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Boot Camp for New Dads Shares Budget Friendly Activities to Do with Baby

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Having fun with your baby doesn’t require a trip to the toy store, fancy baby equipment or a special membership to a baby gym.

Greg Bishop, founder of Boot Camp for New Dads, 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, and author of two books on fathering, offers 12 budget friendly activities to do with baby.

Below, Bishop shares input from working with more than 200,000 new dads over the past 18 years and an excerpt from his most recent book Crash Course for New Dads: Tools, Checklists and Cheat Sheets:

· Take a tour of your own house with baby in a front carrier, letting him/her grab things within reach.

· Sing songs together. It doesn’t matter if it’s a lullaby or rock ‘n’ roll as long as it’s repetitive and sung with enthusiasm.

· Give him/her airplane rides through the house or yard.

· Create some tall buildings with blocks then let him/her knock them down.

· Put baby in a carrier and go on short hiking adventures.

· Build an indoor obstacle course with pillows and sheets for tunnels that baby will enjoy crawling through.

· Start a kitchen band with pots and pans and spoons and really make some noise.

· Play “hide and seek” with toys to teach him/her how to find his/her hidden treasures.

· Encourage your little artist with crayons or non-toxic finger paint. Spread newspaper on the kitchen floor and cover with drawing paper.

· Bring the bath and beach toys into the tub along with a colander and let baby have a blast sinking ships and making “rain”.

· Make funny faces together while looking in a mirror. Use shaving cream to give baby a mirror beard and moustache.

· Make junior an instant sports fan. Watch your favorite team together on TV and practice doing the wave.

According to Bishop, “Research has shown that babies benefit from time spent with dad, doing what comes naturally to dads, such as roughhousing, playing and simply showing him/her the world. Best of all, these activities don’t cost a thing.”

Tips, Advice, Instructions and more

Greg Bishop offers strategies from more than 200,000 new dads that have gone through the Boot Camp for New Dads program in his second book, Crash Course for New Dads: Tools, Checklists and Cheat Sheets. His first book, Hit the Ground Crawling, 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 18th 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)

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DirectBuy names Barry Bennington new Director of Field Sales.

MERRILLVILLE, IN…

DirectBuy, the home improvement and home furnishings club with direct insider prices, is pleased to name Barry Bennington as its new Director of Field Sales. As Director of Field Sales, he will work with business consultants and field sales consultants on the development of training manuals, videos and scripts, and in assisting individual franchise owners through on-site meetings, conference calls, and regional training sessions.

Bennington joined the DirectBuy team in October of 2001 as a membership director at the Springfield, Missouri location. In July of 2002, he was promoted to sales manager of the Johnson County, Kansas franchise and helped guide Johnson County to a Top 10 finish in membership.

In October of 2005, Barry was hired by DirectBuy Corporate as a field sales consultant. In October of 2006, he was promoted to manager of field sales, overseeing the department’s creation of the popular Master’s Training Series, as well as the refinement and restructuring of DirectBuy’s Business Management School. In late 2008, Barry was recognized as DirectBuy’s Managing Associate of the Year for his dedication to the franchise network and overall growth of the company.

“Barry’s proven leadership abilities make him the perfect candidate for this important position,” says Bart Fesperman, DirectBuy’s Executive Vice President. “We congratulate Barry and look forward to a prosperous future as he leads our Field Sales department to even greater levels of success.”

DirectBuy offers consumers thousands of items, including kitchen cabinets, flat-screen televisions and major appliances from more than 1000 top manufacturers and their authorized suppliers throughout North America. At more than 160 clubs throughout the United States and Canada, DirectBuy members enjoy a comfortable, welcoming setting and design center where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

To assist members with their home renovation projects, DirectBuy also offers access to 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 members also have 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 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.

To request a “Free Insider’s Guide to Buying Direct” and a Visitor’s Pass to learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership, call 1-800-DIRECTBUY or visit www.directbuy.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.

DirectBuy names Barry Bennington new Director of Field Sales.Read More

Brockton’s Mayor to Deliver Meals on March 18th as part of “Mayors For Meals” National Initiative

March is the month designated for the Meals On Wheels Association of America’s (MOWAA) annual national campaign known as “March For Meals”. Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) of Brockton participates in this campaign designed to increase public awareness, recruit new volunteers and encourage local fundraising.

OCES announced today that on March 18th, Brockton Mayor James Harrington will be among over 1,000 mayors across the country, to show their support for the Meals On Wheels programs in their cities by delivering meals to seniors on what is known as Mayors For Meals Day.

On this designated day, Mayor Harrington and OCES Executive Director Diana DiGiorgi, will visit Meals On Wheels clients at their homes and deliver the noontime meals.

“The Meals On Wheels program is essential. We have many seniors in the city who are unable to get to the grocery store or who otherwise would not get a nutritious daily meal,” noted DiGiorgi.

The Meals On Wheels program serves Brockton residents age 60 and over, as well as disabled residents under 60. Because the Nutrition Program is primarily federally funded, there is no income-based test; all residents at least 60 years of age are eligible. Meals On Wheels, which is one aspect of the OCES Nutrition Program, is for elders who are unable to attend an OCES congregate meal site.

Elders and those younger than 60 who are disabled and able to get out for themselves may visit one of the agency’s congregate meal sites. Here, elders receive a well-balanced meal and have the opportunity to participate in a number of other diverse programs offered by OCES.

The Meals On Wheels program and the congregate meal sites rely on help from volunteers. Meals On Wheels needs volunteer drivers to deliver meals to elders throughout the Brockton area. Volunteer drivers typically deliver 15-20 meals a day, between 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and are reimbursed for mileage. Volunteers are needed Monday through Friday, yet they may help out for any number of days per week that they desire.

Volunteers are also needed to set up, bag and distribute meals at the Belair, Manning, Caffrey and Campello congregate meal sites.

Anyone who is interested in volunteering at least two hours per week as a Meals On Wheels driver or as a helper at one of the congregate meal sites, contact Shawn Smith, Nutrition Director at 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.

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 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.

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A perfect 10…Boston Pack and Ship owners celebrate 10 years in business together

BRAINTREE, MA…

On a scale of one to 10, Joe Fell and Bill Yankee, co-owners of Boston Pack and Ship, rate their business partnership as a 10. And that doesn’t strictly refer to the duo celebrating their 10 years as partners.

Says Fell, “Plain and simple, we work well together. That’s why it has lasted 10 years.”

Both Fell and Yankee operated as sole proprietors of The Packaging Store franchises in the late 1980s, with Fell located in Hingham and Yankee in Boston. Yet in a move designed to capture both the Boston market and the South Shore, they joined forces in 1999 and opened up shop in Braintree at 144 Lundquist Drive. And the rest, as they say, is history.

“Joe has a very good handle on the sales end of the business and getting new clients. My strength is in working with the customers. It’s a combination that’s served us well, particularly the past few years on our own,” said Yankee.

In 2007, Yankee and Fell broke free from their franchise agreement with The Packaging Store and became Boston Pack and Ship. With two decades in the business apiece, Fell and Yankee found themselves in the strange position of being a “new” business.

“Everything was essentially the same right down to the same two guys answering the phone, Bill and I, but we had to create a whole new identity as Boston Pack and Ship,” said Fell. “Just like everything else since Bill and I teamed up 10 years ago, it’s worked out. Being on our own has opened a number of doors and we’ve been able to introduce our services to several new markets.”

As its own entity and no longer paying franchise royalties, Boston Pack and Ship has reinvested those funds into marketing the company and building the brand on a local basis. That concentrated effort has allowed Boston Pack and Ship to:

●        Develop an online presence through its Web site and search engine optimization; enabling them to attract new business from online searches.

●        Enhance services with specialized services for senior moves, artwork moves, international students, estate services and international shipping.

●        Participate in philanthropic endeavors; Boston Pack and Ship has contributed shipping materials and supplies to many charitable organizations, including the Marshfield Christmas, the Braintree Women’s Club and the Nickerson American Legion Post in Quincy, to name a few.

“Our 10-year anniversary as business partners is significant in a number of ways. First, I consider any business partnership that can last more than a decade to be successful. But beyond lasting power, we’ve also been able to improve what it is we do and grow our business and that’s really gratifying,” says Yankee.

As small load specialists, Boston Pack and Ship provides a number of services to accommodate hard-to-ship, delicate items, expensive business equipment and irreplaceable personal items for out-of-state and international moves. Those services include:

  • Small loads – with no minimum requirement; blanket-wrapping for fragile, delicate moves; full insurance available
  • Custom crates and packaging for computers, electronic instruments, prototypes, antiques and artwork.
  • State-of-the-art, foam-in-place solutions to protect valuables
  • Multiple U.S. and International shipping options—ocean or air—to help lower costs
  • Door-to-door and door-to-port delivery with insurance available
  • On-time pickups by appointment
  • Student moves – no minimum requirements; storage space available for those summer months in between semesters

For more information on the breadth of Boston Pack and Ship’s services, you can visit the company Web site at www.bostonpackandship.com. For a free quote on an out-of-state or international move or shipment, please call (800) 400-7204.

Small load specialists

Formerly known as The Packaging Store and now repackaged as Boston Pack and Ship, these small load specialists have been a trusted strategic partner of many movers in eastern Massachusetts for more than two decades. Based in Braintree, Massachusetts, Boston Pack and Ship employs custom crates and packaging and foam-in-place solutions to pack and ship everything from artwork to heirlooms, computers to antiques to both out-of-state and international destinations. Known for its fast and efficient customer service, one call is usually all it takes to schedule a pickup for a door-to-door or door-to-port shipment. For more information, visit www.bostonpackandship.com or call (800) 400-7204 for a free quote.

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Masters Touch Assisting With Renovations of Obed Baker House in Westwood

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Masters Touch of Medfield, a one-stop-shop providing architectural, design and construction services, is providing assistance with renovations of the Obed Baker House.

Masters Touch is now actively involved with the Westwood Historical Society in completing renovations of the historic Obed Baker House, also known as the “Red House”, in Westwood.

“It is an honor for Masters Touch to participate in the preservation of a piece of architectural history,” said Doug Masters, President of Masters Touch. When finished, the Obed Baker House will provide the town of Westwood a time capsule of the town’s past, dating back nearly 200 years. This important endeavor will not only enrich the community but also serve as a learning tool for adults and schoolchildren alike.

The Obed Baker House has been authenticated by the Massachusetts Historical Commission as a “well preserved example of Federal Period architecture.” Through the tireless efforts of the Westwood Historical Society and the community at large, the Obed Baker House, built in 1810 with a family history stretching back to the 1630s, became a renovation project back in 2005.

The renovation project is one determined and ultimately made possible through grants and fundraising. Masters Touch is donating portions of the necessary parts and labor and is also planning a fundraising event at their Piano Bar at their location in Medfield.

For more information about the Obed Baker House contact the Westwood Historical Society at www.westwoodhistoricalsociety.com or by e-mail at westwoodhistorical@hotmail.com.

Masters continued, “The history of our country was born and bred in small towns like Westwood and pieces of that very history live and breathe in sites like the Obed Baker House. Masters Touch is proud to play a part in preserving the integrity of this cultural artifact for this and future generations.”

The Masters Touch

Masters Touch is a full service design/build and remodeling contractor. With a team of more than 50, including architects, interior designers, project managers, and expert craftsmen all working together, Masters Touch can handle all of a client’s home building or improvement projects and provide expert guidance to DIY folks. The company was recently ranked #249 nationally in the “2008 Top 500 Contractors List” in Qualified Remodeler Magazine.

Masters Touch was founded by Doug Masters in 1997. From new homes to high-end design and build projects; kitchen and bath renovations; exterior painting, roofing and siding projects to flooring, interior painting and decorating projects, Masters Touch caters to homeowners throughout the Metrowest area.

Masters Touch is a Showcase Priority Dealer for Hunter Douglas and offers professional design and installation service. The one-stop interior design and home improvement shop also offers Marvin and Harvey windows; six lines of custom and semi-custom cabinetry; over 150 types of granite and Corian countertops; paint; carpet; hardwood and tile flooring; home theater design and installation and much more.

The company offers written warranties on all their work. Masters Touch is located on Route 109 in Medfield, MA. For more information contact 508-359-5900, e-mail info@masterstouchweb.com or visit them at www.masterstouchweb.com.

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Tickets On Sale Now for Boys and Girls Club “An Evening of Stars” Gala and Auction on March 7th

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The Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield announced today that tickets are now on sale for “An Evening of Stars” Gala and Auction on March 7, 2009. The Gala and Auction, which will be held at the Indian Pond Country Club in Kingston from 6 to 11 p.m., celebrates the club’s 5th anniversary and is also a major fundraiser.

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.

Approximately 350 people are expected to attend. The evening promises to be dazzling with the following line-up:

· Marshfield native Jonathan Hall, the Emmy award winning journalist and investigative reporter for WHDH Channel 7 News Boston will be the Master of Ceremonies for the evening.

· The club will honor former State Representative Frank Hynes and his wife Heather for their support of and dedication to the Boys and Girls Club and families in the area.

· Molly Newcomb of Marshfield will be honored with the Roche Family Outstanding Young Adult of the Year Award and presented with a scholarship.

· Ed Perry, owner of WATD-FM radio station in Marshfield and the club’s Annual Fundraising Campaign Chairperson for 2008, will be honored with a Media Star Award for his generous promotion of Boys and Girls Club events.

· Caricatures by Building 19’s Mat Brown and talented graphic designer Sue Petersen will be offered.

· “Joan Rivers” and the “Blues Brothers” will perform during the evening.

· A live auction will be led by Paul Vercollone of VERC Enterprises in addition to a silent auction.

· Cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and dinner will be served.

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. This event is generously sponsored by: Tufts Health Plan, Rockland Federal Credit Union, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and BuytheCase.net.

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.

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Plymouth South Student Council members win Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac’s “Driven Student” award for February.

PLYMOUTH, MA…

 

 

Not every student has the drive it takes to run for political office. Particularly when that office cuts into homework, afternoon and evening jobs and activities, down time and even sleep. For their commitment to their classmates, their school and the community in which they live, Plymouth South’s Student Council members received Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac “Driven Student” award for the month of February.

 

To help celebrate this accomplishment, Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac treated several members of the Plymouth South High School Student Council to a pizza party. Those taking part included: Danielle Ketterer, Jessica Chandler, Hillary O’Rourke, Monica Joyce, Amanda Tanis, Patty Manning, Ashley Grylls, Rachel Simmons, Krissy Harris, Brianna Maiuri, Melanie Dorn, Haley Holmes, Emily Richard, Jackie Davies, Lauren Hoar, Jill Carter, Adam McGarry, Brian Kessel and Colin McGinnis.

 

“Members of our Student Council do a lot more than just attend meetings,”said Ann Wolf, faculty adviser to the Student Council. “Beyond representing their fellow students at Plymouth School Committee, they serve on screening committees, present leadership workshops at the regional and state level, annually participate in the Walk for Hunger and this year are collecting children’s books as part of the State’s literacy project.”

 

Adds Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac President Jeff Tracy, “Being a high school student is tough enough without adding anything else to your plate. The Student Council members gladly give up their time to not only represent their fellow students, but make their school and community a better place. For that, they are most deserving of this month’s ‘Driven Student’ award.”

 

Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac’s Driven Student program recognizes Plymouth high school students for their performance and achievements in and out of the classroom. Awarded on a monthly basis, recipients are selected by faculty and advisors at the student’s given school.

 

So easy at Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac

For more than 80 years and three generations of dealers, the Tracy family has made it so easy for customers on the South Shore and greater Plymouth area to purchase new and used automobiles. Since its beginnings in 1992, Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac has emphasized first-rate customer service and straightforward, bottom-line pricing with fair trade-ins every time–without the games or gimmicks you find at other dealerships. For more information on new and used trucks and automobiles, you can go to www.tracymotors.com or stop by the dealership, conveniently located at 137 Samoset Street, just off exit 6 on Route 3. For more information, or to make a service appointment, you can also call (800) 640-2884.

Plymouth South Student Council members win Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac’s “Driven Student” award for February.Read More

Counting Sheep? Try Counting Threads…

MERRILLVILLE, IN…

There’s nothing like a good night’s sleep. If you’re trying to remember the last time you had one, it may be time to evaluate your sleeping space. Could it be your mattress? Maybe. Yet according to DirectBuy, the leading home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, the real culprit might be your sheets.

“Linens are one of the most important parts of your bedding ensemble, yet it’s the last thing people will look to replace when it comes to improving the quality of their sleep,” said Sara Shragal, of DirectBuy. “So, instead of shelling out hundreds, even thousands on new mattresses, duvets and comforters, people really ought to be looking at an upgrade of their linens. And when it comes to linens, the higher the thread count, the higher the quality.”

Thread count is the number of threads per square inch of fabric. Quality linen begins at 180 threads per square inch. The higher the thread count, the softer the feel of the sheet and the more pill resistant it will be.

Fiber content is the next item to consider when choosing bed linens. Sheets are usually made of cotton, polyester/cotton blends, or silk.  Cotton is often chosen because it’s a natural fabric and feels cooler and softer to the touch. Blends of polyester and cotton are popular because they are more wrinkle-resistant.

Yet the softest and most luxurious of all bed linens, silk, is surprisingly also the strongest. And, it’s naturally hypoallergenic.  In addition, silk sheets provide comfort year round. In the summer, silk keeps the moisture from your body, and in the winter it gently forms to your body eliminating air pockets and holding in your body heat.

Besides thread count and fabric type, you should also consider the weave of the fabric. A standard weave is alternating one stitch over one another. A sateen weave has a stitch of four over, one under, placing the most threads on the surface, making it soft, though slightly less durable than other weaves. A pinpoint weave is two over and one under. It is more durable than the standard weave, but not as soft as sateen. A jacquard weave means a design, such as stripes, is woven into the fabric.

“It might seem like a lot of details to consider when selecting something as commonplace as your bed sheets, but it can make an unbelievable difference in the quality and quantity of sleep you get every night,” adds Shragal.

In addition to bedding, DirectBuy offers everything from mattresses to comforters and duvets to complete bedroom sets at prices direct from the manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. If you need assistance in selecting items in recreating your bedroom, DirectBuy employs product specialists and designers, who are at your service.

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.

Counting Sheep? Try Counting Threads…Read More

Groomathon to benefit Buffalo Humane…DirectBuy of Buffalo, Cheektowaga, to host pet grooming event on Saturday, Mar. 21

CHEEKTOWAGA, NY…

On Saturday, March 21, it will truly be a dog’s day at DirectBuy of Buffalo, located less than a mile from the Buffalo-Niagara International Airport at 4950 Genesee Street in Cheektowaga. At that time, the Park ‘N Bark van will be at the 4950 Genesee Street location to offer grooming services for the pets of DirectBuy members and the general public. All proceeds from the event will go to Buffalo Humane.

“Winter months are kind of a tough time for keeping your pets clean. You don’t want to wash them outside and unless you’ve got a dedicated area in your house for cleaning your pet, it means using one of your tubs or sinks,” said Mark Klinger, owner of DirectBuy of Buffalo. “By hosting this event, we’re providing a service for our pet-owning members and pet owners from the general public and we are raising money for a very worthy cause, Buffalo Humane.”

The pet-grooming event will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. as the Park ‘N Bark van will be in the rear of DirectBuy of Buffalo’s parking lot. While there is no charge to have your pets groomed, the recommended donation is $50-$100. One hundred percent of that money will be donated to Buffalo Humane (www.buffalohumane.org).

“We’re pet groomers by trade, but the reality is we’re pet lovers, too. An event like this not only gives us a chance to showcase our services while providing a nice service for fellow pet lovers, but it also raises awareness to the good work Buffalo Humane does — and you can’t put a price tag on that,” said Kacie Zglinicki, owner of Park ‘N Bark.

In addition to the Groomathon, Buffalo Humane will be showcasing pets for adoption between 1 pm and 3 pm. For more information on pet adoption, please contact Buffalo Humane at 716-862-9183.

To arrange for the grooming of your pet and to participate in this event, please call Park ‘N Bark Mobile Pet Grooming, 716-866-5525.

Since 1971, 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.directbuy-buffalo.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.  It’s a comfortable setting, where you finally have the financial control of buying direct. 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.

About Park N Bark
Park N Bark Mobile Pet Grooming is a pet grooming service that provides convenient, professional, door-to-door pet grooming. The Standard Spa Package rivals those of popular human spas, and can include any and all of the following: Nail Trimming; Ear Cleaning/Plucking; Luxury Bath and Massage (with specialized shampoo for skin and coat type); Conditioning; Drying; Breed specific haircut; Pad and feet clipping; Sanitary Clipping; Toothbrushing; Brushing; Bow or Bandana; and Cologne. For more information, please visit www.parknbark.vpweb.com/.

 

Groomathon to benefit Buffalo Humane…DirectBuy of Buffalo, Cheektowaga, to host pet grooming event on Saturday, Mar. 21Read More