In the letter, Mass Home Care asked the Governor to convene a special summit to address possible responses at the state and federal level to mitigate the impacts of a “no heat-no eat” crisis facing seniors and families on limited incomes. Here is the text of the Mass Home Care letter:

 

“Dear Governor Patrick,

Seniors, and people of limited and moderate incomes generally, are rushing headlong into a crisis of widespread dimensions precipitated by the spiking of energy prices.

The typical retiree on Social Security makes just under $13,000 a year. One fill up of a 275 gallon tank of oil can cost $1,300. If that retiree needs 6 tanks of oil this winter, she will spend 60% of her income to heat her home.

 

Unprecedented spiraling of gasoline and heating oil costs have created a financial crisis for many households across our state–already. There is no immediate easing of this crisis, and we are growing increasingly alarmed that many of our elders and families will no longer be facing a “heat or eat” dilemma—but a “no heat and no eat” reality.

 

Inflated gas prices have had an impact on programs as varied as meals on wheels to fuel assistance. The cost of a homemaker or a care manager to travel to her client, the cost of a meals driver to complete his route, the cost of an oil tank fill up—elders on fixed incomes are now in deep trouble, and will be way over their heads by the Fall, when the cost of heating a home will be untouchable. Oil companies don’t take clients on credit.  Renters who pay their own utilities will go without heat. Landlords who pay for heat will jack up their rents as soon as the lease allows.

 

We are asking that you convene a summit on the impact of energy prices on Massachusetts consumers, especially the poor, to begin to push for state and federal responses to this clear and present danger. The consequences of no action will be elders freezing to death in their unheated apartments, and service programs running out of funds to help them. This is not conjecture at this point. We have already passed the tipping point economically for families relying only on their Social Security check.

 

This summit needs to take place immediately, and we need to involve our state’s Congressional delegation in this effort. We need to address the financial relief options available to us: increased outreach for food stamps; increased allotments of food stamps; higher thresholds of LIHEAP energy assistance, and higher income and asset eligibility for fuel assistance.  This must be put into gear now—not in the Fall.

The Commonwealth cannot solve this crisis alone. The federal government must divert its attention to matters at home, and take care of its people. The Northeast is particularly hard hit by the energy affordability crisis.

 

We are prepared to work with you to seek solutions for protecting our vulnerable citizens from these price shocks, and the prospect of an empty oil tank, and an empty refrigerator.”

 

Diana L. DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES concurs, “Unless immediate action is taken and aid is sought on a federal level, we fear that many elders who are now struggling to make ends meet on Social Security will have nowhere to turn.  We simply cannot allow that to happen.”

 

OCES operates more than 12 programs, which serve elders, their families and caregivers in the towns of Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Kingston, Lakeville, Marshfield, Middleboro, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rockland, Stoughton, Wareham, West Bridgewater and Whitman. 

 

Mass Home Care

For more information about Mass Home Care, contact 781-221-7077 or visit their website at www.masshomecare.org.

 

About Old Colony Elderly Services

Incorporated in 1974, Old Colony Elderly Services (OCES) is one of 27 private, non-profit Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 

 

The organization’s mission is to provide services that support the dignity and independence of elders by helping them maximize their quality of life; live safely and in good health; and, prevent unnecessary or premature institutionalization. 

 

The agency has 130 employees and operates more than 12 programs serving elders, their families and caregivers.  For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oc-elderly.org

Popularity: unranked [?]

The upcoming 2008 Outsourcing World Summit® in Orlando will draw hundreds of outsourcing professionals from around the globe representing all industry segments, with information technology and services among the largest sectors attending.

The International Association of Outsourcing Professionals (IAOP) also expects nearly half of its 550-plus attendees at the annual conference, Feb. 18-20, to be either customers or advisors of outsourcing services, in addition to suppliers, government, academia and other representatives.

“We are seeing the greatest interest from customer organizations than we have ever seen in our 11-year history, showing that buyers of outsourcing services are seeking the latest knowledge, trends and practices to make the best strategic sourcing decisions for their organizations,” said IAOP Executive Director Christina Powers. “We have customized the program with many customer-specific panels and networking to enable them to share their experiences to achieve greater outsourcing success.”

Drawing delegates from a wide range of industries involved in outsourcing, the largest groups planning to attend the three-day conference at Disney’s Contemporary Resort include executives involved in technology, communications, banking, insurance and telecommunications, as well as utilities, healthcare, pharmaceutical and other areas.

World-class organizations participating in the event include Abbott Labs, AIG American General, Allstate Insurance Co., Amazon.com, American Express, Apple, Inc., Applied Materials, Best Buy Co., Blue Shield of California, Capital One, Chubb, Credit Suisse, DaimlerChrysler, Deutsche Bank, Duke Energy, ExxonMobil, General Motors Corp., GlaxoSmithKline, HSBC, KeyBank, Kraft Foods, Lexmark, Marathon Oil, MetLife, MGM Mirage, Nestle Waters North America, Northern Trust, Pratt & Whitney, Procter & Gamble, Qualcomm, Inc., Safeco Insurance, Singtel Optus, Symantec, TD Bank Financial Group, The First American Corp., The Hertz Corp., The McGraw-Hill Cos., Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Time Warner, Visa, Inc., Vodafone Netherlands, Washington Gas and Whirlpool Corp.

Former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich will make the keynote address Feb. 19 on how outsourcing is changing business in today’s economy. The program also includes 30 individual sessions across six tracks, customer panel discussions, networking events and outsourcing provider exhibits.

Popularity: -14% [?]

When dealing with computer equipment and other high end technologies, its inevitable that one day your equipment will begin to hiccup and eventually develop problems. Sometimes we are able to solve the problem on our own or perhaps we simply cut our losses and buy newer equipment and forget about the whole dilemma. However the occasion arises when this equipment cannot easily be replaced and we need to resolve the issue ASAP.

One of the most obvious steps to take in order to fix your equipment is to call the manufacturers technical support hot line in hopes the technician will know how to fix your broken equipment. Often times the “support” is little more than an obvious call center where the technicians read a script and you sit and wait on the phone for hours. Wouldn’t it be great if you were able to get real support from real professionals here in the United States who act on knowledge and experience rather than a 900 page manual and script in front of them?Well look no further. Geeks Mobile USA guarantees qualified local IT professionals and installers that will be able to help you with your Technical Support and will not waste your time. Skip the hassle and don’t waste time with other non-reputable technicians. Call us now at 1-866-959-4567 to schedule a service visit from our computer service technicians.Geeks Mobile USA strives to ensure a high return of investment on Computer services for customers through the following services:Home Computer Services:Onsite Computer ServicesAre you sick of taking apart your PC and bringing it to a repair shop every time it needs service-only to wait a long time to get it back? Our trusted technicians will come directly to your home to solve your computer troubles right on-the-spot. Simply call us to select an appointment time to fit your schedule. We offer same day service in most area.PC UpgradesIs your computer a few years old? Is it slow booting up? Are you running out of hard drive space? We can breathe new life into your PC by upgrading some of its critical components. Even if your system is fairly new, you can still upgrade your pc to accommodate your growing collection of digital photos, movies, files, or video games. Have questions about whether or not you should upgrade? Call us today!Computer NetworkingIf you have more than one PC in your home, have you considered networking them together? A home network allows your computers to share photos, documents, and videos, and even an internet connection. Even better, a wireless network is the cutting-edge way to connect all of the pc’s and laptops in your home. Wireless networks are perfect for people who want to connect laptop and desktop computers or for people who don’t like to be tied down. And when you go wireless, you won’t have the inconvenience of tripping over messy network cables.Malware and Virus RemovalDoes it seem like your computer has a life of its own? It could be a virus or trojan. No matter what kind of computer you have, you always need the most up-to-date Anti-Virus software. Not only do Anti-Virus programs protect your computer from crashing, but they also prevent you from accidentally passing the infection to other computers of family and friends when you send e-mails or share files. If you’re unsure about which virus software to install or how to configure it, just give us a call!Internet Security and FirewallsHow secure is your computer? As Internet usage has grown, so has the number of security threats. One way to protect yourself is to install a firewall, which keeps intruders from sneaking into your computer and accessing your private data. Firewalls also can alert you when unauthorized programs such as viruses and spyware attempt to transmit your sensitive information over the Internet. In particular, firewalls are crucial if you have the always-on Internet connection of DSL or a cable modem. Protect yourself and your family … with help from Geeks Mobile USA.Data Backup and RecoveryHow often do you backup your PC? If it were to crash or be stolen, would you lose important data? Geeks Mobile USA recommends installing a rewritable DVD burner or an external hard drive. In addition to helping you to backup your data safely, we also offer data-recovery services that can try to recover lost files resulting from hardware malfunctions, software conflicts, or viruses.Preventive MaintenanceYou wouldn’t drive a car for years without changing the oil, so why ignore your computer? Like any investment, your computer needs constant care, which means keeping it free of dust. When was the last time your PC had a thorough cleaning? If it has been more than six months, it is time to schedule a preventive-maintenance visit.Small Business Computer ServicesRepair & TroubleshootingOur expert technicians come directly to your office in LA to provide on-the-spot help for troubled notebook and desktop computers. We offer same-day computer repair service, 7 days a week.Network ServicesYour network is vital to your business. When problems happen, you need a company with a fast response time. In addition to traditional wired networks, our technicians are experts at installing, configuring, and securing wireless networks. Whatever your computing needs are, Geeks Mobile USA provides the solution.Data RecoveryHas your company experienced data loss due to hardware malfunctions, viruses, or other unexpected errors? Call the professionals. Our technicians provide backup and recovery solutions to businesses that require urgent assistance on their premises.Internet InstallationIf your business needs assistance in connecting high-speed internet access to all of the computers on your network, Geeks Mobile USA can handle it all.Customized Service Plans Lower your costs for the latest technology and minimize downtime with our fast, on-site services. Our support agreements are completely customizable to meet the needs of your organization.Malware and Virus RemovalDoes it seem like your computer has a life of its own? It could be a virus or trojan. No matter what kind of computer you have, you always need the most up-to-date Anti-Virus software. Not only do Anti-Virus programs protect your computer from crashing, but they also prevent you from accidentally passing the infection to other computers of family and friends when you send e-mails or share files. If you’re unsure about which virus software to install or how to configure it, just give us a call!Nationwide Computer Repair Services:Geeks Mobile USA leverages a nationwide network of onsite and remote support professionals to bring you reliable service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, Whether your offices are in LA or anywhere in the country.Geeks Mobile USA offers one stop shopping for all your computer repair needs in Los Angeles. Whether you need network wiring done at a building before you move your office there, or a single point of contact for all your computer repair and maintenance needs, Geeks Mobile USA can help.Our Services Include• Proactive Network and Server Monitoring, 24/7 nationwide.• Emergency off-hours support• Assistance with moving to new offices• Equipment setup at multiple locations• Network and Server Repair and installation• Remote support and helpdesk services.• Consolidated It support and billing• Single point of contact for all Los Angeles Computer Repair and IT-related needs.

Popularity: -2% [?]

Whether you are a regular shopper or a seller, online Shopping Directory services are a great way to search for products to buy as well as to list products to sell. This article will help you to harness the true potential of an Online Shopping Directory, by knowing what benefits these services can provide. With the rapid growth of the Internet, one of most prominent services made available through the Internet is Online Shopping. Regular shoppers, who used to go to a physical store to search for products and compare prices, are now rushing to online shopping stores due to the inherent advantages they provide. For these online shoppers, the tool that helps them to perform an effective online shopping is Online Shopping Directory services. Some others identify these services as Price Comparison Services. Similar to any other directory service, Online Shopping Directory lists products which are available to be purchased online. These product listings represent different vendors, categories, brands, etc. The benefit of an Online Shopping Directory is twofold. While these services help shoppers to easily find the products they are looking for, they also help sellers to list their products. It is worthwhile to find out what benefits these services provide for shoppers and vendors.

Benefits for Online Shoppers: The online shopper, who can be a veteran or a newbie, will find an Online Shopping Directory a very useful service to search for the product that they are looking for and perfect to assist their home shopping. Before the final purchasing decision is made, an average shopper spends a considerable amount of time searching for the product having an affordable price, acceptable quality. Not only price and quality, many other factors like guarantee terms, return policy, warranty, and delivery time are also critical to make the final decision. Shopping directory will provide most of this information with varying degree to the shopper to make an informed decision. Since there are many different products available for the specification that the shopper is looking for, the shopper has a greater flexibility to cross compare these similar products using various aspects such as brand, quality, price, user ratings, warranty, etc. This will drastically reduce the effort and time to find the right product and also make online shopping a pleasurable experience. Any online shopper would like to find the best bargain available for the product they are looking for. Online Shopping Directories again become handy to find the best bargain since they provide the best online shopping deals available on the Internet. Make a note to find a directory which has regular updates so the deals you will get are up to date.

Benefits for Vendors: Vendors will also find that online shopping directories are an ideal place to list the products available from their online shop. One of the key benefits is the user base of these directories. By listing a product, vendors will instantly get access to this large user database which will definitely increase the traffic to vendor products. Since online shopping directories provide searches for shoppers to filter the products they are looking for, there is a higher possibility of getting your product information indexed to potential buyers. Another benefit of an Online Shopping Directory is the indirect exposure of your product listings through the affiliate services provided by the Online Shopping Directories. These affiliations will expose the products listings of the Shopping Directory through the affiliate web sites making a network of listings. This will again increase the chances of selling your products. To harness these benefits, vendor must make sure that the product details such as short, long descriptions, features, benefits which are provided to the online shopping directory are properly articulated. Also verify that the keywords which you think your product should be listed with are included in the descriptions. By having the right content as well as adhering to the online shopping directory submission guidelines, the traffic to your product listing can be increased. Can all these benefits be gained at an affordable price? The answer is yes. In fact most Online Shopping Directory services provide free listing of products and services. If you are owner of any number of online shops, it is worthwhile to consider these benefits and harness the true potential of an Online Shopping Directory to market your products. To conclude, Online Shopping Directory is a great way to list products as well as to search for products to buy. If you are a regular shopper or a seller, the best practice is to spend some time to find the best Online Shopping Directories out there on the Internet having a wide range of products, larger user base and up to date information. Some online shopping directories are targeted to specific shopping market segments such as online shopping UK, US online shopping, etc. By knowing what market segment a particular online directory focuses on will help you to find the product or to sell your product easily.

Popularity: -5% [?]

To achieve financial independence, experts encourage even currently employed individuals to consider entrepreneurship. Setting up your own business, no matter how small, is touted as one of the best ways toward building the foundation for wealth. Those who are concerned about having a safety net need not take the plunge recklessly. One can start setting up a small business even while employed.  Of crucial use to small businesses are credit card services and small business loans. The entrepreneur needs to know how to avail of these tools and how to effectively wield them for maximum business growth.Credit Card Services A small business would do well to get reputable credit card services in order to prosper in the current business climate. Availing of credit card services will enable it to accept both credit card and debit card payments. This is true either for brick-and-mortar businesses or internet based online businesses. After all, most consumers nowadays routinely use credit cards or debit cards for payment purposes. It only makes good business sense to be well-equipped for the needs of credit card users and debit card users as well as for the needs of customers who pay in cash.Merchant services provide credit card services covering a wide range of solutions for the processing of credit cards and debit cards as payment options. These credit card services include traditional terminal equipment at point of sale, where credit cards or debit cards are swiped. It also includes software and high speed IP solutions for both traditional commerce and e-commerce. Credit card and debit card payments can, therefore, be accepted in person or through the internet, by phone or by fax.     Small Business LoansAny business – whether a small start-up business, a medium-scaled one or a big business company – will be needing an infusion of additional capital sooner or later. Additional capital is always needed for expansion, additional inventory, additional manpower, new systems, new equipment or a new physical layout. Capital is not always easy to come by, though. The original investors’ personal coffers may have been emptied by the earlier outlays. Prospective investors may not be keen on shelling out funds in times of crisis. Businesses, therefore, have no choice but to seek business loans.Getting business loans is a difficult process. Even small business loans are not readily approved. Be prepared to present a lot of documentation and paperwork. For small business loans, the proprietor’s personal credit history is taken into account and related references need to be submitted. Of course, the company’s financial statements are just as important in proving the feasibility of the business and its capacity to repay its business loans. Having a detailed business plan will show your business strategies and projections, demonstrating your business acumen.Unfortunately, even with all the requirements completed, applications for business loans – including small business loans – are, more often than not, disapproved. SolutionsSome merchant services provide a comprehensive solution for the needs of small businesses in relation to credit card services and small business loans. The set up is elegantly simple. A small business need only avail of the company’s credit card services to be eligible for merchant cash advances. These cash advances are actually small business loans, except that there is no need to go through the complicated application process for business loans. Repayment is made very easy and worry-free, too. A certain small percentage is built into the credit card processing rates to take care of the advances. This way, repayment is actually done automatically in a very affordable manner and according to income flow.Small business owners would, indeed, be wise to look into these timely business solutions.

Popularity: -5% [?]