Unleash the Power of The Press

Client News

Naperville resident receives DirectBuy’s Success Circle honors

NAPERVILLE, IL…

Naperville resident Aaron Kirk, a membership associate at DirectBuy of DuPage County in Naperville, was recently awarded Success Circle honors by DirectBuy’s corporate offices for his dedication to helping introduce new families to DirectBuy club membership during the month of May.

DirectBuy’s Success Circle recognizes the top performing membership directors and phone room associates at more than 160 DirectBuy clubs across North America for their performance on a monthly basis. As a membership associate, Kirk has an active role in helping interested families learn more about DirectBuy club membership at the  DirectBuy of DuPage County club.

“It’s no accident that this is the third time Aaron has earned Success Circle honors. He’s very good at working with prospective new members and is a valuable member of our marketing team,” said Jeremy Vest, owner of DirectBuy of DuPage County, located at 1864 Highgrove, Suite 136 in Naperville.

Kirk began with DirectBuy of DuPage County in 2007. Prior to that, he had worked in sales management.

“I love working at DirectBuy because we’re selling a product that people actually need and can improve their lives,” said Kirk. “In addition, I work with a great group of people. It’s a high-energy work environment and we’re always brainstorming ways we can improve.”

Kirk resides in Naperville with his wife Christina Loiaza and their son Jaden.

Since 1971, DirectBuy clubs have offered members the opportunity to enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products and accessories by buying wholesale, directly from the manufacturer. With several convenient locations in the greater Chicago area (Chicago, Gurnee, Hoffman Estates, Naperville, and Tinley Park), 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.directbuychicago.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. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers, and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality.  It’s a comfortable, country-club setting, where you finally have the financial control of buying direct. 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.directbuychicago.com/. 

Locations of the DirectBuy clubs serving the greater Chicago area are: DirectBuy of Hoffman Estates, 2200 N. Stonington Ave Ste. 150 Hoffman Estates, IL; DirectBuy of Chicago North, 6325 Avondale, Chicago, IL; DirectBuy of DuPage County, 1864 Highgrove Ste. 136 Naperville, IL; DirectBuy of Lake County, 3900 Washington Street, Unit K, 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.

Naperville resident receives DirectBuy’s Success Circle honorsRead More

AAFD partners with Mace Security to offer AAFD members discounted rate on state-of-the-art security products

SAN DIEGO, CA…

The American Association of Franchisees and Dealers (AAFD) today announced a new partnership with Mace Security International, manufacturer of personal defense and electronic surveillance products marketed under the famous brand name, Mace®. Under this new agreement, the more than 50,000 franchised outlets owned by AAFD members have access to Mace’s broad security line at partnership pricing.

“Security is a huge issue with many of our franchisee members and certainly an area where you don’t want to spare quality due to expense. This new partnership gives our members access to state-of-the art security equipment at a reduced rate from a company, Mace, that’s literally a household name in the world of security,” said Robert Purvin, chairman of AAFD.

While Mace is a household name for its personal defense sprays, the company boasts an extensive product line of security equipment. Mace’s security products include: security systems, cameras and accessories, monitors and accessories, digital video recorders and other security products (e.g. mirrors, domes, and signage).

John O’Leary, president of Mace Security Products, expressed his excitement about the new partnership. “Our association with AAFD is a classic win-win, relationship,” said O’Leary.  “Mace wins because we now are associated with the industry’s most respected franchisee advocate, AAFD, many of whose members need our products. AAFD wins by enabling its members to save on state-of-the-art security equipment.”

About the AAFD
The AAFD is a national non-profit trade association representing the rights and interests of franchisees and independent dealers throughout the United States. Formed in 1992, the AAFD is focused on market driven reform to achieve its mission to define and promote collaborative franchise cultures that the AAFD describes as Total Quality Franchising. Since its formation the AAFD has grown to represent more than 50,000 franchised locations throughout the United States. The AAFD has members in all 50 states and represents more than 100 different franchise systems.
The AAFD’s Fair Franchising Standards, Fair Franchising Seal, Trademark

Chapters, and emphasis on Marketplace Solutions led to the Association’s recognition as a growing force in franchising. The AAFD’s Branded Partner programs add a new dimension to the value of AAFD membership. The AAFD provides a broad range of member services designed to help franchisees build market power, create legislative support of interest to franchisees, provide legal and financial support, and provide a wide range of general member benefits.
For more information about the conference or the AAFD, please call toll free – 800-733-9858 or visit www.AAFD.org.

About Mace

Mace Security International, Inc. is a manufacturer of personal defense and electronic surveillance products marketed under the famous brand name, Mace®, and is an owner and operator of a wholesale central monitoring station.  The Company also operates a Digital Media Marketing and e-commerce business.  In addition, Mace owns and operates car washes, and has previously announced that it is exiting this segment of its business.  The Company’s remaining car washes are located in Texas.  Mace’s web site is www.mace.com.

AAFD partners with Mace Security to offer AAFD members discounted rate on state-of-the-art security productsRead More

Attorney Lee Holland of Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers, P.C. urges consumers to learn how to protect themselves from investment fraud.

DATELINE:  BOSTON, MA…
Do you know how to protect yourself from the next Bernie Madoff when you choose a broker or make an investment? Attorney Lee Holland, of Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers, P.C. of Boston, MA, firmly believes in the age-old adage that if an investment opportunity sounds too good to be true it probably is.

However, Attorney Holland, who is also a Public Arbitrator for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the largest independent regulator for all securities firms doing business in the United States, urges investors to go a step further to arm themselves against the potential of investment fraud.

“Education and information are the best tools against possible investment fraud. As a FINRA arbitrator I see the aftermath of poor choices made by both investors and financial industry professionals. As a result of this experience, I have become a strong proponent of promulgating information to better educate those on both sides of the investment equation and have found FINRA to be a great educational resource,” explains Holland.

Despite the high profile cases of investment fraud in the headlines, the potential for new fraudulent investment schemes may increase as investors, eager to recoup their losses in times of continued economic uncertainty, fall prey to a new generation of scam artists.

To help avoid investment fraud:
1.    Verify the license of anyone promoting an investment opportunity:
•    For brokers check www.FINRA.org
•    For investment advisors visit www.adviserinfo.sec.gov
•    For insurance agents check your state insurance department
•    For all sellers check with your state securities regulator
2.    Verify that an investment is registered:
•    Check investment registrations at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml
3.    Be aware of the warning signs of investment fraud:
•    Unreasonable guarantees
•    Unregistered products
•    Promise of no fluctuations in returns
•    Complicated investment strategies
•    Undocumented securities or stocks
•    Incomplete or inaccurate account statements
•    Pushy salespeople warning you must “act now”
4.    Avoid fitting the investment fraud victim profile found in a 2007 FINRA survey:
•    Victims often own high-risk investments, including penny stocks, promissory notes, futures, options or private investments in foreign currency;
•    Victims tend to rely primarily on friends, family, co-workers for investment advice (70 percent)
•    Victims can be too open to new investment information (for example, three times as many victims went to a free investment seminar than the national sample)
•    Victims may fail to check the background of an investment or a broker
•    Victims are often unable to spot persuasion tactics used by fraudsters

Holland urges all investors to invest their time becoming better educated, before investing their money, to avoid the risk of becoming a future victim of investment fraud. Attorney Holland, an Associate in Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers’ Litigation Group, has extensive experience with alternative dispute resolution, both as an advocate and as a neutral.

FINRA
FINRA, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, is the largest independent regulator for all securities firms doing business in the United States. FINRA is dedicated to investor protection and market integrity through comprehensive regulation. FINRA touches virtually every aspect of the securities business – from registering and educating all industry participants to examining securities firms; writing and enforcing rules and the federal securities laws; informing and educating the investing public; providing trade reporting and other industry utilities; and administering the largest dispute resolution forum for investors and firms.

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.

Attorney Lee Holland of Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers, P.C. urges consumers to learn how to protect themselves from investment fraud.Read More

TMI Executive Resources Helps Job Seekers Understand Today’s Job Market

The layoffs in many major industries coupled with increasingly large numbers of post graduate and college-educated professionals entering the work force have significantly heightened the level of effort required to effect a career transition.

TMI Executive Resources (http://www.TMIer.com), a firm providing outplacement and career consulting services to thousands of clients around the globe, strives to help job seekers better understand today’s job market by offering insight on two traditional (and unsuccessful) job seeking approaches.

Answering Advertisements

For most job seekers, classified advertisements seem to represent the largest single source of job opportunities available. The reality is quite different. The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that only very small percentage (about 10 percent) of executive and professional positions are filled through advertisements in newspapers and other publications or on the Internet. Why? Newspaper advertising is extremely expensive. An average size ad in most local newspapers costs hundreds of dollars. A similar ad in the New York Times or the Wall Street Journal would cost thousands! Most employers would prefer to avoid these expenses. Given the turnover rate in most companies, the cost of advertising for every available opening would be prohibitive.

Why is responding to ads unproductive for most job seekers? Essentially, it is a numbers game. In many cases, “classifieds” will generate hundreds of responses, yet all but one candidate will be rejected. If there is one candidate who has a more “directly transferable experience base” than you, he/she will win.

Agencies and Search Firms

A major misconception exists in the minds of most job hunters regarding the role of employment agencies and executive search firms. In his book, Executive Search: Gateway to the Best Talent for Your Business, Charles Polachi sums it up this way: “We don’t find jobs for people, we find people for companies. People think I’m in the business of making their next job change; I’m not.” One of the largest executive search firms in the country states that in the late 1980’s and 1990’s the recruiting industry filled about 7 percent of all executive, managerial, and sales positions, which is a sharp drop from the nearly 13 percent in the 1970’s. Many companies have neither the personnel nor the time to acknowledge many of the unsolicited contacts. A job hunter should not ignore employment agencies or search firms, but should put the agency’s role in the proper perspective – which is helping companies find people.

According to TMI, most people do best in the employment markets by finding what are referred to as private openings, positions that are about to become available or positions that could be created. These types of opportunities may be found by using a strategy that combines networking, consulting, industry/professional associations, search firms and the Internet.

The rewards are great for the job hunter who can find these private openings because you practically eliminate the competition and get to interact most with decision makers. Very often you are instrumental in writing your new job description and you have much more leverage when negotiating a compensation package.

Tom McNeil, the company’s president explained, “Most people will take a traditional and ultimately frustrating approach to changing jobs or seeking entrepreneurial ventures. After preparing a resume, they will usually answer several advertisements, contact a few agencies and

recruiters, and ask their friends to ‘keep their eyes and ears open.’ Others will write directly to companies or ‘knock on doors’ and then wonder why nothing happened. Most people seriously over estimate their knowledge of job changing, and few subjects are more vital to a person’s livelihood and overall quality of life.”

About TMI

TMI Executive Resources is a worldwide organization that provides professional career consulting and career management services as well as entrepreneurship consulting to executives. Founded in 1986, TMI has provided services to over 4,000 clients around the world and has grown to six locations on the East Coast. TMI headquarters is located at 20 William Street, Suite 100 in Wellesley, MA. The company has offices in Boston and Springfield, MA; Hartford, New Haven and Stamford, CT and Washington DC. For more information, contact 877-864-3932 or visit their website at TMIer.com.

TMI Executive Resources Helps Job Seekers Understand Today’s Job MarketRead More

Advanced TrimWright Announces New Commercial Division

Advanced TrimWright, Inc. (ATW), a leading fabricator of PVC products based in Taunton, MA recently announced a new Commercial Division to specifically cater to the construction needs of office building, retail and restaurant owners.

ATW has been catering to homeowners throughout the Massachusetts and Rhode Island area for years, and now the company offers their high quality exterior trim products to businesses on the East Coast through their Commercial Division.

Custom Capabilities

The company also offers custom products. ATW helps contractors, builders, architects and business owners solve unique design problems. If the right product doesn’t exist, ATW’s experienced team, with state-of-the-art CAD capabilities and superior craftsmanship, can produce a custom solution.

Businesses can save time during construction with the installation of ATW’s exterior window trim which can be “popped in” within minutes. The core material for all ATW exterior trim products is white solid cellular polyvinyl chloride (PVC) manufactured to stringent ATW specifications. The company’s trademark is a blend of innovative product designs precisely machined to a superior fit and finish. ATW’s superior products combine old-world craftsmanship with 21st Century innovations to withstand the ravages of the elements and the test of time. Best of all, every product is manufactured in the USA.

All of ATW’s finished exterior trim products and custom accessories complement a building’s character while protecting the owner’s investment.   In addition to window trim, ATW’s extensive line of PVC products include: column wraps, cornerboards, fluted casing, entry trim, beadboard, gutters, soffits, rakes, moulding, fascias, trim board and rail.

For more information, visit http://www.AdvancedTrimWright.com or contact ATW’s Commercial Division at 508-822-7745.

About the Company

Founded in 2003, Advanced TrimWright, Inc. (ATW) creates exterior trim products and accessories that stand up to the ravages of sea, salt, and wind. All ATW products are manufactured in the USA and combine traditional old-world craftsmanship with 21st Century innovations to create superior products from 100 percent ATW PVC Trimboard, which is impervious to moisture and insects, yet looks and feels like real wood.

Bond&Fill, LLC, the sister company of ATW, provides a superior line of adhesives and sealants specially formulated to bond, fill and repair exterior or interior PVC trim, vinyl, and aluminum products. Through their commitment to research, design, and innovation, Bond&Fill, LLC continues to expand its high performance product line which includes: Bond&Fill Structural, Bond&Fill Flex and Bond&Fill For Painters.

ATW and Bond&Fill, LLC is located at 250 Cape Highway (Route 44) in East Taunton, MA. Their headquarters is comprised of a 40,000 square foot plant and a 3,000 square foot executive office space and showroom.

For more information about ATW or Bond&Fill Inc., call 508-822-7745 or visit their websites at advancedtrimwright.com and bondfill.com.

Advanced TrimWright Announces New Commercial DivisionRead More

Rodman & Rodman CPA Advises Businesses of New Sales Tax Impact on Accounting, POS Systems

Governor Patrick recently signed legislation that increases the sales and use tax rate and makes other tax changes that may significantly impact businesses.

Rodman & Rodman, P.C. Certified Public Accountants and Business Strategists, have outlined the tax provisions that take effect August 1, 2009 that may affect accounting systems, cash registers or POS systems of businesses.

· The sales and use tax rate is increased to 6.25 percent from 5 percent.

· The local excise tax rate that cities or towns, except Boston, may impose on the transfer of occupancy of any room in a bed and breakfast, hotel, lodging house or motel located in the city is increased to up to 6 percent of the total amount of rent for such occupancy. The rate for Boston is raised to 6.5 percent.

· The tax exemption for sales of alcoholic beverages is eliminated.

· The new legislation authorizes cities and towns to impose an additional local sales tax on restaurant meals. This legislation is effective October 1, 2009. Specific jurisdictions will enact this new tax, so be sure to check with your accountant.

“To address these changes, businesses may need to update their accounting system, cash registers or POS systems. In addition, many businesses may want to finalize major purchases subject to sales and use tax prior to August 1 to take advantage of the lower rate,” according to Tom Astore, CPA, JD, Tax Manager at Rodman & Rodman (http://www.rodmancpa.com)

For more information about the new sales and use tax provisions, contact Rodman & Rodman at (617) 965-5959.

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.

Rodman & Rodman CPA Advises Businesses of New Sales Tax Impact on Accounting, POS SystemsRead More

Boot Camp for New Dads Educates Fathers about Postpartum Depression

According to Postpartum Support International, one in eight women suffer from a postpartum mood disorder. New dads (and veteran dads) should know the difference between the Baby Blues and Postpartum Depression (PPD). Oftentimes, these disorders go undiagnosed because a new mother’s support system, typically the husband/partner, does not know what to look for and where to go to get help.

Working with more than 200,000 new dads over the past 19 years, Boot Camp for New Dads (http://www.bcnd.org), a non-profit orientation program for fathers-to-be, operating in more than 260 hospitals, clinics, schools, fire stations and churches around North America and internationally, advises new fathers to watch for signs of PPD in mom and offers tips on how to recognize it.

Postpartum depression is not selective. It can affect any woman who is pregnant, has had a baby or who has miscarried. It’s important that when new mothers begin to experience such symptoms that they get help immediately. A new mother’s mental health is very important to not only herself but her baby and family. Get professional help for mom immediately. Talk to an experienced counselor or your physician.

Baby blues or postpartum? Boot Camp for New Dads advises dads of several signs that indicate the more serious PPD:

· Self-esteem issues – Mom may have very negative feelings about herself. She may think she is worthless, unattractive or a bad mother. If she does feel this way, a simple “pep talk” is not going to help.

· Constant fatigue – It’s a fact that when the baby arrives, mom probably won’t get as much sleep as she needs. One of the signs to watch for is constant fatigue, even upon waking. Fatigue is a symptom of depression.

· Weight loss or weight gain – Yes, while some moms lose a little of the pregnancy weight within the first few months after birth, other moms stay the same weight. Significant weight loss from a lack of appetite or weight gain from overeating is sign that something is wrong.

· Crying often – Mom’s occasional crying is normal as her hormones fluctuate and she has difficulty getting that extra, much needed rest. But, crying every day and/or more than once a day is a red flag.

· Disinterest — When mom is not interested in herself, her baby, family or other activities, it’s an indication that something is wrong.

· Mood swings – Similar to a roller coaster ride, mood swings are extreme changes in mood. Mom’s joyfulness immediately followed by sadness and despair are not healthy moods.

· Being afraid of hurting the baby or herself – If mom is afraid of hurting the baby or herself, get medical attention immediately.

According to Greg Bishop, founder of Boot Camp for New Dads and active Boot Camp coach, “Many new moms experience the baby blues, which can include symptoms of crying and mood swings, restlessness and fatigue that lasts for a few hours to a few weeks after delivery. PPD doesn’t always happen immediately after birth. It can take hold months after the baby is born and moms usually experience exaggerated symptoms of the baby blues. PPD is a serious condition that can affect any mom – whether she’s just given birth to her first child or fifth. PPD may be attributed to changes in hormone levels, the stress of a new baby, lack of sleep or a combination of things. It’s important to know how to recognize the signs of the condition because moms with PPD will not get well without professional help.”

Katherine Stone Alliance

In an effort to reach and educate more men about PPD and what they can do; Boot Camp for New Dads is working with Katherine Stone, a nationally-recognized, award-winning advocate for women with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, and author of Postpartum Progress. Boot Camp will be working with Stone in the development of a new section on the bcnd.org website that is dedicated to PPD, as well as collaborating with Postpartum Support International on their website.

Fatherhood Books Serve as a “Play by Play” Guides

Greg Bishop offers strategies from more than 200,000 new dads that have gone through the Boot Camp for New Dads program in both of his books, Crash Course for New Dads: Tools, Checklists and Cheat Sheets and his first book, Hit the Ground Crawling, which covers work balance, being a dad, caring for a new mom and much more. Both books are available online at www.DadsAdventure.com.

New Dads Learn What to Expect at Boot Camp Workshops

Dads-to-be will be better equipped to face the challenges and opportunities of fatherhood after attending a Boot Camp “hands on” educational workshop. Men attend the class when they are expecting their first baby, and are joined in the workshop by “veterans” who had previously attended and have returned with their two to four-month-old baby in tow. They are able to give the dads-to-be a realistic idea of what to do and what to expect when their first baby comes. For many men attending, it’s their first time holding a baby.

Boot Camp for New Dads

Now celebrating their 19th year, Boot Camp for New Dads is nationally acclaimed as the “Best Practice” for preparing men to be fathers and has been named a U.S. Navy Model Program. Boot Camp for New Dads has prepared more than 200,000 men for fatherhood over the years.

With more than 4.1 million births (National Center for Health Statistics), and approximately 1.5 million men becoming new dads every year, it’s more important than ever for fathers to realize that being a “good provider” is only part of the very central role they have in their children’s lives.

For more information about Boot Camp for New Dads, visit www.bcnd.org, or to visit Dads Adventure, go to www.Dadsadventure.com. To arrange an interview with Greg Bishop, please contact sdubin@prworkzone.com, (781) 582-1061.

National and International Locations

Boot Camp For New Dads locations include ALASKA (Anchorage); ARIZONA (Chandler, Flagstaff, Gilbert, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sun City); ARKANSAS (Jonesboro, Paragould, Springdale); CALIFORNIA (Apple Valley, Bakersfield, , Fresno, Garden Grove, Irvine, Laguna Hills, Madera, Merced, Mission Hills, , Oakland, Orange, Pomona, Port Hueneme, San Diego, Santa Ana, Santa Barbara, , S. Lake Tahoe, Travis, Valley Springs); COLORADO (Aurora, Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver, Durango, Fort Collins, Fort Carson, Greeley, Longmont, Thornton, Wheat Ridge); CONNECTICUT (Bristol, Danbury, New London); FLORIDA (Brandon, Clearwater, Hollywood, Jacksonville, North Palm Beach, Orlando, St. Petersburg, West Palm Beach, Sarasota, Tampa); GEORGIA (Atlanta, Elberton, Gainesville, Marietta, Savannah); HAWAII (Pearl Harbor, Schofield); ILLINOIS (Aurora, Carbondale, Champaign, Chicago, East St. Louis, Evanston, Freeport, Geneva, Great Lakes, Highland Park, Libertyville, Moline, Oak Park, Rockford, Springfield, Urbana, Winfield); INDIANA (Anderson, Bluffton, Hammond, Indianapolis, Jeffersonville, Kokomo); IOWA (Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Jefferson, Sioux City); KANSAS (Junction City, Topeka); KENTUCKY (Paducah); LOUISIANA (Covington); MAINE (Auburn, Augusta, Bangor, Brunswick, Ellsworth, Waterville); MARYLAND (Annapolis) MASSACHUSETTS (Beverly, Ipswich, Lowell, Nantucket, Plymouth, Weymouth, Springfield); MICHIGAN (, Ann Arbor, Bay City, Centreville, Iron Mountain, Ithaca, Kalamazoo, Niles, St Joseph, Ypsilanti); MINNESOTA (Brainerd, Duluth, Robbinsdale); MISSISSIPPI (Tupelo); MISSOURI (Jefferson City) MONTANA (Billings, Helena, Miles City); NEBRASKA (Kearney, Lincoln, Omaha); NEVADA (Las Vegas) NEW HAMPSHIRE (Manchester, Portsmouth); NEW JERSEY (Princeton) NEW YORK (Glens Falls, Little Falls, Mineola, Rome, Utica); NORTH CAROLINA (Burlington, Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Concord, Ft. Bragg, Greensboro, Monroe, Raleigh, Shelby); NORTH DAKOTA (Grand Forks); OHIO (Akron, Cleveland, Columbus, East Cleveland, East Liverpool, Garfield Heights, Lima, Lorain, Mayfield Heights, Middleburg Heights, Orange Village, Portsmouth, Toledo, Warren, Westlake, Youngstown); OKLAHOMA (Claremore, Oklahoma City, Tulsa); OREGON (Corvalis, McMinnville, Salem, Silverton); SOUTH CAROLINA (Columbia, Pickens, Walhalla); TENNESSEE (Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis); TEXAS (Amarillo, Dallas, Fort Hood, Longview, Lubbock, Plano, San Antonio, Texarkana, Waco, Webster); VERMONT (Barre, Brattleboro, Middlebury); VIRGINIA (Charlottesville, Chesapeake, Hampton, Richmond) WASHINGTON (Everett, Fairchild AFB, Longview, Olympia, Puyallup, Yakima); WEST VIRGINIA (Wheeling); WISCONSIN (Florence, Green Bay, Madison, Oshkosh, Watertown, Wausau); JAPAN (Atsugi, Yokosuka), ITALY (Sicily); UNITED KINGDOM [a.k.a. Hit the Ground Crawling] (Birmingham, Liverpool)

Boot Camp for New Dads Educates Fathers about Postpartum DepressionRead More

Old Colony Elder Services Advises Elders on How to Avoid Heat Related Illnesses and Stay Cool this Summer

When the temperature rises, older adults are at high risk for heat related illnesses.  Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), a private, non-profit agency that provides seniors, families and caregivers with valuable resources and services, offers tips to help elders stay cool this summer.

· Avoid strenuous activity or over-exertion in the heat. Even household chores such as laundry, vacuuming, gardening, mowing the lawn, painting and so forth should be put off until the weather cools.

· Avoid extended periods of sun exposure. If you must be in the sun, wear a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses and bring an umbrella to create shade.

· Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid caffeinated or alcoholic beverages.

· Eat well-balanced, light meals. Try to avoid high protein foods as they will increase metabolic heat.

· Wear lightweight, loose and light colored clothing.

· When it’s hot or very humid, stay indoors in an air-conditioned area or near a fan.

· Go to a place where you can get relief from the heat such as a library, theater or community area that has air-conditioning.

Avoid heat related illnesses

In extreme heat and high humidity, evaporation of perspiration is slowed and the body must work extra hard to maintain normal temperature. Heat related illnesses include heat cramps which are muscular pains and spasms in the abdominal or leg muscles caused by loss of water due to heavy sweating. To treat heat cramps – rest in a cool place and drink half a glass of cool water every fifteen minutes.

Heat exhaustion is when the body overheats in high temperatures and/or high humidity, causing a form of mild shock. A rapid pulse, intense sweating, nausea, headache, dark urine, pale and/or flushed skin and feeling faint are some of the symptoms of heat exhaustion. To treat it, get the person to a cooler place and apply cool, wet cloths to the face and body. Have the person drink cool water slowly every fifteen minutes. Watch the person carefully for signs of heat stroke.

Heatstroke occurs when the body’s temperature reaches 104 degrees Fahrenheit or above. It is severe and life-threatening. It’s typically caused by exertion in hot weather and dehydration. Some signs of heatstroke include rapid heartbeat, hot red skin, absence of sweating, dizziness, headache, nausea, irritability or confusion. Older adults may also experience fainting. If any of these symptoms are suspected, call 911 immediately. Then move the person to a cooler place, immerse in a cool bath or wrap him/her in wet sheets. Watch for breathing problems. If he/she has changes is levels of consciousness, refuses water or is vomiting, do not give him/her anything to eat or drink.

OCES has resources available to elders in their service area who meet the criteria for low income and who cannot afford fans or air-conditioning. For assistance or more information, call (508) 584-1561.

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.

For more information about services for seniors or if you know an elderly person (e.g., family, friend, neighbor) who you think might need assistance, contact OCES at 508-584-1561.

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.

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 130 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.

Old Colony Elder Services Advises Elders on How to Avoid Heat Related Illnesses and Stay Cool this SummerRead More

RI and MA participants in HIN1 (Swine) Flu vaccine studies to receive vaccinations early.

DATELINE: WARWICK, RI…
The race is on to find the most effective H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine in time for inoculations this fall. As part of this effort, Omega Medical Research in Warwick, Rhode Island has announced that it will be conducting several investigational HIN1 Flu vaccine studies starting in August to assist in the development of a safe and effective vaccine.

On June 11, 2009 the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6 in response to the ongoing spread of the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus commonly known as Swine Flu. WHO stated, “The 2009 influenza pandemic has spread internationally with unprecedented speed. In past pandemics, influenza viruses have needed more than six months to spread as widely as the new H1N1 virus has spread in less than six weeks.”

David L. Fried, MD, the medical director for Omega Medical Research, and the Principal Investigator on investigational HIN1 Flu vaccine studies to be conducted at the center, stressed the urgency of this undertaking, “At this time, the best preventative measure to avoid H1N1 is to receive vaccination and immunization.  Omega Medical Research is conducting one of the few studies in the country that provides the initial vaccine to volunteers who participate in this important study.”

Recent comments from Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) indicate that the virus is not going away and that the 2009 H1N1 virus patterns are quite different from seasonal influenza, “This virus is continuing to cause illness here in the U.S. even in the summer and continues to affect a generally younger population than what we see in terms of the seasonal influenza.”

Schuchat continued, “We do expect there to be an increase in influenza that occurs this fall, perhaps earlier than what we see with seasonal influenza. In particular, we think there may be challenges when people return to schools and our communities get back into the sort of the regular times with lots of kids congregated together.”

This spring several Rhode Island schools closed temporarily due to H1N1 (Swine) flu concerns including the Greystone Elementary School in North Providence, North Kingstown High School, and the Pier Middle School in Narragansett. In Southeastern Massachusetts the Assawompsett Elementary School in Lakeville and the Mary Fonseca Elementary School in Fall River both closed temporarily this spring due to H1N1 (Swine) flu outbreaks. To date, 2 H1N1 (Swine) flu deaths have been confirmed in Rhode Island and 6 deaths in Massachusetts.

Residents of Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts who would like to participate in Omega Medical Research’s investigational HIN1 Flu vaccine studies should contact Patty Feole, RN at 401-739-3573 as soon as possible. Volunteers are needed in four age groups: 6 to 35 months; 2 years to 17 years; 18 years to 64 years; and 65 years and older. Study participants will receive compensation for their time and travel to Omega Medical Research, which is conveniently located near Routes 295 and 95 in Warwick, Rhode Island.

Clinical Research Center of Excellence
Omega Medical Research, founded in 1993, is a nationally recognized clinical research center providing accurate, efficient, and high quality clinical trials services to the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and medical device industries. Omega Medical Research is located at 400 Bald Hill Road in Warwick, RI, conveniently adjacent to Routes 295 and 95. Their hours of operation are: Monday 7:30am-4:30pm, Tuesday 7:30am-4:30pm, Wednesday 7:30am-5:30pm, Thursday 7:30am-4:30pm, and Friday 8:00am-2:00pm.

Omega Medical Research has extensive experience with vaccine protocols and is a member of the Alliance for Multispecialty Research (AMR), a unique network of independently owned, geographically diverse, and highly experienced Clinical Research Centers of Excellence. Membership in AMR is by invitation only and is the culmination of a rigorous review and acceptance process.

For additional information please contact Patty Feole, RN at 401-739-3573, or visit www.omegastudies.com.

RI and MA participants in HIN1 (Swine) Flu vaccine studies to receive vaccinations early.Read More