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She can relate…Robyn Baker joins The Right One as relationship consultant.

NORWELL, MASS…

The Right One, one of the world’s largest brick-and-mortar dating services in the country, recently hired Hingham resident Robyn Baker as a relationship consultant.

While officially based out of the company’s Norwell, Massachusetts headquarters, Baker floats between The Right One locations in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, working with prospective clients.

“We’re thrilled to have Robyn aboard as one of our relationship consultants. In addition to her sales and retail management experience, she has some additional qualities that serve her extremely well in getting to know our prospective clients,” said Paul A. Falzone, CEO of The Right One and Together Dating.

Earlier in her career, Baker worked as a forensic scientist for the Massachusetts State Police. While the prospective clients she meets at The Right One are very much alive, she is able to apply more than you might think from her old position.

“As a forensic scientist, you got to know your subject by digging beneath the surface, literally. As a relationship consultant, you’re figuratively looking beneath the surface to see what’s important to a prospective client and how we can help,” said Baker. “What I love about this job is that everybody who comes here is ready for a committed relationship and they’re serious. That makes it all the more rewarding when we help them find that special someone.”

Baker earned a bachelor of science degree in, ironically enough, chemistry from the University of Massachusetts-Boston. She resides in Hingham with her husband and two children.

To arrange a consultation with a professional matchmaker or for membership, contact Together Dating Toll Free at 800-818-DATE (3283).

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

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

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

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

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

She can relate…Robyn Baker joins The Right One as relationship consultant.Read More

Polish off your spring cleaning…DirectBuy locations in and around Chicago provide tips on stainless steel care.

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

Mention “spring cleaning” and most people think of cleaning out the garage. Or perhaps spreading seed on your lawn or mulching your flower garden. Yet giving the interior of your home a thorough cleaning after a long winter indoors can pick up your spirits like the first 70-degree day of spring. The DirectBuy clubs of greater Chicago, the leading home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, have some helpful tips on cleaning some of the toughest spots you might encounter during your spring cleaning: your stainless steel appliances.

“You’ll probably find stainless steel in the majority of homes nowadays on everything from refrigerators to stoves to countertops,” said I.J. Sell, owner of DirectBuy of Tinley Park. “In terms of keeping stainless clean, what you should NOT do is every bit as important as what you should do.”

For example, when cleaning stainless steel, you’ll want to completely avoid using the following:

  • Products containing chlorine
  • Steel wool or brushes
  •  Abrasive cleaners

 

For the most part, you can simply use soapy water and a soft cloth to clean your stainless steel appliances. For tougher stains, you may need to use a stainless steel cleaner and there are many types on the market today. You’ll just need to find one that works for you.

In addition, there are also a number of products on the market that can reduce the smudgeability factor of stainless steel, a big issue if you have little ones. Zeps is one product that works well on smudges; Simple Human puts out a sponge mitt that’s also effective in removing and minimizing finger print marks.

Regardless of the type of cleaner you use, any residue left on the surface may permanently damage the finish. Always rinse off the surface after cleaning. If you follow the above advice and still have spots or stains, it may be caused by your water. Hard water can leave spots, but drying completely after cleaning will usually fix this problem.

“Stainless steel sure looks great, but it’s something that needs regular maintenance to keep it looking great,” said Sell. “ By following the above steps and completely cleaning your stainless steel appliances at least once a week, you can prolong the beauty of your appliances for years to come.”

 

DirectBuy carries a large selection of stainless steel appliances at wholesale prices direct from the manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. In addition, each DirectBuy club employs product specialists and designers who can help members create the kitchen or bath that works best for their home.

 

Since 1971, DirectBuy clubs have offered members the opportunity to enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products and accessories by buying wholesale, directly from the manufacturer. With four convenient locations in the greater Chicago area (Chicago, Hoffman Estates, Naperville, and Tinley Park), consumers can enjoy a comfortable, country-club setting, where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

 

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

 

About DirectBuy

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped hundreds of thousands of families enjoy a better quality of life, enabling them to buy directly from more than 700 manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. Buying direct makes members’ hard-earned money go much further, while having the selection and choice not available at any retail store. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers, and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality.  It’s a comfortable, country-club setting, where you finally have the financial control of buying direct. The DirectBuy clubs serving the greater Chicago area are part of more than 160 locations throughout North America.

 

Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting http://www.directbuychicago.com/. 

 

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

Polish off your spring cleaning…DirectBuy locations in and around Chicago provide tips on stainless steel care.Read More

New management at The Right One’s Austin location

NORWELL, MA AND AUSTIN, TX…

The Right One, one of the world’s largest brick-and-mortar dating services with more than 60 offices nationwide, recently announced a change in management at its Austin, Texas office, located at 7000 North Mopac Expressway, 2nd floor.

Effective last month, the Austin office will be under the management of International Dating Ventures, the parent company to Together Dating. Based in Norwell, Massachusetts, the new management team has placed staff at the Austin office while also providing oversight from the home office.

“By taking a one-to-one, personal approach, we’ve been able to help thousands of clients find that special someone over the last quarter of a century. Our new management team in Austin will now have a direct pipeline to the resources and expertise we’ve developed over the years and that can only benefit our clients in the Austin area,” said,” Paul A. Falzone, CEO of Together Dating and The Right One.

To arrange a consultation with a professional matchmaker or for membership, contact Together Dating Toll Free at 800-818-DATE (3283).

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

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

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

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

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

New management at The Right One’s Austin locationRead More

New management at Together Dating’s San Antonio location

NORWELL, MA AND SAN ANTONIO, TX…

Together Dating, one of the world’s largest brick-and-mortar dating services with more than 60 offices nationwide, recently announced a change in management at its San Antonio, Texas office, located at 613 NW Loop 410, Suite 195.

Effective last month, the San Antonio office will be under the management of International Dating Ventures, the parent company to Together Dating. Based in Norwell, Massachusetts, the new management team has placed staff at the San Antonio office while also providing oversight from the home office.

“By taking a one-to-one, personal approach, we’ve been able to help thousands of clients find that special someone over the last quarter of a century. Our new management team in San Antonio will now have a direct pipeline to the resources and expertise we’ve developed over the years and that can only benefit our clients in the San Antonio area,” said,” Paul A. Falzone, CEO of Together Dating and The Right One.                

To arrange a consultation with a professional matchmaker or for membership, contact Together Dating Toll Free at 800-678-DATE (3283).

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

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

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

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

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

New management at Together Dating’s San Antonio locationRead More

Let the sun shine in… but not too much. Window treatments preserve furnishings and maximize cooling efforts.

OTTAWA, ON…

After a long winter, your natural instinct is to open up your windows and let the warm sunshine soak into every nook and cranny of your home. Yet before you get too crazy opening up windows and curtains, you should take into account the effect sunshine can have on your furniture and your energy costs.

DirectBuy, the leading home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, offers some tips on giving your windows the treatment to get ready for the warmer spring and summer weather.

“For starters, direct sunlight on your furniture can do more harm than good. Light colors reflect sunlight and dark colors absorb it, so you may want to move some things around in the spring when your shades and blinds are drawn a bit more with the nicer weather,” said Frank Andree, owner of DirectBuy of Ottowa.

While protecting your furniture and rugs from the destructiveness of too much sun is an important consideration in selecting your window treatments, just as important is planning to maximize energy efficiency. Many of the same methods you use in the winter to keep cold air out, you can also use in the summer to keep cool air in.

If installing new double pane windows isn’t in your budget, you can still help halt energy loss (and gain, in the summer) by first caulking, sealing and adding weather stripping to your windows and doors. Then, spend some time researching not just what types of window coverings help block heat from coming in while holding your cool air inside, but also the various window films available for those purposes.

Cellular and honeycomb shades make use of pleated fabrics which can help stop heat from coming into your home. Outdoor window treatments, like shutters and awnings, can also make an impact on your energy bills if fitted properly. Window films can help insulate your windows, preventing heat and cold from affecting your interior temperature, and are a fairly easy project for even the most inexperienced do-it-yourselfer.

And let’s not forget,  aside from functionality, window treatments present some stylish, economical options for sprucing up your living areas without the headache of a major remodel. Some window treatments to consider for both shade and style include:

·                    Wood and faux wood blinds

·                    Roman shades

·                    Plantation shutters

·                    Vinyl blinds and mini blinds – great for high humidity areas (e.g. kitchens, baths)

·                    Curtains or drapes (can be customized to match your existing upholstery)

·                    Cornices, valences, and swags

“By giving your windows an aesthetic and functional makeover in the spring, you can create a nice, new seasonal look and improve your home’s efficiency,” said Andree.

DirectBuy offers nearly everything you need for your windows—from replacements to treatments—all at insider prices direct from the manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. In addition, DirectBuy also employs product specialists and designers, so if you need some assistance in selecting products or just a second opinion, you have seasoned professionals 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.

Locations of DirectBuy by province are:

Alberta:

DirectBuy of Calgary Unit 17 3900 106th Ave. SE, Calgary, 403-543-1620

DirectBuy of Edmonton, 10427 174 St. NW, Edmonton, 780-413-8242

British Columbia:

DirectBuy of Greater Vancouver, 91 Golden Drive Unit #1, Coquitlam, 604-552-5252

DirectBuy of Vancouver, 2659 Lillooet St., Vancouver, 604-251-5822

DirectBuy of Central Okanagan, #5 2260 Hunter Rd, Kelowna, 250-763-4130

DirectBuy of Greater Victoria, 350B Bay Street, Victoria, 250-412-0238

Manitoba:

DirectBuy of Winnipeg, 180-117 King Edward Street East, Winnipeg, 204-925-4190

New Brunswick:

DirectBuy of New Brunswick, 950 Mountain Road, Moncton, 506-384-3009

Nova Scotia:

DirectBuy of Halifax, 60 Williams Avenue, Dartmouth, 902-446-4355

Ontario:

DirectBuy of Toronto Northwest, 2500 Williams Parkway E Unit 37, Brampton, 905-793-0639

DirectBuy of Ottawa, 1392 Cyrville Road, Ottawa, 613-749-2700

DirectBuy of London, 4093 Meadowbrook Dr. Unit 108, London, 519-652-0552

DirectBuy of Toronto North, 205 Torbay Road, Unit #2, Markham, 905-948-1911

DirectBuy of Mississauga, 4120 Ridgeway Drive Unit 26, Mississauga, 905-608-9244

DirectBuy of Kingston, 1121 John Counter Blvd, Kingston, 613-545-1200

DirectBuy of Toronto East, 1735 Bayly Unit 17, Pickering, 905-839-7747

DirectBuy of Hamilton – Niagara, 589 Barton St, Suite 102, Stoney Creek, 905-643-8271

DirectBuy of Toronto Downtown, 20 Banigan Drive, Toronto, 416-467-0078

DirectBuy of Waterloo, 755 Bridge St. Ste. 14, Waterloo, 519-885-3231

DirectBuy of Windsor, 2705 Kew Drive, Windsor, 519-945-3200

DirectBuy of Barrie, 320 Bayfield Street Unit 63, Barrie, 705-719-2999

Saskatchewan:

DirectBuy of Saskatoon, 201 Robin Crescent, Saskatoon, 306-683-3490

 

 

Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by contacting DirectBuy at 1-800-DIRECTBUY or visiting www.directbuycares.com. You can learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership also by visiting www.directbuycares.com.

 

Let the sun shine in… but not too much. Window treatments preserve furnishings and maximize cooling efforts.Read More

Mort Aronson to receive AAFD’s 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award

SAN DIEGO, CA…

The American Association of Franchisee and Dealers (AAFD) announced Mort Aronson as this year’s recipient of AAFD’s Total Quality Franchising Award for Lifetime Achievement.  The AAFD’s highest individual recognition, Aronson is being recognized for a lifetime of embracing collaborative relationships in franchising.

Aronson will be honored at AAFD’s Total Quality Franchising Awards banquet, to be held during the Association’s Annual Franchisee Leadership Summit on Thursday, April 30, 2009, in San Antonio, Texas.

“Mort Aronson exemplifies the AAFD’s vision of Total Quality Franchising,” said Robert Purvin, chairman of AAFD. “His body of work, from his quarter of a century with Holiday Inn to his service to the International Franchise Association (IFA) and his leadership in advocating the mediation of franchise-related disputes, reflects a dedication to encouraging collaborative win-win relationships.”

As General Counsel/Franchising for most of his 25 years at Holiday Inn, Aronson developed a reputation for openness and fairness from the franchisee population, and he is one of a very few ‘non-franchisees’ to receive an Honorary Lifetime membership in the IAHI, the franchisee association for Holiday Inn franchisees.

Said IAHI President Eva Ferguson, “For more than 20 years, Mort has been a well-respected key participant in the franchisee and franchisor relationship within InterContinental Hotels Group. Through his involvement in the IAHI Owners’ Association, he provided direction and counsel to the most pressing challenges. He continues to be viewed as a leading industry expert and a knowledgeable advocate for the best hotel franchising practices.  On behalf of the IAHI, we congratulate Mort on this award and recognition.”   

An active leader of the International Franchise Association, Mort served on the IFA Board from 1996-1998.  In August, 1998 Aronson was elected founding chairman of the National Franchise Council, a franchisor organization, and he reached out to the AAFD to discuss collaboration on a range of issues of mutual interest.

Among Mr. Aronson’s greatest contributions to the franchising community has been his dedicated and inspirational drive to promote mediation of franchise disputes.  Mort is a founder of the National Franchise Mediation Program, which is endorsed and supported by the IFA, the AAFD and the Asian American Hotel Association, along with many franchisor and franchisee organizations.  Mort served as chairman of the NFMP from 2002-2004, and continues to serve on the Steering Committee today.

Bill Hall, a Dairy Queen franchisee and co-chair of the NFMP, believes there would not be a National Franchise Mediation Program without Mort Aronson. Hall says, “Mort’s leadership in founding, nurturing, leading and mentoring the National Franchise Mediation Program since 1993 has provided a meaningful way for franchisees and franchisors to resolve disputes without litigation.  Countless parties have benefited from Mort’s work to promote mediation to resolve conflicts fairly and cost-effectively without destroying relationships.”

Hall added, “Mort is a personal mentor to me and many others and the right choice for the AAFD’s 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award.”    

Aronson reacted to news of the AAFD honor with gratitude and humility. “I am deeply honored and appreciative the AAFD to receive its lifetime achievement award.  I have learned during a 30-year career in franchising that a cornerstone of success is franchisors maintaining good relations with their franchisees.” 

After leaving Holiday Inns in May 2003, Mort served as counsel with the firm of Kilpatrick Stockton in Atlanta. He is also an adjunct professor at Emory University Law School where he has been teaching franchise law for the past 15 years.  Currently, Mort Aronson is Of Counsel at the firm of Federal & Hasson and is in charge of the franchise practice.  Mort is a frequent speaker and has authored numerous articles on franchising and franchise relationships.

Aronson is a graduate of Boston University where he received his A.B., Boston University Law School where he received his L.L.B., and Harvard Law School where he received his L.L.M. His civic activities include serving on the Law School Council of Emory Law School, a member of the Board of Directors of Atlanta Israel Bonds, and a member of the Atlanta Council of American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Aronson resides in Atlanta, Georgia with his wife Ellen. They have three children and four grandchildren.

About the AAFD

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

The AAFD’s Fair Franchising Standards, Fair Franchising Seal, Trademark Chapters, and emphasis on Marketplace Solutions led to the Association’s recognition as a growing force in franchising. The AAFD’s Branded Partner programs add a new dimension to the value of AAFD membership. The AAFD provides a broad range of member services designed to help franchisees build market power, create legislative support of interest to franchisees, provide legal and financial support, and provide a wide range of general member benefits.

For more information about the conference or the AAFD, please call toll free – 800-733-9858 or visit www.AAFD.org.

Mort Aronson to receive AAFD’s 2009 Lifetime Achievement AwardRead More

Master Matchmaker Recommends the Best Way to Find Love

For singles who are looking for love, there are hundreds of online dating sites as well as traditional (brick and mortar) matchmaking services out there to help them find a date or potential mate. But, which is better?

According to Paul A. Falzone, CEO of the world’s largest bricks and mortar dating service The Right One and Together Dating as well as online dating service LoveAccess.com, “What’s the best way to find love? It’s not about which is the better way – traditional dating services or online dating. It’s really all about customer preference. There are still many people who are uncomfortable going to a dating site to seek a match. They prefer to have that face-to-face contact with a professional matchmaker.”

So, what do you get from an online dating site? You get the freedom to browse and connect with other (hopefully) single people. Typically, you’ll register and complete a questionnaire (which may be brief or comprehensive) and can start seeking potential dates immediately. Some online dating sites offer their members additional services such as instant messaging, web cam chat, dating forums, chemistry prediction tools and compatibility profiling.

Traditional dating services take on the full responsibility of finding you a date or potential mate and charge a fee for their matchmaking services and relationship coaching. Typically, you would meet with a traditional matchmaker in person and discuss your dating/relationship expectations and complete an in-depth questionnaire about yourself and what you are looking for in a date/mate. Members of traditional dating services can rest easy while professional matchmaking experts work to find compatible matches. Background screenings on all members as well as divorce decree checks are additional benefits of some traditional dating services.

Is there a real cost difference?

Although there may be a nominal fee involved with online dating, there is the value of your time and how much of it you need to invest in searching online for potential matches. An attractive online profile may yield hundreds of hits per day – and it’s especially time consuming to sort through them all. Time means money and many people just don’t have time to spare to peruse for potential dates.

Whether you use a traditional dating service or an online dating site, it really boils down to personal preference. Some traditional dating services provide more peace of mind to their clients by offering added benefits such as screenings and background checks on all members. With online dating, there is no third party confirmation that members are who they claim to be and you have to rely upon what your potential date tells you.

Falzone continued, “There are still a lot of people who are intimidated with online dating and prefer to use traditional matchmaking services. Then, there are others who really enjoy seeking out and meeting potential matches online. Online dating sites have significantly more members to choose from while the bricks and mortar dating services have fewer members, yet provide a more ‘local’ membership base and a much higher level of customer service. So again, comfort level really is the deciding factor for most people when it comes to choosing online dating or traditional matchmaking services.”

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

Romantic Locations

North American locations and affiliates of Together are located in: Indiana (Ft. Wayne, Carmel); Kentucky (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 Austin) and Virginia (Falls Church); Pennsylvania (Harrisburg).

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

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

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

Master Matchmaker Recommends the Best Way to Find LoveRead More

Doing good does some good. Henry named DirectBuy of Buffalo’s “Do-Gooder” of the month for Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure participation.

CHEEKTOWAGA, NEW YORK

As a tribute to her aunt Pam Oehler and co-worker Mercedes Zoldos—both breast cancer survivors–DirectBuy of Buffalo’s Marcia Henry decided to organize a team to take part in this year’s Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure walk/run on June 13. Little did she realize her effort to raise funds and awareness towards breast cancer would earn her DirectBuy of  Buffalo’s Do-Gooder of the Month for March.

“The Do-Gooder of the Month award recognizes employees and vendors of DirectBuy of Buffalo going above and beyond the call of duty, at work or in their efforts in the community. Marcia organizing a team as a tribute to her aunt and Mercedes certainly meets that criteria and we’re delighted to honor her with March’s Do’Gooder award,” 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 restaurant gift certificate. Yet according to Henry, a Hamburg resident, the real work has just begun.

“DirectBuy has been very supportive of my efforts and receiving the Do Gooder award is proof of that. At this point, however, I’m just looking to get a team together and to raise some funds. And if I can do that, I’m more than happy to use my Do Gooder restaurant gift certificates to treat my Race for the Cure team,” said Henry, marketing associate at DirectBuy of Buffalo.

The Race will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 13th, 2009 in the Delaware Park Rose Garden. Through the Race for the Cure series, the Western New York Affiliate has raised close to $2 million. Seventy-five percent of the money raised has been awarded in grants and outreach programs focused on unmet breast health needs within Western New York. The remaining 25% is invested in critical research through the Komen National Award Program.

“Whether is a family member, co-worker, friend or loved one, breast cancer has hit somebody you know. Taking part or donating to the Race for the Cure is just one small thing everybody can do to help find a cure,” said Henry.

To donate to Henry’s team or to join it, please click here.

DirectBuy clubs across Canada and the United States 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. Locally, DirectBuy of Buffalo was a sponsor of the first annual Kevin Everett Golf Weekend Classic and is currently sponsoring a Habitat for Humanity effort on Guilford Street in Buffalo. In addition, DirectBuy of Buffalo 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, country-club 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, country-club setting, where you finally have the financial control of buying direct. DirectBuy of Buffalo is one of more than 160 DirectBuy location 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. Henry named DirectBuy of Buffalo’s “Do-Gooder” of the month for Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure participation.Read More

Groomed for success. Groomathon at DirectBuy of Buffalo in Cheektowaga raises more than $800 for Buffalo Humane.

DirectBuy of Buffalo Groomathon
DirectBuy of Buffalo Groomathon

Organizers and supporters celebrated a successful Groomathon that raised more than $800 for Buffalo Humane. Posing with DirectBuy of Buffalo Owner Mark Klinger are Buffalo Humane volunteer Connie Pikul and her daughters Ava Pikul (left) and Alana (far right). Also pictured, from left to right are Sasha, Spike and Tucker (who was adopted by a DirectBuy staff member at the Groomathon).

 

 

 

 

Several of man’s best friends enjoyed a post-winter grooming at the March 21 event held at the DirectBuy of Buffalo in Cheektowaga, less than one mile from the Buffalo-Niagara International Airport. Park N Bark provided the grooming services and donated all proceeds from the event to Buffalo Humane, a non-profit organization working for the safety, health, and welfare of companion animals in the Buffalo area.

For their part of the Groomathon, Buffalo Humane brought along pets for adoption.

 “Our customers and the public really responded to this good cause,” noted Mark Klinger, owner of DirectBuy of Buffalo.  He added, “We fully booked up the groomer’s schedule and the children enjoyed playing with the dogs brought by Buffalo Humane. In fact, one of our staff members enjoyed it so much they adopted a dog.”

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/.


Groomed for success. Groomathon at DirectBuy of Buffalo in Cheektowaga raises more than $800 for Buffalo Humane.Read More