The Community Foundation of Tompkins County is proud to announce a grant of $3,485 to the History Center.  The History Center in Tompkins County, The Center for the Study of Culture, Race, and Ethnicity (CSCRE) at Ithaca College, the Staff Development Office of Ithaca City School District (ICSD), and the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a three-part series that examines educational equity in the Ithaca schools. Titled “Achieving Equity,” the series aims to facilitate dialogue and engage in a process to assist and support the effort to eliminate disproportionality among students of color, students without economic privilege, students with disabilities, and their peers. This grant is from the Community Foundation’s Social Justice Fund.  Community Foundation is dedicated to engaging in strategic partnerships to identify assets, challenges, and ways to improve the quality of life for all in Tompkins County.  
 

Alternatives Federal Credit Union has formed a new partnership with the City of Ithaca and RPM EcoSystems and has pledged to plant 100 trees this year in the Ithaca area.   Future tree plantings will include public school areas.  Planting trees is just one way Alternatives continues its longstanding commitment to sustainability, the environment and the Ithaca community.  As long as 15 years ago, Alternatives has supported energy efficiency by offering discounts on car loans for fuel efficient cars – and currently offers the same discounts for hybrid cars.  The Credit Union has worked with NYSERDA on energy efficiency home loans, which have provided an interest rate rebate for solar and wind installations, insulation, windows and appliances. Alternatives’ owner builder construction loan program has enabled members to use alternative building methods and use alternative energy sources.


The McGraw House , located at 221 South Geneva Street, is hosting a FREE event on Advance Planning on Wednesday, May 14th at 3:00 PM.  The issue of advance planning for health care decisions is a much discussed topic in our nation and in our County.  If you wish to learn about, or have specific questions about, the NYS health care proxy, the power of attorney, wills, and more, then you may wish to attend a FREE presentation by a knowledgeable local elder law attorney Marcie Finlay.  Persons of all ages are welcome.  On street parking only.  If you have any questions, call Elizabeth Schneider at McGraw House, 272-7054.


Communiqué Design & Marketing, Inc. is pleased to announce that Stephanie Miller has joined their marketing and design firm as an account executive. Stephanie is a dynamic professional who will increase the company's continued growth through new account acquisition and sustaining the firm’s current clients.  Ms. Miller was most recently employed by the Finger Lakes Radio Group as an account manager for radio sales where she managed account relationships at all levels for a broad range of industries.  Prior to working in radio, Miller was a promotional consultant for Signature Marketing Inc. based in Boston, MA.


Tickets are now available for the 7th annual “Kids Are Our Business” breakfast to benefit Youth Services at The Advocacy Center .  The breakfast, held on June 4, 2008 at 7:30 am at the Clarion Hotel in Ithaca, is hosted by Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce President Jean McPheeters and will feature Andrea Mooney, local law guardian and attorney.  Advocacy Center Executive Director Joanne Farbman said, “Kids Are Our Business provides a real opportunity to support services for youth and make a difference in the lives of families here in Tompkins County.”  In 2007 the Advocacy Center provided supportive services to over 1,200 youth and adults in Tompkins County impacted by child sexual abuse, domestic violence, and sexual assault.  All proceeds from sale of tickets and raffles support services for children and teens impacted by child sexual abuse and domestic violence.  Tickets are $40.00 per person.  To reserve your ticket call the Advocacy Center at 607-277-3203.


CFCU Community Credit Union reached an important milestone for a financial institution, recently surpassing the half-billion dollar mark in total assets. First quarter 2008 growth was a continuation of the credit union’s record-setting performance in 2007, during which time the institution’s total assets grew $68 million to end the year at $479 million. Asset, loan and deposit growth, along with other key financial measurements, combined to make 2007 CFCU’s most successful year ever.  It took the credit union 36 years (1953-1989) to reach $100 million in assets, eight years (1989-1997) to surpass $200 million in total assets and just another five years (1997-2002) to reach the $300 million mark. In the past five years (2002-2007), total assets have grown another $200 million to over a half billion.


The Finger Lakes Independence Center (FLIC) will celebrate its 20th Anniversary on Monday, May 19, 2008 with an open house from 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., at its offices at 215 Fifth Street, Ithaca.  “The open house gives us the opportunity to tell the community about us and ways to get involved in the work we do. Along with the services we provide, we have a long history of making change by removing barriers and empowering people with disabilities. Join us at the open house. Light refreshments will be served,” said Lenore Schwager, Executive Director at FLIC.  For more information call 272-2433. Or visit www.fliconline.org


Northwestern Mutual Financial Network is offering a free, no-obligation seminar this spring for business owners and Chamber Members titled “WHAT KEEPS BUSINESS OWNERS UP AT NIGHT?”  Financial Advisor, Jay Williamson, CLU, ChFC, CFP will discuss common questions asked by business owners like:  Can I retire in 10 years? Can this business fund my retirement? What if my partner dies? If I get hurt and can’t work, what happens to my business? To my family?  Do I need to provide better benefits?  Please join Jay Williamson:  Tuesday, May 27th, 2008, 12:00 Noon At The Country Club of Ithaca, 189 Pleasant Grove Rd, Ithaca. Call 257-8665 or email jay.williamson@nmfn.com to reserve a spot since space is limited. A light lunch will be provided.
    

Anticipate great change this year when Ithaca Festival drops anchor on its new set of dates, June 19-22.  Organizers have announced that festival programming will happen concurrently at Stewart Park and on the Commons during all three days of the event from Noon – 9pm.  To aid in the circulation of people, TCAT will provide a frequent “festibus” service between downtown, the High School, Stewart Park and the Farmers’ Market at a discount rate to festival goers.  Safe bicycle and pedestrian routes will also be clearly marked to encourage individuals and groups to walk or ride their bikes around town all weekend.  In the mean time, please check out their website at www.ithacafestival.org to learn more.


East Hill Flying Club in conjunction with EAA Chapter 811 will be holding a Young Eagles Rally as part of their Open House on Saturday, May 10th from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.  Ithaca Bakery will be providing the concessions.  EAA member pilots from both organizations will be offering free airplane rides to kids between the ages of 8 and 17 years old. These pilots volunteer their airplane and time as part of the Young Eagles program, an initiative designed to excite young people about science, technology and especially flying. 1.4 million kids world-wide have been flown since the inception of the Young Eagles program just over ten years ago and many former Young Eagles are now astronauts and airline pilots!  For more information, visit http://www.ehfc.net/youngeagles.html

APRIL 2008 Members in the News

Michael J. Manzari, CCIM, SIOR, has recently been honored by Pyramid Brokerage Company at their annual meeting held in Rochester, NY for being #8 company-wide in overall production.  Michael is the Managing Director of the Corning and Ithaca offices. He has been an Associate with Pyramid since 1999, and has consistently been honored as a top producer for the organization.  Pyramid Brokerage Company is the largest commercial real estate firm in Upstate New York, with 10 offices, over 100 agents, and they have recently become an Alliance Member with Cushman & Wakefield.

Cayuga Medical Center of Ithaca has entered into an association with Mayo Medical Laboratories, the national reference laboratory of Mayo Clinic, located in Rochester, Minnesota, to expand its laboratory testing menu. Through this arrangement Cayuga Medical Center will offer its communities immediate, collaborative access to complex tests performed by Mayo Medical Laboratories.  The mission of this collaboration will be to consolidate reference testing, improve turnaround time, and strengthen Cayuga Medical Center’s efforts to provide exceptional laboratory services and patient care to the Ithaca Region.  The collaboration with Mayo allows Cayuga Medical Center to offer access to more specialized laboratory testing to our community. Specimens taken at any patient service center will be transported via air to Mayo Medical Laboratories, with test results often available through a computer interface the following day.

Tompkins Community Action is proud to announce the hiring of Stacey Murphy for the position of Director of Energy Services and the promotion of Danielle Harrington to the position of Director of Housing Services.  Murphy brings over 18 years of housing experience to her new position.   Prior to her employment at TCAction, Stacy worked for nine years with Better Housing for Tompkins County where she was employed as the agency’s Executive Director for over five years. She brings a strong knowledge of our community and nonprofit planning, strong skills in grantsmanship, and a proven track record of building strong housing and community development programs. Harrington began working for Tompkins Community Action in 2001 as a Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) Caseworker.  She was then promoted to Senior Caseworker, HCV Program Manager.  This past February, at the Human Services Coalition’s Annual Meeting, in acknowledgement of her consistent compassion and skill in working with program consumers, Danielle received the Ruth Pettengill Award for Tompkins County human service professionals.  

Amy Fuhr , The Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce’s Director of Finance and Operations, is now a notary public. Please call The Chamber at (607) 273-7080 if you would like to have something notarized.  

The 13th Annual World of Skills Job Fair is taking place Thursday, April 10, 9:00 AM to Noon at the Ithaca Holiday Inn at 222 S. Cayuga Street, downtown Ithaca. Larry Roberts, Program Director, Finger Lakes Independence Center, states “For thirteen years employers and job seekers have had the opportunity to meet. Many of the job seekers are people with disabilities, or people who have significant gaps in their job history, or people who are underemployed, but anyone looking for a job should attend. This is a community job fair”.  For more information, call Larry at 272-2433 or visit www.TompkinsWorkforce.NY.org


MARCH 2008 Members in the News

Christopher George Real Estate is proud to announce that Carol Bushberg, Associate Broker, has been named the 2007 Realtor of the Year.  This award is given annually to a member of the Ithaca Board of Realtors, to recognize his or her contributions to the Ithaca real estate community and the community at large.  In addition to her efforts on behalf of the real estate community, Carol received special recognition for her family’s volunteer work with Loves Knows No Bounds, an Ithaca-based relief organization that transports donated furniture, household goods, and hope to the flood-ravaged 7th Ward of New Orleans. Last spring, she and her family drove a 28-foot-long truck, filled with furniture donated by her family, to New Orleans. The Ithaca Board of Realtors supplied gasoline for the trip.

Crown Construction, a remodeling company located in Dryden, has recently been awarded Gold Star Exterior Designer status by Alside, Inc.  To earn Alside’s award, a contractor must demonstrate professional workmanship – including building-enhancement, attention to detail and customer-verified satisfaction – in the application of Alside’s vinyl residential siding and accessories.

The History Center in Tompkins County is pleased to announce that Elizabeth Bixler was elected as its new Board of Trustees President. Elizabeth graduated from Swarthmore College with a B.A. in history and from NYU law school in 1971. She has been practicing law in Tompkins County for the last 36 years. Always interested in not for profit organizations, she was a long time board member and president of Planned Parenthood of Tompkins County, as well as a member of the Unitarian Church board before becoming associated with The History center.

Steve Bacon, Sr. Vice President of Commercial Lending at Tompkins Trust Company , has been named the 2007 Board Member of the Year by the Downtown Ithaca Alliance, Formerly The Ithaca Downtown Partnership.  Steve has served on the board for a six-year term and during that time he has volunteered his time and talent to help the Ithaca Downtown Partnership meet and exceed their goals.  He has put in countless hours as treasurer and has also served on the Executive Committee, which sets the visionary strategy for the board and staff.

B & W Supply is very proud to to now offer “Green” cleaning supplies.    This new line is manufactured by a New York state company, is GREEN SEAL certified and helps an organization achieve LEED/LEED-EB Certification.  Products now available include an all-purpose cleaner, floor cleaner, bath cleaner, glass cleaner as well as earth soap which is a environmentally friendly degreaser.  All products are available by the gallon or the case and dilute to make them economical.   These products enhance B&W’s complete line of environmentally friendly and bio-degradable products.  Their plates, bowls and food carryout containers; made out of sugar cane fiber, cutlery; which is potato starch based, and cold cups and clamshells; that are corn based,  are available to commercial customers as well as the public.  

Kate Richard, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson at RE/MAX In Motion in downtown Ithaca has earned the EcoBroker Certified® designation, having successfully completed a unique and educational training program on the energy and environmental issues that affect real estate transactions.    The “performance home” movement is getting a boost thanks to this type of high quality real estate professional earning the EcoBroker designation.  EcoBrokers, like Kate, throughout the country are forging this market and creating competitive advantages for their customers.  With national surveys indicating that 80% of consumers consider themselves “green-minded,” real estate professionals with the EcoBroker designation are in a better position to serve the real estate consumer.

Gimme! Coffee is hosting the 2008 Northeast Regional Barista Competition at the State Theatre, April 11-12. Presented by the Specialty Coffee Association of America and hosted by Gimme! Coffee, this event is an “Iron Chef” show for coffee professionals. Competing baristas will represent coffee shops and small roasters from all over the Northeast, and will showcase their speed, dexterity, and passion for coffee, working to show off the best of their cuisine.  Gimme!’s choice of venue reflects their longstanding commitment to investing in the Ithaca community.  They have invited hundreds of coffee enthusiasts to take part, and have many exciting events planned for the weekend. Various workshops will be running in the Theatre throughout the competition and Ithacans and visitors alike will be able to talk with technical professionals in the coffee business, gain skills, and enjoy free coffee on demand.  Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, visit gimmecoffee.com.
   

February 2008 MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

The National Association of Professional and Executive Women recently named Laurie Linn President of Communiqué Design & Marketing, Inc., “Woman of the Year’ in Advertising and Marketing.  Only one woman from each industry is named “Woman of the Year” and each honoree is selected from thousands of women in their field.  They are chosen based on outstanding accomplishments, leadership and service and will nationally represent their industry in the “Woman of Excellence” Registry.  Laurie has over 20 years experience in the area of advertising and marketing.  As the President of Communiqué Design & Marketing, Inc. she specializes in the financial sector, retail, manufacturing, academia, service, high tech. and not for profit industries.  Communiqué Design & Marketing, Inc. represents every sector of small and mid sized businesses and offers affordable marketing and advertising solutions.

Coughlin & Gerhart L.L.P. is proud to announce that Frank Nemia, Esq. and Joseph J. Steflik, Jr., Esq. have been honored as two of the “New York Area’s Best Lawyers” in the area of labor and employment law in the 2008 listings published by New York Magazine. Both have also been included in "Best Lawyers in America."  Mr. Nemia joined Coughlin & Gerhart, L.L.P. in 1999 and is currently “Of Counsel” with the firm. Mr. Nemia was founder, first chairman and is Chair Emeritus of the Labor and Employment Law Section of the New York State Bar Association. Mr. Steflik joined Coughlin and Gerhart, L.L.P. in 1999 and is a Partner in the firm.  He is Chair of the firm's Labor and Employment Law Practice Group.

TC3.biz recently released its Spring 2008 Professional Development catalog. The catalog offers more than 17 new workshops, as well as many of the valuable workshops you have come to depend on in the past. You’ll find more than 90 classroom courses and 100 Internet course offerings.    The TC3 Hospitality Certificate Program is designed for current or future hospitality employees wanting to increase their competence and improve delivery of excellent customer service. The program combines a total of six courses and provides SERVSAFE certification and up to six TC3 college credits for students deciding to obtain a Hotel and Restaurant Management degree.    Enrolling in catalog courses is just one way to access the workshops. All classroom courses can also be custom-tailored and delivered to your organization. Call TC3.biz at 844-6586 to request a catalog or register for a workshop.  The complete catalog also is available at www.TC3.biz. 

The Finger Lakes Independence Center (FLIC) is offering free disability-awareness training sessions for businesses in Tompkins County.  Regulations pertaining to guide dogs and other service animals are unclear to many business owners.  FLIC staff members are available to speak to businesses about where and when service animals are permitted.  Staff can also offer customer service tips to improve relationships with customers with disabilities.  Contact FLIC at 272-2433 or www.fliconline.org for more information. 

Sherpa Technologies, Inc. is pleased to announce that it has been awarded an IT Services contract by the State of New York Office of General Services (OGS). This contract allows Sherpa to offer computer related services to New York State municipal, city, and state agencies, political subdivisions, and organizations authorized to utilize the OGS contract.  This award allows government organizations to easily draw on critical technical resources from Sherpa Technologies including consulting, systems integration and on-going support. With this IT Services contract, OGS has provided a simplified process for organizations to procure these services through Sherpa Technologies without going to bid.

Local RE/MAX IN MOTION Real Estate Agents Barbara Blanchard and Marge Hovanec have been named to the Top 100 individuals in Real Estate by transactions for 2007.  This respected title is appointed by RE/MAX of New York Inc.   Barbara and Marge were chosen out of a field of 2,110 RE/MAX of New York agents.  Barbara is a long-time local resident and has over 22 years of experience of selling real estate in the greater Tompkins County area.  Marge is a 40 year local resident and has 25 years experience helping people buy and sell real estate  in the greater Tompkins County area. RE/MAX IN MOTION is a full service Real Estate Brokerage that serves Tompkins, Tioga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Schuyler Counties. www.REinMotion.com.

January 2008 MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Comfort Keepers has recently announced two major developments.  Now a New York State Licensed Home Care agency, Comfort Keepers is able to provide Home Health Aide/Personal Care Services to Tompkins and Cortland County.  Prior to receiving their New York State License they have been providing companion services to members of the community in their homes.  This new license will provide Tompkins County an additional option for licensed Home Care which will allow many seniors the option to stay in their homes longer with assistance.  Teresa Nix who is no stranger to senior care or the Ithaca area assumed the General Manager position for Comfort Keepers in December 2007 for Tompkins and Cortland County.   A native of Ithaca, Teresa returned to Ithaca after eight years of military service.  She started her twelve year career at Classen Home Health Associates, Inc. in 1994. Teresa worked as the Human Resource Director and Administrator for Classen’s branching off to their retirement entity as the Executive Director for Bridges Cornell Heights.  Teresa has extensive experience in development, marketing, public relations, human resources, and customer satisfaction. 

The partners of Mengel, Metzger, Barr & Co. LLP are pleased to announce that Matthew Green, CPA has been named partner.  As partner, Matthew will continue his work at the firm’s Elmira and Ithaca, New York offices, providing audit, accounting, tax planning and preparation services to corporations, partnerships and individuals.  He specializes his practice in a variety of areas including the manufacturing, construction and retail industries, as well as employee benefit audits.  A native of Horseheads, Matthew has been with Mengel, Metzger, Barr for more than thirteen years. 

Audrey Edelman RealtyUSA has announced that Karen Sharkey has joined its management team. Karen will be the sales manager for the recently opened second office at 710 Hancock Street and Route 13, working collaboratively with General Manager Richard Patterson. Karen brings to the position 17 years’ experience as a multimillion dollar producer in the Greater Binghamton market. She is a certified relocation specialist and has experience in real estate office management.

Finger Lakes Technologies Group is proud to announce the addition of Rose Ketchum as an Account Manager. In her new role, she is responsible for the acquisition of new customers in the Southern Tier and Northern Pennsylvania and servicing current accounts. She brings 20 years of experience to the position and resides in Van Etten, NY.

Borrowing your favorite DVDs from the Tompkins County Public Library is now even easier. Library patrons are now able to borrow up to five DVDs regardless of genre or release date.  This procedure replaces the Library’s previous practice of limiting the number of DVDs borrowed based on their subject.  The borrowing policy with regards to VHS tapes has not been changed.

The Finger Lakes Land Trust has announced the acquisition of two adjacent parcels bordering Six-Mile Creek in the Town of Dryden, Tompkins County.  The acquisitions together total 138 acres and include more than 4,200 feet of frontage on the creek.  Together, these lands will be managed as the newly established Park Nature Preserve - the Land Trust's 25th public conservation area.  The new preserve is located on the east side of Irish Settlement Road and has long been of interest to conservationists. 

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