Marcy A. Dreimiller, SPHR, MBA has been hired as the new Director Human Resources for Saratoga Hospital.

Dreimiller has over 21 years experience, including seventeen years as Vice President for Human Resources at Glens Falls Hospital, Glens Falls and 4 years as Senior Consultant, Price Waterhouse Coopers, Albany.

Ms. Dreimiller completed her Bachelor of Arts degree at SUNY Albany and Masters in Business Administration from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy.

Saratoga Hospital and Saratoga Care Nursing Home, affiliates of Saratoga Care, Inc., are a 243-bed community hospital and nursing home designed to serve as Saratoga County's community health resource. Saratoga Hospital is the first hospital in Capital Region to achieve Magnet status for nursing excellence. The hospital has over 260 admitting physicians and offers more than 30 medical specialties and extensive clinical services, including advanced medical imaging, cardiopulmonary and laboratory facilities. Saratoga Care, Inc., which also includes Wilton Medical Arts, Malta Medical Arts, Saratoga Surgery Center, Saratoga Family Health, Schuylerville Family Health and Galway Family Health, is dedicated to providing a continuum of healthcare services to the people of Saratoga County. To obtain additional information on all aspects of Saratoga Care, go to www.saratogacare.org on the worldwide web.

Schenectady County Community College cordially invites you to participate in "Exploring Hospitality Careers" on
Wednesday, January 27, 2010 from 10am - 1pm.

This event is targeted to inform 300+ students training for career paths within hospitality & tourism operations throughout the capital region, the nation and the globe. Our hope is that through conversations at this event, candidates can expand their job search and adjust their expectations during this period of uncertainty.

Please mark your calendar and complete the online registration to reserve your space www.sunysccc.edu/ces and click on Exploring Hospitality Careers

This year, we removed the registration fee to encourage greater participation during this tough economy. Upon receipt of your registration, we will send you confirmation materials and information to prepare.

If you have questions, please contact Suzann Burke at  518.381.1365 or burkesv@sunysccc.edu.  

Clifton Park Councilman Sandy Roth, left, shares a smile with Town Supervisor Phil Barrett during the Monday, Dec. 21 Town Board meeting. Roth is retiring at the end of the year and Monday was his final board meeting as Councilman. At the meeting, Barrett presented Roth with the Key to Clifton Park, the town’s highest honor for service to the community. Both the Town Board and Planning Board passed resolutions this month honoring Roth for his service to the town. Roth has been on the Town Board since 1992 and was instrumental in a number of town initiatives, including the establishment of an annual Household Hazardous Waste Day. Roth was also a leading advocate for bringing affordable senior housing to Clifton Park.

C A North Realty is offering four Home Buyers Workshops in Jan/Feb 2010. Potential home buyers will be introduced to Real Estate Professionals such as a Home Inspector, Real Estate Attorney, and a Certified Public Accountant. They will also learn about the pitfalls to avoid when buying a home.

Class schedule is as follows:

Thus. Jan 21 7-9pm at Niskayuna Cont. Ed. 348-0080 x1551
Wed. Feb 3, 7-9pm at South Colonie High Cont. Ed. 869-3576 x2471
Tues. Feb. 9, 7-9pm at Scotia-Glenville 386-4377
Tue. Feb. 23, 7-9pm at Schalmont Cont. Ed. 355-9200 x4005

C A North Realty is also offering Home Sellers Workshops titled Sell Your Home Without a Realtor in

Feb 2010

Potential sellers will be advised on how to avoid common mistakes when trying to sell their home, and learn valuable information that is crucial in today’s market. 

The Scheduled Classes are:

Mon. Feb. 1 & 8         7-9pm              Niskayuna Cont. Ed.              348-0080 x1551

Thus. Feb. 4 & 11      7-9pm              South Colonie Cont. Ed.        869-3576 x2471

For questions regarding course content, call: (518) 899-2222.

The town of Clifton Park will close its yearlong celebration of the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's voyage in 1609 with an illustrated presentation on the town's Dutch heritage at Historic Grooms Tavern on Friday, January 8, 2010 at
7 p.m.

Town Historian John Scherer will highlight the early Dutch settlers in Clifton Park and discuss their distinctive lifestyle. Clifton Park and Halfmoon were first settled by descendants of original Dutch families from the Netherlands. Dutch names like Van Vranken, Vischer, Vandenburgh, Van Arnum, Hageman, Bloodgood and many more
are still prominent in the area. The original Dutch families maintained their cultural traditions and at first built Dutch
style homes and barns with distinctive furniture replicating what was used in the Netherlands. For example, every household had a large wardrobe‐like piece of furniture used to store linens called a kast.

The presentation, part of the town's regular "First Friday" events, is free and is sponsored by the town of Clifton Park Office of Parks, Recreation and Community Affairs. The event is being held on the second Friday of the month due to the New Year's Day holiday. No registration is required to attend. For information, call 371‐6667 or visit www.cliftonpark.org.

Coffee News of the Capital Region announces that the Jan. '10 issue of Entrepreneur Magazine has once again ranked COFFEE NEWS as the #1 franchise in the Advertising Services - Publishing Category for the 6th year in a row. Also COFFEE NEWS was ranked as the 54th overall franchise on their list of the Top 500 franchises, up 10 points from last year's rank of #64.
 
Locally the Coffee News has been published weekly since 2008 by R.Beck Associates LLC and is distributed to over 230 locations in Saratoga Springs, Malta/Round Lake, Clifton Park & Halfmoon. For more info visit www.capitalregioncoffeenews.com  

The elevator speech used by Pauline Bartel of Bartel Communications, Inc., is quoted in the newly released book Sixty Seconds to an Unforgettable Elevator Speech by Don Rosenberg. Bartel's business introduction was also designated by Rosenberg as one of the top three most unforgettable elevator speeches cited as examples in the book.

Bartel's elevator speech follows: "I am Pauline Bartel, president and chief creative officer of Bartel Communications, an award-winning corporate communications firm that builds the images of companies with words. We work with clients that are experiencing the best of times. Through our business anniversary consulting service, we help companies leverage their longevity to win new and repeat business, strengthen key relationships and gain strategic marketplace advantage. We also work with clients that are experiencing the worst of times. Through our crisis communication consulting services, we help companies protect their reputations when bad things happen. Whether your company is experiencing the best of times or the worst of times, Bartel Communications will work like the Dickens for you."

Sixty Seconds to an Unforgettable Elevator Speech shows readers how to create an elevator speech and make it memorable. The book retails for $12.95 and is available through www.unforgettablespeech.com).

Bartel Communications, Inc., is an award-winning corporate communications firm that builds the images of companies with words through writing, editing, marketing, public relations and business anniversary consulting. The firm's Web site is located at www.paulinebartel.com.

Beginning soon at Hudson Valley Community College's TEC SMART facility in Malta, local builders, trades people, architects, engineers and individuals interested in pursuing a career in the green collar workforce in Saratoga and Southern Adirondacks regions can receive training on how to diagnose and repair homes to make them more energy efficient.

Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) Workforce Development Institute's Center for Energy Efficiency and Building Science will offer Building Analyst and Envelope Professional training at the College's new state-of-the-art TEC SMART facility in the Saratoga Technology and Energy Park beginning Feb. 2, 2010.

The Building Analyst course uses a "whole house" performance-based approach to address a range of interrelated building issues. Students in the course will be trained to diagnose those issues and recommend steps to create a more comfortable, safe, durable and energy-efficient home. The course includes 24 hours of classroom instruction as well as 12 hours of hands-on field experience assessing and testing a local home. The Envelope Professional course uses the same approach to teach advanced building envelope diagnostic, evaluation and repair skills, with 12 hours of classroom instruction and 18 hours of field experience.

The Center for Energy Efficiency and Building Science (CEEBS), a division of HVCC's Workforce Development Institute (WDI), is currently funded by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), and the U.S. Department of Labor.

CEEBS is the lead agency for statewide workforce development programs providing energy efficiency-based training to the existing workforce in New York State. CEEBS has established a statewide footprint with 12 strategically located Energy $mart Learning Centers comprised of nine two-year colleges with strong technology programs, one Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) school, and one non-profit training organization.

CEEBS offers courses primarily addressed to the existing workforce in the related building trades areas. These courses prepare students for national certification by the Building Performance Institute (BPI). BPI sets the national technical standards for contractors in the building performance contracting trade.

CEEBS provides the baseline training for BPI certifications in:
• Building Analyst
• Envelope Professional
• Heating Professional
• AC/Heat Pump (Cooling) Professional
CEEBS Learning Centers also offer:
• Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Rater Training
• Sales and Marketing Training for NYS Home Performance Contractors
• Multifamily Building Analyst Training
Students could receive 75 percent reimbursement for the total cost of the training. Incentives available to contractors also include financial assistance for the purchase of diagnostic equipment, co-op advertising and BPI contractor referral. Contractors or home remodelers who successfully complete the program and BPI Certification/Accreditation may be eligible to apply to become a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® contractor.

Through the Home Performance with Energy Star Program, participating contractors can offer their customers a host of program incentives on qualifying energy efficiency repairs and improvements.

For more information, visit http://www.hvcc.edu/ceebs or contact the Center for Energy Efficiency and Building Science directly by calling (518) 629-4111 or emailing ceebs@hvcc.edu.

Do you love to sing? Have you ever dreamed of singing in front of a large audience? Now is your chance to make your dreams happen!

Clifton Park Idol will once again be a major feature of the annual Winter Fest to be held on Saturday, February 13, 2010. Registration is now open for 20 spots in two age categories, for a total of 40 entrants. Clifton Park Idol is open to Clifton Park residents only and contestants will be divided into two age divisions. The first division is for residents aged 6 through 12 and the second division is for residents aged 13‐17.

Contestants must live within the boundaries of the town of Clifton Park and may sign up at Town Hall or through the mail. To register, please include three song choices and a notice of parental consent. Please submit registration forms by January 22, 2010.

Contestants will receive confirmation from the Office of Parks, Recreation and Community Affairs by January 29, 2010. All participants will be asked to bring a CD with the music of the song or songs they wish to sing to the event on February 13.

First place winners of Clifton Park Idol will receive a $100 gift card to Clifton Park Center along with the opportunity to sing the National Anthem at the Clifton Park July 4th Celebration Concert. Second and third place winners will receive a prize, and all contestants will receive a WinterFest gift.

For more information, call 371‐6667 or visit www.cliftonpark.org

Berkshire Hills Bancorp (BHLB) has appointed Robert M. Curley as a Director of the Company. Additionally, Mr. Curley has joined the Company's subsidiary bank, Berkshire Bank - America's Most Exciting BankSM, as Chairman of its New York region. In this role, Mr. Curley will work with the Bank's current leadership team to direct growth opportunities in that market. Mr. Curley also has been appointed as a Director of the Bank.

Mr. Curley is a well-known and highly respected banking executive. For the period 2005 to 2009, he served as Chairman and President for Citizens Bank in New York with approximately $20 billion in assets and more than 200 branches throughout the state. Prior to joining Citizens, Mr. Curley served at Charter One Bank where he was President for New York and New England. During the period of 1976 - 1999, Mr. Curley was employed by KeyCorp., where he rose to the position of Vice Chairman of KeyBank N.A., and served as President and CEO of four subsidiary banks.

Berkshire President and CEO Michael P. Daly stated, "We are delighted to have Bob Curley join Berkshire's Board of Directors and the Bank's New York Region team as Chairman. Bob knows the Albany region as well as anyone, and throughout his career he has been a successful leader of bank teams that have excelled in serving their markets and building market share. The New York region is our fastest growing region and an important priority for our Company. Bob will work with Mike Carroll, our New York Commercial executive and Kimberley Riggs, our New York Retail leader, in business development and executing the Bank's growth plans. We will welcome his contribution to the Company's Board of Directors, sharing his leadership perspectives from more than three decades of experience in guiding the development of large, successful financial institutions."

Mr. Curley stated, "I'm pleased to join Berkshire's Board of Directors and I look forward to working with our strong New York team to expand our banking presence in this attractive market. It has been my privilege to serve this market for many years, both personally and professionally through active community involvement. Berkshire Bank has the people, energy, and attitude that come together in a unique brand and culture to engage with and serve our communities. I have enjoyed working with fast-paced, growing banks throughout my career. When I evaluated my next steps, the opportunity to be part of the Berkshire team was most attractive. Berkshire has the strength and vitality to take a larger position in providing financial solutions to our New England and northeast New York markets, and I'm excited to be joining this dynamic team."

Mr. Curley and his family are longtime residents in the Albany area. Active in the community, Mr. Curley has served as Chairman of Catholic Charities, Coaches vs. Cancer, Wildwood Programs, the Community Lending Corporation, the Doane Stuart School, the Sports Foundation, the New York Bankers Association Retail Council, the WMHT Great TV Auction, the City of Albany's Neighborhood Revitalization Committee, and the annual fund campaigns for both Junior Achievement and the United Way. He also serves on the boards of Siena College, the New York Business Development Corp., the Business Council of New York State, the Albany Local Development Corporation, and the Center for Economic Growth.

BACKGROUND

Berkshire Hills Bancorp is headquartered in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. It has $2.7 billion in assets and is the parent of Berkshire Bank - America's Most Exciting BankSM. The Company provides personal and business banking, insurance, investment, and wealth management services through 46 financial centers in western Massachusetts, northeastern New York, and southern Vermont. Berkshire Bank provides 100% deposit insurance protection, regardless of amount, based on a combination of FDIC insurance and the Depositors Insurance Fund (DIF). For more information, visit www.berkshirebank.com or call 800-773-5601.

A spirit-led Kwanzaa celebration will be held at Shenendehowa United Methodist Church, 971 Rt. 146 in Clifton Park, on Tuesday, December 29, beginning with a gathering time at 5:30 p.m. There will be children's crafts and a presentation on the Underground Railroad at 6 p.m followed by a soup, sandwich and pizza dinner. Candle lighting service, African drumming, liturgical dancing and the Israel AME church's Gospel Mass Choir will be joined by Soulful Sounds, a Shen High School group. Program ends at 8:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome, we hope you join the fun!

Town of Clifton Park contractors are completing work this week on upgrades to the energy efficiency of the heating and cooling system at Town Hall that will save taxpayers $10,000 per year.

Workers are replacing the existing chiller at Town Hall with equipment that will optimize the performance of the building's cooling system and are upgrading related components of the building's HVAC system. The improvements were suggested in a 2007 New York State Energy Research and Development Authority audit conducted at the recommendation of the town's G.R.E.E.N Committee, which was created two years ago to address energy use and environmental impacts in all aspects of town government. The $114,000 project was funded through a grant from the New York State senate in late 2008.

"This project is the result of hard work by the town's G.R.E.E.N Committee, officials with NYSERDA and the New York State senate," Town Supervisor Phil Barrett said. "We're always looking for ways to cut costs and reduce our energy use, and this project does both."

Improvements to the ducts and HVAC infrastructure at Town Hall will minimize energy use waste, and individual temperature control units are being installed in Town Hall offices to better regulate temperature throughout the building.
The senate grant comes from Petroleum Overcharge Restitution (POCR) funds, established from proceeds of court settlements relating to major oil company violations of federal price controls in the 1970s and 1980s. The New York Power Authority administers the funds in New York State.

Article courtesy of The Saratogian

The Ballston Spa Central School District was recently honored for their work with the Comprehensive Tobacco-Free Healthy School Policy Program, at the Southern Adirondack Tobacco-Free Partner's sixth annual community recognition ceremony.

Twenty-four businesses, organizations, schools and municipalities from Saratoga County were honored at the event for their efforts to promote community health and reduce the harm caused by tobacco use.

Ballston Spa Central School District was the only one in Saratoga County honored for their work.

Ballston Spa has been working on this initiative for more than years. During this time, under the leadership of health teacher Ellen Predmore, the district has developed a new more comprehensive tobacco-free school policy. Since the policy was adopted, the school has continued to educate teachers, parents, and staff of the dangers of tobacco use, at many school events.

Prevention programs in schools are most effective when supplemented by strongly enforced tobacco policies.

"Students face many tough decisions at this age," said Kristi Jensen, Ballston Spa High School principal. "And collectively we can promote positive decision-making."

"Together our mission is to stop most from trying tobacco products. For those already using, we are trying to offer help and support to quit. It is never too late to get healthy," Jensen said.

"The administration and faculty have made the health of their students, staff and the school community a priority," said Greg Stevens, Tobacco Free Healthy Schools coordinator. "Recognizing them was truly our honor."

The Tobacco Free Healthy Schools Program increases the capacity of schools in the state to implement effective policies that are in compliance with state and federal laws. The program provides schools with resources and technical assistance to develop, communicate and enforce comprehensive tobacco-free school policies.

Northeast Parent & Child Society's Board of Directors ratified the appointment of John E. Henley as the agency's new President and Chief Executive Officer at last night's Annual Board Meeting. Mr. Henley is scheduled to start working at Northeast on Monday, February 1, 2010.

Mr. Henley possesses more than 30 years of experience in education and child welfare. For 13 years, he has served as Executive Director of Elmcrest Children's Center in Syracuse, New York. The agency's mission is "protecting the promise of childhood." Elmcrest is a multi-service child welfare agency with a $17 million annual operating budget, more than 300 staff, serving more than 1,500 children and families per year. During Mr. Henley's tenure, Elmcrest experienced steady growth in its scope and breadth of services, increased its capacity to serve children and families in Central New York, and sustained solid public partnerships with county and state government. From 1986-1995, Mr. Henley was Executive Director of the Cayuga Home for Children in Auburn, New York. From 1982-1986, he served as Director of Education for Hillside Children's Center in Rochester, New York. Mr. Henley held a variety of positions in Auburn, New York from 1977 to 1982.

Mr. Henley holds memberships on the Board of Directors of the Council of Family and Child Caring Agencies (COFCCA) and the National Advisory Committee on Residential Care for the Child Welfare League of America. He received his Master of Science Degree in Education from Syracuse University and his Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy from LeMoyne College. Mr. Henley holds permanent certifications as a School District Administrator, School Administrator and Supervisor, and New York State Teacher.

About Northeast Parent & Child Society:
Northeast Parent & Child Society provides a full array of residential, special education, family foster care, children's mental health, family preservation, and career development programs. For the past 121 years, we have helped more than 100,000 children and families build better futures. Our dedicated staff is 540 people strong, annually serving 6,300 people from 29 counties in Upstate New York with a $36.7 million budget. For more information, please visit www.neparentchild.org.

Article courtesy of The Record

Since breaking ground in July, work on the GlobalFoundries microchip fabrication plant has progressed steadily, with workers reaching a milestone on Saturday erecting the first two roof trusses.

The trusses, which will eventually number 56, will support the building's structure and the facility's heavy mechanical equipment, as well as hanging trolleys that will allow automated manufacturing to take place inside the plant's 210,000-square-foot clean room. Once complete, the building will have 26,000 tons of structural steel.

The building is called "module one." The site was designed to eventually accommodate three such facilities, although additional approvals from the Town of Malta will be required before additional construction can begin.

As trusses rise into the air, work is also under way on a smaller building next door that will house all of the plant's mechanical systems. The smaller building is called the central utility building.

Total cost for construction is expected to be $4.2 billion, and the plant will employ 1,400 workers once it reaches its full operating capacity.

The GlobalFoundries Fab 2 project, the first tenant to locate inside the Luther Forest Technology Campus, has spurred infrastructure investments around the county, as well the construction of new housing in some communities, in anticipation of an influx of workers - both to be employed by the plant, and in ancillary industries.

Alan Asadoorian, Director of Construction with the architecture firm M+W Zander, which designed the facility and is overseeing its construction, said that crews rushed to put the first two trusses in place last weekend, before snow started falling. This winter, he said, work will focus on completing concrete work and continuing to erect steel members.

"At this point, it's just a building construction," he said, "A little bigger, a little heavier." Later on, when the building is enclosed and construction begins on the clean room, work will become more specialized. The building's structure is expected to be complete by late summer 2010, and mechanical systems will begin going in place in late winter and early spring, once the building "opens" for that type of work.

Adjacent to the main fab building, crews are also working to construct the facility's central utility building, which will house heating, cooling and electrical equipment, as well as water treatment - for water to be used in the manufacturing process and wastewater.

The goal, Asadoorian said, is a smooth construction process that allows work to flow easily from one phase to the next.

Local workers contribute to cutting-edge facility

To move the project along, a crew of about 320 workers is currently on site, mostly working on the foundation and structural steel.

Of contractors currently working on the project, many are from the capital area. Although each contract is bid out, Asadoorian said that with so many qualified workers in the area, there was no reason to import.

"It's important for the project to work with local labor," he said, but added that when more specialized work begins, particularly on the building's plumbing and electrical systems, contractors from outside the area may be brought in, if adequate local labor is not available.

Currently working on the site, MLB, of Malta, is constructing concrete foundations for the main plant; Jersen Construction, of Waterford, completed foundations and other work on the adjacent central utility building; and BCI Construction Services, of Albany, constructed the on-site office building that houses workspace for both GlobalFoundries personnel and M + W Zander's on site staff.

The massive steel members for both the main building and central utility building were fabricated by FabArc, in Birmingham, Ala. Stone Bridge Iron and Steel, of Gansevoort, is erecting steel on the central utility building. Christina Steel, of Guilderland, and Berlin Steel, of Kensington, Conn., are erecting steel for the main building.

Bonded Conrete, of Watervliet, constructed and is now operating a batch plant at the site, to contain some elements of the construction process.

Other contracts for other services are expected to be forthcoming, and are being let to bid as the project goes forward.

Once completed, GlobalFoundries Fab 2 won't be the largest microprocessor in the world, but Asadoorian said it will be the most technologically advanced, and is being constructed to make use of new manufacturing tools and technologies that are still under development. Some new techniques will likely emerge from the Nanotech Center at SUNY Albany.

"You don't get too many opportunities to be involved in the first-of-a-kind," Asadoorian said.

Community responds

well to construction

While work is underway at the plant's construction site, relations with the surrounding community appear to be mostly positive.

Malta Supervisor Paul Sausville said that since a hotline opened to field complaints, the company has only received a handful of complaints. Those they have received pertain mostly to noise along the site's main access, Stone Break Road.

"They're nestled back in the site with huge buffers, so there's basically no nuisance to the town," Sausville said. "They're proving to be good neighbors."

Sausville noted that of town residents who have spoken to him, most are happy with the new industry coming into the community, and the jobs that it represents. In the short term, Sausville noted that the construction sector is doing very well, and he believes that infrastructure investments made to accommodate the plant will benefit the town well into the future.

"We're very excited about the prospect of GlobalFoundries coming, the culture they bring, the 21st-century jobs for our kids and grandkids, the jobs that everyone wants," he said.

"I can't stress enough the good working relationships we've developed with GlobalFoundries," Sausville said, but noted that the plant's construction has come with some demands on the town. A full-time member of Malta's planning staff has been dedicated to the project, to ensure that work at the site is being done to code.

"GlobalFoundries comes with some pain to our town work force, but we're finding ways to make sure that the costs for that are borne by the applicants," he said.

The Mohawk & Hudson River Humane Society (MHRHS) of Menands, New York has been saving the lives of abused and unwanted animals since 1887. MHRHS is a non-profit organization that receives no ongoing funding from federal, state or local governments or any other animal welfare organization. They rely on our communities generous donations to support vital services for the animals.

For every donation of $5.00 that you make at Bella Rouge Cosmetics & Skincare Boutique in Clifton Park Center, you will be entered to win a prize valued at $250 with an amazing assortment of products from Colorescience Mineral Make up and Kinerase skin care. Even better, make a donation of $10.00 or more and get 10% off your total in store purchase for that visit !

*MHRHS has been named Best Charity and Best Animal Advocate in the 2009 Metroland Readers Poll.

The Hazard Abatement Board (HAB) is pleased to announce the 2010  Request for Proposal (RFP) for Occupational Safety and Health Training and Education Grants.  This year, the RFP may be obtained free of charge from the HAB’s internet site, www.labor.state.ny.us/hab.  You may also contact Program staff at 518-457-7629 to request a copy be mailed to your address.  The 2010 RFP will be available on the internet or for distribution by mail on December 7, 2009.  Please note that under the 2010 RFP grants will be awarded for a 12-month contract term running from August 1, 2010 through July 31, 2011. 

The Hazard Abatement Board awards grants for programs that provide occupational safety and health training for public and private employers, labor organizations, educational institutions, non-profit organizations and trade associations. Eligible programs must train and educate workers, supervisors and/or employers and must promote workplace accident and injury prevention. The Board also administers Capital Abatement Program grants to public employers. These grants cover 75% of the cost of capital projects necessary to correct workplace hazards cited by the Public Employee Safety and Health Bureau (PESH) or where recommended in a consultation report. Additionally, the Board may recommend safety and health standards in accordance with the State Labor Law.

The Arthritis Foundation, Northeastern New York Chapter, along with Abbott, is sponsoring a FREE program on Rheumatoid Arthritis on Friday, December 18th, 2009 at 11:30 a.m. The program will take place at the Bone and Joint Center, 1367 Washington Avenue, Albany, in the auditorium.

Neal Greenstein, M.D. will be the featured speaker and will discuss the signs and symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis and some of the challenges of living with the disease.

Registration is required and refreshments will be served. Please register by December 17th by calling the Arthritis Foundation at 518-456-1203.

Treat your Employees to a Wonderful Holiday Tradition!

It's a Wonderful Life
Friday, Dec. 18, 2009

Business Owners: The Palace Theatre is pleased to be able to offer a very special promotion to Capital Region Businesses in conjunction with our annual presentation of "It's a Wonderful Life". Have a special holiday gathering for your employees or customers at the Historic Palace Theatre.

DETAILS:

WHERE: The Palace Theatre

WHEN: Friday, December 18. The reception will take place from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM & the film will begin promptly at 7:00 PM.

For only $20 a person, you and your employees can attend a special pre-screening reception at the Palace Theatre. Your $20 Ticket includes admission to "It's a Wonderful Life" as well as admission to a pre-screening reception featuring light fare catered by Classe' Catering (A cash bar will also be available for beer & wine)

This offer is limited to just 300 people. The deadline for ordering tickets is Friday, December 11.

To find out more information or reserve a spot for your business, please call the Palace Theatre Box Office at 518-465-4663 during regular business hours.

Article Courtesy of the Times Union

A $4.2 billion computer chip factory is rising up from the forest here and, soon, a new retail complex could follow.

Developers are being sought for a new "lifestyle center" at Saratoga Technology + Energy Park, a state-owned business park next to the site where GlobalFoundries Inc. is building the computer chip factory known as Fab 2.
Proposals are due at the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority by Jan. 28 for the center, which is expected to include a deli, coffee shop, gym, day care center, bank, copy center, dry cleaner and, possibly, a retail shopping outlet.

NYSERDA, a state authority that leads the state's energy research efforts, owns the 280-acre STEP, which is adjacent to the 1,414-acre Luther Forest Technology Campus where GlobalFoundries is building.

Although the town of Malta has many of the amenities envisioned for the center, none of those services are currently available within the wooded forest that makes up STEP and Luther Forest. The exact size of the new building has not been determined.

Both business parks have been developed as one self-sustaining campus, with ball fields, walking trails -- and eventually retail services.

"We anticipate that this asset will be used when marketing the campus to potential tenants and will encourage the employees at the campus to take full advantage of this amenity," Luther Forest President Michael Relyea said in an October letter of support for the new center,

Steve Groseclose, director of risk management, sustainability and real estate for GlobalFoundries, said in a September letter to NYSERDA that the new center would "certainly provide an attractive asset" to Fab 2, which is scheduled to be completed by 2012.

STEP already has two buildings, including one that houses administrative offices for GlobalFoundries. Hudson Valley Community College in Troy is also building a new alternative energy and semiconductor training facility at the STEP that is expected to train clean room workers for the Fab 2 project.

NYSERDA is not releasing the names of developers who have proposed projects, but spokesman Jeffrey Gordon says that interest is strong.

"We've received quite a bit of interest," Gordon said. "We're really pleased, and it will be a great asset to the community."

Deborah Torrance Lic.Ac. is available at Northeast Spine & Wellness on Ushers Road on Monday afternoons after 3:00 p.m. and Friday mornings after 8:00 a.m. Appointments for acupuncture may be made at the front desk or by calling the main number at 877-0516. During the month of December, we are offering a special introductory price of just $79 for the initial acupuncture visit.

Alpin Haus, one of the Northeast's largest outdoors retailers, plans to open two new locations within the next 4 to 12 months: a store in Saratoga County that will feature skis, pools and hot tubs and an RV dealership outside of the Capital Region.

The company announced Monday that the expansion is being fueled by growth in consumer demand for two of its core staples: winter sports equipment such as skis, snowboards and apparel; and pools, including spas and hot tubs.

"We are optimistic about future business opportunities based on the current trends in two of our major revenue generating areas," said Andy Heck, president of Alpin Haus. "This strategic plan for 2010 and beyond will allow us to take advantage of the burgeoning demand for basic winter and summer recreational equipment, plus will afford us the opportunity to strategically reposition our RV supply channels. Our goal is to simultaneously increase our RV inventory and reduce the sales overlap that currently exists."

Currently, three of Alpin Haus' four local retail outlets offer RVs, including its Clifton Park store at 103 Sitterly Road and its nearby Saratoga dealership, 30 Gordon Lane in Gansevoort, both of which are located along the I-87 corridor.

Alpin Haus plans to replace its Clifton Park store with a new Saratoga location by the spring 2010. The new operation will primarily focus on pool sales and service in anticipation of a strong rebound in the housing market; and on sales of skis and snowboards in response to heightened consumer demand for winter sports equipment and apparel.

The company plans to relocate all store associates to its new and existing locations and hire additional employees to meet staffing needs.

The strategic repositioning will have the effect of channeling the majority of local RV traffic to Alpin Haus' Thruway location on Route 5S west of Amsterdam.

Alpin Haus also announced plans to open a new RV dealership outside of the Capital Region. The company is currently assessing various options and locations.

Alpin Haus will maintain its flagship store at Route 30 in Amsterdam which offers boats, pools, spas, skis and other winter sports equipment and apparel.

Entering its fourth decade of service in the Capital Region, Alpin Haus has grown into an outdoor recreation powerhouse with four store locations in Amsterdam, Wilton and Clifton Park, featuring a full-line of luxury RVs, snowmobiles, skis, boats, pools, spas, and ATV's. Alpin Haus is one of America's largest RV dealers - named top five RV dealer in 2008 by RV Business Magazine - and recipient of the 2007 Caldera Spa's Best New Dealer of the Year; the Winnebago Circle of Excellence; the 2007 Snow Sports Retailer of the Year; 2006 Top Quality RV Dealer of the Year; the 2006 Ski-Doo District Dealer of the Year; and voted one of the Best Places to Work by Capital District Business Review in 2008, 2007, 2005, and 2004. For more information, visit their web site at www.alpinhaus.com.

Englemore Road in Clifton Park will be closed except for local traffic starting on Monday, Dec. 7 through Friday, Dec. 11. Previously, the road had been closed from 7 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on weekdays to allow workers to replace a 72‐inch pipe under the road. However, crews are having difficulty completing the necessary work on the road during the limited closure hours, and this further closure is necessary to ensure the work is completed on time. The Town apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause.

Residents living on the east side of the Englemore Road causeway over the Stony Creek Reservoir should use Moe Road to enter and exit their neighborhood. Residents living on the west side can use Vischer Ferry Road for access.

Please call the Highway Department at 371‐7310 with any questions.

Article courtesy of the Saratogian

The goal of providing mass transit to Saratoga County is to give area residents and workers choices, said Carm Basile, executive director of the Capital District Transportation Association.

Addressing a meeting of the Citizen Transportation Committee of Saratoga County last week, Basile said CDTA's ongoing mission is to become relevant to a region that is getting increasingly comfortable with using mass transit. He pointed out, though, that CDTA has many opportunities to improve service.

Among the challenges facing CDTA, Basile said the agency, established in 1970, has seen a decrease in ridership during the past year. He attributed this to the agency raising fares; the leveling off of gas prices that has caused some who had been using transit to return to using their cars; and rising unemployment, which has resulted in fewer people commuting to work.

To make transit more relevant, especially in Saratoga County, Basile said the agency has focused on serving the community at events like Thursday's Victorian Streetwalk and Saratoga Springs' First Night celebration.

The implementation of light rail service between the Capital District's main urban centers is a possibility and could see an influx of federal funds.

"Congressman Murphy has said that he will lobby hard for some of those dollars to come here," said Saratoga Springs Supervisor Joanne Yepsen, who attended the meeting.

In addition to Basile and Yepsen, Supervisor Matthew Veitch, also of Saratoga Springs, and Malta Supervisor Paul Sausville attended the meeting.

Sausville said that with the development of jobs at the Luther Forest Technology Campus, he hopes there will be an opportunity to develop bus service along Route 9. Others at the meeting discussed the need to expand service to communities like Corinth and Stillwater, where workers would be able to take advantage of transit to access employment opportunities in other parts of the county.

CDTA's best-performing route in Saratoga County is the Route 50 connector, which runs service between Wilton and Schenectady.

Basile said that route has seen annual ridership grow from 6,000 a year to 250,000 over the past several years.

Future developments of the transit system will require about $15 million a year, Basile said, an amount he called a "drop in the bucket." Planned expansions in this area include a new bus depot and a dispatch center in Saratoga County.

"We want to be in Saratoga," he said.

Georgeanna Lynch, Saratoga County's representative on the CDTA Board of Directors, noted that the Route 50 bus route follows the same route of the former Delaware and Hudson rail line, which was extended from Schenectady to Saratoga in 1833.

"Our forefathers knew what they were doing in building tracks," she said.

Boot Camp Challenge and other Make It Fit classes are now covered under Blue Shield of Northeastern, NY and Blue Shield of Western, NY Insurance! Contact Make It Fit, LLC for more details at makefit@nycap.rr.com

The American Red Cross Adirondack Saratoga Chapter is pleased to announce a fundraising partnership that will benefit the local chapter. Toll Brothers, a leading builder of luxury homes is organizing a holiday silent auction of a Lenox holiday place setting for 8, which includes china, flatware, goblets, napkins and centerpiece. This exquisite setting is now on display at the model home located in the Estates at Halfmoon, 72 Stone Crest Drive, Halfmoon, New York. 12188.

Anyone interested in placing a bid may do so in person at any time between now and December 17th, by email at EstatesAtHalfmoon.com or by phone at 518-383-8655. The estimated value of the entire holiday setting is $1,200. Proceeds from the silent auction will benefit the American Red Cross Adirondack Saratoga Chapter. A photo of the place setting can be found at www.redcrossadirondacksaratoga.com.  

A holiday function is planned for Saturday December 12th from Noon-4 p.m.at the model home in the Estates of Halfmoon. Guests will be able to tour the model home while children will be entertained by Santa Claus. The winner of the silent auction will be announced at a wine and cheese reception on December 17th. The reception is open to the public but reservations are required. Directions to the home may be located at www.EstatesAtHalfmoon.com. You may visit Estates at Halfmoon sales center and decorated model home daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m..

"We are so pleased to create this new partnership with Toll Brothers. It is during this time of year that the American Red Cross is desperately needed as many will loose their home due to single family fires. They will not be able to share their holidays with their family members and the generousity of Toll Brothers extending and opening their home to help others in need is greatly appreciated." said Eileen Reardon, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Adirondack Saratoga Chapter.

Roca Clinic is offering two complimentary informational seminars on "Your Last Diet" .

Join us to Learn about A Nutritional Program that is effective for:

* Losing Excess Weight
* Detoxifying your Body
* Increasing your Energy
* Living with Diabetes
* Adolescents (modified)
* Maintaining Muscle Mass
* Revitalizing your Skin
* Relieving your Acid Reflux
* Lowering High Cholesterol
* Stabilizing your Blood Sugar
* Reaching your Ideal Blood Pressure
* Achieving a Healthy Lifestyle

Dates: WED 12/09 @ 6:30pm at Marotta Health and Wellness, 939 Route 146, Building 200, Clifton Park, N.Y.   
          WED 12/16 @ 6 PM at Roca Clinic, 100 Sitterly Road, Clifton Park, NY 12065

Bring a Friend! Seating is limited, so please RSVP to 932-6329 or via email to jen@rocaclinic.com

Mary E. Sullivan, CPA, recently joined Roback, Kumlander & Pehl, CPAs, as a senior Accountant on our Accounting and Business Advisory Services team. Mary will be managing our auditing offerings for not-for-profit organizations. Mary is a graduate of Siena College with a Bachelors of Science in Accounting. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA). Mary is also an active volunteer with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

Robert Doyle, vice president of warehousing for the Golub Corporation, parent company of Price Chopper, was elected as chair of the Board of Directors for United Way of the Greater Capital Region. The Niskayuna resident was elected to serve a one-year term.

Elected to three-year terms as board members at large were Stephen D'Amico of Niskayuna, manager of reactor, thermal and mechanical design at Bechtel Marine Propulsion Corp., and Angela S. Dixon, of Slingerlands, deputy comptroller for human resources and administration at the Office of the State Comptroller.

United Way of the Greater Capital Region brings people and resources together to achieve measurable and sustainable improvements in the quality of life for communities across Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady and Schoharie counties.

The American Red Cross Adirondack Saratoga Chapter will be closing the satellite office located on Rowland Street in the Town of Milton in Saratoga County effective December 1, 2009. The decision to close the office was based upon a number of factors, including an increased need for storage/training space, the need for a centralized location and fiscal responsibility for the maintenance for the site.

"The board of directors weighed all the factors related to this decision and created a number of scenarios, with the priority to remain on service delivery and assurance that all the needs were to be met within the county." said Christopher Dowd, chair of the American Red Cross Adirondack Saratoga Chapter. The board made their decision after a needs assessment in March 2009 illustrated a lack of training space combined with an increase in maintenance costs. This motivated the board of directors to begin investigating all options. Over half of the population served by the Adirondack Saratoga Chapter resides in Saratoga County. Of the 54 disasters that occurred in 2008-2009, 32 were in Saratoga County. Fifty-seven percent of those provided assistance resided in Saratoga County. New programs such the chapter's senior response program, offering disaster preparedness training for seniors originated and continues to grow in Saratoga County.

The office, located at 479 Rowland Street first opened in 1989. After the merger of the Adirondack and Saratoga Chapters in 1997, becoming the Adirondack Saratoga Chapter, the Saratoga office became a satellite facility. With a tremendous amount of growth that the chapter has been experiencing, the limited amount of space and it geographical proximity within the county made it difficult to utilize.

"The Red Cross is not a building but a mission that is found within every township within our region; whether it is the local blood drive that collects live saving units, a health and safety course that trains someone in First Aid or CPR, a disaster preparedness program that is teaching our youth within the schools to serve as advocates in preparing their family for an emergency or our disaster response team that is on scene aiding victims in their time of need." said Eileen Reardon, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Adirondack Saratoga Chapter. The chapter has developed several community partnerships that will serve as training sites and storage facilities within a number of townships throughout Saratoga County including Clifton Park, Saratoga, Ballston Spa and Schuylerville. This will allow the chapter to provide additional training, effective case work and strategically deploy resources if needed.