Congressman Arcuri Announces over $400,000 for Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport

On Monday, April 20th, U.S. Rep. Michael A. Arcuri (NY-24) joined Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport Manager Bob Nicholas to announce $418,042 in funding the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded the Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport to acquire snow removal equipment. “I am pleased to present this federal grant which will enable Ithaca Tompkins Regional to continue to operate safely in all seasons,” said Arcuri, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee which is responsible for authorizing funds through the FAA. “These funds will ensure that the airport continues to be a point of growth and development in the region. I will continue to fight to make sure federal funding comes back to our area to improve transportation infrastructure.”

The FAA awarded the airport funding to purchase a new snow plow and heated spreader for the airport. Existing equipment at the airport needs to be upgraded to maintain the safety of the airport during the winter months. Since taking office, Arcuri has announced over $1.7 million in FAA grants for equipment and repairs at the Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport.

(607) 257-0456
www.flyithaca.com

Birding Kiosk Now on the Cayuga Waterfront Trail in Cass Park

The Cayuga Waterfront Trail Initiative, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce held a special ribbon cutting for an information kiosk that beautifully illustrates the birds that trail users can see from Cass Park’s Waterfront Trail. The 4-sided kiosk features panels of birds that reside year round in the park, those that breed in this area but winter south, and those that migrate through the park during the spring and fall seasons. A 4th panel tells the story of bird migration for selected species breed in or pass through the park. The research team included the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Steve Kress, and Dave Nutter. The panels were designed by Iron Design and the kiosk fabricated locally by Accufab. This project was funded by a generous grant by the Triad Foundation.

www.cayugawaterfronttrail.com

Level Green Landscape & Garden Design Marks 20 Years in Business

Since its establishment in 1989, Level Green has been offering professional landscaping services throughout Tompkins County. Jim Van Buskirk, a Certified Nursery and Landscape Professional (CNLP) and founder of Level Green Landscaping, Inc. is a third generation stonemason and holds a degree in Plant Science from Cornell University. An expert designer with over 19 years of landscape design experience in a variety of residential and commercial settings, Van Buskirk will work with you to design outdoor space to your wishes in a way that will provide a lasting complement to your home or business.

Whether you need assistance in selecting a plant to grow in a difficult spot in your yard, or you desire to give your home landscape a new look, Level Green’s design services can assist you to develop year-round garden beauty with a minimum of maintenance. Their designs take into consideration the light, soil, and water requirements of the plants, their texture, color and ultimate size, and the landscape style appropriate to the architecture and design of your home or business. Level Green Landscaping has seen tremendous growth and is currently in the process of expanding its operation by opening a second office in Norwich NY.

(607) 266-8953
www.levelgreenlandscape.com

Carol Bushberg Real Estate Celebrates Grand Opening

Carol Bushberg, Ithaca Board of Realtors’ 2007 Realtor of the Year, recently celebrated the opening of her new full-service real estate brokerage, Carol Bushberg Real Estate. “The response to my new company has already been huge,” says Bushberg. “Even with all the worrisome economic news, I can report a healthy level of activity in the Ithaca area real estate market.” Her new office, with spectacular views of Cayuga Lake, is located in Suite 210 of the South Hill Business Campus at 950 Danby Road in Ithaca.

Over the past twenty three years, Carol Bushberg has sold every type of Ithaca real estate. Many people are already familiar with her name and outstanding reputation. Her company represents both buyers and sellers of Ithaca area real estate. Bushberg credits her many years at Christopher George Real Estate for teaching her that high quality customer service is essential. “Attention to every detail in a transaction is often the difference between a real estate deal that closes and one that doesn’t. My clients know from experience that they can count on me to be a very strong advocate for them,” says Bushberg. Bushberg is proud of her unique business model. “I am a one-broker office; every client at Carol Bushberg Real Estate deals with the boss.” Her support staff keeps the company’s listings highly visible on the internet and elsewhere, and informs her buyers of every newly listed property that meets their personal criteria. The firm’s motto is “Sound Advice for Big Decisions.”

(607) 273.3400
www.CarolBushberg.com

SIGNARAMA Opens Under New Ownership in Ithaca

SIGNARAMA, the world’s largest sign franchise, is proud to announce that local resident Diane Beckley is now the new owner of the Ithaca store. Located at 537 West State Street, on the corner of State and Meadow Street across from the Mobil station, SIGNARAMA is part of a successful system of business-to-business franchises under United Franchise Group.

With over 35 years of experience in the printing industry, Beckley managed a local copy store before becoming a SIGNARAMA franchisee. “Discovering SIGNARAMA came at a perfect time in my life because I was looking for an opportunity to expand into a different service for the community,” says Beckley. With more than 950 retail locations worldwide, SIGNARAMA uses cutting-edge industry software programs to provide a full range of comprehensive sign and graphic services to both the private and commercial segments of the business community. Each and every SIGNARAMA sign center offers full-service signage options that you simply cannot get anywhere else. Whether one sign or hundreds, temporary banners or permanent monument signs, Beckley and her team are committed to providing an exceptional experience for every customer each and every time.

(607)273-1502
www.signarama.com

Michelle Mekos's Offers Advanced Training in Image, Etiquette and Protocol Intelligence

Michelle (Shelli) Mekos is a Certified Image, Etiquette and Protocol Consultant for the greater Tompkins County area. Armed with more than 20 years of sales and management experience, Ms. Mekos brings in-depth knowledge of advanced communication skills and image development to the professional community. She provides group seminars as well as private consultations to corporate and government executives, local businesses, new employees, entrepreneurs, academia and industry organizations.

Ms. Mekos has been formally trained, licensed and certified by the Protocol School of Washington® at their Washington D.C. location, The Ritz Carlton at Tysons Corners. Consultants certified by The Protocol School of Washington® provide the highest quality programs and current information on this subject in North America and Internationally. Her major concentrations of study were Corporate Etiquette, International Protocol and Diplomatic Dining. Other training segments within the program included Business Image for Trainers, Sales Strategies, Marketing and Public Relations as well as Duties and Functions of a Protocol Officer. She was also trained on presentation, voice projection and non-verbal skills during her attendance of the school's Speakers Training Camp. Ms. Mekos also provides programs for youths to young adults to help create a solid foundation of positive self-esteem, leadership and interpersonal skills that will help enhance their social as well as academic intelligence as they grow into adulthood. A listing of Ms. Mekos’s programs can be found on her website.

(607) 227-5187
www.etiquettenewyork.com

The Grey Barn Offers Unique Lodging in a Beautiful Setting

The Grey Barn is a beautifully renovated house specially designed for vacations, retreats and short term rentals in the heart of the Finger Lakes. With four unique bedrooms, two downstairs and two upstairs, it can easily sleep seven guests and beyond! The Grey Barn is similar to a bed and breakfast only you make your own breakfast or other meals when you want, and what you want. The new kitchen is large and completely equipped. There are large sunny living spaces, a dining area and an open upstairs area for recreation and kids to play. One and a half baths, full laundry with fresh linens and soap provided, The Grey Barn is truly a complete home away from home. There is also a second level porch with fantastic views and a tiny frog pond. The place even comes with a ready-to-use grill so you can host an outdoor BBQ while watching the sunset.

Located on the corner of Van Ostrand Road and Route 34B in Lansing, The Grey Barn is close to universities, parks, wineries, and the airport, making it a perfect fit for families visiting students, reunions, weddings, or any occasion. Situated on 2 pristine acres, there’s lots of room to get out and enjoy the country. Hikers, cyclists, ornithologists, yoga enthusiasts and all recreation minded folks are welcome to stay to take advantage of all the Finger Lakes has to offer. Prices range from $200-$500 per night (for the whole house) dependent on season. If you’re interested in getting a first-hand look at The Grey Barn, they will be hosting an Open House on Wednesday, May 27th from 4:00 to 7:00 PM and all Chamber members are welcome to attend.

(607) 533-7360
www.thegreybarnlansing.com

Ithaca’s Newest Radio Station Has New Offices and Studios

Ithaca’s newest radio station, WFIZ-FM (Z95.5), has moved into their new offices and state-of-the-art studios at South Hill Business Campus on Danby Road. General Manager Frank Lischak says “This project has been 4 years in the making”. WFIZ signed on the air this past September. The station is known as Z95.5, Ithaca’s #1 Hit Music Channel. Lischak continues, “Z95.5 is the most exciting development for listeners and advertisers in decades. Our research shows that there is a huge potential audience for Contemporary Hit Radio in Ithaca. We’re excited that a locally owned business can fill the void and provide much needed competition in the market.” The station’s on-air line-up includes “The Z Morning Mess” with Stacy & Justin from 5:30 to 10:00 AM. Stacy Scott handles mid-days from 10AM to 3PM. From 3 till 6 PM it’s “On Air with Ryan Seacrest”, and “Corey @ Night” from 6 to 11:00 PM.

Owned by ROI Broadcasting and based in Ithaca, WFIZ is continuously looking for ways to help local businesses grow and prosper. They recently partnered with a national company that educates local businesses on how to make their advertising investments more effective and how to get results even in tough economic times. Free presentations will take place from Wednesday, May 13th through Friday, May 15th and all Chamber members are encouraged to attend. Each presentation is only 40 minutes long, and can positively impact how you market your business in the coming year. To sign up, call the station today.

(607)330-4848
www.z955.net

Pete St. John Design Specializes in Interactive Exhibit Design; Offers Even More!

Pete St. John Design (PSD) is a design firm located in Groton, New York. Founded in 2006, PSD is multi-disciplinary firm that concentrates on providing engaging and interactive exhibit design for small museums. PSD has expanded its services to include theatrical lighting and set design, trade show booth design, product design, project management, and a host of graphic design services. Often the project primary, PSD works with outside vendors and volunteers to find the best solutions for design challenges while maintaining focus on the overall goal and design theme. Also, with PSD’s broad design skills, the firm has the ability to understand what each vendor needs as well as draw from unorthodox sources for creative solutions to problems. PSD prides itself in maintaining the ability to work within challenging budgets and time constraints while maintaining an excellent end product, personal connection to its clients, and a deep understanding of their work.

(607) 898-3399
www.petestjohndesign.com

The Underground Collective Offers Large Selection of Custom Printed Organic Cotton Apparel

The Underground Collective is a group of artists who united in 2004 to provide an outlet for information and ideas. Their creations include a sustainable line of organic cotton apparel and custom screen printing services. The UG Collective 2009 line of sustainable street wear is a collection of their favorite hand-printed designs, featuring the work of artists from around the globe. This line of apparel uses only the best US grown organic cotton, guaranteeing that no chemical fertilizers or pesticides were used in the production process. Each style is originally designed and hand printed with care. The result is a beautiful shirt you will feel good about wearing.

The Underground Collective’s printing and graphic design team also offers custom screen printing services for schools, fundraisers, bands, and local businesses. The company is proud to offer the largest local wholesale selection of sustainable blank apparel. It has seen huge growth in a new line called EarthPositive™. EarthPositive™ apparel is organic and ethically made, but crucially, manufactured solely using sustainable energy generated from wind and solar power. The brand was recently named the “Best Organic Textile Product” at the Natural & Organic Products Show which took place in London, England. What began as a small idea has blossomed into a global artist collective and a socially responsible business team.

(607)564-3214
www.TheUndergroundCollective.com

PhG Tours Gives Guided Educational Tours of the Finger Lakes Region

Jennifer Cleland fell in love with the Finger Lakes region of New York at first sight and her fascination with the area has only grown with time. Her new business, PhG Tours, offers guided tours of the region focused on its social and natural history, drawing on Cleland’s experience as a docent, researcher, and 30-year resident of the Ithaca area.

PhG Tours arranges customized itineraries and transportation for groups, and creates unique opportunities for interaction with local experts. Cleland provides narration on historical and geological destinations in the region, putting the remarkable individual accomplishments of its great men and women into historical context, and making connections between our glacial landscape and its social history. Cleland enjoys sharing the stories that she continues to discover about Ithaca and central New York, from the Native American culture that dates back 1000 years, to the utopian social reformers and empire builders of 19th century America. Allow PhG Tours to broaden your experience of the region beyond its natural beauty and first-class food and wine, and see how the area helped to shape our nation and the world. For further information please visit www.phgtours.com, or contact Jennifer directly at jc@phgtours.com or (607) 319-4951.

(607)319-4951
www.phgtours.com

Julia Reich Design: A Small Creative Branding and Graphic Design Firm with Big Ideas

Julia Reich Design is a small creative brand strategy and graphic design firm. Julia launched her company in New York City in 2001; in 2007 she re-located to the Finger Lakes region, setting up shop in a barn located on her property. In her new locale, she finds daily inspiration in the natural beauty that surrounds her.

Julia and her creative team help clients— primarily nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and progressive businesses— with branding, print design, package design, and website design, with a special passion in working with the food, wine, tourism, environmental and agriculture sectors. Clients draw from both central and metro New York, and currently include a Long Island winery, a heritage tourism site based in the north country, Planned Parenthood, a Brooklyn-based educational nonprofit, Wells College and Slow Food USA. Reich states, “I care about the causes my firm promotes, and find meaning in the work beyond monetary rewards. My clients trust us to help them achieve their mission, in many cases as long-term partners, since our values are aligned. I understand the clients served by my firm because I've been on ‘their side’—prior to starting my company I was an environmental educator who worked for a variety of nonprofits and museums. Through my company, I help organizations tell their stories so they can have greater impact with their audience.” In addition to running her graphic design firm, Julia is available to conduct public speaking engagements on the topic of self-promotion for solopreneurs and small businesses. She is also an occasional food writer, with a recent monthly column in The Citizen newspaper in Auburn, NY, and Edible Finger Lakes.

(315)364-7190
www.juliareichdesign.com

Healthier, Cleaner Buildings Through Southern Tier Commercial Cleaning

Southern Tier Commercial Cleaning owners, Kim and Jeff Grover, are committed to growing their business the healthy way. Early in their cleaning career, the Grover’s realized the importance of Green Cleaning and established their own cleaning standard to drive their business. Cleantopia®, a Green Cleaning Standard, was developed and today is used in their every day operations. Cleantopia® outlines cleaning products and techniques that are environmentally sound, safe for cleaners to use, and provide clean, healthy buildings for their occupants.

Southern Tier’s cleaning services include janitorial services, commercial carpet cleaning and window washing services, construction clean up services, resilient floor care services, and college dormitory and Greek house cleaning. Kim and Jeff are pleased to be part of the Tompkins County Chamber, as a large portion of their clients are located in Tompkins County. “The Ithaca area has always been our backyard and we enjoy doing business with our customers in Tompkins County.”

(607) 589-7828
www.stcclean.com