Why ENERGY STAR makes dollars and sense
ENERGY STAR is the program created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reduce energy consumption. Typically, ENERGY STAR products offer 20 to 30 percent savings on your energy bills. The DirectBuy clubs of greater Chicago, the leading home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, sell a wide ride range of ENERGY STAR products to help members save.
“The irony about ENERGY STAR products is the program itself was set up to combat the negative effect running our appliances was having on our environment,” said Jeremy Vest, owner of DirectBuy of DuPage County. “While most people do want to minimize their carbon footprint, in today’s economy, it’s just as much about how much you can save by having appliances that run more efficiently.”
So, how much can you save by purchasing ENERGY STAR appliances? Here’s a small sampling:
Clothes washers – replacing a 10-year-old washing machine with a new ENERGY STAR machine can save a household more than $145 per year.
Dishwashers – ENERGY STAR dishwashers use 41 percent less energy and water than non-ENERGY STAR washers. That translates to $30 a year on your utility bill.
Refrigerators – a typical two-door, freezer-on-top refrigerator can cost $100 per year to run. Upgrading to ENERGY STAR can knock $30 per year off that, resulting in savings of $350 in just five years.
Home electronics – the average household spends $100 per year powering electronics devices in “standby” mode. ENERGY STAR products use less energy when in standby.
LED Lighting – requires 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and lasts 25 times longer. According to energystar.gov, LED lighting can last more than 25,000 hours than its incandescent counterparts or more than 22 years!
“As if the tremendous savings ENERGY STAR products offer weren’t enough, the U.S. government also offers tax exemptions, rebates and other incentives for consumers to purchase more energy-efficient items like ENERGY STAR products,” said Vest. “As a company that deals specifically in home improvement, you often hear the expression that this project will pay for itself, meaning resale. Yet when it comes to ENERGY STAR products, they literally do pay for themselves over time.”
DirectBuy carries a large selection of ENERGY STAR products and appliances at wholesale prices direct from manufacturers or their authorized suppliers. In addition, each DirectBuy club employs product specialists and designers who can help members select the appliance that works best for their 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 directbuychicago.com. For more information on ENERGY STAR, go to EnergyStar.gov.
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. 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.
Teen Dating Abuse: The Attitude That Makes It An Epidemic
It’s not new. Generations before have faced the same issue. As a matter of fact, countless couples go though the same thing on a daily basis. But in February of this year, domestic violence once again went public, when singer Chris Brown physically assaulted his musical partner and girlfriend Rihanna.
There has been much talk since then about what the couple should and should not do. Not surprising since just about everyone has an opinion on high profile couples; whether it’s about divorce, infidelity or abuse. For that matter they do not even have to be celebrities. People have opinions and usually have no problems sharing them.
Which makes the opinions of many teenagers on the whole public spectacle that much more disturbing. According to a survey done by the Boston Health Commission 46% of teenagers blamed Rihanna for the incident. 44% say fighting is a normal part of relationships. It is unclear whether they meant plain old fashion arguing or genuine physical confrontation.
While the majority of teens surveyed did blame Chris Brown, the fact that the polling was even that close says a lot. Keep in mind many teens surveyed had no ideal as to the actual circumstances of what happened which the makes the numbers more troubling.
Unfortunately it is not confined to Boston. One student told the Chicago Tribune that “a common reaction among students to Chris Brown’s alleged attack on Rihanna goes something like this: “Ha! She probably did something to provoke it.”
That kind of thinking is spread out over many areas when it comes to teen culture. In a study done by the Liz Claiborne Foundation some young people report that on average they receive over two hundred text messages daily from their dating partner. For many teenagers that is nothing out of the ordinary; in fact to them it is a sign that the other person really is serious about the relationship.
It may seem normal because the information age has made communication instantaneous and readily available but in reality it is not. Elizabeth Miller is an associate professor of pediatrics at the UC Davis Medical Center. She tells Jackie Burrell of Contra Costa News “There are many types of controlling behaviors. Inordinate amounts of texting — who are you talking to, why are you talking to them, you can’t talk to them — are at the core of abusive behavior.”
This of course does not apply to most young people but the fact that dating violence among teens is on the rise means there is a crisis that must be dealt with. If left unchecked more and more teenagers will start believing that not only did Rihanna get what she deserved but they are well within their rights to do the same thing to their dating partner.
Article written by Daryl Campbell at The Relationship Tip. Teen dating violence has been on the rise for some time but this has kicked it into overdrive.
Chicago Call Centers: Hiring a Call Center Makes Online Christmas Shopping Easier
Using a call center for online Christmas shopping makes transactions easier for both the customer and the retailer. Modern consumers are likely to shop online for its convenience and efficiency, and it offers 24/7/365 availability.
A call center can conveniently take catalog and online orders for the customer and complete credit card transactions. It streamlines customer interactions and reduces customer frustration from its ease of use. Once a customer experiences the simplicity of doing business online, they are inclined to do it in the future and become loyal customers.
Christmas shopping online increases customer support by using real time email and live online chat. Customer questions and concerns can be addresses immediately, and well trained agents can increase sales activity. A reliable, trustworthy call center should be used to maintain customer loyalty and satisfaction.
Using a call center offers order taking support, demographic reporting, and digital recordings of each call. Call centers also use prospect data which is easily gathered online to pinpoint customers for up-sell and cross-sell opportunities. A retailer is able to gain insight into sales activity because of tracking, reports, and routing.
A retailer uses a call center for online Christmas shopping to be more time efficient, and it is a professional representation of their business. A retailer can change the call center size up and down as demands change throughout buying seasons. Christmas is typically the busiest purchasing time of the year, and it is impractical for a retailer to hire in house.
Now call centers offer premier online call center services in Chicago with state of the art equipment and 24 hour coverage, and they value the importance of high quality service. Call centers that are a trained extension of a business for the busy shopping season.
To make the best use of a call center, ensure that they have a highly trained staff to represent your company well, and choose one with a reputation for having high quality and superior customer support. Initially, work closely with a call center so they know your service needs and budget. Meet the staff and employees of the call center who will be representing your company, and make sure they are well versed on your business so that they will portray an accurate image of your products and services.
Grace Enderlein is a freelance writer and editor. ?Hiring a Call Center Makes Online Christmas Shopping Easier? outlines the convenience of using Chicago call center services offered by GoACANow.com for the busy Christmas shopping season.
A Reliable Chicago Ticket Broker Makes It Easy To Find Premium Chicago Tickets
Fall is in the air, and that little nip of cooler weather makes sports fans start to think about football. Chicago sports fans know that they can use the services of a great Chicago ticket broker to help them find all of the sports tickets in Chicago that they want. Both premium and affordable tickets are offered by ticket brokers. Chicago fans love how simple it is to get Chicago tickets from their Chicago ticket broker.
You can find a Chicago ticket broker who offers event tickets nationwide. What this means is that if you are coming in from out of town to visit Chicago, you can find the Chicago tickets that you need quickly through your ticket broker. You can also find excellent sporting event tickets in all major cities at your Chicago ticket broker as well.
What makes shopping for sports tickets in Chicago from a ticket broker so easy is that tickets are listed both by city as well as by sports team. By going on the easy-to- navigate websites, you can quickly zero in on the specific tickets that you would like to purchase. By using a broker that offers services via a website, you also have the convenience of being able to purchase sports tickets in Chicago any day or time that it suits you.
What makes a service great is the types of tickets made available by ticket brokers. Chicago sports enthusiasts can enjoy a wide variety of ticket options to a host of different sports teams that play in and around Chicago. The Chicago Bears are the NFL sports team that plays at lovely Soldier Field in Chicago.
As the seasons progress and change, so too do the types of tickets available from ticket brokers. Chicago fans will soon enjoy watching the Chicago Bulls take to the court in NBA action, and the Chicago Blackhawks bring all the great NHL play at the United Center that hockey fans love. Spring and summer is the time to catch the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox play baseball at Wrigley Field and U.S. Cellular Field.
Another useful aspect of clarity when it comes to ticket purchases is the fact that your ticket brokers will also have venue maps on their websites. What this means is that you can see exactly where in the stadium or arena the seats that you are considering are located, making it easier to make a good purchase decision.
For a great day or night of entertainment, getting sports tickets from a Chicago ticket broker is the easy way to make all the fun happen.
Wayne Hemrick writes about–sports tickets in chicago.
Chicago’s Big Personality Makes it a Must-See
Dubbed the City of Big Shoulders due to the numerous sky scrapers and giant buildings scattered around, Chicago is an immense city to behold. Boasting an even bigger personality, it is home to a veritable wealth of cultural treats and renowned annual events, thus making it an electrifying place to visit. Testimony to its appeal, more 30 million people travel there every year.
Located in the state of Illinois, along the south west shores of Lake Michigan, the city has grown from its modest beginnings in 1833 to become a thriving modern metropolis. Divided into four distinct areas â the North Side, South Side, West Side and Downtown â there is a breathtaking range of sights and attractions to explore.
For instance, home to a superb selection of public art, there are many artistic works dotted around Chicagoâs outside spaces, including pieces by the legendary Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró. It also plays host to a number of major cultural, sporting and political events.
Having brought about the rise of modern improvisational theatre, Chicago is a great place to experience an assortment of live shows and performances. Indeed, there are more than 200 critically-acclaimed theatre companies in the city including the Lifeline Theatre and Remy Bumppo.
Whilst a lot of the companies make use of their own theatre facilities, many also put on performances in some more unusual spaces, such as storefronts, bars and black-box theatres. The result is impressive and visitors cannot fail to be drawn in by Chicagoâs passion for entertainment. And, in addition to its resident theatres, the city also sees a number touring productions take to the stage, meaning there is always something new to discover.
The Victory Gardens Theatre is a definite highlight for any visitor intending to come to Chicago. Established in 1974, it is home to numerous resident playwrights and, as such, is often the site of premiers, including James Shermanâs Beau Jest and Voice of Good Hope by Kristine Thatcher. In fact, in recognition of its contributions to the scene, the New York Times described it as helping to place Chicago alongside New York in terms of theatre.
The Organic Theatre Company is also well worth a visit. Again founded in the 1970s, its mission has always been to bring exciting, new performances to the stage that reflects what is happening in the outside world. Subsequently, there is an interesting assortment of new adaptations and old world classics to enjoy.
The City of Big Shoulders is an impressive one to experience. As well as offering up a huge slice of culture, its theatre offerings are second to none. Add to the mix a remarkable collection of delicious eateries, vibrant bars and clubs, and a range of Chicago hotels and you have the perfect holiday destination to head to.
Jonathan Wallace writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.
What Makes A Chicago Airport Limousine Service Good and Reliable?
What are the benefits of a Chicago airport limousine service?
One advantage of an airport limousine service is reliability. Business travelers cannot afford to waste their time and for this reason, they require a reliable transportation service. Limousine service providers leave no stone unturned to build their reputation on their reliability. Therefore, airport limos are quickly becoming a crucial part of business travel. The second important benefit is convenience. The needs of business travelers are very different from other travelers. They don’t have time to stand and wait in long lines for buses or trains, nor do they have the patience to search for taxi cabs and involve themselves in endless sessions of bargaining. Therefore, airport limos are ideal for them.
Another advantage of a Chicago airport limousine is that they provide style, sophistication, luxury, and class. These things are unavoidable essentials of the corporate sector and this makes limousine services important for corporations. Furthermore, limos provide great value for the money too. There are hundreds of limousine companies and all claim to provide superlative transportation services. In such a competitive market, it’s very easy to get a brand new limousine, with all the bells and whistles, at a reasonable price. All in all, renting an airport limousine is a cost effective proposition for the business traveler.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Chicago Airport Limousine Service
Before hiring limousine transportation, ask the service provider the following questions:
What types of limousines are available? Every limo is unique and comes at its own price. A good airport limousine service provider normally maintains a large fleet of old and new limos. Make sure you know what’s available and how much each costs. What are the charges? Before hiring a limo service, you should know how much you have to pay for the service. You should also learn everything about the hourly charges and how they will be applied in case of a delay Am I eligible for a discount? Many airport limousine service providers offer discounts for making early reservations. Ask this question to get the benefit of any available discounts. Are your permits and licenses valid? This is a very important question that must be answered convincingly. If you don’t get a convincing answer, move on to the next company. Is your company insured? Apart from being licensed the limousine company should also be fully insured. Insurance should be from a reputable and reliable company and it should cover the vehicle and the passengers. Are your drivers trained? This is a very important question because your safety depends upon the person driving the limo. The driver should have a valid license and he should be well trained, well experienced and well mannered.
Parting Words
A good and reliable airport limousine service can provide a lot of benefits to business owners and executives. They not only save you precious time, but they also enhance your image by incorporating the elements of elegance, style and class. However, before you set out to hire a superlative airport transportation service provider be sure to ask the limousine service provider you are interviewing the important questions detailed above. This type of conversation will help you evaluate the services and select the best one.
Learn more about reliable Chicago airport limousine for all your transportation needs in Chicago city. Get fast, free competitive quotes from local qualified limo service providers, compare and save.
Obama Makes Pitch For 2016 Chicago Olympics
President-elect Barack Obama made a personal appeal Friday to bring the 2016 Summer Olympics to his home city of Chicago. Obama appeared in a taped video message played to the general assembly of E…
How Selecting the Right Entertainment and Games Makes a Special Event Memorable
Selecting the appropriate games, rides, outdoor activities or indoor fun is equally as important as selecting the right party food and music. The more fun your guests have, the more they will talk about their positive experience with others and the more likely they are to participate again in the future. When thinking about your event, a determination of number of attendees, age groups and family status (i.e. Will this be a child friendly event or adults only event. Will there be singles as well as married couples) will help to decide what types of entertainment activities are needed for your event. Knowing the number of people planning to attend is extremely important as you don?t want to be caught off guard by not including enough entertainment to please your crowd. If people have to endure extremely long lines on a hot day, their positive experience can quickly turn negative. A full service planner will have the knowledge in helping you to determine what is enough or not enough entertainment for your event. Crafts and keepsakes as well as inflatable fun carnival rides, fun food machines, midway games, costume characters, clowns and carnival games are appropriate for guests 18 and under. Because the styles and types of inflatables differ greatly from moonwalks, tot towns, mini slides and wind tunnels to giant slides, bungee runs, obstacle courses, slip and slides and climbing mountains, age assessment is important.
Many times adult aged guests enjoy video games, sports games, water fun, casino equipment and racing games as well as inflatables, magicians and famous impersonators. When considering event entertainment it may be a wise decision to conduct a survey and give participants the opportunity to help select the items featured at your special event. That way you are sure to provide a fun filled event for every person in attendance. A determination will need to be made about the tone of the activities as well. For instance, if your event is going to be held in a hotel, restaurant or country club, you may want to offer activities such as story telling, a magic show, balloon twisting, photo booths, green screen technology, caricaturists, handwriting analysis or other constructive activities rather than more energized options requiring running, loud voices or constant movement.
Alternately, if you are able to utilize wide open outdoor space, you may want to include a climbing mountain, giant slide, bumper cars, trackless train or other high energy activities. If your event entails a specific theme, the entertainment equipment you choose can enhance your theme. For instance, a Hawaiian themed event can include cooler racers, human beach balls, dunk tank, water slide, or surf rider. If you are interested in keeping the same color scheme throughout the event you will want to choose items, decorations or props that display your preferred colors. Ways to do this is by providing Mylar balloons, center pieces for tables or an inflatable arch. If your business caters to a certain sector of the population such as the airline industry, a great piece to include would be an airplane wind tunnel or fly guys. Perhaps you are aware that several of your guests are sports fans, this would be a good opportunity to include sports equipment, baseball toss, quarterback attack, soccer kick, grand slam batting, golf distance caddy or other sports related activities. Whatever the case may be, there are several hundred options for making your event unique to your guests needs and preferences. There is no need to have a ?canned? experience at your event. No two picnics or parties should be alike because not all goals and objectives are the same.
If you are hosting an outdoor event, and your event venue does not provide tents, tables or chairs, or other forms of shelter, you will want to make sure that your rental company or event staff provides them. If a full picnic meal is being served, it is important to have enough tables and chairs, and table coverings for all of your participants. The only exception to this rule is if the food will be served over a long period of time in a casual buffet style. In that case, you can limit the amount of tables and chairs as your guests may be off enjoying other event activities. Tents are important for an outdoor event incase of in climate weather. There is nothing worse than having your guests caught in a rainstorm with not shelter to run too! A tent is also vital if you are to have a live band, specialty performer or Disc Jockey at the event. Even a small 10×10 tent will help to protect the disc jockeys equipment or the live bands instruments from sun exposure. If your event is indoors, you will want to know how many tables and chairs are available and plan accordingly. You may event want to consider providing additional event rental items such as a stage, portable toilets, event decorations/props, sound system, megaphone, raffle drum, freezer, carnival fronts, etc. Directing the flow of traffic at an event is also directly affected by the placement of tents, tables, chairs and rental items so be aware to the layout of the site you are utilizing as well as the items you are placing there. A quality rental company or event planning service will supply enough knowledgeable staff to make sure that all areas of set up, execution and take down are tended too.
Once all four of these areas of fun are prepared you are ready to host an exciting and fun filled event for your guests!
Game Rentals for Picnics :- We are a event planning company that will assist you in creating the most captivating celebration. We offer interactive inflatable games for parties and picnics. Call us now at (847) 566-3006.
Metra Electric Outbound Train #227 Makes Station Stop, Chicago, Il
Van Buren Station
Filmed 5/9/09
Bar Hopping – Howsthebar.com Makes Nightlife Better
Chicago bar hoppers and clubbers can now get live reviews and specials on all the bars and clubs in Chicago and the Chicago area right here on Howsthebar.com.
