Your Hometowne January 2013

COMPLIMENTARYJANUARY

2012

COMPLIMENTARYJANUARY

2012

F r o m S c o t i a t o B a l l s t o n S p a , c o v e r i n g t h e R o u t e 5 0 C o r r i d o r2

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ABOUT THE COVER...Thank you to Donna and Pete Martin of Village Photo located inBallston Spa for our cover shot. It’s the southern view of theKayaderosseras Creek from the bridge on Ralph Street in BallstonSpa. Village Photo, LLC 104 Milton Ave. Ballston Spa, 885-0396

2013 - Earth l Mayans 0As anticipated we made it past theapocalypse that captured theimagination of the Doomsayers. Here we are in January 2013 and we still need to go to work, pay ourbills and make the ends meet. Thegood news is that hard work does pay off. So whether you are looking

for advancement in your current position or trying to run a businessyou better roll up your sleeves and get busy. Nobody is going to do it for you. As Your Hometowne enters the 4th year of publication we take solacein the fact that despite our own personal monthly deadline apocalypse,we always make it to print with the same enthusiasm as an NFLplayoff team. Sure there are a few flags thrown, some fouls and even afew sacks. But without that constant push from inside ourselves to dobetter, we would not be where we are today. We see that same mindsetwith all successful business owners we have come to know. You have to be willing to take chances and endure a few battle scars to be anentrepreneur. As we enter the New Year, expect some positive changesin YHT. We have extended our reach into Ballston Spa and lookforward to partnering with the BSpa merchants and the people thatlive there. With the influx of new people from across the country towork at Global Foundries and the companies that have developedaround them; our communities need to work together more than everto ensure that we grow AND maintain the quality of life that we havebecome accustomed to. Paul and I wrote this Mission Statement before we printed our firstissue: To publish and distribute quality community newspapers whichinform, enlighten and entertain readers; while meeting the changingneeds of local businesses. To promote the interests of the communitieswe serve in a positive light. We have never wavered from our coreprinciples and I believe that is why we have been successful. It workedfor us because our statement embraced change: “The Only Thing That Is Constant Is Change ” - HeraclitusOne of the changes we have made that you may not have noticed isthat we were awarded a Registered Trademark from the US Patent andTrademark office. For us it and validated our efforts and also protectedus from another person using the Your Hometowne name to print apublication.We now include a new page called Your Hometowne Talent that willrun monthly to acknowledge some of the amazingly talented peopleand youngsters we have in our communities. Come In, We're Local is another welcome addition the paper. It serves two purposes, itenlightens, you the reader to the people that own the business on our community and meets the needs of these local merchants bygiving them a way to connect with you on a more personal level.www.Your-Hometowne.com was given a much needed facelift by our colleague Juergen Klingenberg, owner of Hound Dog Graphics ofBallston Spa in late fall. The site is interactive and has all the backissues there so if you missed something you can look it up. Wewelcome your suggestions and hope you will join our Facebook pageso we can stay in touch between our printed issues.“Love your family despite their flaws, no one member is perfect buttogether they are Awesome! “ - Oprah Winfrey.


By now, residents of Downtown Saratoga Springs havefigured out that their trendy new coffee shop, at thecorner of Broadway and Washington is still a typicalStarbucks. With a fresh new look, flowers, beansground to order, and a "help yourself" to our new

convenient seating choices - of course- the store hopes to pass for a anotherlocally owned café just down the street (Uncommon Grounds).Starbucks' "unbranding" initiative is just one sign of the growing influenceof the "buy local" movement-a longtime New Urbanist dream that hasfinally started to become a reality in the past couple years.Shoppers such as Dave and Maggie of Ballston Spa, have taken to heart themovement's pleas to buy within their town, or at least within theircommunity, before searching elsewhere. The couple bought their weddingrings at Scotia Jewelers, a fixture on Route 50. They won't eat at chainrestaurants. Maggie is shopping for a home security system, and only locallyowned companies need apply. Ballston Spa is still a small town, she says: "Ifone store closes, everybody knows it. It's kind of a doomsday feel."As the owner of a small business who caters to those small business aroundour region, seeing boarded-up downtown buildings due to the recession andcompetition from big box giants peddling tainted goods from China, weseen the impact on our clientele. And like many of you, we are ready to digin our heels and take back our communities. We started by launching ourown community “buy local” program in early 2010.About 130 cities or regions now host "buy local" groups, representing about30,000 businesses, up from 41 in 2006. We believe that in order for such acommunity program to really work, it takes a partnership between thelocally owned businesses and the local community. Using the reskinning of

Starbucks in Saratoga as an example, we see that even as chain stores tryto promote themselves as "local,".The 10% Shift --- It doesn't take much to shift the tide in the right direction.The 10% Shift asks shoppers to shift 10% of their purchases to local stores;Campaigns such as “Move Your Money” wants you to move your bankaccount from a national outfit to a local bank or credit union. The rationale:Smaller banks usually are more supportive of small businesses, don't payhuge bonuses, and didn't get taxpayer-funded bailouts.In March 2011, when retailing blogger Cinda Baxter asked readers to choosethree local businesses and to spend $50 at each, she received more than 350e-mails that first weekend. Her 3/50 Project now has about 93,350 Facebookfans, and more than 565,000 people have visited its site.Advocates admit it's tough to quantify the impact of local purchases.Just think. If every family in Saratoga County spent just $10 a month with alocally-owned, independent business instead of a national chain, over$4,334,021* would be directly returned to the local community. That meansbetter schools, better roads, more support for police, fire and rescuedepartments and stronger local economies.How do you start? Request your FREE Buy Local card from Local Living In(www.locallivingin.com), then browse the website for the local business thatwill reward you with deals and discounts each time present the card at theirstore. If your favorite local retailer is not part of the program yet, let us know,and we'll reach out to them and educate them on the benefits of partneringwith their local community.Think & Buy Local - Keep our community strong!

By Juergen Klingenberg, owner of Hound Dog Graphics and founder of Local Living In, a Ballston Spa based

merchant driven consumer rewards program.*Based on Civic Economics Andersonville Study of Retail Economics: When you spend$100 at an independent business, $68 returns to the local economy versus $43 whenspent with a national chain. Based on U.S. Census projection of 115 millionhouseholds.

WHY SUPPORTING 'BUY LOCAL' CAMPAIGNS IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOU THINK

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NEW YEAR'SRESOLUTIONSNew Year's resolutions are a chance to lookback on what we wish we could haveimproved on in the past and pledge to changeour bad habits going into a fresh new year.Why not spend this year focusing onimproving the health and well-being of yourvision?

Many people often assume that because their vision is stable, their eyes arehealthy. However, this is not always the case. Regular eye examinations notonly help to protect your vision and help prevent future problems, but canalso help to uncover evidence of many different diseases, includingdiabetes and hypertension.

Eye exams are not the only way in which you should be taking care of yourvision in the upcoming new year. Here are several simple steps that willhelp ensure that your eyes and your vision health stay strong in 2013, andbeyond.

CONTACT CAREIf you wear contact lenses, it is important to follow necessary steps when itcomes to cleaning and maintaining your contacts. For instance, follow theFDA recommended replacement schedule when it comes time to changeyour lenses out. Also, make a resolution to use only the recommendeddisinfection solution, and to change your contact case every three monthsto make sure that you are keeping your lenses clean.

VISION AND ELECTRONICSThe amount of time that we spend in front of television and computerscreens may not permanently damage our vision, but it can take asignificant toll on your productivity and work performance. Eyes canbecome dry, irritated and red when they are in front of a screen for too long.Therefore, be sure to follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away. This will help to makesure that your eyes stay healthy and hydrated.

SUN PROTECTIONIt is no secret that UV rays can be very damaging to our vision and eyehealth. Therefore, why not invest in a protective pair of prescriptionsunglasses this year so that you can prevent exposure to the dangeroussunlight when you are outside.

When it comes to our vision, preventative maintenance and regular eyeexams can go a long way towards keeping your eyes healthy all year long.If you have any questions about these tips or any other eye care issue, youcan always ask us on our Facebook page. We promise a prompt responseand would be happy to help you ensure the health and well-being of yourvision.

For more information contact Kristen Cameron,Burnt Hills Optical, 793 Rt. 50 Burnt Hills, 399-6130

or visit www.burnthillsoptical.com


INVESTMENT MISTAKES TO WATCH FOR AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF LIFE As an investor, how can you avoid making mistakes?It’s not always easy, because investing can be full ofpotential pitfalls. But if you know what the mostcommon mistakes are at different stages of aninvestor’s life, you may have a better chance ofavoiding these costly errors.

Let’s take a look at some investment mistakes you’ll want to avoid whenyou’re young, when you’re in mid-career, when you’re nearing retirementand when you’ve just retired.Mistake when you’re young: Investing too conservatively (or not at all)- If you’re just entering the working world, you may not have a lot of moneywith which to invest. First, don’t wait until your income grows. Puttingaway even a small amount each month can prove quite helpful. Second,don’t make the mistake of investing primarily in short-term vehicles, likeCD's. These may preserve your principal in the short term, but they offerlittle in the way of growth potential. Instead, position your portfolio forgrowth. Of course, stock prices will always fluctuate, but you potentiallyhave decades to overcome these short-term declines. Since this money is forretirement, your focus should be on the long term. It’s nearly impossible toreach long-term goals with short-term, highly conservative investments.Mistake when you’re in mid-career: Putting insufficient funds into yourretirement accounts - At this stage of your life, your earning power may wellhave increased substantially. As a result, you should have more moneyavailable to invest for the future. You may now be able to “max out” onyour IRA and still boost your contributions to your employer-sponsoredretirement plan, such as your 401(k), 403(b) or 457(b). These retirementaccounts offer tax advantages that you may not receive in ordinary savingsand investment accounts. Try to put more money into these retirementaccounts every time your salary goes up.Mistake when you’re nearing retirement: Not having balance in yourinvestment portfolio - When they’re within just a few years of retirement,some people may go to extremes, either investing too aggressively to try tomake up for lost time or too conservatively in an attempt to avoid potentialdeclines. Both these strategies could be risky. So as you near retirement,seek to balance your portfolio. This could mean shifting some of yourinvestment dollars into fixed-income vehicles to provide for your currentincome needs while still owning stocks that provide the growth potential tohelp keep up with inflation in your retirement years.Mistake when you’ve just retired: Failing to determine an appropriatewithdrawal rate - Upon reaching retirement, you will need to carefullymanage the money you’ve accumulated in your IRA, 401(k) and all otherinvestment accounts. Obviously, your chief concern is outliving your money,so you’ll need to determine how much you can withdraw each year. Toarrive at this figure, take into account your current age, your projectedlongevity, the amount of money you’ve saved and the estimated rate ofreturn you’re getting from your investments. This type of calculation iscomplex, so you may want to consult with a financial professional.By avoiding these errors, you can help ensure that, at each stage of your life,you’re doing what you can to keep making progress toward your financialgoals.Christopher Nyhan runs the Edward Jones office in Burnt Hills, NY.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your localEdward Jones Financial Advisor. Chris can be reached at

399-5087 or [email protected].


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FROM THE SPECKLED HEN

“Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly,

leave the rest to God”- Ronald Regan

Over the past few months I've been sharing “Decorating Tips from TheSpeckled Hen”, but this month I'd like to do something different. I want toshare a message with you, one to bring into the New Year.Live simply.The primate décor at the Speckled Hen represents the values, lifestyle andoutlook of a simpler time. This year let's celebrate this simple lifestyle. Takethe opportunity to reconnect with what's important - family, friends, spirit,passions, hobbies and yourself. Often we lament the fact that we don'thave enough time to relax, to connect, to just be. So let's not waste thistime of year, make it count.Whether you are already living a simpler, less distracted, less cluttered,more meaningful life, or are ready for a change, find the inspiration youneed to discover happiness in the simplicity of love, life and family. I'll betaking the month of February to reconnect and recharge - so the SpeckledHen will be closed. Also, during the month of January I will be closed onSundays.Happy New Year to you and your family!

Maureen Culver, The Speckled Hen369.8771 • 38 Saratoga Road, Scotia

[email protected]


YOUR REAL ESTATEAND THE FISCAL CLIFF We know that federal legislation canbe confusing and verbose, so wewanted to take a moment to

highlight some of the important aspects of H.R.8 ("The Fiscal Cliff Bill")and how they affect your real estate. Instead of reinventing the wheel,we decided to share a piece of this recent National Association ofRealtors® news brief, feeling that we could not do a better job of beingso clear and concise:"On January 1[, 2013] both the Senate and House passed H.R. 8,legislation to avert the “fiscal cliff.” The bill will be signed shortly byPresident Barack Obama.Below are a summary of real estate related provisions in the bill.REAL ESTATE TAX EXTENDERS

- Mortgage Cancellation Relief is extended for one year to January 1, 2014.

- Deduction for Mortgage Insurance Premiums for filers making below $110,000 is extended through 2013 and made retroactive tocover 2012.

- Leasehold Improvements: 15 year straight-line cost recovery forqualified leasehold improvements on commercial properties isextended through 2013 and made retroactive to cover 2012.

- Energy Efficiency Tax Credit: The 10% tax credit (up to $500) forhomeowners for energy improvements to existing homes isextended through 2013 and made retroactive to cover 2012[...]

CAPITAL GAINSCapital Gains rate stays at 15% for those at the top rate of $400,000individual and $450,000 joint return. After that, any gains above thoseamounts will be taxed at 20%. The $250/$500k exclusion for the saleof a principal residence remains in place.

ESTATE TAX The first $5 million dollars in individual estates and $10 million forfamily estates are now exempted from the estate tax. After that, therate will be 40%, up from 35%. The exemption amounts are indexedfor inflation." Source: http://www.realtoractioncenter.com

If any of Our Hometowne readers have any questions about theseextensions, changes, or repeals, please don't hesitate to contact yourfavorite Bliss Properties of NY agent or your tax advisor. We lovehelping Our Hometowne find real estate Bliss!

Pamela Bliss, BrokerCertified International Property Specialist Senior Real Estate Specialist [email protected]

Victoria Romeo, AgentCertified Buyer Representative First-Time Homebuyer/Seller [email protected]

“Success is a lousy teacher.It seduces smart people into

thinking they can’t lose.” - Bill Gates


JANUARY CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Answers can be found on page 25

ACROSS1. To yield or submit6. Hairless10. Not closed14. Any animal with no feet15. Not pre-recorded16. Square block17. Criminal

18. Twin sister of Ares19. Gloat20. Companionship22. Small island23. Schnozzola24. Tough going26. Colorful salamander30. By means of

31. T32. Comply with33. Terminates35. Anxiety39. A flavorful addition41. Consume43. Go in44. Sleigh46. Chills and fever47. Mayday49. Euro forerunner50. Low-fat51. Set in from the margin54. Gentle56. Classify57. Extraneous63. Plunder64. Be unsuccessful65. Ill-gotten gains66. Feudal worker67. Fluff68. Clean between teeth69. Clairvoyant70. Jittery71. Basic belief

DOWN1. To cast aside (archaic)2. Type of sword3. Gangster's gal4. False god5. Mortise and _____ joint6. Rewards

7. Simpleton8. 57 in Roman numerals9. Dictator10. Not oriental11. Handbag12. African virus13. Handrail post21. Interlaced25. Back26. Memo27. Black, in poetry28. Cried29. Typographer34. Forte36. A measuring instrument37. Gull-like bird38. Adolescent40. Weightlifters pump this42. Grownup45. Short-tailed furry-footed rodent48. Quell51. Small islands52. Hangman's knot53. Pilotless plane55. Dutch pottery city58. A female domestic59. Govern60. Computer symbol61. Backside62. In order to prevent

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITSOF HAVING A WILL?A Will permits you to communicate yourwishes. You may have personal items youwish to pass on to certain family members.Additional assets will need to be divided

amongst people you care about and who need help. If you aremarried and have children, then the children may get some of theassets under New York State law if you do not have a Will.Your Will allows you a chance to decide who is in charge ofmanaging your Estate. This person is called an Executor orExecutrix. If you have young children, you should name a guardianfor the children and their property. Guardians are persons who cantake children until they turn 18. Trustees can help manage assetspast the age of 18, if needed.Many parents wish to have any money that might pass to theirchildren held beyond the age of 18. Your assets not only includeassets such as bank accounts but also the proceeds from insurancepolicies. A Trust can be used to hold your assets for the care,education and health of your children. Such a Trust will be able toprotect those assets for children's needs. The Trust is protectedfrom creditors.You should meet with an attorney to review your finances, healthand your wishes to care for your family. An attorney whounderstands various areas of planning can tell you what issues youneed to address.

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NEW YEAR - NEW YOUWhat are you going to do differently in 2013? Are yougoing to reduce your stress level? Are you going toimprove your diet? Are you going to take exercise moreseriously? Or will you allow the next 365 days to passby without changing a thing? If you haven't put anythought into it, then do so now. The fact is that you willage and change in 2013, and next year on 12-31-13you will be slightly (or dramatically) different than you

are today. The cool thing about a New Year is that it gives us the opportunityto reflect over our life, to acknowledge where we are and where we wantto be headed.If you would like to be headed in the direction of improved health, loweredweight and increased strength, then here are 17 suggested changes for youto apply in 2013:1) Exercise 2 more hours each week than you did in 2012.2) Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day.3) Sign up for one of my time-tested fitness programs.4) Stop drinking and eating artificial sweeteners.5) Use heavier dumbbells.6) Eat less bread, or even eliminate gluten from your diet.7) Train for a 5K, 10K or a marathon.8) Eliminate corn syrup from your diet.9) Exercise at least 4 times each week.10) Eat healthy, simple dinners at home.11) Do not eat fast food.12) Drink less caffeine.13) Eat more protein and fiber.14) Drink water throughout your whole day.15) Do not eat packaged snack foods.16) Stop drinking alcohol17) Contact me for motivation and support.Now come up with a few of your own. I know there are some ideas thatpopped into your mind while you were reading my list. Take a minute to jotthose down.Step back and re-examine the list. Which of these changes are you going tomake your own? I certainly don't expect you to make all of these changes –though the more you do, the greater your transformation will be. Remember,I'm here to offer you the instruction, support and motivation you need tomake 2013 the year of your dramatic transformation.Wishing you great health and happiness this year.

424-7878 or email [email protected] get started today with a free consultation.


Meet Lizzie Fish; a spunky, driven, and talented BH-BLfreshman, whose love for performing is contagious. Theyoungest of four children, Lizzie has never been one to shyaway from a crowd. In fact, from the time she could walkand talk she has always desired to be the center ofattention! Everything from cheerleading routines torecently learned songs have been performed in the Fishfamily's living room, which has always been the launchingpad for her newly debuted material.

Dressed in a hot pink jumpsuit, Lizzie's first publicperformance came at the age of five years old, when sheperformed a rendition of Shania Twain's, “Man, I Feel Likea Woman” in the Steven's Elementary Variety Show. As shewalked off the stage, it was evident that her love ofperforming would not soon go away. At 14, she hasperformed in a variety of District talent shows, and isthrilled to have been a part of both “The Wizard of Oz” and“Annie, Jr.” during her time at O'Rourke Middle School. Inbetween homework and practices, Lizzie can often befound performing at open mic nights throughout theCapital Region, singing the National Anthem at districtevents, or teaching herself guitar and piano.

Those who know Lizzie are familiar with the uniquerelationship that she shares with her older brother, AJ, whohas Down Syndrome and Autism. At just 53 weeks apart,their bond is indescribable. In 2011 and 2012, Lizzie waspresented with the opportunity to perform with a live bandat “WildWoodstock”, a musical fundraiser benefitingWildwood School, where AJ attends. Her heartfeltperformances of Bruno Mars', “Just The Way You Are” andTaylor Swift's, “Mean” left not a dry eye in the audience.Lizzie frequently says that these performances have beenher most meaningful performances to date, and she hopesto be a part of the event for many years to come.

Lizzie's talents stretch well beyond the stage. Herdedication to her schoolwork has earned her the HighHonor Roll throughout middle school and into high school.Additionally, she is a member of the JV Cheerleading team,and represented the BH-BL community this past Novemberin the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade, and shewould like to thank all of the Burnt Hills businesses andindividuals who supported her with donations and over5000 bottles and cans that were recycled!

As 2013 begins, she looks forward to many moreperformances. Next up is an acoustic set with her guitar atProctor's Robb Alley on January 12, “Music For A Reason”,presented by The Autism Initiative. She also hopes to be apart of the Center for Disabilities Telethon later this month.


518-399-8174 • [email protected]

HOURS M-Th 10AM-8PM / Fri 10AM-5PM / Sat 10AM-2PMONLINE http://catalog.sals.edu or http://toblibrary.sals.edu

YOUTH SERVICES http://toby.sals.edu • E-mail: [email protected]

LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES The January meeting of the library board oftrustees will be held at 7PM on Wednesday, January 30. These meetings areopen to the public.COMPUTER CLASS SCHEDULE Classes are free unless otherwise noted. Fora small printing fee, handouts may be available for patrons to retain for futurereference. Registration is required and space is limited.1/11 2-4PM Google and the Internet1/14 12-2PM File Management1/14 4-6PM Microsoft Word Level 11/16 4-6PM Microsoft Excel 2010 Level 21/17 6-8PM Introduction to Computers for Absolute Beginners1/18 2-4PM Facebook1/22 7-8PM e-Reader Play Time with Karen DeAngelo1/23 2-4PM I-Can (I-Pad, I-Phone, I-Pod)1/23 4-6PM Microsoft Word Level 21/24 6-8PM Computer LABLIBRARY PROGRAMSBook Club - The library book club meets on the second Monday of eachmonth at 7PM in the library community room. The January meeting will beon January 14th and the book we will be discussing is Every Last Cuckoo, byKate Maloy.Knitting Social Group - 7-9PM Tuesday, January 28, in the librarycommunity room. Only knitting help is reliably available. No registrationneeded.PRESCHOOL PROGRAMSBaby Bookworms Tues 9:30AM/Fri 9:30AM Share simple stories, songs andfinger plays, as well as activities using music and movement. Designed as ashared library experience for children birth to 23 months with an adultcaregiver. Registration is required and siblings are welcome.Family Story Time Wed 10:30AM/Fri 10:30AM Join us while we read books,sing, do finger plays and movement activities to promote early literacy. Thenstay & play! This program is designed for children ages 2-3, accompanied bya caregiver. This is a drop in program and siblings are welcome.Preschool Story Time Wednesdays 1:30PM/Thursdays 9:30AM We’ll readbooks, use flannel boards, songs and movement activities. Each week we’lldo a craft. For children ages 3-5 accompanied by a caregiver. Registrationis required and siblings are welcome.Art & Movement Tues10:30AM Explore your world through movement andcreative activities. For children ages 2-5, accompanied by a caregiver. This isa drop in program and siblings are welcome.

ELEMENTARY PROGRAMSScribbles & Tales 1/9 & 2/13 4PM Listen to stories and do crafts! Programfor children in Grades K-3. Please sign up in advance.2, 3, 4 Book Club 1/17 & 2/7 4PM A theme book club for kids in Grades 2-4. We play with Legos while we talk about books! Please sign up.Creative Crafts 1/31 1:30PM We’ll provide the materials, you bring theimagination. Express yourself and create anything you’d like. For grades 1- 5,please sign up.TWEEN & TEEN PROGRAMS5th & 6th Grade Book Club 1/18 & 2/8 4PM Read great books and docrafts! Sign up and pick up a copy of the next book at the front desk. Forgrades 5 & 6.Teen Advisory Board 1/25 3PM Join our TAB and choose the books we buyfor the teen section of the library! Have a snack & help us decorate the TeenSpace for our upcoming Mini Golf event! For grades 6-12, please sign up.

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0HOW TO KEEP SAFE ONFACEBOOKFacebook is the fastest growing socialnetworking site in the world today.But sharing information has lots of risks. Anyonecan get valuable information and private photosfrom your profile -- ultimately getting you in big

trouble. You can keep your misfortunes down to a minimum by followingthese steps.Set the security settings on your profile to "Only my friends." Always monitor pictures that other people put of you and tag you on.Don't hesitate for a second to "un-tag" yourself from pictures that youdo not approve of. Simply click "remove tag" next to the name in the listof people in the picture.Avoid putting your phone number, mailing address, children's or pet'snames in your profile. People often use words such as pet's names ornumbers as passwords, so it is not recommended to publish them on-line.Never post information regarding an upcoming vacation or trip as yourstatus.Change your password every so often.Be careful who you friend.Block anyone that seems to threaten or harass you.You don't need to take roses or hearts or anything else someone sendsyou if you have to allow and give permission for them!Lastly, but most importantly;Before clicking on a link from Facebook, always remember to check theaddress bar, which should always display:"www.facebook.com/ andnothing else like "www.facebook33.tk" or "www.facebook1.php", etc.which is a giveaway of a phisher. It can steal your e-mail and password,as well as post spam links to your friends' walls.Until next time....safe computing!

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that you don't want.” - Oscar Wilde


AND SO IT BEGINS......It is not that we wish the year gone. We willtake with it our experiences, our adventuresand all that we have learned. Sometimes inthe moment, you find it hard to see that youare moving forward. The days roll by, we workand we play. Not realizing that as each daypasses, we become new. We may still go to thesame job, or visit the same people and thesame cafe week after week. But with eachmoment we are learning and with that we may

act differently and maybe even think a bit differently as well.As I look back over the past year, a deep breath escapes and I sayto myself, "wow... did all that really happen?" I felt the ocean onmy feet for the first time in years. I rode a bike faster than everbefore. I climbed a rock wall and saw the twin towers beingrebuilt, as they loomed over a small tree, "The Survivor Tree".Reminding me, reminding all of us, that we are survivors, even inits simplest terms. I feel that I have survived the past year, quitewell actually. Having my moments of not wanting or knowingeven how to be me. Gradually, I moved forward, day by day,learning to become new again. I do not know what minute, houror day it actually happened. Thinking back, the sand at my feet,allowed me to venture out and do something new. Riding my newbike as fast as I can down Charlton Road allowed me to feel free.Climbing that tall, tall rock wall, with my boy as my safety line,offered to me the realization that there was always someonewatching my back. And seeing those towers reaching towards thesky again, reminded me that we are resilient and strong, that I amresilient and strong. It helped me see that we can be torn downand yet be built back up again, slowly and over time with manyhands to help.These simple moments are our stepping stones, our learningblocks. They help us find our way and give us strength - maybe inthe oddest of ways. They are however, ours. Sometimes we seekout adventure and new experiences and sometimes they just findus. I have learned a lot. Do I know it all, no, of course not. I havea whole new year ahead of me to learn and find out more. Moreof who I am and who I chose to be. I am looking forward to all365 days of it no matter how it comes about.And so it begins... your 365 of adventure, new experiences andlearning to be a better you. Enjoy it! I wish you peace, joy and avery Happy New Year!

Pattie [email protected]

Owner, Paul Minick, has been designing extraordinary kitchens for the past37 years. Having collaborated with many talented builders, remodelers,architects and decorators, Paul has a wide range of knowledge to help youachieve your dream kitchen.Being a Capital Region native, he chose to open his design studio in Scotia,NY. Currently he works with his son, Jesse, a graduate of The College of SaintRose and his daughter in-law, Stephanie Minick, a graduate of PlattsburghState. Both have software expertise in 20-20 Design and Pro-Kitchen Design,the two leading kitchen and bath planning programs in the interior designindustry.These programs allow customers to preview the final product beforeordering.The Minicks believe the key to great kitchen design comes from interpretingthe customers’ vision and designing efficiently to meet their needs. A newkitchen is one of the best gifts you can give yourself and your family. Thekitchen is not just about making delicious meals, it is the heart of your homewhere family and friends tend to congregate and wonderful memories aremade.With cabinetry by Candlelight, Showplace, Homecrest and Wolf, MinickKitchen Design offers a wide range of designs from sleek and modern toclassic and traditional, with price points to meet every budget. Minick KitchenDesign is a member of the Schenectady Chamber of Commerce.They are located at 220 Vley Road in Scotia, NY. Regular operating hours are8:00-4:30 daily, Thursday 8:00-8:00 and Saturday 9:00-1:00. To schedule anappointment please call 280-3307.

280-3307• 220 Vley Road • Scotia

2 lbs Garofalo's Beef Chuck roast cubed 1 inch pieces2 lbs small white potatoes 1/2 lb baby carrots1 onion chopped28 oz can crushed tomatoes fromGarofalo's1 qt beef stock salt and pepper to tasteflour for coating beefOlive oil from Garofalo's to brown beef inIn a large heavy bottom stock pot sautéonion in oil. Coat beef in flour and brown in the same pot. Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer (on low) for 2 to 3hours. Alternately a crock pot could be used to ensure stew does not burn.Stew is ready when meat and carrots are tender. Serves 4.

Garafalo's, the tastepeople travel for!

Stop in and visit the 4th generation,serving QUALITY ITALIAN PRODUCTS

since 1904.

www.garofalosausage.com

BRAISED BEEF SHORT RIBS

A 3.5 oz serving of the super trim porkshoulder is 220 calories. 1 link of sausage

is approx 3-4 oz. This means 1 serving of Garofalo's sausage is 220 calories

for there is nothing added to it other thanpork. No added fillers and no preservatives.

I had also wanted to mention (for I am asked often) that there is

no sugar, no gluten added and no MSG.

OUR SIGNATURE ITALIAN SAUSAGESINCE 1904

Hot or Sweet; Rope style or PattiesMeatballs and Bragoiles, Kielbasa, Chorizo,

Andouille, Bratwurst, Daisy Hams & Thick Sliced Bacon

CUSTOM CUT BEEFFilet Mignon, Rib Eye Steaks choice

NY Strip Steaks choice

PORKPork Chops Center Cut Bone in or Stuffed*

Pork Tenderloins

POULTRYSkinless boneless Chicken Breasts

Chicken Cutlets or Stuffed Chicken Breasts*

COLD CUTSFeaturing BattistoniSalami, Capicola,

Soppresata & Abruzzi

*Our own bread crumb and sausage stuffing

Don't forget the Homemade StuffedCherry Peppers or Freshly Grated Parmesan

to complement our large Selection ofPasta & Casa Visco Sauces.

A variety of Olive Oils as well as blocks ofSharp Provolone, Fontinella, Asiago,

Extra Sharp Canadian Cheddar, SmokedCheddar, Danish Blue Cheese, Pecorino

Romano and Parmesan Reggianito.

Serve this hearty winter dish over mashedpotatoes.1.1 ounces all-purpose flour (about 1/4 cup)8 (2 1/2-ounce) beef short ribs, trimmed byGarofalo's expert butcher shop1 teaspoon kosher salt1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper2 tablespoons olive oil10 whole black peppercorns3/4 cup diced onion 1/3 cup diced celery1/3 cup diced carrot 1/4 cup chopped leek1 garlic clove, minced 3 fresh thyme sprigs2 bay leaves 1/4 cup veal demi-glace3/4 cup hot water 1/2 cup dry red wineThyme sprigs (optional)

Preheat oven to 350°.Weigh or lightly spoon flourinto dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Placeflour in a shallow dish. Sprinkle beef evenly on allsides with salt and pepper; dredge in flour. Heat alarge Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add oil topan, and swirl to coat. Add beef to pan; sauté for 8minutes, turning to brown on all sides. Remove beeffrom pan. Add diced onion, diced celery, dicedcarrot, and chopped leek to pan; sauté 5 minutes,stirring occasionally. Add garlic; sauté 1 minute,stirring frequently. Place peppercorns, 3 thymesprigs, and bay leaves on a double layer ofcheesecloth. Gather edges of cheesecloth together;tie securely. Place herb and spice bundle in pan;return beef to pan. Dissolve demi-glace in 3/4 cuphot water, stirring well. Add demi-glace mixture andwine to pan; bring to a boil. Cover and bake at 350°for 2 1/2 hours or until beef is fork tender. Removebeef from pan; strain cooking liquid through a fine-mesh sieve over a bowl. Discard solids. Servecooking liquid with beef. Garnish with thyme sprigs,if desired.

PAUL LEVIKER'S BEEF STEW

(Head butcher & food aficionado at Garofalo's)



As a rule, Cheryll and I try to runneutral with politics in ourpublication and keep our focus onsmall business owners. Ourpassion is to help them succeed.However; with 2013 unfoldingbefore us, the recent threat oftumbling over a “Fiscal Cliff', theunpredictable economy and thespending cuts that lurk on thenational level; it's a pretty scarystuff when you think about it.

That said, I would like to take amoment to reiterate a messagewe get from local business peopleconstantly. Remember, these merchants are the absolute backbone andsignificant tax contributors to the county's they do business in. And whenthey take the time to talk to us about their day to day fears in a businessclimate that is as unpredictable as our weather, we believe it's our duty toshare it.

When we opened our tax bill this year, there was a cover sheet thatitemized New York State Unfunded Mandates, or better said Federal orState created programs that are required to be operated by lower levelgovernment. And to quote the letter it goes on to say,

”In New York State, most of these mandates are not accompaniedby State money to pay for them or are partially paid for. BecauseCounty government relies upon property taxes to operate,expensive State mandates become expensive property taxes onlocal taxpayers”

In Saratoga County alone our UNFUNDED Mandates total a whopping$63,837,520. That's quite the chunk of change to pony up. As homeownerswe see our taxes rise steadily and cringe when the bill comes in the mail.But if you really want to cringe but take a peek at a Business Owners taxbill and trust me you will have a new respect for our local entrepreneursthat are running small businesses.

Beyond the expected Property Tax, School Tax & Water Tax, the unfundedmandates include Medicaid, Pensions, Community Collages, EarlyIntervention & Pre School, Social Services, Probation, Legal Defense andPublic Health Early Intervention fee's PLUS these folks must bear New YorkState Insurance, unemployment insurance, compensation insurance and insome cases health insurance for their employees and more.

What we as consumers tend to forget is the impact of business closuresand how it hurts the community. It doesn't take many businesses to foldbefore everyone suffers the consequences, and as homeowners we get topick up the tab. Thankfully there are a few organizations such as AMIBA ,the American Independent Business Alliance whose sole function is toeducate and advocate for small business owners through buy localcampaigns. I will take the liberty of paraphrasing some of their views.

“When asked to name our favorite restaurant, cafe, or shop, it's typicallya unique local business. Those businesses define our sense of place,but we often forget their survival depends on our patronage. Local

owners, typically having investedmuch of their life savings in theirbusinesses have a natural interestin the community's long-termhealth. Community-basedbusinesses are essential tocharitable endeavors; their ownersfrequently serve on local boardsand support numerous causes. Theoverall impacts are clear: locally-owned businesses play a key rolein our community that chainsrarely do.

In the smallest towns, bustlingcities, and everything in between,

more citizens lament losing a sense of community and local charactermeanwhile, national chains and online mega-stores continue gainingmarket share and pushing independent businesses to the margins in manysectors. This trend is considered symptomatic of our loss of communityorientation, but could it also be a primary cause? And what are theeconomic costs to our communities as absentee-owned corporationsdisplace locally-owned businesses?

Of course, we usually choose to do business where we perceive the bestvalue for our time and money. But in an age where we're bombarded withthousands of corporate advertisements daily, perceptions may differwidely from reality. The unrelenting emphasis on cheapness above allother values leads many people to overlook the values independentbusinesses provide us, both personally and in our communities. Localofficials often fall for the seductions and political appeal of national chainsand may even use public funds or tax rebates to lure them. They're baitedwith promises of jobs and tax revenue, but they often fail to consider thegreater losses that occur when the local business base is undermined.

A chain “superstore” may boast of creating 300 new jobs, but numerousstudies indicate they displace as many jobs as they create. And whencommunities like Barnstable, Mass. studied the fiscal impact of chains,they concluded such development actually costs more taxpayer dollars tosupport in safety and services than the community would reap. In otherwords, when new big box chains come to town, expect to pay more taxessoon.

But what about all the new sales tax revenue those chains bring? That,too, is largely illusory. Unless an area is growing rapidly, retail spending(especially for mass-produced items found at the chains) is a relativelyfixed pie of money. For example, the most thorough study of Wal-Mart'simpact on existing retailers (by Dr. Kenneth Stone of Iowa State University)found that 84% of Wal-Mart's sales simply shifted dollars away fromexisting local (including some chains) retailers.”

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SMALL BUSINESS and thank the proprietors forstaying the course in these uncertain times- Let your Legislators know howyou feel by VOTING. Get involved in your community and we will all seemany HAPPY NEW YEARS to come in Your Hometowne. Stay Tuned.

For more information on AMIBA go to http://www.amiba.net/

STAY TUNEDwith Paul Hill


$50 OFFPurchase of $500

or more

$100 OFFPurchase of $1,000

or more


“A ship in harbor is safe,but that’s not what ships are for.”

- John Shedd


Evergreen Adult Day Services began independently in Ballston Spa in 1983. TheWesley Community acquired Evergreen in October of 1997 and it was part ofThe Wesley Community campus until June of 2010 when it moved back to itsoriginal hometown, Ballston Spa. Its new location at 357 Milton Avenue is easilyaccessible from many surrounding townships and able to serve more clients whocan benefit from the program. Endorsed by the Saratoga County Office forAging, Evergreen Adult Day Services is designed to provide a friendly andsupervised setting for seniors.

The day begins at 8:00am offering seniors a wide variety of activities, a nutritionalnoon meal, snacks, socialization, personal care and community outings. Theseniors visit farms, picnic at the Saratoga county state park, have ice cream outingsand scenic rides around Saratoga Lake.

“This is such a great program and we're happy we decided to move back to thecommunity where it all began,” said Diana Martin, program manager of WesleyEvergreen Adult Day Services. “The location offers convenient access for many ofour clients and caregivers, providing a home away from home with minimal traveland inconvenience.” The location is easily accessible to a wide range of seniors inSaratoga County and is located in close proximity to the expanding Malta areaand the Global Foundries facility.

For those interested in the program, Evergreen Adult Day Services not only offersa welcoming environment for seniors, but also provides caregivers much-neededopportunities to work, get some rest or tend to other obligations.

“Caring for a senior family member or loved one can create alevel of stress unmatched by most endeavors,” Martin said. “TheEvergreen program allows caregivers the chance to take a deepbreath and address their daily commitments while knowing theirloved one is in good hands.”

Endorsed by the Saratoga County Office for Aging, EvergreenAdult Day Services is designed to provide a friendly andsupervised setting for seniors. Daily activities include interactivegames, cooking, movies, gardening, visits from nursery schoolstudents, therapeutic activities and chair exercizes.

Wesley Evergreen Adult Day Services is open to seniors Mondaythrough Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The schedule isflexible and options include one to five days per week and casualattendance. Evergreen offers a sliding scale fee based on monthlyincome.

For more information, visit www.wesleyhealth.com. Call 518-691-1443 to secure a free trial day.

Your Hometowne January 2013

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Transcript of Your Hometowne January 2013