May 6, 2008

Cruise on over!
For those interested in new travel opportunities, Sensational Travel, at 100 Cummings Center, Suite 325-H, will have district sales managers from Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises available to meet with you in the 100 Cummings Center Community Conference Room, Suite 221-E, next Wednesday, May 14, at noon. Feel free to bring your lunch to this noontime event, as Sensational Travel will be providing dessert and coffee for your enjoyment, while you learn about the latest cruise line offerings. Sensational Travel is a leisure travel service that can assist in planning and personalizing your next cruise, tour or vacation. Please RSVP to Marisa Cole at 978-745-2575, or email marisa@sensationaltravel.com.

For your vacation and travel needs, please also consider the following resident firms serving the Cummings Center community: Garber Travel, currently at 900 Cummings Center, Suite 106-V (and soon to be relocating to 950 Cummings Center, Suite 101-X), 978-921-1711; and Yankee Holidays, 100 Cummings Center, Suite 120-B, 978-922-0418.

Gift ideas for Mother’s Day?
For all those last minute shoppers who are still trying to find the perfect Mother’s Day gift, look no further than your Cummings Center neighbors!

Let’s fill those pantries!
Danversbank, with 14 branch offices in eastern Massachusetts, is hosting a drive from May 1 - May 25 to benefit food pantries across its branch network. While any and all donations are welcome, the majority of pantries need staple items such as cereal, juice boxes, peanut butter and jelly. While 13 different charitable organizations will benefit from contributions, all donations brought to Danversbank’s 100 Cummings Center branch will benefit Beverly Bootstraps Food Pantry. For further information regarding this food drive, visit the bank’s website at www.danversbank.com, or call the Customer Support Center at 800-771-8200.

No soliciting!
Though never 100% effective, "No Solicitation" stickers often deter unwanted, outside solicitors. If you would like one of these stickers, please contact your leasing/property manager, who will be happy to have a Cummings Center representative stop by and affix a sticker to your door. Of course, the best way to dispense with unwanted callers is to quickly ask them to leave, or call us at 978-922-9000, and we will gladly ask them to leave for you.

New parking garage:
Our last big garage news was the new direct entrance ramp from McKay Street to the upper floors of West Garage. This entrance, along with the new bridge from West Garage to 900 Cummings Center, saves lots of time for employees coming off Route 62. Now those in the north end of Cummings Center will have their new garage too. Look for a brand new garage starting this August, just north of 100 Cummings Center, and immediately west of 200 Cummings Center.

April 29, 2008

Art auction previews:
Cummings Center is proud to once again host Montserrat College of Art’s annual art auction, Artrageous! 22. This auction will be held this Saturday, May 3, beginning at 5:30 PM, at 500 Cummings Center. All auction proceeds go towards financial aid for Montserrat’s fine arts students. More than 200 professional works of art, including paintings, prints, photographs, sculptures, ceramics, jewelry, mixed media, and objets d’art will be auctioned off at this year’s event. Last year’s event raised more than $200,000! General admission tickets are available for $100 and include both the silent and live auctions, catered hors d’oeuvres, a light buffet dinner and a cash bar. "Artrageous! patron" tickets are available for $175 and provide the additional benefit of preferred seating at a patron table, complimentary wine service during the live auction, a listing on Montserrat’s auction website and a free gift. Tickets may be purchased at the door on the night of the auction. For more information, contact Cynthia Bowen at 978-921-4242 (x1115) or cbowen@montserrat.edu. Also, for more information on the auction, including a full list of items and artists, visit http://www.montserrat.edu/auction22/index.php.

Additionally, Montserrat will host a free public preview of the auction, also at 500 Cummings Center, today, April 29, from noon to 6:00 PM. The preview is open to the public, and no RSVP is required. In addition, another preview will be available at a special reception with North Shore Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, April 30, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Refreshments and hors d’oeuvres will be served, along with a raffle for two tickets to the May 3 auction. Please register for this reception online by clicking here.

Free screening exam and evaluation:
Vein Institute of the North Shore, located at 100 Cummings Center, Suite 110-E, is offering free 15-minute leg vein screenings and evaluations on Thursday, May 1, from noon to 7:00 PM. Attendees will learn about the most current available procedures, including minimally invasive treatments for varicose veins. Participants should wear shorts or skirts for the screening, and walk-ins are welcome. To schedule your free appointment, or for more information, please call 978-922-8346.

Meet, mingle and network!
On Thursday, May 1, the Beverly Chamber of Commerce is holding a four-minute speed-networking event at Acapulcos Mexican Family Restaurant, located at 900 Cummings Center, Suite 101-T, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. This fun and popular event allows participants to meet one-on-one with other local business people in short, four-minute increments, just enough time to make an introduction, exchange business cards, share some information, and possibly arrange a separate meeting. Admission is $15 for Chamber members and $20 for non-members. To RSVP, call the Chamber at 978-232-9559.

Time for a new coat!
Cummings Properties has begun the enormous task of staining the exterior facades at 100, 800 and 900 Cummings Center as part of the regular maintenance of these beautiful historic buildings. This project is expected to last throughout the summer, and will reportedly require approximately 1,000 gallons of stain! Thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation. Please contact your leasing/property manager at 978-922-9000 with any questions.

April 22, 2008

Art auction previews:
Cummings Center is proud to once again host Montserrat College of Art’s annual art auction, Artrageous! 22. This auction will be held on Saturday, May 3, beginning at 5:30 PM, at 500 Cummings Center. All auction proceeds go towards financial aid for Montserrat’s fine arts students. More than 200 professional works of art, including paintings, prints, photographs, sculptures, ceramics, jewelry, mixed media, and objets d’art will be auctioned off at this year’s event. Last year’s event raised more than $200,000! General admission tickets are available for $100 and include both the silent and live auctions, catered hors d’oeuvres, a light buffet dinner and a cash bar. "Artrageous! patron" tickets are available for $175 and provide the additional benefit of preferred seating at a patron table, complimentary wine service during the live auction, a listing on Montserrat’s auction website, a free gift and an invitation to a special "Patron Preview Party" on Sunday, April 27, from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM. Tickets may be purchased online until Friday, April 25. After this date, please purchase tickets at the door on the night of the auction. For more information, contact Cynthia Bowen at 978-921-4242 (x1115) or cbowen@montserrat.edu. Also, for more information on the auction, including a full list of items and artists, visit http://www.montserrat.edu/auction22/index.php.

Additionally, Montserrat will host two free public previews of the auction, also at 500 Cummings Center, on Monday and Tuesday, April 28 and 29, from noon to 6:00 PM. Both are open to the public, and no RSVP is required. In addition, a third preview will be available at a special reception with North Shore Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, April 30, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Refreshments and hors d’oeuvres will be served, along with a raffle for two tickets to the May 3 auction. Please register for this reception online by clicking here.

Blood drive:
American Red Cross will be holding a community blood drive on Thursday, April 24, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM in the Cummings Center Community Conference Room, 100 Cummings Center, Suite 221-E. Walk-ins are welcome, but if you would like to make an appointment to donate, please call 800-448-3543. Anyone 17 years of age or older, weighing 110 pounds or greater, and in good health may be eligible to donate blood. Please remember that positive identification is required.

Walk for HAWC!
HAWC (Help for Abused Women and their Children) provides programs, services, and support to victims of domestic violence in Beverly and throughout the North Shore, helping victims make informed, independent decisions about their future with alternatives to living in a violent situation. On Sunday, April 27, join more than 1,000 North Shore residents at the 16th Annual Walk for HAWC. This five-mile walk through scenic downtown Salem raises money and awareness for domestic violence. On-site registration begins at 11:00 AM, with the Walk commencing at noon. This event will feature live music, activities for children, dance performances, inspiring vocals, and much more. To register for the Walk, to make a donation, or for more information about this nonprofit organization, please visit www.helpabusedwomen.org or call Alicia M. Black at 978-744-2299 (x27).

Don’t be the missing link!
All client firms are invited to establish reciprocal links on Cummings Properties’ website. First, establish a link to www.cummings.com on the "Home" page of your website, or on any page directly accessible from that page. Then notify us at group@cummings.com and include a company description (up to 50 words). We will immediately reciprocate by placing a link to your website on our Client Website Links page. In addition, please note that all client firms are eligible to list their firm’s contact information, including website, at no charge, in our Client Directory. If your company is not already listed, or your information needs updating, please complete and submit this online form.

April 8, 2008

New neighbor profile:
Welcome to Sandler Sales Institute, now located at 100 Cummings Center, Suite 131-G. Sandler Sales Institute, an international sales, training and sales management firm, promotes its ability to help you develop the skills to find more clients and close more profitable deals. Sandler states that it has successfully trained firms in more than 200 industries, from start-ups to large companies selling both services and products. Also, on Tuesday, April 29 and Thursday, May 29, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Sandler will be running a sales and management training workshop for business leaders. This workshop, regularly valued at $50, is free for all Cummings Center firms. Please contact Joe Ippolito or Kevin Donahue at 978-232-9040 for more information or to make reservations. By the way, if you are looking for a good read, keep an eye out for Joe’s bi-weekly article in Boston Business Journal!

Deals on wheels!
Kelly Nissan of Beverly, with an office at 100 Cummings Center, Suite 343-E, is offering a special throughout April for Cummings Center employees. In addition to Kelly of Beverly’s ongoing "Cummings Associate" Special Purchase Plan, which enables Cummings Properties’ clients and their family members to purchase an in-stock vehicle for just one to three percent more than the Kelly Dealer Invoice Cost, Nissan is now offering favorable lease rates on a new 2008 Nissan Sentra or Altima! Kelly Nissan invites you to stop by its Cabot Street showroom to look at these, and other, attractive Nissan vehicles. Bring a copy of this Cummings Center Update with you to the dealership to take advantage of the special. Please contact JJ Hoyt at 978-922-1405 for more information.

Creative economy update:
On Tuesday, April 15, from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM, stop by the Cummings Center Community Conference Room at 100 Cummings Center, Suite 221-E to hear the results of a report by two consultants on the size, scope, and potential of the creative economy on the North Shore. Both Consult Econ, Inc. and Karl F. Seidman Consulting Services will present their key conclusions and identify an action plan to grow this job sector as part of the region’s economic development plan. If you are interested in attending this briefing, please click RSVP to register.

Time for spring cleaning?
Are your files piling up? If you are experiencing difficulty with finding room for those extra boxes of inactive files or merchandise, keep in mind that there are inexpensive storage spaces available in many of our buildings. Whether you’re looking to store items for the full term of your lease, or just a portion of it, we will be happy to find you a little extra space. Please call your leasing/property manager at 978-922-9000 to discuss available options, and begin to clear your office of excess materials!

Fire!
In the event a fire alarm is sounded, evacuate your building immediately! Should this occur, or any other emergency requiring building evacuation, Cummings Center management defers to police or fire officials regarding the decision of when it is safe to re-enter a building. Just because a fire alarm is shut off, does not necessarily mean it is safe to re-enter a building.

April 1, 2008

New neighbor profile:
Welcome to CNE Direct, a leader in the re-distribution of overstock and excess computer and networking hardware. Recently relocated from Shetland Park in Salem, and now at 100 Cummings Center, Suite 162-F (near the newly-expanded common loading dock), CNE Direct works with large manufacturers and distributors of technology products to help them move inventory that is inactive in their regular distribution channels. The firm sells to a vast network of resellers and end users through brokered transactions and online sales vehicles in more than 30 countries around the world. For more information, please call CNE Direct at 781-245-7773.

TV time!
If you have a free moment during the day, please click here to view an informative clip of Dr. Kevin McKernan, Senior Director of Scientific Operations at Applied Biosystems, 500 Cummings Center, Suite 2400, being interviewed on New England Cable News (NECN) regarding the firm’s sequencing technology. Applied Biosystems is a leader among the more than two dozen life science firms currently leasing more than 450,000 square feet at Cummings Center.

Lean and green:
Cummings Properties is trying to do its part to help make America green, by reducing energy usage and limiting the firm’s environmental footprint. In fact, as Boston Business Journal described in an article last week, Cummings Properties recently established an employee "Sustainability Team" with a mandate to do "watt" ever it can to power energy conservation and recycling efforts company-wide. We are specifically beginning to evaluate areas where motion detectors can be installed to reduce energy usage when vacant. Building employees and visitors will soon begin to notice increased use of motion detectors in common area hallways, corridors, bathrooms, etc.

Elsewhere, the Sustainability Team contributed towards the recent LEED Gold precertification at the firm’s latest development, TradeCenter 128 in Woburn. This 600,000 square foot, first-class campus is located between Exits 34 and 35, broadside to Route 128 / I-95. For leasing information on this first-class property, contact your leasing/property manager at 978-922-9000.

Get ready for summer!
Having trouble reaching your ideal weight? Neighborhood employees are invited to lose weight and have fun with the new Weight Watchers group at Cummings Center. To join, stop by Paula’s Hair Salon & Day Spa, 100 Cummings Center, Suite 121-B, on Wednesday, April 2, at 5:00 PM, for orientation and registration. Alternatively, please contact Dianne Palter Gill of North Shore Community College at 978-236-1225 for more information.

Cummings Center briefing:
All Cummings Center clients are invited to attend a meeting entitled, The North Shore Labor Market: How to Find, Get, and Keep Excellent Employees, on Friday, April 4, from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM. The meeting will be held in the Cummings Center Community Conference Room, at 100 Cummings Center, Suite 221-E. Guest speakers will include Beverly Mayor William Scanlon, Salem Mayor Kimberley Driscoll, William Tinti and Mary Sarris from North Shore Workforce Investment Board, and Mark Whitmore from North Shore Career Centers. Please RSVP with Maquisha Alleyne at 978-741-3805.

Bike racks:
Bicycle enthusiasts who ride to work may keep their bikes locked at one of five bike racks on site. Racks are located just north of East Garage at the southeast corner of 100 Cummings Center, at the southeast corner of the 900 building just outside Acapulcos Mexican Family Restaurant on Center Drive, at the dam between the upper and lower ponds, in the landscaped area opposite Suite 166-B, and by the entrance to North Shore Athletic Club at 600 Cummings Center. As a reminder, bicycle riding is not permitted inside any building at any time.

March 22, 2008

Grand opening month!
Chyten Tutors and Test Preparation, with its first location on the North Shore, has recently opened its new Pondside location at 950 Cummings Center, Suite 104-X. Chyten reportedly has received national recognition for its tutoring and SAT preparation classes (promoting an average point gain of 270 in 2007). Chyten also works with ACT, SAT subject tests, AP exams, college subjects, post graduate exams (such as GRE and MTEL), and "Homework Helper" (a program to help with any subject, at any grade level). Owner Neil Bernstein invites you to call today for your free consultation. Also, register by March 31 and receive a grand opening discount coupon! For more information, please call Chyten at 978-922-5540 or email beverly@chyten.com.

Your guide to bliss!
During the month of April, Garber Travel, at 900 Cummings Center, Suite 106-V, is offering a complimentary "I Do" Guide to the Perfect Wedding. Stop by Garber’s office for this publication, or to discuss expert honeymoon planning and wedding registry. For more information, please call 978-921-1711. Also, keep an eye out for Garber’s expansion and relocation at Cummings Center to Pondside, 950 Cummings Center, Suite 101-X this May!

For your vacation and travel needs, please also consider the following resident firms serving the Cummings Center community: Sensational Travel, 100 Cummings Center, Suite 325-H, 978-745-2575, and Yankee Holidays, 100 Cummings Center, Suite 120-B, 978-922-0418.

Open house:
The North Shore Technology Council (NSTC), located at 100 Cummings Center, Suite 339-F, is a non-profit, volunteer-led organization with a mission to build a community for interaction, collaboration, and advancement of technology business on the North Shore. On Wednesday, April 2, from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM, the NSTC will be having its 2008 Membership Open House in the Cummings Center Community Conference Room, at 100 Cummings Center, Suite 221-E. This event is free for both NSTC members and non-members. NSTC states that those who join that night will be entered into drawings for product and service prizes worth thousands of dollars! Light refreshments will be available. Registration is required and can be completed at www.nstc.org. NSTC is also offering a coupon for a free drink to those registered by Monday, March 31! For more information, please email members@nstc.org.

The Tools for Success:
Continuing its 2008 Business Forums, resident law firm Metaxas Norman & Pidgeon, located at 900 Cummings Center, Suite 207-T, has invited Edward T. Malmborg, Director of the Department of Workforce Development’s Division of Unemployment Assistance to speak on Thursday, April 3, in the Cummings Center Community Conference Room, at 100 Cummings Center, Suite 221-E. This free event begins with breakfast at 7:30 AM, and the program follows from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM. To register, or for more information, please visit www.mnplaw.com, or contact Carol Flaherty at administrator@mnplaw.com or 978-927-8000.

After hours mixer!
Feel free to stop by Danversbank, located at 100 Cummings Center, Suite 101-K, for an evening of mingling and networking on Tuesday, April 1, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. This event is hosted by nine Cummings Center tenants, who are also members of the North Shore Women in Business group. A door prize will be awarded during the mixer and light refreshments will be available. The cost of this event is $10, payable by check only, and advance registration is required. For information or to register, please contact Alison Ravins at 781-665-3169 or info@nswib.org.

Look and feel great!
Miriam Neuman, MD, along with the other highly experienced, board-certified physicians at Vein Institute of the North Shore, 100 Cummings Center, Suite 110E, invite you to consider their services, which are "all about restoring healthy legs." In its comforting out-patient clinic, Vein Institute’s qualified medical team can perform advanced, minimally invasive procedures reflecting the leading-edge of medical technology. For further information, visit www.veininstitute.org, or call 978-922-8346.

Please click here for a complete list of the many Cummings Center resident medical practices and their services, and to learn more about the medical and other health-related providers at Cummings Center.

March 18, 2008

Looking for lunch specials?
Gold Coast Café, at located at 800 Cummings Center, Suite 147-R, 978-927-4900, which features a popular menu of breakfast items and lunch fare, including soups, salads, sandwiches and grilled items, reminds the Cummings Center community that it offers speedy delivery on campus for orders phoned or faxed (978-921-5000). Gold Coast also distributes a daily email announcing its specials and special offers. To receive this daily email, click on "Sign-up for menus by email" at http://goldcoastcafeinc.com/.

A reminder to resident firms of the impressive lineup of food-service providers conveniently located at Cummings Center. Buying Thyme, located at 100 Cummings Center, Suite 127-Q, 978-922-5088, provides an innovative system that allows clients to attend a pre-arranged session to prepare a number of delicious and customized meals using fresh, all-natural ingredients, in addition to offering a variety of ready-made "Grab and Go" dinners. The Daily Bagel, located at 100 Cummings Center, Suite 107-P, 978-922-2964, and The Daily Bagel Too, at 100 Cummings Center, Suite 151-J, 978-922-3501, prepare wonderful breakfasts and lunches from a diverse menu. Last, but certainly not least, is Acapulcos Mexican Family Restaurant, located at 900 Cummings Center, 978-232-0100, which offers a full-service lunch and dinner menu featuring popular Mexican fare.

Lobby events:

Connect over coffee!
On Friday, March 28, from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM, the Beverly Chamber of Commerce is holding a free coffee connection and open house in the Cummings Center Community Conference Room located at 100 Cummings Center, Suite 221-E. This free event will offer information regarding the many ways Chamber membership can increase a company’s local visibility, help you meet potential new customers, and create valuable networking contacts throughout Beverly and Cummings Center. You can also learn about other benefits, such as the Chamber’s group rates to major health insurance plans. If you have any questions, or would like to register for this event, please call 978-232-9559 or email info@beverlychamber.com.

Log on to Cummings.com . . . and look around!
Check out the company’s home page at www.cummings.com, and while you are there, look at the comprehensive directory of clients and their local services, accessed through the Client Information button on the left. This Yellow Pages-like listing of hundreds and hundreds of client firms is a treasure trove of local companies, almost all of which are fellow tenant firms in various Cummings buildings. Please be sure to check out your own listing, too. Make sure that we have your correct information, and that we have you in the most appropriate classification. There is no charge for these listings, and a second free listing can be readily provided, as well. Email your information to group@cummings.com.

March 11, 2008

New neighbor profile:
Welcome to Garbrook Knowledge Resources, newly located at 100 Cummings Center, Suite 235-C. Garbrook promotes its ability to develop novel ways to capture, organize, and simplify information and transform that information into effective knowledge. The firm’s stated goal is to build an industry-leading, authoritative knowledge base to support analysis and decision-making for organizations and individuals requiring a better understanding of the scientific, technical, economic and policy aspects behind complex commercial and societal issues. Garbrook’s initial focus has been on renewable energy and environmental concerns that surround this emerging market. For more information, please call Garbrook Knowledge Resources at 978-299-4960.

Lock those doors!
Beverly Police Department has informed us of a recent increase in overnight and weekend thefts within commercial buildings in the region. In response, police patrols throughout the area have been increased. We remind all tenants to take the necessary precautions and lock office doors, whenever possible. As a reminder, all standard Cummings Center entry doors are equipped both with a standard lock within the doorknob and a dead bolt mechanism. Please note that when the dead bolt is engaged, it automatically locks the door too. Secure Lock and Safe, located at 100 Cummings Center, Suite 105-F, is a convenient choice for tenant firms that wish to install their own locks or separate security devices and systems. The police urge anyone witnessing any suspicious activities, people or vehicles to report it immediately by dialing 911. There have been numerous times over the years when helpful interventions of this nature have resulted in police arrests. These efforts will help to create a safer environment for all.

Wear green/eat green (chiles, guacamole, jalapenos…):
Looking for a different place to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on Monday? Acapulcos Mexican Family Restaurant, known for its ample portions of terrific Mexican specialties, plus a full bar, invites all Cummings Center friends and neighbors to join its unique St. Patty’s Day party. Bring your friends, family or co-workers for an evening of food, fun, music and prizes! Please call 978-232-0100 for more information.

You can’t pull away from this book!
This year Beverly Main Streets is again offering The Beverly Book to all Cummings Center firms and employees at a discounted rate of $20, with free shipping of orders placed online through December 31, 2008. That is a savings of $5, or 20 percent off the regular price of $25! The Beverly Book offers numerous discounts for local businesses, such as restaurants, kids’ toys and clothing stores, boutiques, salons and much more. To place your online order, please click here. Otherwise, please contact Gin Wallace for more information at 978-922-8558 or gwallace@beverlymainstreets.org.

Could you use a little help?
Post unlimited job opportunities FREE at www.cummings.com. List your company’s open positions by scrolling down to "Employment Opportunities" on the left-hand menu and clicking on Job Postings – Beverly Clients. Use the password beverlyjobs and simply add your job and contact information in the appropriate sections. If you have any questions regarding the job posting procedure, please contact Maryann at 781-935-8000. NOTE: Remember to periodically update your listings, as listings that are more than 45 days old are routinely deleted every two weeks.

March 4, 2008

Bioscience seminar series:
North Shore Technology Council, located at 100 Cummings Center, Suite 339-F, invites Cummings Center firms and their employees to the First Friday Bioscience seminar series, where they can meet industry peers, learn about the science behind area biomedical companies, and hear how other firms tackle business challenges. Featured at this month’s seminar will be Diarmaid Douglas-Hamilton, resident firm Hamilton Thorne Biosciences’ co-founder, CTO and Senior VP of R&D, who will discuss "Thermal Effects from Laser Micro-Surgery on Stem Cells and Embryos" on Friday, March 7, from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM at the Cummings Center Conference Room at 100 Cummings Center, Suite 221-E. This event is free for NSTC members and $5 for non-members. Complimentary pizza and soft drinks will be available. For more information, or to RSVP, please email FirstFridayBiosci@gmail.com.

Sale into spring!
Change it Rearrange it!, located at 100 Cummings Center, Suite 247-E, is offering Cummings Center firms and their employees half price on a second room redesign! Whether organizing and arranging your work or living space, staging a home for sale, or tackling a cluttered garage, Change it Rearrange it! can help clients embrace what they have and affordably redesign space to look and feel like new. In addition, following a redesign, recommendations are offered, such as adding new furnishings, artwork, plants or rugs, to take your space to the "next level." Please contact Joyce Cranford at 978-335-7159 or changeitrearrangeit@comcast.net for more information.

Donate to strays in need:
During March, Danversbank, located at 100 Cummings Center, Suite 101-K, will be collecting pet supplies across its branch network on behalf of homeless cats and dogs living in local shelters and awaiting adoption. Donations of new towels and blankets, kitty litter, laundry detergent and bleach, and cat or dog toys and treats are welcome. Supplies donated at the Cummings Center bank branch will be given to Strays In Need to help care for homeless animals. Strays In Need is a non-profit charitable organization whose mission is restoring stray cats and dogs to health and placing them in loving homes. For more information, please contact Cheryl French at 978-739-0210.

Networking event:
Local businesswomen, including leaders from more than one dozen resident firms, have banded together to form WingsCares, a non-profit organization which will be hosting the North Shore Women’s Expo 2008 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Salem Waterfront Hotel on Saturday, March 8. In addition to light refreshments, gift bags for all attendees, and raffles, several guests will be featured, including keynote speaker, Hank Phillippi Ryan of Channel 7. (Cummings Properties will also be one of many exhibitors in attendance.) WingsCares will donate all after cost proceeds to the Art for Life Foundation, North Shore Chapter. The cost of this event is $25 with advance registration and $35 on the day of the event. Please contact DawnMarie Corneau, 978-299-3035, or Kathleen O’Connell, 978-299-3050, for more information.

Could you use a little help?
Post unlimited job opportunities FREE at www.cummings.com. List your company’s open positions by scrolling down to "Employment Opportunities" on the left-hand menu and clicking on Job Postings – Beverly Clients. Use the password beverlyjobs and simply add your job and contact information in the appropriate sections. If you have any questions regarding the job posting procedure, please contact Maryann at 781-935-8000. NOTE: Remember to periodically update your listings, as listings that are more than 45 days old are routinely deleted every two weeks.

February 26, 2008

Best companies to work for!
Cummings’ clients are well represented on Fortune Magazine’s latest list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For. Included are childcare provider and educator Bright Horizons Family Solutions; financial services firm Goldman Sachs Group; international toy producer Mattel; and high-tech developer Microsoft, all located at 100 Cummings Center, Beverly. Retailer Starbucks Coffee and shipping guru FedEx, both at 204 West Cummings Park, Woburn, and test, control, and design innovators National Instruments, 800 West Cummings Park, have also all made this distinguished list. Congratulations to all honorees!

Better your business model:
On Tuesday, March 4, from 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM, William D. Norman, Esq. of Metaxas, Norman & Pidgeon, 900 Cummings Center, Suite 207-T, will moderate How To Partner With A Defense Prime Contractor . . . "The Raytheon IDS Story," a Smaller Business Association of New England (SBANE) symposium, in the Cummings Center Community Conference Room at 100 Cummings Center, Suite 221-E. All are invited to this informational breakfast to learn more about Raytheon IDS’ OpenAIR business model and how it can help your business. Please click here for more information, or to register for this event. You may also register the day of the event between 7:30 AM to 8:00 AM in Suite 221-E, while enjoying a complimentary breakfast. The cost to attend this informative event is $35 for SBANE members and $50 for non-members.

Did you know?
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, located at 100 Cummings Center, Suite 146-Q, is currently promoting reverse mortgages for homeowners at least 62 years old. According to the firm, a reverse mortgage allows the equity in your home to serve as a financial resource to help supplement retirement income, remodel or repair your home, cover your health care expenses, purchase a second home or reduce your credit card debt. For more information please contact Tim Keough at 978-524-2545.

For your mortgage needs, please also consider the following resident firms serving the Cummings Center community: Lake City Mortgage, 100 Cummings Center, Suite 335-F (978-921-5264); New Boston Mortgage, 100 Cummings Center, Suite 321-E (978-279-2020); Reliant Mortgage Company, 100 Cummings Center, Suite 303-C (978-279-9344); and Viking Mortgage, 900 Cummings Center, Suite 308-V (978-835-3566).

Privacy:
Cummings Center Update recipients have occasionally inquired about the privacy of their email addresses. This fast-growing list is never used for any purpose other than communications from Cummings Properties to its clients about activities, news and concerns that we believe are of general interest. This list is not given or sold to any other party. If your co-workers would like to receive this weekly newsletter, have them submit their email addresses to group@cummings.com.

Everyone smiles in the same language!
Regardless of where we work, let’s all try to share a few extra smiles with the neighbors we pass in the hallways, parking lots and elevators! Life is so much more enjoyable when we are friendly and relaxed. Many great interactions begin with a pleasant smile and a quick "hello." Let’s all work together to help keep Cummings Center the friendliest campus around!

February 19, 2008

West Garage spaces open:
Consider parking in West Garage, now that the new pedestrian bridge extending from its third floor directly into the third floor of 900 Cummings Center is open. Dozens of additional parking spots, offering accessible parking for both 900 and 100 Cummings Center, have also recently been made so much more convenient with the new bridge on the third floor of West Garage. Entering the garage from the side entrance on McKay Street makes this parking area even more convenient! Please contact your leasing/property manager with any questions.

Conversions and promotions!
Gikas Media Services, a full-service media firm located at 100 Cummings Center, Suite 435-H, has lowered the price on its video-to-DVD conversion service, now only $19.99 ($24.99 for beta tapes). Video conversion can preserve older video of special events in your life and is available for beta, VHS, Mini-DV, and VHS-C tapes. Gikas Media also offers CD business cards to share with prospective customers with up to five minutes of video showcasing your products or services. According to the firm, CD cards are similar in size to a standard business card and compatible with most computers. Contact information and a logo can appear on the front of the CD card, just like a regular business card. In addition, Gikas Media is proud to offer all Cummings Center employees a 20% discount off its regular prices. For more information or to set up an appointment, please call George Gikas at 339-927-5280.

For video-to-DVD conversion services, please also consider resident firm CCI Reprographics, located at 100 Cummings Center, Suite 107-Q, which offers a wide variety of audio and video services, equipment rentals and personal and corporate gifts. Contact Alex at 978-921-1166, or stop by Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

What’s your ideal weight?
Franson Chiropractic reminds us that obesity is a significant health challenge in our country. The firm urges us all to commit to reaching our "ideal weight" to better our health. To learn more about your ideal weight and how to achieve it, Dr. Franson encourages you (and your friends) to attend the "Ideal Weight" workshop on Wednesday, February 27 at 6:30 PM in the 100 Cummings Center Community Conference Room, Suite 221-E. For more information, please call 978-927-8466.

Blood drive!
American Red Cross will be holding a blood drive this Friday, February 22 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, in the 221-E Conference Room at 100 Cummings Center. Area blood supplies continue to run at very low levels, and donations are critical to provide necessary blood to medical patients. All donations go to area hospitals to help save lives. Please consider donating a pint, and be sure to spread the word to your co-workers, family and friends. Walk-ins are welcome, or donors may schedule an appointment by calling 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (448-3543). Anyone 17 years of age or older, weighing 110 pounds or greater, and in good health may be eligible to donate blood. Please remember that positive identification is required.

Develop your sales team:
Could you use advice on developing your sales organization? North Shore Community College is offering a class, "How to Develop an Overachieving Sales Force," where attendees can learn the indispensable first steps in developing a successful sales team. The course facilitator is Carl Harvey, the founder and principal of Success & Self-Esteem, a sales development company. The class will be held on Wednesday, February 20, from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM, at NSCC’s Institute for Corporate Training and Technology, located at 100 Cummings Center, Suite 121-E. The cost for the class is $48. To register, or for more information, please call 978-236-1200.

Network, network, network:
When sourcing products or services, please remember your fellow tenants may be able to assist you. Don’t overlook the resources and networking opportunities within your own backyard! Go to www.cummings.com and click on "Yellow Page" Directory of Clients, under "Client Information," on the left-side of the Cummings "Home" page. Here you’ll find a convenient, informative listing of the many fine products and services offered by your neighbors.

February 12, 2008

Love is in the air!
Still looking for creative and thoughtful gifts this Valentine’s Day? Balloons Are Fun, 100 Cummings Center, Suite 351-F, asks shoppers to consider giving "a gift with a lift!" Balloons Are Fun will display a variety of Valentine’s Day balloons for sale in the 100-L lobby (between Beverly National Bank and Danversbank) on Wednesday, February 13, and Thursday, February 14, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The firm reminds Cummings Center businesses and employees that it offers balloons year-round for every occasion. If you would prefer to have a Valentine’s Day balloon bouquet delivered to someone at work or home, or for more information, please call 978-922-2007.

Let romance bloom:
Rose Haven Flowers, a full service florist conveniently located at 100 Cummings Center, Suite 106-K, reminds Cummings Center firms that it has a full selection of rose arrangements available for Valentine’s Day, along with a variety of vases and gift wrapping. Rose Haven promotes a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee, is affiliated with the international FTD network, and provides free delivery anywhere at Cummings Center. (Normal delivery charges apply to deliveries outside Cummings Center.) Online ordering is available, or visit Suite 106-K between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM each weekday, or 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM on Saturday. For further information, please call owner Brian O’Malley at 978-922-8022.

Surf while you meet!
The 100 Cummings Center Community Conference Room, Suite 221-E, now has wireless internet access available, courtesy of resident telecommunications provider, ProSpeed.Net. Please call ProSpeed.Net at 888-425-7425 for more information about this service and how to use this amenity. Contact the Cummings Center Leasing Office at 978-922-9000 to book the conference room for your next meeting.

Open house:
The Wound & Hyperbaric Medicine Center, located at 500 Cummings Center, Suite 1800, will host an open house on Friday, February 15, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. The public is welcome to tour the facility and view state-of-the-art equipment, such as the hyperbaric oxygen chambers and specialized treatment capabilities. Refreshments will be served. Please call 978-921-1210 to RSVP.

A presidential deal!
Kelly Nissan of Beverly, located at 100 Cummings Center, Suite 343-E, is holding a President’s Day event now through February 26. In addition to Kelly of Beverly’s ongoing "Cummings Associate" Special Purchase Plan, which enables Cummings Properties’ clients and their family members to purchase an in-stock vehicle for just one to three percent more than the Kelly Dealer Invoice Cost, Nissan is offering special financing rates as low as 0.9% and rebates of up to $5,000. Check out the new Nissan Versa that will be on display in 100 Cummings Center’s 100-L lobby next week and speak with a product specialist or pick up a brochure. For more information, contact program managers Gene Porzio or Frank Viola at 978-922-1405 or stop by Kelly Nissan’s showroom at 420 Cabot Street.