Doug Levine, Outgoing Director of Membership, Public Relations and Special Events

It has been an honor and pleasure serving as your Director of Membership and Public Relations for the past five years. As my time at the Chamber comes to a close, I would like to take a moment to reflect upon the past five years and share some of the accomplishments and achievements of our organization. None of this would have been possible without the support and involvement of the Chamber Board of Directors, Committee chairs, Ambassadors, Chamber members and of course, the Chamber and CVB staff. I want to thank all of you for your continued support and involvement during my time here.

Over the past five years, there were many fun, informative events organized by scores of volunteers and attended by thousands of Chamber members. Some of the accomplishments of which I am most proud include moving our annual business tradeshow, Showcase Tompkins, to The Ithaca Farmers Market, which allowed more members to participate while also making it a truly memorable event that the public could be a part of. The Annual Chamber Golf Tournament has evolved immensely. By utilizing both Cornell’s Robert Trent Jones course and the Country Club of Ithaca, our participation has more than doubled! The Great Big Chamber Auction continued to raise a significant amount of money while Auctioneer extraordinaire David Hall was brought on as Auction Committee Chair. We grew our monthly Networking@noon event to a point that we are sold out almost every month. And despite the plethora of bad jokes lobbed at me on a daily basis, I am very proud to have hired Steve Lawrence as your Membership Account Executive. For many of you Steve is the first face of The Chamber, and for that, I am sorry.

This year, we have once again been busy with ribbon cuttings, anniversaries, mixers and new member orientations while our business community continues to expand and diversify despite current economic conditions. I would like to formally welcome my successor, Rob LaHood, to the Chamber. After a weekend visit to Ithaca in 2002, Rob instantly fell in love with the area and decided to relocate from Washington, D.C. and make Ithaca and Tompkins County his adopted home. I met Rob while enrolled in Leadership Tompkins during the fall of 2005 and a friendship quickly ensued. We’ve been in touch ever since and I’m so proud to see him take over for me.

As I sit here adding the finishing touches to my last Chambergram, while looking forward to starting my new role as Executive Director of The State Theatre of Ithaca, Inc., I truly feel like the luckiest guy in town. I’m moving from a job and organization that I love to a dream opportunity. As many of you know, music plays a big role in my life. I remember thinking to myself during last October’s Crosby & Nash concert at The State Theatre, “I wish I could just see EVERY show at this beautiful theatre!” Happily, that is now my reality.

AUGUST 2009 MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Les Swartz, the owner of Federal Safety Equipment in Candor and an active member and familiar face at Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce events, has picked up another prestigious award. Les was named the 2009 Small Business Person of the Year for the SBA’s Syracuse District – which is no small distinction, given that the district comprises 34 counties in upstate New York. Les, a disabled veteran, has grown his business into a six member team generating annual revenues in excess of $1.5 million. The Binghamton SBDC nominated Federal Safety Equipment as the SBA’s Veteran Business of the Year in 2008.

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Retirement Essentials, Inc., a local Third Party Pension Administration firm, is pleased to announce that as of August 1st, their office has moved to the South Hill Business Campus at 950 Danby Road, Suite 140. Retirement Essentials will be celebrating its 20th year in business in March, 2010.

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Warren Real Estate of Ithaca was named the 2009 Family Partner of the Year by Family & Children’s Service of Ithaca. Each year Family & Children’s Service of Ithaca celebrates the extraordinary philanthropy of our local businesses by recognizing among their colleagues a business that has distinguished itself in this elite group. Family & Children’s Service has benefited from Warren Real Estate’s consistent generosity and support for over a decade.

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Eric Lindstrom, a long-time Ithaca-based media executive with nearly two decades of experience, has joined 93.5 WVBR-FM Ithaca as its General Sales Manager. Lindstrom most recently acted as Vice President and Art Director at Communiqué Design & Marketing, Inc., one of Ithaca's most respected advertising agencies, and was often responsible for writing, editing, producing and recording radio advertising for some of the area's largest organizations. Lindstrom has also produced printed collateral as well as video projects for companies in the northeast. “Eric brings a tremendous amount to the table in the way of marketing, promotional and sales experience, and I look forward to working with such a creative and well-connected individual,” said Dan Powers, President and General Manager of WVBR-FM “We're very excited to have him on board."

Leadership Tompkins is Seeking New Participants for 2009

Leadership Tompkins is a community leadership development program that serves Tompkins County by nurturing community leadership in service-oriented individuals. Co-sponsored by Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce and Tompkins Cortland Community College, Leadership Tompkins:

Just as organizations must develop leaders to ensure their future success, Tompkins County must develop the awareness and skills of its future community leaders. Whether it's serving on a board, holding an elected position, or mentoring a child, Leadership Tompkins alumni make an impact on our community.

Please contact Susan Greener, Facilitator, or Sharon Sanford, Administrator, if you are interested in learning more about Leadership Tompkins for yourself, a staff member, a colleague or a friend.

(607)272-3025, www.leadershiptompkins.org.

Join The Chamber’s Auction Committee!

Every October, the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce hosts its Great Big Chamber Auction and each year, the event is organized and evolved by a volunteer committee of exciting individuals just like you! This event is the Chamber’s largest fundraiser and is as much fun to work on as it is to attend. There are a number of areas to become involved. Being a part of this committee and its teams is an excellent way to meet other Chamber members and to network with area business people. Not to mention being a part of supporting the excellent work of the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce. If you are interested in participating on this team, please contact: Rob LaHood, Director of Membership and Public Relations, (607) 273-7080.

Downtown Visitors Center moves to The Commons

After 14 years in The Clinton House, the Downtown Visitor Center and Ticket Center has moved to Center Ithaca in the heart of the Ithaca Commons. The new address is 171 The Commons, Ithaca. The move allows the Visitor Center and Ticket Center to better serve downtown residents and visitors with increased parking, visibility, access for people with disabilities and gallery space. The move also frees the ground floor of the vacated Clinton House for New Roots Charter School which opens in September.

The combined Visitor/Ticket Center, which attracts 5,000 to 10,000 people annually, is joint venture of the Ithaca/Tompkins County Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Community Arts Partnership (CAP). The visitors bureau provides travel, lodging and activity information at the site. CAP manages the Ticket Center program, provides information on local arts events and maintains the site’s public gallery space. The new location also houses CAP’s business offices. Local developer Travis &Travis was instrumental in facilitating the move. The firm manages Center Ithaca, among other properties.

For local tickets and arts information, call the Ticket Center at 273-4497. For travel & tourism information call 273-7482 (downtown visitor center) or 272-1313 (visitors bureau main office).

Redmoon Caregivers Relocates to 222 South Albany Street

Redmoon Private Caregivers & Consultants, a Home Health Care Agency licensed by the NYS Department of Health to provide home health aide, personal care aide, and companion and nursing services for the elderly and people with disabilities in Tompkins and surrounding counties, is now operating from their new location.

Anyone interested in Redmoon’s services is encouraged to call 607-254-6090 or visit the new office at 222 South Albany Street.

www.redmooncaregivers.com

(607)254-6090

Ithaca maurices Donates $500 to the SPCA of Tompkins County

maurices, a leading national specialty retail store for savvy, fashion-conscious customers with a 20-something attitude, celebrated the one year anniversary of its store by awarding $500 to a local non-profit organization. "We believe in giving back to the communities we are a part of and are thrilled to announce the local non-profit organization who will receive this donation," states Erin M. Donnoe, Store Manager. "Customers determined the charity by stopping in our store and voting during May. It was exciting to see the response from the community and their number of individuals who came out to submit their charity of choice. The organization that received the most nominations was the SPCA of Tompkins County, which provides a valuable service to our community. We are happy to offer this additional support to their effort," says Donnoe.

Established in 1931, maurices is wholly owned by dressbarn inc. and is an innovative fashion retailer for young women. The Ithaca store is located in the Elmira Road Shopping Center in next to Kohl’s and Home Depot. Maurice’s moderate prices, convenient locations, and its focus on friendly customer service differentiate it from department stores and other specialty retailers. .

www.maurices.com

(607) 277-9950

The Chamber Welcomes Blue Bird Antiques

Blue Bird Antiques, a cheerful and fun antique shop with a flair for "off the beaten path" antique, vintage and collectible treasures, celebrated their opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, July 28th. Located just off of the Ithaca Commons, next to the State Theatre at 113 West State Street, Blue Bird offers an ever changing variety of Antique Furniture & Artwork, 100% Hand Knotted Persian Rugs, Vintage Clothing & Jewelry, Textiles, Ephemera, Porcelain, Glass, etc.

The store is owned and operated by Jenny McGuire and offers an interesting and ever changing inventory of unique antique items and treasures from days gone by. Jenny says, “I joined the Chamber because I like being a part of the community. I grew up here, and moved away for 20 years, and it’s great to be back!” Jenny invites everyone to stop in and take a look during regular business hours.

http://bluebirdantiques.com

(607)272-BIRD

Albanese Law Office Celebrates Affiliation with Coughlin & Gerhart, L.L.P

Ithaca attorney Jonathan O. Albanese held an open house and ribbon cutting on Wednesday, July 22, at Suite 403 of the Gateway Center, 401 East State Street, to celebrate his new affiliation with Coughlin & Gerhart, L.L.P. Albanese Law Office has been providing legal services to Ithaca area residents and businesses since 1950. “I am delighted that I can now offer a full range of legal services to my clients, in addition to my real estate and trusts and estate work”, said Mr. Albanese.

The alliance between Coughlin & Gerhart, L.L.P. and the Albanese Law Office means additional experience in estate planning, litigation, labor and employment, business and banking, and municipal and education law, for those seeking a full service law firm in the Ithaca area. This recent alliance is Coughlin & Gerhart’s second in Ithaca. “We already enjoy a great relationship with the law office of Brown & Michaels, P.C., providing intellectual property litigation support,” said Mark Gorgos, the firm’s Managing Partner. “We anticipate additional synergies now working with Jon and his Albanese Law Office clients”.

Mr. Albanese received his Juris Doctor from Syracuse University College of Law in 1982 and Bachelor of Science from Syracuse University in 1980. He will continue to practice at the Gateway Center office location. Serving the Southern Tier since the 1890’s, Coughlin & Gerhart, L.L.P. is a multi-service law firm consisting of more than 40 lawyers and a professional support staff. Coughlin & Gerhart, L.L.P. has its main office at 19 Chenango Street in Binghamton, New York with branch offices in Ithaca, Owego, Afton, Deposit, Hancock and Unadilla.

www.cglawoffices.com/

(607)272-5212

Sarah Blodgett Photography Relocates to Tompkins County

Sarah Blodgett is a commercial and fine art photographer now residing in Ithaca. Since the purchase of her first camera at the age of ten, Dutchess and Columbia counties have been her chief source of inspiration for her landscapes and still lives, and have also served as backdrops for her portrait work.

Commercially, Sarah works with businesses to create images for advertising, promotional materials, and websites. Interiors, product illustration, landscape and garden photography, business portraits, modeling portfolios, and photography for artists are all services she offers. She has just completed her third book, “Artists Spaces and Studios” authored by mixed media artist Lynne Perrella. Artistically, Sarah’s work has been exhibited at many of the finest galleries in the state. Her work has been published in Fine Gardening, Country Living Gardener, The Country, Catskill Mountain Region Guide, The Knot, Martha Stewart, The Sun Magazine, Berkshire Home & Style, Quest Magazine and 2wice magazine published by Pentagram. She has been featured as a “trendsetter” in Art Business News and is currently signed with stock agency, Images.com in NYC. It has been said that her photographs “capture a moment of time or an edited sample of the world around us...Like all dedicated photographers, Sarah Blodgett helps us narrow our visual field so that we stop and notice. We pay attention and feel the better for having done so.”

www.sarahblodgett.com

518-755-4933

The Chamber Welcomes CTi of the Finger Lakes

Concrete Technology Incorporated of the Finger Lakes (CTiFL) is a new concrete resurfacing company servicing Tompkins County and the greater Finger Lakes region. Based in Cortland, CTiFL can turn any structurally sound concrete surface into a work of art. Their environmentally friendly product line offers both home and business owners a cost effective way of dressing up their properties without going through the hassle of tearing-up and replacing their existing concrete. “It has the ability to take the look of anything on the market - marble, tile, flagstone, brick or terrazzo. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination”, owner Jeff Kmetz said.

CTiFL is an authorized independent dealer of Concrete Technology Incorporated, with exclusive marketing rights in Tompkins County. There are over 700 dealers across the U.S.

Jeff states, “The decorative concrete industry is relatively new and people are amazed at the results when the process is completed. Whether the business owner wants to wow customers as they enter the showroom or the homeowner wants to bring an upscale look to their pool deck, it can be at a fraction of the cost compared to tear-out and replace.” Their business philosophy is that of “fully explaining what the product can do and then getting the job done right and fully to the customer’s satisfaction”.

Jeff brings over 30 years of engineering and managerial experience to this new company. He understands that business and home owners are looking for quality and value provided with a level of service that is attentive to the customer’s expectations. This approach is shared by each employee in every aspect of the job from the initial sales contact through final clean-up.

www.ctiofthefingerlakes.com

(607)753-1428

The Ithaca SufferJets Roll Into the Chamber

The Ithaca SufferJets, Ithaca’s first all-women roller derby team, are on a roll—and undefeated in their second season! The SufferJets are the first team of the Ithaca League of Women Rollers, the name under which the female skaters incorporated. Although off the track these ladies lead diverse lives—from moms to managers; artists to acupuncturists—what they share is a desire to grow as competitive athletes on the track, and as an integrated community organization off the track.

The SufferJets place a high priority on community involvement and are always looking for opportunities to demonstrate this commitment. A portion of each bout’s proceeds goes to support local organizations such as The Family Reading Partnership, The Advocacy Center, Recycle Ithaca’s Bicycles (RIBS) and others. The SufferJets have also provided programming for children’s camps at the YMCA, GIAC and CSMA.

Skater owned and operated, the SufferJets are actively raising funds to keep their organization rolling. Their goals for 2010 include raising funds for a portable sport court floor. A new floor and a new skating location will allow them to extend their summer bouting season, currently limited by the availability of Cass Park Rink, which is ice much of the year. The SufferJets enjoy an especially loyal fan base, and their family-friendly bouts draw hometown crowds of 700-1000 people. Come join the action and support your Ithaca SufferJets at one of their next home bouts: Saturday, August 22; Saturday, September 12; and Saturday, October 10 at Cass Park Rink.

www.ithacarollerderby.com

(518)573-5224

Wadiano Productions Unveils Redesigned Web Site

Wadiano Productions, an Ithaca graphic design studio offering web and print design services, has unveiled its redesigned web site this week. Pictured is the “virtual ribbon-cutting” by owner/designer Ron Reposh. “Wadiano designs websites, print ads, mailpieces and brochures, posters, ‘business identity’ — logos, business cards, letterhead — and does newsletter design and layout,” says Ron.

Wadiano’s tagline, “Whaddya know! Designs that work, for web and print,” is both a description of the studio’s philosophy and a clue to its name. “Wadiano is not an Italian surname,” says Ron with a grin, “it’s just a play on ‘whaddya know’. I thought of calling the business “Whaddya Know Productions,’ but settled on ‘Wadiano’ because I thought it would be a better conversation starter, which it certainly has been. Plus, it’s fun to see the look on people’s faces when they first get it!”

Ron explains, “There really is no such thing as a second first impression — no matter how great your product or service is, it won’t get a second look unless it looks good. We make everything look great, but it also has to look great to the target audience in the proper context — a design that’s great for a gym’s business card wouldn’t be right for a not-for-profit whose main clientele is seniors. So we tailor the look to the target. We deal in up-to-the-minute ideas, but also provide old-fashioned service and quality.”

www.wadiano.com

(607)592-5689