Save the date! Eddy Visiting Nurse Association (Eddy VNA), an affiliate of The Eddy not-for-profit network of services, has announced Cuisine Magic 2012, its 19th annual culinary grand tasting extravaganza and benefit, is set for Sunday, Mar. 25, 5:30 - 9 p.m., at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, State &
Lodge Streets, Albany.



Congressman Paul Tonko and Congressman Chris Gibson will serve as honorary co-chairs. Liz Bishop, news

anchor at WRGB CBS 6 News, will serve as mistress of ceremonies.

The CAP COM Cares Foundation, the charitable arm of CAP COM Federal Credit Union, is set to make a $30,000 donation to the Seton Health Foundation in support of a prescription drug assistance program for low-income families in Rensselaer County. The gift will support the Rensselaer Cares Prescription Assistance Program, which filled nearly 4,000 prescriptions in 2011.

Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP, the Capital Region’s largest law firm, has announced three new partners: John P. Calareso, Jr., Timothy P. Morrison, and William S. Nolan.

The Samaritan Hospital Auxiliary will hold its annual meeting and membership drive, Tuesday, Jan. 31, noon, at the Margaret Krause Center, Northeast Health, 2212 Burdett Ave., Troy. New members are welcome. The cost of annual membership dues is $10. For more information about membership, please contact Patricia O'Brien, auxiliary president, or Carol Favreau, recording secretary, at (518) 281-3336.

Area education leaders from Capital Region BOCES, Questar III BOCES, local school districts and Tech Valley High School conducted an official welcoming ceremony to the Capital Region for a delegation of educators, administrators and students from an elite Chinese high school.

Excelsior College, a private, nonprofit, distance learning institution in Albany, N.Y. begins offering classes for  its new Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ) program this month. Students pursuing the degree can select a concentration in either Informatics or Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

On Saturday, January 21, 2012, the La Salle Institute Alumni Association will be hosting the 5^th Annual “Alumni Hockey Game & Party”. The Blue vs White game will be held at Hudson Valley Community College beginning at 1:30 PM. Last years game attracted several hundred spectators and over 50 alumni players.

U.S. News Media Group and Best Lawyers® have released the 2011-2012 “Best Law Firms” rankings, marking the second edition of this highly-anticipated annual analysis.  Carter Conboy has again been named “Best Law Firm” in the areas of Appellate Law, Insurance Law, Real Estate Law, and Medical Malpractice, Products Liability, and Professional Liability defense.  

For the fifth year in a row, Dunkin' Donuts and the American Red Cross are teaming up for the "Give a Pint, Get a Pound" campaign, which provides a coupon for a free pound of Dunkin' Donuts coffee* to all presenting donors at Red Cross blood drives during the month of January in the greater Capital Region.

On January 6, The Albany Devils erased a four-goal deficit in the third period and Joe Whitney netted the game-winning goal at 3:31 to give the Devils a 5-4 win against the Norfolk Admirals Friday at Scope Arena. The improbable comeback took place with less than 13 minutes remaining in regulation, helping the Devils to improve to 15-13-5-2.

The Rensselaer County Historical Society (RCHS) announces new school-break week programming for 2012. Each day is packed with activities, projects, crafts and games.  Children will also have time to tour the Hart-Cluett House and explore downtown Troy.Visit www.rchsonline.org.

Students at Tech Valley High School will get their happy feet on next month to raise money for charity. The school's Service club is sponsoring a "Snow Ball" on February 10 at the school. The dance, though, won't be a traditional school dance just designed to provide students a social outlet. Rather, students at the school will host the event to raise money for charitable causes. The club will conduct mini-fundraisers throughout the event and donate any proceeds from the dance and fundraisers to KIVA - an organization that loans money to people around the world looking to start businesses. The group may also donate some funds to the school's Acceptance Committee, which promotes acceptance of everyone, despite their beliefs, background, etc.

Stubby Clapp will return to manage the ValleyCats in 2012 and will be re­joined by hitting coach Mark Bailey. Rick Aponte will serve as the new pitching coach for the ’Cats as Gary Ruby has been promoted to the Astros Double A affiliate in Corpus Christi. Ruby had been the pitching coach for the ValleyCats for three seasons (2009-11).

SEFCU, one of the largest credit unions in upstate New York, announced today that it will again answer the call of many struggling city/rescue missions throughout the Capital Region, Binghamton, Buffalo, and Syracuse by providing $205,000 to organizations in SEFCU’s service areas. Representatives of the credit union will hand deliver the checks today. In December 2010, SEFCU had a similar program for area city/rescue missions.

BST, an Albany-based financial and management consulting firm with offices in New York City, is pleased to announce that Ronald L. Guzior has been appointed Partner-in-Charge of the firm’s Financial Services department, as well as Partner-in-Charge of the Tax department in the Albany Office.

Attorney Jessica A. Desany of Carter Conboy was one of the featured speakers at the Seminar “Basics of Civil Practice – The Trial”, sponsored by the New York State Bar Association.  Ms. Desany lectured on “Direct Examination”, focusing on trial techniques and practical tips on preparing for and executing an effective direct examination at trial.  The program provided Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits for the attending attorneys.

Susan Odell Taylor School sixth grade math enrichment class is working on a project using Descartes' Cove software program. Based on the discoveries and research of Rene Descartes, it contains hundreds of challenging problems with animation, sound effects, and interactive features that allow students to explore mathematical concepts and apply  their understandings to real-world problems.

The family of the late John B. Staalesen has donated 23.6 acres in Troy for preservation by the Rensselaer Land Trust. The transfer took place on Friday, December 23, 2011. The property will be named in honor of builder John B. Staalesen, who died August 1, 2010, at the age of 65. Located in the south part of Troy in the Vanderheyden neighborhood, the property includes fields, woods and wetlands, and is bordered on one side by the Wynantskill Creek. It is one of the last remaining undeveloped tracts of natural area, wildlife habitat and open space in Troy. 

The Northeast Health Primary Care Network has announced the completion of its new South Troy Health and OnCall Center now open and accepting patients at Hudson Valley Plaza, 79 Vandenburgh Ave (Rt. 4 across from Hudson Valley Community College), Troy. The new site encompasses the expansion and relocation of Northeast Health's South Troy Health Center, a primary care practice formerly at Fourth Street in Troy. The new location also provides additional space for OnCall Medical Services, a Troy-based primary care provider offering urgent care services without appointments, to join the practice.

The first two of six information sessions for students interested in attending Tech Valley High School will be conducted next week. Attendance at one of these sessions by the prospective student and a parent is mandatory for those who plan to apply to attend TVHS for the start of the 2012-13 school year. The first session will be conducted Tuesday, January 10, at TVHS. The second session will be held Thursday, Jan. 12, in the Schoharie High School Cafeteria 136 Academy, Dr., Schoharie NY 12157.

Gavant Software, Inc., a Capital Region software firm, hired Brendan Reuss as Senior Sales Executive. Brendan is charged with leading our new Sales, Business Development, and Marketing efforts for Gavant Software. He brings over 15 years of high tech sales experience from the Boston, MA area. Prior to joining Gavant Software, Brendan was employed by Tech Valley Communications where he was in charge of Government Sales for the State of New York. Brendan attended Nazareth College of Rochester and Hudson Valley Community College where he earned his degree in Marketing.

The Arts Center of the Capital Region has appointed Christopher Marblo, MA, its new president. A seasoned educator with a strong arts background, he comes to The Arts Center from The Town School in New York City. Interim President Deborah Onslow will remain with The Arts Center until Mr. Marblo begins in June 2012.

The Capital District Women’s Employment & Resource Center (WERC) has received a $16,200 donation from MicroKnowledge, Inc. The funding will assist in providing women with career readiness training, certification in Microsoft Word and Excel, resume preparation, and ongoing training for business skills development.

The Arc of Rensselaer County’s annual Community Partners Breakfast was recently held to thank those who provide employment opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities. The honorees are Pam Aimes, Unity Sunshine; Peter Dubacher, Berkshire Bird Paradise; Tamara DeMartino, photographer; Gloria Fonda, Troy Senior Center; Brenda Lennon, Lennon’s Florist; Price Chopper; Shannon Romanowski, YMCA; Steve Roberts, volunteer; Kate Tobler, St. John’s Episcopal Church; D’arcy Valentino, Sunshine Day Care; and Jill Rafferty-Weinisch, The Arts Center of the Capital Region.

Green Renewable, Inc. has acquired Hoosick River Hardwoods, LLC, in Berlin, retaining all staff members. The company plans to hire at least five additional staff and approximately another dozen workers during 2012. The president of Green Renewable, Inc., Sean M. Gallivan, also is the owner of S.M. Gallivan, LLC, of Troy.

The Tri-City ValleyCats have unveiled the 2012 season schedule, including 38 home games against ten different New York-Penn League opponents.The ValleyCats will kick off the season on June 20 with a two-game series. Season tickets and special mini-plan packages are available now at the Joseph L. Bruno Stadium box office or by phone at 518.629-CATS.

The Doane Stuart School board of trustees welcomes its newest members: Dr. Terrance Flannery, MD, MS, CPE, chief medical officer for Anthem Utilization Management Services, Inc. and medical director of WellPoint; Dr. Ginna M. Roeding; and Ms. Mona Golub, vice president of Public Relations and Consumer Services for Price Chopper Supermarkets.

BST announces Ann D. DeLucco has joined the firm’s Albany office as an associate in the financial services unit. A graduate of Fordham University, she previously served as an intern in the firm’s New York City office.

Terry’s Kitchen Deli and Catering has relocated to a new facility at 689 Hoosick Road in Brunswick. With more than 30 years of experience, Terry’s is a full service deli and catering business, providing fresh entrees, comfort foods, breads, soups, sandwiches, and more for take-out, special events, and personal chef needs. For more information, visit www.terryskitchencatering.com or call 518.326.1284.

The Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company announces its annual performance, marking its 20th anniversary season as the resident company of The Egg. On Friday, January 20, the company will present two premieres at The Egg’s Hart Theater as part of the Dance New York series. For tickets, call the box office at 518.473.1845 or visit www.theegg.org.

Teal, Becker & Chiaramonte, CPAs, has been named to the 2011 Best Places to Work list, compiled by The Business Review. The firm attracts and retains employees with a positive combination of benefits, working conditions, and company culture. It has received the award for the third time in five years.

Seton Health has been awarded one of nine New York State grants aimed at reducing child and adolescent obesity. The nine grants total $4.5 million with each recipient receiving initial awards of $150,000. The funding is targeted to help children in high-risk economic, racial, and ethnic populations.

Gavant Software, Inc. has hired Brendan Reuss as senior sales executive. Mr. Reuss is charged with leading the firm’s new sales, business development, and marketing efforts. He has more than 15 years of high tech sales experience.

Smith & Jones welcomes sales professional Jonathan Root. He will be responsible for marketing and new business development, presenting the agency’s results-oriented advertising and branding approach, and directing projects into the agency pipeline.