January09 e-newsletter

January e-newsletter

Chamber News

Chamber Welcomes New Chairman

The Chamber of Commerce is ringing in 2009 by welcoming new Board Chairman Michael Sullivan, a vice president at Crawford and Associates Engineering PC. As we close on a year that brought tough times for local businesses and the county's economy, as well as the global economy, outgoing Board Chairman John Maiuri shared his thoughts about what was accomplished during his two-year tenure and issues that still need to be addressed in the following article. Sullivan talks about his plans for his chairmanship as well. The Chamber will feature the full article in the Business section of the Register Star on January 8th. The Chamber would like to thank outgoing Chairman John Maiuri for his dedication during his two-year tenure with the Chamber. Please click here to view the full article.

20th Annual Crystal Apple Award Gala - Chamber Seeks Nominations- Last Chance
The Chamber is seeking nominations for the 20th 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 2008. All Chamber member businesses are eligible and candidate nominations will be accepted until January 9, 2009. The Gala will be held on Friday, February 27, 2009 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. Please click here for more information and for a nomination form.

Chamber Announces 2009 Sponsorship Opportunities
The Chamber is pleased to announce creative ways to promote your business in 2009. 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 2009 Sponsorship Form.

The Cascades Business After Hours - January 22, 2009
The Cascades will host a Business After Hours on Thursday, January 22 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.

Fifteen years after hosting its first Business After Hours, The Cascades is happy to be hosting its second After Hours in January. The Cascades just celebrated a milestone - 15 years in business. Bob Lucke, proprietor, has been a member of the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce from the beginning. He and his staff look forward to welcoming fellow Chamber members to their restaurant once again. The Cascades is well-known for its soups and sandwiches. Business After Hours' offer excellent networking opportunities for area business people. All members of the business community are invited to attend this business event. The Cascades is located 407 Warren Street in Hudson. Please click here for more information.

Village Dodge Business After Hours - February 12, 2009

Village Dodge will host a Business After Hours on Thursday, February 12 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Village Dodge has been a premier new vehicle dealer in Columbia County since 1972. They represent the entire Chrysler product line, including Jeep, Dodge, and Dodge Truck. They are an authorized Dodge Business Link commercial truck dealer and have been consistently recognized as a Chrysler 5 Star Award winner, based on their dedication to superior customer service. Business After Hours' offer excellent networking opportunities for area business people. All members of the business community are invited to attend this business event. Village Dodge is located at 819 Route 66 in Hudson. Please click here for more information.

Promote Your Business in the April 2009 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 2009. The deadline for materials is March 16. Please contact the Chamber if you are interested in promoting your business.

Chamber Stats
During the month of December the Chamber answered 525 phone calls, sent out 10 relocation guides and welcomed over 75 members to events. The Chamber website was visited over 10,206 times or an average of 380 times daily. For more information about your Chamber of Commerce contact the staff at mail@columbiachamber-ny.com.

Member News

Columbia County Bounty will host its first Speed Networking event for farmers and chefs on Monday, January 12 from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm at Columbia-Greene Community College. The program will kick-off at 9:30 am with registration and will feature speakers David Grusenmeyer and Jill Eisenstein to assist farmers and food buyers to connect and explore best practices in working together. The event will also feature a panel of farmers and chefs that will discuss the rewards and difficulties of working together. Following lunch, the Speed Networking gets under way. The day will end with several break-out sessions. Tickets are $20 for Bounty members and $30 for non-members. To sign up or for more information about Columbia County Bounty call Steve Hadcock at (518) 828-3346 or visit their website at www.columbiacountybounty.com.

Hawthorne Valley Farm will lead winter walks at various sites around the County in January and February. During the walks attendees will dabble in winter botany and, if weather allows, with snow tracking plus some bits and pieces of history and geology. Dress warmly for the walks and feel free to bring along a hot beverage to keep warm. The walks begin at 1:00 pm. The dates are January 25th, February 8, & February 22. The walks are free, but registration is required. For more information about Hawthorne Valley Farm's Farmscape Ecology program call Conrad Vispo at (518) 781-0243 or visit their website at www.hawthornevalleyfarm.org.

The Taconic Hills Adult Continuing Education Program will offer a variety of non-credit courses throughout the winter and spring months beginning the week of January 8. All classes will be held at the Taconic Hills campus in Craryville. Designed to build a healthier mind, body and spirit, course selections range from the ever popular ballroom dance and Tai Chi to recreational volleyball. Also included in the roster is a six week course for new puppies and their owners, New York State DMV 5-hour Pre-Licensing Course, waterfront lifeguarding and CPR and more. For more information about the Taconic Hills Adult Continuing Education Program call (518) 325-0386 or visit their website at www.taconichills.k12.ny.us.

Community Events

Time and Space Limited will feature La Rondine - Puccini Met Opera on Saturday, January 10, 11 and 18th all beginning at 1:00 pm. Angela Gheorghiu and Roberto Alagna provide the star power to deliver this ravishing romance from the world's most popular opera composer. Gheorghiu plays the kept woman who gambles on true love, and Alagna is the man who makes her question the cost of her glittering existence. Nicolas Joel directs the new production of this gorgeously melodic look at love. For tickets or more information about Time and Space Limited call (518) 822-8448 or visit their website at www.timeandspace.org.

The Ghent Playhouse will feature :"The Boys Next Door" from January 23 through February 8. "Next Door" is a social services communal home brimming with comic triumphs and bittersweet tears. A visit to "The Boys" shows that the IQ or sanity are not necessarily the keys to unlocking the door to a meaningful life. For tickets or more information about the Ghent Playhouse call (518) 392-6264 or visit their website at www.ghentplayhouse.org.

The Hudson Opera House will feature Chamber Jazz Ensemble Madera Vox on Saturday, January 24 at 8:00 pm. Oboist Nicole Golay, bassoonist Cornelia McGiver, pianist Sylvia Buccelli, soprano Kelly Ellenwood and percussionist-composer David Gluck are Madera Vox, a chamber ensemble combining the best of the traditional repertoire with original 21st century works. With composer Chick Corea, as well as newly commissioned pieces, Madera Vox weaves together an engaging performance not to be missed. For tickets or more information about the Hudson Opera House call (518) 822-1438 or visit their website at www.hudsonoperahouse.org.

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 February 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.

January and February Chamber Events

January Events
Business After Hours, January 22
5:00 to 7:00 pm

The Cascades
407 Warren Street, Hudson
Reservations are not required, but appreciated.

Click here to view the 2009 Chamber Calendar.

February Events
Business After Hours, February 12
5:00 to 7:00 pm

Village Dodge
819 Route 66, Hudson
Reservations are not required, but appreciated.

20th Annual Crystal Apple Award Gala, February 27

6:00 to 9:00 pm

Lippera's at the Chatham House
29 Hudson Ave, Chatham
Tickets are $85 per person or $650 per corporate table of eight.
Reservations are required by February 20.