Sunday, August 24, 2008

An Offer and a Promise

Warren-Hamilton Counties Office for the Aging
Solutions to issues of aging, through services, advice and information.

We are a Government agency dedicated to maintaining seniors’ independence and dignity in our bi-county region. Our services take the form of, actual programming and advice/information that helps seniors, their families, friends, and employers about the confusing issues associated with aging.

Our programs are at little or no cost or are designed to reduce costs and include:
Ø A meal programs for seniors. At our 12 meal sites hot noon meals are available to any resident over 60. Not only do seniors get a balanced meal but often the social aspects nourish the minds of the participants as well. The meals are offered at a suggested contribution of $2.50.
Ø Home Delivered Meals for seniors are available for those who are unable to prepare a meal or are unable to get to the meal sites.
Ø In home services for the elderly (including housekeeping, shopping laundry and personal care) are available on a sliding fee basis. This service has eligibility requirements.
Ø Home energy assistance HEAP
Ø HIICAP-Health Insurance Information Counseling and Assistance Program including EPIC

We offer advice and information at no cost on many subjects important to seniors including:
Ø Insurance information, including understanding Medicare, Medicaid and Medgap programs
Ø Helping understanding complex health bills
Ø How nursing homes and other aging programs are paid for and what are the financial choices.
Ø Planning for long term care expenses for individuals looking forward to the senior years ahead
Ø Legal issues effecting seniors
Ø Safety planning and residential repairs for seniors

We like to think that we have answers to the questions that are asked about aging. The list above is hardly complete but we hope it is enough to make those that are burdened with seeking solutions regarding senior issues to give us a call.

Studies have been done regarding how much productivity is lost because of the need for employees to solve problems for their senior relations or friends. We believe we can help to get employees back to work by helping them with answers to these issues. As an employer you might consider us part of your employee assistance plan. Give us a call at 761-6347. We are here to help.

A New VP at Chazen

CHAZEN COMPANIES ANNOUNCE NEW VICE PRESIDENT OF PLANNING

he Chazen Companies (TCC) proudly announce that Mr. Chris Round has been promoted to the position of Vice President for Planning Services. Mr. Round has more than 20 years experience in providing land use planning and environmental services to local communities and private clients. Chris began his career at TCC in 2004 and since then has managed small and large private land development projects, preparation of Environmental Impact Statements, development of municipal comprehensive plans, and served as town planner to several municipalities. He also provides technical and grant writing support to TCC project teams involved with capital improvement plans, municipal infrastructure plans, and environmental restoration. Chris will also remain the Director of the company’s Glens Falls office.

“I’m pleased to announce Chris’ promotion to VP of Planning Services,” said TCC President Mark Kastner. “Chris is an exceptional planner as well as a great manager of people. He has the ability to see both the broad picture and the important individual details that make complex projects come together. We’re confident our clients and our staff will continue to enjoy working with Chris in his new role.”

The Chazen Companies specialize in environmental planning, water resources, waste management, stormwater, parks and recreation, emergency response planning, hazardous waste management, zoning and subdivision regulations, and economic development. TCC planners lend their expertise to drafting local laws that protect critical areas such as public water supplies, watershed areas, wetlands, scenic areas, historic resources and agricultural lands. They provide environmental compliance assistance with the NYS Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) and other laws. They also assist municipalities in obtaining State and Federal grants to fund parks and recreation improvements, housing needs and environmental protection projects.

Prior to joining TCC in 2004, Mr. Round held the position of Executive Director of Community Development for the Town of Queensbury and worked in private consulting. He received his BS in Environmental Studies from the State University of New York at Syracuse and is a registered member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). Mr. Round resides in Queensbury with his wife and two children.
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For more than 60 years, The Chazen Companies have been providing professional services to a wide variety of municipal and private development clients throughout the Northeast. The firm’s engineers, landscape architects, surveyors, planners and environmental scientists serve clients from five offices—Poughkeepsie, Newburgh, Troy, and Glens Falls, New York, as well as Waterford, Connecticut.

Eight Thousand Ways to Help

CDPHP® DONATES ALMOST $8K IN CASH AND GIFTS TO THE ALBANY RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE

CDPHP® President and CEO John D. Bennett, MD, recently presented a check for $7,479 to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region. The health plan’s employees, vendors, and local retailers helped raise the funds at its seventh annual Hurricane Classic Golf Tournament, held at the Western Turnpike Golf Course. About 200 CDPHP employees, their family members, and vendors played in the tournament.

“CDPHP has nearly 25 years of commitment to the communities we serve,” said John D. Bennett, MD, president and CEO, CDPHP. “The Ronald McDonald House has long been recognized for providing a home for families of seriously ill children. We are honored to support such a community treasure.”

Local organizations that supported the CDPHP tournament include: A-1 Installers; AdvizeX; American Solutions For Business; Canteen Vendors; Caremark®; ComDoc; Computer Associates; Eurest Dining; Evenson Best; Golf Galaxy; Healthcare Technology Management Services (HTMS); Hewlett Packard; IBM; JCB Specialties, Inc.; JP Morgan Chase; Legacy Consulting; Manion Construction; McDonald’s®; Pitney Bowes; Price Chopper; PriceWaterhouseCoopers; Robert Half International; SAF Consulting and Print Services; Sungard Workflow Solutions; TriZetto; and Western Turnpike Golf Course.

“We are truly grateful to CDPHP for their continued support, generosity, and dedication to our mission,” said Jeff Yule, executive director, Ronald McDonald House. “They have been with us through thick and thin, and we consider them one of our most dedicated partners.”

About CDPHP®
Founded and guided by physicians, CDPHP and its affiliates currently serve members in 29 counties throughout New York state and seven counties in Vermont. The four affiliated companies of CDPHP include a family of products: Capital District Physicians' Health Plan, Inc.—HMO, Healthy New York, Medicare Choice, Medicaid, Child Health Plus, and Family Health Plus. CDPHP Universal Benefits,® Inc. —PPO, High Deductible PPO, POS, and EPO. Capital District Physicians' Healthcare Network, Inc. —self-insured plans; and APA Partners, Inc. —third party administration (TPA). Visit CDPHP at www.cdphp.com.

Channeling a Legacy

LOCAL LANDSCAPE DESIGNER TO SWIM THE ENGLISH CHANNEL

The Chazen Companies (TCC) proudly announce that a Landscape Designer in their Troy office, Kelvin Webster, will attempt to swim across the English Channel this coming September in memory of his grandfather. Since 2003, Kelvin, a former high school swimmer and current member of the Adirondack Bluefins Master’s Program in Troy, has been vigorously training for the opportunity of a lifetime. To date just over 1,000 people have accomplished this feat, compared to the 2,400 that have climbed Mr. Everest.

Kelvin was born in Birmingham, England where he lived till the age of 9. After nearly drowning at 2 years old, Kelvin’s parents quickly involved him in swimming lessons to remove any fear of the water. Since then, the 28 year old has spent much of his life competing at different levels of swimming and is currently training 6 days a week for the September 20th Channel swim. Swimming nearly 40,000 meters per week (or just under 25 miles), Kelvin remains dedicated to accomplishing this extraordinary goal.

In addition to his rigorous training schedule, Kelvin has maintained his full-time position with TCC for nearly two years as a Landscape Designer. With TCC’s full support, Kelvin has been encouraged in his pursuit of accomplishing this swim. “I believe I speak for the masses in saying we feel fortunate to call him a member of our team,” said TCC Director of Landscape Architecture Andy Rymph. “Kelvin’s strong will and conviction are valuable traits that we all should admire and strive for.”

TCC is pleased to be one of Kelvin’s sponsors, as participating in this event is costly. Kelvin is raising funds not only to cover the cost of this venture, but also to benefit the New England Hearing Rehabilitation Center (NECHEAR). NECHEAR provides financial assistance to children in need of audiological services who cannot afford them. Additional information regarding this charity as well as Kelvin’s English Channel swim can be found at www.kelvinchannelswim.com/kelvin.html.

Helping staff create a balance in their professional and personal objectives is a hallmark of The Chazen Companies. For more than 60 years, TCC has provided professional services to a wide variety of municipal and private development clients throughout the Northeast. The firm’s engineers, landscape architects, surveyors, planners and environmental scientists serve clients from five offices—Troy, Glens Falls, Poughkeepsie and Newburgh, New York, as well as Waterford, Connecticut.

Chazen a Better Design

Sustainable Design Inventory in the Hudson Valley

The Chazen Companies, in partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Hudson River Estuary Program, is inviting architects, engineers, and others to showcase examples of completed Better Site Design (BSD) and Low Impact Development (LID) stormwater management tools that reduce flooding, conserve open space, and preserve water quality in the Hudson River Estuary watershed. Some examples include infiltration basins, rain gardens, wet ponds, porous pavement, and vegetated swales. Accepted work examples will be used in a guidance manual and an interactive website to help promote their use throughout the Hudson River Estuary.

“We’re really excited about Better Site Design and Low Impact Development approaches, and want to showcase model examples,” said Fran Dunwell, director of the Hudson River Estuary Program. “By pointing to completed examples, and giving credit to firms already using these techniques, we hope to see them used more widely in the future to protect water resources and the Hudson River Estuary.”

An on-line entry form has been established so firms working in the Hudson River Estuary can submit photos and written descriptions of completed projects throughout the Hudson River Estuary watershed. Only submissions matching practices described in the New York State Stormwater Management Design Manual and the NYS Better Site Design manual are being sought. The Estuary Program has hired the Chazen Companies to coordinate this inventory and review each submittal. All submittals should be registered on-line before September 25, 2008 on The Chazen Companies’ website at www.chazencompanies.com.

The Hudson River Estuary Program is a regional partnership seeking to conserve the river’s natural resources, promote their full public use and enjoyment, and address pollution that affects use and enjoyment of the river. The complexity of the issues surrounding conservation of the Hudson River ecosystem requires a multi-disciplinary approach, engaging a broad representation from local government, nonprofits, environmental and conservation organizations, academia, and businesses.

The Chazen Companies provide professional engineering, environmental, and site design services throughout the Northeast. The firm’s engineers and landscape architects help developers and municipalities select LEED certifiable and other sustainable practices. Engineer David Poulson P.E., active on Chazen’s Sustainable Project Team, said “Clients and architects expect these approaches, and today they make sense financially, technically, and for the environment.” The firm also provides professional services in environmental, land surveying, and planning disciplines.

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P The Chazen Companies asks you to please consider the environment before printing this email.

Recognize an Outstanding Woman

GIRL SCOUTS OF NORTHEASTERN NEW YORK CALL FOR NOMINATIONS IN NORTH COUNTRY
Recognizing Outstanding Women in the Community

WOMEN OF DISTINCTION AWARDS IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES



The Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York are seeking nominations for the 2008 Women of Distinction Awards for the North Country. The awards will be presented on November 14, 2008 at the High Peaks Resort in Lake Placid and recognize outstanding women from Clinton, Franklin, Essex, northern Hamilton and eastern St. Lawrence Counties who are role models for girls and other women; and have made a difference in their communities.

This year’s awards will recognize women for a variety of accomplishments from career and personal achievements to outstanding community service; and dedication to family and the people around them. In addition, an award will be presented to an outstanding young woman (aged 21or younger) who has made a significant impact in her community.

The award categories include:
Distinguished Junior Trailblazer (age 35 and under)
This category honors a woman who has a proven record of accomplishment of reaching ambitious or unconventional goals demonstrated by upward career mobility, steady growth, and leadership skills. She is willing to take risks, inspires, and motivates others.

Distinguished Trailblazer (age 36 and over)
This category honors a woman who has Imagined the Possibilities in her chosen field, broken glass ceilings, overcame and excelled under extreme challenges; and demonstrated perseverance. She has been in her chosen field for more than 5 years and has demonstrated steady growth, exhibited leadership, and fostered development of others.

Distinguished Leader of Tomorrow (age 21 and under)
This award is presented to a young woman who has demonstrated outstanding leadership ability and has contributed to her school and community outside of Girl Scouting. She has spearheaded a project or program to improve quality of life.

Distinguished Personal Achievement (non-professional, 22 years or age and over)
This category honors a woman who is a risk taker in the non-traditional way. She has achieved an unconventional or ambitious goal. She is persistent in her efforts; remains focused, and accepts challenges with confidence. This achievement is outside the realm of volunteer activities or career endeavors.

Distinguished Community Leader (age 22 and over)
This award is given to a woman who has demonstrated outstanding contributions to her community. She is a role model, community leader, mentor, or has broken new ground. She is an agent for change in a particular area who has made a measurable difference to those around her.

To request a nomination form, contact Pam Stott at Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York at 518.792.0247 extension 215, or email Pam at, pstott@gsneny.org. Nomination forms are also available for download at www.gsneny.org, or may be picked-up at the GSNENY Service Center, 323 Tom Mill Road, Plattsburgh, NY.

CONTACT
Pam Stott
Events Coordinator
518.792.0947 extension 215
pstott@gsneny.org
www.gsneny.org
Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.
Girl Scouts ayuda a las niñas a desarrollar la confianza en sí mismas, el valor y los principios para hacer del mundo un mejor lugar.

Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York, Inc., 8 Mountain View Avenue, Albany, NY 12205, (518)489-8110 fax (518)489-8065, www.gsneny.org