our towne rensco - february 2012 edition

Our Towne Rensselaer County ~ 518-641-9330 ~ [email protected]

ComplimentaryComplimentary

Our TowneRensselaer County’s Community Resource

OUR TOWNEOUR TOWNEYour Hometown Community Resource

INSIDEINSIDEGreat Local Teachers & Schools!Great Local Teachers & Schools!

Rensselaer County’s Hidden GemsRensselaer County’s Hidden GemsLove & Romance this Valentine’s DayLove & Romance this Valentine’s Day

complimentaryFebruary 2012

The 3rd Grade Team at Castleton Elementary in Schodack: Sheila Golden, Suart Morse & Amy Puccio

photo by Catherine Sager

LoveLove

ThhThThThe 3333rddddd GGGGr ddddade TTTTeam attt CCCCa ttstlllllettton lElElElElementttary iiiin

The LocalThe LocalEducation Education

IssueIssue

2 February 2012

Publisher/ Editor/ Sales/DesignDebbie Gaylord [email protected]

www.ourtownerensco.com

Our Towne’s MissionOur Towne seeks to connect local businesses to local consumers by high-

lighting the best of what Rensselaer County and the surrounding areas have to off er.

All Rights Reserved ~ Our Towne is published by Our Towne Marketing & Consulting LLC, 1077 Schodack Landing Road, Schodack Landing, NY 12156; 518-641-9330. Published monthly and distributed free of charge.

Our Towne Rensselaer CountyFebruary 2012

In Every Issue

Community Calendar (20-21)

Wellness (34-36)

Kid’s Pages (26-29)

Message from the Vet (14)

Your Home Guide (12-16)

Real Estate (12)

Hidden Gems Series - Everybody’s Cafe (18)

Book Review (23)

Feature ~ Education

Making American Schools Innovative Again (4-5)

Great Local Teachers (10-11)

Great Local Schools (32)

Choosing a Preschool (30)

St. Jude the Apostle School Teacher Honored

Meet a Local Teacher (31)

Feature - Love & Romance

The Feng Shui of Romance (35)

EDITOR’s NOTE

Contributors

O T R l C t

Table of Contents

Darren Rosenbaum, Dr. David Stone, DVM, Dr. Amy Cole, Richard Morell, Diane Lehmuler Hardy,Lynn CatelottiBridgette Chandler,Danielle Morris, Dr. Patrick Bergmann, Dr. Joe Lapinsk

Nancy GildersleeveLori King-KocisLynn LaVoie-StephensTerry DuncanCatherine Sager (Photog-raphy)Audra Bently

Submissions

SalesDebbie Gaylord

Linda Scutari

Dear Reader, I remember all my favorite teachers. I had Mr. Hixon and Mr. Vergow in elementary school . This was back in the sev enties and w e had a lot of fun doing pla ys and art projects . I n fourth grade, I was luck y enough to have the amazing Miss Cohen, always fair and always creative with her spelling bees , the game of ENGLISH, and research projects that in volved cooking. I n high school, it was the coolest teacher – the art teacher Mrs. Dodge, who taught me that adults could get it and she gave me the freedom I needed at the time. I also had an amazing Principal in High school, Mr. Butterworth, who made a lasting impression on my rebellious soul by giv-ing consequences but doing so with justice in mind. The thread that ties these educat ors together for me is their sense of fairness and their abilit y to treat kids with respect. They saw me as a person – not just a k id. A valuable lesson, one which I have never forgotten. Of course I cannot forget my favorite teacher of all time – that would be my partner Darren Rosenbaum! I am r eally excited about Our Towne’s February issue featuring great teachers, great schools, and an interest-ing article about questioning the wisdom of Race to the Top. Don ’t worry, we haven’t forgotten that Valentine’s Day is this month and we have a gift section to give you some ideas about pampering the one you love. As always enjoy and let our advertisers know you saw them in Our Towne.Sincerely,Debbie

If you are interested in being a contributor in Our Towne please see our website for editorial calendar and/or

send submissions ideas to: [email protected]

3February 2012 Our Towne Rensselaer County ~ 518-641-9330 ~ [email protected]

4 February 2012

The Education Issuehe Education IssueMaking American Schools Innovative AgainMaking American Schools Innovative Again

by Darren Rosenbaumby Darren RosenbaumAs a classr oom teacher, I k now how challenging it is t o remain creative in the test crazy world of public educa-tion. While some would say that 2012 isn’t any diff erent than 1998 or 1980, when it c omes to keeping students motivated, on task and int erested in test driven subject matter, the old days represent ‘simpler’ times. Now, add all the outside infl uences today’s teacher are forced to compete against, which run the gamut fr om smart phones to political mandates to New York’s over-reliance on test data, and man y of us in the profession feel the deck stacked against us. Ultimately, keeping one child attentive and involved (let alone 30+!) is a monumental task and w e’re operating at a disadvantage.

As this public ser vant sees it, politi-cians and bureaucrats shouldn’t med-dle in how best to teach our children. Case in point: the No Child Left Behind Act, or NCLB. Signed into law on Janu-ary 8th, 2002, NCLB set benchmarks for increasing student achiev ement by measuring ‘adequate yearly prog-ress’ (AYP) and r equiring each stat e to administer annual standar dized tests for all students. Regardless of the variables in every child’s life, NCLB as-sumed we could improve educational outcomes by collecting and analyzing data from tests often given to a child only once a year. Call it the ‘snapshot approach’ to education. F rom that point on public education became increasingly competitive, which is not how schools, administrators, teachers and states should ever be judged.

The reality is that while modest gains were shown in some subjec t areas and grade levels, NCLB set nearly un-attainable goals and failed in its aim

of helping our k ids become profi -cient in reading and math. The law of unintended consequences also pr e-vailed and, instead of being cr eative educators who help our k ids think and problem solve, it’s now clear that NCLB pressured classroom teachers across the nation to ‘teach to the test’. Sadly, in some high pr ofi le scandals, most notably with the A tlanta Public Schools, teachers felt compelled to al-ter their students test answers so AYP would be met.

As it turns out, Atlanta was not an iso-lated incident. This past No vember, the Department of Education began to off er states a ‘fl exibility waiver’ in exchange for “serious state led eff orts to close achiev ement gaps, promote rigorous accountability, and ensur e that all students ar e on a c ollege or career ready track”. To date, 11 states have applied for this waiver with up to 28 more expected to apply this spring.

With education reform a priorit y and NCLB on the way out, Pres. Obama an-nounced a new pr ogram called ‘Race to the Top’ (RTTT) in July 2009. U sing $4.35 billion in federal money as a lure to tempt cash strapped states, the Ad-ministration claimed RTTT would only reward states that ‘raised academic standards, improved teacher quality and expanded the r each of char ter schools.’ While diff erences exist be -tween NCLB and R TTT, Obama’s plan utilizes the ‘carrot and stick’ approach, off ering or withholding monetar y re-wards to force change.

So how has R TTT aff ected New York public schools? The headline fr om the New York State Education Depart-ment’s (NYSED) press release from

August 24, 2010 sa ys it all; “New York Wins Nearly $700 M illion in Race to the Top Competition”. What did w e do t o get this money? Simply establish ‘a new teacher and principal evaluation system that makes student achiev e-ment data a substantial c omponent of how educators are assessed and supported.’ You’ll notice that ‘student achievement data’, or t est scores, are now more signifi cant in det ermining how a teacher is evaluated.

So where does high stakes testing lead and is this the direction we should be heading? An answer might come from an article on South Korean education reforms I recently read in TIME Maga-zine titled, ‘Teacher, Leave Those K ids Alone’. Written by Amanda Ripley, the article exposes how the South Korean government is “changing school test-ing and university admissions policies to reduce student str ess and r eward softer qualities, like creativity.” Accord-ing to Ripley, relentless high-stakes testing for high school and college en-trance exams has Korean leaders wor-ried ‘that unless its rig id, hierarchical (education) system starts to nurture more innovation, economic growth will stall’.

In fact, current President Lee Myung-bak stated at his 2008 inauguration that "One-size-fi ts-all, government-led uniform curriculums and an edu-cation system that is locked only onto the college-entrance examination are not acceptable". Nevertheless, many Koreans argue that this system, which pushes ‘tweens’ and teens to study 14 hours a day 6 days a week to get into the best high schools, has allowed stu-dents to ‘consistently outperform their counterparts in almost ev ery country in reading and math’.


We can’t lose sight of the fact that Amer-ican creativity and innovation has been the envy of the world for decades. I know this because of experienc es I had when the ‘Our Towne Team’ worked as teachers in South Korea from 1995 to 1998. One particular memory I ha ve was ent ering the vast Kyobo Bookstore in downtown Seoul for the fi rst time. As I walked down the long hallway towards the main doors I noticed dozens of framed pic tures of Nobel Laureates from the w orld over, but in par ticular, the United States and Europe. As I neared the end of the hall-way, I noticed a few spots that appeared to be intentionally unused. I asked some students about these open spots and was told they w ere being r eserved for the fi rst few Koreans who won the Nobel Prize for Literature. Living in that vibrant and energetic country, I was surprised not a single Kor ean had been honor ed to that point. A fter some discussion, my students set aside their pride and remarked that their educational sy stem produced great memorizers, but not the creative thinkers and inno vators that America had.

Fast forward 15 years and in a strange twist, South Korea and other Asian nations are, as Ripley writes, “pushing to make schools more ‘American’”, while “U.S. reformers render their own schools more ‘Asian’”. In fact, Obama and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan “speak glowingly of the enthusiasm S outh Korean parents have for educating their childr en, and they lament how far U.S. students are falling behind”. In the end, a nation lauded year after year for world beating test scores is moving away from high stakes testing while we commit ourselves to what could be decades of standard-ized testing and the dreariness of rote memorization. It should make you wonder....

6 February 2012 6

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10 February 2012

GREAT LOCAL TEACHERS

GENET ELEMENTARY - East Greenbush, NY

“Mrs. Treibor instills a love of language by her lovely nature of making this grade fun. She sings, raps, dances, hops, rhymes, twirls, laughs, jokes, and hugs! Mrs. Treibor’s students learn confi dence and security to express their opinions because she has created a safe environment in her classroom to share and be heard.

-Holly Blaise and Gabriella Coleman (Our Towne readers)

At Genet Elementary School in East Greenbush, it is all about the team... The fi rst grade team that is. When former student Gabriella Coleman wrote to Our Towne to rave about her teacher, Mrs. Treibor said she couldn’t take all the credit. She said that her success in the classroom wasn’t individual but determined by her teammates. They include Carol Willis, Reading; Joe Gleeson, Special Ed; Andrea Baird, Teaching Assistant, Special Ed; Kristina Frugis, Reading; Leia Nardacci, 1st Grade Teacher; Tina Rudzinski, 1st Grade Teacher, (not shown) “We all bring something diff erent to the table,” says reading teacher Carol Willis. Special Ed teacher Joe Gleeson added that she loves collaborating with other adults. One of areas where teamwork pays off for the kids is a morning intervention program that allows the team to pinpoint where children need help. They work together to decide who needs what and then they group children with others who need the same help.It is highly individualized and allows the teachers to work individually and in small groups with students where they need it most. “It is more intense than the regular classroom,” said Leia Nardacci. The team agreed that block scheduling at the elementary level is extremely helpful. Within the language arts block, the class may shift from literacy to phonics to writing but stays focused within a clear theme. The team says they are using more and more technology. The smart board is an amaz-ing tool that helps students learn more interactively. The new math program used by the school connects parents to what is going on in the classroom with an online component.It’s not an understatement to say that Genet students and parents are lucky to have this team in place.

Who Is Your Favorite Teacher?

Chances are if you were asked, you could name your favorite teacher. The one who made learning fun, believed in you and your unique abilities. Maybe she led the drama club in the production of the Wizard of Oz, or coached you in soccer, or stayed after school with you until you aced your math test. Maybe it was the col-lege professor who indulged you in philosophical discussions about the complex meaning of life. Teachers are important heroes in everyone’s lives and Our Towne’s February issue is dedicated to all the great ones, the devoted ones, the funny ones, the intellectual ones, the creative ones: all those who teach our children even in the midst of increas-ingly challenging demands placed on them to improve test scores. Today it is more diffi cult than ever to be a teacher, balancing pressure from above and parental expecta-tions while more diffi cult content that is being required of the students at a younger age. To honor teachers we asked read-ers to nominate great local teachers so we could learn about what makes them special in the eyes of the most important people – their students. There are too many great teachers to include every single one in one is-sue of Our Towne so we focused on a few amazing teachers on two teams, one from Castleton Elementary school and one Genet Elementary School.

GENET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 1st Grade Team: Carol Willis, Joe Gleeson,; Andrea Baird, Karen Treibor, Leia Nardacci, Kristina Frugis, Tina Rudzinski, (not shown)

BRAIN POWER


CASTLETON ELEMENTARY

Schodack, NYStuart Morse, Amy Puccio and Sheila Golden are part of the 3rd Grade Team at Castleton Elementary school.

The team says they love their work. They all agree that teaching is diff erent every day, even minute to minute, which keeps it exciting. Working together, mapping their curriculum and constantly changing and updating is also key to their success. While the curriculum may be uniform, each teacher’s style and each student’s individual personality requires ex-treme creativity and fl exibility. “Change is good but cookie cutter expectations are not; developmentally not all kids are the same,” says Mrs. Puccio.

Mrs. Amy Puccio Castleton Elementary School, 14 years teaching

Its a good thing she enjoys change. She has taught every grade at the elementary school. Each year is so exciting because there is a new group of students with diff erent personalities and learning styles, helping her remain enthusiastic and creative.

Quote: “If I can make the experience in school successful for even one student I may change their attitude about learning and that makes it worhwhile.”

She says that it is patience with her students that is key to her ability to be a good teacher. And she has a lot of it. This week she is making homemade icecream with her class!

Mr. Stuart Morse Castleton Elementary School, 15 years teaching

As the only male teacher in grades K-3 at Castleton Elementary, Mr. Morse says some students really need his teaching style.

Quote: “Teaching is a lot like working on a plane engine while fl ying it.”

Mr. Morse says that his greatest talent is his organiza-tional skills. His team teachers agree; he keeps them on task.

Mrs. Sheila Golden, Castleton Elementary School, 24 years.

Full of energy and always ready with a kind smile, she is a good listener that understands that the world of elementary students (or anyone for that matter) should not be black and white.

Quote: “I have been lucky to have great kids, parents, ad-ministrators and phenomenal mentors. When I started teaching the state had a 3-year mentoring program. It helped me with the nuts and bolts of teaching.”

Mrs. Golden says she is constantly trying to improve as a teacher and each year she tries to improve some specifi c area of what she does.

* Read more about Our Towne’s conversation with Mrs. Golden on page 31.

The Schodack SCENESchodack Castleton Everyday News & Events

An online publication

http://thescene-thescene.blogspot.com

Catherine Sager, Managing Editor(518) 732-0382

[email protected]

a local blog

“Mr. Morse will always be my favorite teacher be-cause he shows that he loves to teach and learn.”

- Kate Harrington, 3rd Grade CES

12 February 2012

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This year’s color is here-- drum roll please. Ladies and gentle-men, let’s hear it for Tangerine Tango! Sounds like a nice New

Years cocktail! The color has the drama of red and the friendly re-freshing feel of yellow. This color would be a great accent color in a neutral room. Add this color to your window treatments in your kitchen to give it some pizzazz f or the New Year! We have plenty window treatments you can select from! Here are some other ideas to think of when decorating your space for the New Year:Furniture Arrangement: Putting all your furniture against the wall is not ALWAYS the best option. I f you have a nice open liv-ing room space for example, you might think of placing a couple of chairs in the center of the room along with a sofa and c off ee table-- let those windows stand out!Change: the junk r oom into a st ylish user friendly spac e—no space should be wasted! Utilize it wisely!Lighting: Lighting makes a BIG diff erence to the overall eff ect of a room---it is able to add a ton of warmth to a space. Here are the types of lighting to be concerned with: ambient (general or overhead), task (pendant, under-cabinet or reading) and accent (table and wall).Illusion of Space: To make a room seem bigger than it is, place

mirrors across from windows. Another trick is to paint the small room the same color as the next room. You want your spaces to fl ow and have a seamless look.Wall Art: Hang your pictures in unique layouts on your walls—it will make people that enter your home actually pay attention to the art work more. Placing items where you wouldn’t necessarily expect them is sometimes the best and most unique thing y ou can do in design.Three is your number: When accessorizing try to decorate us-ing three items—not in a row but in a triangular pattern. Keep in mind these tips ar e not only g reat for decorating, but these are also great tips to keep in mind when y ou resell your home. May these tips bring about peace and tranquility in your home this New Year!

New Year’s Cheer—Refresh and Revamp your space for the New Year!

by Danielle Morris Showroom Assistant East Greenbush Window Coverings

by Lorraine Greaneyby Lorraine Greaney

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16 February 2012

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Congrats to Season’s Best Contracting They won the Our Towne Small Business

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18 February 2012

HIDDEN GEMS Local Businesses You May Have Missed

Everybody’s CafeEverybody’s Cafe674 Columbia Turnpike ~ East Greenbush, NY

479-CAFE

Have you ever stopped by Everybody’s Café on Columbia Turn-pike in East Greenbush? I had driven by a number of times be -fore the cheer y neon light that fl ashes “OPEN” fi nally drew me in to try it out. Now I am among the many regulars that cannot resist the mouth-watering cinnamon buns, divine egg frittatas, or premium coff ee served in oversized mugs. Inside the converted old house, the décor is vintage, with old formica kitchen tables and vinyl chairs that could have been in my grandmother’s kitchen in the 1950s . Beyond the c ounter, there are three rooms so it is easy t o fi nd a nice private seat. I t is also a tr eat to view the lat est gallery show displayed on the walls, which are covered by original artwork created by local art-ists and photographers. They rotate the exhibit. I love to meet people here for coff ee, breakfast or lunch. There are usually no cr owds, the food is supremely fresh and then of course there are the irresistible cinnamon buns with the home -made icing that really does taste like my grandmother’s. I cannot pass by without wanting one for dessert. The chefs and owners are sister and brother team Nicole and Mac Willet. They whip up some of the best home c ooking in town. N icole opened E verybody’s twelve years ago because there wasn’t a local caf é where people c ould hang out unless they wanted to trek to Albany. She sa ys at fi rst it was more about desserts and coff ee but it grew into lunch and the food just took off . Of course, I know

exactly why – I t is delicious! But it helps that they use all fr esh and natural ing redients. Today they ar e open fr om 7-3 M on-day to Friday, Wednesday evenings until 8pm, when they ser ve homemade dinners, and Saturdays 8am to 2pm. They also do catering. I n my business, I am often out and about with m y computer so another cool aspect of Everybody’s that I love love love is that I can use the unlimited Internet access and they do not mind if I stay longer than 30 minutes! The best thing about E verybody’s café is the people . If you happen to stop by in the lat e morning you will be sur e to see the group of distinguished gentlemen who meet r egularly to discuss life in general and an y other topic that interests them. In some ways Everybody’s Café is like the Cheers of East Gr een-bush, or something like that. Defi nitely one of our ar ea’s HID-DEN GEMS!

“The Distinguished Gentlemen’s Club”

Everybody’s Cafe Owner Nicole Willet


Treat the Love of Your Life with a Visit to Shampoodle!

Training Facility

Training & Classes for Every Pup

Young or old, experienced or notWhether you want to train your pup or just

have fun...our trainers can help! Call Shampoodle at 371-6600

We’ve had a fun day at Doggie Day Camp!!!

Have your pup as tired as you are after a long day at work but they’ll be tired after having fun all day!

Affordable * Supervised Play* Convenient just off exit 8 of the Northway.

Lots of room to play - walks outside. Full or 1/2 days

Mon-Fri 11-7, Sat 9-5, Sun 10 - 5 (Grooming starts at 8 am) 266 Delaware Ave Delmar 368-3260

behind Finishing Touch – next to CVS Also Plaza 8 1536 Crescent Rd. Clifton Park 371-6600

just off exit 8 of the Northway in the plaza with CVSwww.shampoodledogwash.com

GROOMINGFor pups that need a trim or full cut

Your Pup Will Look Amazing!Appt. necc.- Cert.Groomer does 1 dog at a time only-

No kennels - No Stress! Ready in less than 2 hours Delmar has added a NEW Grooming Salon!

Leave the mess

with us!

U-Do-It just $13Just bring your dirty dog -

everything else is supplied! We Will Do It!

We will wash your dog in an hour or less.

(Appt. necc. we only do a pup at a time)

Shampoodle!

Play Group for puppies or good dogsThursday at 6pm. $6 per session or pay as you go! Call Shampoodle at 371-6600

Do it Yourself & We Do It Hours Are...

20 February 2012

Community Calendar ~ February 2012

Bill Skerritt Featured At Sand Lake Center for The Arts Gallery The Gallery at the Sand Lake Center presents an exhibit from Jan. 1 - Feb 15 of the the wonder-fully complex visual world of master printmaker Bill Skerritt.Location Details: Sand Lake Center for the Arts, Sand Lake, NY

FEB: Kid Stuff : Great Toys from Our Child-hood Slinky®s, Wooly Willys, Whee-los, Magic Eight Balls, Magic Yo-Yo’s, Etch A Sketch®, Spirographs, Colorforms, Matchbox® Cars, PEZ Dispensers, LEGO®s, Erector sets, Lionel Trains, Tonkas, Hot Wheels, Frisbee®s, G.I. Joes, BarbieTM Dolls, Tinker Toys, Lincoln Logs, and Mr. Potato Head brought hours of fun and entertainment to kids throughout the 1950s and 60s. Kid Stuff , an interactive exhibition based on the book by David Hoff man, takes us back to the age of tailfi ns and vinyl records with more than 40 vintage toys, which reveal a fascinating look at inven-tion and innovation, social history and industrial growth, play and entertain-ment. Location Details: Albany Institute of History & Art, Albany, NY (518) 463-4478,

Feb 3-5: Saratoga Winterfest 2012Don't miss Chowderfest 2012 in down-town Saratoga! Chowderfest is a high-light of the Winterfest weekend...SARATOGA SPRINGS NY – Winterfest is a popular annual event in Saratoga Springs, bringing the spirit of winter to the Spa City with a weekend of live mu-sic, special events, great entertainment–and, of course, Chowderfest!

Winterfest 2012 runs the weekend of February 3rd-5th, 2012. Each year the festival draws crowds of people excited to attend the annual festival and the great events it brings to the Spa City. The weekend includes a Winterfest Wine Tasting, Chowderfest 2012, and much more! There will be all kinds of fun and entertainment going on throughout the Spa City all weekend long. Check out our Saratoga events calendar for more details. Don’t miss the 15th Annual Win-terfest in Saratoga

1st Friday Of Albany Repeats every month on the Friday until Fri Aug 03 2012 .Family Celebrating The Arts and Culture of New York's Capital with First Friday! The fi rst Friday night of each month. Beginning at 5PM, featuring numerous gallery openings, one-night shows, local shops, restaurants, and live entertainment. Best of all, 1st Friday is an entirely free event. The Upstate Artists Guild 247 Lark Street Albany, NY, 12210 Phone: (518) 694-3090 1stfridayalbany.org [email protected]

Feb. 4 on Glass, Snyder’s and Reichard’s lakes Ice Fishing Contest (edit) Time: All day or non-timed /Ice Fishing Contest February 4th, 2012 - SAND LAKE — The Bailey Mt. Fish & Game Club 27th annual ice fi shing contest will be held 6 a.m.-2 p.m. . If the ice is bad, the contest will be held Feb. 11. There is a $10 entry fee. For information and rules, call 283-2056 or 283-7309. Sand Lake, Sand Lake, NY, 12153

Cool Science 1:00 pm FEb 4Where: The Children's Museum of Science and Technology FREE ADMISSION What's so cool about the cold? Join CMOST as we investigate the science of winter. We'll learn why it's colder out this time of year, why it gets dark so much earlier and we'll take a look at some of the adjustments that animals in the environment make to deal with the cool, cold winter. Ages 4+, Free for CMOST Members, $2.00 Non-members, plus admission to The Museum. Pre-registration is required. 5182352120 CMOST, 250 Jordan Road, Troy, NY, 12180, us

Feb. 9th, East Greenbush Business Alliance Wine and Cheese Networking Event - Good Buy Books, 330 Columbia Turnpike, East Greenbush. (Members and Potential Mem-bers welcome) contact: 479-2665 to rsvp.

PIZZA & WING NIGHT FEBRU ARY 11th....4:30-7:30 East Gr eenbush Fire Dept. P ark Station Phone Orders Accepted after 2:00 477-6503....479-4168 Valentine Special...Meatball Subs & Boxes of Chocolate Covered Strawber-ries Also for Sale Feb 11: Discovery Place Learning Cen-ter Parents Night Out, February 11th: contact 479-1110 or visitwww.discovery-placeny.com

KJ’s Parent’s Night Out - February 17th

contact [email protected] Cel-ebrate V-day while your kids are working out and having fun!!

Fibromyalgia Pain reduction–Wednesday, February 15 at 6:30 PMThe East Greenbush Chiropractic offi ce will discuss ways to manageFibromyalgia. Please sign up.

Rensselaer History and F amily Re-search– Wednesday, February 29 at 6:30 PMCity Historian Charles S emowich will talk about the history of thisarea and how to fi nd more about local families.

One-on-one Computer tutoring– sign up for an appointment to haveindividual attention learning to use the computer. Please let us knowif you have a par ticular subject you want to cover when you sign up.

The Friends of the Rensselaer Librar y are always looking for moremembers. Their next meeting is Thurs-day, February 16th at 6:30 PM inthe Library.

Science Fun!– Saturday, February 18 from 1-2. Do some cool andexciting experiments with Marcia. Ages 8 and up. Sign up isrequired.

Mardi Gras!- Tuesday at 2 P M. Learn about how “Fat Tuesday” iscelebrated in New Orleans and ar ound the world. Ages 6 and up.

Rocks and Minerals– Thursday, February 23 at 6:30 PM. Love rocks?Come learn more about them!

Leap Year drop-in craft– stop by on Wednes-day, February 29 to make acraft for leap day.The Library is located across from the Am-trak parking lot on East Street in Rensselaer. For more information, log on t o www.rens-selaerlibrary.org or call 462-1193.

Rensselaer Public Libary Schedule


ONLINE & ONLINE & IN PRINTIN PRINT OUR TOWNE’s

Monthly Community Calendar

Our Towne is building up its MONTH-LY CALENDAR and invites communi-ty members to email calendar events. Its always FREE! Please email your listing (including date, time, and a

brief description) to: [email protected]

The Third Annual Mac-n-Cheese Bowl In Albany NY, Sat, Feb 18, 2012 Albany Mar-riott, Wolf Road, Colonie, NY Cost: $15 for adults/ $5 for kids age 5 to 12 / Free under 5 Mac 'n Cheese is a favorite food of all ages! Come to the Albany Marriott in Colonie and taste 30 diff erent varieties of the dish, prepared by local restaurants. Then, vote for your favorites! This is a kid-friendly event! Children can even vote for their favorites too. There will be two sessions, starting at both 11 am and at 12:30 pm. Admission will be limited to 1,200 people per session.

An introduction to reading the stories left by fox, deer, rabbits and other forest dwellers in the snow. Meet at Park Offi ce. Beginners’ class ideal for children. $3/per-son includes snowshoe rental. Registra-tion required. Grafton Lakes State Park

DAR Antiques Show and Sale (edit) Time: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm DAR Antiques Show and Sale Sunday, Feb 19 11:00a to 4:00p at The Academy of the Holy Names, Al-bany, NY 41st Annual Antiques Show and Sale Tawasentha Chapter, NSDAR Academy of the Holy Names 1075 New Scotland Road Albany, New York

Winter Recess Program Winter bird moni-toring and count (edit) Time: 1:00 pm Monday, February 20, 2012 01:00 PMGrafton Lakes State Park(Saratoga/Capi-tal District Region)Join our parks avid bird lovers in observ-ing the winter bird populations and monitoring nesting sites within the park. Learn all about our diverse feathered population! Make your own pine cone bird feeder to bring home! Meet at Park Offi ce. 3/person includes snowshoe rental. Phone: (518) 279-1155Registration: Required Location Details: Grafton State Park, Grafton, NY, 12082Lego Build Off (edit) Time: 2:00 pm February 20th, 2012 -

TROY — The Lego Build Off will be held at 2 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Troy Public Library, 100 Second St. For ages 6 and older. For information and to register, call 274-7071.Location Details: Troy Public Library, 100 Second Street, Troy, NY, 12180, us

Troy Night OUTWhen: Fri, Feb 25, 2011 | 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM Downtown Troy, NY Cost: FREE ADMISSION A fun evening of dining, music, art, and shopping in historic Downtown Troy, NY!Troy Night Out is a monthly arts and cultural event that takes place the last Friday of EVERY month in downtown Troy from 5 - 9 PM. The event regularly draws over 1,000 people onto the streets of Troy, and attendees are able to enjoy over 30 art events, 15 music venues, and over 20 fi ne restaurants as well as unique boutiques of all varieties.

The Troy Trolley as it makes the rounds of the city, providing free transportation to all event attendees and stopping at major event destinations. Free parking is available on-street and in several city garages.

The RPI Shuttle is available for RPI students only, providing transportation between campus and Monument Square every hour (during academic year only).

Maps highlighting all of the evening's activities are available here and at all participating venues and businesses.

More information visit: http://w ww.troy-nightout.org/ For More Information Call: (518)279-7997

18th Annual James C ampbell Memorial Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show and Sale Saturday, February 25 and Sunda y, Feb-ruary 26 10 a.m.–5 p .m. 4th Floor Adults Children Admission Fee: $4/Adult; Chil-

dren age 12 and under FREEVendors from throughout the Nor theast display and sell gems , jewelry, minerals, lapidary equipment, f ossils and much more.

VACATION WEEK CAMPS!!KJ’s Gymnastics

contact [email protected]

Get a Jump on St. Patrick’s Day...........

Irish Night fundraiser to benefi t the Parish of St. John the Evangelist and St. Joseph, Rensselaer / Music provided by Irish folk favorite Who’s Your Paddy? Saturday, March 3rd, 4PM to 11PM Mc Manus Center, 50 Herrick Street, Rens-selaer Admission $10 per personDelicious pub food including Reuben and Rachel sandwiches and beverages will be available for purchase For tickets or more information, stop by the Parish Offi ce or call 465-0932 ext. 17

Kidz Expo at the Plaza - March 3, 10-5Empire State Plaza

*see ad on pg 3 for details!!

22 February 2012

East GreenbushEast GreenbushCCommunity Libraryommunity Librarywww.eastgreenbushlibrary.orgwww.eastgreenbushlibrary.org

10 Community Way East Greenbush

477-7476

January2012

2nd Trivia NightWednesday, February 29

Friends of the East Green-bush Library

Doors Open at 6:30 pm; Games start at 7:00 pm

COST: Pre-registration:

$5.00 per personAt the door: $10.00 per

personAll Friends of the Library:

$5.00 per person 5 rounds in 5 diff erent cat-egories with mini-games in

between. Teams: 3 person minimum /

6 person maximumIndividuals without a team

will be matched at the event.

Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

All proceeds will benefi t the Friends of the Library

Free Adult Programs & Talks: Classical Concert with Flute & Cello, Sunday, February 5, 2:00 p.m. Yvonne Chavez Hans-brough, fl ute, and Jonathan Brin, cello, will present a clas-sical concert of music for fl ute and cello duo. (Sponsored by the Friends of the East Green-bush Library) Managing Stress and Enhanc-ing Health Monday, February 6, 7:00 p.m. Studies show a direct relationship between increased stress levels and disease. Dr. Amy Burelson of East Greenbush Chiropractic will discuss the 7 divisions of the Wellness Wheel and how each one is equally important in your life.

Gardens of Kauai, Tuesday, February 7, 6:30 p.m.If you’ve had enough of upstate winter, you’ll be sure to enjoy this presentation by Teresa Murphy, Greenbush Garden Club President and Master Gardener for Cornell Cooperative Extension, on the breathtaking gardens of Hawaii . Sponsored by the Greenbush Garden Club. Spotlight Players Play Read-ing: Crimes of the Heart by Beth Henley Sunday, Febru-ary 12, 2:00 p.m. This Pulitzer Prize-winner is a deeply touching and funny play about three eccentric sisters from a small Southern town rocked by scandal when Babe, the youngest, shoots her hus-band. Directed by Joy Perret. Alliance of Destiny, Sunday, February 26, 2:00 p.m. Tricia Shaw from Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site will present the story of the Mohawks who lived at Fort Hunter . All programs are free and open to the public. Due to limitations on space, registration is required for all programs, concerts & movies. Call 477-7476 or visit our web-page www.eastgreenbushlibrary.org and use our online registra-tion. Free Wednesday Night Movies: FEBRUARY 1 @ 6:30 pm – Jumping the Broom(In celebration of Black History Month) FEBRUARY 22 @ 6:30 pm – Crazy, Stupid, Love

Children’s Programs:Registration for all February Break Programs begins on Wednesday, February 1st February School Break Pro-grams Game Day at the Library!Tuesday, February 21 @ 2:00 pm; Ages 5 and up. Join us for some fun rounds of Book Bingo, and then play a board game or the Wii for an after-noon of gaming fun at the library. Registration required. Mo Willems Fun FlicksWednesday, February 22 @ 10:00 am; Ages 3 and up. We will be watching short movies based on our favorite picture books by author Mo Willems. Watch “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus” and more! We will be making a craft after the movies. Registration required. Family Movie NightThursday, February 23 at 7:00 pm Movie to be announced. Registration required. Science Around The House – An Interactive Program by Steve “The Dirtmeister” Tomecek, Friday, February 24 @ 2:00 pm, Ages 5 and up. Join scientist and award-winning author and science celeb-rity Steve “The Dirtmeister” Tomecek as he takes a wild and wacky look at some of the radically cool science that happens in everyday life. Using some “dirt cheap” materials found in most homes, Steve will demonstrate how science has an important role to play in art, music, sports and many

of the other activities that we normally take part in. Registra-tion required. Drop In Family StorytimesNO REGISTRATION REQUIRED Thursdays @ 11:00 am OR 6:30 pm,February 1 – March 29(no storytimes February 23 or March 15) Saturdays @ 11:00 amFebruary 4 – March 31 Book GroupsMother/Daughter Book Group @ 7:00 pmGirls and their mothers (or grandmas, aunts, etc.) are invited. 5th graders and upMonday, February 6: Savvy by Ingrid Law Cookies N’ Books @ 4:15 pm2nd & 3rd graders. Beginning chapter book readers are in-vited to enjoy book discussions and crafts. Tuesday, February 7: The Littles by John Peterson NEW * Saturday Book Club* Saturday, February 25 @ 1:00 pm, Join us for a new book club where kids can get to-gether and talk about books! There will also be snacks and activities. For 4–6 graders. Call the library to check on the book for the month.


Calendar

Good Buy BooksFebruary

ALL PROGRAMS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

New and Gently Read Books330 Columbia Tpke. 479-BOOK (2665)

Good Buy Books

Concert at Sand Lake Center for the Arts on Feb. 11 presents Chris Shaw and Bridget Ball at 8pm.

Tickets $25pp. Reservations at 518-674-2007 or www.slca-ctp.org. The Center is located at 2880 NY

43, Averill Park, NY.

Gallery at Sand Lake Center for the Arts presents Averill Park Central School District Student Show

from Feb. 16 - March 31.Kindergarten to grade 12 Free and open to the

public artist reception on Feb. 19 from 1 - 3pm. Call 518-674-2007 or visit

www.slca-ctp.org. The Center is located at 2880 NY 43, Averill Park, NY.

Sundays at the Center present Irish Step Dancing with members of the Farrell School of Irish Dance

on March 4 at 1:30pm. $5pp.

Celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day just a couple of weeks early with this very special opportunity.

The Center is located at 2880 NY 43, Averill Park, NY.

This extraordinary novel from award-winning author Gabrielle Burton captures the struggle of a historical heroine in her attempt to balance adventure, love, and family.

Tamsen donner was a pioneer in 1846 in more ways than one. After months of preparation and research, she and her husband George, along with their fi ve daughters and eighty other pioneers, headed west on the California-Oregon Trail in ea-ger anticipation of new lives in California. But everything that could go wrong did… and an American legend was born.

The Donner Party. We may think we know their story – a caution-ary tale of starving pioneers trapped in the mountains per-forming an unspeakable act to survive – but Impatient with De-sire brings to life a woman and a love story behind the myth.

Impatient with DesireThe Lost Jour-nal of Tamsen

DonnerBy Gabrielle

Burton

Saturday, February 11th 9:00 – 10:00 AM

Valentine’s Day at the StoreStories, a craft and a snack

with Miss KimFree. Reservations required.

Saturday, February 18th 9:00 – 10:00 AM

Mardi Gras at the StoreHear a story, make a craft,

share a snack with Miss KimFree. Reservations required.

Thursday, February 9th 6:00 - 7:30 PM

Greenbush Area Business Alliance Networking

Bring your business cards for a small business networking

eventFree & open to local business

owners

Saturday, March 3rd 9:00 – 10:00 AM :Dr. Seuss-a-bra-tion at the Store. Hear a tale or two, make a craft & share a snack with Miss Kim Free.

Reservations required.

Book Review

Concert at Sand Lake Center for the Arts on Feb 11

SAND LAKE CENTER FOR THE ARTS

THE ART OF REIKI CLASSES

Contact Joyce 271-7802 to register

ART-Advance reiki Training- Sunday, February 12th, 9am -5 pm, t otal cost $225, includes manual . Take your reiki practice to a deeper spiritual level. Receive an attunement and mast er symbol, experience a moving meditation, practice reiki, learn about crys-tal healing grids and have the oppor tunity to pur-chase crystals for your crystal grid. Contact Joyce to register 271-7802, pre- requisite Reiki II certifi cate, $75 deposit required in advance.

RMT- Reiki Master Teacher- Sunday, February 19th & Monday, February 20th-2 day class- 9 am- 6 pm cost, $650. Reik i Master Teacher Training. You will receive the M aster attunement and mast er sym-bol, and learn how to give all Reiki attunements for all level classes including the healing attunement. Class size will be limited so you must register early. Pre- requisites are Reiki I,II,III. C ontact Joyce 271-7802 to register.

24 February 2012

A MESSAGE FROM THE VET ~ Dr. David Stone, DVMA MESSAGE FROM THE VET ~ Dr. David Stone, DVM

ShampoodleMon-Fri 11-7, Sat 9-5, Sun 10 - 5 (Grooming starts at 8 am)

Snow closings will be same as school closings at Shenendahowa for Clifton Park & Bethlehem for Delmar.

266 Delaware Ave Delmar 368-3260 behind Finishing Touch – next to CVS

Also Plaza 8 1536 Crescent Rd. Clifton Park 371-6600www.shampoodledogwash.com

MISSED THE HOLIDAY GROOM? Start the New Year Off Right at

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valid through 1/31/2012

Last Thoughts on WHY Some thoughts on last months ’ parting subject of--why. (I apolog ize in advance for the boring and selfi sh nature of this article—go ahead and use this page t o start the w ood stove—I promise that next month will be something like “Funny things heard at the vet offi ce”!).

I just r ead a book about the subjec t of why and it goes on and on and on about the importance of businesses k nowing their why. The author talks about how the truly great companies clearly c ommuni-cate their why to their employees, who in turn feel honored to share the goodness of their company with the w orld. These great companies wear their why on their cuff and we latch on more like believers than consumers. He discusses the wa y these fi rst customers are early adopt ers and, like disciples, spread the good news of the business thr oughout the ear th. Nonanalysists like m yself call it “word of mouth.” Every business owner knows its value. We crave it. I n most cases it ’s our

main form of advertising. We also k now that one bad w ord will tra vel much fur-ther than one good w ord. S o we guard against the bad as best we can.

I believe it’s the origin of “the customer is always right” motto. I know why I started my own place. I know why I’m a vet. The way my father knows why he’s a carpen-ter. As a kid, every day before school, I’d eat breakfast as he drank coff ee and made his list or sketch or materials calculations. Everyday he’d tell me what he had lined up for the day. Maybe we were just chat-ting, but I think he was t eaching me t o make sure I love what I do.

And I do . F or a business , this c oncept of why has diff erent implications. I t in-volves more than just me and m y fam-ily. Why make a hospital? The outward is all the usual of : I want t o be my own boss, I want t o decide ho w things ar e done, I want to build equity for my future, I want t o be a ment or for my children, etc. Normal stuff . You don’t need to start a hospital f or any of that. Star t a land-

scaping business and call your own shots and be suc cessful. And do a g reat job. And love your work and your clientele.

I think most of us small business o wners try to do all of the abo ve. I think w e live and breathe our why. I f you don’t intui-tively know the why of who you’re doing business with then y ou probably aren’t a very loyal customer. ...continued....next page


THE PET GALLERYLet Us Pamper Your Pet

Grooming Boarding Daycare

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283-2700

Corner intersection of Rt. 4 & 43 Bloomingrove Rd. Exit 8 off I-90

Pet PagesPet Pages

Personally, I want ed to make something that I r eally liked—a hospital where I would like to bring my pet. Then I wanted a place where I could infl uence how people are treated by each other. Lastly, I want ed to make a plac e where I w ould like t o physically be. Result of all of the things that I set out t o do…there’s no result…we’re getting there. There’s 10 million ways in which we fall short. Daily. Every day I fi nd myself thinking that I could have handled many things better. Not cases, usually, but people—be it staff or clients, each day is challenging. One of the little mantra ’s around here is that we should treat every person as though they ar e part of our personal family . When we share shoes there becomes less division. Suddenly less judgment occurs. Suddenly gossipy situations turn helpful. Suddenly we don’t harm ourselves by being callous t o others. Kind of utopic and unreasonable, but no one says a mantra has to be rational . The book I was r eading was all about suc cess-ful companies that have taken that original passion of WHY and infused it into their culture. The classic examples are Apple and Harley and S outhwest. C ompanies with clear wh y’s. He also points out the inevitable --when companies grow beyond the consistent daily infl uence of their creator. He sa ys that it will come to pass that success will lead to de-cision making that is based upon all r easonable available data and that when decisions ar e made based upon statistical and economic rationale, that the original why is no longer in charge. So how is growth managed? Personally, I try to hire people I like a lot. I spend some time telling them how I like things done and what my expectations are. Then I count on them t o work with this in mind. It doesn’t always work—it’s a rough system. Some-times we don’t see exactly eye to eye. Sometimes I don’t handle the same situation the same wa y—which creates confusion. I need to be utterly consistent. The problem is that I seldom see an y situation as an y other situation. Most things seem unique t o me. The reason I don’t jump on board a product as soon as it comes out is not the same reason I’m not vaccinating all my canine patients against para-infl uenza virus. For diff erent reasons I think all dogs who liv e in this area should be t ested every single year for heartworm/lyme/ehrlichia/anaplasma. Not ev eryone agrees. Not ev ery

vet agrees. I’ ve seen negativ e consequences for not t esting yearly and I would run the test. Simple. The last guiding principle of our hospital is: what w ould I do if it were my pet? That goes from how we greet pets to what we recommend to how a body is handled af ter death. Whatever the why may be, we all intuitively know to cushion the head of a deceased animal being wrapped for cremation. To be respect-ful. As though they are our own. When we’re not, we know we are “doing wrong.” Our mantra should be simpler than the ones above. It should be 4 words and should apply to everyone in every job.

DO THE RIGHT THING.

If you do the wrong thing, recognize and fi x. That goes for me. That goes for you. David StonePS: I once heard a philosopher say to the question of why…why not? Apparently that’s the only correct answer.

26 February 2012

KID’s PAGESKID’s PAGES

KJ’sGymnastics, inc

REGISTRATIONOngoing for

Session 3e-mail:

[email protected] for details

A State of the ArtGymnastics Gym

VACATION WEEK - Camps & Open WorkOutcall for dates and times

Parents Night Out - February 17th3143 Route 9 Valatie

518-758-2554 www.kjsgymnastics.com

Strength * Flexibility * Balance * Focus * Confidence * Courage * Determination

Discovery Place Learning Center, LLC

Teaching children their way every day!

749 Columbia Turnpike, East Greenbush between Enterprise & E. Greenbush Diner

Owned & Operated by: Terry Duncan, Master of Science in EducationLynn LaVoie-Stephens, Master of Arts in Speech Pathology

Preschool & Toddler Learning GroupsAges 24 mos to 5 yrs

www.discoveryplaceny.com

Valentine Kid’s Night Out February 11, 5-8pm

Booking Birthday Partiesbeginning March 2012

Information on Tutoring & Summer Enrichment Available Soon

Now Enrolling 2012 -2013

479-1110

SATURDAY HOURS & INDOOR PLAYGYMCheck website or facebook for information

Have you met Otto the Auto? Hi! My name is Otto the Auto, traffi c safety robot for AAA Hudson Valley. My job is to visit area schools, teaching safety tips to chil-dren 4-8 years old. Since I can’t get to every school, I need every parents’ help. We’re more than halfway through the school year but it’s always a great time review the following safety tips with your child. For Students Who Walk to School....

• Use sidewalks & crosswalks• If no sidewalk is available; walk facing traffi c as close to

the grass as possible.• Keep all loose items in zipped back packs. This will reduce

the need to retrieve items dropped in roadway.• Always wait for the School Crossing Guard.• Always STOP, LOOK (all-ways), & LISTEN before crossing

any street. Walk with a friend.• Wear bright colors; refl ective materials on jackets or back-

packs is a big plus! For Students Who Take the School Bus....

• Never walk or play in the street, including at the Bus Stop.

• Never run toward, or away from the School Bus.

• When crossing the street, getting on or off the bus, stay out of the Bus Driver’s ‘blind spots’.

• Always make eye contact with the Bus Driver and cross only after the Bus Driver gives you a signal.

• Never kneel on bus seats, or stand in the aisle, while bus is in motion.

Help Otto spread his safety message!

Your child can enter AAA's Annual Traffi c Safety Poster Program. This contest brings out the cr eativity in students fr om grades K-12, as they create posters that illustrate traffi c safety slogans. Hurry, entry deadline is M arch 27, 2012. Winners will join us at an award ceremony! Get full details at AAA.com/Otto.

If you or your child has a traffi c safety message for Otto, email him at [email protected]. Learn more at AAA.com/Otto.


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Why do bears hibernate?Black bears that live in Minnesota (where the VSWS is) sleep in a den for as long as 6 months each year. Cubs are born while the mother is hibernating.

Bears that live in the southern part of the country, like Florida, may not hibernate at all. The reason bears hibernate is because there is no food available for them. There is food available all year long in Florida.*Courtesy of the American Bear Association

28 February 2012

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30 February 2012

MORE....GREAT LOCAL TEACHERS doing great things!

This time of year, many preschool pro-grams begin the enrollment process for the upcoming school year. There are so many models for early childhood educa-tion with many excellent choices in this area, that the process can sometimes be overwhelming for parents. Below, we’ve listed some of the important factors to consider when choosing an early child-hood experience for your child. When you tour a program or attend an Open House, look for some of these qualities and most importantly, ask questions.

1. What are the teacher’s qualifi ca-tions? Nursery and preschool programs should have qualifi ed staff whose back-grounds include formal education as well as experience working in the fi eld with young children.

2. How inviting is the classroom en-vironment? The classroom should be clean and the teachers should be friendly, greeting children at eye level and by name whenever possible. The classroom should be decorated with children’s origi-nal artwork. Beware of picture-perfect art projects! Ask yourself, what did the child learn from this project and how much of this was done by the child? Children’s artwork should show off their skills and/or creativity at their own level so no two projects should look alike.

3. What is the program’s curriculum? Some programs use a formal curriculum, such as the Montessori Method, while others may develop their own curriculum. The curriculum in a program may be de-velopmental, which focuses on learning through play, or academic, which is more structured with direct teaching of letters and numbers. When examining the program’s curriculum, look for a variety of activities that are age-appropriate (tabletop activities, pretend play, arts and crafts). Activities should be fun and should target a variety of developmen-tal areas throughout the day, including: gross motor, fi ne motor, language and communication, social skills, and knowl-

edge and thinking.

4. How does the teacher actually teach? Look for a balance between direct teacher instruction and child-directed activities that includes learning from the environment. Children should not be expected to sit for long periods of time. They should spend most of their time playing with other children and working with materials in the classroom. Teach-ers should work with individual children, small groups, and the whole group throughout the day. Worksheets are use-ful when used occasionally and appropri-ately or if a child has a particular interest in this type of activity.

5. How do the children learn letters and numbers in a play-based program? Young children learn best through play. Look for a program that integrates the academic skills required for Kindergarten into everyday experiences, such as taking attendance or serving snack.

6. How does the program adapt for children with diff erent skill levels? A program with qualifi ed, experienced staff should be able to individualize your child’s learning throughout the day. Look for a program that encourages children of diff erent levels to work together while allowing the children to learn without limits.

7. When are books used in the class-room? Ask teachers if books are simply present on a bookshelf or if reading is part of the classroom routine each day. Children should have the opportunity each day to explore books alone or with friends and to hear a story read to the class or a small group of children. Often times, books are a central theme in a classroom, with the daily activities relat-ing to the vocabulary or setting in the story thereby enriching your child’s learn-ing experience.

8. How will I know my child is safe and well-cared for? Following an initial transition period, your child should be happy to attend the program. Teachers should be available to families and willing to work with families to meet the needs of the children. Ask about the program’s health and safety policies to prevent injury and illness. Most importantly, trust your instincts.

Lynn LaVoie-Stephens & Terry Duncan are two amazing local teachers who opened

their own preschool , Discovery Learning Center, LLC!!

CHOOSING A PRESCHOOL FOR YOUR CHILDby Lynn La-Voie Stephens & Terry Duncan


Sheila Golden has twenty-four years of teaching under her belt and is almost a veteran teacher. She says what she loves about her job is that each year she gets a diff erent set of children and watches them grow as individuals. She says some stu-dents even come back

as teachers or parents! Mrs. Golden has taught every grade from 1st - 4th, although she is certifi ed through 8th grade. Her specialty is Social Stud-ies but surprisingly she loves teaching math. As a child she was never good at math until college when she worked really hard to understand concepts. Because it did not come easily, she is able to help students who struggle with math. Mrs. Golden is not only a teacher at Castleton Elementary school but she was also a student once upon a time. She started school in 1969 and says a lot has changed. She used to go home for lunch. Her Mom didn’t work so there was always someone waiting at home. She says today things are much diff erent for kids in her classes. There is more content to learn and more extra-curricular activities for elementary school stu-dents. One of the key things she tries to teach her 3rd graders is time management. Another modern diff erence is the use of technology, like smart boards which help with interactive

learning. Every classroom at Castleton Elementary school is equipped with one.

About 3rd graders: “They are on the edge. They come in young and through the year they fi nd their independenc e by the time they go to 4th gr ade. They are moving into the w orld of friends and school.

Mrs. Golden is a bundle of energy. In addition to being a wife and a mother of a fourteen-year-old daughter, and twenty-one year old stepson, she coaches soccer, cheerlead-ing and track. Mrs. Golden attributes her success over the years to her mentors, specifi cally, Mr. Jim Gibbons, Mrs. Candi Stuart, and Pat & Geri Snyder. “They taught me the nuts and bolts of teaching before I even had children of my own.” She recalls once having this great paper mache project she was going to do, and Mrs. Stuart suggested breaking it down by having stations instead of handing every student scissors and glue all at once. Mr. Snyder, a former teacher and coach at Schodack taught her that “the world isn’t black and white, its shades of gray.” What you see on the outside may not reveal the whole person or what is going on in their home life. As a teacher and a coach it is her responsibility to take care of her students and athletes and see them holistically. Mrs. Golden never says ‘No that is wrong’. Instead, she asks her students, ‘Why did you think that?’ Then she listens. From Mrs Golden’s perspective, teaching is an honor. She says she never forgets she has someone’s most valuable possession, their baby, in her room. “Education is something we do together (with parents).”

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Meet A Local Teacher

32 February 2012

Schodack Graduates Return to Off er Adviceby Jason McCord

Recent graduates returned to Maple Hill High School on January 6 to off er advice to current students, faculty and staff .

The visit was an eff ort the distric t has made in r ecent years to reach out to graduates to help current students understand the challenges of college while helping school offi cials learn what they can do to better prepare students for college.

"Our alumni did a great job and were well received by students and faculty," said H igh School Guidance Counselor Teresa He-bert.

Gathering before juniors and seniors in the High School audito-rium, 11 alumni f ormed a panel t o answer questions from stu-dents. Questions ranged fr om "How much time do y ou spend studying?" to "What if you don't like your roommate?"

Alumni told students t o expect more reading, writing and in-dividual study time . They also enc ouraged students t o get in-volved in activities outside of academics at college to help orga-nize their time and meet people.

Alumni then met with facult y and staff to discuss what helped them be prepared for college and what the distric t could do to

better prepare future graduates.

Graduates talked about the benefi ts of tak ing college level courses in high school . They said courses like Advanced Place-ment and College in the High School not only provided valuable college credit in advance but prepared them for the rigor of col-lege classrooms.

Graduates also discussed the impor tance of writing and r e-search. While the consensus was that they were better prepared for writing assignments than most of their c ollege peers, they said those were critical skills that need to be a focus.

The district would like to thank our returning alumni Molly Aus-tin, Erica Bilodeau, Emily Bonin, Erica C ecala, Dan Croft, Patrick Curtin, Abbi Hicks, Loren Hiser, Anna Racz, Stephanie Racz and Dennis Strainge.

GREAT LOCAL SCHOOLS NEWS....

St. Jude the Apostle SchoolNurturing & Educating since 1953St. Jude the Apostle School is located in a beautiful suburban neighborhood, centrally located between Troy and the R.P.I. Technol-ogy Park. Our school is in a relaxed, secure setting, perfect for fostering childhood development. Located one mile from HVCC and less than one mile east of Troy.

St. Jude off ers a competitive academic program following a New York State Standards Based Curriculum. Upon graduation, many of our students secure academic scholarships to some of the areas private middle and high school programs. In addition to our core curriculum we off er in our PreK-6 program, spanish, technology, music, art, instrumental program including violin, viola and cello, library and physical education. A program of extra-curricular activities is available after school hours including mini-mesters of enrichment activities.

For the convenience of working parents, our Community After School Enrichment Program operates on every regular school day beginning at 2:30 PM and ending at 5:30 PM. Regular staff members at St. Jude supervise the program. St. Jude the Apostle School provides a quality educational program combined with the morals and values necessary for the world today. We off er grades K – 6 and full day and half-day Pre-K for 3 & 4 year old children. For more information or to schedule a personal tour, call Dr. Cathleen A. Carney, Principal at 283-0333.


When one thinks of a teacher, the attributes that typically come to mind are knowledge, wisdom, understanding, patience, kind-ness, generosity and, of c ourse, a sense of humor . When one thinks of a special teacher that has impacted their life in a mem-orable way, this teacher has one attribut e that truly separat es them from the rest and that attribut e is selfl essness. S elfl ess-ness of heart and spirit, the willingness to give of themselves to their students each and every day they walk into the classroom. When one thinks of these attributes, one automatically thinks of Miss Kristine Reardon, Third Grade Teacher at St. Jude the Apos-tle School in Wynantskill.

Miss Reardon was recently honored by the Roman Catholic Dio-cese of Albany as this year’s Most Distinguished Teacher. In an awards ceremony, recently held at the Cathedral of the Immacu-late Conception in Albany, Miss Reardon was honored by Bishop Howard Hubbard. The Superintendent of Schools, parents, stu-dents and co-workers gathered for this momentous occasion.

Miss Reardon’s classroom environment, which is Christian, car-ing, fair and conducive to mutual respect remains the hallmark of her career. The high regard and passion she holds f or teach-ing and learning is imparted to her students on a daily basis.

Dr. Cathleen A. C ar-ney, Principal of St. Jude the Apostle School, nominated Miss Reardon for this award. In so do-ing she stat ed: “We are fortunate and blessed to have Miss Reardon on our staff . We may never know the glorious reaches of her w ork, but we can guess at them. Through her powerful example of

joyful love and years of selfl ess service rendered, we know that there are young people who are making the world a better place and doing so because one day they had a teacher who truly be-lieved they could. Her name is K ristine Reardon. For there are those who will do the w ork and seek the glor y and ther e are those who work quietly, never seeking anything for themselves, never looking for a public ack nowledgement, never asking for appreciation….this is the mark of a true person of humilit y and selfl essness….this is K ristine Reardon….truly a most distin-guished teacher.

St. Jude the Apostle Teacher Honored as Year’s Most Distinguished Teacher by Roman Catholic Diocese of Albanyby Dr. Angela Carney

EGCSD Operation GraduationBy Sammy DeLuca Lindberg

Students are “dropping in” to a program at East Greenbush Central School District’s Columbia High School that is helping them stay in school , stay motivated and graduate. The program, called Opera-tion Graduation, is w orking to raise the school’s graduation rate by off ering stu-dents an alternative to dropping out and a way to address their personal obstacles to earning a diploma. “The idea is that w e encompass the stu-dent not just academically , but as a whole,” said special education teacher Me-lissa Mancino, who heads instruc tion for Operation Graduation students. “To make it easier for students to meet attendance requirements, we shortened their school day and created a relaxed and warm fam-ily environment where they can c ome in, feel comfortable and learn without dis-traction.”

Students are provided with c ounseling, introduced to positive role models fr om the community, and paired with jobs that compliment their school schedule . It’s all designed to foster an environment where students can build c onfi dence in them-selves and bec ome motivated in their studies, as well as help students manage any social, emotional or ec onomic chal-lenges that, f or many, act as a barrier t o success at school. “We wanted to make sure students didn’t fall through the cracks ,” said C olumbia High School Principal John Sawchuk. “We were seeing students lea ve school f or a variety of r easons. Poor attendance was often a factor, as well as issues at home or the need to leave school to fi nd employ-ment. Operation Graduation is an out- of-the-box approach to help make school work for these students.” Technology also pla ys a r ole in helping students make the most of their school day. The students utiliz e a c omputerized learning program, called No vaNET, to complete classes and catch up on missed credits. The program works by identifying the areas where a student needs instruc-

tion most and adjusting c oursework ac-cordingly, allowing the student t o com-plete rigorous courses in short order. “Students have shown a v ery positive response to Operation Graduation,” con-tinued Mrs. Mancino. “One of the most obvious examples has been att endance. Students are here every day and some even come in early or stay late when they don’t have to. That says a lot about their attitude toward being here.” On the morning of F riday, January 13th, fi ve students were awarded their diplomas during a special graduation ceremony. The graduates are (L-R): Tayler Woodcock, Abbey Slaga, Felicia Sitterly, Katelyn Rodier, and Suzanne P el-ton.

Photo - Miss. Reardon with student and Bishop Howard Hubbard

34 February 2012

LAPINSKI DENTAL

General & Cosmetic Dentistry

Welcoming New PatientsProviding heathly, beautiful smiles

for your entire family

114 Troy Road ~ East Greenbush, NY

477-8428 www.LapinskiDental.com

Our bodies and systems are all connected. When you visit the dentist…an oral examination can reveal a lot about what is go-ing on in your body, showing signs of many illnesses, nutritional defi ciencies and infections. Each person is unique but changes in the teeth and gums may indicate a larger systemic problem. Some of these issues may be but are not limited to:

• Heart Disease: Plaque buildup on teeth has been linked to plaque in arteries.

• Diabetes: There is a higher incidence of periodontal disease in diabetics and may lead to tooth loss.

• Vitamin defi ciencies: Patients may feel as though they have burned their tongues with certain vitamin defi -ciencies

• Celiac Disease: Nutrition defi ciis can cause weak-ened enamel & repeated tooth fractures.

• GERD (Acid Refl ux): Certain wear patterns on teeth can be seen. Untreated refl ux can lead to esophageal cancer.

• Eating disorders and Alcohol abuse: Certain wear patterns on inside surfaces of the teeth can be seen. Rampant decay, gum disease and other hygiene concerns are common.

Noting changes in your mouth ranging from loose teeth, bad breath, bleeding gums, recurrent sores, color changes and ill-fi tting dentures/crowns/bridges, should warrant a call to the den-

tist. Early detection is always the best. Your dental professional may suggest that you consider a visit with your physician. Improving diet along with better overall health can lead to a healthier mouth. Brushing & (yes) Flossing will get rid of the some bacteria in the mouth which can lead to a healthier you. For additional resources & links visit www.ADA.org.

Email me your dental questions at [email protected]

Naturopathic consultation services for individualized lifestyle & nutritional support for both adult and pediatric population. Other services include homeopathy, botanicals, nutraceuticals,

gentle naturopathic detoxification, and mind-body support. For more information and to set-up a free 15 minute consultation, please contact Dr. Cole:

77 Troy Rd, Suite EEast Greenbush, NY 10261

[email protected]

518-701-4587www.amycolend.com

WELLNESS, HEALTH & BEAUTYWELLNESS, HEALTH & BEAUTY

Word ofWord of Mouth Mouth

by Joseph Lapinski, DDS

February is Dental Health

Month


Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, let’s get ready for love.

Clean Your Room! (Mom knew what she was talking about) Clutter blocks ch’i from movely freely throughout your room, don’t let it get stuck under piles of dirty laun-dry or trapped under your bed. Blocked ch’i prevents you from moving forward in your (love) life.

Make Room for Love. Your bed should be in the “com-manding position”, as far as possible from the door but with a clear view of the doorway. Make sure there is enough space around your bed for each person to move freely. Choose furniture with curves and smooth lines, if your furniture does have sharp corners consider draping a piece of soft fabric on top.

Choose Your Colors Wisely. You want your bedroom to be welcoming and inviting, choose warm colors like peach ,cocoa, khaki and cream; or for a more tranquil feel-ing, try soft greens and blues and the palest of lilacs. Now add in accents of Feng Shui “passion colors” pink and red. Think sheets, candles, pillows; any shade of red or pink will do, burgundy, mauve, magenta.

Think in Twos! If you are single and looking for love, decorate your bedroom as if you already have a partner. That means two nightstands, two lamps and enough pillows for two. Scatter other “pairs” around your room, a pair of candles (pink or red), two ceramic cherubs and artwork that depicts love. Avoid anything that is solitary, a vase with a single fl ower or a photograph with just one person, you want to create “couples energy”.

Invite Romance by placing images of love in the south-west corner of your bedroom. Try two pink candles side by side, a red or pink heart shaped box, two red roses in a beautiful vase, artwork depicting a couple or pair of swans or doves. If you are looking for love, place romantic pictures (fl owers, cherubs, lovers) on the wall you fi rst see upon entering your room and on the wall you look at while in bed.

Five Feng Shui Tips to Attract Romance into Your Life

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36 February 2012

WELLNESS, HEALTH & BEAUTYWELLNESS, HEALTH & BEAUTY

Cholesterol and Heart Health Cholesterol and Heart Health by Dr. Amy Cole by Dr. Amy Cole

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Most people get their cho -lesterol levels checked on a regular basis t o ensure it is not getting too high. Choles-terol is a major c omponent of cell membranes. I t also plays a role in hormone pr oduction (including sex hormones and the stress hormone c ortisol)

and vitamin D production, thus making it important for our bod-ies. Cholesterol is also important for tissue repair.

Cholesterol becomes a problem when the lo w density lipopro-tein (LDL) or “bad cholesterol” becomes oxidized in the body . Oxidized LDL can cr eate plaque build-up in the ar teries lead-ing to cardiovascular problems. Hence, when LDL becomes too high doctors become concerned and ways to decrease choles-terol level are discussed.

When tissues become infl amed, cholesterol levels will rise to aid in repair. Cholesterol may also increase in response to stress and so it is impor tant to not only addr ess the issue of the elevat ed cholesterol, but it is also important to address infl ammation and stress level. A nutritional approach should aim to address all of these aspects

Below are some dietary interventions that may be helpful:

• Eat small frequent meals throughout the day. • Don’t skip breakfast.• Eating a whole food diet to minimize oxidized LDL. • Eggs are typically okay to consume. (There are some people that may react to eggs) Eggs are packed with numerous oth-er important nutrients and so t ypically I do not r ecommend restricting egg consumption unless the individual does have a sensitivity to eggs.• Avoid Trans fats.• Beef is best c onsumed if it is g rass-fed, grass-fi nished beef. Grass-fed beef has been sho wn to have a high c ontent of omega-3 fatty acids. • Include nuts in the diet especially walnuts , almonds, pista-chios, pecans, hazelnuts, and macadamia nuts.• Avoid foods that may lead to infl ammation in the body in-cluding sugars and any foods you may be sensitive to.

Proper dietary changes should be tried bef ore any supplemen-tation or herbals are added in. There are many nutritional sup-plements and herbals that ha ve been studied and ha ve been found to help decrease the level of cholest erol. Supplements and herbals should be chosen on an individual basis . Str ess management techniques should also be discussed.


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38 February 2012

Fasten your seatbelt, sister.

We’re bold. We’re fun. We’re high impact.

Want to know more?

Contact Lori King-Kocsis, Capital Region Moxie Exec [email protected] or go to

www.moxieexchange.com

Moxie is a national business and professional organization where authentic, wicked-smart women share business savvy and drive business results. Events with The Moxie Exchange Movement are

-tion, momentum and results - that’s Moxie!

Moxie Exchange Meetings are held the third Wednesday of every month from 3:30 – 6:00 pm (New Member Orientation is 3:00-3:30) at The Standard, Crossgates Mall, Albany, NY

When I was in my early 20's I worked at an interior design offi ce. It was there that I was honored with my fi rst mentor. Her name was Joan Townley. I interviewed with Joan and had waded through snow (in high-heels and a skirt). I was delighted by this woman who had a British accent, a charming laugh, every hair on her head in place and she was wearing a very stylish outfi t. Joan hired me and told me later that she was impressed with me! She told me that she thought I must have really wanted the job, to show up for an interview in a skirt, during a snowstorm. Then, there was George; Joan's hus-band, who also worked at the design company. George smoked a lot and hung out in the warehouse. He cursed and spit. I was perplexed by that relationship. They were like night and day. I could always tell though, how much he loved Joan (and she loved him). Joan came in every day dressed to the nines, she would compliment me on my clothes and would talk to me like a person not a "staff er". She would share

stories with me about her past and she shared some of her best business advice (and much of it was about how to work with other people). I began to hear rumblings of things that weren't going well between the busi-ness partners (there were 4, two men and Joan and her husband, George). One day, Joan came to work, dressed in a beautiful red dress. She went to her offi ce and picked up a photo, then stopped by my desk and apologized for the awfulness of what had happened, and what was to become of the company. The other two owners were able to take over the company. And they did. I am forever grateful to Joan, for show-ing me how to work with people in a civilized manner, dress like you "mean it" and to speak to people, not at them. There was one parting image of her and a comment that she made that has stayed with me. That last day in the offi ce, leaving the business she loved, she wore a beauti-ful red dress. As she left the building, she said to me that when Queen Mary of

Scots was on her way to her beheading, underneath her robes she wore red. She wore red so no one would be able to see her blood. Lesson One: Don’t let the small things get in your way from the WHY. (even if it means “dressing” for an interview though the weather isn’t in your favor). Lesson Two: Be open to the idea of having a mentor or a sponsor. They will provide you with lessons and learning that could save you years of time. Lesson Three: Take the high road. Even when you feel you’ve been wronged, when you take the high road you will always feel good about how you behaved – and, as with Joan, you will leave a last-ing impression on how to handle tough situations. Here’s to love! Have a Happy Valen-tines Day!(I dedicate this column to Joan Townley and her love, George, may they rest in peace). Lori King-Kocsis, founder of LKK Creative Connec-tions and Capital Region Moxie Executive of the national Moxie Exchange Movement.

Life Lessons Learned While On The JobLife Lessons Learned While On The Job by Lori King-Kocsisby Lori King-Kocsis


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