Employee Relations/Handbook May 16th
Ramsey Rehab expands to 5th location! New location opening in Holden, MA!
April 18, 2012 by admin
Filed under Member News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Glorie Lopez, Business Manager
T: 978-466-6677
Date: April 23rd, 2012
Ramsey Rehab expands to 5th location! New location opening in Holden, MA!
RAMSEY REHAB EXPANDS ITS PRESENCE IN NORTH CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS AS THE LEADER IN SPORTS MEDICINE PHYSICAL THERAPY, SPORTS CONDITIONING, AND WELLNESS CARE
Ed Ramsey, PT, DPT, Owner, John St. Jean, PTA, Scott Falldorf, PT, DPT and Glorie Lopez, Business Manager
Executive Management Team of Ramsey Rehab
Ramsey Rehab, the leader of Sports Medicine Physical Therapy in North Central Massachusetts, is proud to announce their expansion into Holden as their 5th location in Northern Central MA.
The new location will open April 23rd, 2012 and is located within the Ramsey Fitness Gym at 1097 Main St in Holden.
The Executive Management team (pictured above), along with the entire Ramsey Rehab staff are thrilled to move into a new area and provide their superior and unmatched patient care to Holden and surrounding cities and towns. The new site will offer the current services that many have known to trust in the past.
Ramsey is the leading professional provider of comprehensive Physical Therapy, Sports Conditioning, and Wellness services in North Central Massachusetts.
The Staff of Ramsey Rehab
End
Ginny’s Pantry and the Leominster Curves staff thank you
April 3, 2012 by admin
Filed under Member News
On behalf of Ginny (Ginny’s Pantry) and all of the Leominster Curves staff, we thank you.
There we so many people instrumental in making this food drive a huge success and we would like to take this opportunity to thank all of them.
First thanks to all our members both a.m. and p.m., Deb Sales -Rituals, Amanda Landry, – LUK, Inc., Brenda Wood – TD Bank, Rennee Shattuck – Shattuck Photography, Ellen Kettle – Kettle Travel, Yasmin Loft – North Central Chamber of Commerce and Denise Wortman – EXIT New Options Real Estate for helping us to achieve another successful food drive. We couldn’t have done it without you. You have all been so generous and it is a pleasure being a part of a great community such as ours. Grand Total = 1,739.75 lbs.
Regards,
Donna DiMarzio
Curves Leominster
978-534-4600
North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce Ambassador
Leominster Small Business Association Secretary
EWN Committee
14th Annual Curves of Leomister Food Drive
March 6, 2012 by admin
Filed under Member News
Local Realtor Receives National Health Care Recognition
February 10, 2012 by admin
Filed under Member News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Local Realtor® Receives National Health Care Recognition
Lana Kopsala of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage recognized for excellence in service to area medical professionals
Leominster, MA (February 1, 2012) – According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are approximately 700,000 physicians in the United States who work in excess of 60 hours per week. While their earning potential is the highest among any profession in the US, a blizzard of government regulations and a host of clinical and economic issues leave little time for a doctor to manage their professional and personal lives.
In response, an elite group of professionals is emerging as specialists to the medical community. In recognition of her work with area health care executives and physicians, Lana Kopsala of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage has been named an MD Preferred Real Estate Agent. Each year, US Medical Specialties, Inc., a national medical consulting firm, recognizes excellence in service to the medical community in a number of disciplines including real estate, insurance, accounting, banking, financial and legal services. The goals of the MD Preferred Program for Real Estate include identifying, acknowledging and promoting agents who provide service excellence to the medical community.
The program provides medical professionals with an online resource center where they can find profiles and contact information of “doctor friendly” professionals who are committed to providing a quality service experience. “Doctors are very busy professionals,” observed Michael O’Malley, Project Manager of MD Preferred Services. “When it comes to finding a real estate/relocation agent that specializes in serving physicians, they appreciate an organization that has done the research for them and has pulled a team together to make their lives easier. Our online resource center is the place where their search can begin and end.”
Every MD Preferred real estate agent is selected for their commitment to serving the healthcare industry. They often work in close concert with other community based MD Preferred professionals helping area medical providers attract and retain talented physicians.
MD Preferred agents are uniquely qualified to act as recruiting partners to area practice managers and hospital administrators. As partners they can tell the community story while the medical recruiter tells the clinical story. Their knowledge of the area and understanding of the special needs of physicians and their families saves everyone time and resources.
“We are proud of the recognition we have received. In an environment of critical physician shortage, we understand that most physicians considering a career in our community will make their decision based primarily on life style issues,” Ms Kopsala observed. “The last thing we want to have happen is for that prospective physician to go elsewhere because the local support services he or she needed were either not available, were unreliable or did not meet the expectations of the physician. We are always ready to meet with area physician groups to demonstrate how high net worth, high income professionals can access incredibly attractive financing and take advantage of once in a life time values.”
ABOUT LANA KOPSALA
Lana Kopsala is an Accredited Real Estate Professional and Relocation Specialist, and is a recipient of the Coldwell Banker International Diamond and Vice President of Sales Awards. “My background as a Paralegal in a real estate focused law firm has been an invaluable asset in this ever-changing industry” states Kopsala. “As a Certified Negotiation Specialist, my clients can be assured they are receiving the highest quality representation”. Lana serves on the Professional Standards Committee of the North Central Massachusetts Board of Realtors and has received their Top Producer Award. For additional information contact Ms. Kopsala at 978-855-9112 or visit https://www.facebook.com/LanaSellsHomes . Lana is associated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage located at 4 Monument Square, Leominster, MA 01453.
About MD Preferred physician Services
Each year the MD Preferred designation recognizes a diverse group of ‘doctor friendly’ professional service providers. MD Preferred providers can be found at an online resource center, www.MDPreferredServices.com. Access is available at no cost to the medical community. MD Preferred also manages one of the industry’s largest medical job boards, publishes a daily medical blog and distributes a monthly E-Newsletter to every residency and fellowship program in the country. For additional information contact Mike O’Malley at 800-260-8366.
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Coldwell Banker-Market Watch Feb 2012
January 27, 2012 by admin
Filed under Member News
Looking Forward to Spring
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
FEBRUARY 2011
There are many reasons to look forward to spring. Thoughts of spring flowers and April showers can be a real respite from the bitter ice and cold that many are experiencing in the northeastern half of the U.S. For those of us in real estate, the spring selling season is literally just around the corner and there is much to prepare for in advance.
The spring season is historically the busiest time of year in real estate so if you are thinking of putting your home on the market for this coming selling season, now is really the perfect time to meet with a Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage sales professional to discuss your options. There is much a homeowner needs to prepare for and a sales professional can help you prioritize and map-out your plan.
The spring market is a prime opportunity for sellers to capture motivated buyers, and sellers need to ensure their property stands out from the competition. To do so, price positioning and home presentation are critical factors in attracting a buyer’s attention.
Your Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage sales professional will provide you with a competitive market analysis and review current market conditions with you. You can also look to the attached graph to gauge what is currently happening in your marketplace. Your sales professional will use this information along with a review of current inventory, recent comparable sales prices and other data to advise you. In addition, your sales professional will know which competitive properties currently on the market will impact you and can guide you on the optimal listing price to sell your home.
They will also direct you on how to prepare your home for maximum appeal. With spring only a few months away you have just enough time to remove the clutter, repaint, repair and refurbish those areas of your home that need it.
If your home is currently on the market, it is still a great time to review your current marketing plan and prepare to make the adjustments necessary to remain competitive during the high-selling season.
Regardless of the amount of snow on the ground right now, the reality is spring isn’t too far away. Be prepared and call your Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage real estate professional today.
This representation is based in whole or in part on data supplied by our MLS partners. These entities neither guarantee nor are responsible for data accuracy. Data maintained by the MLS may not reflect all real estate activity in the market.
Small Business Goal Setting for the New Year
January 17, 2012 by admin
Filed under Member News
Leominster Small Business Association presents:
“Small Business Goal Setting for the New Year”
When: Jan 18th at 8 am
Where: Leominster Public Library (Please use the Pearl St Entrance)
Who: This meeting is open to all LSBA members, other small business owners and the future small business owner
What: Small Business Goal Setting for the New Year will present local professionals in the Finance, Tax and Marketing fields. Each speaker will share ideas to help strengthen your business in 2012.
Set your financial goals. Do you need to tweak your management style? What marketing strategies worked last year? What didn’t? How can you balance the consuming task of owning a small business and being a person? As tax season looms what issues should you consider?
**Reminder to LSBA members: Please bring a business card for our Spotlight Business drawing. Spotlight Business winners will receive an article in the Leominster Champion, LSBA newsletters, Website and Facebook page.
**Light Refreshments will be provided by Comeketo
Guest Speakers
Kerry Castonguay
Kerry is a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor and Accredited Wealth Management Advisor. Kerry provides securities and investment advice through LPL Financial, the nation’s leading independent investment advisor. He also holds the FINRA Series 7, 66 & 24 certifications through LPL Financial. Kerry serves on the board of directors for the Worcester County Food Bank, Wachusett Chamber of Commerce, and the LSBA board of directors.
Castonguay & Associates serves local families and small businesses, offering access to retirement plans, fee based investment platforms, insurance, annuities and trust services through various affiliates.
Donna DiMarzio
Donna DiMarzio graduated from Mount Wachusett Community College with a degree in Business Technology. She worked for Digital Equipment Corporation for 15 years providing administration, PC support, and training. She spent 12 years at Peterborough Oil as the IT support for the entire company. Donna bought Curves in July 2008 and is on several committees including the North Central Mass Chamber Ambassador, EWN (Executive Women’s Network) Committee, and the LSBA Board Secretary.
For the past 3 years Curves has been voted the #1 health club in North Central Massachusetts. Donna is a Cleveland Clinic certified weight loss coach, CPR certified, certified Zumba instructor, and a Massachusetts licensed nail technician and manicurist.
Donna loves to play golf, snowshoeing, walking, spend time with family and friends, laughing and just having fun.
Castonguay & Associates
December 13, 2011 by admin
Filed under Member News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Local Financial Advisor Received National Health Care Recognition
Kerry Castonguay of Castonguay & Associates, recognized for excellence in service to area medical professionals
LEOMINSTER, MA (December 2, 2011) – According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are approximately 700,000 physicians in the United States who work in excess of 60 hours per week. While their earning potential is the highest among any profession in the U.S., pressure from government programs like Medicare and Medicaid, healthcare reform, malpractice insurance providers, swelling numbers of new patients, falling reimbursements and a host of clinical issues including on-call responsibilities and continuing medical education leave little time for a doctor to seek out and qualify providers of professional services.
In response, an elite group of professionals is emerging as specialists to the medical community. In recognition of his work with area health care executives and physicians, Kerry Castonguay of Castonguay & Associates has been named a 2011 MD Preferred Service Provider.
Each year, US Medical Specialties, Inc., a national medical consulting firm, recognizes excellence in service to the medical community in a number of disciplines including financial advisory services, real estate, insurance and legal services. The goals of the MD Preferred Program for Financial Advisors include identifying, acknowledging and promoting service excellence to the medical community.
The program provides medical professionals with a recognizable national icon that assures specialized services and an understanding of the unique needs of physicians and their families. “Doctors are very busy professionals,” observed Michael O’Malley, Project Manager of MD Preferred Services. “When it comes to finding a service professional that specializes in serving physicians, they appreciate an organization that has done the research for them and has pulled a team together to make their lives easier.”
Every MD Preferred provider is selected for their commitment to serving the healthcare industry. Companies that have earned the MD Preferred designation are listed in an on-line directory available at www.MDPreferredServices.com. In addition to community based service providers, the directory recognizes national organizations that serve the health care industry and support the MD Preferred program. The online resource center is available at no cost to physicians and other medical professionals. MD Preferred also publishes a free monthly E-Newsletter that is distributed to over 26,000 graduating physicians providing them with advice and information compiled and written by MD Preferred Service providers.
“We are proud to be recognized for our efforts and to be named a 2011 MD Preferred Service Provider,” said Kerry Castonguay.
ABOUT Castonguay & Associates
Castonguay & Associates offers comprehensive wealth management strategies, comprising a wide range of products and services, including access to fee-based investment platforms, mutual funds, annuities, insurance, and trust services through various affiliates. “As an independent Financial Advisor affiliated with LPL Financial, I have access to a wide range of tools and resources from an industry leader,” continues Castonguay. LPL Financial is ranked the number one independent broker/dealer in the nation for the 15th year in a row as reported by Financial Advisor magazine, June 1996-2011 based on total revenues. LPL Financial has no affiliation with investment banks and no proprietary products, thus allowing the company to provide independent and objective investment advice. For additional information contact Kerry Castonguay at 978-534-5830 or visit www.CastonguayAdvisor.com . Castonguay & Associates is located at 90 Washington Street, Leominster, MA 01453. Securities and Advisory Services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor. Member, FINRA/SIPC.
About MD Preferred physician Services
The MD Preferred designation is bestowed each year to a diverse group of professional service providers. MD Preferred providers can be found at an online resource center available at no cost to the medical community at www.MDPreferredServices.com. MD Preferred also manages a medical job board and publishes a daily medical blog and a monthly E-Newsletter, The Advisor. For additional information contact Mike O’Malley at 800-260-8366.
# # #
Kerry Castonguay, AWMA®, CRPC®, CDFA™
Accredited Wealth Management Advisor
Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor
90 Washington Street
Leominster, MA 01453
Phone 978-534-5830 Fax 978-534-4274
Securities and Advisory Services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor.
Member, FINRA/SIPC.
Please do not leave trading instructions via email. There is no assurance that an email message will be retrieved in a timely manner, nor is there any sure method of confirming customer identity.
The information contained in this email message is being transmitted to and is intended for the use of only the individual(s) to whom it is addressed. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby advised that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this message is stricty prohibited, If you have received this message in error, please immediately delete. Copyright 2011 – LPL Financial LLC. All rights reserved.
The New American Christmas Tradition
As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high
gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods –
merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This
year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine
concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift
giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes
there is!
It’s time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in
a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?
Everyone — yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates
from your local American hair salon or barber?
Gym membership? It’s appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some
health improvement.
Who wouldn’t appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned
detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a
book of gift certificates.
Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking down
the Benjamin’s on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift
receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or
driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.
There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants — all offering gift
certificates. And, if your intended isn’t the fancy eatery sort, what about
a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this
isn’t about big National chains — this is about supporting your home town
Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.
How many people couldn’t use an oil change for their car, truck or
motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?
Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a
local cleaning lady for a day.
My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who
is struggling to get his repair business up and running.
OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin
their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery
and beautiful wooden boxes.
Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave
your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at
your hometown theatre.
Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.
Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese
lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about
fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to
burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.
You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that
China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring
about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow
their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our
communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn’t imagine.
THIS is the new American Christmas tradition.
Curves of Leominster, Celebrating 10 Years
October 3, 2011 by admin
Filed under Member News
click here for full size pdf image
Lidio’s Summer Music Nights is back!
June 9, 2011 by admin
Filed under Member News
Lidio’s Summer Music Nights is back!
Hope you can join us on the patio for some Great Music, Delicious Food & Cool Drinks!
Never a cover charge just a treat for our patrons!
Music played from 6-10pm
Adults only after 8pm
*Reservations accepted on the patio for parties of 6-8 until 7 pm All shows are weather permitting Upcoming Shows:
Friday June 10th -Live Reggae with Jah-n-i Friday June 17th-The Curtis Earl Thurs June 23rd-The Killer Bees Friday June 24th-TBA Thurs June 30th The Curtis Earl Friday July 1st-Reggae with Jah-n-i Thurs July 7th-Scott Babineau Hope to see you under the stars!
Tasha & Marcus DiNardo
Lidio’s Restaurant & Lounge 1045 Central St, Leominster 978-534-6600
Vero Concepts adds New Client
May 31, 2011 by admin
Filed under Member News
Date: May 31, 2011
Vero Concepts is proud to announce it’s newest client, The BlackSheep Tavern in Sterling, Ma. With the help of Vero Concepts and others, The Blacksheep has become central Massachusetts premier spot for the Blues.
Every Sunday, The ‘Sheep has an open Blues Jam hosted by the local blues band, A Ton Of Blues. It’s an open forum where musicians travel from all over to perform up on stage and get some great exposure. They have also had legendary special guests including: James Montgomery, Desiree Bassett, Shorty Billups(Wilson Pickett band), Lydia Warren, Rosemary Casey and many others.
Vero Concepts is proud to be working with such a great team and looks forward to a long and healthy business relationship.
Find Vero Concepts on FACEBOOK or check out the WEBSITE
Sholan Farms:Vote Now and Vote Often
May 24, 2011 by admin
Filed under Member News
Communities Take Root: Program
Vote Now and Vote Often
Sholan Farms has qualified for a new orchard of peaches, pears and various fruits. We need your help. Go to the website and cast your vote for Sholan Farms.
http://www.communitiestakeroot.com/Plant/Index
Look for Sholan Farms – Leominster
Vote every day
· Edy’s Fruit Bars is committed to not only provide delicious all-natural frozen fruit bars, but to also encourage a healthier way of living.
· Communities Take Root is a program created by Edy’s Fruit Bars that helps the brand give back by providing fruit orchards in deserving communities across the U.S. Our hope is to not only beautify these neighborhoods, but to encourage healthy eating and build strong community relationships.
· Edy’s Fruit Bars has partnered with the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation, an international nonprofit organization dedicated to planting fruitful trees and plants in places that best benefit communities across the world. Their hope is to help alleviate world hunger and global warming, while strengthening communities and improving surrounding air, water and soil. The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation will be responsible for sourcing the plants and trees, and helping to plant the winning orchards.
· People of all ages are invited to cast one vote per day from April 15 through August 31st by visiting www.CommunitiesTakeRoot.com.
· The 20 locations with the most votes will win a fruit orchard provided by Edy’s Fruit Bars and planted by the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation. From June through September, we will announce 5 winners every 1st of the month.
· 120 organizations are participating in Communities Take Root this year, including city parks, community gardens, educational centers, YMCA’s, local food banks, and other deserving establishments.
· 2011 is the second year of the Communities Take Root program. Edy’s Fruit Bars has already planted 25 orchards in communities across the US, and will award 20 more as part of this year’s campaign.
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More about the contest and why we qualified:
As the Friends of Sholan Farms, we operate the last u-pick orchard in Leominster, Massachusetts, the birthplace of Johnny Appleseed. Celebrating our 10th anniversary this year, our self-sustaining operation gets its support from our product sales, festivals, school tours, sponsors and private donations from a supportive community. We are a family oriented, recreational and educational farm making full use of natural resources with an integrated ecosystem that is practical and environmentally friendly. Our goal is constant improvement while striving to preserve and protect this diverse property.
As we nurture our crop of apples, blueberries and raspberries (just to name a few) we always remember that we are a community-driven organization. We continue to “plant seeds” through our strong educational outreach program that reaches over 2,000 students each year to teach them the importance of our environment. Our apple contract with the school system assists with providing nutritious lunches, particularly to those on our free and reduced lunch program. We collaborate with local church and non-profit groups to aid in feeding the hungry. In 2010, we donated 900 bushels of apples for fulfilling Thanksgiving basket requests. Our community garden program represents just a sampling of the 54 nationalities that make up our wonderfully diverse city. The “Communities Take Root” program will enable us to provide expanded education to our constituents of all ages.
Rituals Salon & Spa Mother’s Day Packages
May 4, 2011 by admin
Filed under Member News
Rituals Salon & Spa Mother’s Day Packages
Available for purchase only during May 2011
Gift Certificates available
Mother & Daughter Package-spend time with mom and you both can relax! Package Includes one of each treatment for each of you…
-One Hour Massage, Customized Facial, Aveda Pedicure and your choice of Shampoo & Blow dry or a natural, light touch Makeup application. $380
Celebrate Mom! Customized Facial or one hour Massage followed by our Aveda manicure and Aveda Pedicure. $120
Momma Linda Ritual- Treat Mom to a clear conditioning Color Gloss, Aveda Manicure & Blow Dry. $70
Mom Time- Refresh with a 30 minute Massage, Express Facial and natural finish Makeup application. $80
Rituals Salon & Spa
646 Central St
Leominster, MA 01453
978-537-9394
www.ritualsspa.com
Curves Health Tip- May 2
May 2, 2011 by admin
Filed under Member News
Heath tips for Spring
Upgrade your pillow – If you’re a side sleeper, your pillow should position your head so it’s perpendicular to your shoulders. If you sleep on your back, your head should rest comfortably, without hyperextending your neck or angling your chin toward your chest. If your pillow fails these tests, treat yourself to a new one. Sleep is a part of good health.
Bring Mom to Curves – this Mother’s Day, give your mom (or you sister or best friend) some meaningful gifts: good health, camaraderie, and a fitter, healthier body. How? Offer to pay for some (or all) of her Curves membership, and make a pact to meet her for workouts a few times a week.
Get a Massage – Regular 30-minute rubdowns decrease the body’s level of the stress hormone cortisol, and less cortisol leads to a stronger immune system. No time for the spa? Lie faceup on the floor with a foam roller positioned across your lower back, and slowly roll over it in an up-and-down motion.
Clear the air- When you’re out buying seedlings for your garden, pick up a few indoor plants too. They soak up airborne toxins such as formaldehyde. Ferns, rosemary, and lavender plants make especially good air purifiers.
Curves Health Tip
April 22, 2011 by admin
Filed under Member News
Are you making your allergies worse?
It’s easier to breathe (and therefore exercise, socialize, and otherwise enjoy your day) if your allergiesa re kept in check. Here are three things that can make allergies worse and what to do instead.
Stress and anxiety can trigger an increase in your body’s levels of the blood proteins that cause allergic reactions. When you’re experiencing stress, make sure you get enough sleep. Being poorly rested can worsen both stress and allergies.
Drinking alcohol can raise the risk of regular nasal-allergy symptoms. (For every extra alcoholic beverage you down each week, your risk for “personal allergic rhinitis” rises 3%). Alcohol beverages actually produce histamines—the chemical that cause allergy symptoms. Bottom line: avoid alcohol when your symptoms are acting up.
Taking meds after allergy symptoms start won’t give you optimum relief. Experts say that it’s better to start seasonal-allergy medications a few weeks before you usually have problems. The same is true if you need only an occasional dose of antihistamine: Take your medicine about 30 minutes before you’re going to be exposed to grass, dogs, ragweed, or whatever it is that triggers symptoms for you.
Services for the Earth
April 20, 2011 by admin
Filed under Member News
Services for the Earth
For each service listed below, RITUALS will make a donation to our earth Month Partner, Clean Ocean Action, to help protect our water supply. Now thru April 30, 2011 we will offer these services to help raise funds and awareness. Thank you in Advance for your support!
Chakra Manicure – Our Natural manicure, a Chakra mist and reflexology hand treat.$25
Chakra Facial-Our customized facial plus a mini reflexology treat $75
Chakra Massage- our Chakra massage incorporates deep tissue, energy work and reflexology. $70
Chakra Stress Relief Neck and Shoulder, $10 when added to any hair service.
Rituals Salon & Spa
646 Central St
Leominster, MA 01453
978-537-9394
www.ritualsspa.com
Curves-Weekly Health Tip
April 18, 2011 by admin
Filed under Member News
Get Up and Get Moving
Investigators from the American Cancer Society (ACS) spent 14 years tracking nearly 70,000 women and 54,000 men who were generally health (they were also already enrolled in the ACS’s Cancer Prevention II study). In that time, women who spent six or more hours a day sitting had a 37% increased risk of dying when compared with women who sat for three hours or less. The added risk was independent of other health factors, although once overall activity was factored in, the most inactive participants who also sat the least. Scientists believe prolonged relaxation of our largest muscles is a culprit. When we contract our muscles, the enzyme that metabolizes triglycerides and makes HDL (good cholesterol) is stimulated. When we sit, however, our HDL levels drop while our glucose and triglycerides rise. The amount of activity required to offset sitting’s negative effects is unknown, so our best bet is to look for ways to move every hour.
Regards
Donna DiMarzio
Curves Leominster
Social Media and Commerce
April 13, 2011 by admin
Filed under Member News
It’s a dawning of a new age when it comes to the internet. No longer are we in a one-way communication environment, instead we are in whats being called a “Social Web”.
This Social Web is entirely dependent upon interaction. Interaction amongst friends, interaction between businesses and consumers, and it ALL has a huge bearing on all of us!
We can all pretty much agree that traditional advertising is dying a slow and painful death. Those who are slow to adopt the new social medium as the new way of doing business are going to die along with print advertising. Of course there is still a place for print advertising, but if you are going to spend the money…you better utilize it to it’s max potential. Heck, even TV commercials aren’t getting the premium fees they used to because stations are having to bend to keep advertisers on board.
It says a lot when this during this years Super Bowl, Pepsi, a staple of Super Bowl commercials, opted to NOT spend their ad dollars on TV, but instead on Social Media!
Being immersed in the social media field, I am constantly seeing great examples of businesses and musicians that use social media to its fullest potential. Artists like Nikki Sixx(of Motley Crue fame) do an astounding job of integrating Twitter,Facebook, and their websites into tools to connect with fans…which translates into more and more people into their sales funnel.
Seattle’s Best Coffee is another pioneer in the social media market. Their most current promotion is a HUGE undertaking, one that incorporates fan feedback into a live 24hour streaming video that uses fan feedback to generate the video’s content.
But one does not have to be a major rock star or huge corporation to reap the rewards. Whats so great about the internet of today is the level playing field in which we all get to play on. One does not need large advertising dollars to generate the same results as a Best Buy or Zappo’s. All you need is the right social marketing plan, a consistent message, and interaction with your fans.
So where does commerce come in? Everywhere. Yes, it is of course the driving factor behind what we do as business owners and artists, but in needs to not be front and center in today’s new electronic environment. Actually, it is literally the opposite. In the past it was always a good model to have your brand or product, then drive people to it. Today, we need to focus on the individual consumer, then build our system around THEM.
A strong social media marketing plan first takes in to account WHO their clients are. What are their likes, dislikes, where do they shop, what do they like to do for activities? All these and many more questions could be asked, and need to be asked in order to cater your marketing to your clients. No one wants to be sold to anymore, especially where they hang out. Places like Facebook and Twitter are place people go to hang out, catch up on the latest news from their friends and interests, not to be pitched products to. Imagine having a party at your house with 20 friends, and one guy is walking around trying to sell you insurance. Not cool in my book, and chances are he will either be ignored or punched in the head(depending on the party). So why would you do it on Facebook or Twitter? You wouldn’t.
I would like to use Facebook pages as an example for this post. When it comes to commerce, selling isn’t as hard as you might think. If you have identified your audience, communicated with them in the proper way, answered their concerns, and overall treated them as friends, not customers, then the ability to sell comes natural. And what better way to sell then to do it where everyone already is?
Each Facebook “fan page” allows you the ability to create custom tabs. These tabs can pretty much do anything you want, but let’s just say you want to use them to display your products, and even sell them. This can be done in multiple ways, but the two most obvious are direct links to your website where you already sell them, or right ON Facebook itself, so they never have to leave.
With custom tabs, you can, with the right systems in place, sell anything and everything. From clothes to digital downloads, to even tickets and seminars.
Above(click for full size) is a campaign I am running for Cathy Savage Fitness. This is just one of many items on the same tab. You will notice that the user can select a size to purchase this one piece of apparel. It is fully integrated and allows the user to purchase right from Facebook! This one item, with the others we are selling, in 5 weeks have produced over $4ooo in gross sales. The products at the moment are ONLY on Facebook, so the cost is easy to figure out. And this is with 1300 fans. Judging by the responses so far, that number is much smaller than what it could be if we put up even more products!
Above are two examples we did where musicians are selling digital downloads of their music right on Facebook. They both use iTunes, their own websites, CDBaby, etc as well, but having them in an environment where people already are takes one less step out of the way. With the short attention span of today’s web browsers, one or two less clicks makes a huge difference!!
Some other examples can be much simpler, or much more complex. It all depends on your needs and plans. However, to just name a few:
- Using discount codes for certain items and ONLY posting the codes on Facebook or Twitter
- Using Facebook or Twitter to reserve seating at a restaurant
- Offering up special deals to Facebook only fans to encourage people to “like” your page
- Setting up a FAQ tab on Facebook based on feedback generated by fans
- Encouraging fans to “like” certain posts you make to unlock special products
The list goes on and on and on. Again, it depends on your business and what you want to achieve. There is direct commerce dollars where it is obvious from sales what is working, then there is indirect commerce dollars which comes from the viral aspect of how you implement your plan. Simple things like adding a “like” button to your blog posts(you have a blog right?) allows people to share your content with their friends.
Studies have shown, with places like American Eagle Outfitters and Levi’s, that over 50% of their sales are now driven from Social media!!
So putting up the tools to allow your fans to share your brand…is actually priceless. The viral aspect of growing your brand through online word-of-mouth cannot be emphasized enough. Give people a reason to “spread the word”. Remember, everything your fans do that relates to you…is seen by their friends…and so on. So make it count!
To conclude, Social Media is not going away. Those in business who want to continue to grow and prosper, are going to have to embrace the technology and use it to its max potential. There is no better way to market right now then through social media, and trust me, if you won’t utilize it…your competition will!
13th Annual Curves Food Drive Kicks Off in April
March 29, 2011 by admin
Filed under Member News
13th Annual Curves Food Drive Kicks Off in April
Curves of Leominster offers incentives to members and the community to donate food and cash to benefit local food bank
Leominster, MA (Grassroots Newswire) March 21, 2011 – During the month of April, Curves of Leominster will participate in the 13th Annual Curves Food Drive to collect non-perishable food and cash donations to benefit their local food bank. Current members who make a $30 donation or an equivalent donation of food are eligible to receive a Curves reusable Food Drive grocery bag. And, from April 4-17, Curves will waive the membership fee for new members who donate a bag of non-perishable food or make a minimum donation of $30.
“Our goal is to top the donation that we made last year,” said a Curves of Leominster staff member. This is a great opportunity for the members of our Curves community to help strengthen the Leominster community, too. Everything that our members donate at our club will benefit local families in need.” We donated 900 pounds last year to Ginny’s Pantry, this year our goals is 2,011. We would appreciate your support in this endeavor.
In addition to the food and monetary donations that each gym collects, Curves International is offering gyms the opportunity to win cash prizes for their local food banks. Prizes will be awarded to clubs with the most food collected, clubs who beat their 2010 donation level by the largest amount and to two randomly selected clubs drawn from all the clubs who enter the contest. Curves clubs have donated more than 61 million pounds of food in the U.S. and Canada since 2004.
Regards
Donna DiMarzio
Curves Leominster
