The event is presented by John Zogby, Zogby International Research, LLC, Mohawk Valley Community College, Café Domenico and The Bagel Grove.

Free admission. Doors open at 11:30 a.m.

For more information, call 624-0200.

Townsquare Media, of Utica-Rome NY is the corporate owner for WLZW (Lite 98.7), WFRG (Big Frog 104.3), WODZ (Oldiez 96.1), and WIBX (AM950).  The four stations target adults 21 and older, collectively reaching almost 50% of the entire market. All of the stations are heavily ingrained in the community supporting multiple events and charitable efforts.

WIBX has been a leader in radio news for over 85 years and continues today. Each station has received dozens of awards over the past several years for leadership, community involvement, creativity, and excellence from Associated Press wire service, New York State Broadcasters Association, the National Advertising Bureau, Peabody and Marconi. This group of local radio stations was named the 2005 Business of the Year by the Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce. WLZW, WFRG, WODZ and WIBX have been, and are committed to service in our community for generations to come.  For more information about Townsquare Media, contact them at (315) 768-5900.

To make reservations for the August 11 “Business After Hours” event, call 724-3151 ext. 7, fax 724-3177 or e-mail info@mvchamber.org.

(Utica, Sherrill, NY) The Gorman Foundation of Sherrill has awarded a $1,000 grant to MAMI Interpreters in support of Executive Director Cornelia Brown’s “Interpreting for Peace” training at Middlebury College Language Schools in Vermont.

Brown is a 2010 Kathryn Davis Fellow for Peace, spending the summer immersed in Russian studies. She was selected as a working professional promoting conflict resolution; specifically, leading an initiative to train court interpreters across Central New York.

Russian is only one of about 40 languages needed in Central New York courts and other legal settings such as domestic violence and child protection, noted Mary Stronach, who is interim executive director for the duration of Brown’s sabbatical. MAMI has been developing a two-part court interpreting course to prepare interpreters to take the state exams, she said.

The Gorman Foundation exists to help better society through support of educational, scientific, artistic and religious causes, organizations and programs.

With offices in Utica and Syracuse, MAMI provides interpreting and translating for health, legal and community agencies. MAMI also offers ESL (English as second language) classes in specialty areas and culturally mediated seminars for limited-English populations.

(Marcy, NY) The Grainger Foundation has awarded a $5,000 grant to the Rescue Mission of Utica.

The grant will be used to help fund the Mission’s community food program, providing hot meals and food boxes to individuals and families in financial distress, said the Rev. Bill Dodge, executive director of the Rescue Mission.

“We’re providing an average of 1,100 meals per month to people in need in the community. This is in addition to nearly 10,000 meals we serve to our residents each month,” he noted.

Mike Purchio, branch manager for Grainger Industrial Supplies in Marcy, presented the check on behalf of the foundation this past week.

Each year, the Rescue Mission serves nearly 130,000 meals to the hungry, provides over 20,000 nights of lodging and care to those facing homelessness, and assists over 1,000 men and women in their battle against substance abuse.

John A. Hobika, Jr. is a native of Utica and a graduate of Utica Free Academy High School.  He received his Associates Degree from State University of New York at Delhi and received his Bachelor’s Degree from Utica College.  He is currently pursuing additional financial service designations from The American College.  Mr. Hobika is employed at M&T Bank as Vice President/Senior Regional Insurance Coordinator.

Active in the community, he currently serves on the boards of the Boys and Girls Club of Utica, NAIFA – Mohawk Valley, The United Way of The Valley and Greater Utica and most recently as the 2009 Campaign Chairman, and the SEMC Foundation Franklin Club chairman.  He also served on the board for NAIFA – New York State as a Regional Vice President, Central NY region 2008-2009.  He is a 2005 Mohawk Valley Forty under Forty nominee and he has been named a Top Performer for M&T Securities three times.

Mr. Hobika resides in New Hartford with his wife, Nicole, and daughters, Gabriella and Olivia.  He enjoys golfing, cycling, running, landscaping and traveling.

Michael A. Scaccia attended Rome Catholic High School and graduated from Vermont Academy Prep School. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and Administration from Norwich University Military College of Vermont.

Mr. Scaccia is Group Manager and Vice President, Trade and Loan Operations Division, at The Bank of New York Mellon – BNY Mellon.

He resides in Whitesboro with his wife, Amy, and their children, Michael, Sydney and Alexis.  He enjoys golfing, music, riding his ATV, and is an avid NY Giants and Yankees fan.

“We are very pleased to have these two members of the community, who have

Michael Scaccia

volunteered to give their time and talent to the Foundation, join the Board of Directors,” said Terry Mielnicki, Foundation Board President.  They join current Board members William Borrill, Esq., Vice President; Barbara Falatico Brodock, Secretary; Stephen Teti, Treasurer; Marlene Anderson, and Donald DeFeo.

(Utica-Rome, NY) The American Heart Association recognized four local-area companies as Start! Fit-Friendly Companies for promoting physical activity and health in the workplace.

The association also released a policy statement in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association that shows worksite wellness programs are proven to prevent the major modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. These include smoking, overweight, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.

Nationally, the association recognized more than 1,200 companies in 2009 — an all-time high.  More than 2 million employees participated in the programs.

Start! Fit-Friendly Companies reach Gold level status by implementing various activities and programs to encourage physical activity, nutrition and culture enhancements such as on-site walking routes, healthy food choices in cafeterias and vending machines, annual employee health risk assessments and online tracking tools.

Companies that achieve Platinum recognition — the highest tier — take the program a step further by measuring the outcomes of their wellness efforts.

Local companies designated as being a gold level Start! Fit-Friendly include:

• Slocum Dickson Medical Group, PLLC,
• State University of New York Institute of Technology,
• Pratt & Whitney HMI Metal Powders,
• Gilroy, Kernan & Gilroy, Inc.

In the Circulation policy paper, the association said that companies can save up to $15 for every $1 spent on health and wellness within 12 to18 months of implementing a worksite wellness program. Each employee who works to lower their risk status saves their company an estimated $53 per year; these savings remain each year that employee maintains the low-risk level.

“This paper demonstrates that companies that promote worksite wellness are achieving higher levels of productivity, reducing turnover, and some are even reducing healthcare costs,” said Mary Kate Hartmann, Director of Communications for the American Heart Association.

The American Heart Association also champions worksite wellness programs in its healthcare reform efforts, supporting an amendment that will be offered in a U.S. House Energy and Commerce bill to provide grants for qualified workplace wellness programs.

To learn more about becoming a Start! Fit Friendly Company please contact the American Heart Association at 266.5403.To view the complete list of the 2009 Start! Fit-Friendly Companies, or to apply for recognition, visit startwalkingnow.org.  Applications are available to download and should be completed before the July 31, 2010 deadline.

Kowalczyk is a principal/managing director at Strategic Financial Services in New Hartford where he has been employed for more than 12 years.  He also remains “Of Counsel” as an attorney to the Kowalczyk, Tolles, Deery & Hilton, LLP Law Firm.  In addition to Upstate Cerebral Palsy, Kowalczyk serves as an officer/director of the Boilermaker Road Race, and is the immediate past president of the Central New York Community Arts Council.  He earned his Master of Tax Law from the University of San Diego School of Law, his Juris Doctor from Albany Law School, and his Bachelor of Arts from St. Lawrence University.  He resides in New Hartford with his four children, Emily, Brad Jr., Claire and Ken.

New members or positions also announced to the board include Dean Kelly, First Vice President, Ken Tompkins, Second Vice President, John Buffa, Treasurer, Marianne Gaige, Assistant Treasurer, and Julie Fatata, Secretary.  Blake Ford has become the Immediate Past President.  Other current members on the board of directors include Sharon Calogero, Patrick Brennan, Bruce Davis, Ralph Imundo, Eileen LaBarbera, Richard McMahon, Stephen A. Roefaro, Gretchen Sprock, Paul Totaro, Carol Turi, R. Barry White, Richard Zick, Andrew Ward, and Judge Louis P. Gigliotti.

Board members maintain and uphold the mission, vision and values of Upstate Cerebral Palsy, supporting and empowering the thousands of children and adults that the agency serves each year.

Muzaffar N. Khan, M.D., Laboratory Director, was advised of this national recognition and congratulated for the excellence of services being provided.  St. Elizabeth Medical Center Laboratory is one of more than 7,000 CAP-accredited laboratories worldwide.

The CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program, begun in the early 1960s, is recognized by the federal government as being equal to or more stringent than the government’s own inspection program.

During the CAP accreditation process, inspectors examine the laboratory’s records and quality control of procedures for the preceding two years.  CAP inspectors also examine laboratory staff qualifications, as well as the laboratory’s equipment, facilities, safety program and record, in addition to the overall management of the laboratory.  This stringent inspection program is designed to specifically ensure the highest standard of care for all laboratory patients.

The two-part class is scheduled for Tuesday, August 10 and Thursday, August 12 from 6 to 9 pm.  Students must attend both evenings to receive a certificate.

The fee is $39 for AAA members, $32 for AAA Plus members, AAA senior members (60 +) and AAA young drivers (16-24) and $49 for non-members.

Everyone who takes the AAA Driver Improvement Program will receive the latest driving information from our AAA certified instructor, Donald Marino, plus a 10 percent discount on collision and liability insurance and a reduction of up to four points on their New York State licenses.

Class size is limited. Reservation and prepayment is required.  For more information, and additional dates call the Club at (315) 797-6121 or visit AAA.com/DefensiveDriving.

(New Hartford, NY) Drs Adam & Valerie Ellis will be offering a free Back Pack Safety workshop at their office in the Utica Business Park, 122 Business Park Dr on Aug. 18 at 6:30 p.m.

Which backpack is right for your child; what the proper weight of that backpack should be; how to wear the backpack properly; how the wrong backpack may be causing back issues with your child will be discussed

Seating is limited so individuals are encouraged to call 732-3007for reservations and more information.