusts in Uncertain Times.Read More

South Shore Skin Center Offers Anti-Aging Tips for Mother of the Bride

A daughter’s wedding is cause to celebrate. But, many mothers of the bride experience mixed emotions about the event, which can range from excitement over the upcoming nuptials to disbelief at the fact that they are old enough to have a grown daughter. One thing all mothers of the bride have in common is that they want to look their best on their daughter’s wedding day.

Although most mothers know that dressing too dowdy for their daughter’s wedding will only age them, few mothers realize that the condition of their skin can make them look older than their age as well. Dry skin, fine lines and wrinkles may be evident as a result of accumulated sun exposure and the loss of elasticity that comes with aging.

In light of this, South Shore Skin Center’s dermatologists offer skin care tips and anti-aging and cosmetic treatment options to help moms look their personal best on their daughter’s big day:

Protect and Moisturize. Take care of your skin by protecting it from UVA/UVB exposure every day with a sunscreen with an SPF of 15+. Dry skin can increase the appearance of lines, so be sure to moisturize every day. Vitamin C applied topically every day will also nourish and help to improve the skin’s appearance.

Retin-A or Avage used at night can help reverse sun damage and decrease future sun damage.

Illuminize Peel enhances the skin’s appearance, clarity, color and texture.  Made from a new generation of alpha-hydroxy acids, the Illuminize Peel is ideal for skin with photodamage, fine lines and wrinkles or pigmentation irregularities. It tightens skin for a more youthful appearance and minimizes the damaging effects from sun, aging and certain skin conditions.

Microdermabrasion rejuvenates the top layers of the skin to create a brighter, smoother appearance. Treatments may be done every six to eight weeks.

Botox may be used to treat lines around the eyes, frown lines between the eyes, and lines on the forehead that often appear with age. Botox works by relaxing the muscles that contract to form these lines, creating a smoother appearance in the treated areas. The effects last up to five months.

Wrinkle Fillers such as Restylane and Sculptra will last three to 12 months and will help to “plump” areas and reduce the appearance of deep lines and facial folds.

Fraxel re:pair and Fraxel re:store use the technology of a fractionated laser beam to ablate the tissue deep within the dermis to improve your skin’s appearance. Fraxel re:pair is designed to target aging and damaged skin, stimulating the body’s natural production of new collagen and skin cells. It is ideal for resurfacing soft tissues; improving pigmentation; eliminating redness and broken blood vessels and smoothing wrinkles or (“crow’s feet) around the eyes. Fraxel re:store is best for general resurfacing on the face, neck, chest and hands. It effectively treats a number of skin conditions and also reduces the appearance of acne scarring and surgical scars. Fraxel should be done at least three to six months prior to the wedding and it will last several years.

Lasers such as Thermage and IPL will effectively treat acne and acne scarring, brown and age spots and broken blood vessels. These lasers are also used to remove tattoos and eliminate spider veins.

“Taking care of your skin every day is the key to maintaining skin health. There are a number of affordable anti-aging and cosmetic treatments available that will reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles and get rid of age spots or other blemishes. We advise mothers to talk to their dermatologist and learn more about their skin care and treatment options well in advance of their daughter’s wedding day,” noted Dr. Richard Eisen, dermatologist and founder of South Shore Skin Center.

South Shore Skin Center

Celebrating their 25th year, South Shore Skin Center is one of Massachusetts’ most progressive dermatology practices offering a wide range of medical, surgical and cosmetic services.

South Shore Skin Center’s cosmetic services include Fraxel re:pair and re:store; Gentle YAG, innovative Laser, IPL (Intensive Pulse Light), Thermage and treatments for age spots, acne scarring, birth marks, tattoos and more.  The practice also offers a full range of affordable anti-aging services including Botox, Radiesse, Sculptra and other wrinkle fillers, Microdermabrasion, laser skin resurfacing and chemical peels.  Anti-Aging and Cosmetic treatments are both safer and more effective when administered at a physician’s office such as South Shore Skin Center and Medical Spa.

South Shore Skin Center offices are located at 223 Chief Justice Cushing Highway, Suite 202 in Cohasset, Mass. (781) 383-3340, and 45 Resnik Road, Suite 102 in Plymouth, Mass., (508) 747-0711. Their brand new Medical Spa will soon be open and is located at Scobee Circle, across from Colony Place in Plymouth. For more information, visit the website at www.southshoreskincenter.com.

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How to save energy (and dollars) this winter

CHEEKTOWAGA, NY …

Winter in greater Buffalo means spending a good portion of your time indoors. And while you want to keep your home warm, comfortable and cozy, that can run up quite a tab for your heating and electricity costs. As the leading home improvement and furnishings club, DirectBuy of Buffalo has some helpful tips on heating your home more efficiently and keeping your electric bills in check.

“It goes without saying that during these tough economic times, homeowners want to save wherever possible,” said Mark Klinger, owner of DirectBuy of Buffalo. “What’s amazing is that just by following a few simple steps, you can reduce your heating and electric bills significantly.”

Here are few things homeowners can do:

  • Set the thermostat no higher than 68 degrees when you are home, lowering the temperature at bedtime and when you’re out.
  • Reverse the direction of your ceiling fans and run at slow speed. This creates a gentle updraft and recirculates the warmer air trapped at the ceiling to provide even, comfortable heat throughout a room.
  • On sunny days, open the shades and curtains on the side of your home facing south to take advantage of the heat benefits of the sun. Make sure to close the shades and curtains at night for the opposite reason.
  • Be wary of blocking your radiators or heating vents with furniture or drapes. To maximize heat from your radiator, place a sheet of aluminum foil between the radiator and the wall to reflect heat back into the room.
  • Replace all the lights in your high-traffic areas with compact fluorescent light bulbs. Replacing 25 percent of your lights with these bulbs can reduce your lighting expenses by 50 percent.
  • Weatherize your home by caulking and weather-stripping all doors and windows. Be sure to lock your windows to make them tighter and draft-resistant.

“There’s nothing more brutal than a Buffalo winter. Yet by following some or all of these simple steps, you can keep your home comfortable and manage to save a bit on your heating and electric bills,” said Klinger.

For over 38 years, DirectBuy 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 4950 Genesee Street in Cheektowaga, New York, DirectBuy offers members a comfortable setting where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

For more information on a DirectBuy membership, you can call 716-684-1400 or visit www.directbuycares.com.

About DirectBuy

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped hundreds of thousands of families enjoy a better quality of life, by enabling them to buy directly from more than 700 manufacturers and 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. DirectBuy has been serving the greater Buffalo area since 2005. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers, and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality.   DirectBuy of Buffalo is one of more than 160 DirectBuy locations throughout North America.

Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by contacting DirectBuy at 716-684-1400, or visiting www.DirectBuy-Buffalo.com. 

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

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