Columbia County Chamber of Commerce
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Columbia County Chamber of Commerce

February e-newsletter

Chamber News
Chamber Supports Yes Vote for Hudson Schools on February 14
The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is taking an active role to support the upcoming bond referendum for the Hudson City School District.  A good quality school is essential to attracting new businesses, producing an educated workforce and enhancing real estate values.  The Chamber is sponsoring a free educational forum to learn more about the project on Friday, February 9 at Greenport Elementary School.  Registration begins at 7:45 am and the program will run 8:00 to 9:00 am.  The vote will be held on February 14 from noon to 9:00 pm.  Please join us to support our local schools.       Please click here to read the full article.
Sponsorship Opportunities for 2007
The Chamber announces creative ways to promote your business in 2007.  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, advocacy and promotion for your business.  Please click here for a 2007 sponsorship form.
Space 360 After Hours - February 8, 2007
Space 360 will host a Business After Hours on Thursday, February 8 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.  Space 360 offers a unique space for business and private events.  With amenities like high speed internet data lines installed throughout and an exquisitely designed kitchen, they can offer cutting edge business presentations or an elegantly prepared meal for weddings.  Join us to see the diversity of this outstanding space.  Space 360 is located at 360 Warren Street in Hudson.  Please click here for more information.
18th Annual Crystal Apple Award Gala - February 16, 2007
The Chamber is pleased to announce the five finalists for the 18th Annual Crystal Apple Award Gala.  The finalists include: Columbia Hudson Partnership, Columbia Memorial Hospital, Local 111 Restaurant, LLC,  PS/21 Performing Spaces for the 21st Century and Tierra Farm, Inc.   The Gala will be held on February 16 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at Lippera's at the Chatham House.  The Crystal Apple 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 2006.  Tickets are $85 per person or $650 per corporate table of eight.  Please contact the Chamber for reservations as this is a sellout event.  Please click here for more information.

Retirement Planning for your Small Business Breakfast Forum - March 1, 2007
Many small business owners spend all of their time running their own business which may not have left much time to plan for the future for you or your employees.  That is why the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce is co-hosting a forum on Retirement Planning for your Small Business with the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, March 1.  The forum will be held at Catamount Ski Area.  Registration begins at 7:45 am and the program will run from 8:00 to 9:00 am.  Come and learn about the various options that are available to your business.  The cost is $10 and will include a continental breakfast.  Please click here to reserve.

Agricultural Awareness Brunch - March 14, 2007
We invite you to learn about some very exciting new field to table initiatives in Columbia County during the Agricultural Brunch on Wednesday, March 14.  The focus of this year's brunch will be on the New Faces of Farming in Columbia County and will feature a panel of speakers speaking about their innovative programs.  The Farm to Chef program was born out of last year's Agricultural Brunch and they have been working to bring together farmers and chefs and will be unveiling a directory of Columbia County farmers and chefs and the next steps for their project.  You will also hear about another exciting project where a local apple farmer developed a new way to utilize his produce to create a new industry for the business.  The final presenter will speak about the new Hudson Valley Agribusiness Development Corporation and the vision for this organization.  The brunch will be held at Bridges at the St. Charles Hotel from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm.    Please click here for more information.
3rd Biennial Agriculture in the Hudson River Valley Conference - March 16, 2007
On Friday, March 16 the Hudson Valley Agricultural Partnership will hold the 3rd Biennial Conference at Columbia-Greene Community College.  The conference will focus on Agriculture in the Hudson River Valley: Success Stories from Our Own Backyard.  Hudson Valley Agriculture is a leader in farm innovation and has successfully carried its farm families into the 21st century.  Collaborative efforts have led to sustainable ventures that are positive models as e plan for the future of our farming communities.  This 3rd Biennial Conference will focus on the trends and ventures that have made our agriculture successful.  The conference is sponsored by a number of organizations including the Columbia Hudson Partnership, Columbia Land Conservancy and Hudson Valley Agribusiness Development.  Registration is $25 before March 1st and $30 after.  For more information about the conference call Joseph Heller at (845) 883-7162 ext 104 or visit their website at www.hvap.org.
First Niagara Bank Business After Hours - March 21, 2007
First Niagara Bank will host a Business After Hours for Chamber members on Wednesday, March 21 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.  First Niagara was founded as a community bank more than 135 years ago.  Today they are a financial services company committed to the same community-oriented philosophy, yet they are able to serve a greater number of customers with added products, services and convenience.  First Niagara ha branches in 24 counties across New York State and eight in Columbia County.  The After Hours will be held at the Greenport Branch located at 160 Fairview Avenue in Hudson.  Please click here for more information.
Chamber Stats
During the month of January the Chamber answered 425 phone calls, sent out 10 relocation guides and welcomed over 75 members to events.  The Chamber website was visited over 18,448 times or more than 600 times daily. For more information about your Chamber of Commerce contact the staff at mail@columbiachamber-ny.com.
Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program (SATOP)
If your small business is faced with a technical challenge SATOP can provide up to 40 hours of FREE technical assistance for qualified requests, utilizing the vast engineering expertise of NASA and participating Alliance Partners (NASA contractors, sub-contractors or Universities).  SATOP is designed to speed the transfer of US Space Program knowledge and technology to small businesses, to provide economic benefits to the community, and to raise public awareness of the Space program.  Please click here for more information.

Member News

The Columbia Hudson Partnership will begin classes for the next MicroBusiness Seminar Series on March 20.  The program brings together a group of entrepreneurs to begin training to start or expand a small business.  Once a week for eight weeks, they will meet at Columbia-Greene Community College where instructors will lead them in discussions covering legal issues, marketing ad the life blood of any business, cash flow.  All students qualify for ten hours of technical assistance from area consultants, paid for by the Partnership.  The cost of the program is $150.00, which is refunded upon completion in the form of either a one-year membership to the Columbia County Chamber or a gift certificate to an office supply store.  Scholarships are available.  For more information about Columbia Hudson Partnership call (518) 828-4718 or visit their website site at www.chpartnership.com.

National Union Bank of Kinderhook is pleased to announce the appointment of James F. Mackerer to the position of Senior Vice President.  Mackerer brings nearly 35 years of banking experience to the Columbia County headquartered bank.  Mackerer spent 15 years with Hudson Valley Farm Credit before joining what was then known as Hudson City Savings in 1993.  He rose to the position of Senior Vice President before that bank was acquired by First Niagara Bank in 2005 and stayed on with First Niagara until deciding to make the move to National Union Bank.  Mackerer's primary responsibilities in his new position will be in lending and business development, but he will also assist in overseeing the bank's branches.  For more information about National Union Bank of Kinderhook call (518) 758-7101 or visit their website at www.nubk.com.

The Kinderhook Memorial Library will welcome Letty Malin, community educator from the Healthcare Consortium of Columbia County on Tuesday, February 13 at 7:30 pm for a presentation on Long-Term Care Insurance and the New York State Partnership for Long-Term Care Program.  Ms. Malin will provide information and answer questions about how long term insurance and the Partnership can help you control your future and protect your assets.  For more information about The Kinderhook Memorial Library call (518) 758-6192 or visit their website at www.oklibrary.org.

Lippera's at the Chatham House was featured in the current issue of Hudson Valley Magazine as one of the 10 Best New Restaurants in the Valley.  The Chatham House recently opened the Wine Cellar, which will continue with live music on Fridays through the long, cold winter, slowly adding other nights as the weather breaks in the spring.  The next performance will be on February 14 and 16.  For more information about The Chatham House or to view the entertainment calendar call (518) 392-6600 or visit their website at www.lipperas.com.


Bridges at the St. Charles Hotel will feature "Death & Taxes" a mystery dinner theatre presentation.  Great tickets are still available to the dinner on Saturday, February 10 at 6:00 pm.  The dinner is $33 per person and features Bridge's fabulous menu selections.  For more information about Bridges at the St. Charles Hotel call (518) 822-9902 or visit their website at www.restaurantbridges.com.


Well-known local singer and Hillsdale resident Christina Dellea will celebrate the release of her new CD, "The Songs I Sing" on Saturday, February 3 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm at the Taconic Wayside Inn in Copake Falls.  The CD features Dellea singing original songs and her favorites from the 70s.  The CD is now available at Tune Street in Great Barrington, MA, Oblong Books in Millerton and online at CDBaby.com and columbiaartsteam.org.  "The Songs I Sing" was recorded at Systems Two in Brooklyn, NY and produced by noted producer/songwriter and Copake resident Sandy McKnight.  Dellea performs locally, both as a soloist and as part of the groups 'The Pop!ternatives' and 'Harmony and Hearts'.  She is also founder and director of the Columbia Arts Team.  For more information about Christina Dellea or Columbia Arts Team call (518) 325-3045 or visit their website at www.columbiaartsteam.org.

Community Events

The Taconic Hills Performing Arts Center will feature sisters, Katryna and Nerissa Nields on Saturday, February 17 at 8:00 pm.  The sisters remain a favorite in the Northeast folk music scene.  Their career has encompassed many styles of music, beginning with folk-quasi-punk-alternative-rock returning to folk.  They are a perennial favorite at Falcon Ride Folk Festival.  Tickets are $15 for adults and $13 for students   For more information about the Taconic Hills Performing Arts Center call (518) 325-0447 or visit their website at www.taconichills.k12.ny.us.

Verdigris Art & Tea will host the 2007 Hudson Valley Cheese Festival on Sunday, February 18 from 2:00 to 5:00 pm.  Come and celebrate the fine wines and great cheese from the Hudson Valley, and sample some exceptional foods coming out of Columbia County farms and restaurants.  The afternoon will benefit the Columbia Land Conservancy.  Tickets are $40.  For more information about the Hudson Valley Cheese Festival call (518) 537-3640 or visit their website at www.hudsonvalleycheesefestival.com.

The Copake Theatre Company in association with Theatre Maketa presents Leda Hodgson in "Talking Heads and Talking, Talking Heads" from February 23 through March 11.  Miss Hodgson will fly over from London to perform in Bed Among the Lentils, from the series, Talking Heads, by Alan Bennett and Talking, Talking Heads by Nick Kidd. Come and enjoy an evening that is witty and poignant and beautifully performed.  Performances will be held on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm and Sundays at 2:00 pm at the Historic Copake Grange.  For more information about the Copake Theatre Company call (518) 325-1234 or visit their website at www.copaketheatrecompany.com.

Check out the Chamber's Ten Things To Do This Month in Columbia County on the homepage at www.columbiachamber-ny.com.  If you would like to add an event to the March list, please contact Cheryl Meenagh at cmeenagh@columbiachamber-ny.com.

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

 
February and March Chamber Events

February Events
Business After Hours - February 8
5 :00 - 7:00 pm
Space 360
360 Warren Street, Hudson
Reservations are not required, but appreciated.

Hudson City School Education Forum - February 9
7:45 am - Registration
8:00 - 9:00 am - Program
Greenport Elementary School
Route 66, Hudson
There is no cost to attend this event.

18th Annual Crystal Apple Award Gala-
February 16
6:00 - 9:00 pm
Lippera's at the Chatham House

29 Hudson Ave., Chatham
The cost is $85 per person or $650 per corporate table of eight.

Reservations are required by February 12.


Please click here for our 2007 Chamber Calendar.

March Events
Retirement Planning for your Small Business Breakfast Forum - March 1

7:45 AM - Registration
8:00 - 9:00 am - Program
Catamount Ski Area
Route 23, Hillsdale
This program will be hosted in conjunction with the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce
The cost is $10 and includes a continental breakfast.
Contact the Chamber to reserve.

Agricultural Awareness Brunch - March 14
A panel of speakers will present information about the New Faces of Farming in Columbia County
11:00 am- 12:30 pm
Bridges at the St. Charles Hotel
16-18 Park Place, Hudson
The cost is $15.
Contact the Chamber to reserve.

Business After Hours - March 21
5:00 - 7:00 pm
First Niagara Bank

160 Fairview Ave., Hudson
Reservations are not required, but appreciated.


 
 
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