Jake Van Ness, Author at Saratoga Business Journal

Jake Van Ness

2079 Articles

Academy For Lifelong Learning Continues To Educate, Inform, Entertain Some 25 Years Later

May 5, 2017May 5, 2017

Jeff Shinaman, executive director of the Academy for Lifelong Learning, says there are 430 active members who take advantage of the many study groups and social events on the ALL calendar.
©2017 Saratoga Photographer.com

By Maureen Werther

The Academy for Lifelong Learning (ALL)at SUNY Empire State College is celebrating its 25th year in existence. It continues to attract more members and expand its offerings each year.

Jeff Shinaman, who has been at the helm for the last four years, said that membership has doubled during his tenure.

“We have a growing aging population here in Saratoga. People who come here from other parts of the country are familiar with lifelong-learning institutions from other places where they’ve lived. So, they are excited when they see that it is available in their new home,” he said.

ALL is hosted and sponsored by SUNY Empire State College and is a nonprofit organization. It offers a non-academic credit curriculum that includes lectures, study groups and social opportunities focused on a diverse range of topics from healthy aging to the arts, religion, classic films and bird watching.

It has 430 active members who pay an annual membership fee to take advantage of the many study groups and social events on the calendar.

ALL offers a fall and spring term. Each is eight weeks in duration. There is also a kickoff luncheon held the week before classes start, giving members the opportunity to meet.

Construction At Hattie’s Patio Is Complete; New Look Fashioned By Sue Waldron Designs

May 5, 2017May 15, 2018

The popular patio bar in the rear section of Hattie’s Restaurant was renovated this spring.
Courtesy Hattie’s

Hattie’s Restaurant has finished construction of its renovated patio and re-opened it on May 3.

Owners Jason and Beth Alexander decided it was time for the back patio to get a face-lift.

“The swamp, as some lovingly call the patio, was in much need of some TLC,” said Beth. The bar was built years ago by former owner Colin MacLean by using banquet tables as a bar top. “It was a great idea and it has served us well, but it was time for a change”

With construction going on around them—including renovations at the neighboring Caffe Lena and construction of apartments at the corner of Phila and Henry streets—the Alexanders decided that the time was right to upgrade their back yard.

They hired long-time customer Matt Geleta to build the bar, past Hattie’s employee Sue Waldron of Sue Waldron Designs to work on the design and Patrick Coffey of IQ contracting as the contractor.

Witt Construction To Build 31 Homes On Acreage That Provide Views Of Saratoga Lake

May 5, 2017May 8, 2017

The light sections of this aerial-wiew rendition shows where Witt Construction plans to build new homes near Saratoga Lake. Much of the 111-acre property will remain undeveloped.
Courtesy Witt Construction

By Jill Nagy

Witt Construction Inc. in Saratoga Springs is planning a 32-lot housing subdivision on a about 111 acres of land on Saratoga Lake.

Termed a “conservation subdivision” by John Witt, company president, it will be comprised of 31 new houses clustered on 58 acres of the lot.

A pre-existing farmhouse and land for a “gentleman’s farm” will be the 32nd lot. He said. The rest of the land will be undisturbed woodland, open space or wetlands.

Called Cedar Bluff Farm, the subdivision will be accessible from Route 9P via Cedar Bluff Road (County Route 71) and from Trombley Road. Most of the houses will be on Hill Road, which ends in a cul-de-sac, and on Trombley Road, said Witt.

Cedar Bluff Road connects Route 9P and Trombley Road.

Structural Steel Contractors Need A Growing Labor Force To Meet The Demands In Their Industry

May 5, 2017May 5, 2017

Dino B. Benedict is the New York business manager for Midwest Steel and Erika Ozols, project management administrator, pose at the company’s Ballston Spa site.
©2017 Saratoga Photographer.com

By Susan E. Campbell

The structural steel contracting industry is going so strong that one area professional foresees excellent employment opportunities for skilled ironworkers in the next few years.

Dino B. Benedict is the New York business manager for Midwest Steel. Headquartered in Detroit, the firm also has offices in Muncie, Ind., Orlando, Fla., and Ballston Spa.

In Saratoga County, it’s common to see a bridge, stadium, airport or other structures where Midwest Steel played a role in steel construction, precast concrete, or both.

“It is not typical in the industry for a company that erects the steel skeleton of a building to also form the concrete slabs that enclose that skeleton,” said Benedict.

Benedict said that some local projects include Samaritan Hospital, Rivers Casino, the ZEN building at SUNY Polytech, and GlobalFoundries. Business growth is so healthy in New York and the New England states that he predicts a shortage of welders, steel workers and other qualified laborers soon.

“It is a great time for young people out of high school to contact local unions about apprenticeship programs,” he said.

Whenever Midwest Steel takes on a project in the U.S. or Canada, the first step is for the project supervisor to meet with local union officials to discuss the scope of the project and manpower needs.

Rochester-Based Real Estate, Development Company Building Apartments On Route 67

May 5, 2017May 5, 2017

This rendering shows the style of apartments planned by Conifer Real Estate, Development and Management Co. along Route 67 in the town of Ballston, near East Line Road.
Courtesy Conifer Realty

By Maureen Werther

Conifer Real Estate, Development and Management Co. based in Rochester in the early phases of building a new apartment community on 10 acres along Route 67 in the town of Ballston, near East Line Road.

Conifer Realty, which has developed residential communities and commercial properties in New York, New Jersey, Maryland and Pennsylvania, purchased the property from Hal Schultz, formerly head of H.R. Schultz construction and local real estate developer. Schultz originally envisioned the land to be developed as both commercial and residential property. But he revised his plans, choosing to market it as a residential property.

The property was sold last July. Conifer broke ground in December.

Skidmore Professor Develops App That Tells User What To Eat, When They Should Exercise

May 5, 2017May 5, 2017

Dr. Paul Arciero, a researcher and Skidmore College professor, has developed the GenioFit app.
Courtesy American Heart Association News

Noted researcher Dr. Paul Arciero has devoted his career to helping people get more active and eat more natural, healthier foods.

It all started in the dirt of a community garden.

“Some of my fondest childhood memories come from tending that garden with my mother,” Arciero said, recalling the hot summers harvesting in rural Connecticut. “Going there with her, tending to the earth, getting dirty – that was my introduction to healthy nourishment.”

The key themes of fitness and family continue with some of Arciero’s latest work as well. He recently developed a new app, with help from his son Nick, a developer and coder. The GenioFit app lets a person know what they should eat and when they should exercise, Arciero said. He leads exercise videos in the app, as well as guided meditations.

“GenioFit embraces all the fundamental premises and mission of the research I’ve done, the organizations I represent, and who I am,” Arciero said. “It’s imperative that we engage in lifestyle strategies that engage healthy eating and exercise. There’s a synergy that lets us derive a significantly greater benefit when the two are together.”

He has spent 25 years at Skidmore College where he is a professor of nutrition and exercise science and director of the Human Nutrition & Metabolism Laboratory.

Arciero has published over 50 peer-reviewed scientific journals, but his education in the world of healthy living didn’t all come from the classroom or the laboratory.

Mental Health Organization Names Judge James Doern As Its 2017 ‘Citizen Of The Year’

May 5, 2017May 5, 2017

Judge James Doern was honored by the Saratoga County Citizens Committee for Mental Health.
Courtesy SCCCMH

The Saratoga County Citizens Committee for Mental Health (SCCCMH) named Judge James E. D. Doern as its 2017 Citizen of the Year.

Judge Doern was honored at the group’s Mental Health Matters benefit at Longfellows Restaurant on May 3.

According to the mental health organization, Judge Doern’s community commitment dates to the early 1990s, beginning with his work with Rotary and continuing through the present with his dedication to a number of advocacy and human services organizations.

As Saratoga Springs City Court Judge for 18 years, he recognized the impact of un-met mental health, addiction, housing, transportation, and employment needs on people’s ability to function happily and productively in our community. As a result, Doern has worked tirelessly to improve the scope and collaboration of the community’s services.

In 2015, he was the force behind the establishment of a monthly gathering of human service providers, the mental health and substance abuse coalition. The purpose of this group is to identify and then rectify gaps in the continuum of care.

Bodyworks Professionals To Donate Massage Proceeds To Saratoga’s Wellspring Organization

May 5, 2017May 5, 2017

For the second year in a row, Bodywork Professionals has chosen Wellspring, an agency working to end relationship and sexual abuse in Saratoga County, as the recipient of donations for its “Try Thai” short-format massage sessions.

All money donated by participating clients goes directly to the Wellspring charity, the company said.

Rebecca Morris, a Thai yoga massage practitioner for the past nine years, will be offering 30-minute sampler sessions at Bodywork’s 11 Spring Street location from 1-5 p.m. on Thursday, May 25.

“Thai yoga massage is a comfortable introduction to bodywork for many people. The client wears loose clothing and lies on a floor mat and the therapist gently administers stretches and range of motion techniques on the whole body. It’s useful for athletes, helps those with back and hip pain, and fine for pregnant women as well,” said Nick Pavoldi, owner of Bodywork Professionals. “Teenagers and college students—with their heavy school backpacks and tight necks and shoulders from frequent use of technology—can also benefit.”

Berkshire Hathway HomeServices Blake, Realtors Marks 95 Years Of Philanthropy

May 5, 2017May 5, 2017

JoAnn White, a vice president of the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Blake, Realtors spearheaded efforts by the company to help the city’s Code Blue program for the homeless.
©2017 Saratoga Photographer.com

By Maureen Werther

During a recent luncheon at the Hall of Springs celebrating Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Blake, Realtors 95 years of helping residential and commercial buyers and sellers across the Capitol Region, the prevailing theme was as much about giving back to the community as it was about being successful in business.

Blake Realty was founded in 1922 by Samuel Blake and has flourished under four generations of family guidance. Throughout the course of its history, the family owned-and-operated company has sponsored a wide variety of local and regional philanthropic causes, and it has encouraged employees and agents to do the same.

The company has gone through several iterations, from Blake to Prudential Manor Homes, to its recent acquisition by Berkshire Hathaway. Despite the changes of name, the culture continues its philanthropy. JoAnn White, vice president of the company’s Saratoga Springs office on Broadway, has always embraced the philosophy of giving back, through her team’s ongoing support of the city’s Code Blue program for the homeless.

Skidmore Community Service Helps Nonprofits

May 5, 2017May 5, 2017

By Jill Nagy

For at least 25 years, community service has been a part of life for Skidmore College students. Currently, approximately 50 percent, including all 400 athletes, participate in fundraising or community service activities, according to Michelle Hubbs, coordinator of the Community Service Office at the college.

The office serves as a liaison between Skidmore and more than 40 nonprofit agencies in the Saratoga area. Projects are student initiated and directed, Hubbs said, and she provides support and acts as a resource.

Projects vary. One student set out to raise money for an HIV orphanage in Vietnam. He planned a chili contest with volunteer chefs on Earth Day 2016. Other students tutor elementary students and pre-schoolers.

A club called Feedmore collects unused food from the campus dining hall and delivers it to the soup kitchen at the New England Congregational Church. The volunteers have sent 3,100 pounds of food so far this year, according to Hubbs.

Another group works with the Sustainability Office to use compost in the community garden. Students in FeelGood make grilled cheese sandwiches several times a week and sell them to raise money for a national organization dedicated to ending world poverty. The Residential Life program engages students in projects to raise money to provide holiday gifts for local children. Last holiday season, they raised $3,000 to provide gifts for 11 children.