TC3.biz offers Geothermal Design & Installation

New from TC3.biz - Geothermal Design and Installation

Cutting-edge training to prepare those attending to be attractive hires as:

• Project salespersons/ designers

• Project managers

• Entry-level installers of geothermal systems in the renewable energy industry

These classes also provide the opportunity for people already working in the industry to deepen their understanding of the design, monitoring, or installation.

The geothermal class series is unique, innovative, and needed. Our series of classes is geared towards developing an attractive and valuable skill set for entry into or advancement through the industry. Nothing like it offered elsewhere!

The geothermal class will include:

• Learning how to properly calculate and understand building heating loads

• Understanding the physics of ge0thermal heatpumps and refrigeration. cycle

• Understanding the various types of systems, types of loop fields, and system component

• Learning to size loop fields and the geothermal heat pumps for residential and light commercial projects

• Understanding system controls and options

• Learning acceptable distribution options, compatibility tests, and distribution system design

• Understanding the necessity of monitoring, how it can be done, and the COP/efficiency performance results to date

• Example installation examples and demos

• Learning debugging/troubleshooting - standard problems and examples

• Relation of these systems to net-zero buildings

Geothermal Design and Installation Level I

Feb 16, 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

$269 fee, includes materials and text



Geothermal Design and Installation Level II

Feb 23, 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

$269 fee, includes materials and text



Geothermal Design and Installation Level III

Mar 2, 8:30 a.m. - 5:30p.m.

$269 fee, includes materials and text



Please call or email TC3.biz to register (607) 844-6586, or Email: info@tc3.biz

Members in the News

Congratulations to Anthony Lubrino of Wells Fargo Advisors LLC, who has recently earned
the distinct honor of becoming a Premier Advisor with Wells Fargo Advisor’s Private Client
Group. Only the top 16% of Wells Fargo’s Financial Advisors qualify for this level of recognition.
It is a distinction that reflects success based on production and consistent commitment to high
quality, professional client service.
Anthony’s inclusion in the Premier Advisors Program underscores his ability to understand
clients’ aspirations and develop investment plans and strategies to help achieve those objectives.
More importantly, it reflects his capability to earn clients’ trust by offering sound, objective and
professional advice. To contact Wells Fargo Advisors call 607.266.8397.

Congratulations to Chamber member B2B CFO on being recognized as one of 2011’s Free
Enterprise Honorees, part of the U.S. Chamber’s DREAM BIG program. This year’s Enterprise
Honorees were commended for their strong business practices and contributions to the economy.
Richard Hendrick is a partner in B2B CFO and lives in Ithaca; he can be reached at 607.207.7879.

Prudential Financial, Inc. recently announced that Suzanne Aigen, a Financial Planner
with Upstate New York Agency of The Prudential Insurance Company and owner of
Aigen Financial Group, LLC, is a member of the company’s influential Field Advisory Council.
Members of the Field Advisory Council (FAC) and its 20 committees, provide input and feedback
to their home office partners on field-related programs and initiatives.
“As a Financial Planner, it is an honor to serve as CHAIR of the Women's Diversity
Committee,” Aigen said. “It allows me to bring to the Council an in-depth understanding of the
tools and programs that will best support the needs of our clients and our sales force.”
The FAC is made up of Committee Chairs and Vice-Chairs as well as a cross-section of the
company’s 51 agency-offices across the country; and meets face-to-face with their home-office
partners twice yearly, as well as via monthly teleconference.
For more information, contact Aigen at Suzanne@aigenfinanacial.com or at (607)277-0433.

DREAM NURSE TRAVEL JOINS THE CHAMBER

Dream Nurse Travel specializes in Central New York travel nursing. We partner with hospitals to place our nurses in their facilities. As health care professionals, our goal is to find the best nurses in the industry and give them great customer service so they are able to give excellent patient care. We do a “fit like a glove” analysis of the hospital’s needs as well as customized credentialing to find the best possible fit for the nurse and the facility. Our contract lengths are flexible and can range from daily (per diem) to long-term contracts of any length, we even offer temp-to-hire. We deliver 24 hour single point of contact customer service to both our hospitals and our nurses. For nurses, we offer full health benefits as well as high rates and housing stipends for long term contracts. Our on-line application process makes it easy to apply. For hospitals, our rates are low and we offer specials for long term contracts. Check us out at DreamNurseTravel.com or call us at 866-368-3708...discover the difference.

THE CHAMBER WELCOMES CORKS & MORE

Corks & More of Ithaca has debuted Napa Valley Technology’s WineStation® Intelligent Dispensing Systems to complement the opening of its groundbreaking wine bar / lounge design, and small tasting plates dining concept.
Opening on New Year’s 2010, BJ Bliss, owner and CEO of Corks & More, noted, “the Ithaca area is renowned for introducing breakthrough concepts in food, wine and dining. What’s been missing is an experience that lets guests explore, taste and enjoy unique food selections paired with great wines by the glass, whether they’re from the Finger Lakes area, California or other celebrated wine regions of the world. Corks & More is designed to do just that”.
Bliss added, “Our goal from the onset is to offer our guests an assortment of forty-plus finer wines by-the-glass, served through WineStation’s patented Clean-Pour technology. Their 60 day preservation system will ensure our patrons will experience the same, “first-time taste” the winemakers intended, each and every time, whether they choose from a taste, half or full glass of a wine which best complements their food selection from our new and expanded menu. ”
Bliss continues, “we selected WineStation to be at the heart of our concept, to let our guests come in, purchase a Corks & More Tasting Card along with delectable dishes designed for sharing and socializing, then ‘kick back’ in our relaxing lounge environment”.
From a business perspective, Bliss added that WineStation’s preservation, pour size selection (1oz. taste, 2.5oz half or 5oz full glass) and reporting, also gives us the controls required by the business,” and he adds, “I invite you to come in and check out Corks & More in the near future.”

SEPTEMBER 2010 MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Happy Birthday Mighty Yoga! Mighty Yoga, located at 106 W. State Street, celebrated their one year anniversary in August, with an array of events and specials.

The 4th Annual “Take an Ithacan to Work Week” will take place the week of September 27, 2010. During this program, students will job-shadow a local professional for one day (or half-day). A success­ful job-shadow should include observation of your activities (i.e. staff and/or client meetings, project work) as well as a discussion of your responsibilities and the student's career goals (please note that stu­dents are not expected to perform work tasks as part of this shadow­ing experience).

The 4th Annual Speed Networking event helps you connect with local professionals while helping students learn the lifelong skill of networking. the event is Wednesday, September 29 6:00pm - 8:00pm in the Clarke Lounge (Ithaca College Campus Center). During the first half-hour, you will network with other local professionals while stu­dents participate in a Networking 101 workshop. The remaining por­tion of the evening will focus on speed networking, during which you will meet students through a series of 7 minute pairings. Light re­freshments will be provided.

To participate in either of these events, please contact Kristin Li­Britz '98 at klibritz@ithaca.edu or at 607-274-3365 as soon as possible. If you are willing to host a student job-shadow, please be sure to indi­cate your preferred hosting date(s), times and a description of your organization. Feel free to share this email invitation with your col­leagues and friends, as we typically have shadow requests from stu­dents in most of the 100+ disciplines at Ithaca College.

What you need to know about the health care tax credit!

I like writing, but dislike the concept of blogging. It seems too self-centered—like everyone in the world is interested in my viewpoint. But it seems like the best possible way to distribute information to Tompkins Chamber members and people in this community about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA—the Health Care Act).

So, first, here’s information about the health care tax credit for small employers. From 2010 through 2013 there is a tax credit for qualified small employers, who purchase health insurance for their employees. You are qualified if you employ no more than 25 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees during the tax year AND pay average FTE annual wages of no more than $50,000 AND have a health insurance plan for which the employer pays at least 50% of the premiums of those enrolled.

For 2010 the credit is 35% for for-profit and 25% for tax-exempt employers of the lesser of the amount the employer spent to purchase health insurance OR an amount to be named later. Seriously! The Secretary of Health and Human Services will benchmark an amount and this will be made public by the IRS at some point later this year.

But I’m not finished yet. The full amount of the tax credit only applies to employers with 10 or fewer FTE employees who average annual FTE wages of less than $25,000. There are also provisions for 2014 and later for employers who purchase their insurance through an insurance exchange (more about these in a future blog).

This is a wonderful tax credit. It could mean a good savings for small businesses and, if employers understand the provisions, it could spur increased employment. But, it also means that you better have a good accountant. I’m still not sure how the credit will work for not-for-profit businesses, like the Chamber, since we don’t generally pay income taxes. I’m told that there will be either a credit on another tax or a refund.

More later. There will clearly be more to blog about. The bill, PPACA, is about 2,000 pages long.

As always, don’t rely on this for tax advice. See a qualified accountant.

JULY 2010 MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Tompkins Financial Corporation,a $3.2 billion financial services holding company based in Ithaca, has been named to the American Bankers Association’s list of top performing banks for 2009. In an article published in the May 2010 edition of ABA Banking Journal, Tompkins Financial Corporation ranks 10th out of 148 U.S. public banks, thrifts and holding companies with assets over $3 billion as of December 31, 2009.
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Ithaca Health Alliance Names First Executive Director Ending a two-month search for leadership in its next phase of development, the Ithaca Health Alliance has selected Bethany Schroeder as the first Executive Director in the organization's history. Schroeder, who has served for the last four years as President of the IHA Board of Directors, is expected to oversee the coming expansion of the IHA's Ithaca Free Clinic into larger quarters and to address the increasingly complex administrative and funding needs of the Alliance.

APRIL 2010 MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Tompkins Financial Hires Boyce To Lead Operations, Card Services

Gregory L. Boyce of Ithaca has been hired by Tompkins Financial Corporation as Senior Vice President with responsibility for facilitation of its business process improvement efforts, and leadership and management oversight of its Operations and Card Services areas.

In recent months, Boyce served in a consulting capacity for Tompkins Financial, providing leadership to its business process improvement program. Formerly, he owned and operated a strategic management consulting firm for several years and, prior to that, he was a managing associate for consulting firms based in New York City and Paris, France.

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Great News From the United Way!-- Dear Campaign Committee Members and Friends of United Way of Tompkins County, We did it! Can you hear the trumpets blaring at United Way of Tompkins County? Congratulations on a job well done. We have exceeded our $2,075,000 goal and are expecting more gifts!

On behalf of Tom, Andy and all of us, thank you, thank you, thank you for your support and commitment to making our community a healthier place to live and work.

Our donors have maxed out the thermometer and the balloons are blowing in the wind at 313 N. Aurora Street, Ithaca!

P.S. Our celebration is scheduled for Friday, April 30th from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. More details to follow soon!

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Dean E. Shea, Vice President of Sunny Brook Builders, has successfully completed the Building Analyst Training course work and passed the written test for Building Performance Institute (BP) Building Analyst Professional through Broome Community College. Sunny Brook Builders has been remodeling, building new homes and providing handyman services for 27 years.

One Chance To Get It Right… One Phone Call To Get It Done!

Flying Arrow Productions is a video production company in Newfield, founded in 2008. While utilizing the latest high-definition cameras and editing software they still maintain old fashioned service to clients with the highest attention to every detail. In video production there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all package and Flying Arrow Productions understands that. From concept to completion, they guide the client through every step to make their production uniquely their own.

Flying Arrow Productions offers a broad range of personal video services including coverage of special family events and parties, weddings, dance recitals, martial art demonstrations, religious and school events, photo to DVD montages, and Video Life Diaries.

For the business owner Flying Arrow Productions offers training-video production which saves time and money training new employees and keeps existing employees current with required training updates. All done, on site, at your factory or office, they produce a video utilizing your staff to create a training DVD. Flying Arrow Productions can also produce promotional videos to be used on a company website. This lets the customer see and hear the message.

Performing artist such as bands or dance groups can benefit immensely from having a promotional video produced. Flying Arrow Productions will attend an event where the artist is performing, film it, and professionally edit a promotional video to be shown to future potential clients. Bookings are sure to increase.

Their slogan is “Turning YOUR Vision into Reality.” They take the time to listen and offer free consultations.


Flying Arrow Productions
607.280.3878
www.flyingarrowproductions.com

IthaCar Service - From Here to There… and Back!

Need a ride to or from the airport? There is a new ecologically friendly transportation option available in the Ithaca area. IthaCar Service offers a prompt personal car service utilizing an energy efficient hybrid vehicle. Ease the stress of traveling by using their convenient reservation system to reserve your car ahead of time. IthaCar will pick you up on time and drive directly to the airport. On your return flight, you can avoid the taxi queue by arranging to be met at the airport. IthaCar tracks their clients incoming flights. So, if your flight is delayed, IthaCar will know and you will not be charged wait time.

IthaCar Service is dedicated to meeting the needs of the airline traveler with a professional, comfortable and sustainable taxi alternative. Using IthaCar’s online reservation form is simple, you will receive an email confirmation and your car will be on time. The rates are competitive with the taxi shuttle for one person. If you are traveling with a companion, IthaCar can be a bargain because they do not charge “per person” rates.

While IthaCar specializes in airport transportation, they can usually accommodate other needs with a reservation. Email them for a rate quote.

When a taxi won’t do and a limousine is too much, consider a reservation with the ecologically friendly alternative, IthaCar Service.


Ithacar Service
607.229.3500
http://ithacar.com/

Moving Box Studios Joins the Chamber!

Video! Animation! Sound! Moving Box Studios is a full service production company located in the Community School of Music and Arts. We create everything from documentaries and commercials to brochures and websites. Our clients include Cornell University, the Ithaca Police Department, and many others.

Moving Box Studios provides individuals and businesses in the local community with the tools and expertise required for expressing their messages creatively, through the highest quality multi-media production capabilities. Our talented team of professionals have expertise in video production, website design, animation, audio engineering and recording.

Our studio includes HD video equipment, green screen capabilities, multi-track recording studio, vocal booth, and video editing/animation suites. Although our grand opening is this month, we have been in operation for the past three years. Moving Box got its start in the fall of 2007 when it was founded by

Joe Zohar (head videographer), Chris Kusznir (advertising), Connor Shaw (media relations), and Chris Davidson (head of animation). All four Ithaca College Alumnus achieved their dreams by building their own studio from the ground up. Hilary Kellner (studio manager) joined the studio in early 2009, bringing her expertise in structural organization and financial management to the team.


Moving Box Studios
607.821.1872
www.movingboxstudios.com

The Chamber Welcomes The Events Company!

The Events Company is not your everyday meeting and event planning company. Whether it’s a themed corporate meeting or event, a fundraising gala, or a wedding or bar mitzvah, we are the experts in creating unique event experiences that “WOW!” attendees.

The core pieces of our company mantra are: Create the “Wow” experience, Ease the clients’ pain, and Achieve “ROE” (return on event). To successfully fulfill the mantra we listen to our clients as they discuss their desired goals and objectives, budget perimeters, and any sources of anxiety. We can then offer a solution that will exceed their expectations, give them their time back, and provide them the most “bang for their buck.” This type of customer service has enabled us to establish a long roster of clients with annual events.

At thirteen years old, The Events Company is the brain child of local entrepreneur, Nicole Samolis, CSEP. With a relentless appetite for pursuing new markets and opportunities, Nicole has pushed The Events Company to continuously brand itself to be the “go-to, one-stop-shop” team for any special event, whether it be here in the Central New York market, or on the road with clients in cities across the U.S.

The Events Company has also built its business and reputation by being committed to and involved in the community. Team members support local not-for-profit organizations through volunteerism and event support, as well as provide internship experiences for college and high school students interested in careers in Event Planning.


The Events Company
315.422.9400
www.theeventscompany.com

Community Wellness Day

Congratulations to Dr. Ammitai Worob, of Sea Change Chiropractic who is organizing a Community Wellness Day on Saturday, April 17, at Boynton Middle School (1601 N. Cayuga Street). The event will run from 12 – 3 pm, and proceeds will benefit the Cancer Resource Center of the Finger Lakes, another Chamber member. For details, visit: www.seachangeithaca.com

State Theatre of Ithaca, Inc. Celebrates One-Year Anniversary

The State Theatre is proud to announce our one year anniversary. Since last year the Theatre has hosted many successful shows, hired a new executive director, formed a new board of directors, and has made significant physical improvements to the building, both inside and out. The State Theatre is the crown jewel of the County’s arts community and attracts close to 50,000 patrons each. Our new and innovative business model is focused on taking less risk which should result in the ongoing stable operation of theatre. Our 2009-10 season will host an exciting array of world-class talent this spring such as David Sedaris, Shawn Colvin, Phil Vassar and Taj Mahal. Tickets can be purchased in person at the box office, by phone at (607)27-STATE or online at www.stateofithaca.com.

2010 BUSINESS AWARD NOMINATION

2010 BUSINESS AWARD NOMINATIONS are being solicited for:

· David R. Strong Memorial Small Business of the Year

· New Business of the Year

· Non-Profit Organization of the Year

· Large Employer of the Year


Go to: tompkinschamber.org for details or to download the form. Nominations are due by May 17, 2010!

Jean's China Travel Journal - March 16, 2010

It’s not good when your wake-up call arrives at 4:15. But we made it to the airport and through the craziness of checking in with time to spare. Arrived at Shanghai’s smaller domestic airport on the first day that the new wing of the terminal was being opened. Wow, another spectacular place and everything worked even on the first day. We stopped for lunch on the way to our hotel and many of my fellow travelers are desperate for some American food. I find it odd that people didn’t anticipate eating Chinese food at every meal for the week. I think the food is quite good and there’s a tremendous variety since we are served family style at tables with giant lazy susans. But Chinese breakfast on the plane was a challenge. Congee is sort of like thin oatmeal, but made from white rice instead of oats. That was served with a sealed plastic pouch of pickled vegetables and a dark brown hardboiled egg. I think it was a duck egg boiled and then soaked in tea. The roll was filled with sweet bean paste. Not what we’re used to, but a new take on the breakfast of champions.

More later.

Jean's China Travel Journal - March 15, 2010

Our breakfast briefing at Reed Smith LLP, a leading legal firm in Shanghai, on China’s Legal Climate and Challenges for Foreign Invested Capital was a learning experience. China’s government’s stimulus package of about $650 billion has worked in ways that America’s hasn’t. A few differences: China put on 2nd and 3rd shifts on construction projects to get more people working; it got banks to really lend to businesses; and it distributed prepaid debit cards to people in areas of high unemployment quickly to infuse cash into the economy. Of course, it’s easier to accomplish these tasks when the government’s state-owned businesses are about 60% of the economy. Yet, who would have imagined that private enterprise controls about 40% of the economy even 10 years ago?

I climbed the great wall of China. Okay I climbed only a very small part at Juyong Guan pass. The mountains on either side of this pass jut towards the sky. With snow on the ground and the steps climbing was very tricky. A few people in our group made it all the way to the top of the pass where some of the “steps” were more than 30 inches high. Coming down was harder than going up and the wind was wicked. It gave me a sense of respect for the Chinese people who built most of this wall in the 14th to 16th centuries during the Ming dynasty as a protection from the Mongols to the north. In fact it gave me respect for the Chinese people who restored it in the 1980s.

We also visited the Ming Tombs and the Hall of Eminent Favor, which has been made into a museum containing some artifacts from the one tomb that was excavated and an impressive statue of Yongle, the 3rd Ming Emporer. But the most impressive part of the building is the construction. The roof is supported by 40 foot-tall cedar columns that are more than 12 feet in circumference at the bottom. The tombs were built in this area because the ridge of mountains protects the area on 3 sides and keeps the evil spirits carried on the north wind away from the area.

We had dinner tonight at a banquet hall with about 200 other Chamber executives from the U.S., Norway, Bermuda, and Great Britain. Some Chinese officials from the Ministry of Culture joined us. We were greeted upon arrival by dragon and lion dancers and entertained by a trio of musicians that played “Oh, Susannah” and “Red River Valley” on erhu (a two-stringed violin). I think I may be experiencing culture shock. Most of the other Chamber execs are here to see and experience China, but are not part of our Ford Foundation Fellowship group. They have more time for sightseeing and shopping, but I’m so glad to be able to participate in the discussions and workshops being presented.

Back to the hotel to pack. We have to be out of the hotel at 5 a.m. tomorrow to catch the 7:30 flight to Shanghai.

Jean's China Travel Journal - March 14, 2010

Arrived in Beijing last evening with a group of fellow Chamber execs. All of us are ACCE (Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives) Ford Foundation RSD Fellows. RSD stands for Regional Sustainable Development and each of us worked on projects dealing with efforts to make our communities better in the 21st Century.

Thanks to ACCE and Ford for sponsoring this trip to China. We'll be spending 3 days in Beijing and 4 in Shanghai and meeting with a people working in China on issues ranging from Environmental Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility to Foreign Investment and the Talent Landscape.

Beijing is impressive. The airport (which was totally rebuilt for the 2008 Olympics) is extraordinarily beautiful and everything worked incredibly well from Immigration to Customs. We passed through temperature detectors that are set to find people with high fevers. Luckily we all passed with flying colors.

We're staying at the Beijing Marriott City Wall, which is built next to the only remaining section of the wall of the "common" city--to distinguish it from the Imperial and the Forbidden Cities. It's a lovely hotel with an elegant lobby and beautiful rooms. The bathroom is a delight to someone who just spent 14 hours flying from JFK to PEK.

There are 17 million people living in Beijing. Within the 3rd ring--the Common City (the first is the Forbidden City and the second the Imperial City)--are hotels, the enormous train station, office and government buildings, and the Central Business District. The boulevards are wide and the traffic is fierce. Our guide says there are more than 4 million automobiles registered in the Beijing area.

Most of the office buildings are pretty bland in design--about 30 story glass blocks, but one is very striking for two reasons. The China TV building is called "the blue jeans building" by locals. It's a two offset glass towers with a cantilevered connection that forms the belt and torso, It's a pretty odd building by itself, but is made much odder by the burned out building adjacent to it. It was completely destroyed one year ago during the spring festival by fireworks. Fireworks here are pretty serious and a little out of control. The developers are still trying to figure out how to take down the blackened and twisted hulk since it shares a foundation with the other two towers here.

MARCH 2010 MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Congratulations to Jerry Dietz of CSP Management, who was honored by the Human Services Coalition with the Anne Tompkins Jones Award for community services as a Distinguished Volunteer.

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Kudos to Chamber member Heather Marshall of the Econo Lodge, who was honored by the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association with the 2010 Stars of the Industry Award for Outstanding Manager/Supervisor.

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Hickey’s Music Center was named last year to the “Top 200 Largest North American Music Retailers” by Music Trades Magazine. Currently owned by David Zimet and Charles DePaolo, Hickey’s Music was first opened in Ithaca on State Street in 1892 by Joseph Hickey as a Guitar, Mandolin and banjo shop.

Katie Foley has been named the Director of Development at Family & Children’s Service of Ithaca, being promoted from Associate Director upon the retirement of Laura Day in December. Katie has been with F&CS since 2007, coming to the agency from the Ithaca Youth Bureau where she served as the director of the Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring program. She is a graduate of Ithaca College, as is Edie Jodz, the agency’s new Development Associate.

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Thanks to Elisabeth from Snug Planet for this kind testimonial:

"Being featured as a new business in a recent Chambergram has made an incredibly positive impact on our business. We have received many leads and a great deal of positive feedback from the community because of the exposure. New customers hired us because they liked the picture of our crew -- it made them feel comfortable having us in their houses. Every day people tell me they have seen us getting 'positive press' and it's all because of the Chambergram. Thank you!"


Elisabeth – Snug Planet


PS. We LOVED having our staff meeting in the Chamber Conference Room. It feels so nice to be part of a bigger team out there in the world!