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!

Remax Relocates

RE/MAX In Motion has been providing real estate services to Ithaca and the surrounding areas since May 2005. We are proud to announce the opening of our new location at 313 N. Meadow Street (aka Route 13 North), between Buffalo and Court Street. Our new location brings with it increased visibility, lets Ithaca know that we are Local Experts in the real estate market and offer Global Exposure to all of our clients.

There are many opportunities that exist in today's market. The tax credits, first time home buyers programs, and over 500 great properties at great prices. RE/MAX In Motion is committed to providing customized marketing, premier ONLINE Exposure, and confidential commission structures. The real estate market fluctuates with time, and right now, There is NO BETTER time to buy a new home.

At RE/MAX In Motion we are experienced, full time agents who are either college graduates, broker associates, or have been selling real estate in this area for over 19 years. Stop in and see our new space, visit us at www.reinmotion.com, or call us on our direct lines. We love what we do.



607.277.1500
www.reinmotion.com

A Big Welcome From the Chamber to Palmer Pharmacy

Originating in Trumansburg, NY, Palmer Pharmacy is an independently owned full-service pharmacy. This brand new downtown location is next to one of the TCAT's primary bus terminals on East Green Street. In addition to traditional pharmacy necessities, Palmer Pharmacy offers a variety of products to enhance well-being. The store features a vintage soda fountain with hand mixed soda, local ice cream and coffee. Palmer Pharmacy is excited to join the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce, and serve the Ithaca community.


607.882.9500

Hello From Rick and Blodwen at the Orange Blossom Pancake House

We would like to thank the people who have patronized our restaurant, which is located in the Franklin Plaza, at the intersection of Route 13 and 3rd Street. We feel we have a sumptuous menu, one which is a little different, and that everyone enjoys.

We are trying very hard to make this a pleasant place to be for families, a meeting place for business luncheons, and a place where people can come and enjoy the atmosphere and their friends and family.

Our hours currently are from 6am -2pm on Monday through Friday and from 8am-3pm on weekends, serving breakfast exclusively on Sundays. As the days grow warmer and longer, we anticipate extending our menu into the evening hours. Our evening fare will be our breakfast and lunch menus with an additional entrée special on Thursdays in conjunction with Red Feet Wines’ wine tastings. The Thursday evening hours are between 5-9 pm.

Both of us have lived in Ithaca for 22 years, and we felt that there was a real need for something different on the north end of town, as it was not being served. Our mission is to provide quality service and food made from the best available fresh ingredients that we can find in and around our community. We serve fair trade coffee, local maple syrup and we will be incorporating local vendors as we grow and dependent on the season.

We have wonderful chefs who have also included on our menu tasty vegan and vegetarian dishes as well, and continue to bring new and scrumptious dishes to your table.


607.227.3428

The Chamber Welcomes Mighty Yoga!

Discover the amazing power of yoga at Ithaca’s newest oasis, Power Yoga studio, Mighty Yoga.

While finishing her PhD in Environmental Engineering, studio owner Heather Healey discovered her yoga practice at a welcoming Pittsburgh studio. When she moved to Ithaca, she found good yoga studios, but none that shared the same energetic vibe. Additionally, finding a class that was equal parts challenging, accessible and fit into her busy work schedule as an Energy Engineer proved difficult. So Healey decided to start her own Power Yoga studio.

With roots in Ashtanga Yoga, Power Yoga is a vigorous practice that develops endurance, strength, balance and flexibility through flowing, heating postures. This combination of heat and energetic flow, teamed with yoga’s ability to reduce stress, encourages students to strengthen their minds and bodies as they shift from pose to pose while maintaining an enlivening breath.

Nearly six months after its opening, Mighty Yoga now offers a broad schedule of classes for all levels seven days a week, mornings and evenings, and the heated studio provides an uplifting space to begin, maintain or deepen one's own yoga practice. Under the guidance of caring, trained instructors, students at Mighty Yoga can explore their edge—break through existing boundaries into uncharted territory—in a haven where compassion and love blend with fun and laughs.

As the studio approaches its six-month anniversary celebration, a gathering open to the public from 6 to 7 PM on Saturday,March 6 and $6 classes all weekend, the Mighty Yoga team looks forward to welcoming more of you into its growing community of vibrant yogis and yoginis.


www.mightyyoga.com
607.220.8367

Joe Knows Solar!

Joe Solar is a locally owned company providing design and installation services of solar thermal systems for homes, businesses, and industry. We’re completely focused on solar heat and hot water systems, and we’re actually the only business serving the local community who is. We’ve dedicated ourselves to providing the absolute best in solar thermal after recognizing the many unique benefits the technology offers, especially to the local Finger Lakes community.

In this region, the vast majority of the energy consumed is used for the purposes of providing heat in some form. The need for heat represents over three quarters of a typical household’s energy profile. Solar thermal systems can provide a large portion of this energy with a very high degree of efficiency, far greater efficiency than many other renewable energy systems, and at a much, much lower cost. The systems we install have been proven effective, efficient, long lasting, and reliable in some of the harshest conditions on Earth, in regions with considerably less sunlight than what’s available here.

One of the tenets of our business is "Bringing Solar down to Earth". We're approachable, informative, and straightforward, and we offer the smartest, most professional systems in solar. Give us a call; toll free (877) 609-5050, or shoot us an email, Joe@JoeSolar.org. Let's talk solar. We're more than willing to share our knowledge, and we treat all of the systems we install as if they're our own. We care about our customers, our community, our families, and our environment. We want to be your solar guys!


www.joesolar.org
877.609.5050

Tompkins Tourism

Winter Recess Attracts 3,400 Educators

Despite difficult economic conditions, Tompkins County’s annual Winter Recess teachers fest attracted 3,400 teachers and family members, the second-largest attendance in the event’s four-year history.

A record 163 local business participated, offering special events, deals and activities for educators and their families at more than 168 locations around the county. This year’s calendar listed more than 90 events including arts, entertainment, dining, education and outdoor recreation.

“Our attendance declined 15% from 2009, but considering the economy and all the school budget troubles, we’re pleased,” said Bruce Stoff, communications manager for the Ithaca/Tompkins CVB, the event coordinator. “Obviously we would like to see growth, but we’re still thrilled we got 3,400 visitors here in February and showed them what a wonderful community this is.”

Highlights for visiting teachers included spa parties at Satori and Crystal’s, happy hours at Corks & More and Moosewood and dining deals at Maxie’s Supper Club and the Boatyard Grill. The Cayuga Wine Trail Mardi Gras, Downtown Chili Cookoff, Sciencenter and Museum of the Earth were the most popular events and attractions.

Held Feb. 12-21, Winter Recess is the nation’s first citywide festival celebrating state educators. The event has attracted 11,000 visitors since its inception in 2007. Dates for Winter Recess 2011 are Feb. 18-27.

What Really Counts

March 17 is and always will be St. Patrick’s Day to me. It’s a day to celebrate my Irish heritage, break out my mother’s recipe for corned beef and cabbage, and bake a few loaves of whole wheat soda bread.

But this year it’s also the day that we should be receiving the census form in the mail. So now we have another great reason to celebrate.

The U.S. Census is an amazing thing. It provides us with a snapshot of America and with the tools to apportion legislative seats at the local, state and national level. It gives school boards accurate data to assess whether they should build new classrooms or convert some buildings to new uses. It allows city and regional planners to consider where new water and sewer infrastructure needs to be built or whether roads or other transportation systems need to be updated. Businesses can evaluate what communities might need their goods based on demographics. Marketers can learn more about their potential audiences. And, in 70 years it provides an opportunity for your grandchildren to look back and find where you were living in 2010.

But the census only works if you fill out the form and get it back. I am very concerned that we may once again get an undercount in Tompkins County. In 2000 our official count was 96,501 when estimates put our number at just about 100,000. The 2008 estimate is 101,136 and we want to get to that number and make sure that everyone who resides here is counted here, but the calendar makes this very difficult.

Every address in the county should receive a form. But there is generally only one form provided per living unit. College students living off-campus should fill out the form here in Tompkins County since that’s where they live 9 to 10 months of the year. But they have to fill out one form and include all the people living in the apartment. If the form isn’t returned by the end of April for a specific address then census enumerators visit that address to try to find out who lives there. Unfortunately many college students leave town or move in early May and the census enumerators will only find an empty apartment.

So, what can you do? Please fill out the form and get it back in the mail. If you have questions, go to www.2010.census.gov and find out the information. If you are a landlord please talk to your tenants and remind them to fill out the census form and return it. If you don’t receive a form in the mail by the end of March please go to the Questionnaire Assistance Center (QAC) at Tompkins County Public Library and fill out a census form. There will be other QACs in the County as well.

A few years ago I hunted through 1910 census data to find my paternal grandparents, who had died in the influenza epidemic in 1918. My father never spoke about them much and I didn’t know their middle names or where they’d been living. It was a joy to find their names. So give your descendents a gift and fill out the form.

G.L.A.M—Grow, Learn, Advocate, Market Your Chamber, Your Resource

ADVOCACY

I was thrilled and a little surprised to read a recent editorial in The Tattler, the Ithaca High School student newspaper, supporting the Collegetown Terrace Apartments Project. The editorial writers correctly noted one of the interesting current ironies in local government. The City of Ithaca’s Common Council’s Planning Committee is considering rezoning several areas of the City from R3 to R3aa. R3 zoning allows multiple unit housing and larger numbers of units than in R3aa. This, of course, is at the same time that the City of Ithaca has publicly supported the County’s Comprehensive Plan, which encourages infill development and increased housing opportunities.

The Collegetown Terrace Apartment project would build about 1260 units of housing in the area bounded by State Street, Quarry Street, and Valentine Place. To do this it would demolish about 19 properties, with about 635 units, and replace them with six or seven apartment buildings. As I understand it the project was developed in keeping with the current zoning regulations, but might need a variance to get a building permit.

I was really delighted by this editorial because the writers identified two very important points and because they cared enough about housing to write about this subject. Their points were that “Demand for housing will not diminish if people aren’t allowed to develop in the city; Ithaca’s suburbs will just expand instead, swallowing more open space.” And secondly, “The real issue at work is NIMBY syndrome—Not In My Backyard. ‘Nodal’ growth is great, but not here.” Infill projects help prevent sprawl and it’s certainly ironic that the City is considering whether to limit such projects not only on East State Street but in other areas of the city while generally supporting “smart growth” concepts.

Developers simply ask to know the rules. Once ground-rules are established these entrepreneurs can take it from there and obtain financing while supplying the risk tolerance that makes dreams become realities. Unfortunately when the ground-rules are uncertain developers become very wary of investing their time and start-up money in a community that changes the rules in the middle of the game.

The Chamber’s Governmental Affairs Committee has supported a resolution that supports this development. The resolution is working its way through committees and will be reviewed by the Board of Directors in February. Common Council’s Planning and Economic Development Committee will meet and review the rezoning proposal on the evening of February 17th. We’ll be there to voice the opinion of the Chamber’s Board. We hope you will consider lending your voice as well.

FEBRUARY 2010 MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

EMBERS IN THE NEWS

Greenstreet Real Estate’s Diana Drucker has been awarded the National Association of REALTORS®’ [NAR’s] Green Designation, the only green real estate professional designation recognized by NAR. This designation reflects Diana’s training in, and understanding of, what makes a property green, and how a property’s green characteristics can benefit her clients. These benefits can include – but aren’t limited to – financial grants and incentives. As an NAR Green Designee, Diana has gained the knowledge and the tools necessary to become a trusted green resource for Ithaca.

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Ithaca Athlete to Participate in 7-Day, 155-Mile Australian Outback Foot Race;
Celebrates with $20,000 Fundraiser for Cancer Resource Center of the Finger Lakes

Ithaca resident Christopher LaVallee is one of 200 athletes worldwide, who was recently accepted to compete in the April, 2010 RacingThePlanet 7-day, 155-mile Western Australia rough-country foot race. LaVallee is celebrating his acceptance to the April 25, 2010 to May 1, 2010 event with a $20,000 fundraising campaign for the Cancer Resource Center of the Finger Lakes. For details, visit www.crcfl.net.

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Christine M. Ludlow, a longtime Tompkins Trust Company employee, has been promoted to Vice President of Consumer & Residential Mortgage Lending Services for Tompkins Financial Corporation as part of the company’s restructuring of its support services organization.
Ludlow will be responsible for directing a newly formed function of the company that combines the underwriting, processing and service support areas of consumer and mortgage lending.

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The Ithaca law firm of Miller Mayer, LLP is pleased to announce two new additions: attorney Kimberly N. Rothman has become the 12th partner and patent attorney Randall L. Reed has joined the firm as of counsel.

Kim has been an associate attorney at Miller Mayer since 2005, and she specializes in estate planning, estate administration and real estate law. Randy comes to Miller Mayer from Transonic Systems, Inc., where he served as vice president, general counsel and secretary from 2004 to 2008.

Welcome Back Anchor Capital Management!

Anchor Capital Management is once again a Chamber member and is looking forward to renewed involvement in Chamber activities.

"Anchor is one of the few truly independent financial planning and investment counseling firms in the area," said Anne Chernish, CFP®, Anchor's president and managing member. "We have absolutely no outside pressure to sell products," she stressed.

"We have purposely chosen this form of organization to achieve the highest standards of fiduciary duty," Anne explained. "It enables us to always put our clients first."

“As our name implies, we strive to be a 'financial anchor' for our clients,” she added. While Anchor is relatively new, Anne has served the Ithaca area as a financial planner and investment counselor for 20 years.

She has two key employees, Susan Simmons and Tim Begany. Susan has been handling day-to-day administration since 2003. Tim joined Anchor last year as an associate advisor and is a candidate for CFP® certification.

Anchor is at 315 Taughannock Boulevard, across from Island Health and Fitness. For more information, call Susan at 607-272-0004. After an initial conversation, she will refer you to Anne or Tim. You may also wish to consult Anchor’s website for information: www.anchorcapmanagement.com.


www.anchorcapmanagement.com
607.272.0004

Michaleen’s – 22 Years and Going Strong!

Michaleen’s Flower Shop has been a staple in Ithaca since it’s inception in 1987. After graduating from Cornell University, Michaleen decided to stay and open a small flower shop in Ithaca. Since that time, the flower shop has grown along with the local community. Greenhouses were added several years ago, to accommodate the need in the area for green and blooming plants year round.

For Valentine’s Day, Michaleen’s is offering a free Lake Champlain Chocolate bar with any order placed on or before the 11th. To accommodate their customers’ schedules, orders can be sent all week to the workplace. Michaleen’s is open and delivering all day on February 14, Valentine’s Day

Michaleen’s offers cut flowers and floral arrangements for every occasion, specializing in wedding and event flowers. Sumptuous Lake Champlain and Promise Me Chocolates can be found at the counter while Crabtree & Evelyn products are just around the corner. Eclectic gifts for everyday and special occasions decorate their light and airy space. Corporate gifts and packages are also available upon request. Some of the areas best pottery can be found in their Garden Room, which also features botanical gardens created on site. Plant rentals are also available for special events.

Michaleen supports many local organizations, such as The American Cancer Society, Lansing School District, and the Salvation Army to name a few, by giving donations and flowers as part of the fundraising efforts.

Michaleen’s has and will continue to provide quality flowers at an affordable price with an emphasis on customer service and providing a knowledgeable staff. Michaleen is thankful to the community for their responsiveness to the shop local initiative.


607.257.3203
www.michaleens.com

Welcome Aboard, FitzGerald Brothers Bus & Limo Co!

Building on its green commitment by using vehicles that are powered with Bio Fuels, FitzGerald Brothers is happy to service the Ithaca area on a daily basis. Owner Mike FitzGerald says, “The number one area I enjoy serving the most is Ithaca because the people there appreciate a green alternative and love Bio-Fuels too! You don’t get the same reaction or appreciation anywhere else.”

The company is excited to announce that in January they added a Bio-Fueled 35-passenger Mid-Size Touring Coach Bus moving the fleet size to over 20 busses, limousine, SUVS’s & Sedans. The Mid Size Touring Coach features several TV’s, DVD, reclining seats, overhead parcel racks, rear cargo, and is ideal for wine tours, college travel, out of state field trips, sporting events and wedding shuttles.

The staff is also gearing again for this year’s Cayuga Lake public trolley tours. Last year’s Trolley Tours were a huge success thanks to many hotel and B&B owners that were up-selling their stays into packages with Trolley wine tours as a part of it. “We found that the owners were driving their guests to Cass Park, the Trolley would take them on their tour, and then at day’s end; guests would be picked back up.” This year’s tours will begin in mid June and will run till November. Pick-ups are every Saturday at local hotels and Cass Park. Riders visit five wineries and a stop for lunch during their six hour tour.

The company expects many more B&B operators & hotels to partner up in 2010 to place more guests on Trolley Wine Tours visiting the Cayuga Wine Trail.

For more information please contact us at 315-828-6289 or visit our websites, www.fingerlakeswinerytours.com and www.fitzlimo.com

Finger Lakes Fitness Center – An Uncommon Experience, on the Commons!

Finger Lakes Fitness Center (FLFC) is more than just a health club! The fun, clean environment and knowledgeable, caring staff are what keep members coming back. Whether you are looking to lose weight, better your health, or improve athletic performance, FLFC has everything you need. With a variety of cardio machines, a full strength circuit, free weights, and a full class schedule in a beautiful group fitness studio, you'll never have to wait in line to work out. If you are unsure of how to get started, talk to FLFC's friendly staff about setting up personal training.

FLFC – located in Center Ithaca - has events going on throughout the year to help bolster its community feel, such as the free Wellness Lecture Series coming up the last week in February. There will also be a Metabolic Testing seminar held in March, with Registered Dietitian Michele Wilbur. Check out FLFC's website at www.FingerLakesFitness.com for more details about upcoming events.

Membership at FLFC is affordable and never has any initiation fees. Included with all memberships are complementary orientations to the cardio and strength machines and all regularly scheduled group fitness classes. FLFC offers a variety of group fitness classes including dance, aerobics, and strength, as well as three different styles of yoga. Two new yoga series-- Svaroopa and Intro Iyengar-- recently began as well, for those new to yoga.

Stop by any time for a free day pass to try out Finger Lakes Fitness Center for yourself!


607.256.3532
www.FingerLakesFitness.com

The Chamber Welcomes Lucienne’s Fine Foods

Lucienne’s Fine Foods is now open for business and ready to provide a rich variety of high quality chocolates and baked goods to retailers, caterers, and consumers.

Working in their new commercial kitchen located in Jacksonville, New York, Lucienne Cruvellier and her business partners - Terry and Diane Kelleher - combine natural and organic ingredients to produce unique and flavorful products that may change the way you look at biscotti and dark chocolate forever!

Lucienne’s biscotti recipes have been refined and developed over many years of experimentation and bring wholesome and delicious ingredients together in a way that has generated fresh excitement wherever they’ve been offered. Her signature biscotti are called “Over the Top” and are made primarily from pistachios, almonds, dried cherries and fruit juice sweetened cranberries with just enough organic flour, cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil, locally produced eggs, and other ingredients to hold it all together. Additional biscotti varieties include Anise Lemon, Chocolate Cherry, Citrus White Chocolate, Double Almond, Double Chocolate Orange, and Lemon Cranberry.

Lucienne’s passion for dark chocolate has led her to explore its many qualities; both singly and in combination with common and uncommon ingredients. Lucienne’s line of dark chocolates is made exclusively with 65% to 75% cocoa and is referred to by the name “Chocolat Chat Noir,” French for “dark chocolate cat”. This line includes numerous molded solid and filled chocolates and chocolate snack formulations.

Lucienne’s kitchen is located at Ulysses Square on RT 96 in Jacksonville. Our goods are currently available through our website www.luciennes.com, with more local outlets expected to follow.


607.209.4100
www.luciennes.com

Your Chamber, Your Resource: Grow, Advocate, Market, Learn

What does the Chamber do? When a group of us tried to pare the answer down to a reasonable size, eliminate detail, and find the kernel at the core of our work we came up with four words: advocate, market, grow and learn.

The Chamber advocates for our members with our elected representatives, with local, state and national governments, and with planning boards and sewer commissions. We help businesses and organizations market their services and products to each other and to the world. The Chamber’s website and membership directory reach tens of thousands of potential clients and customers every year. Chamber members utilize the services of the Chamber to help grow their organizations. They meet other entrepreneurs and service providers at networking events and create opportunities to do business with each other. And through workshops, webinars and one-on-one business counseling they learn to do all of these activities better.

One of the most important ways the Chamber can advocate for our community in 2010 is to encourage everyone to participate in the Census. You’ll be hearing more about the Census over the next few months and materials will begin showing up in your mailbox soon. We will be asking you to let your employees know about the Census and the importance of being counted. The funding for many federal programs is tied to population statistics and without an accurate count our county could lose needed dollars.

The Chamber is partnering with the Census to help get this message out and we have received several thousand pedometers with the slogan “The Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce Wants YOU to be Counted U.S. Census 2010.” We’ll be distributing these at events in January and February. It’s a great way to get healthy by counting your steps and to help our county continue to have a healthy population count!

JANUARY 2010 MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Local Habitat to Build in Village of Dryden!

Next Tompkins County Building Site Announced, Partner Family for next Habitat home given wonderful news before Christmas!

The Habitat for Humanity of Tompkins and Cortland Counties (TCHFH) Board of Directors unanimously approved the purchase of 6 Wellsley Drive in the Village of Dryden. This lot will be used for the next Tompkins County Habitat Build, starting next spring.

“We are thrilled to be building in Tompkins County again next year,” says executive director Christy Voytko, “Dryden will be a great location for volunteers from both Tompkins and Cortland Counties to come out and help build a home for a family in need of a simple, decent, and affordable home.” For more info, please call (607)898-4148.
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Coughlin & Gerhart, L.L.P. is pleased to announce that Robert H. McKertich has joined the firm to practice in the areas of Environmental Law, Labor and Employment and Municipal Law.

A graduate of Northeastern University School of Law, Mr. McKertich has practiced law in the Boston, MA area since 2003 in courtroom litigation and he is experienced in practicing before federal, state and local administrative agencies.
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Community Foundation Board Elects Leadership for its 10th Anniversary Year
The Community Foundation of Tompkins County has elected its leadership team for 2010, the local public charity’s tenth anniversary year. Local attorney Mariette Geldenhuys will be the Board Chairperson following 2009 Chair, Tommy Bruce, and Cornell Vice President for University Communications. Mickie Sanders-Jauquet, a Community Foundation donor advisor, active in education and local government and current chair of the Grants Committee, will serve as Vice Chair. Tompkins County Finance Director David Squires succeeds long time Treasurer Joanne James of Newfield Central Schools. Attorney Kim Rothman of Miller Mayer, LLP completes the leadership team as board Secretary.

The Blue Stone – Come On In!

Having been open for 4 years now, Doug and Nancy Gruen, the owners of the Blue Stone Bar Grill & Lounge at 110 North Aurora Street, have a question and a suggestion: "Why haven't you been in here yet?,” and "Get in here!"

Nancy says, "There's something for everyone here," and she points out that the chef-owned eatery (Doug is trained at the Culinary Institute of America) offers "elegant comfort food, great cocktails and is a great meeting spot for dinner."

When you come to Blue Stone, tell your server that you would like to have the "Dinner and a Movie" package. After dinner, you will be given a ticket good for one admission to Cinemapolis on the Commons, and the package is just $21.95.

Blue Stone is pleased to be connected to the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce, and would like to offer all Chamber members 25% off their dinner entrees for the month of January! (The Chamber's resident vegetarian always orders Blue Stone's Veggie Burger, and deems it quite scrumptious.) January will also be a special month because a Wine Dinner will be held there on Wednesday January 20, and will feature, starting at 6 pm, a Six-course meal with six different wines (presented by one of the owners of Lamoreaux Landing Winery).


607.272.2371
www.bluestoneithaca.com

The Chamber Welcomes Snug Planet!

Snug Planet is a locally-owned home performance consulting and contracting company based in downtown Ithaca. The Snug Planet team is a small, highly trained group of home performance professionals. Our mission is to serve the community and protect the environment by improving the comfort and efficiency of buildings. We focus on customer satisfaction and keeping our staff trained, certified and educated on the latest in home performance. We are accredited by the Building Performance Institute and we are Energy Star-certified, so customers can depend on us to deliver quality work.

Snug Planet wants people to be comfortable in their buildings. We take an integrated approach to assessing and improving each building’s energy performance in order to deliver increased comfort and energy savings. We focus on heating, cooling, insulation, healthy and safety and moisture issues. Home energy audits include a site visit by a BPI-certified analyst, state-of-the-art diagnostic analysis, health & safety inspection, comprehensive written report, and targeted recommendations for increased comfort and energy savings. Our team installs a variety of products to fit customers' specific needs, including high-efficiency heating and hot water systems, renewable systems, insulation, new doors and windows, interior & exterior storm windows & doors, vapor barriers, crawlspace improvements, and other custom work.

Snug Planet is a Living Wage Employer certified by the Tompkins County Workers' Center, and we provide on-going training, health insurance and retirement benefits to our employees. As a Tompkins County certified Rebusiness Partner, Snug Planet is committed to minimizing business and construction waste. We are also members of the Ithaca Green Building Alliance, and the newly formed Sustainable Enterprise & Entrepreneurs network (SEEN).

At Snug Planet we care about our people and the earth, and we take pride in delivering environmentally-sound solutions to building performance problems in our community.


(607) 277-7684
www.snugplanet.com

Sandler Offers World Class Sales and Management Training

Sandler is a world leader in innovative sales and sales management training. We teach a distinctive, non-traditional selling system and highly effective sales training methodology, which has helped salespeople and sales managers take charge of the process.

Our training is designed to create lasting “performance improvement” rather than the motivational “quick fix” typical of many seminar-based training programs. To help you accomplish your goals, Sandler provides reinforcement training, a system that combines quality materials along with access to ongoing training workshops and individual coaching sessions. Through our Syracuse and Elmira training centers, we provide continuing face-to-face support and reinforcement of the world’s most successful selling system.

At Sandler, we understand that business success is directly related to the effectiveness of upper- and mid-level managers within an organization. Sandler’s management solutions help managers at all levels become more effective communicators, better mentors and coaches, and competent managers of change.

Entrepreneur Magazine has ranked Sandler as the No.1 training company eight times since 1994, including 2005-2007 and again in 2010.
“Find the Power in Reinforcement”


315-234-8153
www.peakpm.sandler.co

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).