You are here: Home / 2009 / Archives for December 2009

Upstate Cerebral Palsy Artwork to be Showcased at SUNYIT

December 31, 2009 By Leave a Comment

(Utica, NY)  The Upstate Cerebral Palsy’s Pieces of Heart Exhibit at SUNYIT has been rescheduled for showcase between Monday, February 8 and Wednesday, March 10.  The artists’ reception is set for Tuesday, February 9 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the SUNY Gannett Gallery.  The event is free and open to the public.

The fourth annual exhibition honors artists who receive services at Upstate Cerebral Palsy while giving visitors the opportunity to view the many works and compare the different media.  Over the past few months, pieces have been on display at the Utica Public Library, the Dunham Public Library and the Upstate Cerebral Palsy Rome Children’s Education Center.  The display at SUNYIT is the final showcase of the season.

For more information about the exhibit, contact Sue Macrina, program service specialist, at (315) 896-2654 ext. 222.

Filed Under: Announcements, Art and Culture, Education, Libraries, Rome, Utica Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Personal Injury Motor Vehicle Accident in Whitestown

December 31, 2009 By Leave a Comment

(Whitestown, NY) On December 30, 2009, the State Police in Marcy investigated a two car personal injury motor vehicle accident that occurred on Mohawk Street in the town of Whitestown.

Investigation revealed that Keith P. Schuderer, 49, of Marcy was operating a 2001 Dodge Intrepid southbound on Mohawk Street, and while operating the vehicle Schuderer lost control of his vehicle causing it to enter the oncoming northbound lane. When Schuderer’s vehicle entered the northbound lane, it was struck by a 1992 Pontiac Bonneville, which was driven by Henry J. Platt, 34 of Utica who was northbound on Mohawk Street.

Platt was transported to St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center for back and chest pain.

Schuderer was issued a traffic ticket for failure to keep right, which is returnable to the town of Whitestown Court.

Filed Under: Cops/Crime/Courts, Marcy, Utica Tagged With: , , , , ,

College of Nursing to hold Open House

December 31, 2009 By Leave a Comment

(Utica, NY) St. Elizabeth College of Nursing (SECON) will hold an Open House on Wednesday, January 6 at 6 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room at the College.

The College offers a two-year associate in applied science (AAS) degree in nursing, fully integrated theoretical learning with clinical experience within a caring environment. The nursing courses include patient care that is planned and supervised by a faculty member with expertise in a particular nursing area.  One of the strengths of the program at St. Elizabeth is its clinical component that combines the theory learned in class with actual nursing practice, allowing for immediate transfer and application of knowledge.  SECON offers an evening/weekend nursing program in addition to the weekday program.  It is designed to meet the needs of the adult learner who is unable to attend class during the weekday hours.

St. Elizabeth College of Nursing is one of the first hospital-based nursing programs to receive dual accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.

To reserve a seat at the Open House, go online at www.secon.edu.

For more information, call (315) 798-8189.

Filed Under: Announcements, Calendar of Events, Education, Health, Utica Tagged With: ,

Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce Names Officers for 2010

December 30, 2009 By 1 Comment

(Utica, NY) The Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce announces the 2010 officers of the Board of Directors.  The officers were elected at the Chamber’s Board of Directors meeting on December 08, 2009. Serving for one year terms commencing January 1, 2010, on the Board of Directors is Chairperson Jennifer Keida, First Vice Chair Sam Berardino, Second Vice Chair Scot Hayes, Treasurer James Brockway, Assistant Treasurer Mark Pfisterer, and Secretary Angela Ramp.  Frank Elias was re-elected president of the Chamber.

Jennifer Keida is the chief operating officer of Standard Insulating Company.  Keida started in the Connecticut branch in 2000; she began in sales and grew into the general manager’s position in CT.   In 2003, Keida relocated to Utica, where she has moved to sales manager, to executive VP and to her most current post, as COO.

First Vice Chair Sam Berardino is a financial advisor for Morgan Stanley Smith Barney.  Second Vice Chair Scot Hayes is the president/owner of New York Sash.  Treasurer James Brockway is vice president and retail regional manager in the Mohawk Valley for M&T Bank.  Assistant Treasurer Mark Pfisterer is president-CEO of AmeriCU Credit Union. Secretary Angela Ramp is the branch manager at Adecco Employment Services, Utica.

Filed Under: Announcements, Business, Mohawk Valley, Utica Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Rome Salvation Army Needs $33,000 to Avoid Cuts

December 30, 2009 By Leave a Comment

(Rome, NY) The Red Kettles in Rome did better than last year, but are $12,695 short of the $70,000 goal, plus mail appeal is $20,000 short of its $70,000 goal, reported Major Leonard Boynton, director of the Rome Salvation Army.

“We are looking at having to cut nearly $33,000 from our 2010 budget, which would affect staffing and programs,” he said, plus may require a special spring donor campaign.

Major Boynton attributed the shortfall to the tough economy and a shortage of outdoor bellringers.

He noted that the overall campaign goal of $140,000 was set in order to fund programs year-round as well as provide Christmas assistance. Christmas assistance this year included gifts and visits to 500 nursing home residents, toys and clothes for 1,000 children, and food baskets for 550 families (up from 491 families the previous year).

“Our emergency and community center programs offer opportunities for households to stop further decline into poverty and related behaviors such as teen pregnancy, alcohol and drug abuse, domestic violence, and child abuse and neglect,” the major said.

Year-round, he said, the Rome Salvation Army’s Emergency Family Services provides short-term counseling sessions to households in crisis, while providing emergency groceries, clothing and furniture. “In 2009,” he said, “we reintroduced the following programs: Coats for Others collection and distribution, Thanksgiving Banquet-in-a-Box, and Winter Heart Warmers clothing distribution. We also restarted the summer day camp, the after-school drop-in center, and the Sunday night teen recreation.”

Anyone who wishes to help close the fundraising gap may make a year-end, tax-deductible donation online at onlineredkettle.org, or by sending a check to The Salvation Army, 410 W. Dominick St., Rome, NY 13440.

Mayor Boynton thanked everyone who volunteered or made a donation – “for partnering with us in ‘doing the most good’ with our community’s resources.” He added: “Our facility on West Dominick Street was built on mutual promises – that The Salvation Army provides what the community needs, and that the community supports The Salvation Army with what it needs to do the job right. We endeavor to continue to fulfill this promise to the best of our ability and the blessing of God and this community.”

Filed Under: Announcements, Economics, Religion, Rome Tagged With: , ,

ECI Board Chair to Investigate US Financial Crisis

December 30, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Biegelman Named Assistant Director of Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission

(Utica – Dec. 29, 2009) – The Chair of the Board of Advisors for the Economic Crime Institute (ECI) of Utica College has been named to the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission.

Martin Biegelman has been appointed assistant director of the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission, charged by the U.S. Congress with investigating the financial meltdown of 2008.  Most recently director of financial integrity at Microsoft Corporation, Biegelman led a global investigative program focused on fraud and corruption.  He joins the commission with 37 years of experience in fraud, corruption, and security investigations.  He has taken a leave of absence from Microsoft while serving on the Commission.

Prior to his position at Microsoft, Biegelman was a federal law enforcement professional with the United States Postal Inspection Service. At one time, he was director of litigation and investigative services in the fraud investigation practice at BDO Seidman, LLP, an international accounting and consulting firm.

He is the author of “Building A World-Class Compliance Program: Best Practices and Strategies for Success” and “Identity Theft Handbook: Detection, Prevention, and Security,” as well as co-author of “Executive Roadmap to Fraud Prevention and Internal Control: Creating a Culture of Compliance” and the upcoming “Foreign Corrupt Practices Compliance Guidebook: Protecting Your Organization from Bribery and Corruption.

In 2008, Biegelman was presented with the Cressey Award from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE). The award, AFCE’s highest honor, is bestowed annually for a lifetime of achievement in the detection and deterrence of fraud.

Chair of the ECI board of advisors since 2004, Biegelman was a keynote speaker at the last ECI of Utica College national conference.

He holds a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and a master’s degree in public administration from Golden Gate University.

The Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission was created by the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act of 2009, which was signed into law by President Obama May 20, 2009. The purpose of the Commission is “to examine the causes, domestic and global, of the current financial and economic crisis in the United States.”

Filed Under: Announcements, Economics, Education, Utica Tagged With: , ,

Toys for Tots Benefits Children of Upstate Cerebral Palsy

December 30, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Caption: Children in the New Discoveries program at Upstate Cerebral Palsy welcome a member of the Herkimer County Detachment #227, Marine Corps League, during the drop-off for the Toys for Tots program. On the right is a teacher aide at Upstate Cerebral Palsy.

(Utica, NY) Upstate Cerebral Palsy recently benefited from the Toys for Tots program, offering gifts to agency children through generous donations and volunteer efforts.

Toys for Tots, a program funded and organized locally by the Herkimer County Detachment #227, Marine Corps League, offered holiday gifts for preschool-age children at the agency’s many sites including Chadwicks, Clinton, Armory, Corasanti, Barneveld, Kernan UPK, and children in the Promise Program.  Therapists, teachers and aides from Upstate Cerebral Palsy selected and wrapped more than 260 presents for the children.

“The Toys for Tots program made it possible for our young children to receive gifts this year,” said William Mullin, director of early childhood family support services at Upstate Cerebral Palsy.  “The program supported us in our efforts to make the lives of our children brighter this holiday season.  The Toys for Tots representatives showed an interest in the children in our program, displaying compassion and generosity and embracing the spirit of giving.”

Toys for Tots is a non-profit public charity organized by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.  Through this program, new, unwrapped toys are collected during October, November and December and distributed as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community.  This is the third year that Upstate Cerebral Palsy children have benefited from Toys for Tots.

Filed Under: Announcements, Barneveld, Chadwicks, Clinton, Utica, Youth Tagged With: , , , ,

Verona Fire Department Receives 4th Payment for 2009

December 30, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Caption: Chuck Fougnier (left) of the Oneida Nation Council presented a check for $25,000 to Fire District Commissioner Bob Deep.

(Oneida Nation Homelands) The Verona Fire District recently received a check for $25,000 for the fourth quarter from the Oneida Indian Nation for fire protection services that the district provides.

The Oneida Nation has been contributing regularly to the fire district for its services via a Nation-community agreement that dates back to 1993. The Fire District provides fire protection and rescue services to Turning Stone Resort and other Nation properties in the district in conjunction with the Oneida Nation’s Public Safety Department.

Filed Under: Announcements, Business, Verona Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Tribute to the King comes to the Downs in two free shows

December 30, 2009 By Leave a Comment

(Vernon, NY) January 2010 marks 75 years since “The King” was born and Vernon Downs Casino is celebrating! Friday, Jan. 15 national touring Elvis Tribute artist Terry Buchwald will bring his act to the casino stage with two free shows at 5 and 9 p.m.

Terry Buchwald has sold over 35,000 CDs and has opened for national acts such as Lee Greenwood, Diamond Rio, Montgomery Gentry, Johnny Rivers, Grassroots and the Charlie Daniels Band, to name a few.

He has performed in many major cities in the United States and Canada, including Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Hollywood, New York City and Toronto. He has also performed in countries as far away as Japan, Puerto Rico and Mexico.

Enjoy all the hits of the King with Terry Buchwald Jan. 15 at Vernon Downs Casino.

Vernon Downs is located at 4229 Stuhlman Road in Vernon, NY. For a full listing of events and more information about each band, please visit www.vernondowns.com.

Visit The Stage at Ring Eyed Pete’s Bar and enjoy live entertainment every Friday and Saturday at Vernon Downs.


Filed Under: Calendar of Events, Dining & Entertainment, Fun and Recreation, Vernon Tagged With: , , ,

New Year’s Travelers to Receive Free Coffee and Tea at Thruway Travel Plazas

December 29, 2009 By Leave a Comment

ALBANY, NY (12/29/2009)(readMedia)– The New York State Thruway Authority announced HMS Host Family Restaurants, Inc., McDonald’s Corporation and Delaware North Travel and Hospitality Services, the Thruway travel plaza food concessionaires, will once again offer free coffee and tea to all motorists traveling during New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. For more than 40 years, Thruway travelers have been offered this service to help keep motorists warm and alert during late-night or early-morning travels.

Continuing with tradition, the free small beverages will be provided at all 27 travel plazas along the Thruway from 11 p.m. on Thursday, December 31, until 7 a.m. on Friday, January 1, 2010.

“With more travelers on the roadways during the winter holiday season and greater chances of inclement weather conditions, motorists are encouraged to take frequent breaks if they are feeling fatigued,” said Thruway Authority Executive Director Michael R. Fleischer. “To help ensure a safe and enjoyable trip during New Year’s, and throughout the new year, motorists are reminded to remain alert and aware of their surroundings, drive with caution, and leave extra time for travel.”

Motorists are reminded to take frequent safety breaks while traveling to avoid drowsy driving. Drowsy driving ranges from falling asleep at the wheel to simply not paying attention to driving because of fatigue or lack of sleep. Warning signs include difficulty keeping your eyes open, repeated yawning, having wandering or disconnected thoughts, drifting from the driving lane, or failure to remember the last few miles driven.

The Authority advises travelers to take turns driving or take frequent breaks at Thruway Travel Plazas every two hours or 100 miles. While consuming caffeinated beverages, such as coffee or soda, provides short-term benefits in driver alertness, taking frequent breaks are more effective.

If motorists are feeling tired, they are encouraged to use one of the travel plazas or rest areas located along the Thruway System to take a break. Travelers should never stop along the shoulder of the highway unless there is an emergency.

For additional information on the warning signs of drowsy driving and tips on how to avoid driving while tired, please visit the following link to the New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee website: http://www.nysgtsc.state.ny.us/drow-ndx.htm

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee have indicated that drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as drinking and driving.

“We ask that motorists celebrate the New Year responsibly – never drink and drive, and make sure all passengers in the vehicle wear their seatbelts,” said Fleischer.

New York State Troop T Major Robert C. Meyers said, “The New York State Police maintains a zero-tolerance stand on intoxicated driving violations and our Troopers will be out in force this holiday weekend. Troop T has several alcohol enforcement details scheduled over the New Years Holiday period across the Thruway system. I encourage all motorists to drive responsibly and with the utmost care and safety this holiday weekend. If you operate a motor vehicle in an intoxicated condition, then you should fully expect to be arrested by a New York State Trooper.”

HMS Host Family Restaurants, Inc., McDonald’s Corporation and Delaware North Travel and Hospitality Services, the travel plaza food concessionaires along the Thruway, will work in cooperation with the Authority to continue this New Year’s tradition. Fuel and food services from at least one restaurant concept are available around-the-clock at each travel plaza.

For a complete list of travel plazas along the System, please visit the following link on the Authority’s website: http://www.nysthruway.gov/travelplazas/directory.html

Filed Under: Announcements Tagged With:
« Older Posts