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DirectBuy of the Palm Beaches awarded coveted “Rising Star” award

WEST PALM BEACH, FL…

On November 24, 2008 at DirectBuy’s International Sales and Service Conference in San Francisco, DirectBuy of The Palm Beaches Owners Stephen and Jenny Levin were awarded with DirectBuy’s highest honor for new franchisees – they were named the company’s 2008 Rising Star Award recipients.

“We are extremely proud to have received this prestigious award. Helping our members to realize their dreams is remarkably rewarding for us as DirectBuy franchise owners,” said Stephen Levin. “However, we would not have accomplished these lofty goals without the support of our knowledgeable and devoted staff. We would like to share this award with each and every one of our employees.”

DirectBuy annually awards Rising Star honors to the franchise that achieves elite levels of effectiveness in membership production, service excellence and business practices within their first six full months of operation. Eligible franchise owners are evaluated on their leadership abilities, staff retention, facility image and business practices. Recipients receive a Crystal Award and recognition at the annual DirectBuy International Sales & Service Conference for all DirectBuy owners and employees.

DirectBuy of The Palm Beaches team member Miranda Martin believes the culture put in place by the owners is a paramount reason behind the enthusiasm and service delivered to members. “Working for Stephen and Jenny is a real honor and I am truly blessed to be part of the successful team at DirectBuy of The Palm Beaches,” she explains. “Each and every day, we come to work motivated to provide our valued members with the absolute best service, selection and savings possible.”

The 13,250 sq. foot West Palm Beach showroom and adjacent warehouse opened in June 2007, and was among the company’s top membership producers over the past year. Additionally, their members purchased more than $5 million in merchandise through The Palm Beaches showroom and the location ranked in the top ten percent in the network for service excellence. 

“We buy just like the retailers buy and then we pass the savings right on to our members,” Co-owner Jenny Levin explains. “Our hope is to elevate the shopping experience for our members while continuing to provide them with tremendous service and savings on the more than 700 manufacturers and authorized suppliers we carry.”

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. DirectBuy of The Palm Beaches is conveniently located at 6076 Okeechobee Blvd, Suite 16 in West Palm Beach, and offers consumers a comfortable, welcoming setting and design center where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

DirectBuy of The Palm Beaches carries a large selection of brand-name furniture at wholesale prices direct from manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. To assist members with their home renovation projects, DirectBuy employs interior designers and product specialists who are trained in one of five areas of merchandise: Home Furnishings, Home Improvement, Flooring, Accessories, and Entertainment/Outdoor.

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 concept keeps homeowners on budget and from feeling overwhelmed by their project.

For more information on DirectBuy of The Palm Beaches, call (561) 909-0111 or visit www.directbuypalmbeach.com.

About DirectBuy

For more than 37 years, DirectBuy has been showing hundred of thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save as they shop for virtually everything for in and around their homes – from furniture, carpet and flooring, and custom window treatments, to kitchen and bath cabinets and fixtures, appliances and much, much more. DirectBuy of The Palm Beaches prides itself in providing excellent member service, access to confidential prices, local suppliers and unparalleled selection, all of which help to make members’ dream projects a reality.  It’s a comfortable setting, where you finally have the financial control of buying direct. 

Consumers interested in learning more about DirectBuy can request a free “Insider’s Guide to Buying Direct” and a Visitor’s Pass by calling (561) 909-0111 or visiting www.directbuy.com or www.directbuycares.com.

DirectBuy of the Palm Beaches awarded coveted “Rising Star” awardRead More

Christian Dating Service Flourishing in Downer Economy

Together Christian (TogetherChristian.com) is doing well, in spite of the downer economy. It’s been said that opposites attract, but not so at Together Christian, an online dating service that caters to clients who are Christian and seeking the same.

Together Christian is an online community for Christian singles who are seeking friendship, romance or marriage and has become one of the most popular and most successful niche dating websites in the U.S. Together Christian operates under the corporate umbrella of the largest brick and mortar dating service in the world, The Right One and Together Dating service.

Established in 2006, Together Christian now has 1.3 million members who enjoy the site’s many features which include: Two-way matching; audio/video instant messenger; private email; advanced search; new member alerts as well as prayer exchange and bible search. The popularity and growth of the site, despite the gloomy economy is attributed to the fact that the service offers the most cost effective way to meet compatible singles. Members have the option of upgrading to a paid membership to have access to premium features which cost $29.95 a month.

Once registered at the site, Together Christian members have the option of browsing all profiles, performing a quick search or really being selective and using the advanced search options. After a member has identified someone they would like to meet, they can contact their fellow Christian by instant message; private email or video message. Together Christian always keeps members in the loop – alerting them of potential friends/dates and new members who have just joined.

“We’ve had tremendous success with Together Christian. In just under two years since the launch of Together Christian, our membership base has grown exponentially to rival and in several cases, exceed a number of competitors. The demand for niche online dating sites is significant. Even more so in this economy. There is a large market of single people who desire very specific qualities when looking for love,” explained Paul A. Falzone, CEO of The Right One and Together Dating.

Now catering to more than 300,000 members at over 50 locations throughout North America, The Right One and Together Dating and Singles Station affiliate are the largest brick and mortar dating services in the industry. The Right One and Together Dating offer 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

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, Shrewsbury and Woburn); Michigan (Bingham Farms); Nebraska (Omaha and Lincoln); Nevada (Las Vegas); New Jersey (Cherry Hill); Pennsylvania (King of Prussia); Rhode Island (Warwick); Texas (Dallas, Austin); Utah (Salt Lake City) and Wisconsin (Madison, Appleton, Elm Grove).

North American locations and affiliates of Together are: 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).

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).

Singles Station Dating Company affiliate offices are conveniently located in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Oklahoma; Bentonville, Fort Smith and Little Rock, Arkansas; Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee; and Springfield and St. Louis, Missouri. For more information about Singles Station, please visit www.singlesstation.com or call 866-807-LOVE (5683).

Christian Dating Service Flourishing in Downer EconomyRead More

DirectBuy of DuPage County enjoys new location at 1864 Highgrove Lane.

NAPERVILLE, IL…

DirectBuy of DuPage County, the leading members-only showroom and home design center that offers merchandise directly from manufacturers and their authorized suppliers, recently unveiled its brand new showroom at 1864 Highgrove Lane, Suite 136.

The 20,000-square-foot facility features a brand new, luxurious showroom, complete with Kids Zone for members with children, and comfortable viewing areas for members to research items. The larger facility also provides more space for showroom displays and storage in the warehouse.

“DirectBuy of DuPage County had been in our previous location for 25 years and, quite simply, we’d outgrown the space. With our new location, which is just down the street from the previous site at 127 Ambassador Drive, we’ve improved the DirectBuy experience exponentially. Not to mention the extraordinary difference the extra space makes for our warehouse operation,” said Jeremy Vest, owner of DirectBuy of DuPage County.

DirectBuy of DuPage County offers low insider pricing on products ranging from light fixtures to televisions to kitchen cabinets, all from more than 700 manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. DirectBuy also offers design services to its members, as well as a listing of local contractors who offer installation services to DirectBuy members, many times at a discounted rate.

Since 1971, DirectBuy franchises 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 call 1-800-DIRECTBUY or 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 showrooms serving the greater Chicago area are part of more than 160 franchise 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 showrooms 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 Lane 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.  

DirectBuy of DuPage County enjoys new location at 1864 Highgrove Lane.Read More

Marc Bourdeau celebrates five years with DirectBuy of Vancouver

VANCOUVER, COQUITLAM, VICTORIA, AND OKANAGAN, BC…

As warehouse manager, Marc Bourdeau keeps tabs on everything. Yet as he celebrates five years with DirectBuy of Vancouver, the leading members-only showroom and home design center that offers merchandise at manufacturer-direct prices, even he’s at a loss at where the time went.

“I started with the company in 2002 but took a 14-month sabbatical a few years back. So I kind of lost track how many years it’s been, but that’s what happens when you enjoy what you do and the people you do it with,” said Bourdeau, a Vancouver resident.

During his tenure with DirectBuy of Vancouver, Bourdeau has held a variety of roles. That’s included service manager and membership sales before taking on his current role as warehouse manager. That broad array of experience has given Bourdeau some perspective on what DirectBuy means to its members.

“Part of why I love my job is seeing the reaction of members when they come to pick up an order. I’ve lost track of how many times they’ve said ‘Do you know how much I saved on this?” said Bourdeau. “The other thing about being here such a long time is that you watch families grow—from couples dating, to planning a wedding and then having children. It’s another part of the job I love.”

“We took over ownership of DirectBuy of Vancouver about a year ago. Trust me, in that scenario, you want as many experienced folks on board as you can have. Marc is a pro’s pro and we hope to have him as part of our DirectBuy family for years to come,” said Jade Allen, owner of DirectBuy of Vancouver.

Since 1971, DirectBuy franchises 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 four convenient locations in the greater Vancouver area (Victoria, Vancouver, Coquitlam, and Kelowna), 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, visit www.DirectBuyBC.ca. 

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 500 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 Vancouver area since 1997. 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. The four DirectBuy showrooms serving the greater Vancouver area are part of more than 160 franchise locations throughout North America.

Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by contacting DirectBuy at 604-552-5255, or visiting www.DirectBuyBC.ca. 

Locations of the four DirectBuy showrooms serving the greater Vancouver area are: DirectBuy of Vancouver, 2659 Lillooet St., Vancouver, British Columbia V5M 4P7; DirectBuy of Greater Vancouver, 91 Golden Drive Unit #1, Coquitlam, British Columbia V3K 6R2; DirectBuy of Central Okanagan, #5 2260 Hunter Rd., Kelowna, British Columbia V1X 7J8; and DirectBuy of Greater Victoria, 350B Bay Street, Victoria, British Columbia V8T 1P7.

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

Marc Bourdeau celebrates five years with DirectBuy of VancouverRead More

Doing good does some good…Evans named DirectBuy of Buffalo’s November “Do-Gooder” of the month.

CHEEKTOWAGA, NEW YORK

DirectBuy of Buffalo, the leading members-only showroom and home design center, established the “Do-Gooder of the Month” award to recognize employees, vendors and even members going above and beyond the call of duty—either on the job or in their everyday lives. November’s winner was Lee Ann Evans, marketing manager at DirectBuy of Buffalo, for being recognized at DirectBuy’s international conference in San Francisco last month.

Evans received Career Level 500 honors for the number of families she has personally helped join DirectBuy during her nearly three years working for the Buffalo location. For this distinction, she received a certificate and plaque from DirectBuy Corporate officers as well as luggage made of fine leather.

“Lee Ann does a great job in our marketing department and Corporate’s recognition of her accomplishments bears that out. But we wanted to recognize those accomplishments on a more personal and local level. That’s why Lee Ann is our Do-Gooder for the month of November,” said Mark Klinger, owner of DirectBuy of Buffalo.

As for DirectBuy of Buffalo’s Do-Gooder of the Month, beyond the recognition, the recipient receives a restaurant gift certificate. For Evans, an East Amherst resident and graduate of Canisius College in Buffalo, working at DirectBuy means quite a bit more than a free meal.

“Just about three years ago, before I took the job with DirectBuy of Buffalo, I had another offer that I strongly considered. The owner of DirectBuy of Buffalo made a very compelling case for me to come work here. It’s turned out to be the best decision I ever made,” said Evans. “Quite simply, I love this company and love what we can do for families by helping them create the homes of their dreams.”

DirectBuy franchises across the United States and Canada are active contributors to many local non-profits and charities, including the Boys & Girls Clubs, Salvation Army and other South Shore YMCA, Homes for Our Troops and Children’s Hospital. Besides the Habitat for Humanity, DirectBuy of Buffalo was a sponsor of the first annual Kevin Everett Golf Weekend Classic and donates slightly damaged items that manufacturers will not exchange to the Delaware Avenue Baptist Church in Buffalo.

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 showrooms 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.

  

Doing good does some good…Evans named DirectBuy of Buffalo’s November “Do-Gooder” of the month.Read More

Plymouth North students win Tracy Driven Student award for peer leadership.

PLYMOUTH, MA…

Being a freshman in high school is not easy. New and larger school. New classmates, many of whom are much older than you. It can be intimidating. Yet thanks to a pilot freshman advisory program at Plymouth North, the transition to high school life has gone much smoother—and earned those upper classmen participating in the program the Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac Driven Student award for November.

In its first year in existence, the advisory program pairs volunteer upper classmen with groups of freshmen. Meeting every few weeks, the peer leaders offer guidance and mentoring with regard to all the transitional issues most new high school students face: classes, teachers, social activities, etc. So far the pilot program has been received quite favorably both by the volunteers and the participating freshman students.

“As a new program, we certainly didn’t know what to expect,” said Michelle Lewison, a teacher at Plymouth North and adviser for the peer leadership program. “It’s been quite remarkable from both perspectives. The freshmen students have been eager to participate and greatly appreciate the advice of their peer counselors. On the other side, I’ve seen some of our peer counselors really take to the role and show tremendous growth just in a short few months.”

Students volunteering as peer leaders include: Sarah Bramhall, Kelley Brennan, Joe Brigida, Jessica Brown, Alex Brunstrom, Mark Holmes, Nicole Holmes, Brett Chasnov, Andrew Cullivan, Connor Duggan, Mary Faraday, Shana Follette, Sarah Guevremont, David Ingalls, Terry Jaeger, Pat Kirkland, Kendall Kolb, Shannon Lloyd, Timothy Lockett, Kyle Maynard, Emily McCune, Jessica McIntyre, Rorrie Mellor, Rachael Milroy, Samantha Pickett, Amy Riordan, David Rountree, Sam Rudolph and Stephanie Wilson and Amy Zaki.
As the winners of Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac’s Driven Student of the Month, the peer leaders were treated to a pizza party, hosted by Jeff Tracy, president of Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac. Student also received Tracy hats and polo shirts.

“You can’t give these peer leaders enough credit for taking part in this pilot program. Not only are they taking time away from other activities, but many of them are stepping out of their comfort zone to help younger students. You really have to admire that and that’s why they are worthy winners of the Driven Student award,” said Tracy.

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

So easy at Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac

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

Plymouth North students win Tracy Driven Student award for peer leadership.Read More

SSAC hosts panel discussion on Selling Techniques for Non-Sales Pros

 

You don’t really want to buy my service? Do you?

South Shore Ad Club hosts panel discussion on Selling Techniques for Non-Sales Professionals on Tuesday, February 10, 6 p.m. at Asian C, Hingham, MA

 

DATELINE:  HINGHAM, MA…

 

Many professionals and creative types are great at what they do, but awful at selling it.  They don’t have to be.

 

South Shore Ad Club is hosting a panel discussion on Selling Techniques for Non-Sales Professionals on Tuesday, February 10, 6 p.m. at the Asian C, 48 Whiting Street, Route 53, near Queen Anne’s Corner, Hingham, MA.

 

Panelists include Ken Cheo of Winfree Growth Advisors, Hanover; Jim Della Volpe, Growing Tree Partners, Hingham and Van Smick, ActionCOACH Business Coaching, Concord.  Della Volpe recently wrote a book dedicated to the topic and entitled “Selling Strategies for Non-Sales Professionals”.  The panelist have over 50 years of selling and sales coaching experience.

 

The selling strategies panel will explore – The “speed bumps” that are holding you back from growing your business.

Creating an action plan.

Developing consistent sales behaviors.

How to step out of our comfort zone.

Identifying real prospects.

Determining when no is better that maybe.

 

“Selling is something that most advertising and marketing professionals are often better talking about than practicing,” said Steve Dubin, owner of PR Works and member of the South Shore Ad Club’s board of directors. He added, “This sales seminar comes at an opportune time.  Much less new business is coming over the transom, we need to hone our selling skills and become more proactive.”

 

The price of admission is $25 for non-members, $20 for members. Light refreshments and hors’ d’oeuvres’ will be served. Copywriters, graphic designers, Web designers, ad agencies, PR agencies, photographers, printers, typesetters, corporate communications professionals, marketing professionals, printers, videographers and small businesses are welcome to attend.  You do NOT need to be a South Shore Ad Club member to attend.

 

To RSVP, please contact Mary McElroy, McElroy Associate, Cohasset, Massachusetts at (781) 383-0505 or e-mail mcelroyassociates@comcast.net.  Payment for the event can be made online at www.southshoreadclub.com or you can print out the registration form on the Web site and mail check, payable to “South Shore Ad Club,” to: South Shore Ad Club, ATTN: Mary McElroy, 59 Windy Hill Road, Cohasset, MA  02025. Cash or checks will also be accepted at the door.

 

About the South Shore Ad Club

The South Shore Ad Club is a non-profit organization committed to the personal and professional development of communications professional located south of Boston. It’s the club’s mission to improve, strengthen and Advance career goals through learning and networking opportunities; and to serve as a resource for local and Boston-area businesses requiring marketing, advertising, public relations and/or communications services. For more information and membership rates, please visit the South Shore Ad Club’s Web site at www.southshoreadclub.com.

 

 

 

SSAC hosts panel discussion on Selling Techniques for Non-Sales ProsRead More

Boot Camp for New Dads Shares Strategies for Families in Need

DATELINE: IRVINE, CA… Every year, infant formula is one of the most shoplifted items throughout the country. This brings into focus a problem faced by increasing numbers of families with a new baby as the economy tanks.

Parents of new babies who wondered “how am I going to afford this” before their baby arrived, are now losing part or all of their income and/or home. Now what? There’s no real answer for them, other than cutting back and trying to replace the lost income. If they don’t have luck with replacing that income, things can get steadily worse. With a baby screaming due to hunger and no money to pay for infant formula (which runs $50 per week), the temptation for a father to steal it from the local market is understandable. Yet, it is not an option. Dad being arrested for shoplifting will only add to the economic nightmare for a young family.

According to 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, there are alternatives available for feeding baby and family.

Bishop explained, “Every community has a ‘safety net’ for families falling off the economic ladder and they generally give priority to children. Dad will need to learn how to navigate this network, which can be very frustrating, particularly now when there is growing competition for limited resources and each community has a unique arrangement of resources and organizations involved.”

But, assistance is out there. Boot Camp for New Dads provides some basic guidelines to follow:

· Look for support early when it becomes apparent you may need it. There may be waiting lists, or an eligibility period, etc. Connect with the local information and referral system. Don’t know where to start? Ask at a church, county welfare, a senior citizen center or food bank.

· Start with a local food bank to supplement your family’s meal costs. They can also provide a wealth of information (talk to others in line and staff as well) for anyone accessing the “safety-net” for the first time.

· Check into your family’s eligibility for food stamps. The national program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service is now known as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). The SNAP program provides families with an electronic card, similar to an ATM card which may be used for groceries. In general, families with an income of less than $2000 per month for a family of four are eligible. (Visit www.fns.usda.gov/FSP)

· Housing is tough due to limited resources. Homeless shelters can be a temporary fix, but they are not set up for families. Subsidized housing may be an option that is available to you and your family, but waiting lists are involved, so investigate this option as soon as you know you may need it.

· You may be eligible for help with your utility bills, especially heating oil. Check with your local referral system.

· Temporary income assistance may also be available from your county welfare office.

· If you lose your health insurance, check out local health clinics for the uninsured for both treatment and information on insurance alternatives (like Medicaid for your child).

· Look for odd jobs to pay something.

Bishop continued, “When times are tough, the man who does whatever is necessary, in an honest way, to take care of his family, is a man in its truest sense.”

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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Weichert Realtors Empire Associates Reach Sales Milestone Despite the Market

DATELINE: ROCKLAND, MA… Weichert Realtors Empire Associates, a full service construction, remodeling and real estate company that has been catering to the South Shore community for more than seven years, recently announced a sales milestone at Beechwood Village in Rockland.

Beechwood Village, which has become Massachusetts top selling active adult (55+) community located at 256 Beech Street in Rockland, has already sold half of all the 79 single family homes available in less than two years in a volatile market.

According to Barney Dunphy, a Rockland resident for more than 40 years who downsized to a Beechwood Village home, “We fell in love with the place. We got into Beechwood at Phase I. It’s not in any way an old age community – it’s definitely for active adults. Beechwood is a very quiet, peaceful and beautiful area. We really feel like we have a home instead of a house. It’s designed exactly as we wanted with room to spare.”

“We began Phase 1 of Beechwood just before the market started to shift. Home prices were higher and the homes for sale were just sitting on the market. Despite the overall market decline in home sales over the past year and a half, Beechwood sales have remained unaffected. This is primarily due to a number of factors. The location is ideal. It’s close to shopping and all the major routes, yet the village area is quiet. Beechwood is a great value and people who are interested in a 55 plus community are drawn to it because they can build a high-quality home and have the space and amenities they want at a very fair price,” explained Jeff Reale, principal of Weichert Realtors Empire Associates.

He continued, “We’re now in Phase 2 of construction with half of the homes already sold or built. With mortgage rates falling and home prices that are more stable, we should see another shift in the market. We expect Beechwood sales to become brisk over the next several months. It’s the right market to make the lifestyle change from family home to a 55 plus community. If the community is selling well, like Beechwood is, then the investment will appreciate and certainly sell well in the future.”

For potential buyers who are on a fixed-income, Beechwood is ideal, as the homes are Energy Star Certified with 95 percent efficiency, with savings of up to 50% per month on heating and electric bills. Town water, sewer and trash pick-up make Beechwood Village even more attractive to buyers who are looking for a single family maintenance-free home. Not only that, but the village is pet-friendly and Beechwood residents have the freedom to build out if they desire it.

For more information about Beechwood Village, visit www.Beechwoodvillage.net.

The Beechwood Difference

Beechwood Village offers a quiet, peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle, yet is convenient to the highway and the center of town, shopping and banking. Homes are semi-custom built, one and two level homes with nine different styles to choose from. Every home is made of 2×6 construction and is Energy Star Certified. Each home is designed in an open floor plan with cathedral ceilings and has a full walk out basement providing the potential for future build out. Design layout options include a custom kitchen with stainless appliances and granite counters; first floor Master Suites; second and/or third bedrooms; 1.5 to 2.5 baths; additional options include hardwood floors, gas fireplace, 3 season rooms, and custom built game rooms.

Weichert Realtors Empire Associates

Weichert Realtors Empire Associates is one of the nation’s leading providers of homeownership services offering a “one-stop” destination for a full range of real estate products and services.

Weichert Realtors Empire Associates is a member of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The company is headquartered at 26 East Water Street in Rockland, MA 02370. For more information contact 781-878-9964 or visit the website at www.beechwoodvillage.net.

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