The monthly newsletter of the
Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce
February 2012

 

Chautauqua Chamber at the Forefront of Health Insurance Reform

The President and Chief Executive Officer of the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce is playing a key role in health insurance reform in New York State. Todd Tranum is serving as Co-Chair of the CANYS Health Insurance Task Force. The Chamber Alliance of New York State consists of about 85 member chambers of commerce from throughout the state representing 110,000 businesses and 3.6 million employees. CANYS works on a wide variety of policy and advocacy issues at the state level.
The CANYS Health Insurance Task Force has written a position paper on the exchange model of health insurance. This position paper is based on a white paper written by Tranum last year on the role of business associations in health care reform.
Last week, Tranum and other leaders from the CANYS board, had a series of meetings in Albany with Senators and Assembly representatives, including a presentation to Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos and Senator Hannon, Chair of the State Senate’s Standing Committee on Health. 
The policy paper presented focuses on the development of an insurance exchange for groups that would be business-driven and allows brokers, business associations, including Chambers of Commerce and Manufacturers Association, to facilitate the distribution of insurance plans throughout New York State.
“Our position and ideas were well-received by Senators Skelos, Hannon and several others with whom we have discussed this issue,” Tranum said. “Everyone we met with acknowledged the important role that business associations play within the health insurance market.”
He added, “The State does not have to spend a lot of taxpayer money to ‘reinvent the wheel’ in terms of developing an exchange for the group market. The technology to run an exchange exists and is actively being used by business associations throughout New York State for the distribution of health insurance plans. Business associations have been distributing health insurance plans for decades. The distribution channel for the exchange is already in place through the network of business associations throughout the State.”
 CANYS is developing, and circulating to key decision makers, a plan that provides direction on how a private market-driven exchange model can be successful. The private insurance exchange portal model now serving the business community would include business associations as a key component of a distribution channel. 
CANYS supports the creation of a public authority to oversee the exchange statewide, providing an independent and flexible operation. In addition, the Alliance recommends that the group market include sole proprietor and businesses with up to 100 employees within the Small Business Health Options Program, spreading the insurance risk across a larger pool and resulting in premium relief for businesses. Community rating would be managed regionally to allow for variation in demographics, cost of living, hospital and provider reimbursements. The proposal would allow insurance carriers to compete to participate in the exchange, and for the inclusion of high deductible plans that are compatible with health savings accounts to be provided to employer groups. The full CANYS position paper and Tranum’s White Paper are available on the Chautauqua Chamber web site at www.chautauquachamber.org.
The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce has been at the forefront of insurance exchange design for business associations. Working with a private exchange firm, Liazon, for the past two years the Chautauqua Chamber has helped to craft a program that provides a wide array of employee benefits to local businesses. 
Governor Andrew Cuomo recently included the formation and funding of a health insurance exchange in his 2012 budget proposal. 
Photo Caption:  Chamber President/CEO Todd Tranum with Senator Dean Skelos in Albany.
 
 
  
 
 
Dunkirk Community Chamber to Hold Annual Meeting
The Dunkirk Community Chamber of Commerce will hold its Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors on Wednesday, February 8, 2011 at 4:30 p.m. at the SUNY Fredonia Technology incubator at 214 Central Avenue, Dunkirk, NY. The meeting is open to all Chamber members as well as potential members interested in finding out more about the Dunkirk Community Chamber of Commerce.
Nominations and elections of directors and officers for the Dunkirk Community Chamber of Commerce will take place during this meeting. Chamber participation in this summer’s Harborfront events will be discussed as well as the upcoming Business After Hours networking event.   There will also be an update from Steve Neratko, Director of Planning and Development in the City of Dunkirk, on Waterfront Development.
 
 
Active Rewards Pays You Back for a Health Lifestyle
If you participate in the Chamber’s health insurance program through the Bright Choices Exchange, you may be able to get some money back by choosing a health lifestyle. The Univera Active Rewards program offers opportunities to earn up to $1,000 per family for doing simple things like eating healthier, walking the dog, and making other healthy choices. 
Simply set up a log-in through the Univera web site, and sign up for Active Rewards. You will be asked to set up a wellness profile, and use the on line program throughout the year to track how you exercise, eat right, and engage in preventive health activities like routine checkups. You also get points for managing chronic conditions and for quitting smoking. 
Active Rewards is an easy way to make good choices and earn money back!
 
 
Winter Festival Volunteers Needed
Even without an ice castle this year, the President’s Day Weekend Winter Festival in Mayville will still be one of the largest outdoor seasonal events in the region, and volunteers remain a critical part of the event. The Festival will be held February 17-19 at Lakeside Park in Mayville. Since its inception in 1987, this event has brought thousands of people to the shores of Chautauqua Lake to take advantage of the best that winter has to offer.
Main events on tap for the festival, which will be held regardless of the weather, are a chili cook-off, sports competitions, fireworks, and a Polar Bear Swim to benefit the Mayville Food Pantry. Winter sports tournaments planned include broomball, dodge ball, a snowball distance throwing contest, and a children’s snowman/animal building contest. 
Volunteers will be needed to assist in coordinating these events, as well as to help with parking and logistics surrounding the festival. If you would like to volunteer for any of these tasks, or if you would like to help sponsor some aspect of the festival, please call the Mayville/Chautauqua Community Chamber of Commerce at 716-753-3113.
For a full schedule of events, click here.
 
 
Winter Festival Learning and Networking
The first Chautauqua County Chamber Networking Mixer of 2012 will help to provide a preview of the Mayville President’s Day Weekend Winter Festival. The Mixer will be held on Thursday, February 16th at Webb’s Captains Table in Mayville. It is sponsored by The Post-Journal, Observer, and Clark Patterson Lee.
In keeping with the Chamber’s focus on Chautauqua: The World’s Learning Center, the event will feature a presentation on the history of ice cutting on Chautauqua Lake and construction of the ice castle. Entertainment will be provided by music students from Chautauqua Lake Central School. To register, call the Chamber at 366-6200 or 484-1101, or visit our web site at www.chautauquachamber.org.
 
 
Jamestown “Salute to Our Finest”
The Jamestown Community Chamber of Commerce has chosen a handful of representatives from its distinguished array of businesses to be recognized for 2011 achievements. The award winners will be honored during the 10th annual “Salute to Our Finest” award reception February 23rd at the Lillian Ney Renaissance Center.
Being honored are: Mike Metzger, Community Service Award; Framemasters, Retailer of the Year; the twelve Jamestown area foundations, Service to Humanity Award; Jamestown Rental Properties, Business of the Year; Jamestown Savings Bank Arena, Pride of Jamestown; Jamestown Gazette, New Business of the Year; and Weber-Knapp Company, Manufacturer of the Year.
The reception and hors d’oeuvres buffet will be held from 5:30pm to 7:30pm with the award presentation at 6pm. The cost is $20 per person and reservations can be made by calling the Jamestown Community Chamber of Commerce office at 484-1101.
 
 
Market Your Business
A key part of the value of your Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce membership is the opportunity to market your products and services to both members and non-members through the Chamber web site and other Chamber offerings. 
As more and more people turn to the Internet to do business, the Chamber has done more to improve its web presence.  In 2011 more than 11,000 unique individuals visited the Chautauqua Chamber web site, with over 70,000 page views. As that number continues to increase, the Chamber is doing more to provide its members with opportunities to advertise on the web.
Web site advertising through the Chamber is easy, affordable, and can be customized to suit your needs. Opportunities include advertising on the Chamber home page, the VOICE newsletter page, and in several other locations. Ad space is also available through the Chamber’s weekly email summary. Additional opportunities for advertising and sponsorship are available throughout the year to Chamber members.
Marketing is just one of the valuable benefits of Chamber membership. To learn more, call the Chamber office at 484-1101 or 366-6200, or visit the Chamber web site at www.chautauquachamber.org.
 
 
Fredonia Community Chamber Honors Business and Civic Leaders
A group of outstanding business and community leaders was honored recently during the Fredonia Community Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet.
Awards were presented to: Sam Drayo, Esq., Business Person of the Year; Phil Kumle, Service to Humanity Award; D's Pizza Wings n' Things (P*Dubs), Retailer of the Year; Trooper Toys for Tots, Community Service Award; Liberty Food and Spirits, Taste of Fredonia Award; and Dr. Dennis Hefner of SUNY Fredonia, Outstanding Achievement Award. 
The Banquet was held at the White Inn and was sponsored by DFT Communications, the Fredonia College Foundation, and Lake Shore Savings Bank. 
 

Wellness Feature
Breathing Easier with Home Oxygen
Submitted by Great Lakes Home Healthcare
 
Many people in our community today are prescribed oxygen therapy by their physician due to chronic illness, but are still able to maintain their independence. Technology has really advanced over the years in terms of home medical equipment and this includes the area of home oxygen. People with asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, lung cancer, and congestive heart failure are just some of the illnesses that can lead to the need for oxygen.
If you are in need of oxygen therapy, your physician is required to write a prescription which will include the flow rate (how much oxygen you need per minute). He/She will also specify when to use your oxygen. Some people only use oxygen therapy while exercising or sleeping, while others need oxygen continuously. Your physician will order a blood test that will indicate your current oxygen level which will help determine your need.
There are a few common ways of providing oxygen therapy. Oxygen can be delivered to your home in the form of a gas in a small cylinder vessel or by an oxygen concentrator which filters and concentrates room air and requires electricity. There are also new systems for home filling which enables you to produce oxygen and fill small portable tanks right in your own home.
Fire safety is one of the biggest precautions in regards to using oxygen at home. You should never smoke while using oxygen. You should also warn visitors not to smoke near you when you are using oxygen. Put up no-smoking signs in your home were you most often use the oxygen. When you go to a restaurant or other venue, be sure you are in a non-smoking area. It is also recommended to stay at least five feet away from gas stoves, candles, lighted fireplaces or other heat sources. Don’t use any flammable products like cleaning fluid, paint thinner or aerosol sprays while using oxygen. Be sure to have a fire extinguisher nearby and let your local fire department know that oxygen is used in your home.
Here are some other tips in regards to using home oxygen:
§ If you use an oxygen concentrator, be sure to notify your electric company so you will be given priority if there is a power failure.
§ Don’t ever change the flow of oxygen unless directed by your physician
§ Tuck some gauze under the tubing to prevent your cheeks or skin behind your ears from becoming irritated
§ You can use water-based lubricants on your lips and nostrils, but don’t use oil-based products like petroleum jelly
If you are using oxygen at home, contact your physician if you experience any of the following:
§ frequent headaches
§ anxiety
§ blue lips or fingernails
§ drowsiness
§ confusion
§ restlessness
§ anxiety
§ slow, shallow, difficult or irregular breathing
Be sure to call your home medical equipment provider if you have problems with any of the oxygen equipment. Contact Great Lakes Home Healthcare Services at (814) 664-5092 if you have additional questions about the use of home oxygen.
 

Shedding Light on ROI’s
By Todd Hanson, Project Manager
Ahlstrom Schaeffer Electric

   Is there anyone who doesn’t like a good return on their investment? Whether it’s on their money, time, or both. 
   A lot of effort has been spent trying to make facilities more energy efficient and lower maintenance. Most of the concentration has been on the interior spaces including lighting, HVAC, motors and controls. What’s left you say? In many cases the outside is left and the biggest thing that has been overlooked is outdoor lighting.  The list includes wall and security lights, parking lots, canopies, landscape, flag poles, signs and other decorative lighting.
   There are many reasons for looking at upgrading or replacing your outdoor lighting. The list includes energy savings up to 75%, reduced maintenance by using products that can last up to 10 times as long (up to 15 years), reduced glare (Dark Sky Compliant), instant on, utility rebates and good ROI’s.
   Let’s take a 250 watt HID fixture, for example, and replace it with a 78 watt LED at a facility that is supplied by National Grid. If it is on from dusk until dawn year round (which many lights are) that is about 4200 hours of operation and a savings of about $125 per year per fixture. If it costs roughly $490 to install your payback would be about 4 years.
Wait we’re not done yet. If you could get a rebate of approximately $125, that would make the ROI a little less than 3 years. On top of that, if the fixture is ready to be re-lamped, has a bad ballast, is broken or needs replacing you can subtract that cost also, let’s use $35 for an average cost. Now for the next 12-15 years you won’t have to change a lamp or ballast. That could save you approximately $105 (about 3 lamps, recycling costs and probably a ballast). Keep in mind that these costs reflect doing the maintenance yourself. So, now we have gone from a 5 year ROI down to under a 2 year ROI. So over the 12 years you would save $ 1,765 on a $490 investment. That is for one light!
   Who wouldn’t invest their money in something that would almost quadruple in 12 years? I thought so. The next time you drive into your place of business after dark look at all of the lights and think of the possible investment you have right in front of you. Besides all of that, you get the the peace of mind that you could cross your outdoor lighting maintenance off your “to do list” until 2024!


Many Activities at Audubon Snowflake Festival
   No matter the weather, the Audubon Center and Sanctuary’s 2012 Snowflake Festival offers something for everyone.  The Saturday, February 4 event will have a variety of activities and opportunities from 10 am to 4:30 pm.
    A new feature of this year’s Snowflake Festival will be guided walks with an Audubon naturalist at 11am and 2pm.  Outside activities also include snowshoe demonstrations by Evergreen Outfitters, cross country skiing on more than five miles of trails, snow sculpture building, and the Fluvanna Boy Scouts Troop #169’s outdoor cooking demonstrations and free food samples.
   Among the opportunities to enjoy animals will be wildlife rehabilitator Paul Fehringer’s presentations with his live birds at 11:30 am and 1 pm. Amtilia Outreach will show rescued reptiles and amphibians, hissing cockroaches and a tarantula. The Chautauqua County Humane Society will have cats available for adoption, and Audubon will have its own collection of turtles, snakes, fish, and frogs.
   Outdoors, Siberian huskies will give scooter and kick sled demonstrations, and alpacas will be in a petting pen. Festival goers can also get a behind-the-scenes tour of Liberty, Audubon’s resident non-releasable Bald Eagle. 
   Indoors, the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy, Jamestown Audubon Society Photography Club, Jamestown Community College Earth Awareness Club, Southern Tier Astronomical Recreation Society (STARS), the Warren County and Chautauqua County Master Gardeners, and WNY Energy $mart will all have displays.
   Providing information or products for sale will be BeautiControl with 50% discounted skin care products, Braymiller Builders, Dun Roving Farm & Alpaca Store, Invisible Fence Brand of Erie, Williamsville’s Teddy Heads, and Audubon’s own Nature Store.  Also indoors will be bluebird house building, children’s crafts, and yarn spinning demonstrations.
The great food offerings will be both meat lovers and vegetarian chili, grilled Kielbasa and hot dogs, fudge brownies and other baked goods, hot chocolate, fresh fruit, kettle corn, cotton candy, apple chips and more.
Admission to the Snowflake Festival is only $5; children under 12 are free. Sleigh rides are $5 for ages 13 and over and $2 for 5-12 year olds; $5 covers materials for building a bluebird house. Proceeds support Audubon’s environmental education programs. A reminder: there is no ATM on the Audubon property. 
   Festival sponsors include United Refining Company, WNY Energy $mart Communities, Herbs R-4-U, Carroll Rod & Gun Club, Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy, Gary’s Carstar, Lena’s Pizza, Randy Ordines, James M. Smith-CLU, Dun Roving Farm and Alpaca Store, Franklin’s Honey & Apples, Phil-N-Cindy’s, and Teddy Heads.
   The Audubon Center and Sanctuary is at 1600 Riverside Road, off Route 62 between Jamestown and Warren. Winter hours are 10 am-4:30 pm Mondays and Saturdays, and 1-4:30 pm Sundays. The trails and Bald Eagle viewing are open dawn to dusk daily.  For more information, call (716) 569-2345 or visit jamestownaudubon.org.

Photo caption:  The return of Paul Fehringer with his presentations on “Birds of Prey” and “Owl Ecology” is just one of the many exciting activities at the Audubon Center and Sanctuary’s Snowflake Festival on Saturday, February 4, 2012. Fehringer is shown here at a previous festival showing off a Barred Owl. (Photo by Dave Cooney)


Audubon Offering Scholarship
   If you are an area college-bound high school senior or Jamestown Community College student who intends to pursue a bachelor’s degree in an environmental or related field, you may want to apply for a scholarship being awarded by the Jamestown Audubon Society.  Each year the Audubon Center and Sanctuary’s education staff and their friends join together to raise $500 for this scholarship. And they do it through something they love: a Birdathon.
   A Birdathon involves what they call “a team of crazy birders” looking for as many species as possible over a 24-hour period. Held in early May, donors can pledge a set amount or an amount per species for their efforts.  In years past they have seen anywhere from 65 to 80 species of birds.
   The application is a simple form, asking just a few questions to determine the applicant’s experience, interest and need. Deadline for applying for the 2012 award is March 15.
   Previous scholarship winners include Elyse Johnson, Brenton Maille, Alyssa D’Alessandro, Alexa Vazquez, Tricia Bergstue, Karen Eckstrom, Bill Langworthy, Rex Everett, Ryan Exline, and Eve Gaus.
   Information and an application can be found on-line at http://jamestownaudubon.wordpress.com/programs/scholarship/.
The Audubon Center and Sanctuary is at 1600 Riverside Road, off Route 62 between Jamestown and Warren. Winter hours for the Nature Center are 10 am-4:30 pm Mondays and Saturdays and Sundays 1-4:30 pm. Liberty, Audubon’s non-releasable bald eagle, welcomes visitors daily from dawn to dusk in her outdoor pen. The Sanctuary’s more than five miles of beautifully maintained trails are available for cross country skiing and snowshoeing also daily, dawn to dusk.  For more information, call (716) 569-2345 or visit www.jamestownaudubon.org.

Photo caption: A Birdathon sponsored by the education staff of the Audubon Center and Sanctuary provides funds for a $500 scholarship for an area student planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree in an environmental or related field. Application deadline for the 2012 award is March 15. (Photo by Jennifer Schlick)
 

Artworks Selected for “Women Create”
   The artwork has been studied, the applications reviewed, and the decisions made: of more than 140 submissions, the works of 41 artists have been selected for the first juried Women Create exhibit in Jamestown.  The artists bring a wide range of experience, from a high school student through professional working artists, and include college students, art teachers, and hobbyists.
   With the February 11-March 31 show intended to feature the work of local and regional women, the preponderance of artists come from throughout western New York.  These include: Anne Conroy-Baiter, Allegany; Pam Drellow and Renee Pye, Bemus Point; Kaitlin Frisicaro, Cheektowaga; Sara Skillman, Dewittville; Karen Fitzpatrick, Ellicottville; Bonnie Jo Wilcox, Falconer; Jill Johnston and Sue McNamara, Fredonia; Medis Kent, Findley Lake; Jil St. Ledger-Roty, Franklinville; Judith Whittaker, Frewsburg; Marilyn Martin, Gerry; Diane Knight and Kathleen Lell, Glenwood; Kellyn Baron, Stephanie Burdo, Emma Duncanson, Tara Eastman, Sandra Ecklund, Kyla Hill, Janicemarie McDonald, Patricia Micciche, Catherine Panebianco and Maddie Schlick, Jamestown; Bethany Bjork, Jenny Brown and Jennifer Janowski, Lakewood; Barbara Fox, Little Valley; Ann Parker, Machias; Jennifer Miller, Olean; Cristy Johnson and Kathleen Tenpas, Panama; and Megan Brown, Karen Eckstrom and Amy Vena, Rochester.  Artist Hiromi Katayama is from Edinboro, and Toni Kelly, Victoria Norvaisa, Jodi Staniunas Hopper are from Erie, Pennsylvania. Sandy Shelenberger is from Conneaut, Ohio.
   The exhibit features a wide range of art and fine crafts in a variety of media.  Presented in cooperation with the Arts Council for Chautauqua County, the exhibit will open on Saturday, February 11, 2012, at Jamestown’s new 3rd On 3rd Gallery. Women Create will be the gallery’s first major juried show and the second major group/multi-artists show since it opened last year. The 3rd on 3rd Gallery is at 116 East Third Street, adjacent to the Reg Lenna Civic Center. 
   Women Create was conceived and designed by Jamestown artists Debra Eck and Jennifer Schlick, the founders of Creative Arts of Women - Western New York (CAW WNY).  For more information, visit http://womencreate.wordpress.com/.
 
Photo caption: Artworks have been selected for the first juried exhibit of women’s art at the new 3rd On 3rd Gallery in downtown Jamestown, New York. One of the works on display from February 11 through March 31 will be this photo, “Golden Tree,” by Catherine Panebianco of Jamestown.


Audubon Nature Photography Club Preparing for Falconer Library Exhibit
   During the Camera Corner portion of the Thursday, February 9 meeting of the Jamestown Audubon Nature Photography Club, veteran photographer Dave Cooney will explain how the histogram can help you get great shots. 
   The histogram is a simple bar chart that your camera can display that plots tonal values from black to white that are in your image.  The histogram gives clues to proper exposure, whether the image has blocked, detail-less shadows and highlights, and much more.  While not needed for common shots, the histogram can lend direction for those difficult to expose shots and for how to process your image in the digital darkroom.
   The evening starts at 6:30 pm with Camera Project, using a specific topic to refine camera handling and composition. With the February topic “Looking Up,” members will show images where their camera was pointing vertically. 
   Following the 7 pm business meeting, club members will have a matting and mounting session to prepare their photos for the Falconer Library show the opens in March. During the preparation, members will also have a show-and-tell of books that helped them improve their photography.
   Guests are welcome to the program and are asked to pay $5. This fee can be applied toward the annual membership dues of $25 if application is made by the next meeting. Among the benefits of membership are discounts on photography classes, special gifts and giveaways from sponsors, and the right to show photos at Club exhibits and participate in trips. 
   The Jamestown Audubon Photography Club meets at the Audubon Center and Sanctuary at 1600 Riverside Road, off Route 62 between Jamestown and Warren.  Contact Club president Suzette Paduano at (716) 763-9492 or SuzettePaduano@yahoo.com for more information, or visit www. http://jasphotoclub.wordpress.com.
 
Photo caption:  Audubon Center and Sanctuary volunteer Dave Cooney will present “Demystifying the Histogram” during the camera lesson portion of the Jamestown Audubon Nature Photography Club meeting on Thursday, February 9. This Presque Isle scene is one of Cooney’s many beautiful outdoor shots.

 
Buster Brown to Honor Westfield Artist
   Buster Brown Bean Company is hosting an art reception and birthday celebration for Trenton Camden Lutes, a local Westfield painter and photographer.  The reception will take place Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012 from 8-10 p.m. at Buster Brown, 33 Church St. in Fredonia. 
Lutes work is inspired by Mother Nature and will be featured at the reception.
   “Through my photography I wish to portray my intimate relationship with Mother Nature and her creations that many might miss if not looking close enough,” says Lutes.  Lutes has been shooting photography for about six years.  His work has been shown throughout New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio in multiple exhibitions and galleries.    
   For more information concerning the event visit our website at, http://busterbrownbean.com, or contact David Culver at 716-672-6622 or david@busterbrownbean.com for more details. 
   Buster Brown Bean Company is a Café and Bistro and fine dining establishment located in downtown Fredonia, NY.

Fredonia Opera House and Reg Lenna Civic Center to Host “Kaleidoscope” 
   “Kaleidoscope” will be presented on Friday, February 3, at the Fredonia Opera House and again on Friday, February 17, at Jamestown’s Reg Lenna Civic Center. The event is designed to launch the 2012 fund drive for the United Arts Appeal.  Beginning at 7pm and emceed by Jamestown’s comedy improv troupe, The Unexpected Guests, both evenings will feature samplings of performances including folk music, ballet, theater, chamber players and singers. 
   All eight UAA member organizations will contribute to the evening, including the Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet, Community Music Project, 1891 Fredonia Opera House, Infinity Visual & Performing Arts, Jamestown Concert Association, Lucille Ball Little Theatre of Jamestown, Reg Lenna Civic Center, and the Western New York Chamber Orchestra.
   “This year we are presenting ‘Kaleidoscope’ to give the entire community the opportunity to see the great arts offerings in Chautauqua County,” said Rick Davis, UAA board president.
   In addition, door prizes of free tickets to presentations by all the member organizations will be given away each evening.
Admission for either performance is only $5. Tickets for the February 3 performance in Fredonia can be reserved by calling (716) 679-1891 and for February 17 in Jamestown by calling (716) 484-7070. Tickets will also be available at the door.
   UAA board members recently sent letters to businesses and selected individuals throughout the county. The letters included an invitation to “Kaleidoscope” and asked for support for UAA members and the many smaller groups and independent artists that receive UAA funding.
Contributions to the United Arts Appeal are tax deductible, and contributors are offered a range of benefits for their generosity, including free admissions to selected performances and recognition in printed programs and on the UAA’s website.
    Any business or individual that did not receive a request for support is invited to call (716) 484-7329 and ask for materials.  For more information, visit http://unitedartsappeal.org/.

Photo caption: United Arts Appeal of Chautauqua County board members recently sent letters to local businesses and selected individuals, requesting their support for the arts in 2012. Included was an invitation to “Kaleidoscope,” a sampling of the offerings of the eight UAA member organizations that will be presented on Friday, February 3, at the Fredonia Opera House and Friday, February 17, in Jamestown’s Reg Lenna Civic Center. Pictured here are (standing, from left) Dan Pierce, Elizabeth Bush, Rick Davis, (seated, from left) Julie Newell, Lissa VanDewark, Sally Ulrich, Stephanie Rogers, and Shane Hawkins.

 
JBC’s Conklin Appointed to Higher Education Advisory Council
   Jamestown Business College President, David Conklin, was recently appointed to the Commissioner’s Advisory Council on Higher Education through the New York State Department of Education.  The council, comprised of various leaders in higher education throughout New York State, oversees all phases of planning for the Board of Regents Statewide Plan for Higher Education.  
   Every eight years, the Board of Regents, in collaboration with the higher education community, develops and adopts the Statewide Plan for Higher Education. The plan sets system goals and objectives and addresses priority matters of statewide concern to residents, the workforce, the community, as well as higher education institutions.
   The plan also includes long-range master plans of the State University of New York, The City University of New York, and New York’s independent and private higher education institutions.  The outcome is a coordinated, eight-year Statewide Plan that focuses all of New York’s higher education resources on identified needs to optimize the State’s higher education system.
   President Conklin said he was pleased to assist the Advisory Council in their planning. “I’m pleased to represent JBC and New York State in this very important process.”


Jamestown Business College, Seneca Gaming Corp. to Partner
   Officials at both Jamestown Business College (JBC) and Seneca Gaming Corporation (SGC) recently announced the launch of a new training program that will take place throughout winter 2012.   As part of the new program, JBC will offer professional development seminars to participants in the already established Career Development Program at Seneca Allegany Casino.
   JBC, which has traditionally offered extensive career development training to its Associate and Bachelor degree students, has extended its programming in an effort to partner with the community.
   JBC President, David Conklin, said that the progression was a natural one. “Over the past several years, we have experienced great success with our professional training at both the Associate and Bachelor degree level,” he said. “So, when we were approached to partner with SGC, it seemed like a great opportunity to partner. Their goals for the future and our trainings go hand-in-hand. Needless to say, we are excited about the program.”
   The SGC Career Development Program, that runs in all of the Seneca properties, has a goal of empowering qualified Seneca team members for advancement within the Seneca Gaming Corporation. Participants complete work in various departments of the casino and also participate in various leadership and professional activities as they progress through the program. 
   SGC Director of Career Development, Flip White, said that he, too, is eager for the new phase of the program to begin. “Our program participants are exploring our casino operations from top to bottom and gaining the professional knowledge that may help them excel in future managerial roles,” he said. “We are excited to bring yet another training opportunity to our program participants and to partner with JBC.”
The training, which will occur at the Salamanca property, will feature etiquette and leadership themed activities. 
   Seneca Gaming Corporation (SGC) was established by the Seneca Nation of Indians in August 2002 for the purpose of developing, constructing, leasing, operating, managing, maintaining, promoting and financing all of the Nation’s gaming facilities. For more information visit  www.senecagamingcorporation.com. 
   Jamestown Business College offers business-focused Associate and Bachelor degrees and certificate programs that include targeted professional development activities. For more information on registering for these programs, call 664-5100 or visit us online at www.JamestownBusinessCollege.edu.

Photo Caption: From left, SGC Career Development Senior Program Manager, Nanette Helgager, is pictured with Jamestown Business College President, David Conklin.

 
Alfred State Nursing Program Added to JCC’s Communiversity
   Graduates of Jamestown Community College’s nursing program now have an opportunity to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing through the Communiversity at JCC in partnership with Alfred State College.
   The agreement outlines how graduates of JCC’s Associate in Applied Science degree in nursing can complete Alfred State’s nursing degree online in four semesters. JCC graduates must complete designated JCC courses with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 and must secure licensure as a registered nurse by the end of their first semester after matriculating at Alfred State.
   Students can transfer additional JCC coursework toward meeting requirements for the bachelor’s degree and Alfred State will accept a maximum of 90 total transfer credit hours from JCC.
   The nursing degree agreement is a component of the Communiversity partnership that JCC and several colleges, including Alfred State, have undertaken. Communiversity is an alliance of regional colleges and universities making select associate’s, bachelor's, and master’s degrees accessible to JCC students without leaving the area.
   Details of the agreement and the Communiversity program can be accessed at www.sunyjcc.edu/communiversity.  


JCC Adds Environmental Science Degree
   The New York State Department of Education has approved the offering of an associate’s degree in environmental science at Jamestown Community College’s Jamestown Campus.
   The 60-credit hour degree program prepares students to comprehend, evaluate, and analyze contemporary environmental problems at the interface of nature, human institutions, and scientific study. Interdisciplinary explorations and scientific tools and technologies essential for addressing emerging environmental challenges and opportunities are featured.
   Students will explore the ethical dimensions of decisions and actions associated with being responsible local and global citizens and gain a better understanding that a more sustainable world will nurture healthier ecosystems, vibrant human communities, and stronger economies. The program prepares students for transfer into numerous baccalaureate programs such as environmental science, environmental biology, natural resource management, conservation science, forest ecosystem science, fisheries and wildlife biology, natural history, ecology, and others.
   JCC’s environmental science degree, noted Ms. Nystrom, provides critical foundations for well-trained environmental scientists and citizen scientists to meet the urgent and growing environmental challenges of the 21st century and beyond.
   For additional information, contact the JCC admissions office at 1.800.388.8557 or visit www.sunyjcc.edu/environmental-science.


Biotechnology Equipment Donated To JCC
   A $5,000 donation from the Johnson Foundation of Jamestown has enabled Jamestown Community College to expand and improve JCC’s biotechnology program through the purchase an electroporator.
Electroporation is a technique used to move DNA from cells of one organism to another and is an essential part of biotechnology. 
   Jacqueline Crisman, Ph.D., director of the biotechnology program, emphasized, “We have integrated real scientific research into the curriculum drawing from my experience as a researcher. Currently our students are engaged in breast cancer and immunological research and will study other topics like E. coli food contamination in the near future with the assistance of local biotechnology employers such as AFA Foods and Trinity Biotech.
   “The electroporator allows our biotechnology students to use this financially prohibitive technique in their required research projects,” added Dr. Crisman. “Modern medicine is moving rapidly toward molecular medicine to yield individualized diagnosis and treatment, she noted, outlining the process of moving genes into a patient to treat disease and/or turn off disease causing genes.”
   The Johnson Foundation, established by the John Alfred and Oscar Johnson Memorial Trust, supports charitable, religious, and educational organizations in Chautauqua County, as well as those of Swedish heritage.


Jamestown YMCA Child Care Available
   The Jamestown YMCA is announcing new hours for child care when Jamestown Schools are closed due to inclement weather.  The YMCA's YKidz program will open at 8:00am until 5:30pm for children 5-12 years of age.  The program will offer quality child care with a variety of age appropriate activities for children including arts & crafts, swimming, gym games, sports, storytelling and much more. 
   The program fee is $17 per child per day for YMCA members and $22 per child per day for potential members.  Parents will be required to complete a registration form and make payment at the YMCA upon arrival.  Children will need a lunch, 2 snacks and a swimming suit and towel.   Additional program information is available at the Jamestown YMCA Welcome Center.  For additional information contact the YMCA at (716) 664-2802.


 

 

  

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