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Dreaming of a green Christmas

CHEEKTOWAGA, NY

Bing Crosby had a white one. Elvis was blue. And while a “green” Christmas might not lend itself to song as well as those other colors, celebrating the holiday season in a greener, more environmentally friendly way is certainly desirable. DirectBuy of Buffalo, the leading home improvement and furnishing club, has some helpful tips on being greener with you holiday celebrations.

“The holidays are a great time of year to get together with family and friends, but the amount of waste is really astounding,” said Mark Klinger, owner of DirectBuy of DirectBuy of Buffalo.

How much waste? Consider more than one million greeting cards are thrown away every year. Or that the lights used to decorate your home produce enough carbon dioxide to inflate 12 balloons. Worse yet, the 51-plus miles of wrapping paper used once and then thrown away.

So, how can you have a greener holiday season? Try:

  • LED instead of your classic holiday lights. LEDs last 80 to 90 percent longer. The price for strands of LED lights are roughly the same as those classic lights. And if everyone switched to LEDs in their household, the savings alone would be enough to power 200,000 homes for a year. 
  • Turn off your lights and electronic devices when not in use. Even in standby mode these items can consume 15 percent of your household’s electricity.
  • Using real glasses and dishes instead of disposable ones for your holiday party. Also, go with cloth tablecloths instead of throwaways.
  • Sending online cards instead of mailing paper holiday cards. Or make an online photo album yourself and circulate the link to family and friends.
  • Giving presents that aren’t actual items that have to be stored but experiences—e.g. horseback riding lessons, a massage, or even a gift certificate for a class at your local continuing education facility.
  •  Re-using grocery bags or posters from old magazines and decorating them yourself for wrapping paper. If that’s a little too work-intensive, you can also purchase a recycled version of the traditional wrapping paper that you can buy online.
  • Buying a real tree this year. Surprised? Artificial trees are petroleum based and non-biodegradable. The process of making them includes metal and derivatives of PVC and the by-products such as led harm both humans and the environment. Instead, buy a potted tree that you can later plant in your garden and possibly use next year.

 “The holidays really are a time for us to reflect back on the year and be grateful for the many gifts we do have. One of those gifts is the very earth we live on,” said Klinger. “By following just a few of these green suggestions, you can make a difference in your carbon imprint and, perhaps, even enjoy a more memorable holiday season knowing you’re making your corner of the world a little greener.”

For over 38 years, DirectBuy has helped consumers enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, 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, enabling them to buy directly from more than 700 manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. Buying direct makes members’ hard-earned money to 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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Mark J. Diodati, CPA Joins Damon, Topham & Company of Marshfield

Damon, Topham & Company, LLC of Marshfield, a full service multi-disciplined firm of Certified Public Accountants, providing accounting, taxation, business development and financial services, has recently appointed Mark James Diodati, CPA as Senior Accountant.

In his new role as Senior Accountant, Mr. Diodati will prepare individual and corporate tax returns and non-profit informational returns. He will also perform compilations, reviews and audits; respond to tax notices and offer general tax, financial, and accounting advice.

Previous to joining Damon, Topham & Company, Mr. Diodati held a position at a local firm as a Senior Accountant. Previous to that, he held a position of staff accountant at another local firm.

Mr. Diodati is a graduate of Thayer Academy High School in Braintree. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance as well as a Master of Science in Accounting from Northeastern University in Boston. He is a Massachusetts Certified Public Accountant and a member of the MSCPA.

He is a native and resident of Weymouth.

About Damon, Topham & Company

Damon, Topham & Company, LLC, Certified Public Accountants and Business Development Advisor, has twice been named as one of the Boston Business Journal’s “Top 50 Accounting Firms.”

Utilize the “Damon, Topham Advantage” – go beyond the traditional services of auditing, accounting and taxation.  Damon, Topham & Company provides business valuation, estate, individual and corporate tax planning and savings, financial planning, consulting and financing solutions for you, your business and your family.  A full service multi-disciplined firm, Damon, Topham & Company has been serving the South Shore for over 20 years.

Damon, Topham & Company, LLC offices are located at 475 School Street, Suite 8 in Marshfield and at 21 Custom House Street, Suite 910 in Boston.

For more information contact (781) 837-1993 or visit the company’s website at www.damtopcpa.com.

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Old Colony Elder Services Appoints Katie Bolinder Sandford as Congregate Housing Coordinator

Katie Bolinder Sandford, MACD, has recently joined Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), a non-profit Aging Services Access Point (ASAP), as Congregate Housing Coordinator.

In her new position, Ms. Sandford will be responsible for ensuring that residents in OCES congregate housing sites receive needed support services.  Congregate Housing is a housing option that allows individuals to age in a homelike setting while enjoying the security, companionship, and emotional support that living with others provides.  The goal of congregate living is to help seniors and the disabled remain as independent as possible while living in affordable housing and most importantly to prevent premature institutionalization.  OCES coordinates services for sites in Bridgewater, Marshfield and Stoughton.

Ms. Sandford received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work from Gordon College in Wenham, MA and a Master of Arts degree in Community Development from North Park University in Chicago. Previous to OCES, Ms. Sandford spent four years working with homeless individuals at a drop-in center that she had founded known as the New Community Warming Center. The center is part of the New Community Covenant Church located in Logan Square, Chicago. Ms. Sandford relocated to Brockton, MA and is currently involved with the Brockton Interfaith Community and working on housing issues.

A native of Hanson, MA, Ms. Sandford resides in Brockton with her husband Greg and 10 month old son, Axel.

“It is vital to have the right people in the Congregate Housing Coordinator positions. Katie has the knowledge and experience that is needed. We are delighted to have her on our team,” noted Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES.

For more information about Congregate Housing, please contact either Ms. Sandford at OCES (508) 584-1561 or the local housing authority for an application.

About OCES
Incorporated in 1974, Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) 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, families and caregivers such as Family Caregiver; Caring Homes and Enhanced Adult Family Care; Supportive Housing; Nutrition; Money Management; Protective Services; Home Care and more.

OCES serves elders, their families and caregivers 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.

The agency has 140 employees and operates more than 12 programs serving elders, their families and caregivers.  For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

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Acing customer service…DirectBuy of Hoffman Estates earns an A+ grade from Better Business Bureau.

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

 When it comes to taking care of your customers, some businesses talk the talk while others walk the walk. As a recipient of an A+ grade from the Better Business Bureau, you can count DirectBuy of Hoffman Estates among the latter.

An accredited Better Business Bureau business since 1989, DirectBuy of Hoffman Estates earned their A+ grade based on 19 criteria, ranging from years in business to complaints received and resolved, to other service-oriented factors. Each criterion has a certain amount of points associated with it, with a perfect score being 90 out of a possible 90 points. DirectBuy of Hoffman Estates’ A+ grade represents 88 out of a possible 90 points.

“Along with offering great products to our members, we go to great lengths to make visiting our store a pleasant and enjoyable experience. If it’s not, we want to know about it. That’s part of the reason we’ve joined the Better Business Bureau and have been an accredited member for quite some time,” said Dave Kushner, owner of DirectBuy of Hoffman Estates. “So while we’re thrilled to receive an A+, it’s especially satisfying because it means we’re delivering the kind of superior customer service our members deserve.”

For more than 38 years, DirectBuy clubs have 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. In addition to DirectBuy of Hoffman Estates, located at 2200 Stonington Avenue in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, DirectBuy has several convenient locations in greater Chicago (Chicago, Gurnee, Naperville, and Tinley Park). At DirectBuy, consumers can enjoy a comfortable, country-club 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.  

Acing customer service…DirectBuy of Hoffman Estates earns an A+ grade from Better Business Bureau.Read More

How going ‘coach’ can upgrade your business class…Why business coaching delivers for small businesses, too.

FREDERICK, MD; BATON ROUGE, LA; WILMINGTON, DE; RICHMOND, VA; AND MIAMI, FL … 

Business coach? The emergence of business coaching is helping many small, local businesses in this challenging economy.  Yet, the concept of coaching, outside the athletic arena, is still a fairly new one, particularly in the business world.

Once a luxury as a resource affordable only to Fortune 5000 companies, business coaching is now accessible to even solo practitioners. But what is business coaching anyway?

Is it a financial advisor/tax consultant who can show business owners how to be more profitable? Are they sales coaches who teach business owners, many who do not have sales as a background, how to sell? Or are they management consultants who teach business owners how to run their operations more efficiently?

The answer is that a business coach can be one, some or all of the above. And for the small business owner seeking out the guidance of a business coach, it’s important to know exactly what it is you are getting.

“The three areas most critical to a small business owner are time, team and money. In other words, how you budget your time, how you manage your staff and/or operation and how you manage/make your money,” said Karen Boyd, an ActionCOACH business coach. “When hiring a business coach, the small business owner needs to determine the areas where they need assistance and hire somebody who can address those areas.”

So what should business owners look for in a business coach? What should business owners hope to get out of working with a business coach? Here are some guidelines for business owners interested in hiring a business or executive coach:

 

·         Working smarter – One of the more important things a business owner can get from working with a coach is to optimize his or her time; working smarter. A time management evaluation and plan should be part of the package with definitive steps for improvement put in place.

·         Increasing sales – The most obvious reason for working with a coach is to increase profits. Working with a business coach should not only include a plan of how to increase sales, but a clear timetable of by how much and by when and within the structure of your organization.

·         The bottom line – Increasing sales is great, but it doesn’t automatically translate to profitability.  You want to work with a business coach who can look at the entire financial picture—sales, operations, etc.

·         Inspiration or exasperation? A business coach should be a mentor and motivator for   business owner. When looking for a coach, be sure it’s somebody you can work with. Find out about their background. A certain level of trust and respect is needed to successfully work with a coach and the business owner should at the very least have references from the coach so they can make an informed decision.

·         Accountability – Only work with a coach who will hold you, the business owner, accountable. A business coach should work with you to create goals and objectives. Those require actions and deliverables on the part of the business owner. As a business owner, that’s what you want.

“To get results out of a coaching relationship requires accountability on the part of the coach and the business owner,” said Everardo Recendiz, an ActionCOACH out of Shreveport, Louisiana. “It’s the job of the coach to work with the business owner to come up with goals and deadlines for actions and deliverables. It’s the business owner’s job to meet those deadlines. Success or failure of the coaching relationship really comes down to the commitment of the business owner.”

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 six states (and Washington DC) that make up the Gulf Atlantic region: Alabama (Pelham); Delaware; Florida (Coral Gables, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Miami, North Miama, Palm Harbor, Pensacola Beach and Tallahassee); 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.

To learn more about ActionCOACH, contact Karen Boyd, www.karenboyd.actioncoach.comwww.karenboyd.actioncoach.com, (410) 374-3536.

How going ‘coach’ can upgrade your business class…Why business coaching delivers for small businesses, too.Read More

Plymouth North turns into ‘toyland’ …Plymouth North students win Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac for toy drive effort.

PLYMOUTH, MA…

One would think high school students might be a bit old for toys at Christmas time. But for a select group of Plymouth North High School, toys have been one of their primary focuses with the recent launching of a toy drive for underprivileged children in November. This effort earned this group of students the Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac Driven Student of the Month award.

The group of students, comprised of members of a student advisory group, initiated the campaign on November 10. Placing boxes strategically throughout the school, the group encouraged fellow students and teachers to donate new toys. After December 11, the toys will then be donated to Salvation Army, the Plymouth Fire Department and some local churches for distribution.

“In this season of giving, there are so many heartwarming stories of people sharing with those less fortunate. This is definitely one of them,” said Margaret Foley, one of the advisory group teachers. “What makes me most proud of this group of students is that they came up with this idea on their own and sought out the Salvation Army, the Fire Department and other groups that could use this kind of donation.”

For their good deeds, the students were treated to a pizza party, courtesy of Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac. Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac President Jeff Tracy and Sales Manager David Gavin delivered the pizzas and drink koozies as a gift for those attending.

Students taking part in the toy drive include: Haylie Beitel, Katrina Borofski, Adam Chapman, Taylor Cloran, Karmyn DeAngelo, Cody Farragher, Brittany Freeman-Hayden, Kevin Goe, Jessica Gordon, Richard Guevremont, Erik Hansen, Kara Harper, Devin Hood, Patrick Horgan, Bryan Hughes, Rachel McCormack, Jennifer Noviello, Chucky Phachansiri, Michael Pratt, Sarah Schoeneberg, Kim Wallant and Jamie William.

“Part of why Tracy does the Driven Student award is we feel young people do not get enough credit for the positive contributions they make. This group, with their toy drive, is an excellent example. The Driven Student award is just our way to recognizing this accomplishment,” said Jeff Tracy, president of Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac.

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.

Plymouth North turns into ‘toyland’ …Plymouth North students win Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac for toy drive effort.Read More

$5 Fundraising Calendars Help Local Seniors in Crisis Situations – On sale now at Old Colony Elder Services

In an effort to raise money for seniors in crisis situations, Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), a private, non-profit Aging Services Access Point (ASAP) located in Brockton, is now offering Fundraising Calendars for $5 each.

Fundraising calendars are available throughout December and January. Proceeds from the calendars go towards food, fuel and medications for seniors who are on a fixed income and in a crisis situation.

A total of $1,300 in cash prizes will be awarded beginning in February.  One winner will be selected per day. Cash prize values vary.  Winners will be notified by phone and posted online at www.OldColonyElderServices.org.

To obtain a Fundraising Calendar, contact OCES at (508) 584-1561 or send an email to LDallaire@oldcolonyelderservices.org.

“Last year, proceeds from the fundraising calendars enabled us to assist a number of seniors including a 66 year old man who had lost his health insurance and could not pay for oxygen and a 90 year old woman who couldn’t pay for heating oil. We hope to raise at least $6,000 specifically for the growing number of seniors who are in crisis,” explained Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES.

About Old Colony Elder Services
Incorporated in 1974, Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) is one of 27 private, non-profit Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  OCES touches the lives of approximately 16,000 people a year. They have 140 employees and operate 20 programs serving elders, their families and caregivers. 

OCES serves elders, their families and caregivers 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. 

For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

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Rodman & Rodman CPA to Hold QuickBooks Seminars for Business Owners

Rodman & Rodman, P.C., Certified Public Accountants and Business Strategists will offer complimentary QuickBooks seminars for business owners at two locations in January.

On Tuesday, January 5, 2010, from 7:30 a.m.- 9:30 a.m., a QuickBooks seminar will be held at Rodman & Rodman’s Newton office located at 3 Newton Executive Park.

On Tuesday, January 12, 2010 from 7:30 – 9:30 a.m., a QuickBooks seminar will be held at the company’s Braintree office located at 50 Braintree Hill Office Park in the second floor Conference Room.

QuickBooks has emerged as the dominant small business accounting software. QuickBooks software enables business owners to get the “bookkeeping” of their business done, but also gives business owners the features, tools and reporting that helps them to run their business more efficiently and profitably.

Kathy Parker, CPA, a Partner at Rodman & Rodman, P.C. has been a Certified QuickBooks Advanced Pro Advisor for more than a decade and will lead the seminar and advise business owners on how to get the most out of QuickBooks.  A questions and answer session will follow the presentation.

These seminars are free and light refreshments will be served.

To register, contact Jen Minor at 617-965-5959 or email at jen@rodmancpa.com.

Rodman & Rodman, P.C.

Founded in 1961, Rodman & Rodman, P.C. provides accounting, tax and business services to small and medium-sized companies throughout New England. With a focus on strategic planning, Rodman & Rodman goes beyond traditional accounting services and takes a proactive approach when serving clients to increase, preserve and sustain clients’ financial net worth.

From business valuations, taxation, audits, fraud detection and prevention services and succession planning to a variety of accounting IT services including software selection, implementation and training, the team at Rodman & Rodman serves as comprehensive advisors to clients. For individual clients, the company offers personal advisory services such as planning for real estate transactions, obtaining financing, estate planning and retirement planning as well as planning for college education. Rodman & Rodman Certified Public Accountants are located at 3 Newton Executive Park in Newton and 25 Braintree Hill Office Park in Braintree, Mass. For more information, visit their website at www.rodmancpa.com or contact (617) 965-5959.

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