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Designing your home office…DirectBuy clubs of Chicago provide tips on setting up your home office.

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

Not too long ago, the home office used to mean the corporate headquarters of a company. With more and more people running businesses out of their home or telecommuting to their “day job” a day or more a week, the home office has had to become every bit as functional and comfortable as the cube or office at work. Even more so. To that end, the DirectBuy clubs of greater Chicago, the leading home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, have some helpful tips on setting up your home office.

For starters, DirectBuy recommends drawing a floor plan of the room or area where your home office will be. Your floor plan should include markings of where the electrical outlets are and accurate measurements of the heights of the windows, doorways and any closet space to give you additional design options.

“If you’re going to be spending significant time in your home office, from eight to 20 hours a week or more, you’re going to want a space that’s a little more comfortable, functional and aesthetically pleasing than the spare room or corner of a room that’s passed for a home office in years past,” said Jeremy Vest, owner of DirectBuy of DuPage County in Naperville. “Many of our members work with our designers to create not just a comfortable workspace for one or members of the household, but also a room you’ll want to show off to guests.”

Some of the things you may want to consider in planning your office space:

●        Ergonomic chairs, desks, and other office pieces.

●        Lower shelves so you can reach for books, folders and other items without strain.

●        Lighting under workspace shelves to make it easier to read.

●        A mount or platform for your computer monitor so you can look at the screen without tilting your head up or down.

●        Neutral soothing colors for your walls like teal blues, soft cool grays and warm Tuscan colors to create the work atmosphere you’re looking for.

●        How much natural light does the room get and how much do you want? Do you prefer curtains to blinds? There are a wide range of innovative blinds, sheers, louvers and shutters to achieve the look you want.

●        The depth of the pieces you’re putting in your office. There’s nothing worse than trying to add a desk to spot that fits length- and width-wise but leaves no room for the chair.

●        Installing additional outlets to give you more layout and design options.

●        Avoiding wall-to-wall carpeting if possible; offices are high traffic areas and wear will show on your rugs the more time you work at home. Use carpet tiles for the areas you want carpeting, so that you can replace them if they fade or show stains, and use hardwood or ceramic tile for the rest of the space.

DirectBuy carries a large selection of brand-name office furniture at wholesale prices direct from the manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. In addition, each DirectBuy club employs product specialists and designers who can help members create the home office that works best for their individual needs and for family members if it’s a shared workspace.

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 five 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 five 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 five DirectBuy clubs serving the greater Chicago area are: DirectBuy of Gurnee, 4081 Ryan Rd. #107, Gurnee, IL; 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; 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.

Designing your home office…DirectBuy clubs of Chicago provide tips on setting up your home office.Read More

Will you get a second date?…How the follow-up call can open door wider or slam it shut.

NORWELL, MA…

So, you’ve gone out on your first date with somebody you just met. It went pretty well.  Perhaps even very well. So, now what? The follow-up call can be the determining factor on whether a second date or more occurs.

Paul A. Falzone, CEO of The Right One and Together Dating–one of the world’s largest brick-and-mortar dating services with more than 60 offices nationwide—has given follow up advice to hundreds of clients before and after first dates.

“A good first date—or even a great one—doesn’t always mean there will be a second one. That’s why it’s best after that first date has gone well to take a step back and evaluate before taking the next step, the follow up call,” said Falzone. “And when you do follow up with your date, you want to be clear in your own mind that: A. you want a second date and (b) they want a second date and conduct the conversation accordingly.”

Some follow-up call guidelines include:

●        Let it breathe – Wait a minimum of 24 hours before calling after the first date. If it truly was a great date, he or she won’t be with somebody else if you wait a day before calling.

●        Email and texting counts – A post-date e-mail or text might seem harmless, but it really does interfere with the evaluation process. The follow-up call should actually be a phone call.

●        Not at the office – Make sure you make your follow-up call at a time when your date is available to talk.

●        At the sound of the tone – Be prepared to leave a voice mail in case he or she is not available. Keep it simple, don’t try to make a second date via voice mail. Just ask them to call.

●        Two strikes rule – Call once and he/she doesn’t return the call, shame on them. Call more than twice without a return, shame on you.

●        Keep it light – The gist of the follow-up call should be that you had a great time and ask if he/she wants to it again. Even if you spent the nice tossing and turning over what a great time you had, do not share that. Those make for great stories down the road. Get the second date first.

“It’s great to be excited about somebody after a first date. What’s even better is to be even more excited after two. If’ your goal is for something lasting, there’s nothing wrong with taking it slow and making sure it really is, pun intended, the right one for you,” said Falzone.

Help is on the way
Catering to more than 300,000 members at more than 60 locations throughout North America, The Right One and Together Dating are the largest brick and mortar dating services in the industry, offering a more consistent product, a greater number of potentially compatible mates and added value of flexibility in transferring memberships to another geographic region. 
Romantic Locations

North American locations and affiliates of Together are located in:  Georgia (Savannah); Indiana (Ft. Wayne, Carmel, Mishawaka); Kentucky (Lexington, Louisville); Louisiana (Metairie); Maryland (Columbia, Frederick); Minnesota (Edina); Nevada (Reno); New Hampshire (Hooksett, Nashua, Portsmouth and Salem); Ohio (Cincinnati); South Carolina (Greenville); Texas (San Antonio) and Virginia (Falls Church).

The Right One’s offices and affiliates located throughout the United States include:  California (San Diego); Colorado (Glendale); Georgia (Atlanta); Illinois (Downers Grove, Rockford and Normal); Massachusetts (Norwell, Newton Center, Shrewsbury and Woburn); Michigan (Bingham Farms); Nebraska (Omaha and Lincoln); New Jersey (Cherry Hill); Nevada (Las Vegas); Pennsylvania (King of Prussia); Rhode Island (Warwick); Texas (Dallas and Austin); Utah (Salt Lake City); and Wisconsin (Madison, Appleton, Elm Grove).

Singles Station Dating Company, an affiliate of The Right One and Together Dating, is the largest independently owned personal introduction service in the Southwest. In the last 25 years, Singles Station has introduced more than 100,000 couples and is responsible for thousands of successful relationships and marriages. Singles Station Dating Co. has offices conveniently located in Oklahoma (Oklahoma City and Tulsa), Arkansas (Bentonville, Fort Smith and Little Rock), Tennessee (Memphis and Nashville), Missouri (Springfield and St. Louis) and will be opening soon in Kansas (Wichita and Kansas City). For more information about Singles Station, please visit www.singlesstation.com or call 866-807-LOVE(5683).

For more information about Together Dating and The Right One, please visit their websites at www.togetherdating.com and www.therightone.com, or call (800) 818-DATE (3283).

Will you get a second date?…How the follow-up call can open door wider or slam it shut.Read More

How to avoid “ouch” and remain active – Avoiding Lower Back Pain.

How to avoid “ouch” and remain active. This is the basis for Avoiding Lower Back Pain free workshop being presented by Dr. Scott Chapman at 21st Century Family Fitness, 412 Washington Street, Norwell on Thursday, March 19, 7 p.m.

 

Dr. Scott Chapman, a chiropractor specializes in orthopedics and rehabilitation, treats well known professional athletes and weekend warriors and is the co-founder of Norwell Spine and Sports Rehabilitation on Route 53 in Norwell.  In this complimentary workshop he will outline which exercises are “spine crunchers” and others that are safest for those recovering from injury.

 

The public is welcome and reservations are recommended.  Please call 21st Century Family Fitness at (781) 659-6565 to make reservations.

 

Dr. Chapman noted, “The goal is remain active and feeling great, but sometimes we push ahead too hard, too fast.  As an athlete and a healthcare professional, I know the joy of exercise and the anguish of injury downtime.  This workshop helps simplify how to stay in the game.”

 

How to avoid “ouch” and remain active – Avoiding Lower Back Pain.Read More

Start the waterworks…DirectBuy offers tips for setting up your irrigation system.

MERRILLVILLE, IN…

April showers may bring May flowers, but it doesn’t necessarily guarantee a lush green lawn in time for spring. That requires the right fertilizer and consistent watering throughout the spring and summer. DirectBuy, the leading home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, offers some tips for do-it-yourselfers looking to install their own irrigation system.

“A lawn irrigation system is your best bet for keeping your lawn green, but even that’s not foolproof if you don’t have the right system set up to meets the needs of your particular lawn,” said Sara Shragal, of DirectBuy.

Some of the things to consider when purchasing an in-ground irrigation include:

●        Automatic or manual – If you want complete control of what gets watered and when, a manual system is a nice option. The more advanced automatic systems allow you to program what areas of the lawn get water and when. Some even have sensors that detect moisture so you’re not wasting water by running your sprinklers during a rainstorm or just afterward.

●        Rotary heads vs. other sprinkler types – There are many kinds of spray heads available for each type of system. Rotary heads deliver water to larger areas, so fewer are needed. Pop-up spray heads are another great option if you’re concerned about plants or the ground interfering with the flow of the water.

●        Overlap the spray  – To provide complete coverage avoid brown spots, you’ll want to overlap the area where each sprinkler waters. This should eliminate the possibility of brown spots.

●        Avoid trees and shrubs – If at all possible, do not place the sprinkler in an area where it will spray directly onto the trunks of trees. Not only does this damage the bark, but it can make it more susceptible to pests and diseases. A sprinkler can also do a number on the petals on flowers and leaves on shrubs so plan accordingly.

●        Test water depth periodically – The idea behind an irrigation system is even distribution of water. Every so often, place a can or container throughout your yard. After the sprinkler turns off, compare. If one container from a particular area is getting less than the others, you’ll need to adjust the spray.

“Installing a sprinkler system can be quite a challenge for even the most capable do-it-yourselfer. Especially with the amount of wiring and excavation involved. That’s why even though we’re still in winter, you should be planning your system now to avoid any costly errors once it’s time to put your system in,” said Shragal.

DirectBuy offers everything you need to install your new irrigation system at wholesale prices direct from the manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. In addition, DirectBuy also employs product specialists who can give you the necessary guidance. And if you want somebody else to do the heavy lifting, DirectBuy works with local vendors who provide installation services, usually at a discounted price for DirectBuy members.

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

About DirectBuy

For more than 37 years, DirectBuy has been showing thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save as they shop for virtually everything for in and around their homes – from furnishings, home improvement and flooring, to entertainment and outdoor products, accessories and much, much more. With more than 160 locations in North America, DirectBuy offers its members access to approximately 700 brand-name manufacturers and their authorized suppliers in the US, and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers and authorized suppliers in Canada.

Consumers interested in seeing DirectBuy’s savings, service and selection up close may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting www.directbuy.com or www.directbuycares.com.

Start the waterworks…DirectBuy offers tips for setting up your irrigation system.Read More

Jennifer C. Reading Named Director of Human Resources at Rodman & Rodman, P.C.

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Jennifer C. Reading, a resident of Boston, has recently been promoted to Director of Human Resources at Rodman & Rodman, P.C. Certified Public Accountants and Business Strategists. Rodman & Rodman caters to small and medium sized companies throughout New England, and has offices located in Braintree and Newton, Mass.

In her new role as Director of Human Resources, Ms. Reading’s responsibilities include managing all of the HR related services, policies and programs such as recruiting and staffing; employment and compliance; staff training and benefits administration.

Prior to her promotion, Ms. Reading held the position of Director of Administrative Services where she was responsible for overseeing the administrative staff in addition to the company’s marketing services, quality control, training and events.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of New Hampshire and will receive a Master of Science in Human Resources degree from Suffolk University in Boston in September 2009.

Ms. Reading is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM); The New England Human Resource Association (NEHRA); the Massachusetts Society of CPAs and the Association for Accounting Administration.

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 Jen Reading at (617) 965-5959.

Jennifer C. Reading Named Director of Human Resources at Rodman & Rodman, P.C.Read More

Boys and Girls Club’s “An Evening of Stars” Gala and Auction to be held on March 7th – Live and Silent Auction Items Announced

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The Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield have announced Live and Silent Auction items that will be available at their “An Evening of Stars” Gala and Auction which will be held on March 7, 2009 at the Indian Pond Country Club in Kingston from 6 to 11 p.m.

Jonathan Hall, the Emmy award winning journalist and investigative reporter for WHDH Channel 7 News Boston will be the Master of Ceremonies and the evening promises to be dazzling with

entertainment, recognition of community members, awards, cocktails, dinner and auctions.

Featured items in the live auction include:

· A house in Vineyard Haven for a weekend complete with golf for four at Farm Neck Country Club and four round trip ferry passes

· Prime Rib dinner for up to 10 served in your home by 99 Restaurants with a case of wine

· A beach house for a day along with either a clam bake for 10 or a cookout for 25 catered by Crest Family Catering

· A beach side condo for a week in Florida

Silent auction items include: Original artwork by Todd Alvey; autographed pictures from Boston Celtics and the New England Patriots and an autographed ball from the Boston Red Sox; a guitar and lessons; tickets for the Pawtucket Red Sox and the Brockton Rox; horse riding lessons; tickets to the Bay Players; gym memberships; restaurant gift certificates; jewelry; salon and spa gift certificates; framed artwork, an airplane flight for two; car detailing gift certificates, quilts; children’s birthday party packages; music harbor cruise tickets and much more.

The Gala and Auction is generously sponsored by: Friends of the Marshfield Airport (presenting sponsor), Tufts Health Plan, Rockland Federal Credit Union, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and BuytheCase.net.

Tickets are $100 each or $1,000 for a corporate table that seats 10. Tickets may be purchased at the Boys and Girls Club in Library Plaza or online at Marshfieldboysandgirlsclub.com. The Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield hopes to raise more than $40,000, which was the amount raised at last year’s gala in support of programs for more than 4,000 youths in the area.

For more information about “An Evening of Stars” Gala and Auction or to purchase tickets or donate an item to the auction, visit the website www.marshfieldboysandgirlsclub.com or contact Shawn Costa, Director of Development at the club (781) 834-CLUB (2582).

About the Boys and Girls Club

The Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield’s purpose is to establish a safe haven for recreation, which includes a variety of supervised activities for greater than 4,000 youth (between the ages of 6 to 18 years old) within the town. The Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield has five Core Areas: Character and Leadership; Education and Career; Health, Sport Fitness Recreation and Life Skills; The Arts; and Technology. These Core Areas serve as the foundation for all programming.

As a privately-funded, non-profit organization, the Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield relies tremendously on the generous philanthropic support of individuals.  Financial gifts assist in providing the financial strength necessary to continue the club’s mission “to enable and inspire all young people to realize their full potential as productive and responsible citizens, as well as become tomorrow’s capable leaders.”

For more information about the Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield, please contact (781) 834-CLUB (2582) or visit the website at MarshfieldBoysAndGirlsClub.com or write to the club at P.O. Box 311, Marshfield, MA 02050.

Boys and Girls Club’s “An Evening of Stars” Gala and Auction to be held on March 7th – Live and Silent Auction Items AnnouncedRead More

DirectBuy of Cool Springs member wins $50,000 home makeover

BRENTWOOD, TN…

DirectBuy of Cool Springs, the leading home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, awarded $50,000 to one of its members on Saturday, February 14, 2009, as part of the company’s national Home Makeover Program. The celebration was highlighted by the presentation of an oversized check to Rogelio Menchaca-Garcia by the club’s owners, Steve Blume and John Langley.

 

Rogelio Menchaca-Garcia joined DirectBuy of Cool Springs in November of 2008, and was in the midst of remodeling his home when informed he was DirectBuy’s grand prize winner. “This is the first time I had won anything, and I was shocked,” he said excitedly. “I really couldn’t believe it. I am still speechless.”

Menchaca-Garcia’s plans to use his newfound fortune to improve his home with the help of DirectBuy, ultimately maximizing his return on investment when he decides to sell. To go along with new flooring and fixtures for his bathroom, he’s also added a new roof and plans a full kitchen remodel, complete with new windows and appliances.

 

Rogelio is active in the military and was formerly deployed in Bosnia. He now works as part of a special program called Wounded Warriors – a not-for-profit organization that provides tangible support for soldiers to help them on the road to healing.

 

“We work with soldiers who may have been wounded overseas while serving our country,” he explained. “Our objective is to help them rehabilitate with the goal of returning either to active duty and/or the community.”

 

Steve Blume and John Langley, who own and operate DirectBuy of Cool Springs, were excited to be able to help one of their members realize their dreams, and felt it was especially meaningful that it was a community member who had served our country overseas.

 

“We always have imagined how awesome it would be if someone won the Home Makeover Program from our club, but for it to actually happen is incredible,” co-owner Steve Blume explained. “I have come to know and respect Rogelio Menchaca-Garcia. He’s a wonderful person – exactly the caliber of person you want and hope will win. Everyone at our showroom was so excited and happy for him.”

 

Over the past few years, DirectBuy has distributed more than $450,000 in prize money to both members and non-members as part of their Home Makeover Program, designed to help consumers create the home of their dreams.

 

DirectBuy of Cool Springs recently relocated to a brand new, 25,000 sq. foot showroom, conveniently located at 1005 Flagpole Court in Brentwood in the new Mallory Park development. The franchise was among the top ten United States franchises in annual merchandise volume purchased by members in 2008. Additionally, the club boasts an A+ rating from their local Better Business Bureau, attracting members who drive as long as four hours to shop there.

 

To assist members with their home renovation projects, DirectBuy of Cool Springs employs interior designers and product specialists who are specially trained in one of five areas of merchandise: Home Furnishings, Home Improvement, Flooring, Entertainment/Outdoor, and Accessories. Additionally, members benefit from the use of a children’s play area, café and a member’s lounge to relax while shopping.

 

DirectBuy of Cool Springs members also have exclusive access to renowned designer Christopher Lowell.  Lowell has designed twelve room settings – created exclusively with products available through DirectBuy – using his Seven Layers of Design. An innovative approach to home décor, The Seven Layers of Design keeps homeowners on budget and from feeling overwhelmed by their project.

 

DirectBuy Membership

Consumers who are interested in joining DirectBuy of Cool Springs are encouraged to attend an exclusive Open House event, which is designed to educate families about DirectBuy’s unique business model.  The Open House also helps consumers better understand how DirectBuy members avoid traditional retail markup when purchasing brand-name merchandise. 

 

About DirectBuy

For more than 37 years, DirectBuy has been showing hundreds of thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save as they shop for virtually everything for in and around their homes – from furnishings, home improvement and flooring, to entertainment and outdoor products, accessories and much, much more. With more than 160 locations in North America, DirectBuy offers its members access to approximately 700 brand-name manufacturers and their authorized suppliers in the US, and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers and authorized suppliers in Canada.

Consumers interested in seeing DirectBuy’s savings, service and selection up close may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting www.directbuycoolsprings.com or www.directbuycares.com.

DirectBuy of Cool Springs member wins $50,000 home makeoverRead More

Dating Service Goliath Offers Co-Brand Dating Solution to Media Outlets

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International Dating Ventures has recently announced the availability of a co-brand dating solution for media outlets across the U.S.

International Dating Ventures is the holding company for one of the largest brick and mortar dating services in the world, The Right One and Together Dating, and the online dating sites LoveAccess.com and TogetherChristian.com.

Essentially, International Dating Ventures’ co-branded dating solution enables a media outlet such as a newspaper, radio or television station or show to incorporate a dating service element into their website.

“The solution provides media outlets with ‘dating out of a box’ – which means the media outlet provides the brand and marketing and International Dating Ventures takes care of the rest,” explained Nelson Rodriguez, the company’s Chief Technology Officer.

In addition to Cheaters®, a nationally syndicated television show airing in more than 100 countries, that has incorporated International Dating Ventures’ co-brand dating solution on their website, there are a number of prominent daily newspapers that also use the solution, including the Washington Post, Boston Herald and the Cape Cod Times. To view an example of the co-branded dating solution, visit NoCheatersDate.com.

International Dating Ventures’ co-brand dating solution provides media outlets with the dating software; the membership database; payment processing; customer support; hosting infrastructure and ancillary revenue sources. They even provide website design of the actual dating solution that is branded to the media outlet.

How it works

Visitors to a media outlet’s website simply click on a dating service link to sign up for free. Once signed up, the visitor is taken to the branded website and International Dating Ventures takes on the matchmaking from among their 3 million-plus members.

“For media outlets, this is one of the best ways to increase website traffic while also providing a service that is in demand and that generates additional revenue. It’s definitely win-win,” noted Rodriguez.

About International Dating Ventures (IDV)

International Dating Ventures is the holding company for The Right One and Together Dating and the online dating sites LoveAccess.com and TogetherChristian.com.

Catering to more than 300,000 members at more than 60 locations throughout North America, The Right One and Together Dating are the largest brick and mortar dating services in the industry, offering a more consistent product, a greater number of potentially compatible mates and added value of flexibility in transferring memberships to another geographic region.

IDV maintains a consulting agreement with Singles Station Dating Company the largest independently owned personal introduction service in the Southwest. In the last 25 years, Singles Station has introduced more than 100,000 couples and is responsible for thousands of successful relationships and marriages. For more information about Singles Station, please visit www.singlesstation.com or call 866-807-LOVE (5683).

For more information about Together Dating and The Right One, please visit their websites at www.togetherdating.com and www.therightone.com, or call (800) 818-DATE (3283).

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USMMA to Host a Child Safety Open House on March 14th- Proceeds Raised Will be Donated to Random Smile Project

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United States Mixed Martial Arts (USMMA) in Bellingham, MA will host a Child Safety Open House on Saturday, March 14th from 12 to 4 p.m. at their studio located at 316 Hartford Avenue.

This event is free and all are welcome to attend.

Event Sponsor, Whole Foods Market will be providing refreshments, including a “Make your Own Trail Mix” table for both children and parents.

Fingerprinting, DARE, K-9 Demonstrations and more will be held at USMMA’s Child Safety Open House. The day’s itinerary includes:

· Child Fingerprinting

· Franklin Police Department’s DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) officers on-site to provide information and talk with parents and kids.

· Demonstrations by Sudbury and Bellingham Police Departments’ K-9 Units

· Mixed Martial Arts self-defense demonstrations

· Free Chair Massages

Additionally, USMMA will offer signed memorabilia from champion Mixed Martial Arts fighters for sale and the company will raffle off Total Wellness packages, gift cards and Kids Camp packages.

To round out the event, the Boys and Girls Scouts will have an information table and there will be face-painting, raffles, and prizes. All proceeds from this event will go to Random Smile Project in Bellingham.

“Fingerprinting is the best way for parents to obtain identification information for their children which can be used to turn over to authorities anywhere in the world to aid in the event of a missing child investigation,” noted Tom Hafers, owner of USMMA. “Our goal is to empower families with specific information regarding child safety and protection. We’re committed to helping families and very fortunate to have the Franklin, Sudbury and Bellingham Police Departments involved in this very special event.”

This Child Safety Open House event kicks-off a series of free self-defense classes that will be offered by USMMA to the community. A free Rape Prevention & Self Defense class will be held on April 18th at USMMA.

About USMMA

USMMA focuses on elevating the physical and spiritual well being of students through Mixed Martial Arts and Yoga. Classes offered include Strength & Conditioning; Brazilian Jiu Jitsu; Thai Boxing; Cardio Thai Boxing; Wrestling; Cardio and Open Mat; Kids Mixed Martial Arts; Pilates; Power Yoga and Deep Flow Yoga.

USMMA’s state of the art, 4,000 square foot training facility is complete with a 2,000 square foot padded MMA training floor equipped with heavy bags and conditioning equipment, a 1,500 square foot yoga studio, locker rooms, showers and a juice bar. USMMA is located at 316 Hartford Avenue in Bellingham. For more information, call 508-966-5006 or visit their website at www.usmma.org.

About Whole Foods Market®
Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (www.wholefoodsmarket.com), a leader in the natural and organic foods industry and America’s first national certified organic grocer, was named “America’s Healthiest Grocery Store” in 2008 by Health magazine. The Whole Foods Market motto, “Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet”™ captures the company’s mission to find success in customer satisfaction and wellness, employee excellence and happiness, enhanced shareholder value, community support and environmental improvement. Thanks to its 53,000 Team Members, Whole Foods Market has been ranked as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” in America by FORTUNE magazine for 12 consecutive years. In fiscal year 2008, the company had sales of $8 billion and currently has more than 275 stores in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Whole Foods Market, Fresh & WildTM, and Harry’s Farmers Market® are trademarks owned by Whole Foods Market IP, LP.  Wild Oats® and Capers Community MarketTM are trademarks owned by Wild Marks, Inc.

About Random Smile Project

Random Smile, a grass-roots community non-profit organization located in Bellingham, Mass., offers temporary assistance to families and individuals going through tough circumstances. They also recognize the community’s “Unsung Heroes” and strive to get kids involved and engaged in helping their community and neighbors through community service. For more information, visit randomsmile.org or contact (508) 728-7850.

USMMA to Host a Child Safety Open House on March 14th- Proceeds Raised Will be Donated to Random Smile ProjectRead More