January Enewsletter

January e-newsletter

22nd Annual Crystal Apple Award Gala - Chamber Seeks Nominations
The Chamber is seeking nominations for the 22nd annual Crystal Apple Award Gala. This prestigious award is presented to a Chamber member business to recognize an extraordinary contribution to economic progress, community improvement, and the quality of life in Columbia County during 2010. All Chamber member businesses are eligible and candidate nominations will be accepted until January 14, 2011. The Gala will be held on Friday, March 11, 2011 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at Columbia Golf & Country Club. Please click here for more information and for a nomination form.

Bridal Mixer & Think Tank - January 26
Columbia/Hudson Bridal Mixer & Think Tank will be held on Wednesday, January 26 from 5:30 - 7:30 pm at The Restaurant at Helsinki. Join author and wedding planner, Lisa Light, and other wedding , special event and hospitality professionals in discussing ways that we can market Columbia County as THE destination on the Hudson for destination weddings and special events. The event is hosted by: Helsinki Hudson, Columiba County Chamber of Commerce and Columbia Hudson Partnership. To RSVP email lisalight@destinationbride.com by January 20

Homestead Funding Corp. - Business BEFORE Hours - January 28

Homestead Funding Corp. will host a Business Before Hours on Friday, January 28 from 7:30 - 9:30 am. Business Before Hours' offer excellent networking opportunities for area business people. All members of the business community are invited to attend this event. Homestead Funding Corp. is located at 160 Fairview Ave, Suite 182 (Peebles Plaza) in Hudson. Please click here for more information.

The Second Show - Business After Hours - February 3

The Second Show will host a Business After Hours on Thursday, February 3 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm. Business After Hours' offer excellent networking opportunities for area business people. All members of the business community are invited to attend this event. The Second Show is located at 519 Warren Street in Hudson. Please click here for more information.

Chamber Announces 2011 Sponsorship Opportunities
The Chamber is pleased to announce creative ways to promote your business in 2011. Don't miss this opportunity to promote your company to the Columbia County business community. Event sponsorship enables us to provide high quality programming for our members and promotion for your business. Click for a 2011 Sponsorship Form.

Promote Your Business in the April 2011 Chamber Connection Mailing
Are you looking for new connections? The Chamber Connection is a great way to promote your business to over 1,000 Chamber members for only a $150. Promote your business this spring and get a great return on your investment. The next mailing will go out in April 2011. The deadline for materials is March 28. Please contact the Chamber if you are interested in promoting your business.

Chamber Stats
During the month of December the Chamber answered 520 phone calls, sent out 12 relocation guides and welcomed over 200 members to events. The Chamber website was visited over 11,102 times or an average of 370 times daily. For more information about your Chamber of Commerce contact the staff at mail@columbiachamber-ny.com.

Chamber Mobile Text Alerts

Please sign into our new mobile insider alert sysytem. If you know how to text then simply text CCCMAS to 41513 for instant sign in. (You will receive a confirmation messagee within 60 seconds) Please contact the Chamber at 828-4417 if you have any questions.

Member News

Stair Galleries will hold an Asian and Ethnographic Auction including Oceanic, Tribal, African, Ancient and Archaistic items. Auction will be held on Saturday, January 15 at 11:00 am. For more information about the auction or Stair Galleries call (518) 751-1000 or visit their website at www.stairgalleries.com

Need a Quiet Spot to take your staff for a Brainstorming Session? We offer complete privacy at the Retreat at Art Omi for a day or overnight business meeting. Lots of room for breakouts. Catering is available for all or some of your needs. Or, if you need a unique, modern space for a performance, recital, meeting, or party, come to the brand new Benenson Visitors Center on the grounds of The Fields Sculpture Park. See www.retreatartomi.com or contact Dorothy Randall at 201-683-6017 and she will help you plan.

A Graceful Plan offers Chair Yoga for anyone who has an interest in easing joint pain, building muscle mass, improving bone strength, and gaining flexibility and ease in the body/mind but who may have difficulty practicing on the floor. The six-week series will be held on Thursday's from 11:00am-12:00noon beginning on Thursday, January 13th. A 6 class package is only $60/$48 for seniors. Anyone can drop in anytime for $12 per class/$10 for seniors. Pre-registration required for package rates. Gift certificates are available. If possible, please try to bring a yoga mat and two 2-lb weights to class. Karen Rosand of A Graceful Plan, a Certified Lakshi Voelker Chair Yoga and Integrative Yoga Therapy Intructor, will teach the classes. A former employee of the New York Times, she has been teaching Yoga in the Hudson Valley and for the staff of the New York Times since 2002. She received her teacher training at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in West Stockbridge, Mass. To pre-register, or if you have any questions about the classes, please call Karen at 518-851-5656 or 851-6517 or send an e-mail to Karen@agracefulplan.com.

JUMP! Indoor Children's Playcenter. At JUMP! there are many ways for children to enjoy physical activity. They feature several inflatable play structures that give your child an opportunity to crawl, climb, bounce and zoom down giant slides. In addition, we feature a toddler zone, music, coffee, light snacks and of course.... our Party Rooms! JUMP! is open every day. Sunday thru Thursday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and Friday thru Saturdays from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. Visit their website at www.just-jump.net for more information on cost for "Open Jump" and/or party information.

Community Events

Ten Things to do in Columbia County is an eblast that we send out at the beginning of each month. To get on our list or to see what we have listed for January, please click here for more information.

Copake Country Club is offering cross country skiing. Grab your hat, grab your mittens, the new 2011 model Alpina cross country ski packages (skis, boots, poles & bindings) are ready to rent at the pro shop. You can check them out on your next visit. Trails will be groomed in varying lengths and will be well marked. Everyday rates are $25 to rent skis and equipment and just $10 when you bring your own skis (or snowshoes). Check in at the Pro Shop. For more information call (518) 325-4338.

Hudson Opera House offers "Here Comes Another Lesson" by Stephen O'Connor on Saturday, January 15 at 2:00 pm. Stephen O'Connor is the author of the short story collections Here Comes Another Lesson (just out from Free Press) and Rescue. He also has many nonfiction books and his fiction has appeared in The New Yorker, Threepenny Review, The Quarterly and many other places. For more information about the Hudson Opera House call (518) 822-1438 or visit their website at www.hudsonoperahouse.org.

Bindlestiff Family Variety Arts, Inc. plans to dazzle you with their Winter Cirkus Cabaret at Helsinki Hudson on Friday, January 21 at 8:30 pm. This will be a Tour Stop on Bindlestiff's Empire State Vaudeville Circut. Featuring world class Cirkus, variety, physical comedy, sideshow and novelty entertainment, plus live musical accompaniment. Advance tickets are $15 and $20 the day of the show. $5 discount to clowns in makeup at the door only. For more information about Bindlestiff Family Variety Arts, Inc at (877) 246-3537 or visit their website at www.bindlestiff.org.

If you would like to submit information for the member news section please email to akneller@columbiachamber-ny.com.

Chamber January and February Events

January Events

Columbia/Hudson Bridal Mixer & Think Tank - January 26

5:30 - 7:30 pm

The Restaurant at Helsinki

To reserve email lisalight@destinationbride.com by

January 20th

Business BEFORE Hours - January 28
7:30 - 9:30 am
Homestead Funding Corp.
160 Fairview Ave, Suite 182, Hudson
Reservations are not required, but appreciated.

February Events

Business After Hours - February 3
5:00 - 7:00 pm
The Second Show
519 Warren Street, Hudson
Reservations are not required, but appreciated.

Please click here for our 2011 Chamber Calendar.