Alsco Focuses on Your Linens, Uniforms and Washrooms...
So You Can Focus on Your Business

Are your linens in the best of shape? In what condition are your employees' uniforms? Are you spending too much time and money taking care of your washrooms? If you are constantly worrying about your linens, uniforms, and washroom products, you have less time to focus on your customers. Let Alsco take care of these needs with reliable service and consistent pricing.

Alsco - A Personal Approach
Alsco's linen and uniform programs are tailored to your unique needs and designed to fit the size and scope of your operation. They'll also ensure your washroom and janitorial supplies and services keep you shining for your customers. Alsco's professional sales consultants are available to assist you in choosing the perfect service. From choosing uniform colors, fabrics and styles to selecting linens or customized embroidered items, Alsco is ready to help.

• Rental, leasing and laundry services for linens and uniforms
• Direct purchase options for image wear items
• Washroom and hygiene products and services
• Facility equipment such as mats and mops
• One and Done (SM) service - you only need to tell them once and it's done
• Online account management
• 100% satisfaction guarantee

The best in table linens
Alsco provides only high-quality products, such as Milliken Signature Plus™ linens, delivered to your door. Elegant, non-linting and very absorbent, their napery makes the difference that you and your customers will feel. Let your customers know they matter - give them the best.

The best in workwear
Alsco offers a comprehensive and personalized service to help you maintain all of your uniform and facility needs. Alsco is committed to providing their customers with high-quality products and reliable, hassle-free service. That is why they only offer products manufactured by the leading brands in workwear apparel, such as Dickies and Red Kap. Together, they're able to provide the best in customized uniform solutions for their customers.

• Table linens
• Aprons, towels
• Cook shirts, chef coats
• Groundskeepers' and other staff uniforms

To learn more about what Alsco has to offer, please click here. Special benefits are offered to VGM Club members on Alsco's array of products and services. Contact Lauri Wright for information: 800-363-5480.

Reduce Risks While Increasing Rewards

As with all products, those used in the club industry have risks inherent in their design and use which merit attention. Successful Club Managers consider the possibility of risk before making product choices and then take specific safety measures to ensure their appropriate use to minimize hazard. Dance floors are often perceived as less risky than other portable club furniture products, but may pose significant injury risks without careful attention to selection, installation, and inspection of the installed portable dance floor.

Panel and/or trim separation are two of the most common causes of injury for portable dance floors. Positive-locking "cam-locks" mechanically pull panels together, leaving no question as to whether or not panels are securely fastened. A cam-lock, as the name implies, also locks the panels together to prevent separation while the floor is in use. PS Furniture's cam-lock helps ensure that the dance floor panels will not separate or slide when in use. Another common source of risk is patrons tripping while stepping up and onto a portable dance floor. Reduced panel thickness lowers the trim angle profile (11" or less). High angle trim (some up to 45 degrees) poses a trip hazard and can pose a serious obstacle to mobility-challenged users. PS Furniture's trim is 11" which will keep your guests from tripping as they walk onto and off of the dance floor.

A reference list from the manufacturer to confirm their floor product withstands heavy use without falling apart, is often time well-spent. PS Furniture can provide a solid reference list of satisfied dance floor users upon request. Careful inspection for splinters, gaps and raised areas should be done before the floor is used by patrons. Materials and workmanship are a critical aspect of floor safety. Wood panels can injure dancers with splinters while poor quality floors have, at times, been reported to fall apart mid-dance!

Risks to your own setup crew should also be carefully monitored. Individual panel weight must be identified and considered. Heavy panels (some well over 50 lbs) pose a greater risk of worker injury and unnecessarily drag out installation times. Lightweight panels (some well under 50 lbs) are more easily managed with the added benefit of faster installation. PS Furniture's Revolution™ is ultra-lightweight, weighing in at 43 lbs, versus the typical 48 lbs panel. This weight difference is significant over the course of set-up and tear-down for your staff and makes it the lightest panel currently on the market. The Chart illustrates the difference in total weight carried for a 20' x 20' floor based on the weight of individual panels.

Careful consideration of risks associated with product use and thoughtful purchasing are two important ways to improve and manage your club's bottom line. Repeat customers who are highly satisfied with their experience at your club will drive business and profits. Maximum effective delivery of benefits is what will keep your clients happy and your club hopping.

PS Furniture proudly offers VGM Club members discounts of over 50% off current list prices on all products ordered through Edward Don. Call Robert Watson at 919-349-2128 for details.

Serve Only the Best With Classic Snacks
By Rick Guiney, President Classic Snacks, Inc.

Food Safety...It's Up to All of Us
OK, so you just read about another food recall and you wonder why the government can't do something. The truth is that the FDA and related government agencies do a lot...but we (some of us in the F&B business) aren't doing our part.

I can't remember how many times my company has been told that "your prices are just a bit too high"...so we proudly point to our Food Safety Certification (FSC) and say that we know it adds some costs but its worth it. Sadly, too many F&B departments are willing to look past the FSC to simply gain a few cents per pound in cost...and unsafe food continues to flourish.

I can remember once I was in a meeting with the Executive Chef of a major hotel chain and he didn't seem to understand the difference between an FSC and basic business liability insurance. One you earn through rigorous inspections and expensive systems, the other anyone can buy.

All we (you) have to do, is refuse to do business with anyone not having an active FSC. Telling yourself that "the savings are worth it" perpetuates the supply of unsafe food and answers the question above, "Why can't the government do something"...because we (you) still buy from uncertified sources!

Just don't buy anything from non-certified sources and the ranks of the uncertified will decrease and so will those manufacturers that supply the uncertified. If your food costs go up, well your food is safe and if asked, any member or guest will appreciate that you only use FSC suppliers.

Food safety is up to all of us. For my part, my company spends money, time, effort, and manpower to provide a safe product and to maintain our FSC. On your side, overlook the savings that an uncertified supplier might offer with the knowledge that you not only are helping your club, but you are also helping all of us get safer food.

Classic Snacks is an FSC supplier of bulk bar snacks, nuts, nut meats and various food items with facilities in Chicago, Baltimore and Phoenix. We can be reached at 800-648-7672 and have a long standing promotional program offered exclusively to VGM Club members.

Good Taste from Tyson

Your members love pizza!
The majority of Americans (93%) eat pizza at least once a month and the average consumer eats pizza nearly three times per month, according to the Technomic Pizza Consumer Trend Report 2010. US pizza sales totaled nearly $36 billion in 2009 (NPD Group) and America's appetite for pizza is stronger than ever.

Not only do your members love pizza, but they also are looking for meal options that satisfy the tastes of the whole family at a good value. Pizza is a great way to offer your members an affordable meal the entire family is sure to love.

Pizza Products
Tyson Food Service will help you create a signature pizza program with our full line of pizza products. Their Bonici® pizza product portfolio includes a full line of products from toppings in a variety of sizes, styles, flavors and price points; doughs and crusts, from nearly scratch to heat-and-serve; new popular add-ons customers crave with pizza, such as wings and boneless wings for pizza ovens; and more, including meatballs in a wide range of styles and sizes for everything from pastas to meatball subs.

Pizza Recipes
Tyson can also help with menu ideas. From updates on All-American pizza classics to 'out of the pizza box' ideas that take advantage of the versatility of pizza products in dishes beyond pizza. Visit the recipe section of Tyson's site to see all of the options in their "Bonici Pizza & More" recipe collection, where they not only provide menu inspirations, but merchandising ideas and support for each recipe that can help draw attention to your menu.

And More...
The most complete line of pizza products is available from Bonici - The Pizza Brand from Tyson Food Service. The Bonici brand is the only brand of pizza products backed by the business-building support and insights of one of the most recognized names in foodservice - Tyson Food Service, known for exceptional product quality, innovation and service.

For more information about the complete line of Bonici products or to access the complete line of Bonici brand recipes and on-trend menuing ideas, visit www.tysonfoodservice.com or contact Julie Perazzo, 817-416-0489. For information on Tyson's per-case rebates offered to members through Cash Back Advantage, call 800-363-5480.