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VoiceNation’s “Operation Give Back” Brightens Holidays for Local Families

For the fifth consecutive year, VoiceNation, the industry leader in live answering and virtual receptionist services, has made the holidays brighter for many local families through their “Operation Give Back” outreach program.

Operation Give Back is the name given to VoiceNation’s outreach effort to help ensure local children living in shelters and those in need of assistance receive gifts during the holiday season.

This year, Operation Give Back was able to help 34 families of Supporting Adoption & Foster Families Together, Inc. (SAFFT), a 501(c)3 organization located in Cumming that has a mission to protect children, rebuild families, and empower caregivers. VoiceNation was also able to assist 24 children of Georgia CALLS clients in Buford, the nonprofit organization that helps families break the cycle of poverty and homelessness by guiding them from dependency to long-term self-sufficiency.

Operation Give Back and SAFFT

VoiceNation received referrals from the agency working with families in need and provided their employees with an Operation Give Back profile folder for each child in need. Each folder contained funds to purchase gifts, along with a child’s holiday wish list and preferences, such as his/her favorite color, clothing size, favorite activities, and hobbies. VoiceNation “elves” then purchased gifts, which ranged from clothes, toiletries, and sporting goods to games, toys and more for dozens of children ranging in age from three months to 17 years old. Each child received at least three wrapped gifts.

“As our staff learns about the children in need, they feel a connection to them. They are very enthusiastic about fulfilling the children’s holiday wish lists,” explained Jay Reeder, CEO at VoiceNation.

Helping Georgia CALLS Families

Georgia CALLS helps families create a path out of poverty, crime, or addiction by changing the family dynamics and the environment in which they raise their children. Although their clients are working hard to do better by their families, they are still in need of assistance. Through Operation Give Back, VoiceNation provided each Georgia CALLS client with $90 in gift giving funds for each child, thereby enabling them to go out and purchase gifts.

“Our clients are amazed at the outpouring of support from VoiceNation,” said Mark Mobley, Executive Director of Georgia CALLS.

To learn more about SAFFT, visit http://safft.org. For more information about Georgia CALLS, visit www.gacalls.org.

About VoiceNation

VoiceNation is a leading provider of 24-hour live answering services and call center solutions. Named “Top Provider in Industry” by PC World, VoiceNation is positioned as a knowledge leader with innovations in pricing, service, and proprietary open source technology.

Founded in 2002, VoiceNation is a privately-held company that invests heavy emphasis in staff development and community outreach opportunities. A large part of the culture at VoiceNation revolves around their Employee Volunteer Program, which encourages staff to give back and get involved by helping others.  Through the program, every staff member has an opportunity to volunteer and work towards a cause they feel passionate about, on a local, national, or global scale. Over 50,000 businesses worldwide, including Comedy Central, Delta, Dunkin’ Donuts, Rolls Royce, and StateFarm trust VoiceNation as their professional telephone answering service. To learn more about VoiceNation, visit http://www.qualityansweringservice.com.

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Stonebridge Homes completes new model home in Tiffany Hill development in Norwell, MA

NORWELL, MA and SOUTH EASTON, MA …

Stonebridge Homes, a Massachusetts-based builder and developer, is introducing their new model home in the Tiffany Hill development in Norwell, Mass. The new model is located at 2 Hillcrest Circle, Norwell (GPS Address 130 Tiffany Road).

The model home features the Fairfield floor plan, which includes 2,384 square feet of living space, 2.5 bathrooms and a two-car garage. The interior, designed and furnished by Jordan’s Furniture, offers a number of amenities, including a designer kitchen with granite countertops, ceramic tile flooring and recessed lighting.

Tiffany Hill is just 18 miles South of Boston and is accessible via Route 3. With 24 single-family homes, Tiffany Hill offers multiple floor designs with some first-floor master bedroom and elegant ranch style homes. Prices start in the mid $600,000s.

Property is marketed by award-winning agents Kim Dalton and Nancy Kleber of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage’s Norwell office. Open houses are held on Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can also schedule a private tour by calling Kim or Nancy at 781-659-7955.

About Stonebridge Homes, Inc.:

For more than 25 years, Stonebridge Homes and its team, based in South Easton, Massachusetts, have built and managed the construction of many residential communities throughout Massachusetts, including Tanglewood Estates in Easton, Mass; Stoney Ridge Estates in Dighton, Mass (www.stoneyridgedighton.com); The Pines in Dighton, Mass (www.thepinesdighton.com); and Briggs Landing in Westport, Mass. More recently, Stonebridge Homes has focused on building and managing construction in towns in southeastern Massachusetts, including Dighton, Easton, Foxboro, Lakeville, Norfolk, Norwell, Norton, Pembroke, Rockland, West Bridgewater and Westport. The styles of these communities have varied from imaginative condominiums to custom single‐family homes designed by its in-house architect whose specialty is customizing dream homes that provide space and luxury to households of all sizes. Each development is built with the same commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.

Stonebridge Homes, Inc. is an active member of the Builders and Remodelers Association of Greater Boston and the National Association of Home Builders.

For more information, please visit www.stonebridgehomesinc.com or call 508.230.2300.

 

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Plymouth Lions Club Donation Helps Support Talking Information Center’s Print Subscriptions & Programming

Talking Information Center (TIC), the non-profit reading service based in Marshfield, MA, which broadcasts 24 hours a day to visually impaired and otherwise print disabled listeners throughout Massachusetts, would like to thank the Plymouth Lions Club for their generous donation and ongoing support.

The Plymouth Lions Club has donated $1,000 to TIC to support their print subscription drive and programming.

With thousands of blind/visually impaired, senior and veteran listeners statewide, TIC provides informational, entertaining broadcasts that just aren’t available elsewhere. TIC broadcasts newspapers, magazines, books, special consumer information, medical and stock market updates, jobs, sports, supermarket specials, voting guides, community newspapers, and more, operating with the help of more than 200 volunteers in their Marshfield studio.

Print subscriptions are the heart of TIC programming as they provide the content that volunteers read. TIC subscribes to more than 60 newspapers and magazines every year, and donations help to cover the cost of these subscriptions.

“Our missions are similar. Both of our organizations have a long history of improving the lives of sight impaired individuals,” noted James Bunnell, Executive Director of TIC. “We are very grateful to the Plymouth Lions Club for their donation and their ongoing support.”

The Plymouth Lions Club serves the local community by undertaking activities that support the eradication of preventable blindness and projects that benefit and support the needs of all people living in the Greater Plymouth Area. For more information about the Plymouth Lions Club, visit http://www.theplymouthlions.org.

TIC is a registered nonprofit organization with 38 years of success and sustainability. TIC asks those in the community to consider making a donation to help cover the cost of print subscriptions and support programming. Donations may be made online at www.ticnetwork.org. Donations may also be made by check or money order (made out to “Talking Information Center”) and mailed to Talking Information Center, PO Box 519, Marshfield, MA 02050.

The Hub of the Massachusetts Reading Network

TIC is a proud member of the International Association of Audible Information Services (IAAIS), and is the hub of the Massachusetts Reading Network, broadcasting to all of Massachusetts as well as southern New Hampshire and Connecticut. TIC operates with the help of more than 600 volunteers statewide, broadcasting newspapers, magazines, books, special consumer information, medical and stock market updates, jobs, sports, supermarket specials, voting guides, community newspapers, and television programs. TIC also offers cultural programming such as old-time radio drama, theater, and poetry. Two of TIC’s newest shows include Veterans Voice Radio and Veterans Voice Story Hour, which are specifically geared toward military veterans and their families.

TIC programming may be accessed several ways: via live audio stream at http://www.ticnetwork.org; by utilizing a specially tuned radio receiver; through AudioNow by calling 712-832-7025 from a home or cell phone; or by smartphone app. Listeners with smartphones may download the free TIC app by typing “Talking Information Center” in Apple or in the Google Play store for Android devices.

In 1977, Ed Perry, the founder of radio station WATD-FM in Marshfield, MA, donated his Subsidiary Carrier Authorization signal for use as the first radio reading service in New England. Operating similarly to other broadcast networks, TIC has affiliates throughout the state of Massachusetts that provide inserts of local news and information that is of interest to listeners in their area. The Executive Office of Elder Affairs and the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind oversee TIC, which is located at 130 Enterprise Drive, Marshfield, MA 02050. For more information visit www.ticnetwork.org or call (781) 834-4400.

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Emerson Bearing Boston Introduces New Tool to Assist with Product Selection

Emerson Bearing Boston, a bearing company catering to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) and Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO) markets around the world, has recently rolled out the latest tool on their website, the Product Selector Tool.

Developed for production buyers, plant managers, maintenance buyers, technical designers and design engineers, Emerson Bearing’s new Product Selector Tool assists in selection of the right bearing by narrowing the choices to product line, preferred brands and industry focus.

Finding the right bearing or related part has never been easier or quicker with just a few clicks at www.emersonbearing.com.

“Our customers rely on us for our expertise, competitive pricing and overall reliability. Now in addition to our vast inventory and 24/7 service, we’ve added an essential time-saving tool to the mix which further helps them avoid costly down-time,” explained Steve Katz, president of Emerson Bearing.

Other tools available on Emerson Bearing’s website include a “Bearing Detective” which helps customers who are unsure which bearing is needed or unable to read the numbers on an old bearing. Emerson Bearing’s “Technical Toolbox” provides a wide range of resources including access to their library of “Technical Solutions”, which includes eBooks, charts, and datasheets. More than 30 different resources with information on bearing training, set-up for different types of bearings, bearing usage guides, video tutorials and other industry solutions may also be found on their website.

About Emerson Bearing Boston

Founded in 1957, Emerson Bearing Boston specializes in bearings for OEM and MRO markets throughout the world. The company provides solutions to a variety of industries including: aggregate, concrete, mining, machine tools, electric motor repair, marine, material handling, metal processing, packaging, food processing, paper converting, printing, wind/power generation, recreation, heavy construction, robotics, automation, transportation, wood products, wastewater treatment, pump, compressor and oil field.

Emerson Bearing Boston offers customers a one-stop shopping experience. With an online product catalog with over 3 million bearings – ranging in size from 3mm to tunnel-boring 15-foot-diameter giants; a vast inventory of bearings; worldwide sourcing; a fixed price program; a knowledgeable staff; same day shipping and 24/7 service, Emerson Bearing Boston has become a leading provider of bearings in the U.S. They are the sister company of Action Bearing and maintain headquarters at 201 Brighton Ave. Boston, MA. For more information, visit www.emersonbearing.com or call 800-225-4587.

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OCES Announces “Buried in Treasures” Facilitated Support Groups In Brockton and Plymouth

Is clutter affecting you at home, at work or in your relationships? Does the clutter create safety issues or embarrass you?

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities, with partner agencies in the Greater Brockton Area Hoarding Task Force (GBAH) and with Plymouth Networking Group (PNG) are offering two 16-week “Buried in Treasures” facilitated support groups for individuals with hoarding issues.

Hoarding is when individuals continue to accumulate items, such as clothes, newspapers and food, and then have persistent difficulty discarding possessions. Individuals with hoarding behaviors often face health issues related to falls, as well as run the risk of losing their homes.

Buried in Treasures will be offered once a week at the following locations:

In Brockton, at South Bay Community Services, located at 103 Commercial Street, on Tuesdays, February 7 to May 23, 2017 from 11:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m. For more information or to register for the Brockton support group, contact Meagan Noah 508-436-4432 or Kelly Mules 508-580-4691.

In Plymouth, at the Center for Active Living (formerly the Plymouth Council On Aging), located at 44 Nook Road, on Thursdays, March 2 to June 15, 2017 from 12:30-2:30 p.m. For more information or to sign up for the Plymouth support group, contact Deana Andrade at OCES, 508-584-1561 ext. 232.

Buried in Treasures is offered to people of all ages throughout greater Plymouth county and surrounding communities. There is no cost to attend either of these confidential support groups. All attendees will receive a complimentary workbook. Space is limited and pre-registration is required.

“Buried in Treasures will help individuals work through what might be clutter and what might be hoarding in a judgment-free setting. It is an action-oriented, peer-led treatment group,” explained Teresa Kourtz, OCES’ Protective Services Director. “During each session, we will focus on a chapter in the workbook and will deal with acquisition, discarding, and disorganization.”

Buried in Treasures is sponsored by GBAH, Mass Housing, PNG and OCES. It is coordinated and facilitated by OCES in partnership with South Bay Community Services.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES proudly serves greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton with a second office in Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 26 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’ mission is to support the independence and dignity of elders and people with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency has 247 employees and operates more than 15 programs serving older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org.

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“New Year Checklist” QuickBooks Seminar Offered by Rodman CPAs

Rodman CPAs Advanced QuickBooks ProAdvisors

Rodman CPAs, a full service tax and accounting firm serving small, mid-market, and multi-generational companies throughout the greater Boston area, will hold a QuickBooks seminar entitled “New Year Checklist” on Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at their office at 51 Sawyer Road, Suite 610 in Waltham, MA 02453.

The seminar, which will include a Q&A session, will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. in the firm’s classroom. A light breakfast will be served.

Topics to be covered by Rodman CPAs’ Advanced QuickBooks ProAdvisors include: how to prepare for the New Year; what’s new in QuickBooks 2016; tips and tricks; create efficiencies in QuickBooks; post year-end adjusting journal entries; Sales Tax; employee rates; Use Tax reporting and more.

Rodman CPAs has been a member of the QuickBooks ProAdvisor Program since 1999 and has provided training and consulting to hundreds of small to mid-size companies. Rodman CPAs’ Advanced QuickBooks ProAdvisors team includes Kathy Parker CPA, Leah Shanahan CPA, Janine O’Connor EA, Christine McGoldrick and their newest certified ProAdvisor, Kayla Luther.

The “New Year Checklist” QuickBooks seminar is $45. To register, visit Rodman CPAs’ Eventbrite page, https://www.eventbrite.com/e/quickbooks-seminar-series-the-new-year-checklist-tickets-28552640717.

About Rodman CPAs

Rodman CPAs provides tax advisory, accounting, and business strategy to small and mid-sized emerging and established businesses. Named one of Accounting Today’s Best Accounting Firms to Work for, and one of the largest accounting firms in Massachusetts by the Boston Business Journal, Rodman CPAs offers an innovative and strategic approach with the personal touch of a smaller regional CPA firm. For more than 50 years, Rodman CPAs has been specializing in customized accounting and tax solutions that improve business performance, processes, financial operations, and information technology.

The firm serves as a true business partner, helping clients perform and succeed during each stage of the business lifecycle. As domain experts in alternative energy, the “Green Team” at Rodman CPAs works with renewable energy producers and businesses throughout the U.S. offering tax advisory, financial, accounting services, and Investment Tax Credit (ITC) studies.

Rodman CPAs is an independent member firm of BDO Alliance USA, which enables them to expand services to clients by accessing the resources of BDO USA, LLP and other Alliance members, ensuring greater flexibility, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. For more information, visit their website at http://www.rodmancpa.com or contact (617) 965-5959.

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FitWorx Rolls Out Exciting Benefit for Members – the FitWorx Fitness App

What if you could track your weight loss and fitness while earning reward points for discounts on nutritional products, apparel, and your fitness club membership among other benefits?

FitWorx, the “non-gym” solution for a healthier lifestyle and weight loss with four locations in Massachusetts, has recently unveiled their revolutionary FitWorx Fitness App, which provides a number of perks for their club members.

The FitWorx Fitness App enables FitWorx members to track workouts and earn reward points for participating in fun fitness challenges and goal setting. With reward points, members may receive discounts on product, apparel and even their membership. For example, for every pound lost, members receive 30 reward points.

Members also have the luxury of scheduling workouts from the app on their phone, as well as the ability to refer someone to the program, check the activity feed of other club members, and even give their friends guest passes.

Best of all, the FitWorx Fitness App connects to other wearable fitness technology for seamless integration, providing members with complete control over their entire regimen. Members who do any fitness while wearing a fitness tracker may download that info right to the FitWorx Fitness App.

“The FitWorx program is designed for the 85 percent of the American public who are not comfortable with, or motivated to go to a traditional gym. Along with personal attention, a customized program and strong support, we strive to inspire our members and provide an experience that is fresh and exciting – and the FitWorx Fitness App creates a whole new level of engagement,” explained Rick Langella, founder of FitWorx.

The FitWorx App makes it all that much easier for members to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The app is free to members, and may be downloaded from the Android app store or iPhone app store.

About FitWorx

FitWorx is the “non-gym” solution for a healthy lifestyle and weight loss. Offering a personalized fitness program that combines nutrition with customized workouts, and the ongoing guidance and support of a personal FitCoach, FitWorx has helped thousands achieve their weight loss goals and attain and sustain a healthy lifestyle. Each member is provided with the guidance of a Fitworx certified personal trainer, known as a FitCoach, at every visit, ensuring that each step taken brings the member one step closer to his/her goal. Through a well-rounded program of Strength training, Cardiorespiratory fitness, Flexibility (stretching) and Weight loss management, Fitworx is dedicated to helping every member adopt a healthier lifestyle and succeed in meeting their weight loss goals.

FitWorx officially opened doors in 2013, and has quickly grown to four locations in Massachusetts: Easton, Pembroke, West Roxbury and Weymouth. The company is currently looking toward national expansion through franchise development.

To learn more about FitWorx and their “90 Days to a New You” program or to sign up for a two-week free trial, visit www.fitworx.com or call (617) 651-5236.

 

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Tolland County Chamber of Commerce Honors Between Rounds with Beautification Award

Between Rounds Vernon interior renovation.

Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café of Vernon, CT was recently presented with the “2016 Tolland County Chamber of Commerce Award” for “Beautification in Tolland County”.

In a ceremony, the Tolland County Chamber of Commerce presented Between Rounds Vernon founders, Jerry and Joe Puiia, with a beautification award for their extensive renovation of the shop, which is located in the Vernon Circle Shopping Center at 243 Hartford Turnpike.

Founded in 1990, Between Rounds is a unique bakery café and bagel shop renowned for their fresh, baked-on site bagels (in 14 different flavors), a variety of baked goods as well sandwiches, wraps, salads, soups, specialty coffee and a unique line of giftware.

“We are absolutely delighted to receive this special recognition,” said Jerry Puiia. “The Vernon store redesign was so much more than a simple ‘refresh’ of flooring, lighting and equipment. It was a completely new and carefully considered design and renovation to improve the store’s layout so we could serve customers faster and also show off all of our products, including our unique giftware.”

A floor to ceiling interior renovation on Between Rounds’ Vernon location was completed earlier this year, resulting in a chic, upscale look with more comfortable seating, unique and artistic decorative lighting features, innovative flooring and carpet, dedicated giftware displays and a cozier atmosphere overall.

Exterior renovations on the shop included the addition of a vestibule as well as a new storefront, complete with low-e glazing windows, which are energy efficient to reduce sun penetration and glare. Even Between Rounds’ parking area was reconfigured to accommodate a new patio area surrounded by lush plantings.

Puiia continued, “We were able to create a modern, beautiful space where people can gather to relax and enjoy good food. We’ve had a very positive response from the community.”

Between Rounds has been in business for more than two decades and is the brainchild of brothers Jerry and Joe Puiia, who are Staten Island, NY natives. Between Rounds locations include corporate headquarters in South Windsor, Vernon Circle Shopping Center in Vernon, the Plaza at Buckland Hills in Manchester, the independently owned Tolland store adjacent to a Citgo Express Gas Station and a second independently owned Vernon store (slated to open next month) at 229 Talcottville Road, adjacent to a Citgo Gas Station.

For more information about Between Rounds, visit www.betweenroundsbagels.com.

About Between Rounds

Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café offers patrons an upscale, fast-casual dining experience with free Wi-Fi and the added convenience of a drive-thru window. Between Rounds is expanding and franchise opportunities are available. Between Rounds’ locations include South Windsor, Vernon, Manchester and Tolland, with a second franchise location opening soon at 229 Talcottville Road in Vernon. Corporate headquarters are located at 19A John Fitch Blvd, Route 5 in South Windsor, CT.  For more information about Between Rounds franchise opportunities contact (860) 291-0323 or visit www.betweenroundsbagels.com.

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The HR Engineers outline what marijuana legalization means for Employers

The passing of Question 4, which essentially legalized marijuana for recreational use for persons aged 21 and over (with certain provisions) in Massachusetts, brings a number of questions to the forefront for employers. Can employers enforce a “no marijuana smoking” policy during the workday if employees are not on company property? What about employees consuming edibles during their lunch break?

With more than two decades of experience, The HR Engineers, providers of human resource consulting and services for smaller businesses throughout New England, clear the “smoky” air and clarify workplace policies that can be enforced by employers when it comes to marijuana.

First and foremost, there are existing laws prohibiting operating while under the influence or consuming while operating any motorized form of transport or machinery, such as a motor vehicle. Additionally, wherever the smoking of tobacco is prohibited; the smoking of marijuana is prohibited. Nor, can marijuana be consumed in a public place (unless it is an approved marijuana establishment).

An employer is not required to allow or accommodate conduct in the workplace just because it is allowable by law. Similar to workplace policies regarding the consumption of alcohol, employers may enact and enforce policies limiting the consumption of marijuana by employees. This includes smoking and/or consumption of marijuana just prior to the start of the workday and during work hours, regardless of whether or not they are on company property.

The new law does not change the previously enacted law and its regulations allowing marijuana for medical use. So in this regard, employers may maintain their current policies regarding the medical use of marijuana.

“With the passage of Question 4, which regulates marijuana for recreational purposes, employers have expressed a number of concerns,” explained Denise Noble, PHR (Professional in Human Resources), the firm’s founder and senior HR Consultant. “The bottom line is – employers may enact and enforce workplace policies that limit employees’ marijuana consumption, similar to policies that limit alcohol consumption. That being said, all policies and employee handbooks must be updated with very specific language that details these rules and regulations, leaving no ‘gray areas’ or room for interpretation.”

Establishing written policies and procedures helps avoid costly disputes in the workplace. The HR Engineers help employers by working with them to ensure their HR policies and practices are clear and applied consistently. The HR Engineers’ team also works with employers to establish new policies as needed.

To arrange for a complimentary HR compliance review from The HR Engineers, contact 508-785-4950.

About The HR Engineers
The HR Engineers provide outsourced HR services to businesses with 50 or fewer employees throughout Eastern Massachusetts. Founded by Denise Noble, PHR, who has more than 20 years of human resources, accounting and business management experience, The HR Engineers provide tailored solutions to help grow and protect small businesses. From the development of Employee Handbooks, Policies and Procedures to solutions for Optimizing Employee Engagement, Management Coaching, Labor Law, Compliance and more, The HR Engineers provide expert HR solutions to meet a small business’ needs and budget. In-person consultations are offered to companies within a 50-mile radius of their office in Franklin, MA. For more information contact 508-785-4950 or visit thehrengineers.com.

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